Christianity in Harry Potter's Wizarding World: Introduction

I think it was while reading the last Harry Potter book that I began to notice more and more references to Christianity in the wizarding world of Harry Potter. I also remember during my last year of college, running down to a friend's room as he was watching one of the Harry Potter movies (Sorcerer's Stone, I believe). It was a scene around Christmas time and I mentioned the fact that the wizards celebrated the season of Christmas without celebrating the reason for the season (with Christ right there in the name).

Here's the thing. It's explained in the books that the wizards really try to separate their world from the Muggle (non-magic) world as best as they can. That's kind of tricky to do when many wizards and witches at Hogwarts come from Muggle families. However, for the most part, wizards do not really understand Muggle money, transportation, occupations, and other references to the Muggle world because of that separation between the worlds. Yet, somehow the Christian religion and references to Christianity are still a part of the wizarding world, which is why they celebrate holidays like Christmas and Easter or they say things like "heaven" and "soul".

So, since it's summer time and there's supposed to be a lot more free time for fun things like reading and writing, I've decided to begin a sort of research project. The research is actually pretty fun. Read the whole Harry Potter series and watch the movies that go along with them. Along the way, I take notes at references to Christianity. This isn't focused on things like "Harry Potter as the Christ-like figure versus Voldemort the Devil" or "Which characters represent the seven deadly sins", but rather just how the society of wizards references Christianity and what that means for the Christian religion in the wizarding world. I put down these notes on the blog and expand upon them in order to fully grasp the Christian influence on Harry Potter's wizarding world.

Will I be reading too much into most things and probably digging deeper than necessary? Oh yeah, it's most likely that J.K. Rowling did not intend to make as many references to Christianity as I may find. However, if it's there in the books or it's in the movies, meaning it's a part of that world, then I will explore it as best I can. Besides, if people can write fan-fiction, then why can't I write research notes and put them up on here? Also, you may be wondering why I am focused so much on Christianity and not other world religions or just religion in general if I want to find religious influences in Harry Potter. Well, I'm a Catholic-Christian writer, J.K. Rowling is a Christian writer, Britain/ Europe has an extensive history of Christian influence, and seriously there are quotes from the Bible in the last book.

So, look for parts of the series to be posted soon and for new ones to be posted sporadically throughout the rest of this summer.

P.S.-It was super difficult to find a decent picture on Google Images. Most of it was either normal Harry Potter stuff or anti-Harry Potter images from Christian groups deeply opposed to Harry Potter. Why isn't there more good stuff available when one types "Harry Potter Christianity"? Also, last thought, I really hope this can help anti-Harry Potter people find something good or something to like about the series.