Whose Christmas Is It?

Christmas. What do we do with it? Do we wish others a hearty “Merry Christmas!” or do we offer a feeble “Happy Holidays”? Do we celebrate the birth of the King or is it just a commercial and materialistic free-for-all that swamps us in a mass of debt?

Christmas. Is it a Christian celebration of the birth of our Savior or is it merely a pagan holiday wrapped in the bright trappings of Christian tradition?

However you celebrate Christmas (or choose not to), there is one unmistakable and inescapable fact. The impact of the birth of a particular Baby in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago still reverberates today.

There are some who would argue that our celebration of Christmas in December is nothing more than a continuation of the pagan holiday, Saturnalia, and has nothing to do with the birth of Jesus. And they would be partially correct.

Saturnalia was, indeed, celebrated as part of a Roman holiday that involved the lighting of a tree, exchanging gifts, singing house to house, and lots of feasting. However, it is no mistake or coincidence that our modern celebration has little to do with that Roman holiday.

Constantine, a Roman emperor who became a devoted Christian, “had a hand in turning Roman culture toward Christ and away from paganism. The first reliable historical evidence of Christmas being observed on December 25 dates from his reign.” (www.gotquestions.com, “Is Christmas Related to Saturnalia”).

Over 300 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the church decided to officially commemorate the birth of the Savior. In part, the date chosen was to overshadow and redeem a holiday that had become synonymous with immorality and debauchery and in turn shine a light on the One who came to rescue the world from its bondage to sin and depravity. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them a light has shone.” (Isaiah 9:2)

We were given Christmas because we were in dire need of Easter!

Our journey to find meaning in this life needs to begin with kneeling in reverence before the Baby in Bethlehem. May you find true peace and fulfillment this Christmas in the Person of Jesus Christ!