Reddit mentions: The best christian holidays books

> First, I'm interested in how Israel is connected in Reformed Theology. I live in an area where Christian Zionism is the air you breathe and every single policy has to benefit Israel or else God will be against us. I doubt this for many reasons. How do we talk to folks like this? How do we work to change this kind of attitude? What do the Scriptures really say about Israel?

The Puritan Richard Sibbes writes, "The faithful Jews rejoiced to think of the calling of the Gentiles; and why should not we joy to think of the calling of the Jews?"

The Reformed, while far from Zionist or dispensationalist, do hope for the conversion of the Jews before the end of the world. Francis Turretin mentions this in the third volume of his Institutes (the 18th Topic, Question 9), for instance, and the Westminster Larger Catechism teaches that such a hope is implicit in the Lord's Prayer:

> Q. 191. What do we pray for in the second petition?

> A. In the second petition, (which is, Thy kingdom come,) acknowledging ourselves and all mankind to be by nature under the dominion of sin and Satan, we pray, that the kingdom of sin and Satan may be destroyed, the gospel propagated throughout the world, the Jews called, the fullness of the Gentiles brought in...

That said, the current geopolitical nation of Israel is against Christ. Although I have not read it, The Israel of God by O. Palmer Robertson has been recommended to me.

> Secondly, I'm really wondering about the apostles. Not just their history, but the theology behind them. What did it take to be an apostle?

The apostles were sent out (as in the verb ἀποστέλλω) by Christ as the great Apostle (John 20:21, Hebrews 3:1). Mark 3:14-19, 6:30; John 20:21-23; and 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 show the apostleship of the twelve disciples.

> If Peter was greater, then why does it appear that James had more authority in Acts 15 or we have more of Paul's letters?

He who would become great in the kingdom of God is to become a servant, ministering to others (Matthew 20:26-28). The apostles all shared equal authority, as they were all sent out by Christ with the same commission.

Although the first to confess Christ, Peter did not lord his apostolic authority over others. Diotephes loved to have preeminence, while Peter counted himself as a fellow-presbyter (συμπρεσβύτερος) among colleagues in the ministry, not even the first among equals (3 John 1:9, 1 Peter 5:1). On the contrary, the apostle exhorted his presbyterian associates to be ministers of God, not masters exercising tyranny over the Church (1 Peter 5:1-4).

> Was Paul counted as one of the 12? If so, who did he replace? If 12 wasn't too significant to the overall picture, then why start with 12 and add more later?

The number twelve is significant, since the twelve apostles are the faithful witnesses to the twelve tribes of Israel (Luke 22:29-30, Acts 1:8, James 1:1, Revelation 21:14).

Paul, however, was an apostle to the Gentiles, not to the twelve tribes of Israel (Romans 1:5; Galatians 1:16, 2:8). This may also explain why we have the most letters from him.

> Was an apostle always someone who had divine authourity? Then shouldn't we have their writings? Why does Paul say one of the ways you can know he's an apostle is by his suffering? And how would the Jews at that time have seen the role of apostle? Was it analogous to any priestly or prophetic duty?

An apostle had priority over a prophet (1 Corinthians 12:28). For a general overview, you may want to read the entry on Apostle in John Brown of Haddington's A Dictionary of the Holy Bible.

> I'm wondering if there are any other works on the Sabbath history? How did the first 8 centuries of the church handle this question?

I would very much recommend The Sabbath Viewed in the Light of Reason, Revelation, and History by James Gilfillan. At the beginning of the book the author sketches the "Sabbatic controversies and literature prior to the Reformation," and proceeds to summarize the first six centuries of the Christian era:

> Among the Fathers and early Christian writers, no fewer than thirty-one out of forty-seven have adverted, with less or more brevity, to the Sabbatic institution. Both as combatants against Pagan and Jewish errors, and as witnesses, whose testimony, justly held worthy of attention and respect, is to be adduced in another part of this volume, they claim in this place a brief notice:—

> First Century.—Within the period comprised in New Testament history, only two instances occur in which uninspired writers refer to a stated time for religious worship. In a.d. 68-70, Clemens Romanus wrote his celebrated Epistle from the Church of Rome, of which he was bishop or presbyter, to that of Corinth, in which he refers to the seasons of worship as by Christ instituted and commanded to be observed. ...

> Barnabas, another fellow-labourer of Paul, whose Catholic Epistle (a.d. 71 or 72) has for its object to show that the Mosaic dispensation was divinely superseded by the Christian, expressly mentions the universal celebration by the Church of the eighth day as a holy day, in place of the former seventh day. This epistle, written, as Lardner has unanswerably shown, a year or two after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, is quoted as the work of Barnabas by Clement of Alexandria, and Origen, and was, like the preceding, read in some of the early churches along with the Scriptures.

> Second Century.—In the early part of this century, in 107, or more probably, as some suppose, in 116, Ignatius, a disciple of the apostle John, and afterwards bishop of Antioch, suffered martyrdom, being, by order of the Emperor Trajan, conveyed to Rome, and exposed to the wild beasts in the amphitheatre. On his way to Rome he wrote letters to various churches... In the letter to the Church of Magnesia, there occurs a passage which has been frequently adduced in proof that the Lord's Day was recognised and observed in his time.

> In his first Apology, addressed, in 138 or 139, to the Emperor Antoninus Pius, Justin [Martyr]...records the manner in which the Christians, in the early part of the second century, observed their weekly holy day; and, in his Dialogue with Trypho...vindicates them for not keeping the Jewish Sabbath. He was born in Palestine, about the year 100...and suffered martyrdom about 165.

> We are indebted to Eusebius for notices of three writers who flourished in 170. Melito, bishop of Sardis, was the author of several works, no longer extant, with the exception of a few fragments preserved by the historian, one of which is peculiarly valuable, as containing a list of the canonical books of the Old Testament. Among his works, which had come to the hands of Eusebius, was one περί κυριακῆς—on the Lord's Day, this title alone now surviving of what appears to have been the first distinct treatise on the institution. ...

Etc. This is only a prelude, however, to a study of the entire history of the Sabbath from a Reformed perspective.

If you want to read a history of Puritan Sabbatarianism, there is [The Market Day of the Soul](https://www.amazon.com/Market-Day-Soul-James-Dennison/dp/1573580627/).

> How do our cultural trends affect how we worship on the Lord's Day. How does Sabbatarianism deal with the Sabbath usually starting on the sundown of the "day" before?

If you can read it, William Gouge explains this in The Sabbath's Sanctification.

> Question 48. When begins the Lord's Day?

> Ans. In the morning. Act. 20.7.

> When Paul came to the Church at Troas, he had a mind to spend a Lord's day with them, though he was in great haste to depart so soon as he could. He came therefore to their assembly at the time that they came together according to their custom: but he kept them till the end of the day: (for he would not travel on the Lord's day) and having dismissed the assembly, he departed. Now it is said that he continued his speech till midnight (Acts 20.7), even till break of day (verse 11), and then departed: which departure of his is said to be on the morrow. By this punctual expression of the time, it appears that the first day of the week, the Lord's day, ended at midnight, and that then the morrow began. Now to make a natural day, which consisteth of twenty four hours, it must begin and end at the same time: for the end of one day is the beginning of another. There is not a minute betwixt them. As therefore the Lord's day ended at midnight, so it must begin at midnight, when we count the morning to begin. Which is yet more evident by this phrase (Mat. 28.1) In the end of the Sabbath (namely of the week before, which was the former Sabbath) as it began to dawn (namely on the next day, which was the Lord's day). Or (as Joh. 20.1) when it was yet dark there came divers to anoint the body of Jesus, but they found him not in the grave: he was risen before: so as Christ rose before the sun.

There is more.

> How practically should we handle this day?

A good place to start is chapter 21 of the Westminster Confession of Faith as well as the related catechism questions (Questions 57 to 62 of the Shorter and Questions 115 to 121 of the Larger). Fisher's Catechism of the Smaller Catechism elaborates in more detail. For even more detail, you can read [The True Doctrine of the Sabbath*](https://www.amazon.com/Sabbathum-Veteris-Novi-Testamenti-Doctrine/dp/160178399X/) by Nicholas Bownd.

Start with a simple project, a a-line skirt, a set of placemats, or throw pillows if you're super new...

Below is a list I've sent to several friends:
Buy a used copy of the Reader's Digest guide from the 70's
https://www.amazon.com/Readers-Digest-Complete-Guide-Sewing/dp/0276001826/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1471039067&sr=8-2&keywords=reader%27s+digest+guide+to+sewing

It is my bible. I go back to it again and again for vocabulary and technique. I forget why I bought the older one, I think some blog told me the newer version is not as good.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1ztfF0-cd4VX27ItjMoGEg
This blog has tutorials for every technique. This woman is my sewing guardian angel, she has the best videos. I wouldn't be able to sew without her. Basically when I started sewing I watched her video before beginning any new step i didn't know. Stitch in the ditch, watched her video, then did it. Hemming, watched her video then did it. Putting in a zipper, watched her video then did it.

Scissors, get a good pair of these: https://www.amazon.com/Gingher-01-005106-Lightweight-Trimmers-9-Inch/dp/B0001DUPB0/ref=sr_1_31?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1471039933&sr=1-31&keywords=gingher+scissors

You'll need to start with:
Pins: just buy silk ones with glass heads, they're like $10, but worth it

Measuring tape 60": should be like 1 or 2 dollars

hand sewing needles

sewing machine needles: you'll get a couple with your machine, but use a new one for every project

bobbins: make sure they're the right ones for your machine

seam ripper: get the best one you can find, it will be your biggest ally,

Pin cushion: just a basic tomato one will do, but there are cute cactus ones now that you can make: http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2015/07/cactus-pincushion-diy.html

a good iron: you probably have a bomb one right now, but upgrade if you're still on your $15 black and decker model

invisible marker/ water soluble market: better than tailors chalk, i have a double sided marker

a magnet: to pick up dropped pins (good to have especially at first) any kind will do.

Anytime I start a new garment that I'm not sure about the technique or fit, I make a muslin. Basically a 1st draft with cheap $2 a yard fabric, and then I have the fit and techniques down before I do the real thing.

Start with just making square pillows, then a duvet cover, then pillow cases. Then a pleated skirt.

I prefer McCalls patterns, I generally like their fit and they aren't overly complicated while still being stylish. Like this one: https://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m7253
I usually order my patterns online when there's a sale. There's not a great place to buy patterns in the city, but if you're in Princeton and there's a Joann's nearby you can find them there usually on sale. Don't ever pay full price for patterns, they go on sale like every month, and go from like $20 to $4.

Most important thing is that sizing is completely different. I'm usually a size 12 in patterns, they're more akin to British sizes, but you just match your measurement, for a skirt, your waist, and match that measurement to the patterns sizing.

Sorry for the delay in responding...

I would highly recommend reading a book on the Christian Calendar. Robert Webber's Ancient-Future Time is probably a good place to start. Webber was a professor at Wheaton and does a good job of explaining the liturgical practices of the Church through time in a way that made it easy for me as an Evangelical to understand. You will find that the majority of Christian holidays are firmly based in scripture (there are a few that are extra-biblical events from the lives of biblical people, or commemorate events in the early history of the Church---no real reason to think of them as pagan, though). That's the main problem with the idea that Christians essentially copied a pagan calendar: the Christian calendar is Christ-focused at its core. A few syncretic practices in one location or another doesn't change this. Yule logs, for example, are obviously pagan... but you won't see too many people outside of the Anglo-German-influenced world celebrating Christmas with them, like you'd expect if Christmas was fundamentally a pagan holiday (Amusingly enough, it was Yule that was changed to coincide with Christmas, once upon a time...).

The impulse to ditch Christian holidays is more or less a product of the Regulative Principle of Worship proposed by Calvinists and the Radical Reformers. Since the Bible is inspired and the only guaranteed "Christian" source, everything not mentioned therein must be done away with. Once comparative religion studies became popular in the 1700-1800s, various people started trying to back up the bans with accusations of pagan origins by connecting Christian practices with any similar pagan practices, regardless of historic continuity or lack thereof. Thus things like the Christmas tree, which developed from the paradise plays popular in Christian Germany around the time of the Reformation suddenly became somehow related to the Yule tree of ancient German paganism, or the Asherah groves of the Ancient Near East, or the greenery of the Roman Saturnalia festival, despite the fact that their development was completely independent. Alexander Hislop's The Two Babylons is probably the most notorious of these attempts. A lot of these works are similar in quality to those claiming that Egyptians must have sailed the Atlantic and taught the Mesoamericans how to build pyramids. Ralph Woodrow does a decent job of addressing Hislop's work in particular in The Babylon Connection?.

Most of my sources on Christmas traditions are in German and not available in English (I lived in the Northern Rhineland for a while), but here is a decent essay on Christmas Trees, at least. You might want to look into finding a good book on Church history too, if you're really curious. I hope this is helpful.

>Atheists do not celebrate Christmas, nor do Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Jehovah's witnesses, Hindus, or any other non Christians.

I have atheist and Jewish friends who celebrate Christmas. Also, OP's class consists -- according to him -- of atheists and Catholics (he teaches in China), so he's suggesting atheist Chinese children celebrate Christmas too.

Here's a Jewish FAQ that is very cold to the idea of Jews celebrating a secular Christmas, touting that "82% of Jewish households never have a Christmas tree." That suggests 18% of Jews did have a Christmas tree in their home.

Here's an atheist Christmas song (he mentions the sun because he's Australian and December is summer for them). Here's a book about an atheist's approach to Christmas. Ask /r/atheistparents/ if there are any parents celebrating Christmas with their kids. Or read their discussions on the subject.

Heck, the holiday itself was lifted from earlier pagan traditions --- decorated trees, wreaths, feast, gift giving, mistletoe, you name it near the winter solstice. Those are pagan in origin, and now are secular traditions. Santa himself is a conglomeration of several figures real and mythical, including Odin (old man, long beard, cloak, flying through the winter sky on an 8-legged horse giving gifts). The idea of a winter holiday celebration with gift giving, etc. has been co-opted by many cultures throughout history. Non-Christians celebrating a winter holiday they call, for the sake of continuity within their country's culture, Christmas... is just a continuation of that very human habit. Many atheists (in America) grew up in religious homes, so really they're just continuing the tradition they grew up with, minus the religious element. Are there atheists who don't celebrate Christmas? Sure, they exist too.

To be clear, when I say a secular Christmas I mean a holiday being celebrated without mention or thought of Jesus that is nonetheless called Christmas and has many of the trappings associated with Christmas (decorated tree, Santa Claus, etc.).

To piggyback on this, it might be useful to explain why the legend of Krampus is not so wide-spread. As cited in the book Christmas Curiosities (an excellent collection Victorian-era Christmas prints and an examination of the weird traditions they show), prior to the late 1800s, printed media was very expensive, to the point that most people who weren't part of the upper class wouldn't normally encounter it. Without TV, radio, or even printed media to give people an idea of "This is the normal way to celebrate Christmas." holiday traditions were much more localized before this time. There would be Christmas traditions not only exclusive to countries, but to certain areas of countries or even specific towns.

As technology in printing became more widespread and cheaper, you get things like ads, calendars, and post cards that kind of normalize things like how to celebrate Christmas and who Santa is and what he looks like and what he does. However, during the early years of mass printed media, you see these weird traditions on display, because people were making cards and ads out of the way they had always celebrated Christmas. So, you see angels and/or baby Jesus delivering presents instead of Santa, Santa variously looking like an elf, a saint, a skinny old man, or the fat man we know today. Sometimes he brings switches for the naughty children, sometimes a helper like Krampus does it instead.

Krampus was particularly popular in German countries and even in the US among the German immigrant population. It is likely that he is drawn from earlier pagan traditions. However, the whole association with this devil-like figure at Christmas fell out of favor in most places and today, it's mainly localized to Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia.

You know what else is a result of "man-made tradition"? That Bible you're clinging to.

Next time you're in mass or in an Orthodox service of the divine liturgy (not that I'm expecting you to be), thank them for that Bible. Because it was men who put it together, not God. Sure, God-driven men, but men nonetheless. I happen to believe that if God can work through men to put together the final canon of the Bible, God can work through men to establish a liturgy that draws the Church deeper into himself year by year.

And, uh, no. That's not what the Church is about. The Church is here to be the body of Christ himself in this world, and to change it, bringing about the kingdom of God with as much power as we've been given to do so (that is, a lot). "Meeting people where they are to serve them" could certainly be part of it, but throwing out tradition (which you don't do, I guarantee you) in favor of American Evangelicalism's freeform approach is wrong. The liturgical year is all about drawing the Church into right worship of the Lord God Almighty, not stuffy tradition.

You know, I'd invite you to read a book. The whole series is pretty good, but this one is specific for what you're talking about. Ancient-Future: Time by Robert Webber is fantastic for introducing Christians to their year. It will let you see it all in a much more beautiful light, I assure you.

There's a Revelation of the Magi out there--a rather late creation, second or third century, but it apparently has some pretty interesting theology. When Jesus is born, the star of Bethlehem embodies the child and baby Jesus preaches to the wise men, claiming that the star-child is the root truth of all religious belief or something like that. Kind of an "all truth is God's truth" kind of story, but it leaves the possibility of non-Christian salvation very open. Great mythic image, the Magi.

The Orthodox Faith by Thomas Hopko (It's all on-line- so no need to buy anything here.)

Great Lent by Alexander Schmemann (I found this one extraordinarily useful and informative.)

Beginning to Pray by Anthony Bloom (Wonderful resource for anyone.)

On the Incarnation by St. Athanasius (Catholics of all stripes should approve of this, but this is definitely something the East looks at more frequently in my observation. Also all on-line.)

The Meaning of Icons by Vladimir Lossky (Icons are often overlooked in book recommendations on Orthodox Christianity. It's a shame. It's one of the most fascinating subjects.)

On Acquisition of the Holy Spirit by St. Seraphim of Sarov (Even the pope has recognized him as a saint. This is a wonderful and deceptively simple (i.e. heavy) read. This is also all on-line. There are also six you-tube videos for this so you can just listen: https://youtu.be/pBynRA0wNg8 )

(I also definitely second the recommendations on The Orthodox Way and For the Life of the World.)

Also, I don't think this has much to do with theology, but I really liked them:

The Way of a Pilgrim (I recommend this book to everyone. Always.)

How to Live a Holy Life by Gregory Postnikov (This is a small book. It's deceptively simple. The doing of what's in it is more difficult.)

​

That is awesome! With my siblings we agreed a few years back that instead of that we do a "cookie swap". Who does not like cookies - this way we all end up with a variety besides what we make.

We still do minor stuff for each others kids, not much though. We also buy something small for our parents - who probably wish we would stop giving them stuff :) Fortunately we tend to give them things they were going to do anyway - so gift cards to the movies for example (which they would do anyway).

This is a great read on the topic of gift giving I read a few years ago. It's a small book (literally its about 2" x 2" and 1/2" thick)

https://www.amazon.com/Scroogenomics-Why-Shouldnt-Presents-Holidays/dp/0691142645

I don't know about "must-read", but Rowan Williams has produced Lenten reflections based on Paul's letters and the Gospel of Mark.

• Meeting God in Paul
  
  
• Meeting God in Mark
  
  Walter Brueguemann, the Old Testament scholar-theologian, made a Lenten devotional too: A Way other than Our Own.
  
  NT Wright has also produced Lenten devotionals called Lent for Everyone.
  
  Beyond devotionals, since Lent is a time to focus on the Cross and the atonement (well, all times are, but Lent especially), John Stott's The Cross of Christ is well-regarded and would reward anyone reading it.

You should celebrate Xmas on the principle that it is a secular holiday, not even a pagan one.

Try reading The Battle for Christmas, by Stephen Nissenbaum. It explains how Christmas was really always a secular holiday rejected by Christians until Unitarians finally accepted it and popularized it.

Also, this Christmas, try listening to The Atheist's Christmas Podcast, and listen to some of the archives. I explain why it is a secular holiday as best I can, and share some of its history.

Okay, thanks! I hoped your answer would be something along those lines!

Also, I wouldn't hesitate a moment to highly recommend Alison to....anyone who enjoys intellectually-stimulating books. I've got The Joy of Being Wrong: Original Sin through Easter Eyes on my desk currently, and it's fascinating.

I teach Santa, the Tooth Fairy (a variety of fairies, actually), and so forth. I tell my kids there are some things they believe are real that aren't actually real -- and they'll have to figure out which ones. This month, my eldest built a leprechaun trap. I triggered the trap and left behind a scrap of green cloth. She surprised me by finding an extra clue, a single green thread I apparently dropped in her doorway. The only imaginary beings I don't teach as real are gods.

Are they technically lies? Sure. Are they part of a fun imaginary play world I foster for my kids that later becomes a teachable lesson? You bet.

A lesson behind Santa Claus is that it's not just Mom and Dad who are Santa Claus. You are Santa Claus, too. We all giving gifts, not Santa. The same principle is true for religious people. When they pray to a god, when they have a conversation with their god, they are really talking to themselves.

You might enjoy The Atheist's Guide to Christmas.

I really like Watch For the Light. It has thoughtfully chosen selections from a number of different authors and is not a December devotional, providing readings as early as November 24.

I also love All Creation Waits, an exploration of Advent themes through animal winter behavior. This one is a December devotional, but it's beautiful.

You can get download free Advent devotions or have them emailed to you daily from:

• The RCA
  
• World Renew
  
• The Advent Project at Biola University
  
• The Lutheran Hour
  
  My family has used the RCA Jesse Tree devotions for many years, and I have had church friends who have used the others and spoken very highly of them.
  
  If I were wanting to buy a book of Advent devotionals, here are some I would consider (in no particular order):
  
  
• From Heaven by A. W. Towzer
  
• Advent for Everyone (2018): A Journey through Luke by Tom Wright
  
• God Is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, ed. by Jana Riess
  
• Celebrating Abundance: Devotions for Advent by Walter Bruggemann
  
  

Educate yourself on the origins of the holiday then CELEBRATE THE SHIT OUT OF IT!

This helped me: http://www.amazon.com/Atheists-Guide-Christmas-Robin-Harvie/dp/0061997978/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322001698&sr=8-1

they took your holiday, turned Mithra, the god of the returning sun, into Santa and Baby Jesus, then go on and on about how the real meaning of Christmas (ie: baby jesus) is being corroded by what is actually the real meaning of Christmas (ie: presents and parties and fire)


the only way you give in to the oppression is by letting them have it their way.


also, you may enjoy Hogfather. I like to re-read it around this time of year.

>The information on the web is of uneven quality.

This is too true. As much as I love the internet as the gateway to endless information, it's not always the best teacher. For picking up a new hobby I find that books are a great resource! Especially older all-in-one books such as the Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing. They'll have a much more complete overview of the proper way of doing things than random sewing tutorials on the internet.

>People might say buying more shit is good for the economy

People who say that don't put much thought into it. They look at sales figures for the retail industry and say "oh my god, what would happen if people didn't spend it here?!" Well, the money wouldn't disappear into a vacuum, I can guarantee that.

Scroogenomics argues that gift giving is bad for the economy, on the grounds that people can't spend money as effectively on others as they can on themselves.

As a short person, I don't expect anything to fit me right out of the envelope.

I like older sewing books because they give a lot of information on how to change patterns so that they fit you. Newer books probably work well also, but I'm used to the older ones. My favorite is the Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing http://www.amazon.com/Readers-Digest-Complete-Guide-Sewing/dp/0276001826/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1407719503&sr=8-4&keywords=readers+digest+sewing+guide

I agree with the first poster on making a junk version first out of cheap fabric. It'll probably take more than one try to get things looking right. Some things can be changed after you cut out fabric. Some things can't.

Some books have already been mentioned, but Silent Night has not. I thought it was pretty good, and very readable.

I just finished reading "The Battle for Christmas" which is a history of Christmas in America since the days of the puritans. It's a great read, though sometimes a little academic. It is actual history, BTW, not a religious tract (the author is/was a professor at Amherst). If you are one to celebrate Christmas, you'll probably learn something surprising.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Battle-Christmas-Stephen-Nissenbaum/dp/0679740384

Added: Here's the blurb from Amazon:

Anyone who laments the excesses of Christmas might consider the Puritans of colonial Massachusetts: they simply outlawed the holiday. The Puritans had their reasons, since Christmas was once an occasion for drunkenness and riot, when poor "wassailers extorted food and drink from the well-to-do. In this intriguing and innovative work of social history, Stephen Nissenbaum rediscovers Christmas's carnival origins and shows how it was transformed, during the nineteenth century, into a festival of domesticity and consumerism.

My favorite is easily God is in the Manger by Bonehoeffer

God Is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas https://www.amazon.com/dp/0664234291/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_1a57BbRBY85VA

Good. I want more folklore pops. I've loved Krampus since Grossman introduced him to me in this book.

You could give him some cash, with an explanation that you're trying to help him reach his highest utility curve, and maybe a copy of [this](Scroogenomics: Why You Shouldn't Buy Presents for the Holidays https://www.amazon.com/dp/0691142645/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_UzpeAb0Y86H4M) book (or an article like it, there are plenty around).

Another redditor suggested I read this, so I did, so I will suggest it for you:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Battle-Christmas-Stephen-Nissenbaum/dp/0679740384
"The Battle for Christmas" by Stephen Nissenbaum. It's a great book that details how Christmas went from being a collection of pagan celebrations that were made ILLEGAL by the church in new england, to the christianity and consumerism focused "holiday" that it is today.

Very fascinating history that I think you'll find interesting and relevant.

Santa is actually one of the Old Gods. What originated as an annual sacrifice of royalty to bring back the sun from the depths of winter, evolved into a god providing toys and eating cookies to good children.

If the annual ritual is not performed, the sun will not rise.

https://www.amazon.com/Hogfather-Discworld-Terry-Pratchett/dp/0061059056

I really like the "Watch for the light" devotional

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0452283671?ie=UTF8&force-full-site=1&ref_=aw_bottom_links

I read this book a few years ago about the Christmas Truce. It's an amazing story.

And he's reading Pterry, yay!

Hogfather from discworld! He brings all the good boys and girls sausages for Hogswatchnight.

It's from a book called Hogfather by Terry Pratchett. You can get it from Amazon here for $7 or so.

Try this book. You should be able to get it at your local library, or you can interlibrary loan it! http://www.amazon.com/Battle-Christmas-Stephen-Nissenbaum/dp/0679740384/ref=pd_sim_b_1 ,

Terry Pratchett, Hogfather

"Although [Hitler] was out of the line in reserve, discussion arose about crossing into Niemandsland to share Christmas with the British. He refused. 'Such a thing should not happen in wartime,' Hitler argued. 'Have you no German sense of honor left at all?' More than patriotic scruples were involved. Although a baptized Catholic, he rejected every vestige of religious observance while his unit marked [Christmas] day in the cellar of the Messines monastery to which they had retired on the 23rd."

[Citation]

Would you find it terribly ironic if I were to tell you that the genuine Wars on Christmas were actually done by Christians themselves?

And another one.

Getting the picture yet?