As early as the second century, Christians celebrated Christ’s birth, with no set date. Think about that. Christmas did not begin with an organized church event. It did not begin with St. Nicholas, a compassionate gift-giving Bishop in fourth century Turkey. And it certainly did not begin with the nineteenth century American creation of a red-suited chubby man who lives at the North Pole, rides in a reindeer-drawn sled, and comes down the chimney. Rather, Christmas was birthed in the hearts of believers who desired to honor and celebrate the incarnation of Emmanuel, the Son of God.
And by 195 A. D. early writers were claiming Dec. 25 to be a good date for unified celebration. Then around 334-336 A. D. the Church officially adopted Dec. 25 as an annual date to celebrate the birth of Christ.
The accuracy of his actual birth date simply isn’t important because the issue is Him not a calendar date. He is God incarnate! Emmanuel—God with us! The eastern wise men set the example. Christmas is about worshiping Him, giving Him a gift.
In addition, Christmas gifts did not start in the fourth century with a generous bishop from Pamphylia in the Roman Empire (present day Turkey). Gift giving began with God, who gave His only son to be sacrificed so that anyone—everyone—who believes in him will not perish but will receive eternal life. It is neither a myth nor a fantasy. It is a real, down to earth, record of what God gave.
It is the greatest story ever told about the greatest gift ever given. God’s only Son, Jesus Christ, born as a human to give hope, peace, joy, and love to all who will believe in Him.
For a world sitting in the darkness of sin and the danger of sin’s death, Jesus voluntarily gave up everything He had to give us everything we needed. His coming was the precursor to the eternal salvation that only He could provide. If He had not come there would have been no Cross. And without the Cross there would have been no resurrection. And without the Cross and resurrection there would be no hope, no peace, and no salvation.
But He did come. He did die. He was buried. God did raise Him from the dead on the third day. And because this is true, everyone who believes in Him receives eternal life instead of eternal death. What a gift!
And His gift is received by faith alone in Him alone. There is no salvation in anyone else. And there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
Our annual Christmas activities, public and private, are prime opportunities to share this greatest gift with our world. Jesus Christ is the only hope for those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. Someone you know may need Him right now.
Soli deo gloria!