Patricia King: "CELEBRATING CHRIST AT CHRISTMAS--THE HISTORY OF OUR CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION"

December 22, 2006

Patricia King: "CELEBRATING CHRIST AT CHRISTMAS--THE HISTORY OF OUR CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION"

In the last Christmas article, we briefly touched on the subject of Christmas and the western tradition of it's celebration including: December 25th as the day we celebrate, Christmas trees, caroling, gifts, etc., and the Jewish feasts including Hanukkah (click here to view).

We looked at the heart and it's motives and desires before God and how God is touched with our love and faith towards Him. This is the true gift we bring to Him at this season.

Let's look at the subject of Christmas a little more, specifically about the history and the things that divide us.

Controversy about the Date

Let's take a look at some interesting thoughts:

1. In Christ's day, according to tradition, birthdays were not actually celebrated at all--deaths were. Great king's and leaders were remembered for their death and not their birth. And yet, we find that God certainly initiated a great celebration in the Heavens, complete with an angelic choir, in the announcing of Christ's birth. Later, we find the three magi from the east bearing gifts because they heard about His birth.

2. Here is a quote from the Kingdom Tract Society regarding December 25th and it's origin:

"Although we have abundant evidence that Christianity was introduced into Britain by the Apostles themselves within the fifth year after the Crucifixion, the so-called Christian Calendar giving the Nativity of our Lord as falling at the Winter Solstice, December 25th, was generally adopted by the Western Church about the third century, although the Eastern Church did not do so until near the end of the fourth century, when it was received from Rome with the intimation that the census role in the Roman archives contained the date December 25th as the correct date. There was no actual celebration of the birth of Christ until the third century."

3. The actual year of Christ's birth is also under speculation. There are many opinions, theories, and studies on this, and many of them sound like valid possibilities to me.

4. One of the most adhered to beliefs amongst many Messianic believers is that Jesus was conceived at Hanukkah and born sometime in September or October. I find it fascinating and believe it could possibly be true, although over the years, I have heard many other interpretations of constellations that were in that time and confirm the birth of Christ.

So there is conflict about the date of Christ's birth. Some say that He was born in December, others insist it was March, and others say that is was the fall. Some say He was born during the Feast of Tabernacles, and yet others say that is impossible. It is all speculation, but one thing we know for sure--He was born...He truly was!

Experience in Jerusalem

On a recent trip, I was walking through the Old City of Jerusalem and visited the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The building hosts an area that claims to be the tomb where Jesus was buried and raised from the dead. Not even 100 yards from there is another site that claims to be the place where Jesus was buried and resurrected. Then, about a 15-minute walk from there, you will find the Garden Tomb that also claims to be a possible site. I found the same scenario concerning the location of the cross where Jesus died--multiple places making claim on the location.

We know one thing for sure--He did die, He was buried, and He was resurrected, and He is alive forevermore. I found all the sites interesting, and I received something special from the Lord in each place. My favorite place was the Garden Tomb, but that doesn't necessarily mean it is the true location of Christ's death and resurrection.

A Point of Focus

I don't need to know the authentic place, although I found them all fascinating points of interest. More than anything, they all made me focus on Him. That was the most significant thing. I watched hundreds of people go through the tours into these places. All of them heard about Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Why? Because they had something in front of them that made them think of Him.

Maybe none of those places are actually the authentic one. It doesn't really matter does it? What matters is that the hearts of the people were drawn to look upon Him. There were all kinds of religious and pagan icons around some of the sites, but just because they were present, didn't cause me to detract from the Christ that was represented. It never needs to.

Controversy about Roots of Paganism in the Christmas Celebration

"The worship of Jesus as the Savior of the world is not at all pagan."

I did not grow up in a Christian home, but at Christmas, we all knew what the season was about. In school, we celebrated the birth of Christ and prepared drama presentations. We all went to church and sang hymns about Jesus. It was a reverent time.

In looking back, I believe those days were filled with pure belief regarding the Lord Jesus coming into the earth, even if people didn't attend church regularly. There was a focus on Him that was beautiful. It was a tradition, yes, but a good one don't you think? The seeds of the gospel that were sown in me through the carols, nativity scenes, etc. during those times, eventually bore fruit as I came to know Him personally in a born-again experience years later.

I don't remember any pagan festival around the celebration of Jesus at Christmas, although materialism and the highlighting of Santa Claus pulled and tugged on the hearts to grab the attention of the season. Unfortunately over the years, this materialistic pressure has conquered many hearts and drawn them away from the true focus of the season.

Perhaps December 25th was a day when there were pagan practices, but the worship of Jesus as the Savior of the world is not at all pagan. Can you see the difference? Can you rightly divide this?

The discrepancy is not about the date or if there were pagan practices going on, it is about where the heart is. God always looks at the heart. Man (or religion) is about the outward appearances.

Controversy about the Observance of Jewish (Bible) Feasts versus Traditional Christian Holidays

God is highlighting the Bible feasts in His church at this time. The whole subject is totally amazing and awesome. Christ is within every feast, and I want to learn more and celebrate them more. I want to commit myself to increased understanding and involvement in them, and use my gift of communication to help the Body embrace them with passion and excitement.

I also, however, enjoy deep times of intimacy, reflection, and worship around Christian holidays such as Christmas. I want to encourage the whole world to think about Him and love Him at this season too.

I personally do not believe we need to exchange one for another. If you are in faith to love Jesus in a special way on a certain date, then celebrate Him with all your heart with purity of motive.

What Conviction Do You Have?

I don't believe it is healthy to get into needless controversies and judgments of each other in this. I think it is very simple--if an invitation to personally celebrate Christmas violates your convictions then don't do it, but also, let's not judge others who do have freedom.

Romans 14 is a great chapter to meditate on. At the end of the chapter it offers some great insight, "Why do you criticize and pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you look down upon or despise your brother? For we all stand before the judgment seat of God." Romans 14:10

"...Blessed (happy, to be envied) is he who has no reason to judge himself for what he approves (who does not convict himself by what he chooses to do).

But the man who has doubts (misgivings, an uneasy conscience)...stands condemned (before God), because he is not true to his convictions and he does not act from faith. For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin (whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful.") Romans 14:22-23

I am personally disturbed that the true focus of Christmas is getting lost in the midst of a materialistic, humanistic world. I am not ashamed to let the world know that for me, this season is a celebration of Christ--I want the whole world to know, especially the unsaved world!!! This season is about Him! In fact, I believe we should call for Him to be celebrated in every thing--in every way--in every day!

Let's Take the Month of December for Jesus

If some think this is a pagan holiday--then let's take it over with a Holy-hi-jack, and wipe out the paganism by possessing and occupying with the celebration of Christ. Let's not pull back and leave the space empty for the enemy to fill more. Let's take the month of December for Jesus--with all its celebrations. Let there be no room left on the calendar for anything else!

What about those Christmas Trees?

Some are concerned about having Christmas trees because of pagan traditions years ago that used trees and boughs of trees to worship pagan gods. The difference is we are not pagans worshipping pagan idols around a tree. Trees don't belong to pagan idol worshippers. They belong to the Lord.

The trees of the field clap their hands in celebration of the Lord's works (Isaiah 55:12). We can't compare apples to oranges here. If the pagans took the trees for their celebration, then let's take them back. They belong to the Lord. We don't worship them. We worship Him.

If having a tree violates your convictions, then feel free to not have one, but again, let's not judge the hearts of those who do. It could be a true reflection for others of Christ's life, light, and righteousness. If it is not that for you, then you are free to not have one, but we shouldn't rob another's freedom.

Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

Now, all of this being said, celebrate HIM in whatever way you are led. Celebrate Him from the heart. Don't hold anything back. Give Him more measures of extravagant love than you ever have. Spill love all over the place--for He truly is the greatest gift mankind has ever known! Praise His name forever!

Love each other from the heart, and then Go share His love with the whole wide world!


Patricia King
www.extremeprophetic.com
patricia@extremeprophetic.com

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