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Show Origin of Word Christmas. The word Clirlsunns is of comparatively compara-tively late origin. The word was first used In 1038, Its form then being Christes-JIaesse, the mass of Christ. Orlgen, an early father of the church, said that in the Scriptures it was the Kiuiiers aloue, not the saints, who cel-brated cel-brated their birthdays. Another early writer referred to the, fact that the birthdays of the pagan gods were kept by the people. The very first evidence of a feast having been held in honor or the birth of Christ was in Egypt about the year 200. Clement of Alexandria Alex-andria said, "Certain Egyptian theologians theolo-gians over-curiously assign not the .year alone, but the day of Christ's birth, placing it on May 23." Another date assigned to the event was March 23. Exchange. |