Christians might be surprised to learn that Christmas is a relatively recent celebration.

In researching his book, "Christmas: A Candid History," Forbes discovered that major American denominations--Presbyterians, Baptists, Quakers, Methodists and Congregationalists--either ignored the holiday or actively discouraged it until the late 19th century.

That rejection was rooted in the lack of biblical sanction for Dec. 25 as the date of Jesus' birth, as well as suspicion toward traditions that developed after the earliest days of Christianity. In colonial New England, this disapproval extended to actually making the holiday illegal, with celebration punishable by a fine.

"Some somehow observe the day," wrote Boston Puritan Samuel Sewall on Christmas Day 1685, "but are vexed, I believe, that the body of people profane it, and blessed be God no authority yet compels them to keep it."

With so much focus on the so-called "War on Christmas" each holiday season it is kind of funny that for much of history the churches themselves were against it.

Especially considering that the day we now celebrate as Christmas really started out to be a pagan celebration.

Now personally I love Christmas. I don't even mind all of the religious trappings of the holiday. In my family, no matter how hard the year had been, we always got together for Christmas and there were plenty of presents and food for all.

This year I am going to visit my sister in Maine. My daughter is coming up to meet me there and I expect to have a great time. This will be my first Christmas away from home, and I am a little nervous. But just getting to see my daughter will make it all worthwhile.