Should we celebrate Christmas?

People have many theories about Christmas.  Some say that we should not celebrate Christmas at all because Christmas is not mentioned in the Bible.  No one knows the real birthday of Jesus, and no date is given in the Bible. People say that Jesus was not born on December 25 or anytime around that time.  According to historians, the birth of Jesus probably did not happen in year one but slightly earlier, somewhere between 2 BC and 7 BC, possibly in 4 BC.  Remember there is no year '0', and the years go from 1 BC to 1 AD!  The first recorded date of celebrating Christmas on December 25 is in 336 AD, during the Roman Emperor Constantine's time.  Some say that Christmas has become too commercial!  To me, the funniest reason of them all is when people say that the Bible does not tell us to celebrate Jesus Christ's 'birth' but only to celebrate His 'death'!  Can there be 'death' of someone who never had a 'birth'?

God Himself instituted festivals to help the Israelites remember some life-changing events in their past! They celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread to commemorate the Exodus.  They celebrated the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread as 'Passover' because they remembered the passing over of the Angel of Death sparing their first-born. They celebrated the Festival of Tabernacles to commemorated living in tents while they wandered in the wilderness.  After reaching Canaan, the land of milk and honey, they celebrated the Feast of Weeks, the first fruits of wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering, the in-gathering of grapes, figs, and olives. God instituted these festivals so that the people would remember the goodness of the Lord in their past.  These festivals were an opportunity to remember the Lord with gratitude.  These festivals were an opportunity to celebrate freedom from slavery!  These festivals were an opportunity to teach their children of the mighty works of the Lord! 

My friend, there can be no 'Cross' without the 'Manger.'  There can be no salvation, no freedom from sin, and no escape from condemnation without the 'Cross'.  Let us not fall into the trap of commercialism but celebrate Christmas by sharing the 'Good News' with the people around and meeting their physical needs.  Let us take this opportunity to tell our children and grandchildren the reason for the season and celebrate Christmas meaningfully!

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