 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| THE ORIGIN OF CHRISTMAS Compiled 12/01/04 by Shy |
| Every year at our home, we read the account of Jesus' birth found in Luke chapter 2, verses 1 - 20. This occurs I suspect all around the world on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Have you ever thought about how it came about that Christmas is observed on December 25th every year for centuries? I have often thought about this and today I searched the internet to find any information I could concerning the subject. I was able to find many websites that have references to explain my questions. Two such sites are Help Ministries International and Last Trumpet Ministries. So, with their permission I am going to share what I found. I hope that you enjoy and are enlightened by these articles. |
| The date of December 25th probably originated with the ancient "birthday" of the son-god Mithra, a pagan deity whose religious influence became widespread in the Roman Empire during the first few centuries A.D. Mithra was related to the Semitic sun-god, Shamash, and his worship spread throughout Asia to Europe where he was called Deus Sol Invictus Mithras. Rome was well-known for absorbing the pagan religions and rituals of its widespread empire. As such, Rome converted this pagan legacy to a celebration of the god, Saturn, and the rebirth of the sun god during the winter solstice period. The winter holiday became known as Saturnalia and began the week prior to December 25th. The festival was characterized by gift-giving, feasting, singing and downright debauchery, as the priest of Saturn carried wreaths of evergreen boughs in procession throughout the Roman temples. Variations of this pagan holiday flourished throughout the first few centuries after Jesus Christ, but it probably wasn't until 336 AD that Emperor Constantine officially converted this pagan tradition into the "Christian" holiday of Christmas. The word "Christmas" is a combination of the words "Christ" and "Mass." The word "Mass" means death and was coined originally by the Roman Catholic Church. The ritual of the Mass involves the death of Christ, and the distribution of the "Host", a word taken from the Latin word "hostiall," meaning victim. In short, Christmas is a Roman Catholic word of Roman Empire origin. What are we to do? Some Christians believe that Christmas should not be celebrated because of it's pagan origins. Others celebrate it for what it means to them, regardless of how It originated. Sadly, throughout most of the world, although Christmas is vaguely viewed as a religious holiday, Jesus has been forgotten, and the traditions surrounding Christmas have provided the basis for a secular Winter festival of celebration of and gift giving. As Christians, any gift-giving, decorating, or feasting, should take second place to what Christmas is all about--the celebration of Jesus' birth. Indeed, not only Christmas, but every day, should be a rememberance of not only Jesus' birth, but his death and resurrection as well, and the salvation He has provided to us. WHEN WAS JESUS BORN? Biblical scholars readily tell us that it was most likely NOT on December 25th, A.D. year 0, WHY? When were shepherds in the fields? Israeli meteorologists tracked December weather patterns for many years and concluded that the climate in Israel has been essentially constant for at least the last 2,000 years. The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible states that, "broadly speaking, weather phenomena and and climatic conditions as pictured in the Bible correspond with conditions as observed today." The temperature in the area of Bethlehem in December averages around 44 degrees Fahrenheit. but can drop to well below freezing, especially at night. Snow is common for two or three days in Jerusalem and nearby Bethlehem in December and January. These were the winter months of increased precipitation in Christ's time, when the roads became practically unusable and people stayed mostly indoors. This is important evidence to disprove a December date for Christ's birth. Note that, at the time of Christ's birth, the shepherds tended their flocks in the fields at night, "Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields," wrote one Gospel writer, "keeping watch over their flock by night" (Luke 2:8). A common practice of shepherds was keeping their flock in the field from April to October, but in the cold and rainy winter months they took their flocks back home and sheltered them. Actually from the Bible, we can at least determine the probable season and year of His birth. The most convincing proof of when Jesus was born comes in understanding the evidence that is presented in the book of Luke concerning the birth of John the Baptist. Read Luke 1:5 - 17. In this account, Zechariah was in the sanctuary, as was the custom to offer incense to the Lord, while all the others were praying outside. That is when an angel of the Lord appeared to him and told him that his wife Elizabeth would bear them a son. According to verses 5-8, Zechariah was of the division of Abijah. Back in King David's day, the priests had been separated into 24 turns or divisions. These turns began in the first month of the Jewish calendar (I Chronicles 27:2), March or April of our modern calendar. Zechariah's division served twice a year at the temple.The Bible does not specify which of the two shifts of service it was. Regardless, nine months after one of the two dates John the Baptist was born. So what this article is saying is that Jesus being born during the time of the year when shepherds watched their flocks by night, and it's reference to the timing of John the Baptist's birth, would put the birth of Jesus in September, since he was born 3 months after John the Baptist, OTHER TRADITIONS AND HOW THEY ORIGINATED: Christmas Cards--The custom of sending Christmas cards started in Britian in 1840 when the first 'Penny Post' public postal deliveries began. (helped by the new railway system, the public postal service wass the 19th century's communication revolution, just as email is for us today.) As printing methods improved, Christmas cards were produced in large numbers from about 1860. St. Nicholas, Father Christmas and Santa Claus---- 'Father Christmas'(or 'Santa Claus') has become the human face of Christmas. Pictures are seen everywhere of the old man with long white beard, red coat, and bag of toys. Children are taught that he brings them presents the night before Christmas(or in some countries on December 6th - St. Nicholas' Day), and many children up to the age of 7 or 8 really believe this is true. In most countries, it is said that he lives near the North Pole, and arrives through the sky on a sled pulled by reindeer. He comes into house down the chimney at midnight and places presents for the children in socks or bags by their beds or in front of the family Christmas tree. Father Christmas....is based on a real person, St Nicholas, Born in 280 AD in Asia Minor, St Nicholas was a Christian Priest who later became a bishop. He traveled extensively and being of good wealth, was given to presenting gifts of money and other presents to perfect strangers, as well as acquaintances. Never wanting to be found out, he left his offerings in the homes of his receiver only after dark, when all were in bed asleep. to this day, those who believe in Santa Claus are still warned that if even one peep or footstep is heard, St Nicholas will not leave the treasured surprises that are anxiously awaited. Christmas Trees --- In Germany the evergreen tree was used in worship and celebrations ot the yule god, also in observance of the resurrected sun god. The evergreen tree was a symbol of the essence of life and was regarded as a phallic symbol in fertility worship. CONCLUSION IN ANY EVENT, WE KNOW THAT CHRIST WAS BORN, WE MAY NOT KNOW THE EXACT DAY OR MONTH, BUT HIS BIRTH IS RECORDED IN THE INFALLIBLE WORD OF GOD. AS CHRISTIANS WE CELEBRATE THIS HOLY OCCASION WITH LOVE, THANKSGIVING, HONOR AND RESPECT. THE BEGINNING OF HOPE FOR ALL MANKIND, A MESSIAH WAS SENT TO SAVE THE WORLD FROM BEING FOREVER LOST. I AM SO HUMBLED BY THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, IT BRINGS FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND EVEN STRANGERS TOGETHER. IT IS A TIME OF GREAT LOVE AND FOR THOSE WHO CELEBRATE FOR THE WRONG REASONS AND LEAVE JESUS OUT, IT IS A TIME OF MAKE BELIEVE, GREED AND AN EXCUSE TO REVEL IN WORLDLY CELEBRATIONS. LET'S NOT FORGET THE REASON FOR THE SEASON ! ! ! LET'S CELEBRATE JESUS AND ETERNAL LIFE !!! *~*~*~* |
 |
 |
