Truly Knowing Christmas Series

There is an old Filipino saying…Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa pupuntahan!

In English it means… The one who does not look back where they came from will never get to the right place!

What does this have to do with Christmas? Well, there was a First Christmas and there will be a Final Christmas! We must not be surprised on the soon coming Final Christmas! Fully understanding the First Christmas will prepare us for the soon to arrive Final Christmas! How well do we really know the First Christmas?

Let’s start with this question: What is Christmas like today? When is Christmas celebrated today and how do people celebrate Christmas??

Celebrating Christmas in the beginning of winter with decorations, singing, family gatherings, food, and gift giving is a great idea!

Now, let me ask you this question: Even though the Books of the New Testament were written 50 to 100 years after the birth of Jesus Christ, does the Bible say anything about celebrating Christmas??

The Bible does not state any celebrations of Christmas; it does not even give us an actual date of the birth of Christ! How did we end up with Christmas day as December 25 and celebrate it the way we do? The history of Christmas being celebrated on December 25 is complicated; this brought the reasoning of some Christians to celebrate Christmas on January 6 instead.

Let’s start with an easy truth to grasp; what year do you think Christmas on December 25 became a holiday in America??

Christmas wasn’t declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870! What does this tell us? The Pilgrims in 1620 did not bring Christmas celebration to America, the celebration of Christmas on December 25 was decided by men!

If we look back in history, we can note that Christians really did not start celebrating the birth of Christ till the 4th Century and Pope Julius I declared December 25 was the day to celebrate to counteract pagan worship happening during that time! Remember what we noted earlier, celebrating at the beginning of winter is a great idea! Since the Pope around the year 350 AD declared Christmas to be celebrated on December 25, people used it as an excuse to continue to party!

What can we learn from all of this history about Christmas? Not much has changed has it?

When man makes a decision away from the Bible, including Christmas, it will end up to be self-indulging not God honoring!

Now, does this mean we should not celebrate Christmas? I think the way to answer this is to answer the question, “Is God anti-celebrations?”

Let me highlight 3 celebrations in the New Testament:

1. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself actively participated in a wedding celebration in Cana!

2. Christians immediately celebrated the Resurrection by changing worship day form Saturday to Sunday!

3. Jesus talked about a Great Feast in Heaven!

God brought life to us to celebrate with Him everyday and forever!

Jesus Christ is the key to our celebration today and forever with God!

We read in Colossians 1:15-17… The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 1 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Jesus Christ created us! - Colossians 1:15-17

In Luke 2:8-12 we read about the First Christmas … 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Jesus Christ is our Savior! Luke 2:8-12

And in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 we read… 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.