Christmas is so full of wonder, meaning and tradition. But, where did all these things that we now call Christmas — come from? Lets just briefly sketch the origin and development of what we now celebrate as Christ’s Birth.
The Biblical Celebration
The Dawning of Light Luke 1:78-79
The Fullness of Time Gal 4.4-5
The Mystery of Incarnation 1 Timothy 3:16
The Pagan Connection
Dr. Phillip Schaff, a noted church historian of the last century, wrote a monumental 8 volume History of the Christian Church . In this work he relates that history records that the ancients celebrated an annual victory of the Sun over the long night of winter. This religious festival was held near the winter solstice of 12/21 -22 each year.
By Roman times there was:
1. A silent testimony of nature: the seasons that show winter as death and spring as life and resurrection. And,
2. A Public Celebration in Paganism that:
3. Related the Sol Invictus legend of the conquest of darkness by the Sun.
4. This tradition was embodied in the Saturnalia Festival. This festival was a feast of images, the giving of gifts, and the setting free of slaves.
According to the Astronomers, on the night of 12/21-22, the earth is at its darkest, the night is the longest, the light of day is the shortest, and the Sun is closest to the Earth of any time of the year.
What an amazing picture of Christ’s coming to us. As John 1 says He came to a sin darkened world, He came as a Sunrise from on High and offered a free gift of salvation and liberation from servitude to the servants of darkness.
The Christian Meaning to Ancient Traditions
December 25th was the Saturnalia Festival of emancipation, gift giving and the triumph of light after the longest night. The Christian sees the truth implicit in this pagan tradition that reflects: Christ the Light of the world, His triumph over the night of sin in Luke 1:78-79
Evergreen Trees were the symbol of eternal life. Martin Luther introduced them to the Reformation Church as a picture of our endless life in Christ, by bringing in a tree to his family on Christmas Eve lit with candles. Isaiah 60:13
Candles are a picture that Christ is the Light of the world John 8:
Holly speaks of the thorns in His crown Matthew 27:29
Red is a color of Christmas that speaks of Christ’s blood and death.
Gifts are a reminder of the gifts of the Magi to baby Jesus. Each of them speak to a component of His incarnation: Majesty in life, Bitterest Agony in Death and He as Gods Perfect gift to us. Matthew 2.
The Yule Log was a symbol by which all the men in the family would carry a log large enough to burn for 12 days into the house. They were identifying with Christ and His Cross. The fire was started with a fragment from the previous years [this refers to the eternal existence of Christ before His birth] log. it speaks of warmth, unity, joy and the security of endless life.
Mistletoe was an ancient symbol from the Roman times. It was under Mistletoe that old enmities and broken friendship were restored. So Christ was the One who took away the enmity and gave us Peace with god. Romans 5:1; 8:1.
Bells are associated with ringing out news. Christ is the good news, the best news of all.
Christmas Eve is a time when we remember that Christ came in the darkest night of Earth’s need to be the Light of the World.
Shepherds who were watching lambs for use as sacrifices in the Temple, were the first to hear the great news that the Lamb to end all sacrifices had appeared.
Christmas Pie is an old tradition that uses a Mince pie with various spices to remember the spices of the Magi. For centuries it was made in a manger shape.
A Final conclusion:
Don’t lose the Spiritual Depth of Christmas because of its Pagan association.
Don’t miss the Spiritual Delight of Christmas because of the Commercial association.
Don’t forget the Spiritual Despair of the World because of Christmas and its wonders.
Some challenges:
1. Give a gift to Jesus.
2. Like Christ, give to those who can’t repay you.
3. Pause to sense the darkness outside at night, and then thank God for sending the light.
4. Read the Scriptures to your family.
5. Start some traditions that point to Christ.
6. Enjoy this wonderful time of the year, don’t lose the season for the rush.
From APO-20 – (951220WE)
Join the LAND OF THE BOOK channel to access weekly video releases over the next year, totaling 50+ EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS featuring weekly in-depth Bible Study lessons with John & Bonnie.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVK6dN-9kLDnQhYBFuES09A/join
DTBM Academy Courses:
https://dtbma.com/Default.aspx
Purchase John’s Books, MP3 & DVD resources:
E-Books: https://tinyurl.com/y3wbhlxy
Here are links to our Amazon Pages–
https://www.amazon.com/shop/dtbm
Donate to the ministry: https://dtbm.org/donations/partnership/
For more of Dr. John Barnett’s Bible teaching messages, go to: https://dtbm.org/
https://youtu.be/Ln2a8RQkjhs