Dear Trekker,
History is strange indeed. Whatever happened “yesterday,” happened. It is etched in time, and time is history. You can believe “it” or deny it. You can “re-write” it, but not change it. It simply is. We better learn from it, profit from it and apply its “lessons” or we are doomed to repeat, as so many philosophers and historians have told us over the years.
As we “argue” about the historical record for the holiday, we can “skip church” or declare it all a fable for the simple-minded and still not change the historical record one iota. God became man, but was born a baby in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes like any other baby of his time. He grew like all boys, no doubt pimples and all. He quickly was about His Father’s business at 12 years old, and expressed a whimsical dismay that his parents did not realize his mission in earth life. He lived and died and rose again, and said He would return. Christians for centuries have been looking forward to the so-called Second Coming. And it is pretty difficult to look forward to the “second coming” if one has not accepted the first!
Perhaps we just go through the motions at Christmas. We don’t really understand the significance of “God entering our neighborhood.” Or perhaps, the bathwater of Christmas becomes so murky we forget there is a baby in it.
Yes, the historical details in the New Testament record are sufficient that we should all be wise, seeking him (the Baby Jesus), worshiping him and obeying him as did the wise men of old. And of course, we like to “argue” about what we cannot know for sure—from where did the wise men come; how soon after the birth of Jesus did they arrive; what were their names; what is the significance of their gifts, etc. No, the devil is not in the details, but he likes to get us off track, focusing on gifts and not the Giver, searching for history’s details, but which will not bring us closer to the manger.
Yes, the history of Christmas is quite murky. From the simple story of a miraculous conception and birth, we have manufactured a secular holiday! Do we really celebrate today at Christmas time the birth date of Jesus? Was he really born in a stable on December 25th? I was in “that” stable about 18 years ago and I asked the Lord, “Were you really born here?” All seemed so incongruous at the time. The Church has wrestled with these questions for centuries: Why do we celebrate as we do… Christmas trees, giving of gifts, and yes, Saint Santa Claus?
For sure, history stands alone and we hold up customs and practices and observances to “honor” significant events. The Church indeed has done that with Jesus’ birth. Christmas literally is “the mass of Christ,” shortened to Christmas. Why the 25th of December? December 25th has significance as the birthday of Sol, the sun god. Trekker, likely December 25th is not Christ’s birthday at all! The exact day of Jesus’ birth is forever unknown. Perhaps it was early fall, approximately six months or so after the Passover, some scholars suggest. But does it really matter?
What does matter about the birth of Jesus? What is “beyond” the arguments of our day… Christmas celebrations in public schools, crèche displays on public lands, man-made celebrations, e.g. Santa Claus, Christmas trees, sparkling lights, giving of presents, cards and parties galore. You get the idea, I’m sure.
If God became a baby born of a virgin and entered the world, there must have been a reason for his doing so. Those who believe often proclaim John 3:16. “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him, the Son, shall never perish (or die) but have eternal life.” To accomplish that, God had to enter His world. Ergo, Christmas!
Author Brennan Manning wrote: “Jesus (the Man) Christmases in us whenever people come home to themselves in our presence, and when they feel a little less hopeful and joyful we are absent.” Manning goes on to say, “Christians are a people of hope to the extent that others can find in us (“Christ in you the hope of glory”) a source of strength and joy.” The fact of Jesus’ birth says we have everything going for us, and the believer cannot lose! He (or she) is literally a winner forever. Believing in the Christ of history… his birth, death and resurrection, is the greatest response we can ever give and the only response necessary and life-changing. Emphasis on anything else at Christmas time is mere fluff.
We are not sure of the details, and the celebratory details throughout the church are as murky as bathwater. The whys and wherefores are not important! And we should not grind that axe as some Christians choose to do. The Truth… the world will never be as it was before the birth of Christ. Little wonder we changed the calendar. Little wonder we speak of the sacred writings as the old and new!
Christmas customs and traditions have changed down through the years. That kingdoms rise and wane will evidence such change. And our four score or so years on earth will be caught up in change. But one thing is certain, trekker, don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater! There is an underlying reason for the Christmas season, so let’s lift up Jesus! Save the baby Jesus as the bathwater is drained repeatedly into the sewers of history.
Thanking God for the Baby Jesus,
Jim Meredith
