‘Unto
you is born this day a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.’—Luke 2:11, “King
James Version.”
SOME two thousand years ago, a woman in the
town of Bethlehem gave birth to a male child. Few local residents realized the
significance of this birth. But some shepherds, who were spending the night
with their flocks in the field, saw a multitude of angels and heard them sing: “Glory
in the heights above to God, and upon earth peace among men of goodwill.”—Luke
2:8-14.
The shepherds then located Mary and her
husband, Joseph, in a stable, just as the angels had indicated they would.
Mary, who named the child Jesus, had laid him in a manger, or feeding trough,
in the stable. (Luke 1:31; 2:12) Now, two thousand years later, about a third
of all mankind professes to follow Jesus Christ. And the events surrounding his
birth form the basis of a story that has likely been told more often than any
other in human history.
Spain, a country with a strong Catholic
tradition and a flair for traditional fiestas, has developed many ways to
commemorate that unique night in Bethlehem.
The Spanish Christmas
Since the 13th century, the Nativity
scene has been one of the most familiar aspects of Spanish celebrations. Many
families make a small representation of the manger in which Jesus was laid.
Clay figures depict the shepherds and the Magi (or “three kings”), as well as
Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. Larger Nativity scenes with almost life-size figures
are often set up near town halls during the Christmas period. Francis of Assisi
apparently initiated this custom in Italy to direct people’s attention to the
Gospel account of Jesus’ birth. Franciscan monks later popularized it in Spain
and many other countries.
The Magi play a prominent role in Spanish
Christmas celebrations, much like Santa Claus in other countries. The Magi
supposedly give presents to Spanish children on January 6, Día de
Reyes (Day of the Kings), as the Magi, according to popular belief,
brought presents to the newborn Jesus. Few people are aware, however, that the
Gospel account does not mention how many Magi visited Jesus. Rather than being
kings, they are more accurately identified as astrologers. Moreover, after the
visit of the Magi, Herod killed all boys in Bethlehem “from two years of age
and under” in his attempt to murder Jesus. That implies that their visit took
place quite a while after Jesus’ birth.—Matthew 2:11, 16.
Since the 12th century, some Spanish
towns have put on a live theatrical representation of Jesus’ birth, including
the visit of the shepherds to Bethlehem and later that of the Magi. Nowadays,
most Spanish cities host a cabalgata, or parade, every January 5,
during which the “three kings” ride on elaborate floats through the city
center, distributing candies to onlookers. Traditional Christmas decorations
and villancicos (carols) serve to enliven the festive occasion.
Most Spanish families like to have a special
supper on Christmas Eve (December 24). The traditional food includes such
items as turrón (sweets made from almond and honey), marzipan, dried
fruits, roast lamb, and seafood. Family members, even those who live far away,
may make a special effort to come together for this occasion. During another
traditional meal, on January 6, the family eats a roscón de reyes,
a ring-shaped cake of “the Kings” that has a sorpresa (small figure)
hidden inside. A similar custom in Roman times enabled a slave whose portion
contained the hidden item to be “king” for a day.
“The Happiest and
Busiest Time of the Year”
Whatever local customs have developed,
Christmas has now become the world’s principal festive occasion. The World
Book Encyclopedia describes Christmas as “the happiest and
busiest time of the year for millions of Christians and some non-Christians
throughout the world.” Is that a good thing?
Clearly, the birth of Christ was a historic
event. The fact that angels heralded it as a harbinger of “peace among men of
goodwill” clearly testifies to its significance.
Nevertheless, “in the early days of
Christianity, the Nativity was not celebrated as a festival,” points out
Spanish journalist Juan Arias. If this is the case, where did the Christmas
celebration come from? What is the best way to remember the birth and life of
Jesus? In the following article, you will find the answers to those questions.
[Footnote]
La Sagrada Escritura—Texto y
comentario por profesores de la Compañía
de Jesús (The Holy Scripture—Text and Commentary by Professors of
the Company of Jesus) explains that “among the Persians, Medes, and Chaldeans,
the Magi formed a priestly class that promoted occult sciences, astrology, and
medicine.” Nevertheless, by the Middle Ages, the group of Magi who went to see
the young Jesus had been canonized and given the names Melchior, Gaspar, and
Balthasar. Their remains are allegedly housed in the cathedral of Cologne,
Germany.
How Should Jesus
Christ Be Remembered?
Jesus
Christ “was certainly one of the most influential people who ever lived.”—“The
World Book Encyclopedia.”
GREAT men are usually remembered for what
they did. So why do many remember Jesus for his birth rather than for his
deeds? Throughout Christendom, most people can recount the events surrounding
his birth. How many recall and strive to apply his superlative teaching as
found in the Sermon on the Mount?
Granted, Jesus’ birth was remarkable, but his
early disciples attached much more importance to what he did and to what he
taught. Surely God never intended Christ’s birth to eclipse his life as a
mature man. Yet, Christmas has succeeded in obscuring the person of Christ in a
mire of Nativity legends and folklore.
Another disturbing question arises with
regard to the nature of Christmas celebrations. If Jesus returned to the earth
today, what would he think about the rank commercialism of Christmas? Two
thousand years ago, Jesus visited the temple in Jerusalem. He was outraged by
money changers and vendors who were taking advantage of a Jewish religious
festival to make money. “Take these things away from here!” he said. “Stop
making the house of my Father a house of merchandise!” (John 2:13-16) Clearly,
Jesus did not approve of mixing commerce and religion.
Many sincere Spanish Catholics express
concern about the growing commercial nature of Christmas. Yet, such a trend
toward commercialism is probably inevitable in view of the roots of many
Christmas practices. Journalist Juan Arias points out: “Those who, within
Christianity, criticize the way Christmas has become ‘paganized’ and more
devoted to jollity and consumerism than to religion, are generally unaware that
even in its origin the Nativity . . . already incorporated many of
the features of the Roman pagan festival [of the sun].”—El País,
December 24, 2001.
In recent years, many Spanish journalists and
encyclopedias have commented on the pagan origins of traditional Christmas
festivities, as well as their commercial overtones. Regarding the date for
Christmas celebrations, the Enciclopedia de la Religión
Católica frankly states: “The reason that the Roman Church decided to
assign this date to the festival seems to be its tendency to replace pagan
festivals with Christian ones. . . . We know that in Rome at that
time, the pagans consecrated December 25 as the celebration of natalis
invicti, the birth of the ‘invincible sun.’”
The Enciclopedia Hispánica
likewise notes: “The date of December 25 for the celebration of Christmas
is not the result of a strict chronological anniversary but, rather, of the
Christianization of the festivals of the winter solstice that were celebrated
in Rome.” How did the Romans celebrate the rise of the sun in the winter sky?
By feasting, revelry, and the exchanging of presents. Since church authorities
were loath to abolish such a popular festival, they “Christianized” it by
calling it the birth of Jesus instead of the birth of the sun.
At the outset, in the fourth and fifth
centuries, attachment to sun worship and its customs died hard. Catholic “Saint”
Augustine (354-430 C.E.) felt obliged to exhort fellow believers not to
celebrate December 25 as the pagans did in honor of the sun. Even today,
the ancient Roman festivities seem to have the upper hand.
The Ideal Festival
for Merrymaking and Marketing
Over the centuries, several factors have
played a decisive role in molding Christmas into the most popular,
international celebration for merrymaking and marketing. Also, the customs of
other winter festivals, especially those celebrated in northern Europe, were
gradually incorporated into the Roman model. And in the 20th century,
salesmen and marketing specialists enthusiastically promoted any custom that
could generate hefty profits.
What has been the result? The celebration of
Christ’s birth rather than the significance of it has become of paramount
importance. In many cases, even the mention of Christ has practically
disappeared from the traditional Christmas. “[Christmas] is a world festival,
of a family nature, and everyone celebrates what he or she sees in it,”
observes the Spanish newspaper El País.
This comment reflects a growing tendency in
Spain and many other countries throughout the world. While Christmas
celebrations become ever more extravagant, knowledge of Christ diminishes. In
essence, Christmas festivities have largely reverted to what they originally
were in Roman times—revelry, feasting, and the exchanging of presents.
A Child Has
Been Born to Us
If traditional Christmas has little to do
with Christ, how should true Christians remember the birth and life of Christ?
Seven centuries before Jesus’ birth, Isaiah prophesied about him: “There has
been a child born to us, there has been a son given to us; and the princely
rule will come to be upon his shoulder.” (Isaiah 9:6) Why did Isaiah indicate
that Jesus’ birth and subsequent role would be so significant? Because Jesus
would become a mighty ruler. He would be called Prince of Peace, and there
would be no end to peace or to his princely rule. Furthermore, Jesus’ rulership
would be sustained “by means of justice and by means of righteousness.”—Isaiah
9:7.
The angel Gabriel echoed Isaiah’s
proclamation when he announced Jesus’ coming birth to Mary. “This one will be
great and will be called Son of the Most High,” he predicted. “And Jehovah God
will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule as king over the
house of Jacob forever, and there will be no end of his kingdom.” (Luke 1:32, 33)
Clearly, the main significance of Jesus’ birth lay in the work that Christ
would accomplish as the appointed King of God’s Kingdom. Christ’s rule can
benefit all, including you and your loved ones. In fact, the angels indicated
that his birth would bring “peace on earth to those with whom [God] is pleased.”—Luke
2:14, Today’s English Version.
Who does not long to live in a world of peace
and justice? But to enjoy the peace that Christ’s rule will bring, we need to
please God and have a good relationship with him. Jesus said that the first
step to such a relationship is to learn about God and Christ. “This means
everlasting life,” Jesus said, “their taking in knowledge of you, the only true
God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.”—John 17:3.
Once we know Jesus well, we need no longer
wonder how he would like us to remember him. Would it be by eating, drinking,
and exchanging presents on the same date as an ancient pagan festival? That
seems unlikely. The night before he died, Jesus told his disciples what he
preferred. “He that has my commandments and observes them, that one is he who
loves me. In turn he that loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love
him.”—John 14:21.
[Footnote]
The Christmas tree and the figure of Santa
Claus are two striking examples.
Does the Bible
Discourage Feasting and the Giving of
Gifts?
The Giving of
Gifts
The Bible approves of the giving of presents, Jehovah himself being
called the Giver of “every good gift and every perfect present.” (James 1:17)
Jesus indicated that good parents would give gifts to their children. (Luke
11:11-13) Job’s friends and family members gave Job gifts when he recovered his
health. (Job 42:11) None of such giving, however, required specific feast days.
It stemmed from the heart.—2 Corinthians 9:7.
Family Gatherings
Family gatherings can do much to unite family members, especially if
they no longer live in the same house. Jesus and his disciples attended a
wedding feast in Cana, doubtless a large gathering of family and friends. (John
2:1-10) And in Jesus’ illustration of the prodigal son, the father celebrated
his son’s return with a family banquet, which included music and dancing.—Luke
15:21-25.
Enjoying a Good
Meal
The Bible frequently speaks of God’s servants as enjoying good food with
family, friends, or fellow worshipers. When three angels visited Abraham, he
prepared a feast for them that included beef, milk, butter, and round cakes.
(Genesis 18:6-8) Solomon described ‘eating, drinking, and rejoicing’ as a gift
from God.—Ecclesiastes 3:13; 8:15.
Clearly, God wants us to enjoy good food in
the company of friends and family, and he approves of the giving of gifts. We
have ample opportunity to do that at any time throughout the year.
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