Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world, but do you know why we celebrate it? What is the origin of Christmas? How did it develop over time and across cultures? And most importantly, what does it mean to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ? In this blogpost, we will explore these questions and more from a biblical perspective.
The Origin of
Christmas
The date of December 25 was chosen by the Roman Catholic Church in the fourth century to replace the pagan celebration of the winter solstice. The winter solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year, and many ancient cultures believed that it was a time of rebirth and renewal. The Romans celebrated the solstice with a festival called Saturnalia, which involved feasting, gift-giving, and honoring the god Saturn.
The name Christmas comes from the Latin word Christus Massa, meaning “Christ’s Mass”. A mass is a religious service that commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The first recorded celebration of Christmas on December 25 was in 336 AD, during the reign of Emperor Constantine I, who converted to Christianity and made it the official religion of the Roman Empire.
However, not all Christians celebrated Christmas on the same date or in the same way. Some early Christians celebrated Christmas on January 6, which is now known as Epiphany, the day that commemorates the visit of the Magi (or wise men) to the baby Jesus. Others celebrated Christmas on March 25, which is the date of the Annunciation, the day that the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would give birth to the Son of God. Some Christians also rejected the celebration of Christmas altogether, arguing that it was a pagan invention or that it was not commanded by the Bible.
The History of
Christmas
Christmas traditions and customs have evolved over time and across cultures, influenced by various historical events and figures. For example, the legend of St. Nicholas, a fourth-century bishop from Turkey who was known for his generosity and miracles, gave rise to the figure of Santa Claus, who brings gifts to children on Christmas Eve. Martin Luther, the leader of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, introduced the custom of decorating evergreen trees with candles and ornaments, symbolizing the light of Christ and the gifts of God. Charles Dickens, the famous English novelist of the 19th century, popularized the idea of Christmas as a time of family, charity, and goodwill, through his classic story A Christmas Carol.
Christmas celebrations also vary depending on the Christian denomination and the non-Christian group. For example, the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on January 7, according to the Julian calendar, which is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar that most of the world uses today. The Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas at all, because they believe that it is based on pagan rituals and that it violates the commandment to worship God alone. The Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, which commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after a successful revolt against the Syrian-Greek oppressors in the second century BC.
The Meaning of Christmas
The most important aspect of Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birth as the central event of human history. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the Son of God, who came to earth as a human being, born of a virgin, in the town of Bethlehem, in fulfillment of the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament. For example, the prophet Isaiah foretold that a virgin would conceive and bear a son, who would be called Immanuel, meaning “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14). The prophet Micah predicted that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, the city of David, the king of Israel (Micah 5:2).
Christmas is not just a date on the calendar, but a celebration of the greatest gift of all: the love of God for us through the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Jesus came to this world as a baby, born in a humble stable, to fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament and to reveal God's character and plan to us. He lived a sinless life, taught us the truth, performed miracles, and died on the cross for our sins. He rose again on the third day, defeating death and the devil, and ascended to heaven, where he intercedes for us and prepares a place for us. He also sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in us, to guide us, to comfort us, and to empower us. He is the reason for the season, and the source of our salvation.
There are many ways that we can celebrate Christmas as Christians, and honor God and bless others with our actions and words. Here are some suggestions based on the web search results I found:
We can rejoice that Jesus returned to the
Father, sent the Holy Spirit to teach us, and gave us His peace for our
troubled times. We can thank God for His grace and mercy, and praise Him for
His power and glory.
We can serve people who are constantly
serving others, such as our neighbors, friends, family members, or strangers.
We can deliver blankets to homeless people around town, give a gift of
sponsorship to a charity in their names, or visit a nursing home. We can also
help those who are struggling financially or emotionally by giving them food,
clothing, or encouragement.
We can share our faith and belief in God
with others who may not know Him or have doubts about Him. We can tell them
about the good news of Jesus Christ, how He died for our sins and rose again to
give us eternal life. We can also invite them to join us in church services or
Bible studies.
We can express our love for God by obeying
His commands and following His will. The Bible says that "the joy of the
Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10) and that "the fruit of the
Spirit is love, joy, peace" (Galatians 5:22). We can cultivate these
qualities by reading His Word, praying to Him, worshiping Him, and loving
others as He loves us.
We can have a positive attitude towards life and trust in God's plan for us. The Bible says that "we rejoice in hope; we be patient in affliction; we be constant in prayer" (Romans 12:12) and that "we know that all things work together for good to them who love God" (Romans 8:28). We can overcome challenges by relying on God's strength and wisdom.
By celebrating Christmas as Christians, and honoring God and blessing others with our actions and words, we will experience the joy and peace that Jesus came to bring into our lives. The Bible says that "the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11). It also says that "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14). Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and He gives us His peace that surpasses all understanding. He also fills our hearts with His joy that is unspeakable and full of glory. He is the true meaning of Christmas, and the best gift we can ever receive.
Conclusion
Christmas is more than just a holiday. It is a celebration of the origin, history, and meaning of Jesus’ birth. It is a reminder of God’s love and grace for us, and a call to respond with faith and obedience. It is also an opportunity to share this love and grace with others, especially those who are in need or who do not know Christ. As we celebrate Christmas this year, let us remember the true reason for the season, and let us rejoice in the gift of God’s Son, our Savior and Lord.
I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post, and that it inspired you to celebrate Christmas in a way that honors God and blesses others. I would love to hear your feedback and comments, so please feel free to share them below. Thank you for joining me in this daily bread post, and may God bless you and your family this Christmas and always.
No comments:
Post a Comment