Our original Campbell immigrant ancestors were very strict and stern
Presbyterian "covenanters" --- quite puritanical, so they probably
didn't
believe in celebrating Christmas.
Oliver Cromwell tried hard to stamp out Christmas observances when he
deposed the House of Stuart's monarchy. It wasn't till Victorian times that
observing Christmas became common again.
In the 250 plus years since that one Scottish couple, Joseph & Mary Harper
Campbell, the family has gradually become more and more ethnically and
religiously diverse. Back in Gloucestershire, daughter-in-law Ann Clinch was
Church of England and the Blackwells were Baptists. Over time a wide variety
of Protestant denominations became included, and later, many members of the
family were Catholics. Scandanavian, Southern and Eastern European
representatives became included.
Our ethnicity has become more diverse as Hispanics and those from Africa and
Asia have joined our family. Faiths now represented include Jewish, Mormon,
Muslim, some you've never heard of, and none-of-the-above. Welcome all.
To those of you that observe Christmas, Merry Christmas. Most others have
some kind of midwinter holiday they celebrate --- Happy whatever to you. And
Happy New Year to ALL.
Bill Thompson, Pres. Campbell Reunion Association of Nelson, PA.