Christmas

The celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth, Christmas is the most widely observed Christian holiday worldwide. While the exact date of Jesus’s birth is unknown, December 25 was established by the 4th century as the commemoration of the Incarnation—God becoming human to redeem humanity.

Biblical Foundation

The Nativity Narratives

The birth of Jesus is recounted in two Gospels with different emphases:

Luke’s Account (Luke 2:1-20):

• Census ordered by Caesar Augustus
• Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem
• “No room in the inn”
• Jesus born and laid in a manger
• Angels announce the birth to shepherds
• “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests”
• Shepherds visit the newborn

Matthew’s Account (Matthew 1:18-2:12):

• Virgin conception through the Holy Spirit
• Joseph’s dream and decision to marry Mary
• Fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy: “virgin will conceive and give birth to a son”
• Magi follow star from the East
• Visit to King Herod
• Magi bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh
• Warning in a dream; flight to Egypt

Prophetic Fulfillment

Christmas celebrates the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies:

Isaiah 7:14: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (God with us)

Isaiah 9:6-7: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”

Micah 5:2: Birth in Bethlehem prophesied: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel”

Theological Significance

The Incarnation

Central Mystery: God becomes human without ceasing to be God

• “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14)
• Divine nature and human nature united in one person
• Council of Chalcedon (451 CE) defined Christ as fully God and fully human

Purpose of Incarnation:

• To reveal God’s nature and character
• To provide perfect sacrifice for sin
• To identify with humanity
• To serve as mediator between God and humanity
• To defeat death and Satan

Virgin Birth

Doctrine: Jesus conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary

• Affirmed in Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed
• Preserves Christ’s divinity and sinlessness
• Supernatural intervention in human history
• Sign of new creation

Theological Implications:

• Jesus’s divine origin
• Freedom from inherited sin (Catholic/Orthodox view)
• Fulfillment of Genesis 3:15 (seed of woman crushing serpent)

Emmanuel - God With Us

Meaning: Christmas celebrates God’s presence with His people

• Not distant or transcendent only
• Enters into human experience
• Shares human joys and sufferings
• Accessible and relatable

Historical Development

Dating of Christmas

Why December 25?

Theories:

1. Christianization of Pagan Festivals:

   • Winter Solstice celebrations (Dies Natalis Solis Invicti - Birth of Unconquered Sun)
   • Roman Saturnalia festival
   • Church provided Christian alternative to pagan celebrations

2. Calculation from Annunciation:

   • Ancient belief that great figures died on same date as conception
   • Jesus died March 25 (traditional); conception also March 25
   • Nine months later = December 25

3. Jewish Festival Connection:

   • Some scholars link to Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah)
   • Temple imagery in Gospel of John

Early Evidence:

• Hippolytus of Rome (c. 204 CE) mentions December 25
• Calendar of 336 CE shows December 25 celebration in Rome
• By late 4th century, widely celebrated in both East and West

Eastern vs. Western Traditions

Western Churches (Catholic, Protestant): December 25 (Gregorian calendar)

Eastern Orthodox: January 7 (December 25 on Julian calendar, 13 days behind)

Armenian Apostolic Church: January 6 (combines Nativity and Epiphany)

Twelve Days of Christmas

Christmastide: December 25 - January 5

• Liturgical season celebrating Nativity
• Ends with Epiphany Eve
• Traditional time of feasting and celebration
• “Twelve Days of Christmas” carol reflects this period

Liturgical Observance

Catholic and Orthodox Traditions

Christmas Vigil/Midnight Mass:

• Most solemn celebration
• Recalls birth at night in Bethlehem
• Three Masses tradition (midnight, dawn, day)

Liturgical Colors: White and gold (joy, purity, glory)

Scripture Readings:

• Isaiah 9:1-6 (messianic prophecy)
• Titus 2:11-14 (grace of God appearing)
• Luke 2:1-14 or John 1:1-14 (Nativity or Incarnation)

Music: Rich tradition of Christmas hymns and carols

Protestant Observance

Variations:

• Christmas Eve candlelight services
• Morning services on December 25
• Some traditions (Puritans, Jehovah’s Witnesses) historically rejected Christmas
• Focus on scripture reading and family worship

Cultural and Popular Traditions

The Christmas Tree

Origins:

• Germanic tradition; evergreen symbolizes eternal life
• Martin Luther legendarily added candles
• Popularized by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (19th century)
• Now ubiquitous in Western Christmas celebrations

Christian Symbolism:

• Evergreen = eternal life
• Triangular shape = Trinity
• Lights = Christ as light of the world
• Star on top = Star of Bethlehem

Nativity Scenes (Crèche)

History:

• St. Francis of Assisi created first live Nativity (1223)
• Spread throughout Christian world
• Depicts Mary, Joseph, Jesus, shepherds, angels, animals
• Often includes Magi (though they arrived later)

Placement: Churches, homes, public squares

Santa Claus/Father Christmas

Origins:

• Based on St. Nicholas of Myra (4th century)
• Dutch Sinterklaas tradition
• Merged with Father Christmas (English)
• Popularized in America (19th-20th centuries)

Christian Perspective:

• Some embrace as innocent tradition
• Others reject as secular distraction from Christ
• Can teach generosity and joy

Gift-Giving

Christian Basis:

• Magi brought gifts to Jesus
• God’s gift of His Son (John 3:16)
• “Every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17)

Development:

• Medieval tradition of giving to poor
• St. Nicholas legendary generosity
• Commercialized in modern era
• Can express love and generosity or become materialistic

Christmas Carols

Spiritual Songs Celebrating Nativity:

• “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
• “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
• “Silent Night”
• “Joy to the World”
• “O Holy Night”
• “Angels We Have Heard on High”

Tradition: Caroling door-to-door, spreading Christmas joy

Christmas Around the World

Western Europe

United Kingdom:

• Christmas crackers
• Christmas pudding
• Queen’s/King’s Christmas message
• Boxing Day (December 26)

Germany:

• Advent calendars
• Christmas markets
• Stollen bread
• Christkind (Christ child) brings gifts

France:

• Réveillon (Christmas Eve feast)
• Bûche de Noël (Yule log cake)
• Père Noël

Eastern Europe

Orthodox Christmas (January 7):

• Christmas Eve fast until first star
• Holy Supper with 12 dishes
• Midnight Liturgy
• Kolyada caroling

Poland:

• Wigilia (Christmas Eve vigil)
• Breaking oplatek wafer
• Empty place setting for unexpected guest

Latin America

Las Posadas (Mexico, Central America):

• Nine-day reenactment of Mary and Joseph seeking shelter
• Processions from December 16-24
• Piñatas and celebrations

Midnight Mass (Misa de Gallo):

• Central to Latin American Christmas
• Family gatherings
• Nativity scenes (nacimientos)

Middle East

Bethlehem:

• Manger Square celebrations
• Church of the Nativity services
• Palestinian Christian traditions
• International pilgrims

Egypt (Coptic): January 7 celebration

Africa

Ethiopia: January 7 (Ganna celebration)

• White robes
• Outdoor church services
• Traditional hockey-like game

Unique Adaptations: Local foods, music, customs blended with Christmas celebration

Asia

Philippines:

• Longest Christmas season (September-January)
• Simbang Gabi (nine dawn masses)
• Parol lanterns
• Predominantly Catholic nation

India (Kerala): Syrian Christian traditions

South Korea: Growing Christmas observance

Theological Themes

Light in Darkness

• Jesus born at darkest time of year (Northern Hemisphere)
• “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12)
• Candles, lights, luminarias
• Star of Bethlehem

Joy and Peace

• Angels: “Good news that will cause great joy” (Luke 2:10)
• “Peace on earth” (Luke 2:14)
• Celebration of hope fulfilled

Humility

• King born in stable
• Laid in manger (animal feeding trough)
• Announced first to lowly shepherds
• Philippians 2:6-8: Christ “made himself nothing”

Grace and Generosity

• God’s ultimate gift to humanity
• Unearned, freely given
• Inspires Christian generosity
• “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16)

Hope and Promise

• Fulfillment of messianic prophecies
• Beginning of redemption narrative
• Promise of second coming
• New creation inaugurated

Christmas in Christian Denominations

Roman Catholic

• Holy Day of Obligation
• Three Christmas Masses tradition
• Octave of Christmas (eight days)
• Nativity scenes central
• Rich liturgical celebration

Eastern Orthodox

• January 7 (Julian calendar churches)
• Preceded by 40-day Nativity Fast
• Solemn midnight Liturgy
• Less commercialized than West
• Focus on Incarnation theology

Protestant

Liturgical Traditions (Anglican, Lutheran):

• Follows Western calendar
• Lessons and Carols services
• Advent preparation emphasized

Evangelical:

• Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services
• Emphasis on biblical narratives
• Some tension with secular aspects
• “Jesus is the reason for the season” emphasis

Reformed:

• Historically skeptical (Puritans banned Christmas)
• Modern Reformed churches mostly celebrate
• Emphasis on simplicity

Non-Observant Groups

Jehovah’s Witnesses: Reject Christmas (pagan origins, not commanded)

Some Puritan-Influenced Churches: View as unbiblical tradition

Modern Controversies and Challenges

Secularization

• Santa Claus overshadowing Jesus
• Commercial emphasis on gifts
• Loss of religious meaning
• “War on Christmas” rhetoric

”Keeping Christ in Christmas”

• Christian response to secularization
• Emphasis on Nativity scenes
• “Reason for the season” campaigns
• Resistance to “Happy Holidays”

Consumerism

• Massive commercial spending
• Debt and financial stress
• Tension with Christian values
• Alternative: Simple/handmade gifts, focus on family and worship

Date and Historicity

Scholarly Consensus:

• Jesus probably not born December 25
• Likely born during warmer months (shepherds in fields)
• Census timing unclear
• Date is symbolic, not historical

Christian Response:

• Celebration of event, not exact date
• Theological truth more important than chronological precision
• Incarnation is what matters

Christmas in Relation to Other Faiths

Judaism

• No observance of Christmas
• Jesus not recognized as Messiah
• Cultural participation varies (secular Jews may have trees)
• Hanukkah often contemporaneous

Islam

• Respect for Jesus (Isa) as prophet
• Reject divinity of Jesus
• Acknowledge virgin birth (Quran 19)
• No celebration of Christmas
• Some cultural participation in secular aspects

Social and Cultural Impact

Global Holiday

• Most widely celebrated holiday in the world
• Public holiday in many non-Christian countries
• Cultural phenomenon beyond religious observance
• Universal themes of peace, family, generosity

Charitable Giving

• Peak season for charity
• Food banks, toy drives
• Salvation Army red kettles
• Spirit of giving to those in need

Family and Community

• Reunions and gatherings
• Strengthening family bonds
• Community events and celebrations
• Break from work for reflection

Arts and Culture

• Rich musical tradition (carols, oratorios like Handel’s Messiah)
• Literature (Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol”)
• Films and television specials
• Visual arts (Renaissance Nativity paintings)

Spiritual Observance

Personal Devotion

• Reading Nativity narratives
• Advent devotionals leading to Christmas
• Prayer and thanksgiving
• Reflection on God’s gift

Corporate Worship

• Special services and liturgies
• Communion/Eucharist
• Candlelight services
• Children’s pageants

Missionary and Outreach

• Christmas as evangelism opportunity
• Presenting Gospel through Nativity story
• Outreach to marginalized during holidays
• International mission work

The Meaning of Christmas

At its core, Christmas celebrates the astounding claim that God entered human history as a vulnerable infant. The Creator became creature. The eternal entered time. The infinite became finite.

This is the scandal and wonder of the Incarnation: God with skin on, crying in a manger, dependent on human parents. Born not in a palace but a stable. Announced not to kings but to shepherds. The King of Kings as a refugee baby.

Christmas proclaims hope: God has not abandoned His creation but has entered it to redeem it. The birth in Bethlehem begins the story that leads to the cross and resurrection—the complete work of salvation.

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). — Matthew 1:23

For Christians, every element of Christmas—from carols to candles, from Nativity scenes to midnight Mass—points to this central truth: God loves humanity so much that He became one of us, to save us, to be with us, to transform us.

Whether celebrated with high liturgy or simple family gatherings, Christmas calls believers to wonder, worship, and gratitude for the gift of Jesus Christ—the Light who came into the world’s darkness, the Word made flesh, God’s yes to a broken world.