“Jesus is the reason for the season!”
The above is a popular phrase used during the Christmas season and it means that Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birthday and so the season must focus on Him.
However, when I consider this statement, I wonder, “Is Jesus really the reason for the season?”
Historical background of Christmas
Many Christians prefer to ignore the origin of Christmas because they do not believe it matters.
But one must always return to the source to understand the conclusion or our current situation.
The ancient Roman Empire celebrated December 22nd to 25th with a festival called Saturnalia.
This festival was dedicated to the Roman god Saturn.
It was also the celebration of the birthday of the Indo-European deity Mithra, the god of light, which originated in India and spread to Spain, Great Britain, and Germany.
It was the time to celebrate the winter solstice when the earth’s axis is tilted far from the sun and the beginning of winter in the northern hemisphere.
During the celebration, they had great feasts, parties, decorations, and exchange of gifts.
Even the slaves and servants were allowed to take part in these celebrations. Some historians recorded that it was a time of debauchery, immoralities, and even human sacrifices.
When the Roman emperor, Constantine, was converted to Christianity he made it the formal religion of the Empire and decided to celebrate this time as the birth of Christ to continue the traditional holidays.
The first Christmas was thus celebrated December 25th in 336AD.
This was a great example of Christians conforming to the world instead of being transformed by the renewing of their mind.
It was also a clear example of the early Church being cheated “through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8 NKJV)
Do we know the actual birthday of Jesus, and does He want us to celebrate His birth?
The Bible does not state the date when Jesus was born.
But the Bible states that He was born during the reign of King Herod who was a Roman Jewish king who reigned from 37 – 4 BCE.
Thus, it is believed that the birth of Jesus may be around this time, possibly 4 BCE. The actual date is not known.
However, the fact is that Jesus never tell us to celebrate His birthday.
I am not sure if birthdays were celebrated during that time but none of the apostles placed any importance on the celebration of Jesus’ birthday.
Jesus Himself requires of us to remember His death and resurrection. “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:19-20 NKJV)
This celebration is sobering and allows us to reflect on the significance of Christ’s birth.
He was, in fact, a gift to us from God (John 3:16).
A gift that made atonement for the sins of humanity. If we all believe and remember this sacrificial act it will unite us and keep us humble.
However, Christians prefer to celebrate December 25th as the birthday of Christ because it involves feasting, decorations, exchange of gifts, family gatherings, parties, and endless shopping resulting in accumulative debts.
Despite this perceived happiness, there are ominous spirits in the atmosphere during Christmas time.
The spirits of loneliness, fear, depression, oppression, anger, and death reign during the Christmas season.
At the birth of Christ, angels proclaimed peace and good will towards all men on earth (Luke 2:14).
But, presently on earth, we have rumors of wars.
While many people are feasting, many more people are starving to death on earth.
Simeon, a devoted Jew, prophesied at the circumcision of the baby Jesus that He would be “a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:32 NKJV)
The elderly prophetess, Anna, fasted and prayed for many years in the Temple to see the manifestation of the redemption of Israel.
When she finally laid eyes on the Christ child she praised God and “talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:38 NLT)
However, “He (Jesus) came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name (John 1:11-12 NKJV)
Is Jesus the reason for the season?
We return to the question, Is Jesus the reason for the season?
Jesus represents love, soberness, humility, unity, obedience, holiness, peace, compassion, mercy, forgiveness, patience, and all things good.
Most of all, Jesus represents life because He is the resurrection and life.
The opposite of these characteristics are displayed on a mass scale during the Christmas season.
Thus, our modern day celebration during the Christmas season are similar to the celebration of the ancient Roman Saturnalia and does not represent the true nature of Christ.
Although the Church has tried to portray Christ in their songs, concerts, and sermons during the season, behind the scenes they are caught up with the glamour and vanity of Christmas and so it continues to be the tradition of men and conformity to the standard of the world.
Making the Christmas season more meaningful
My encouragement to you is to use this holiday season to reflect on all the events that happened within your family and the world during the past year.
Make this season a time of thanksgiving and praise to God.
Instead of buying unnecessary gifts for people who do not need them, give the gift of help to the poor, elderly, widows, orphans and fatherless.
Make this season a time of repentance and conversion.
Make this season a time of peace and goodwill for your family and community.
Make this season be “Christ” centered and not “Christmas” focused.
How do you celebrate Christmas? Share with us!
Becoming the Oil and Wine 
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