Christmas day is near. The biggest and long-awaited celebration of the year. It is also the most favorite and happiest day of the year. Christmas party, Christmas decor, exchange gift, caroling, 13 month pay and Christmas Bonus.
With so many activities happening at Christmas, do you remember why there is Christmas? Is your Christmas celebration right or meaningful?
No one knows when Jesus was actually born. There is no date written in the bible. Scholars say that Jesus was born at the end of summer or at the beginning of autumn. Our celebration today of December 25 is not an original Christmas celebration but a celebration of the pagans who perform even before Jesus was born. There are theories or beliefs as to why December 25 is our Christmas celebration.
WINTER SOLSTICE
Winter solstice is the shortest sunrise and sunset. In Scandinavia, it is called YULE which takes place from December 21 to January. It is a celebration of gratitude for the return of the sun.
ROMAN FESTIVALS (SATURNALIA AND MITHRA)
The Romans, on the other hand, have a festival of Saturnalia and it takes place from December 17 to 23 in honor of their False God Saturn. While on the date of December 25 is the commemoration of the birthday of False God Mithra of sun. For the Romans Mitra's birthday was the most sacred day of the year.
Rome was known for adapting rituals and traditions to the areas they occupied. The very first Christmas celebration commemorated December 25 was recorded in 336 A.D. during the time of Emperor Constantine of Rome.
POPE JULIUS I
Pope Julius I, chose December 25. It is believed by most churches to choose a Christmas date to adapt the pagan tradition of the feast of Saturnalia.
JEWISH FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS HANUKKAH
A Jewish Festival of lights Hanukkah begins on the 25th of Kislev. This is the month of the Jewish calendar equivalent to the month of December. Hanukkah is a celebration of the commemoration of the day on which the Jews can now ascend to their temple.
In Jerusalem many people were not allowed by the Jews to worship. Since Jesus is a Jew, this is the possible reason for the church to choose December 25th as Christmas day.
Since it is possible that the celebration of Christmas came from a pagan and was merely one of the celebrations of Christ's birthday, is it right for us to celebrate it?
There are religions that do not celebrate Christmas because it is not in the bible and also because they believe that the celebration comes from paganism. Whatever the reason, we celebrate Christmas every December 25 years. The question is, is your motive or way of celebrating Christmas right or is this just what you have in mind?
December 25 or not, whether from pagan or not, we must celebrate Christmas with the right motive and the right way.
Let us commemorate Christmas with thanksgiving to God because Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ who is the Savior of our sins.
He is the messianic fulfillment of the promises and prophecies of God who is God incarnate. Jesus Christ is the best gift we can receive from God.
Thank you for reading and advance Merry Christmas!
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Christmas time is for our family magical holiday.We are together celebrating,going to church,praying,reading about Jesus Christ,we are talking about God,what he teached us,....This part of year we hardly wait to come and we remember it forever.Merry Christmas to you and your family dear!