Christmas is a major day observed by Christians and second in importance to Easter. The Christmas period is a time for the celebration of Jesus Christ’s. The name, a contraction of the term “Christ’s mass,” came into existence during the fourth century. The Holy Bible does not reveal the exact date of Jesus’ birth, and the earliest Christians had no fixed time for observing the birth of Jesus. However, by the late fourth century, Christians generally celebrated Christmas in the churches, although on differing dates in different locals. Before the fourth century, Christian churches observed Epiphany. The Epiphany is God’s manifestation to the world, celebrating Jesus’ baptism, His birth, and the visit of the Magi.
No evidence remains about the exact date of the birth of Jesus. Various methods were used in an attempt to calculate the day of Jesus’ birth; among the dates suggested by the early church were January 6, April 18, April 19, and May 20. According to Hippolytus (ca. 170-ca. 236) and his calculation, Jesus was born on Wednesday, December 25 in the 42nd year (2 B.C.) of the reign of Augustus.
Eventually, December 25th became the officially recognized date for Christmas because it corresponded with the pagan festival celebrating Saturnalia and the winter solstice. The Christian church offered the people an alternative to this pagan celebration. Even more, church reinterpreted many of the winter festival’s symbols and actions into ways acceptable by Christians. For example, Jesus was presented as the Sun of Righteousness (Malachi 4:2) and is the Light of the world (John 8:12), thereby replacing the sun god, Sol Invictus.
As the Christian faith spread throughout Europe, it embraced into its observances many customs of the pagan winter festivals, such as holly, mistletoe, the Christmas tree, and log fires. At the same time, Christians introduced the nativity the scene and Christmas carols as part of the Christmas custom.
During church history, some Christians have opposed the Christmas holiday. Christmas has become a time of parties, excessive drinking, shopping, and spending. Nonetheless, many Christians continue to celebrate Christmas because of Christmas’ deeper truth and purpose expressed in God’s visitation to earth (incarnation) through the birth of Jesus (John 1:14). As the Christian faith expands throughout the world, many Christians universally observe Christmas in some form or another. With Jesus being taught in countries like Africa, Asia and Latin America, many new customs and ideas are being incorporated in the Christian celebration of Christmas and God’s visitation to the world through Jesus!
References
Draper, Charles. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Holman Reference. 2003.
Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Baker Academic. 2007.
No evidence remains about the exact date of the birth of Jesus. Various methods were used in an attempt to calculate the day of Jesus’ birth; among the dates suggested by the early church were January 6, April 18, April 19, and May 20. According to Hippolytus (ca. 170-ca. 236) and his calculation, Jesus was born on Wednesday, December 25 in the 42nd year (2 B.C.) of the reign of Augustus.
Eventually, December 25th became the officially recognized date for Christmas because it corresponded with the pagan festival celebrating Saturnalia and the winter solstice. The Christian church offered the people an alternative to this pagan celebration. Even more, church reinterpreted many of the winter festival’s symbols and actions into ways acceptable by Christians. For example, Jesus was presented as the Sun of Righteousness (Malachi 4:2) and is the Light of the world (John 8:12), thereby replacing the sun god, Sol Invictus.
As the Christian faith spread throughout Europe, it embraced into its observances many customs of the pagan winter festivals, such as holly, mistletoe, the Christmas tree, and log fires. At the same time, Christians introduced the nativity the scene and Christmas carols as part of the Christmas custom.
During church history, some Christians have opposed the Christmas holiday. Christmas has become a time of parties, excessive drinking, shopping, and spending. Nonetheless, many Christians continue to celebrate Christmas because of Christmas’ deeper truth and purpose expressed in God’s visitation to earth (incarnation) through the birth of Jesus (John 1:14). As the Christian faith expands throughout the world, many Christians universally observe Christmas in some form or another. With Jesus being taught in countries like Africa, Asia and Latin America, many new customs and ideas are being incorporated in the Christian celebration of Christmas and God’s visitation to the world through Jesus!
References
Draper, Charles. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Holman Reference. 2003.
Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Baker Academic. 2007.
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