Christmas

Christmas as a festival was not celebrated by the Apostles or the early Christians in the first 300 years of Christianity. However there was a pagan festival celebrated in the month of December that over time became a festival when Christians started to celebrate the birth of Christ. The origins of the word Christmas is from the word coined by the Catholics to celebrate the “Christ Mass”. It was originally viewed as a blasphemous celebration by early Christians. But today Christmas has become a day when we celebrate the birth of Christ. 

 Although today more than the pagan origins Christians have more ethical concerns over Christmas because in some countries it has become a time for extravagant parties and lavish gifts from myths like Santa Claus. In a world where 1 billion people live in extreme poverty can Christians indulge in so much of excess? Do we remember that Jesus was born into the household of a very poor Jewish family? Thus the origins of Christmas is shrouded in the shadow of an unknown pagan festival. 

 "But only a poor man can know the riches of poverty. .....If Christ chose to be born among the poor, it is because he wanted the poor to teach the world the good news of his message, the good news of his love for mankind. " 

  Dominique LaPierre, - The City of Joy 

In the East, the Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas by a 40 day period of lent. For them it is a time of reflection, self-discipline and meditation on the sacraments. On Christmas eve they gather after they see the star for a Christmas meal. Was this their way of excommunicating themselves from the revelers of the pagan festivals and protecting themselves from the undue influences of the pagan practices? 

 We as Christians today at Christmas come to celebrate, worship and remember the birth of the Messiah. It is a time of thanksgiving. It is a time when we remember that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life. We remember this gift of love by giving gifts to our friends and family. It is a time when we remember the joy that filled the hearts and minds of Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, the Angels and the Wisemen from the East as they came to worship and honor the birth of Jesus. 

 Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.