What is Christmas? Is it a Christian holiday or a pagan holiday? The answer depends on who you ask. The Bible says nothing about early Christians celebrating Christ’s birth. In fact, it was at least 300 years after Jesus died, rose again and sent the Holy Spirit to initiate the church before there is any historical mention of the celebration of Jesus’ birth.
(Wikipedia notes)
For centuries, Christian writers accepted that Christmas was the actual date on which Jesus was born. John Chrysostom preached a sermon in Antioch c. 386 which established the date of Christmas as December 25 on the Julian calendar since the conception of Jesus (Luke 1:26) had been announced during the sixth month of Elisabeth’s pregnancy with John the Baptist (Luke 1:10-13) as dated from the duties Zacharias performed on the Day of Atonement during the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar Ethanim or Tishri (Lev. 16:29, 1 Kings 8:2) which falls in September–October.
It wasn’t until the Protestant reformation that all things Catholic were challenged and Christmas was associated with paganism more than with Christ. But it was clearly pointed out that the Bible nowhere tells when Jesus was born, nor that Christians should celebrate his birthday. Many have guessed as to when Jesus was born and several dates have been suggested. Some say Jesus was born on the same day he died. This is pure conjecture.
My favorite guess as to the time of Jesus’ birth is spring. That’s when the lambs are born and that’s a more likely time for when the shepherds would be out in the fields with their flocks by night. The truth is, we don’t know when Jesus was born and the Bible doesn’t tell us to celebrate His birth. It doesn’t tell us to celebrate Mother’s or Father’s day either, but we do.
The early Christians were expecting Jesus return at any day and did not even write the story of his life and teachings for many years. When there was a delay in Christ’s return, it became apparent that there needed to be written accounts of Jesus’ life and teachings which we call the gospels. The early Christians didn’t have a New Testament either. There were some churches that had perhaps letters from Paul, Peter, James, John or Jude, but these were not collected into a New Testament for many years.
As the years passed the churches began to put together an annual remembrance of Jesus’ life and teachings along with readings from the Old Testament and Epistles. This eventually became known as the church calendar and lectionary. The Jews had built a lectionary centuries before the church. These were read during the annual feast days and on Sabbaths. Luke 4 tells of Jesus in the Synagogue reading from Isaiah. This was most likely the lectionary reading of the day. It just so happens that it was from Isaiah and announce the spiritual anointing of God’s Messiah. Jesus said to his audience, “Today this reading is fulfilled in your hearing!” They were shocked. After Jesus continued speaking some even tried to kill him.
The Christian lectionary is a kind of yearly calender of scripture readings which repeats Jesus’ birth, baptism, ministry, death, burial and resurrection every year along with other readings from the Old and New Testaments. As the church grew and new Christians were added this annual repetition assured that all heard the gospel message and were continually reminded of who Jesus is and who we are as followers of Jesus Christ. Paul told Timothy to devote himself to the public reading of the scriptures.
And the Apostles and church leaders in Acts 15 acknowledge that Moses is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.
Back to Christmas. What is it? Where did this come from and is it something we should resist or embrace?
The word Christmas refers to Jesus Christ’s birth. The New Testament shows us that the early Christians were less concerned about when and more concerned about who. The majority of information in the Bible that points to Jesus’ birth tells us his lineage. Jesus was born from the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, of the tribe of Judah, of the line of David. Jesus Christ is a true historical figure who entered this world as a real baby boy. Did that occur December 25th? Who cares! It occurred in real time and space as the initiation of the most important event of all history. Jesus, Emanuel, God with us, entered this world as a human baby. Born in poverty, raised in obscurity, Jesus looked and performed the part of a humble servant.
We could look at Jesus birth from the creation perspective and notice that when God made man in the beginning, God said, “Let us make man in our image and after our likeness.” Then God created us in His own image and after his own likeness and blessed us and gave us authority over all God’s creation. God knew even then that as we were made in his image and likeness, God would someday take on our image and likeness and become one of us, and one with us. From the seed of woman, God would send a deliverer to be born. This seed would eventually come through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah and David. Only when God came to us we would be so fallen we would reject him and kill him.
We could look at Jesus from the priestly perspective and notice that God ordained that there be an intercessor who would bring unity between God and his people. Jesus would be our eternal high priest after the order of Melchizedek, priest of God most high who blessed Abraham. An eternal high priest based on an eternal life.
We could look at Jesus birth from the Prophetic perspective and notice what Isaiah foresaw as the Child given to us who would be called wonderful, counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, prince of peace, whose government would never end.
We could look at Jesus birth from the wise men’s perspective who saw his star in the heavens and came to worship the new born king.
We could look at Jesus birth from the divine perspective and notice John’s words in the gospel:
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
Jesus came here to die for us so that we might live with him. He was born to give us second birth.
We could look at Jesus birth from Philippians 2:5-11 perspective which gives us a sort of theology of Christ.
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Since we have been studying Philippians here is where I want to spend a bit of time here and then the lesson is yours.
Christmas is about... the birth of Christ. But!
1. When is less important than who. Philippians is all about who and how that applies to you.
It starts with attitude, and jumps from exaltation to humiliation in one mighty sentence. Jesus was and is and ever shall be God. Just as the Father is divine, so is the Son. It is an equality that Jesus didn’t need to rob or grasp. It was always his. Jesus shared the Father’s glory.
Hebrews 1 says: 1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
Jesus is just like his Father. Jesus told us this over and over in the gospel of John. The amazing thing is, when it comes to who and you, is that Jesus came here so that we can be like him and be like our Father.
If our God were a man, what would he be like? What would he do? He would humble himself and become obedient unto death, even death on a cross.
How do I know that? Because that’s what He did.
What ought I to do as a man? What ought you to do? Because Jesus Christ was born, you and I know what we ought to do. We know. We have his example. If we would be like God, we must be like Jesus. It starts with our attitude. Who do we think we are? Who? What is your birthday all about? What is Jesus birthday all about? Is it a celebration of you? Or is it a recognition of who you are and a response of humble obedience?
2. Jesus birth is less about when and more about what. What form did Jesus take at his birth? What nature did he receive? What was his position and condition at birth?
What is ours? Do we strive to throw off the lowliness of our nature, or do we accept it and live under the authority of heaven while here on earth?
Jesus birth placed him in a lowly condition and nature. He took the form of a bond servant. He found himself in the fashion of a man. He was fully human. Hebrews 2 is helpful here.
10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12 He says,
“I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.”
13 And again,
“I will put my trust in him.”
And again he says,
“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”
14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Jesus’ birth makes him one of us, so that he can help us become one with him.
Jesus birth was a display of humility that is startling when we try to grasp it. The infinite God, an embryo in the womb of Mary. The mighty God who spoke the heavens and earth into existence helpless in the arms of his mother and unable to speak.
John MacArthur noted: Augustine, summing up the incarnation of Christ, said, “The maker of man became man that He, the ruler of the stars, might be nourished at the breast, that He, the bread, might be hungry, that He, the fountain, might thirst, that He, the light, might sleep, that He, the way, might be wearied by the journey, that He, the truth, might be accused by false witnesses, that He, the judge of the living and the dead, might be brought to trial by a corrupt mortal judge, that He, justice itself, might be condemned by the unjust, that He, discipline itself, might be scourged with whips, that He, the foundation, might be suspended upon a cross, that He, courage personified, might be weakened, and that He, security, might be wounded, and that He, the very life itself, might die.”
Jesus was born to die for sinners. The Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. For sinners slain and by sinners slain. Humble and obedient... all the way to the cross.
Jesus!
Can you have that attitude in yourself which was also in Christ Jesus? Can you accept your birth condition and humble yourself under the authority of God. Can you be obedient? Can you obey all the way to death?
Philippians is the book that says, “Yes!” Why? Because, says Philippians: he who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. And Philippians says: work out your own salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work according to his good pleasure. And Philippians says: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Jesus was born to be our example and more! Jesus is our power! He was born as Emanuel, God with us! And Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit or presence of God to be in us and to empower us. Jesus did it by the power of God and he gives that power to you and me to do God’s will too! It is a humble, obedience that God empowers for glory and exaltation!
Look at what happened when Jesus did this!
What did God do with this servant Messiah who humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on the cross? What is the result of this humble obedient life in the attitude of Christ?
The way up is down!
God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above all names!
Those who trust God in humble obedience receive exaltation and glory! God does not reward glory to those who grasp for it now. God’s glory is for those who give it up now in humble obedient service.
Paul said it best in the text we studied last week. Philippians 3:10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he will lift you up.
Jesus’ birth had a glorious trajectory. But the path lead down to death before exaltation to glory.
Merry Christmas!
