Christmas Mystery

Some people, including some Christians, do not celebrate Christmas at all. While others, Christians and non-Christians, do celebrate in many different ways. But what is behind all this hustle and bustle and, in some cases, the lack of it? Let’s take inventory of how and why people celebrate the holidays and how and why they do not. Then we shall perhaps uncover the mystery behind it all.

First, Christmas has been celebrated since before the advent of the Christian church and is celebrated in many countries and in different ways. Before Christ, Christmas was celebrated with bright fires, Yule logs, carnivals (parades), carolers, and feasts. In early Mesopotamia, it was a New Years festival, Zagmuk, honoring Marduk, chief of the pagan gods. The king was supposed to die and go fight by Marduk’s side, but a criminal was substituted for the real king and slain in mock royal garb. (Contrast this with Christ, the Real King of Kings, dying as a criminal in a substitutionary death and see what do you come up with?). Some cultures, such as Persians and Babylonians had a switch day between slaves and masters called Sacaea.

Later, Greeks had a feast similar to Zagmuk/Sacaea involving their god, Kronos, fighting Zeus and the Titans. Romans decked their halls with Laurel and also had a switch day for slaves and masters.

Tree decorating came with the Roman switch day with candle lit trees, and a

Scandinavian sun festival, the Yuletide, with bonfires and apples tied to tree branches.

Scandinavians, Romans, and superstitious Europeans celebrated sun festivals at the winter solstice to ward off evil and ensure the return of the sun. Romans celebrated their god, Saturn, in a sun feast called Saturnalia with masquerades, visiting friends, and a gift exchange called Strenae (lucky fruits).

Historically, the birth of Christ was celebrated as a solemn occasion beginning in 98 AD. Although it is not known the exact time of year that He was born, and only the approximate year: most sources I’ve read say about 4 to 2 BC. The approximate time of His death and resurrection was about 30 AD during Passover time (Easter, spring). Early Christians abhorred the pagan festivals, but when they could not squelch it, they tamed it as a feast for Christ. Many Christians celebrated Christ’s birthday during the time of a pagan celebration in winter so as to go unnoticed and avoid persecution. Later, Constantine, in an effort to keep peace in the empire and abolish persecution, merged Christian and pagan holidays. In 137 AD the Bishop of Rome declared Christmas officially a solemn feast and, later, another bishop declared December 25^th to be the birthday of Christ.

As for Santa Claus, there was a Christian man in Lycia of Asia Minor in the 4^th century AD named Nicolas who gave gifts to children and to the hosts of the many places he was a guest. Like Jesus, Nick loved little children. He experienced persecution and imprisonment for the faith and was later released. Miracles have been attributed to him and he is reported to have appeared to Constantine in a dream. The Catholic Church was impressed with this humble giving fellow, so they proclaimed him a saint. But many non- Catholics also recognize Saint Nicolas. Though less is known about him than most saints, he is a very popular saint.

Our jolly saint goes by many names. In German Protestant Churches, he is called Chris Kringle, meaning Christ kindle or Christ Child. In France he is called Pe’re Noel, the old Dutch of New York City call him Sinter Claes, some call him Father Christmas and some Santa Claus or Saint Nick. There are many songs, poems, and stories about Santa and his reindeer, including the red nosed one. Writers, poets, artists, and musicians have contributed to the many legends on our originally humble Christian saint.

Besides jolly old Saint Nick, there are some countries where it is the three wise men, rather than our reindeer sleigh driver, who delivers the gifts to the children. In some cultures this is done at the traditional Christmas day, and in others wise man day is celebrated in early January as it is felt that the wise men came twelve days or as much as 3 years after the shepherds.

In 1968 Congress confirmed Christmas as one of nine legal holidays here in the United States.

Today, Christmas is celebrated in many ways, often combining many of the old traditions into one and building on them. There is the Yule Log, the stockings, the decorating of the tree, candles with origins in the Catholic Church before the Protestant movement, and the modern equivalent of colored electric lights. There is Frosty the magical Snowman who came to life. There is also Bing Crosby’s famous "White Christmas", country’s "Blue Christmas", " Jingle Bells’" several different versions including a rock one, Sandra Claus the cat with sandy paws from a childhood easy piano book, and the "Little Drummer Boy". We have "I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus", "I’m Getting Nothing for Christmas ‘Cos I Ain’t Been Nothin’ But Bad", and now we have "Christmas in Dixie" and "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer." Couples enjoy smooching under the mistletoe and "The Gift of the Magi" story by O’Henry. And let us not forget Dickens’ "Christmas Carol" story complete with Tiny Tim and Marley’s ghost. There is the holly and ivy, bells and angels, and stars and Nutcracker (in story, music and ballet), a multitude of culinary delights and traditional recipes and countless other stories, songs, and traditions.

All this makes life merry, brings families together, and gives much opportunity for Christian charity and kindness to others. Even Snoopy and the German Red Baron called off their war briefly in honor of Christmas peace, as have some real life soldiers.

My Jewish friends celebrate Hanukkah or Chanukah in honor of the rededication of the temple by the Maccabees. For eight days they light the Menorah candles commemorating this great religious and historical event.

An African American event, Kwanzaa, which means First Fruits, is also celebrated during this season. Created in 1966 and lasting from December 26 through January 1, this holiday emphasizes family values and unity in the family, the community, and the African American race.

There are some people, including Christians, who for various reasons do not celebrate Christmas. Often it is because it shares historical roots with paganism, all the commercialism and attitudes of getting instead of giving, as well as the exact date of Christ’s birth being unknown or suspected to having been in the spring.

The Bible says something about letting every man do as his own conscious dictates and to not let anyone judge you in whether or not you observe holidays. All things are lawful for me, but not all things are necessary. I celebrate my freedom in Christ, but I do so responsibly. There are some things in the Christian faith that are concrete, immovable, and a matter of universal Christian conviction. These are basic and central to our faith and not to be discarded or doubted. And there are some things that are a matter of individual preference. For Christians, I believe, whether or not you celebrate Christmas is preferential. How and why you do as you do is an individual conviction. Please see 1 Corinthians 6:12 and Romans 14:1-6,12-14,17,19 and the book of Galatians to see how I came to these conclusions and see if you agree. Let us seek peace and edify one another.

As for me and countless other Christians, the celebration of the coming of Christ is central to any thing else we do at this time of year. When He was born is not nearly so important as that He came and lived and died for us that we might live forever with Him. Who He was and what He did for us is of eternal significance.

History barely records His birth, but thanks to Josephus, the great Jewish Historian, we have it documented that He was born and the approximate time. Jesus Christ is the only one who has fulfilled all the Old Testament prophecies. His birth was seemingly insignificant in the eyes of the world historians and even His own people. Scripture records that He was born in a place reserved for animals because there was not room anywhere in the crowded city for Him. He led such a humble life for one so great. The Son of the Most High God of the universe was born in a cattle pen and labored in a carpenter shop. His birth was only announced to lowly shepherds working the midnight shift. Wise Men from the east had to search diligently for Him for the king and officials of the land knew nothing about Him.

Some of His own people manipulated the local authorities into lynching Him and putting Him on death row to die miserably as a condemned criminal for doing nothing but good every day of His life. And He allowed it to happen that He might pay the debt for our sins. And then God raised Him from the dead and He now sits at God’s right hand to intercede for us.

Matthew chapters 1-2, Luke 2, and John 1:1-18 in the Bible contains the circumstances surrounding His birth. The four gospels and some of Acts tell of His life on earth. For Christians, the Old Testament foretells His first coming, and some parts of the Old Testament, such as Daniel, foretell His Second Coming. Revelation tells of His Second Coming and the end times.

Who He was is mostly history, but who He is and what He did and is doing for us is a matter of faith. It is only through meeting Him personally and opening our heart’s door to His blessed presence and fellowship that we come to know Him. And those of us who have can attest to the immeasurable joy and wonder of walking daily in His spirit and the glory when He comes again.

This is Christmas to me. Christmas celebrates His first coming, His birthday. But the awesome thing is, the story doesn’t end there! Oh let us not throw out the Baby with the Christmas tree this year!! Let Him not be put up in the attic or closet with the decorations when the holidays are over. But let us experience His birthday in such a way that it makes a difference in the way we live everyday of our lives now and forever.

So whether you eat pumpkin pie or peppermint canes, gawk at poinsettias or punch at piñatas with a stick, or abstain from such, open your heart to the wonder of God and the greatest love this universe has ever known. It will make an everlasting difference in your life that will permeate to those around you. And have a joyful life and a marvelous eternity!

Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him shall have everlasting life." John 3:16

"Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." 1 John 4:11

Deborah Funderburk 12/10/99