Christmas as a Holiday?

Christmas as we know it today has not always been commemorated as a holiday. In fact, Christmas was not given any official recognition by the Church until the mid-fifth century. And in the centuries since, Christians have not always been open to celebrating Christmas. This was due in part to the connections Christmas had with the ancient Roman feast of Saturnalia (which marked the winter solstice when the sun ended its decline in the sky and began moving higher leading to the lengthening of each day). The Puritans in early America totally rejected any kind of Christmas celebration. In fact, they deliberately worked on December 25 to show their disdain for the practice. A law passed in England in 1644 reflected this Puritan influence. The law made Christmas Day an official work day. And for a brief time in England, it was illegal to cook plum pudding or mince pie for the holidays!

My how times have changed. Today most Christians tend to heartily celebrate the Christmas holiday. Now the choice to celebrate or not celebrate Christmas is neither right nor wrong. The Apostle Paul addresses this in Romans 14:5-6 when he writes, "One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord."

Clearly, we have a choice to consider Christmas special (or not special). But for those of us who choose to celebrate Christmas - the important issue is HOW we choose to celebrate the holiday. For many in our culture, Christmas is all about indulging our self. Obviously that is NOT what Christmas should be for Christ-followers. For us Christmas needs to be a time to reconnect with family, share with others in need, but MOST IMPORTANTLY a time to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ. After all, what would Christmas be without CHRIST? He is not only the reason for this season, He is the reason for LIFE!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj