Dearest Friend, brother, sister:
Although this message may blister,
And nothing you may read new,
I pray, please, that you read it through!
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So, what’s up?
Imagine if Christ were to walk into your home on the 25th of December. How
would you feel? Would we feel confident and let him right in, or maybe have
a slight twinge of guilt? Would you rush into the kitchen to get a glass of
water for him? Or would you hastily try to hide something under the table?
Will Christ walk in and smile gently or firmly throw a decoration out of the
door?
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Huh? What’s the big deal??
The date on which Christmas is celebrated, the 25th of December, is
interesting to probe. In Luke 2:8, we read, “And there were in the same
country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by
night.” Shepherds of that region did not tend their flocks in open,
unsheltered fields in winter. Before mid-October, animals would have been
sheltered from the cold, rainy season that would follow. The origin of the
date chosen for Christmas has other roots.
When Constantine converted from paganism in 312 after the battle of Milvian
Bridge, a new era for Christianity dawned. In order to promote the “new”
religion, he, and the Christian leaders of the day, began to “translate” the
pagan holy days into Christian equivalencies. This process was vital in
converting the pagan world. Christmas was the result of his effort to
combine the worship of the sun god, Mithra, and worship of Christ. The
origins of Christmas, then, traditionally lie in the pagan celebration of
this Persian, and then, later, pagan Roman god.
In addition to these Roman contributions, Christmas has also been influenced
by the Yule celebrations of the Celts and Saxons, which brought with it the
importance of the tree and many other typical Christmas traditions.
There is no reason to give gifts on the day of Christ’s birth. The highly
emblematic offerings that the wise men gave to Christ were given because he
was the chosen king, not because it was his birthday: “Now when Jesus was
born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there
came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born
King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to
worship him.”
Some extra food for thought: if Christ’s birth was that important, why are
we not given its exact date, or why are we not instructed to commemorate it,
as with his death and resurrection?
There is no need to go on an in depth explanation of Saint Nicholas (Santa
Claus) or the hanging of socks by the fireplace. An interesting fact about
Santa and his red garb: Pagans believed in fire gods which, supposedly, wore
pointed red caps and red jackets and traveled from the heavens above to
visit homes through the chimney to distribute favors or punishments. This
sounds very familiar doesn’t it!
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So what are you saying, exactly?
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and
glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Consider the examples in the Old Testament, given “for our admonition.” Our
heavenly Father was harsh with the Israelites when they mixed the idol
worship of the nations around them into their beliefs. Would he deal with us
any differently? If one tries thinking about what the Israelites would have
done in the groves one realizes it would not have been unpleasant, as then
they would not have been attracted to it. It probably included beautiful
ceremonies, wonderful comradeship and a pleasant feeling as they worshiped
in the midst of trees. This, I feel, is very much like what Christmas is
today.
If Christ wanted his birth to be celebrated how would he have liked it to be
done? At his first birthday the angels “gave glory to God,” the shepherd
“returned, glorifying and praising God,” the just and devout Simeon “blessed
God,” and the prophetess Anna “gave thanks likewise unto the Lord.” Through
heartfelt song and earnest prayer was Christ’s birth heralded. These
examples, as written by the Bible, were appropriate ways to celebrate Jesus’
birth.
Our treatment of these common “Christian” celebrations is imperative, not
only in our own minds, but also in how we are seen to regard them by others.
Your witness is to your family. It is to your neighbors, other
Christadelphians, and even dear Mrs. Potter, your favorite cashier. It
should always be our prayer that we could all be easily identified by
everyone as “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a
peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath
called you out of darkness into his marvelous light…”
Why is this so important?
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the
glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles,
nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not
seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” (1
Corinthians 10:31-33)
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So, why am I celebrating Christmas??
I understand that often Christmas is the only time many families get
together. But, firstly, remember: nothing is as important as your obedience
to God and your absolute, complete devotion to him. Secondly, remember that
your actions could make all the difference to someone interested in finding
pure truth.
“Wherefore, my brethren beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand
fast in the Lord, my beloved.” (Philippians 4:1)
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Love in the One Hope,
Sister Thamar Larsen