The Christmas Controversy: December 25th?
Is Christmas The Christianizing of Paganism?
The first official Christmas, Feast of The Nativity, was decreed as a church holy day by the Catholic Church under Pope Julius, around 336 AD. Hippolytus of Rome (170 -235 AD) mentions in his Commentary on Daniel 4.23.3, written in 204 AD, December 25th as the birthdate of Christ. Hippolytus is the earliest written record we have of December 25th being the birthdate of Christ and predates by 132 years the theories and allegations that Constantine and the Catholic Church chose the 25th of December in 336 AD to appropriate pagan culture.
Hippolytus was born in 170 AD or 70 years after the Apostle John died in 99 or 100 AD. Clement of Rome, died in 100 or 101 AD. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, and Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch were also disciples of the Apostle John. Their deaths are 155 AD and 140 AD, respectively. Hippolytus is about as close as we can get to the Apostles and Apostolic Fathers who had to know Jesus’ birthdate. The entire teachings of the Scriptures and the Apostolic Father’s writings and oral teachings would have been Hippolytus’s source for Jesus’ birthdate. The scriptures give us a vivid picture of Jesus’ conception and birth, but no exact birthdate. There is no date mentioned in any of the Apostolic Fathers’ writings that we can point to, so Hippolytus most likely learned of Jesus’ birthdate through the oral teachings of the Church Fathers. Moreover, much of Hippolytus’s teaching and writing focused on preserving doctrinal truth and exposing philosophical heresies. Therefore, it is not reasonable to believe his December 25th birthdate of Jesus was some casual comment of unknown origin. Hippolytus’s (204 AD) historical date of December 25th also debunks the more recent trending theory that claims Jesus was born sometime in the summer or fall and not December 25th.
For the first advent of our Lord in the flesh, when he was born in Bethlehem, was December 25th Wednesday, while Augustus was in his forty-second year, but from Adam, five thousand and five hundred years. He suffered in the thirty-third year, March 25th, Friday, the eighteenth year of Tiberius Caesar, while Rufus and Roubellion were Consuls. (Hippolytus: Commentary on Daniel)
The Christmas controversy has caused some Christians to doubt and even cease any celebration of the birth of Christ. Moreover, the many traditions of Christmas e.g., Christmas tree, mistletoe, holly, caroling, gift-giving, Santa, elves, and a magical snowman are said to have pagan roots or undermine God’s supremacy. As a matter of conscience and my best efforts to honor the Lord I have researched and looked into this controversy for years and have yet to be convinced that we are somehow dishonoring the Lord by observing December 25th as the birth of Christ. As to the many customs and practices of Christmas that may not have a biblical origin or seem to have no spiritual significance, each of us will have to follow our conscience and convictions concerning such traditions.
Those who dogmatically subscribe to the Christmas controversy may view me as a shallow compromising Christian for my participation, but they would be mistaken. While the Bible does not record the exact birthdate of Jesus, it does record the prophetic messages of a virgin being with a child; Mary’s miraculous visitation and how she was impregnated by the Holy Spirit; the location and birth of Jesus and the three wise men or kings bearing gifts; the shepherds’ visitation by the angel of the Lord and a heavenly host of angels announcing that a Savior is born in Bethlehem and the clear message that this baby born to a virgin girl in a stable is the one and only Savior of all mankind. You see, this Jesus was more than a teacher of truth, a miracle worker, and more than a martyr. This Jesus, who was wrapped in strips of cloth and laid in that manger nearly 2000 years ago is God in the flesh. The greatest gift ever given was the day we beheld Emanuel lying in a manger. If Jesus had not been born as God in the flesh, there would be no calvary, resurrection, redemption, and gift of eternal life. December 25th reminds us of the incarnation of Emanuel who was born to save us from our sins.
Every Christmas we have people who make it their mission to tell us Christmas is rooted in paganism and Jesus was born in the summer or fall, and not December 25th. They often mention all the secular customs we discussed above to validate their belief. However, I would much rather celebrate and point people to the true meaning of Christmas. The miraculous and fascinating story of a virgin teen giving birth to the Son of God should be celebrated. It is an annual reminder that the man Jesus who died on the cross for our sins was the one and only Son of God!
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
Interestingly, roughly 93%, (9 in 10) of Americans celebrate Christmas. Many do so without consideration of the Savior. Alarmingly, about 56% have little to no interest in church attendance, reading the Bible, or spiritual realities. Sadly, Christmas without Jesus is a worldwide tradition. May the Lord use you who are reading this to share the true meaning of Christmas with those who desperately need salvation.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11)
Merry Christmas!
How to Turn to God
Perhaps at this very moment, you have realized that you need the Lord in your life. Maybe you drifted away or need to be been born again? If so, you can stop right now and begin talking to God. Ask Him to forgive you for being a sinner and for the life you have been living outside of His love. Surrender your life to Him, unconditionally. Call Him Lord and make Him Lord of every thought, attitude, and action. You can say, Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins and come into my heart and take full control of my life. I am your child from this day forward. Change my heart and mind to be Christ-like in every way. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior forever.
