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Christmas (Index Page)

Christmas (Index Page)

Last updated on: July 27, 2026 at 12:18 pm by Dave Armstrong

Christmas (Index Page) 2026-07-27T12:18:15-04:00 Dave Armstrong

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

JesusBirth2

Adoration of the Shepherds (1622), by Gerard van Honthorst (1590-1656) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons]

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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I. MY 14 CHRISTMAS POEMS

II. CHRISTMAS CAROLS

III. MY CHRISTMAS CARDS AND FAMILY PHOTOS / OLD CHRISTMAS WEB PAGE

IV. CHRISTMAS AND ADVENT CUSTOMS, TRADITIONS, AND HISTORY

V. MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES

VI. ST. NICHOLAS / SANTA CLAUS

VII. CHRISTMAS TREES

VIII. NATIVITY / BETHLEHEM AND NAZARETH / CENSUS IN JESUS’ TIME

IX. HEROD: DEATH AND TIME OF JESUS’ BIRTH / SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS / MISC.

X. VIRGIN BIRTH AND ISAIAH 7:14 / MARY’S KNOWLEDGE

XI. GENEALOGIES OF JESUS

XII. DECEMBER 25TH BIRTHDATE OF JESUS / SATURNALIA AND SOL INVICTUS

XIII. NATIVITY SCENES

XIV. ANTI-CHRISTMAS MENTALITY / “MAKING MERRY”

XV. STAR OF BETHLEHEM

XVI. THE WISE MEN (“MAGI”)

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I. MY 14 CHRISTMAS POEMS

My First Six Christmas Poems [1996-2003]

The Song of Simeon (7th) [12-15-06]

Mary’s Carol (8th) [12-14-08]

Coming Down From Heaven (Jesus’ Carol) (9th) [12-23-09]

Shepherds’ Carol (10th) [12-11-10]

St. Nicholas Speaks (11th) [12-8-12]

Joseph’s Carol (12th) [12-6-13]

Carol of the Angels (13th) [12-7-15]

Reflections on My Christmas Poems [Facebook, 11-26-16]

Joy!: A Christmas Poem for My Wife Judy (14th) [12-3-16]

2 Christmas Poems About Our Lady and St. Joseph [National Catholic Register, 12-26-17]

Christmas Poems: Jesus’ Carol / Carol of the Angels [National Catholic Register, 12-8-18]

Christmas Poems: St. Nicholas Speaks, Love’s Pure Light, Shepherds’ Carol [National Catholic Register, 12-13-18]

My First Four Christmas Poems (1997-2003) [Catholic365, 12-3-23]

My Biblical Christmas Poems #5-8 (2006-2010) [Catholic365, 12-4-23]

My Christmas Poems #9-12 (2012-2016) [Catholic365, 12-5-23]

II. CHRISTMAS CAROLS

Michigan Master of Contemporary Christmas Carols: Alfred S. Burt (composer of Caroling, Caroling, Some Children See Him, Star Carol, and 12 more) [11-29-05]

Christmas Carols and Songs: An Alphabetical, Chronological, and Geographical Catalogue [December 2005]

135 well-known songs chronicled, with composer, lyricist, date, country, alternate titles, background information, audio sample file for each song, lyrics (almost all songs, and some non-English lyrics), links to samples from famous or notable recordings, misc. trivia (many songs), and six photographs of composers and singers.

Didja know that John Rutter, perhaps the most famous contemporary composer of Christmas carols, is an agnostic? [Facebook, 12-1-24]

III. MY CHRISTMAS CARDS AND FAMILY PHOTOS / OLD CHRISTMAS WEB PAGE

“Dave’s Old-Fashioned Christmas Page” [Internet Archive: from 4 December 2003 on my original website]

2007 “Cyber-Christmas Card” [Internet Archive]

Armstrong Family “Christmas Card” for 2013 [Internet Archive]

Collection of Family Christmas Photos and Other Reflective and Old-Fashioned Prints [Facebook photo album]

Christmas 2020 Family Photos (New Grandchild, New House, “Star of Bethlehem”) [Facebook, 12-27-20]

Estelle’s First Christmas (8 1/2 Mos.) + Cecilia (13 1/2 Mos.) + Christmas Tree Farm + Great Grandmother Joan Kozora (91) [Facebook, 12-24-21]

Family Advent / Christmas Photos: Featuring Estelle and Baby Joseph [Facebook, 12-20-22]

A Collection of Old Christmas and Dept. 56 Dickens Village Photos [Facebook, 12-22-22]

Armstrong Christmas Celebration and Decorations: 2022 / + Alfred Burt: Michigan’s Master Christmas Carol Composer [Facebook, 12-27-22]

Our Backyard Christmas Tree, All Lit Up in Red and Green [Facebook, 12-23-24]

Our Lit-Up, Big, Live Christmas Tree in Our Back Yard [Facebook, 12-1-25]

IV. CHRISTMAS AND ADVENT CUSTOMS, TRADITIONS, AND HISTORY

True Christmas Spirit (fantastic monograph about Advent by Rev. Edward J. Sutfin, 1955)

The Twelve Days of Christmas (Elsa Chaney, 1955)

Family Advent Customs (Helen McLoughlin, 1954)

Christmas to Candlemas in a Catholic Home (Helen McLoughlin, c. 1954)

A Candle is Lighted (P. Stewart Craig, 1945)

Catholic Encyclopedia: “Advent”

Catholic Encyclopedia: “Christmas”

Catholic Encyclopedia: “St. Nicholas of Myra”

Catholic Encyclopedia: “Crib” [manger]

Catholic Encyclopedia: “Magi” [wise men]

Catholic Encyclopedia: “Bethlehem”

Catholic Encyclopedia: “St. Joseph”

Catholic Encyclopedia: “Annunciation”

Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter on Nativity Scenes (Admirabile Signum, 12-1-19)

V. MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES

“Xmas” & the Christian “Fish”: Etymology & History [12-22-98]

Silent Night: A “Progressive” and “Enlightened” Reinterpretation [12-10-04; additionally edited for publication at National Catholic Register: 12-21-17]

G. K. Chesterton and Charles Dickens on Christmas [12-14-06]

Dickens’ Christmas Carol Heaven! (discussion of alternate versions of this movie) [Facebook, 12-5-16]

The Bethlehem Nativity, Babe Ruth, and History [National Catholic Register, 1-1-19]

C. S. Lewis: Aversion to Crass “Christmas” Commercialism [11-1-19]

Vs. Atheist David Madison #36: Matthew & Christmas [12-10-19]

Pearce’s Potshots #11: 28 Defenses of Jesus’ Nativity (Featuring Confirmatory Historical Tidbits About the Magi and Herod the Great) [1-9-21]

VI. ST. NICHOLAS / SANTA CLAUS

Debate: Is Santa Claus a Sinful “Lie”? [2-16-07]

St. Nicholas Speaks (my 11th Christmas poem) [12-8-12]

Is Teaching Kids About Santa Claus a Sinful “Lie”? [12-21-18]

Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, Myths, Fairy Tales and ‘Lies’ [National Catholic Register, 12-23-23]

Fascinating Take on Miracle on 34th Street (by Atheist Steve Shives) [Facebook, 12-5-25]

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Catholic Encyclopedia: “St. Nicholas of Myra”

VII. CHRISTMAS TREES

Christmas Trees as Idols?: Silly Biblical “Arguments” [12-12-10]

Christmas Trees: Where & When Did They Originate? [12-12-17]

History of Christmas Trees & Their Symbolism [Nov. 2019]

Christmas Trees: Christian symbolism and development of the custom [Nov. 2019; published at The Catholic World Report on 12-22-20]

VIII. NATIVITY / BETHLEHEM AND NAZARETH / CENSUS IN JESUS’ TIME

The Census, Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem, & History [2-3-11]

I Was Blessed to Visit Bethlehem in 2014. What Joy! [National Catholic Register, 12-31-17; originally 12-26-14]

Reply to Atheist Jonathan MS Pearce: Herod’s Death & Alleged “Contradictions” (with Jimmy Akin) [7-25-17]

Reply to Atheist Jonathan MS Pearce: Bethlehem & Nazareth “Contradictions” (Including Extensive Exegetical Analysis of Micah 5:2) [7-28-17]

Answering the Bethlehem Skeptics [Catholic Answers Magazine, 12-10-19]

Pearce’s Potshots #64: Archaeology & 1st Century Nazareth [2-25-22]

Quirinius & Luke’s Census: Resources on the “Difficulty” [2-26-22]

Pearce’s Potshots #66: Bethlehem Joseph / Census Issues [2-28-22]

Pearce Pablum #69: Straw-Man, Mythical “Nativity” [3-2-22]

Pearce Pablum #70: Nativity Book Errors [3-4-22]

A Fresh Look at Joseph, Mary and Bethlehem [National Catholic Register, 3-25-22]

Jesus’ Infancy: Allegedly Contradictory Accounts (Chapter 7 of my book [available for free online], Inspired!: 191 Supposed Biblical Contradictions Resolved) [12-5-23]

What an Atheist Gets Wrong About St. Matthew’s Christmas [National Catholic Register, 12-31-23]
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See also:

Who Was Jesus’ Grandfather? (Jimmy Akin, 3-12-22)

Questions About Jesus’ Genealogies (Jimmy Akin, 3-11-22)

An Older Article on Jesus’ Genealogies (Jimmy Akin, no date)

XII. DECEMBER 25TH BIRTHDATE OF JESUS / SATURNALIA AND SOL INVICTUS

December 25th Birth of Jesus?: Interesting Considerations [12-11-17]

Was Christ Actually Born Dec. 25? [National Catholic Register, 12-18-18]

Jesus’ December Birth & Grazing Sheep in Bethlehem (Is a December 25th Birthdate of Jesus Impossible or Unlikely Because Sheep Can’t Take the Cold?) [12-26-20]

Christmas & Dec. 25th: Not Derived from Saturnalia (Nor from Sol Invictus . . .) [12-8-21]

Hippolytus (Early 3rd c.) & a December 25th Christmas [12-10-21]

Do Sheep Graze in Bethlehem in December? [National Catholic Register, 12-26-22]

XIII. NATIVITY SCENES

How Protestant Nativity Scenes Proclaim Catholic Doctrine [12-15-13; expanded for publication at National Catholic Register: 12-17-17]

XIV. ANTI-CHRISTMAS MENTALITY / “MAKING MERRY”

Debate on JW Antipathy to Holy Days & Christmas [12-21-18]

Christmas: Theological (Reformed / Calvinist) Opposition . . . With My Biblical and Historical Refutations [12-16-20]

Making Merry at Christmas: Clear Biblical Models [12-23-20]

Original Meaning of the Anglo-Saxon “Merry” [meme, Facebook, 12-20-24]

XV. STAR OF BETHLEHEM

Star of Bethlehem, Astronomy, Wise Men, & Josephus (Amazing Astronomically Verified Data in Relation to the Journey of the Wise Men & Jesus’ Birth & Infancy) [12-14-20]

Timeline: Star of Bethlehem, Herod’s Death, & Jesus’ Birth (Chronology of Harmonious Data from History, Archaeology, the Bible, and Astronomy) [12-15-20]

Conjunctions, the Star of Bethlehem and Astronomy [National Catholic Register, 12-21-20]

Star of Bethlehem: Refuting Silly Atheist Objections [12-26-20]

Star of Bethlehem: More Silly Atheist “Objections” [12-29-20]

Astronomy, Exegesis and the Star of Bethlehem [National Catholic Register, 12-31-20]

Pearce’s Potshots #12: Supernatural Star of Bethlehem? (Biblical View of Astronomy, Laws of Nature, and the Natural World) [1-11-21]

Star of Bethlehem: Natural or Supernatural? [1-13-21]

Bible Commentaries & Matthew 2:9 (Star of Bethlehem) [1-13-21]

Star of Bethlehem: Reply to Obnoxious Atheist Aaron Adair (Plus Further Related Exchanges with Aaron and a Few Others in an Atheist Combox) [1-14-21]

Star of Bethlehem: 2nd Reply to Arrogant Aaron Adair [1-18-21]

Star Researcher Aaron Adair: “Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire!” [1-19-21]

Star of Bethlehem & Magi: 20 Fascinating Aspects [1-22-21]

Ehrman Errors #9: Star Stopping Over a House?! [3-25-22]

Atheist Asks Why God Did Things As He Did at Jesus’ Birth [Facebook, 12-19-22]

Did the Star of Bethlehem Move Like Tinker Bell? (+ Discussion of Micah 5:2: The Prophecy of Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem) [12-19-22]

Star of Bethlehem: Scientific Verification (vs. an Atheist) [12-20-22]

Was the Star of Bethlehem a Natural Celestial Event? [12-21-22]

Regulus in Connection with (or Conjunction with) the Star of Bethlehem [Facebook, 1-1-23]

“The Star Went Before Them” (The Word Set in Stone) (Retrograde Motion and the Phenomenological Language of the Bible) [7-24-23]

Star of Bethlehem & Wise Men: 14 Fascinating Considerations (see also my video commentary) [Catholic365, 12-11-23]

The Star of Bethlehem in Connection (or Conjunction) with Regulus [Catholic365, 12-13-23]

The Star of Bethlehem: Replies to Mocking Atheists [Catholic365, 12-14-23]

VIDEO: Science, Scripture, and the Star of Christmas [with Kenny Burchard, Catholic Bible Highlights, 1 hour, 11 minutes, 12-20-24]

XVI. THE WISE MEN (“MAGI”)

Star of Bethlehem, Astronomy, Wise Men, & Josephus (Amazing Astronomically Verified Data in Relation to the Journey of the Wise Men & Jesus’ Birth & Infancy) [12-14-20]

Who Were the “Wise Men,” or Magi? [National Catholic Register, 12-16-20]

Route Taken by the Magi: Educated Guess [12-28-20]

Star of Bethlehem: More Silly Atheist “Objections” [12-29-20]

Pearce’s Potshots #11: 28 Defenses of Jesus’ Nativity (Featuring Confirmatory Historical Tidbits About the Magi and Herod the Great) [1-9-21]

Star of Bethlehem & Magi: 20 Fascinating Aspects [1-22-21]

Pearce’s Potshots #65: Who First Visited Baby Jesus? [2-26-22]

How Did the Wise Men Travel to Bethlehem? [National Catholic Register, 1-8-23]

First Visitors of Jesus: Wise Men or Shepherds? [Catholic365, 12-9-23]

Star of Bethlehem & Wise Men: 14 Fascinating Considerations [Catholic365, 12-11-23]

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Practical Matters: This is the most comprehensive and multi-faceted Catholic apologetics blog: rated #1 for Christian sites by leading AI tool, ChatGPT. I offer more than 5,000 free online articles, fifty-nine books, and many scores of videos at the Catholic Bible Highlights YouTube channel (please subscribe!). If you believe my full-time apostolate is worth supporting, please seriously consider financially supporting it. PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: [email protected]. You’ll see the term “Dave Armstrong Bookstore”. To learn about the different methods of contributing (including Zelle and 100% tax-deductible donations if desired), see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information. Thanks a million!

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