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Gulf Daily News, Bahrain
January 3, 2014
Where's the harm?
This refers to the letter, 'Bah, humbug!' (GDN, December 29). Why do
Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25? A reader asks: When is
our saviour's real birthday? Is it December 25? If not, why do we
celebrate his birth on Christmas?
The date of Christ's actual birth is unknown. It is not recorded in
the Bible. However, Christians of all denominations and faith groups,
aside from the Church of Armenia, celebrate the birth of Jesus on
December 25.
Answer lies in the history of Christmas.
It is believed that the first celebrations of Christ's birth were
originally grouped together with Epiphany, one of the earliest feasts
of the Christian church observed on January 6. This holiday recognised
the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles by remembering the visit
of the Magi (wise men) to Bethlehem and, in some traditions, the
baptism of Jesus and his miracle of turning water into wine.
Today the feast of Epiphany is observed predominantly in liturgical
denominations such as Eastern Orthodox, Anglican and Catholic. Even as
far back as the second and third centuries, we know church leaders
disagreed about the appropriateness of birthday celebrations within
the Christian church. Some men like Origin felt birthdays were pagan
rituals for pagan gods. And since the date of Christ's actual birth
had not been recorded, these early leaders speculated and argued about
the date.
Some sources report that Theophilus of Antioch (circa 171-183) was the
first to identify December 25 as the birth date of Christ. Others say
that Hippolytus (circa 170-236) was the first to claim that Jesus was
born on December 25.
A strong theory suggests that this date was eventually chosen by the
church because it aligned closely with a major pagan festival, dies
natalis solis invicti (birth of the invincible sun god), thus allowing
the church to claim a new celebration for Christianity.
Ultimately, December 25 was chosen, perhaps as early as AD273. By
336AD, the Roman church calender definitively records a nativity
celebration by Western Christians on this date.
Eastern churches maintained the January 6 commemoration together with
Epiphany until sometime in the fifth or sixth centuries when the 25th
day of December became the widely accepted holiday. Only the Armenian
church held to the original celebration of Christ's birth with
Epiphany on January 6.
The term Christmas appeared in Old English as early as 1038AD as
Cristes Maesse, and later as Cristes-messe in AD1131. It means "the
Mass of Christ."
This name was established by the Christian church to disconnect the
holiday and its customs from its pagan origins. As one fourth century
theologian penned, "We hold this day holy, not like the pagans because
of the birth of the sun, but because of Him who made it."
Although it is true that many traditional Christmas customs find their
origins in pagan practices, these ancient and forgotten associations
are far removed from the hearts of Christian worshippers today at
Christmas time. So much so, it seems a pointless concern.
If the focus of Christmas is Jesus Christ and his gift of eternal
life, then what harm can come from such a celebration?
Moreover, Christian churches see Christmas as an occasion to spread
the good news of the gospel at a time when many non-believers pause to
consider Christ.
Why do we celebrate Christ's birthday? The same reader posed this
question: God didn't tell us to celebrate Christmas, so why are
Christians doing this? I am compelled to respond with a few simple
questions of my own. Why do we celebrate a child's birthday? Why do we
celebrate a loved one's birthday? Is it not to remember and cherish
the significance of the event? It marks the arrival of Emmanuel, God
With Us, the Word Become Flesh, the Saviour of the World. It is a
central event in history. Time chronicles backward and forward from
this moment.
I find myself wanting to ask: How can we fail to remember this day
with great joy and reverence? How can we not celebrate Christmas?
January 3, 2014
Where's the harm?
This refers to the letter, 'Bah, humbug!' (GDN, December 29). Why do
Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25? A reader asks: When is
our saviour's real birthday? Is it December 25? If not, why do we
celebrate his birth on Christmas?
The date of Christ's actual birth is unknown. It is not recorded in
the Bible. However, Christians of all denominations and faith groups,
aside from the Church of Armenia, celebrate the birth of Jesus on
December 25.
Answer lies in the history of Christmas.
It is believed that the first celebrations of Christ's birth were
originally grouped together with Epiphany, one of the earliest feasts
of the Christian church observed on January 6. This holiday recognised
the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles by remembering the visit
of the Magi (wise men) to Bethlehem and, in some traditions, the
baptism of Jesus and his miracle of turning water into wine.
Today the feast of Epiphany is observed predominantly in liturgical
denominations such as Eastern Orthodox, Anglican and Catholic. Even as
far back as the second and third centuries, we know church leaders
disagreed about the appropriateness of birthday celebrations within
the Christian church. Some men like Origin felt birthdays were pagan
rituals for pagan gods. And since the date of Christ's actual birth
had not been recorded, these early leaders speculated and argued about
the date.
Some sources report that Theophilus of Antioch (circa 171-183) was the
first to identify December 25 as the birth date of Christ. Others say
that Hippolytus (circa 170-236) was the first to claim that Jesus was
born on December 25.
A strong theory suggests that this date was eventually chosen by the
church because it aligned closely with a major pagan festival, dies
natalis solis invicti (birth of the invincible sun god), thus allowing
the church to claim a new celebration for Christianity.
Ultimately, December 25 was chosen, perhaps as early as AD273. By
336AD, the Roman church calender definitively records a nativity
celebration by Western Christians on this date.
Eastern churches maintained the January 6 commemoration together with
Epiphany until sometime in the fifth or sixth centuries when the 25th
day of December became the widely accepted holiday. Only the Armenian
church held to the original celebration of Christ's birth with
Epiphany on January 6.
The term Christmas appeared in Old English as early as 1038AD as
Cristes Maesse, and later as Cristes-messe in AD1131. It means "the
Mass of Christ."
This name was established by the Christian church to disconnect the
holiday and its customs from its pagan origins. As one fourth century
theologian penned, "We hold this day holy, not like the pagans because
of the birth of the sun, but because of Him who made it."
Although it is true that many traditional Christmas customs find their
origins in pagan practices, these ancient and forgotten associations
are far removed from the hearts of Christian worshippers today at
Christmas time. So much so, it seems a pointless concern.
If the focus of Christmas is Jesus Christ and his gift of eternal
life, then what harm can come from such a celebration?
Moreover, Christian churches see Christmas as an occasion to spread
the good news of the gospel at a time when many non-believers pause to
consider Christ.
Why do we celebrate Christ's birthday? The same reader posed this
question: God didn't tell us to celebrate Christmas, so why are
Christians doing this? I am compelled to respond with a few simple
questions of my own. Why do we celebrate a child's birthday? Why do we
celebrate a loved one's birthday? Is it not to remember and cherish
the significance of the event? It marks the arrival of Emmanuel, God
With Us, the Word Become Flesh, the Saviour of the World. It is a
central event in history. Time chronicles backward and forward from
this moment.
I find myself wanting to ask: How can we fail to remember this day
with great joy and reverence? How can we not celebrate Christmas?