BY
GARY RAY BRANSCOME
While it is easy for those who have grown up in a
Christian home to assume that everyone is familiar with the Christmas story,
many who do not have a Christian background see the lights and decorations
without understanding the reason for our joy or the love of God that we
associate with Christmas. And even if they try to join in the merriment, they
fail to understand the rich symbolism and meaning in our decorations and the
spiritual significance of Christ’s birth. For that reason I offer this
brief explanation of our Christmas customs.
Although Christ was born over two
thousand years ago, His birth was far from ordinary. The angel Gabriel appeared
to His mother (Mary) nine months before He was born, in order to tell her that
even though she was a virgin, she would conceive and bear a son. And, when she
asked the angel how that could be possible since she had never been intimate
with a man, he told her that the power of God would overshadow her and God
would work a miracle causing her to conceive. And, because of that miraculous
birth, the child that she conceived would be the Son of God. Who, according to
God’s plan, would live a sinless life, and die in our place so that
through His death we might have forgiveness and everlasting life.
Although the angels sang for joy at the birth of
Jesus, the world at large took little notice of it. In fact, because there was
no room in the inn, Jesus was born in a stable far from the wealth and splendor
that we associate with the birth of a king. Nevertheless, God used His birth to
reveal His love for all mankind, no matter now poor or afflicted they might be,
and to make it clear that He does not favor the rich over the poor, or place
any importance upon wealth and fame. In fact, riches can become a hindrance to
finding peace with God, for only those who humbly acknowledge their sin and
need of God’s forgiveness find it (Romans 3:10-28).
Although we do not know the exact day of
Christ’s birth, we do know that He rose from the dead shortly after the
spring equinox, and thus at a time when much of the world seems to be rising
from the dead of winter to newness of life. Therefore, in keeping with that
symbolism, early Christians celebrated His birth at about the time of the
winter solstice (the shortest day of the year). For, just as the solstice
foreshadows the triumph of life over death symbolized by the bursting forth of
new life in the spring, Christ’s birth foreshadowed the triumph of life
over death at His resurrection.
[Note:
Because of calendar changes, December 25 does not fall on the winter solstice,
and the winter solstice no longer falls on New Years Day.]
While Christmas customs vary from country to country,
the use of a Christmas tree began in
The ornaments on the tree represent the many blessings
that are ours in Christ, and originally consisted of fruits, cookies, and other
edibles. The lights on the tree point to the fact that Christ is the light of
the world. Without Him we are in darkness, with Him we have light and peace,
and all the blessings of heaven are ours.
We often place a star or an angel at the top of the
tree, both of which were heralds of Christ's birth. The Bible tells us that
when Christ was born angels appeared in the skies over Bethlehem singing
“glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will to men,”
and those angels told the shepherds of Christ’s birth. At the same time a
star appeared in the sky, and that star led certain wise men to
Although those wise men arrived at Bethlehem some time
after the birth of Jesus, because they brought Him gifts of Gold, Frankincense,
and Myrrh, some people see a parallel between their gifts and the gifts that we
give each other at Christmas. However, that is wrong. The real reason we give
gifts is not because the wise men brought gifts, but to share the love that God
has shone to us by sending Christ to die for our sins. The love expressed in
the words, “God so loved the world, that He gave
His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but
have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).
The
fact that we do nothing to earn the gifts that we receive at Christmas
illustrates the fact that the forgiveness by which we are saved is itself a
“gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).
While the idea that Santa brings the gifts is a
cultural myth that does not come from the Bible, it is not universal. In some
countries the baby Jesus is supposed to be the one bringing the gifts.
Nevertheless, even though customs differ from country to country, the practice
of giving gifts is, in itself, a reflection of God's love in giving us the
greatest gift of all, the gift of His own Son.
[Note:
Because of calendar differences, some eastern countries celebrate Christmas in
January. And, the festival of Saint Nicholas, which has become confused with
Christmas, was originally celebrated on December sixth (the day of his death)
and had nothing to do with Christmas. On that day, gifts would be placed in the
shoes of Children. In
In spite of the differences in customs around the
world, let us always remember that if it were not for Jesus, there would be no
Christmas. And, God wants us to remember Christ’s birth.