In a word: nothing. We aren't even sure as to the exact day Christ was born. The only real celebrating that occurred at His birth was done by the angels. But they did celebrate with song. It was an occasion worthy of celebration, more so than any event that has ever occurred in the history of the world other than His resurrection after being crucified.
There were many festivals that were already being celebrated by the Jews at God's direction. The occasion of the birth of the Son of God is an even more worthy occasion to celebrate, even if the exact date is not known. It stands to reason that Christ would be pleased with all the songs of praise, the focus on His birth through skits and manger scenes, the prayers of thanksgiving for God's gift to us, and the love and kindness that is shown to others at this time of the year. These are things He is pleased to see year round. It is when the focus shifts from Christ to other things that He would be displeased.
I hear people complain about the commercialism of Christmas, and I have done my share of complaining, but there are many businesses that survive the rest of the year on what they make at Christmas. In other words, Christmas is part of the survival of our economy. When we purchase gifts, we are helping our brothers and sisters keep their jobs. However, Christ should be included in this system without being exploited. And our attitudes should never be gimme, gimme, gimme.
The wise men brought gifts to Jesus and God gave His Son to us. Our giving is in response to their examples. In reading through the book of Esther I came upon a passage that says, "That is why the rural Jews...observe the fourteenth of the month of Adar as a day of joy and feasting, a day for giving presents to each other." (The city Jews celebrated, also, but on the 15th.) The Festival of Purim was a celebration of the preservation of the Jews from the intended annihilation that had been planned for them. Gift-giving was part of that celebration. Being prompted to give is a good discipline for all of us. Also, since we traditionally give birthday gifts, why not do so in honor of Christ's birth?
So, where does decorating fit into Christmas? Many of the items that we put on the tree have religious meanings behind them, including the tree itself. The evergreen tree is a symbol of everlasting life. The bells represent church bells that ring in celebration of His birth. Even candy canes were designed to represent his pureness (white), and the red stripes represent the suffering He endured and the blood He shed. The star, of course, symbolizes the star that the wise men followed and the lights represent Jesus, the light of the world, and we His disciples, who are to let our lights shine.
I personally struggle with including Santa at Christmas. Others do not and I respect their choice. The idea of Santa originated when a saint began giving gifts to the needy. This is certainly honorable. But many times Santa gets more glory than Christ, especially with children. This is for each of you to work out with God, as is everything else I have written. I hope I have given you something more to contemplate.
However we choose to celebrate Christmas, let's keep this festival festive. Let's join the angels' chorus. Let's be as wise as the wise men were in our own giving. It is a birthday party, after all. I say, "Let's celebrate!"
Becky Wall
Isaiah 1:14 - Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.
Amos 5:21 - “I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me.
Lamentations 1:4 - The roads to Zion mourn, for no one comes to her appointed festivals. All her gateways are desolate, her priests groan, her young women grieve, and she is in bitter anguish.
Lamentations 2:6 - He has laid waste his dwelling like a garden; he has destroyed his place of meeting. The Lord has made Zion forget her appointed festivals and her Sabbaths; in his fierce anger he has spurned both king and priest.
Lamentations 2:6 - He has laid waste his dwelling like a garden; he has destroyed his place of meeting. The Lord has made Zion forget her appointed festivals and her Sabbaths; in his fierce anger he has spurned both king and priest.
Hosea 2:11 - I will stop all her celebrations: her yearly festivals, her New Moons, her Sabbath days—all her appointed festivals.
Nahum 1:15 - Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed.
Zechariah 8:19 - This is what the Lord Almighty says: “The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.”
Evidently the festivals were being ignored and unattended. God was acting out his anger on the people for abandoning the festivals that God Himself ordered. They had, in essence, abandoned Him, also. That's when he allowed them to become captives in Babylonia. When the people turned back to Him, He prompted them to return to their fasts and festivals.
In looking at the big picture, bringing the concept of it to today's world, are we headed the same direction as the Hebrew people in abandoning anything and everything associated with God/Jesus? I walked through a couple of stores this week, one of which claims to be Christian, and there was no sign of the nativity or religious ornaments. This was years later than when the above was written. The big draw was Santa and the Grinch. They certainly get more attention than the story of Jesus's birth. The religious Christmas music had stopped. That all makes me think God may turn His anger on us. Are we loving truth and peace and praising Jesus for coming to earth to die for us to save us from our sins and eternal fire, or are we loving Santa, the Grinch and presents? Something to think about.
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