I first traveled to Bulgaria in December of 1999. It was the coldest winter in Eastern Europe in a century. When I arrived it was 20 degrees below zero. What I discovered was a nation emerging from the deep freeze of 50 years of communist oppression. Since that first journey I have returned to Bulgaria several times. The scars of communism remain.
The Christmas Propaganda War
The propaganda war rages as December 25 grows near. How should we celebrate? What is the role of the civil religion? Should this seasonal holiday be secular, pagan, or Christian? No, I’m not writing about Christmas in the 21st century, but Christmas in the 4th century.