What? What do you mean Jesus wasn’t born on the 25th of December? Was he born at all?
No Christmas Celebration
I remember when I was first confronted with this news. A member of our church informed me that they don’t celebrate Christmas because Jesus wasn’t born on the 25th of December. The spirit in them was gentle and, had the subject not come up, they would not have told me. This was their conviction which they never imposed on me or anybody else.
Christmas May Be a Pagan Festival
But not everybody I have met has been like that. I have had people “lay it on” how Christmas is a pagan festival. And if we celebrate Christmas, we’re joining in on a pagan ritual.
Jesus was Born In The Spring
It’s true that Jesus most probably was not born in December. Most scholars would suggest that He was born in the spring as opposed to the middle of winter. And, yes, perhaps the 25th of December is a pagan festival day.
Cause For Celebration
But surely, the fact that Jesus was born is enough cause for a celebration. The gospels account of Jesus’ birth was not only celebrated but recorded for us. A miraculous conception, angels singing, wise men discovering, a mad king seeking to kill the baby Jesus makes for a compelling narrative! Never mind centuries of prophecy leading up to this event.
Don’t Be Condemned
In Colossians 2:16-17 the apostle Paul writes, “So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality”.
Birthday Celebrations
I once had a conversation with a man that was abandoned as a baby and raised in an orphanage. He told me that nobody was sure when he was born and so his “birth date” was given as the day he arrived at the orphanage. And, each year, he celebrates his birthday, not on the day he was born, but the fact that he was born.
We Celebrate
We celebrate Christmas day as the day that our Lord was born. Not because it was the day of his birth, but the fact that he was born.
History Reminds Us
His birth day has become the day upon which all days are numbered and measured. Time is measured by what happened before He was born – B.C. and what has happened since He was born – A.D.
Celebrate The Saviour
So, what does it matter which day of the year it was? History and tradition has given us the 25th of December – so, let it be a celebration of a Saviour, and not the celebration of a day!
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Thank you Mark. Now I know how best to respond
Such a good explanation, love it, thank you Mark
Thanks Charlene
Thank you Mark for your comment on the date of Jesus birth…I watched a teaching by Jonathan Cahn on this topic..IHet was titled “when was Jesus really born”.It was thought provoking…He suggested that Jesus was born around March/April….as shepherds arnt out in the fields at night…also that sheep only lamb at a certain time of the year…
He also put a number of reasons for December 25th…not being the date of Jesus birth…
Thank you,
Doug Mackay
Hi Mark..oops apologies for my blooms..what i meant shepherds are not out in the fields during winter months…25th December would be mid winter in Israel as it is in the northern hemisphere.
Doug Mackay
Thanks for your comment Doug. Cahn may be right, but wha tis true is that Jesus was born, and it is that fact that we celebrate!