Couric & Co.
December 25, 2007 5:48 PM

Katie Couric's Notebook: America Without A Christmas

Christmas became a national holiday in 1870. Before that, celebrating it was often no big deal -- and sometimes it was banned, says Katie Couric.

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Katie Couric's Notebook
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by kenhamlett December 28, 2007 5:22 PM EST
I don''t see why we need government, Papal or other authorities to make Christmas official. If you feel it then it is a holiday. Enjoy the spirit and remember the meaning.

Even without cookies and candy it is a wonderful holiday.

PS: Of course it could have been better if we had received a follow-up on the "Puppy Love" story and how Goldie/Maddie is doing.
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by ericmichael1 December 27, 2007 2:49 PM EST
Jesus did not celebrate his own birthday. His disciples didn''t. Devout Jews in that day would have viewed it as idolatrous. It did not become a "Christian" celebration until some 300 years after his death.

Jesus was probably born in the fall, according to Bible accounts. But the scriptures are silent on the exact date of his birth. Nowhere in the gospel accounts does he instruct his followers to observe it.

George is on top of this one.

Eric
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by petersemkiw December 26, 2007 4:52 PM EST
Dear Katie, Lady in Red,

I had no idea that Christmas was ever Banned in Boston or that it took until 1870 to get it proclaimed as an official holiday in the USA! What Humbuggers! What took them so long? Didn''t they ever read about Ebenezer Scrooge?

We hereby raise our eggnogs to those wise Congressmen who finally saw the Light and decided to make Christmas an National Holiday in 1870! I hate to think of what would have happened if the Green Grinch had stolen Christmas. We probably would all be eating Green Eggs and Ham this time of year.

Christmas certainly makes a cold time of year warmer and merrier, and also gives many of us the chance to look beautiful in Red!

Have a Merry and Blessed Christmas Season, Katie, and Everbody, and in two weeks we can celebrate again as Eastern Rite Christmas is celebrated on January 7th, among other happy celebrations on that date!(Hint-Hint)
Maybe we can get Congress to proclaim a National Holiday on January 7, too!!

Have a Merry Blessed Christmas Season,Katie,and Everybody,too!

Peter


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