BEFORE THERE WAS A CHRISTMAS
INTRODUCTION:
Christmas, as we know it, is a rather modern innovation. Christ’s birthday was not celebrated until more than 300 years had gone by, years in which accurate birth records (if there were any) had been lost. The early Church remembered and celebrated Christ’s resurrection from the dead, which was more important. But the church was slow in adding Christmas to its list of dates worthy of recognition.
There are several records with dates that give us almost the exact year of Christ’s birth. But the month? the day? Winter was wet and chilly in Judea. It is unlikely that shepherds would have spent December night in an open field, subject to rain and wind. Christ’s birth was more likely during the spring lambing season, when nights would have been balmy and shepherds would have needed to be awake, tending the ewes.
So, why have we celebrated Christ’s birthday on December 25? A pagan festival, Natalis Invicti, was a boisterous Roman affair celebrated on December 25, when the sun was in its winter solstice.
[Solstice - Either of the times of the year when the sun is farthest from the celestial equator, either north or south. In the northern hemisphere the summer solstice occurs about June 22, and the winter solstice about December 22. Webster’s Dictionary]
Worshippers of the Roman sun god enthusiastically pulled their Christian friends into the partying. By A. D. 386, church leaders set up the celebration of “Christ Mass” (“Christ’s Coming”), so that Christians could join the festival activities without bending to paganism.
After the Roman Empire dissolved, Christians continued the December 25 birthday custom. By that time, December 25 seemed more fitting than any other date. “The Bible Almanac” Packer, Tenney, White
The Trinity of Christian Holidays: History of the Christian Church
(1) God the Father sent His Son (Christmas),
(2) who died for us and rose again (Easter),
(3) and the Holy Ghost, who renews and sanctifies us (Pentecost).
Today we want to take a look at Christmas.
I. BEFORE THERE WAS A CHRISTMAS
A. In The Secular Sense (Bear with me in my folly.)
1. There was no buying or giving of gifts.
2. There were no Christmas trees.
3. There were no candles nor lights (especially electrical).
4. There was no baby Jesus.
B. In The Spiritual Sense - Under The Law
1. Sacrifices were made by priests to atone for sin.
Hebrews 9:6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
2. There was a veil of separation.
Exodus 26:33 “And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring
in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto
you between the holy place and the most holy.”
Hebrews 9:7 “But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not
without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:”
Hebrews 10:3 “But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.”
3. Sanctified by the blood of animals.
Hebrews 9:13 “For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:”
4. The temple was at Jerusalem.
II. THE NIGHT OF THE FIRST CHRISTMAS (Christ’s Coming)
A. In The City
1. Multitudes gathered to be counted (census) and taxed.
Luke 2:1 “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2:2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.”
2. The inns were full.
Luke 2:7b “because there was no room for them in the inn.”
3. There was a hustle and bustle (flurry, buzz, hum).
a. Many were disgusted with Roman rulership ordering them around.
b. Several were arguing the real purpose behind the decree.
c. Perhaps some discussed their anticipation of being delivered from this
nonsense of the Romans by the coming of the Messiah.
d. Some men were drinking themselves into a drunken stupor.
e. Women, who were tired and worn out from all the travel and activity,
were screaming at their children.
f. Thieves and other criminals were picking out targets to rob during this time
of confusion.
B. In The Stable (Probably not wooden, but hewn out of a rock.)
1. A Virgin reaches her full term.
Matthew 1:18 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”
2. Born of a woman.
Galatians 4:4 “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 4:5 To redeem them that were
under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
3. Unto us a son is given.
Luke 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. (v. 7) And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger;”
I would like to suggest that there was a special silence and reverence during this moment in time. Just as animals sense the coming of some natural events, they may have sensed the uniqueness of that night.
C. In The Field
Luke 2:8 “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
Matthew 1:22 “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken
of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Many did not know Christ came that night . . .not much different than Christmas in modern times.
III. THE PRESENT CHRISTMAS
A. In The Secular Sense
1. The common activities of sinner and saint alike.
a. There is buying and giving of gifts.
b. There are Christmas trees.
c. There are candles and lights.
d. There is a baby Jesus (for some).
2. Christians recognize the various symbols, songs and ceremonies of Christmas as representations and celebrations of Christ’s birth.
a. The Christmas tree points to heaven.
b. The star on the tree represents the star in the east seen by the wise men.
c. The colored lights represent the blood, righteousness and purity.
d. The red poinsettas represent the blood of Jesus.
e. The red and white candy cane represents the blood of Jesus and purity.
3. Christmas has been commercialized.
a. Hustle and bustle leads to frustration.
b. Credit leads to indebtedness.
c. Companies make a pitch to sale new items.
Black & Decker always comes up with something that every man needs.
Please don’t use X-mas in place of Christmas; even if the X supposed to represent the crucifix.
B. In The Spiritual Sense - Under The Lamb
Romans 10:4 “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one
that believeth.”
1. We all share one Great High Priest.
Hebrews 4:14 “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 4:15 For
we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
Hebrews 9:12 “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”
2. We all have access to God by Jesus Christ.
Matthew 27:51 “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;”
Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
3. We are sanctified by His blood.
Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”
4. We are the temple of God.
Romans 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of
God dwelleth in you?
CONCLUSION:
On July 29, 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong climbed down an aluminum ladder and put his feet on the surface of the moon. In an address to the nation President Richard Nixon said, “The greatest event in human history occurred when man first put his foot on the moon.”
I contend, however, that the greatest event in human history was when God put His foot on the earth. He stepped out of heaven through the womb of a Jewish virgin. He was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. His name was Jesus. “Making Spirituality the Main Course: Don’t Leave God Out This Christmas” by Jeff Seaman
Many did not know He came that night in Bethlehem. Many still don’t know.
Christmas from man’s viewpoint was first instituted to cover the date of a pagan festival. Christmas from God’s viewpoint was instituted to cover the multitude of sins committed by mankind from Adam and Eve to the last man and woman, boy and girl to occupy earth in its present state.
There is a song that says, “Christmas Isn’t Christmas until it happens in your heart.” Has Christmas happened in your heart? Am I talking about this secular celebration? No, certainly not. I am talking about a Savior. If you live in the “Before Christmas” state, would you make a move into the “Present Christmas”? Accept the Christ of Christmas as your personal Savior. Allow Christmas to happen in your heart.
