Christmas time is once again upon us. Before the Americans have had their Thanksgiving feast and, if we’re lucky, after the Jack-o’lanterns have been cleared away, the stores begin playing their seasonal music. December 25th, that day that surprises us every year with its approach and sends us into a seasonal tizzy of preparation is being hyped wherever we go. But what exactly is that the hype and the preparation is all about? And why, why, on December 25th, here in the northern hemisphere, when the weather can be so treacherous and inhospitable?
It certainly wasn’t the time of year portrayed in Luke’s story of the Nativity, when the author writes: ‘In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.’ Luke 2: 8
According to both Sara Ruhin, chief of the Israeli weather service who said in a 1990 press release “The temperature in the area of Bethlehem in December averages around 44 degrees Fahrenheit but can drop to well below freezing, especially at night. That area has three months of frost: December with 29 degrees Fahrenheit.”and The Interpreter’s One-Volume Commentary, Abingdon Press, Nashville, 1971, note on Luke 2:4-7 which says “These humble pastoral folk are out in the field at night with their flock – a feature of the story which would argue against the birth of Christ occurring on Dec. 25 since the weather would not have permitted it.” Apparently a common practice of shepherds was keeping their flocks in the field from April to October, but in the cold and rainy winter months, they took their flocks back home and sheltered them.
Secondly, the story tells us that Joseph and Mary travelled to Bethlehem to register in a Roman census (Luke 2:1-4). However, such censuses were not taken in winter, when temperatures often dropped below freezing and roads were in poor condition.
Perhaps those involved with setting the date originally took into account the two celebration that already took place around that time of year- the Saturnalia, and the birthday of the Sun God, Mithra (Catholic Encyclopedia). The Saturnalia festival began on 17th December and later expanded with festivities through to the 25th December. It was associated with the renewal of light, the coming of the new year, and was celebrated with a sacrifice in the Temple of Saturn, a public banquet, followed by private gift-giving, continual partying, and a carnival atmosphere.
Followers of the cult of Mithras, which became popular among the military in the Roman Empire from the 1st to 4th centuries AD, are believed to have celebrated his birthday on 25th December, which was the most holy day of the year for many Romans.
When King Constantine converted to Christianity in the fourth century, he had quite a challenge ahead of him with regard to converting an empire full of pagans. It was therefore decided to celebrate the birth of Jesus on a date that was already sacred according to pagan traditions. So as a compromise with paganism and in an attempt to give the pagan holidays Christian significance, it was simply decided that the birthday of the Sun God would also be the birthday of the Son of God. The Catholic Encyclopaedia quotes an early Christian with saying, "O, how wonderfully acted Providence that on that day on which that Sun was born.... Christ should be born”.
Whatever the reason for picking the date for Christmas, John Dominic Crossan and Marcus J. Borg observed in the preface to their book ‘The First Christmas’: ’Moreover because of the cultural and commercial importance of Christmas in western culture and beyond, it is observed by many non-Christians as well. Indeed no other religious holiday is so widely commemorated by people who are outside of the tradition that originated it.’
And so we find the secular and the religious symbolism for this celebration getting mixed up, until it is often difficult to see where one stops and the other begins. Economically, this season is very important to the bottom-line of businesses. Psychologically, it offers relief from the stark darkness of the winter with a celebration of light. Religiously, it is the second most important celebration of the Christian church. AND NONE OF THIS IS NEW! It has been like this from the very beginning!!!
We all need to celebrate at this time of year. Just be aware that how you celebrate reflects the real reasons that lie behind the holiday for you. Take some time to think about what fills your days this time of year, and why. What are you really celebrating?
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