How Christian Is Christmas?
Hollywood Hates Christmas. I Love It. But Was Jesus Born on Christmas Day?
In Hollywood Christmas movies, there is a returning line, “I hate Christmas.” But as I think back to my childhood memories of the Christmas tree with the lights, the presents from “Little Jesus,” and the happy family… man, it was magic!
As a little boy, Christmas was my favorite holiday. I could hardly wait for the family to come together on the evening of December 24 and open the nicely packaged Christmas presents that “Little Jesus” brought us.
In my country (Hungary), Mikulás (our version of Santa Claus) brought us gifts on the evening of December 5. So Mikulás was a mini-christmas before the big one. In addition to that, my name day is December 3, so it’s a most wonderful time of the year!
In some years, we went to the midnight mass, too, and celebrated the birth of Jesus on December 25.
Some Christians celebrate Christmas as Jesus’ birthday, while others dismiss it as a pagan holiday and want to have nothing to do with it. I’m somewhere between the two positions, and here I tell you my reasons.
From the spiritual standpoint, the death of Jesus is more significant to us than His birth. It is through His death and resurrection that we receive salvation and eternal life if we believe in Him.
But it is also true that Jesus had to be born before He died on the cross.
The birth of Jesus is a beautiful story in the Gospels. Jesus was born in a stable and was placed in a manger as a newborn baby.
“And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:2–7.)
What a picture showing that God identifies with us in our lowest positions and deepest states. Oh, how God loves us!
From the Gospel story, we also learn that there were shepherds nearby keeping their flocks, sleeping on the ground at night.
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were much afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” (Luke 2:8–14.)
The story is beautiful. But the shepherds spending the night outdoors makes December 25 an improbable date for the birth of Jesus.
So How Do We Have This Date?
In the Roman Empire, before Christianity took over, December 25 was the shortest day of the year, with the longest night.
Today, it’s December 22. Throughout the centuries, there have been some shifts in the dates. That made some changes necessary, leading to the introduction of the Gregorian calendar, which we use in the West today.
The shortest day meant the days began to get longer, so the Romans celebrated their sun god on that day.
As Christianity took over the religious leading position, there was a civilization clash between the old and the new system. Christians didn’t want to celebrate the sun god, but the Romans didn’t want to give up their celebration, which included festivals and gift-giving.
The Christian leaders could not find an effective way to eliminate the pagan holiday, so they dealt with it by christening it. They declared that the Christians would celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25.
This way, the old holiday was gone, and a new one was introduced. The Roman Saturnalia was replaced by Christmas.
The custom of the Christmas tree, as we use it today, seems to be a mixture of traditions of Saturnalia celebrations and medieval Germany.
Was It Good for Christianity?
Throughout history, Christianity has had a significant effect on cultures. Christian morals, ethics, and thinking immensely enriched Europe, making it the leading cultural, financial, and military world power for centuries.
But the world had its effect on the Christian church, too.
As everybody became “Christian,” everyday Christianity became diluted. The churches were filled with people who never knew God. The sermons in the churches weakened, and the true Gospel was replaced by clerical traditions.
The church’s effect was good to the world, but the world’s effect was detrimental to the church.
Shall Christians Celebrate Christmas?
The question remains, then, shall we celebrate Christmas or not? Can we remember Jesus’ birth on Christmas Eve?
Sure, we can. We can remember Jesus’ birth any day, and this includes Christmas Day, too.
Jesus’ birth is one of the most beautiful stories in the Gospels. God showed His sympathy for simple, low-class people when His Son was born in a stable and put in a manger. The picture can warm the coldest hearts, even on a Winter night.
I know that when we think that Christmas is probably not Jesus’ birthday, it may diminish a little of the celebration’s joy.
But I believe that as Christians, we have to expect our highest joy directly from God. And for that, we must come to Him with a heart that believes the truth and doesn’t compromise for little fragments of emotional pleasure.
As Christians, Jesus’ death is more important for us than His birth. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “For I determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).
We know that Jesus was crucified right before the Jewish holiday of the Passover. The Bible speaks about the time of Jesus’ death, and we can celebrate it if we want to.
If the date of Jesus’ birth were so important, God would have given it to us in the Scriptures. But He didn’t.
That’s okay for me. I like to celebrate, but I want to live for God and serve Him every day.
“One man esteems one day above another: another esteems every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind” (Romans 14:5). The Bible says that both attitudes are all right. So I accept both. But I belong to the second group.
We know what time of the year Jesus died. But we can remember His death all year round. In fact, Jesus told us to remember His death often. For this, He instituted the Lord’s supper. “For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do show the Lord’s death till He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:25).
Jesus’ death and resurrection are significant to us because they made it possible for us to come to God, receive forgiveness of our sins and salvation, and have eternal life.
But, of course, Jesus had to be born before He died. So it’s good to remember His birth, too.
What About the Pagan Roots?
But isn’t it a problem that Christmas was a christened pagan holiday?
I think it is not. To see why, let’s turn to an interesting discussion.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Whatsoever is sold in the meat market, that eat, asking no question for conscience’s sake” (1 Corinthians 10:25).
In the first century, most of the meat people bought in the marketplace were of an animal that had previously been sacrificed to a Roman god or goddess. They killed the animal in a sacrificial ceremony and then sold the meat in the marketplace.
Paul said to the Christians that it is just meat. Eat it, and don’t care about the pagan sacrifice.
In the world, behind everything, there is something worldly and unclean. Christians should know this but not worry about it. The One who is in us is greater than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4.)
So, if Paul said to the Corinthians not to worry about the meat that was sacrificed to idols a few hours earlier, we should not worry about a holiday that used to be connected to paganism seventeen hundred years ago.
Merry Christmas!
After all this, I still love Christmas passionately. For me, it is a family holiday of love first. And, yes, it is also a time to remember the birth of my Savior and Lord.
The family gathering around the Christmas tree, the lights, the sparks from the sparklers, singing together the song Angel from Heaven, our (now adult) children opening their presents with excitement and joy melt my heart year after year.
Giving and receiving gifts is a beautiful expression of love. Let’s enjoy it this year, too.
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).
I WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Note: Bible Quotations are taken from the KJV 2000 Version of the Bible. © Robert Couric.
