As the Christmas draws near, I sat in church and heard the announcer talked about the Christmas service and how we should come celebrate Jesus’ birthday. My mind wandered at the mention of ‘Jesus birthday’ – was Jesus actually born on the 25th of December? I thought.
The bible offers little to no evidence to when Jesus was born but reference to shepherds tending their flocks at night when they hear the news of Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:8) might suggest the spring lambing season; in the cold month of December, on the other hand, sheep might well have been corralled.
Several days have been proposed by various biblical scholars as the day Jesus was born but the first recorded date of Christmas being celebrated on December 25th was in 336, during the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine (he was the first Christian Roman Emperor). A few years later, Pope Julius I officially declared that the birth of Jesus would be celebrated on the 25th December.
As I was still nursing the thought of Jesus’ birthday, I thought about my salvation story and the fact that I actually know this great loving man we are celebrating. Whether His birthday is on the 25th or not is inconsequential. I know Him, I know who I am celebrating on the 25th. More importantly, I have a right standing and can go before Him and say ‘happy birthday’ because of what He has done for me by His blood.
It didn’t matter and I don’t really care if He was born on the 25th, the truth is that He is at the center of the celebration no matter the myth or story that surrounds December 25th. I am glad a day was set out and it is recognized all over the world either you are a Christian, whatever religion or even a pagan, everyone knows why and who we are celebrating on the 25th of December and if you know Him, and have the life He offers… I congratulate you because you will love Christmas like I do!
The name ‘Christmas’ comes from the Mass of Christ (or Jesus). Christmas is celebrated to remember the birth of of Jesus Christ. Christmas is now celebrated by people all around the world, whether they are Christians or not. It’s about worship and if a day has been set apart to worship Jesus (although worship is supposed to be a lifestyle, not just a day-thing), man! count me in!
