“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
What is Christmas? What do we celebrate and why? Both very good questions. If you ask a cross section of people about Christmas today, you might be shocked with the answers you get. This holiday seems to transcend all boundaries of culture and religion. Santa Claus, elves, flying reindeer, and a slay filled with toys are just a few of the things that pop into our heads at this time. Lights are strung all over houses and yards are filled with all kinds of nativity scenes. You would have to be completely blind not to notice something is different about this time of year. Just after Thanksgiving, the season begins with Black Friday, the day dubbed for so much shopping that all retailers go into the black financially. So, what is this holiday all about?
The first recorded Christmas celebration was in 336 AD in Rome where Christians celebrated the birth of Christ. This celebration did not become popular until the 9th century. Believe it or not, Christmas has been canceled a time or two over the years by none other than some religious people. In Europe and America, Christmas was not celebrated by the religious separatists, namely Oliver Cromwell in 1645 and the Pilgrims in America. Strangely enough, they were fined 5 shillings if they were caught with Christmas cheer in Boston. Over time Christmas grew in popularity and by 1870 the United States made it official; Christmas was to be celebrated on December 25th every year.
What about Santa, elves, reindeer, slays etc.? The legend of Santa Claus begins in 280 AD in modern day Turkey. A maned named St. Nicholas was born and he was known for his piety and kindness. His exploits became legends over time and his death on December 6 became a day to celebrate him and all that he had done. Celebrating St. Nicholas on December 6th grew and spread throughout the Catholic world. He became the most popular saint in Europe by the Middle Ages. Around 1773 in America the Dutch called St. Nicholas by his Dutch name Sinter Klaas. This saint’s popularity grew appearing in books and advertisements over the years. Washington Irving, in 1809, popularized this man in his book “The History of New York”. By the mid 1800’s, old Kris Kringle was stamped forever with gift giving. Movies like “Miracle on 34th street” cemented the jolly man with a white beard and red suit. Today, Santa Claus, his slay, reindeer, elves, along with the North Pole are all a part of Christmas. To some this holiday is just about Santa Claus and giving gifts to good little boys and girls on Christmas Eve. While I like gift giving, Christmas is so much more.
The reason for the season is clearly Jesus and his birth. This man was called Immanuel, God with us. So, what does the Bible say about Jesus and his birth?
The birth account of Christ appears in two books in the Bible, Matthew and Luke. Luke has the detailed account, while Matthew gives the reader a snapshot. The Old Testament is full of prophecies that foretell the birth of a Savior that will be born in Bethlehem by a virgin. You can spend days reading article after article pulling out verses in the Bible that foretell of Jesus’ birth. The religious elect of that time were scholars and knew all these prophies by heart. No one knows for sure, but it baffles me as to how they missed Jesus and his birth connecting him to the prophesies of him being the Savior. One small reason might be that Jesus was born in a small insignificant town of Bethlehem to unknown people and grew up in a place that was off the beaten path, Nazareth. To the elect of the day the humble beginnings of Jesus were not what they expected. If the religious elect missed his birth then what does that say about us today? If we aren’t careful, we too will miss the true meaning of Christmas.
Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, was born over 2000 years ago and we are still celebrating his birthday today. From his birth, to his 3 years in public ministry when he was 30 years old, this man changed the entire globe. Bill O’Riley in his book, “Killing Jesus” claims that he was with a doubt the most influential person ever to walk the earth. When Jesus was on the cross his last words were, “It is finished!” What was finished you might ask? The final work of the Savior was finished. He died for our sins so we could be in heaven with him. This Christmas day, don’t focus on all of the lights, presents, Santa Claus, and hype. Instead, focus on the real reason for the season, Jesus Christ.
Let It Go 
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