How did Christmas come to be celebrated on December 25? It’s an interesting question. The answer I’ve always heard was that it was because of a Roman pagan celebration that fell on that day. However, in an article in Biblical Archaeology Review, Andrew McGowan mentions an ancient explanation that is rarely heard today. Around the year 200, Tertullian of Carthage calculated that Jesus’ death would have fallen on March 25 of the Roman calendar. There was an ancient tradition that Jesus was conceived on the same calendar day that he died, that is, that he was conceived on March 25. Based on that reasoning, the ancients looked to a day nine months later as the day of his birth: December 25.
I’ve enjoyed hearing Ray Vander Laan’s explanations of much that surrounds Christmas. I haven’t seen his “True Story of Christmas” video; there’s an unauthorized copy on the Internet, but I can’t see that as anything but stealing, so I won’t link to it. Maybe some of you have seen it and would like to share some of his thoughts. I know that he argues that Jesus was born during the Feast of Tabernacles, that he was conceived during the Feast of Lights, etc.
Lifeway Research published findings recently that found that 81% of Christians agreed with the statement “Family traditions are the most important part of Christmas to me.” I would heartily agree with the statement. I guess it’s evidence like that above that tends to make me feel that way. I see no reason to be anti Christmas, as I said the other day, I just don’t feel the need to pretend that it’s “Jesus’ birthday.”
We should join with others in celebrating Christ at this time of year, then continue to do so throughout the year, even if the rest of the world stops.
I thought the Andrew McGowan article was very helpful and historically informative. It seems like a good place to start for those who have a bigger interest in the historical question of Jesus’ birth and the Christmas Holiday. Nevertheless, I believe we need to help others see how the story of Jesus’ birth is related to the entire redemptive mission of God rather than just a heroic story with religious overtones.
Further, if Christians are going to celebrate Christmas as a Holiday, they do so either as a Christian or as a pagan. Colossians 1.15 reminds us that all things have been created through Christ and for Christ. That means that just as we need to learn how to let our vocations (a created thing) be ruled and carried out by God, we need to also learn how to allow Christmas (and any other holiday we participate in) be ruled and carried out by God. That’s not so easily done and given much of the secularization and commercialism that has become Christmas, it is apparent that not much thought has been given to this matter. That, to me, is a failure of the church as a community of faith-formation.
Grace and Peace,
Rex
Rex, I guess you mean that Christians either do it in a Christian way or a pagan way? I’m not a fan of dichotomies, so I’m trying to dig through and see what you’re saying.
“All things have been created through Christ and for Christ”… yet Paul saw certain idolatrous things that Christians were to flee. All things are lawful, but not all edify. I’m not arguing against celebrating Christmas, just warning against misuse of that verse from Colossians.
As you said, Christmas and all holidays need to be ruled and carried out by God… and that goes for every other day as well. There is much redeemable about Christmas, but I think we have to approach it with an attitude of redemption. (I think that’s what you’re saying as well)
Grace and peace,
Tim
Yes…that is what I’m saying. And by that I also mean that we need to cease whatever traditions associated with that or any other holiday that are indeed idolatrous. But all of this raises questions which I believe to be seldom, if ever, raised within the context of church community. Thus, the holidays are just participated in without much, if any, thought as to whether or not some of the traditional practices could be idolatrous and/or a way of excluding the reign of God.
I hope that makes more sense.
Grace and Peace,
Rex
Good info. Thanks!
I look at the Christmas issue as no issue as all. I feel more comfortable and can be at peace with all regardless of how they consider that day or any other day.
When it comes to the opinions of men I’m sticking with Paul on such matters:
Romans 14
Do Not Pass Judgment on One Another
1As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
10Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God;
I know some say this couldn’t possibly be considering Christmas.
I believe much that is taught by Paul is principle and not Law.
Grace and Peace Clayton