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The Origins of Christmas

by Norman Tew

 
The Origins of Christmas - Where did Christmas Come from and Does it Matter

 
Long before the churches are geared up for Christmas the merchants in the shopping centres have the Christmas decorations and music rolled out ready for their celebrations of making money.  Sometimes you hear the phrase "Let's put Christ back into Christmas" but some people would suggest that Christmas was not about Christ in the beginning.

An article entitled "The Strange Origin of Christmas" was submitted for this magazine a long time ago, but the editor never used it because it was so extreme.  However it is educational to do a Google search on the origins of Christmas.  Now I know that you cannot believe everything on the Internet as anyone can write anything there, but it is interesting to try and get a consensus of the views on the origin of Christmas.

The following can however be taken as agreed statements,

• The early Christians did not start to celebrate 25th December as a memorial of the birth of Jesus until long after all those who could remember Him were long dead. 
• There were celebrations on or about that date for hundreds of years before the birth of Christ.  Many different nations of different religious beliefs celebrated at that time of the year.
• Pagan origins can be found for most Christmas practices such as the Christmas Tree, the Yule log, the Holly Wreath, Santa Claus and the giving of gifts.

But does it matter?

A strong case could be made that in celebrating the birth of Christ we are celebrating the wrong thing.  His sinless life, substitutionary death and triumphant resurrection are surely of far more importance to a Christian.  And again surely we should not relegate our remembrance of these important events merely to Easter and Christmas time.  Should we not be remembering what Jesus has done for us and is willing to do in us every day of our lives?

So as you celebrate Christmas this year, remember that every day should be the celebration of what Jesus has done for us and in us.

Copyright © 2018 Thornleigh Seventh-day Adventist Church