All this festivity began when a 14 year old lassie received a visit from Gabriel, the angel. Informed she would carry the Christ child she accepted this task but remained somewhat perturbed, as you would. Gods call is never easy, while he young husband accepted his part also neither expected to have to walk 30 miles to deliver the child in a cave used as a stable. A long walk but no way could these two afford a donkey, and anyway, he would have ridden it, not her.
Resting with the child the aroma of sheep from the shepherds who spoke of choirs of angels above must have increased their wonder as to what all this was about. Some time later the Magi arrived, a complete contrast to the shepherds who reflected the lowest in society. How many Magi arrived is unknown though three gifts were left. Three men sitting on camels pointing at a star while carrying a flask of coffee and a pack of sandwiches does not reflect the thousand mile journey from Babylon the men took to find the child. The star, possibly a conjunction of Saturn and another planet, was observed in Babylon and China in 7 BC and again in 5 BC and possibly this was the ‘star’ they saw. These men left precious gifts which was just as well as soon after they were walking again, this time to Egypt. King Herod, a sick man who found paranoia easy to excuse, bumped off all those children under two as soon as he could to ensure his Kingdom was safe.
He then promptly died in 4 BC, unmourned.
With Jesus return expected soon Jesus followers did not spend much time remembering his birth. Just looking to where he was working was more important. Informing the world of his death for their sins, his rising from the dead and the need to turn to him, and the day when we shall all stand before his throne was what was important.
It took many decades before people began to consider Matthew and Luke’s birth accounts of Jesus as worth celebrating. Who decided this first is unclear and many began to dispute the date in the 3rd century. By 336 AD Christmas was being held on December 25th, possibly because this was nine months after the ‘Annunciation,’ or perhaps because the Roman Solstice occurred on that date. In truth no-one actually knows the date when Jesus took human form but it was more likely to be between March and May rather than December. Anyway, the shops are busy at this time of year so who wishes to be giving birth then?
Winter in the Northern Hemisphere is a cold, dreary place for many and the winter solstice, the day the nights begin to grow longer, is always welcomed with celebration. I suspect that way back in the days just after the last Ice Age some 10,000 years ago the peoples there knew exactly the date of the solstice and celebrated just as we would. ‘Christmas’ now takes that place for most.
In the British Isles the celebration became a 12 day event, ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas,’ and for a people mostly living a hard life in poverty this was an excuse to party at a time when parties may well have been few. Food and drink began to be taken in great excess especially during the very cold 1500’s.
The Reformation however soon interrupted the enjoyment. The drunkenness, violence and excess led to much bother and the celebration was seen as ‘Papist superstition’ by the growing number of Puritans. Scotland eventually banned this ‘superstition’ in 1640, although under Charles II this was lifted for a time from 1680 until 1690 when it was reimposed. By 1712 the Act was lessened and Christmas once again became the centre of the English winter. None can explain however why the Charles Dickens type Victorian Christmas became so popular. Possibly in England people rejoice in Rickets, poverty and slums? None of these appear on the Victorian Christmas cards I notice. Scotland continued to celebrate New Year rather than Christmas well into the 20th century. Indeed Christmas Day only became a holiday in 1958 and Boxing day only in 1974. Quite how the Church of Scotland did not notice the feasting and drinking at New Year is not explained.
For many years Christmas has been nothing but a sentimental, commercial exploitation! Christ, his birth, death and resurrection exchanged for an imaginary Santa Claus figure flying through the air on a sled pulled by reindeer, while plastic snowmen are found lit up all around, even in the middle East! I am not convinced it was meant to be like this?
Even the best churches fall for the ‘empty, vain, Christmas.’ Christmas trees, a pagan symbol, worshipped in central and eastern Europe are found in every church. Prince Albert started this and the camp followers of royalty soon decided they had to do the same. No-one questioned the purpose, no-one objected. So now glistening trees drop pine needles into peoples feet in churches everywhere while lights flicker and go out with annoying rapidity, while none question why there is a ‘Fairy’ on the top!
Is this what Christmas should be?
The good side is found where people get the family together again, often the only time bar funerals and weddings. All this is good, presents, food and drink consumed, games played, children excited, punches exchanged (the men are just as bad) and all cannot wait to do it again next year.
Christians remember Jesus came, and look to him coming again, proper churches of course do this every Sunday, and they renew their decision to follow him weekly, indeed daily as they ought.
No Santa required, Jesus presence and forgiveness is enough.
2 comments:
Well said.
Fly, Thank you.
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