Brother Louie and Chuck Waggin explain why we call Jesus’ birthday “Christmas” in this video from the new family Christmas DVD Buck Denver Asks Why Do We Call It Christmas? from VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer.
From Christ’s Mass to Christmas
Chuck Waggin:
I’ve been wonderin’, Brother Louie, why do they call it “Christmas” anyway? Why not call it “Jesus’ birthday day??”
Brother Louie:
That’s a good question, Chuck Waggin! Do you know what “communion” is?
Chuck Waggin:
Uh – do you mean when they serve bread and grape juice in church? Let me picture it … Yeah! That?
Brother Louie:
That’s it! It’s a way to remember Jesus and the Last Supper!
Chuck Waggin:
That’s why they call it Christmas?
Brother Louie:
I’m not done. Some churches call that “communion” – other churches call it the “Eucharist” – a word that means “to give thanks.” The celebration of the Eucharist is called a “mass” in those churches.
Chuck Waggin:
Where does Christmas come in?
Brother Louie:
Still not done. Once a year in Europe these churches would hold a mass to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ!
Chuck Waggin:
And?
Brother Louie:
That celebration was called “Christ’s Mass!”
Chuck Waggin:
“Christ’s Mass?” Christmas! That’s why we call it Christmas!
Brother Louie:
Exactly!
Chuck Waggin:
Let me see if I got this straight …
LYRICS:
Some churches have communion in a service called the Mass
And once a year they’d have one just for Jesus
And his birth!
And Jesus is the Christ –
Which means “the one who saves the world!”
And that very special service is the Christ’s Mass!
Behind each Christmas
There is a Christ’s Mass!
A day to celebrate when Jesus came to Earth!
Behind each Christmas
There is a Christ’s Mass!
A celebration just for Jesus and his birth!
From Buck Denver Asks Why Do We Call It Christmas?
Jellyfish Labs 2011
Phil Vischer
