What about Christmas, Part 2?

I don't know how many times over the last month I have heard it is "Christmas" not "Xmas".  In the same context you may hear who took the "Christ" out of "Christmas".  In this thought I pose the question of who put the "Christ" into "Christmas?"  Now, before you say I am being ridiculous I want you to consider this thought for a moment.  The idea of Christmas is not a strictly Christian idea.  It is not outside of the lines of reason to ask if Christians are the originators of Christmas.  We ask similar questions about our worship, our salvation, our church organization, so why not Christmas?  Why not ask where Christmas comes from and teach the truth on the subject?  Even if Christmas has a pagan or catholic origin (or is absent from the Word of God) does this mean we cannot observe it as a holiday?

First, let us recognize the Romans had a holiday or observance on the 25th of December well before Christ was born to Mary in Bethlehem.  For many centuries before Christ, the Gentile Nations (all nations which were not of Jewish origin) in many cases observed a winter solstice which typically ran from the end of November till sometime in January.  Of course, we understand our calendar today is based on the Roman Calendar and may have some dates which did not correspond with all the past calendar systems (i.e., the Jewish Calendar or the Chinese Calendar).  During this winter solstice the Romans observed a holiday called Juvenalia, which was a gathering or feast in remembrance of children.  The adults also remembered one of their gods called Mithra.  This feast was observed on the 25th of December.  It became over time (as most things do) a festival which involved much commerce.  

Now, let us fast forward to after the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus to the 4th Century A.D.  In 354 A.D. the Catholic Church introduced the first nativity in order to explain to its followers the birth of Jesus and when it happened.  At this same time they termed the 25th of December as the day to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  Most religious folks today know from common sense and a little research that this day is not the true day of Jesus' birth.  However, many still celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday even knowing this day is not the true day of Jesus' birth.  

So far what we have learned from a little research is the Gentile or pagan nations celebrated winter solstice and later the Romans celebrated a day identical to what we call today as Christmas on the 25th of December.  Although the Catholic Church knew this day was not the actual birthday of Jesus they chose to compete with the pagan religions much like they did with the sale of indulgences.  Knowing this information does this make celebrating or observing Christmas as the birth of Jesus a sin?  Well, this depends on the individual.

If you truly believe this is the actual day of Jesus' birth and this is the sole reason you are coming to services on December 25th then you may need to study the Bible and pray about your decision.  However, if you are of the mindset that this day is a great opportunity for God's people all over the world to stop what they are doing and think about Jesus all over the world....maybe not as a religious holiday but just remembering the importance of His birth then I see nothing in Scripture which would forbid us.  

My family and I celebrate Christmas as a time for our family to be together and exchange gifts of love for one another.  We enjoy the festivities and the lore of Santa Claus.  We enjoy seeing our community reaching out to one another and helping each other because of the spirit of the season.  Is it Christmas or Xmas?  That is for you to decide...but, know this either way we need to be preaching and teaching Jesus and Jesus Crucified (1 Cor. 2:2).