Advent Gem #19 

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe 

Luke 2: 1-7: “And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.  So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.  So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” 

Most Bible scholars agree that Jesus probably was not born on December 25.  All Jewish men were required to come to Jerusalem during the three pilgrim feasts, Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles.  They came to worship and offer sacrifices to the Lord in the Temple.  It would have seemed reasonable, even to the Roman government, to have the registration occur during one of the feast days when so many would already be gathered.   

The feasts are harvest celebrations and come in the warmer months when the sheep would be grazing in the fields.  During the winter months, the sheep were brought into the sheep folds for protection. The milder weather of the harvest seasons would make it more likely that shepherds would be in the fields with the sheep. 

December 25 as the date of Christmas was established in 336 A.D. by Emperor Constantine.  That is more than 300 years after the birth of Christ.  During that period in Church history, Christian holy days were settled at the time of pagan days.  The purpose was to draw people away from paganism.  We can see from history and experience that the plan is generally ineffective. 

December 25 was the date of both the celebration of the Roman sun god and the god Saturn.  Romans gave gifts and held drunken celebrations for 7 days until the celebration of the god Janus.  Thus, the basis for drunken Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties.  

When we celebrate Christmas is not as important as how we celebrate Christmas. We can see the Christmas tree as a symbol of the tree of life. The lights can remind us that Jesus is the light of the world and has called us to be light also. The gifts should remind us of the gift of salvation that we receive in Jesus and the joy we have in the love of God for us and the love we have for one another.