When does the Christmas Season Begin?
Matthew 2:1-6
Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz
Matt. 2:1 Now after Jesus was aborn in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of bHerod the king, behold, 1magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is He who has been born aKing of the Jews? For we saw bHis star in the east, and have come to worship Him.” 3 And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he began to inquire of them where 1the Christ was to be born. 5 And they said to him, “aIn Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written 1by the prophet,
6 ‘aAND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH,
ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH;
FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER,
WHO WILL bSHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’”
I was writing this message/blog on Tuesday September 3, 2024. Today when I went to the mailbox to see what “stuff” the post office brought me, I noted that I had received the “Swiss Colony” catalogue. Oh wait, not one catalogue, but two catalogues. Just about every Christmas since the 1980s, I would buy some cakes and other delightful desserts from Swiss Colony. This year will probably be the same.
I remember when it was the “Chia Pet” that was advertised right after Labor Day, which signified the beginning of the Christmas buying season. I will admit decades ago, I would have already purchased a gift or two for my lovely bride by the end of August. It was one less thing to do. When our three children were young, the buying season began in August so that the cost of Christmas was spread out.
Since I was not a follower of Jesus Christ until I was thirty-five years old the whole Christmas adventure was making the children happy on December 25th. Then things changed when I was baptized and called into Jesus’ service. Now December 25th became a somewhat holy day. It was a day out of the yearly calendar to remember that God sent his son, the most precious gift ever to the world. I know why Christianity placed Jesus’ birthday on December 25 and I really not too concerned about that because I love that one day out of the year we celebrate the gift of God’s love and peace in the world.
Unfortunately, Christianity has allowed society to take over Christmas. It is now a winter festival day in which people are told to overextend their finances by buying lots of expensive gifts. How many people go into debt over Christmas presents? I would venture to say a lot. Non-Christians celebrate Christmas as the day Santa Claus arrives on the evening of 12/24 to deliver presents.
My family celebrated the gift giving of Christmas when I was young. My older brother and I went to our parents when I was ten years old and said to them, “we are Jewish. Shouldn’t we celebrate Chanukah and not Christmas.” Sure, us kids did not believe in Santa Claus and was time to stop celebrating Santa Claus’s holiday.
That is it! Christmas has become Santa Claus’s winter holiday. After all, if the elves keep making gifts and no one delivers them, eventually Santa’s warehouse would be overflowing and we might find his shop up by the north pole. Well, since Santa does not exist what we do is to help out store vendors by cleaning out their overflowing inventories.
The Christmas advertising season used to start in December when I was a kid. Now it starts the day after Labor Day. Sure enough, the Christmas Swiss Colony catalogue showed up the day after Labor Day. I remember after the turn of the century that saying “Merry Christmas” became a problem. For a couple of years I saw signs for “Happy Holidays.” When sales decreased slightly “Merry Christmas” quickly returned.
Why not say “Merry Christmas,” Happy Chanukah,” and even “Happy Kwanza!” For Christians ,“Merry Christmas” should mean more than physical presents. It should stand for the incredible spiritual gift our God sent us. Don’t get me wrong, I like presents too. However, I set apart time during Christmas day to remember that Christmas was originally called “Christ’s Mass” and a special Eucharist was held for Christ himself.
Originally, Christians met in their churches on December 25 to celebrate Jesus’ birthday. Now we meet on December 24 so we can offer gifts to each other the next day. Let me ask you, what gift do you offer Jesus on his birthday? We like receiving gifts on our birthday. Why not offer Jesus the gift of dedicated discipleship? If you have already given Jesus this gift, then perhaps consider renewing that gift.
Jesus is spiritual, just as God is spiritual. Being spiritual, Jesus wants spiritual gifts. Our worship and our following Jesus’ way and words are the best spiritual gift any of us can give to God. As you gather your presents for your family and friends, please remember to give your spiritual gift to Christ.
Let me conclude with the title of this blog in mind. When should the Christmas season begin? I believe all year long, 265 days a year and 266 days in a leap year, should be the Christmas season. The spirit of love, peace, and giving should last longer than a month or two around December 25. This is the message of Christ that we should love each other every day of every year.
