Deuteronomy 16:16 “Each year every man in Israel must celebrate these three festivals: the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Harvest, and the Festival of Shelters.
There are seven feasts listed in the Old Testament and the men of Israel were to go up to Jerusalem at least three times a year to celebrate the Passover (the festival of Unleavened Bread), Shavuot (Harvest Festival) and Sukkoth (Festival of Booths), however there is no mention of Christmas anywhere in the Bible. Christmas is Christ+Mass. It simply means that Christ followers massed together and partook in the Holy Communion. However, Christmas has become commercial and a social gathering and most people who celebrate Christmas neither honour or commemorate Christ Jesus as their King.
Since the early church instituted Christmas on the same day as the Roman pagan festival of the unconquerable sun, Sol Invictus, there is an erroneous theory that celebrating Christmas is unholy. Further they argue that the date is not supported with the evidence from the Word of God. However, Christmas is a time of celebration to praise the Lord on High for the sacrifice that He made to bring peace on earth and reconciliation with the Father. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Each feast in the Old Testament was to remember and worship God for His goodness. The feast of Passover is a thanksgiving service for God’s protection during the 10th plague in Egypt. Shavuot is a thanksgiving celebration for the wheat harvest in the Land of Israel. Sukkot commemorates God’s providence for 40 years that they spent in the desert on their way to the Promised Land. Likewise, Christmas honours Christ the King who humbled Himself in human flesh & blood in order to redeem the fallen world. Hence Christmas is the feast to honour God for His grace and mercy.
Why do we celebrate Christmas?
1. Remember: Christmas is to remember Christ Jesus. We can see the unseen God through the human clothing of Jesus. It is a time to remember our reunion with God. It is a time to praise God for tearing the veil of sin and separation from God. It is a time to remember Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross.
2. Reminisce: Christmas is a time to celebrate our deliverance. Recall the rut that God delivered us from. Reminisce the reek of sin and curse that Jesus saved us from. Christmas is a time to recollect the goodness of God.
3. Recognize: Christmas is all about Jesus. Not about gifts, parties or celebration. To most families it is the busiest time of the year. They are busy shopping for gifts and arranging parties. Christmas is not about giving gifts to the family and serving food to those who are overfed. It is about sharing the gift of Jesus to those who don’t know Him and feeding the poor and the needy.
Christmas is a festival to celebrate Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 58:7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus may this Christmas be a meaningful time of remembering and reminiscing you and recognizing your grace, mercy and goodness. Amen
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