Keep Christ in Christmas
Matthew 2:1-12
There are many traditions related to Christmas time. Some are Bible based and some are not. Last week we discussed the origins of the date, and of Santa Claus, today I wish to discuss The Star, The Magi, and the Christmas Tree.
1. The Star:
a. Some think this is the alignment of Saturn (Sol), the Star of the Jews and Jupiter (King). This event was known to occur in 7 B.C. in May to June and again in September.
b. Some astrologers say that when Jupiter is in the constellation of Aries, an immortal or a kingly person is born.
c. For a Star to rise in the East and move West is normal, our Sun rises in the East and settles in the West.
d. The Magi saw the star rising in the East and they followed it Westward to Jerusalem.
e. Were they the only ones to see it?
i. Possibly others saw it and did not understand it
ii. The Star was for the Star gazers.
iii. Astronomer Kepler saw a similar event in 1603
iv. The Star was a one time miraculous event for the Magi.
f. How did they know it was His Star?
i. Possibly because the Star itself was so extraordinary
ii. Balaam’s prophecy (Numbers 24:17)
iii. They somehow also knew the Jews were expecting a Great King.
Did the Star rise at his birth, the announcement of his birth by Gabriel, or 2 years prior to allow for travel?
2. The Magi
a. Wise men, magicians, astrologers and advisors
b. Daniel becomes Chief Magi under Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon
c. Daniel would have known all the prophecies of Isaiah, Micah and the rest of the OT prophecies concerning the Messiah
d. How many were there?
i. We say 3, but possibly more.
ii. Their arrival caused a stir in Jerusalem
iii. They probably made announcements in the City “Where is He born King of the Jews?
iv. They were wealthy
e. The meaning of their gifts
i. Gold=Kingly gift
ii. Frankincense= Priestly Gift
iii. Myrrh=Anointing oil, could be for anointing a prophet or the dead.
iv. Costly gifts. In today’s market these could bring about 10-20 thousand dollars or more depending on size.
v. Could this be how Joseph and Mary financed their trip to Egypt until Joseph could set up shop? Wouldn’t that be just like God to met a need before the need arrived?
vi. Traditionally we celebrate the arrival of the Magi during the first week of Jan (Epiphany). Yet manger scenes have them arriving at the barn. Could you imagine Joseph and Mary staying in the barn for a week? Two weeks, how about 2 years?
vii. The Shepherds found a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths, the Magi came to the house where the child was with his mother. The words for baby would signify infant, the word for child could mean toddler.
What is the origin of the Christmas tree?
The Christmas tree today is a common custom to most of us. There are many interesting connections to ancient traditions such as Egyptian and Roman customs, early Christian practices, and Victorian nostalgia. However, most scholars point to Germany as being the origin of the Christmas tree.
One of the earliest stories relating back to Germany is about Saint Boniface. In 722, he encountered some pagans who were about to sacrifice a child at the base of a huge oak tree. He cut down the tree to prevent the sacrifice and a Fir tree grew up at the base of the oak. He then told everyone that this lovely evergreen, with its branches pointing to heaven, was a holy tree - the tree of the Christ child, and a symbol of His promise of eternal life.
Another story from Germany is about Queen Victoria. She often visited relatives in Germany and while she was there, she fell in love with Prince Albert. After they were married, they moved back to England to raise their family. Prince Albert decorated a tree and ever since that time, the English, because of their love for their Queen, copied her Christmas customs including the Christmas tree and ornaments. This story took place in the 19th century, around 1830.
Another story about the origin of the Christmas tree says that late in the Middle Ages, Germans and Scandinavians placed evergreen trees inside their homes or just outside their doors to show their hope that spring would soon come.
Another legend that has not been proved is that Martin Luther is responsible for the origin of the Christmas tree. This story says that one Christmas Eve, about the year 1500, he was walking through the snow-covered woods and was struck by the beauty of the snow glistened trees. Their branches, dusted with snow, shimmered in the moon light. When he got home, he set up a small fir tree and shared the story with his children. He decorated the Christmas tree with small candles, which he lighted in honor of Christ's birth.
Research into customs of various cultures shows that greenery was often brought into homes at the time of the winter solstice. It symbolized life in the midst of death in many cultures. The Romans were known to deck their homes with evergreens during of Kalends of January 15. Living trees were also brought into homes during the old Germany feast of Yule, which originally was a two month feast beginning in November. The Yule tree was planted in a tub and brought into the home. But there is no evidence that the Christmas tree is a direct descendent of the Yule tree. Evidence does point to the Paradise tree however. This story goes back to the 11th century religious plays. One of the most popular was the Paradise Play. The play depicted the story of the creation of Adam and Eve, their sin, and their banishment from Paradise. The only prop on the stage was the Paradise tree, a fir tree adorned with apples. The play would end with the promise of the coming Savior and His Incarnation. The people had grown so accustomed to the Paradise tree, that they began putting their own Paradise tree up in their homes on December 24.
Think of the Evergreen=Just like God’s Love, eternal, strong, branches pointing up to God.
The Lights= Colorful could symbolize how God’s love is for everyone, and when connected to the Love of God we shine the light of this love for all to see.
Illustration: Christmas play at school CHRIST WAS LOVE.
Whatever legend you wish to pass on, remember that Christmas is the time to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The origin of the Christmas tree, the Star, the Magi, can't change that fact. However we celebrate it, we must remember, we must instill, that Christmas is all about Jesus, Keep Christ in Christmas.
