Let's start this week's article with a quiz. Which of the following are a part of Christmas: eggnog, a manger, Jesus, statutory holidays, presents, singing, Mary and Joseph, candles, angels, shopping, family, a king? The answer, perhaps surprisingly, depends on which Christmas we are talking about.
As is the case with many sacred days, there are three stages of development. First is the historical event itself. Second is the "original" celebration or remembrance of the event. Third is the current celebration of the event. In general, the greater the time between the second and third stages, the farther the current practices drift from the original. The extent of the drift, of course, varies from context to context.
Stage 1 - The Birth of Jesus. At its core, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ over 2,000 year ago in the Israelite town of Bethlehem. As with many other contemporary figures, the exact date of Jesus' birth is unknown, although most scholars conclude that it was between 7-4BCE. As was later discovered through his ministry, death and resurrection, Jesus was no ordinary person - surrounding his birth were divine proclamations of him as Saviour, Messiah, and Lord. Within two years of Jesus' birth, Magi (astrologers and astronomers) finished their long journey from the East, and presented Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, as their acknowledgement of Jesus' royalty.
Stage 2 - Early Celebrations of Christmas. Although the term "Christmas" was not used until the 11th century, the first recorded celebrations of Jesus' birth date to the 3rd century. Originally called the "Feast of the Nativity", the term Christmas began to be used as shorthand to talk about the annual Mass (ie, the Lord's Supper or Eucharist) that celebrated Christ's birth. "Christ's Mass" eventually became "Christmas". Some of the core elements of the various celebrations (or remembrances) included singing hymns, and reading and/or acting the nativity story.
Stage 3 - Modern Celebrations of Christmas. The date of the Christmas celebration has changed over the centuries, and has also varied between different groups of Christians. In the West, Christmas is celebrated on December 25th, and has become much more than a religious celebration by those who follow Jesus. Christmas is now an entire season and it is an integral part of Western culture, for better or worse. Within the last few hundred years, traditions of the Christmas tree, Christmas lights, and Christmas shopping have become almost universal.
Today, over 2,000 years after the birth of Jesus, it seems that there are two Christmases to be experienced. One is the celebration of Jesus himself, focusing on who he was and his implications for people and spirituality today. The second is a cultural event that impacts many elements of Western society.
If you celebrate Christmas, which one do you celebrate? This week, as Christmas Day draws near, what are you looking forward to?
Questions or Comments? Each week, this column will explore issues and questions about religion and spirituality in Prince George and around the world. Please send your questions, comments, or ideas to @wessner (Twitter) or [email protected] (email).
Mark Wessner, PhD, is Lead Pastor at Westwood Church and Continuing Studies Instructor at UNBC.
