Christmas is a word that evokes feelings of warmth, togetherness, and joy. But what does it truly mean? The term "Christmas" combines two fundamental ideas: Christ, meaning "The Anointed of God," and Mass, which represents gathering together in a communal celebration, much like kneading dough. Based on the word used to describe this season of the year, Christ+mass symbolizes a time to unite around the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. However, the meaning of the word seems to be somewhat elusive in our modern age of Christmas.
Modern Christmas: A Multifaceted Celebration
Today, Christmas is recognized in various ways. While some honor the birth of Christ, the "Reason for The Season" has also become a blend of family traditions, festive decorations, gift-giving, and the figure of Santa Claus.
It stands as a cultural and commercial phenomenon that is both sacred and secular, and it is celebrated worldwide with diverse customs and vibrant celebrations. But where did it all begin?
Historical Context: Beyond the Nativity Story
It is often believed that Christmas, the celebration of Jesus' birth, was something that started in the Bible; that Jesus was born on December 25, in a lowly manger, and each year since the beginning of the church, Christians have celebrated the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. However, history clearly teaches us so much more about Christmas, its very dark beginnings, and its troublesome days before it became the family holiday we love so much.
Jesus was born around 4 BC in the small town of Bethlehem, fulfilling the Old Testament promise made in Isaiah 7:14, which indicated that the Messiah would be God with us, Immanuel. Interestingly, during the early church, no one celebrated the birth of Christ; instead, the focus was on commemorating His death and resurrection. The Bible does not provide a specific date for His birth, nor is there any command to remember it. It is believed that Jesus was likely born in the warmer months, as shepherds were in the fields watching their sheep and people were traveling for a census at that time. So why December 25?
Secular Celebrations: A Historical Melange
The period around December has long been associated with various pagan celebrations. Many cultures worldwide celebrated the arrival of longer days following the winter solstice. For instance, the Norse people honored Yule on December 21, feasting until a large log—known as the Yule log—burned out completely, which could take up to 12 days. They believed that each spark from the fire would bring new livestock in the coming year.
In most of Europe, the end of December was a time of celebration, marked by the large-scale slaughter of livestock to prevent the need to feed them throughout the winter months. With most wine and beer already fermented by this time, communities came together to enjoy lavish feasts, making the occasion a lively and communal experience.
The Germans honored Oden, a white-bearded god who would fly through the night skies and decide who would prosper or perish.
Meanwhile, The Romans celebrated Saturnalia, a festival honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture. During this time, slaves were granted temporary freedom and treated as equals, fostering a spirit of camaraderie among all participants. To ensure everyone could join in the festivities, businesses and schools closed for the month. A unique aspect of the celebration involved the selection of a "Lord of misrule," who engaged in mischief and indulgent behavior, ultimately being sacrificed at the end of the festivities to ward off evil spirits for the upcoming year. Additionally, the Romans observed other December holidays such as Juvenalia, which celebrated children, and the birthday of Mithra, the sun god.
Christmas in the Early Church
Easter was the favorite celebration of the early church, highlighting the significance of Christ's resurrection. The death of Christ was commemorated weekly during communion (The Lord's Supper), which was a central part of their worship. Typically, the early church concluded its services with communion, followed by the Agape Feast, an expression of love and community among believers.
Therefore, the Christmas holiday has its roots in the 4th century when church officials designated the birth of Jesus as a significant celebration. In this context, December 25 was chosen by Pope Julius I and was initially referred to as the Feast of the Nativity. This decision came at a time when a form of Christianity had become the dominant religion of Rome. The establishment of this holiday was part of a broader effort to bring unity back to the Roman Empire, marking the birth of the Roman Catholic Church.
As Christianity took hold, the Catholic Church sought to assimilate various pagan traditions to facilitate governance and ensure smoother transitions for converts. This often involved either abolishing traditional pagan practices or merging them with Christian beliefs to create a more palatable form of worship for the population.
Notably, the merging of three key Roman holidays played a significant role in shaping Christmas celebrations. The birthday of the pagan god Mithra was reimagined as Jesus' birthday, while the Roman festival Juvenalia was adapted to focus on the Christ Child. Additionally, Saturnalia, a holiday celebrating freedom and festivity, was transformed into a celebration representing salvation and freedom from hell through the arrival of Jesus.
As a result, many pagan traditions have been woven into the fabric of how Christmas is celebrated today.
The Evolution of Christmas Traditions
During the Middle Ages, Christianity continued to evolve and had almost completely supplanted pagan religions. Celebrations surrounding Christmas took on a lively atmosphere akin to Mardi Gras, where people would attend church services before indulging in raucous festivities. The "Lord of Misrule" was still appointed during this period, but instead of being sacrificed, he and his band of misfit followers would approach the wealthy, demanding various favors. If the affluent refused to comply, the misfit group would resort to intimidation throughout the holiday.
The 17th century marked a significant shift when reformers decided to cancel Christmas due to its association with wickedness. In 1645, Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces took a stand against what they viewed as England's moral decay, striving to eliminate excessive indulgence in pleasure and luxury. This period became known as the forsaken years for Christmas celebrations; in 1620, the Pilgrims who settled in America completely dismissed the idea of Christmas.
From 1659 to 1681, Christmas was officially outlawed in Boston, Massachusetts. By 1783, following the American Revolutionary War, American interest in English customs had waned significantly, leading to a further decline in Christmas observance.
A Revival in the 19th Century
In the 19th century, Christmas was remembered with renewed significance, reflecting the social issues of the time, including a rise in gang violence and poverty. Two notable authors stirred the hearts of people during this period: Washington Irving, with his "Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon," and Charles Dickens, who penned the beloved "A Christmas Carol." Their works helped to shape the modern understanding of Christmas and contributed to its growing importance in society. In 1870, Christmas was officially recognized as a federal holiday, marking a significant moment in its celebration.
The figure of Santa Claus also began to take shape during this era. Saint Nicholas, who was born in Turkey in 280 AD, gained a reputation for giving away his inherited wealth to help the sick and poor throughout the countryside. In the 18th century, Dutch families gathered to honor his death, referring to him as "Sint Nikolas" or "Sinter Klass." This tradition evolved over the years, and in 1822, Clement Clarke Moore wrote the famous poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas." This poem further solidified the image of Santa in popular culture.
By 1881, political cartoonist Thomas Nast illustrated "Old St. Nick," drawing inspiration from Moore's poem. The evolution of Santa continued into the 20th century when, in 1931, the Coca-Cola Corporation hired Swedish commercial artist Haddon Sundblom to create a new, iconic image of Santa Claus. The company insisted that Santa's fur-trimmed suit be bright Coca-Cola red, transforming him into the cheerful, jolly character we know today. As a result, Santa emerged as a blend of a Christian crusader, a pagan god, and a commercial idol, embodying the spirit of Christmas in various forms.
Wrapping Things Up
Christmas has a long history, much of which has nothing to do with God Almighty or His Son but more to do with man's endeavor to control one another and project an ideal of happiness and goodwill toward others.
Though Christmas has come out of the ashes of paganism and the wickedness of mankind, it can be something better. Christmas can be a time of celebrating the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But don't get too bent out of shape if someone seems to adjust or change "the reason for the season" because the true reason is not so clear.
Christmas can be about the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christians should make this a time of reflection on failures and victories for our Lord as we end the year, and remember the promises we have in Christ and sing Joy To The World; our King is coming soon.
Merry Christmas!
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