Christmas Feature: The origin of Christmas day.

"It's the most wonderful time of the year." 🎶

It's Christmas! The time of year we celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. During this time we remember his sacrifice not just on the cross but that He became human so that He could save us. He endured human frailties and conditions, being born in a manger was not fit for the King of Kings, right? The Bible however reveals that Jesus humbled himself for our sake:

Philippians 2:5-7 English Standard Version

5. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,[a] 6. who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,[b] 7. but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,[c] being born in the likeness of men.

Despite that lowly beginning, his arrival was so significant it had to be announced by angelic heralds:

Luke 2:8-14 New King James Version (NKJV)

8. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9. And [a]behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a [b]manger.”

13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14. “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill[c] toward men!”

It must have been a frightening but exhilarating sight to see a host of angels bring such magnificent news! The shepherds left what they were doing and went to meet baby Jesus. Kings from the East followed what appeared to be a star and found the child, yes they got side tracked by ending up in Herod's castle, but ultimately found him and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

If we're honest though, we'll admit that we too would be expecting to find Jesus in a luxurious, royal setting. After all, aren't king's supposed to live in castles? But this king was different, He came to save humankind not to glorify Himself.

Nearly 2,000 years after his monumental arrival to earth, we remember this event by celebrating it every year on the 25th of December and call it Christmas. Here's how the name came about:

"The name 'Christmas' comes from the Mass of Christ (or Jesus). A Mass (Roman Catholic) service (which is sometimes called Communion or Eucharist)...where Christians remember that Jesus died for us and then came back to life."* The 'Christ-Mass' service was the only one that was allowed to take place after sunset (and before sunrise the next day), so people had it at midnight! Overtime the name Christ-Mass was shortened to Christmas.

"The first recorded date of Christmas being celebrated on December 25th was in 336 AD, during the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine (he was the first Christian Roman Emperor). But it was not an official Roman state festival at this time."*

Today, many only see Christmas as just a time for entertainment, flashing lights and spending on gifts. Some persons vulgarly call it Xmas. The early Christians, who first celebrated Christmas, were the ones who started giving gifts this time of year, but why did they do this?

The Bible describes Jesus Christ as a gift to humanity from the Heavenly Father:

St. John 3:16 English Standard Version

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

Ephesians 4:7 English Standard Version

"But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift."

Christians started giving gifts as a way to show their deep appreciation of God's gift to mankind - Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

The question is: Will you accept His gift?

Romans 6:23 English Standard Version

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

The Christmas 🌲, the pepper lights, the ham and sorrel, and Christmas cake are all wonderful but, let's remember that this time of year is about the one who came, God's gift to us, Jesus Christ.

References:

*Why is Christmas day on the 25th December? https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/25th.shtml
Picture of Isaiah 9:6 KJV courtesy of 123 Photos.

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