I'm in the rare category of born again Christians who do not celebrate Christmas, or more accurately, Christ's mass or the mass of Christ. Some wonder how can this be as I believe that Jesus, the Christ, is the Son of God, is equal to God, and is the only way to the Father. The mass of Christ is a subject on which I have done some research.
When I was an unbeliever and for a short while after I accepted Christ, I celebrated Christmas, and as I was always a giver, I tried to give everyone in my close circle something they would like, something they needed, something uniquely meaningful to them; I gave to those who I did not know too. Since I was not a highly disciplined person, I often went overboard with all my giving. I would end up with no money left after the Christmas holiday and would be totally broke, "busted," with nothing. I would be saddened by the fact that I had no money, but I was always happy that I had given something to others.
Well, about sixteen and a half years ago, I became a born again Christian. This was nothing short of the greatest miracle in my life. I had lived as I had pleased (or so I thought) until that time, and then began to feel a gnawing sense that there was something more. It wasn't that I had never heard of salvation. My grandmother was an ordained minister who always told others about her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Shortly after her death, one of my sisters accepted Christ. Soon, my mother accepted Christ. Yet another one of my sisters accepted Christ and became heavily involved in ministry. Not long after, my brother accepted Christ. Even my father, who at that time was estranged from the family, came to accept Christ. I chose to continue in unbelief.
After a string of events that the Lord used to draw me unto Himself, I began to feel lifeless; it wasn't that I had not been dead inside before, but now I was acutely and painfully aware of it. I also was drawn to read the Bible. It didn't matter what I was doing. If I felt drawn to read the Bible, I would stop and read it. Sometimes after a night of clubbing, drinking, or whatever other ungodly thing I had been doing, I would pick up my Bible and begin to read. In the month of July, in the year of 1990, I began to read the Word even more voraciously. I was compelled to read it, and so I did.
Before July 1990 was over, I had begun to read the Word each day. I started with the book of St. Matthew and read all the way to Revelation. As I was reading, the Holy Spirit began to reveal the meaning behind many of the scriptures I read. It was then, and only then, that I began to truly see myself in the light of God's holiness and righteousness. Each day, I would ask the Lord to forgive me for my many sins, to cleanse me, and to accept me. One day, I heard the voice of the Holy Spirit say to me, "I heard you the first time you prayed that prayer, and I have accepted you and love you." My heart was filled with joy, and through God's spirit, I set out to obey Him, to follow Him, to ask those who I had hurt to forgive me, and to join a Bible-believing church. I also severed ungodly relationships and invited many others to accept Christ.
Once, I wrote a very sincere and heartfelt Christmas poem, entitled, "Jesus, Happy Birthday" which I was invited to read in church. It was my way of thanking God for sacrificiing His obedient son to save not only me, but the entire world. The spirit behind this poem--love for Christ--remains in my heart. At that time I did not know that Jesus' birthday was not on December 25, and I continued to give Christmas gifts, but not with the same abandon, as I had begun to develop more self discipline. Soon, I was just giving one small gift to each person. Later, I only gave cards. Yet, some time later, I was not giving the cards anymore. Nevertheless, I had begun to give continually throughout the year. My feelings about Christmas giving had undergone a drastic change, but I didn't understand all the reasons why.
I mentioned this to one of my sisters who gave me an article entitled, "The Origins of Christmas." Researching the facts has always appealed to me, so I began to do my own research and made some shocking discoveries. One of the main facts that I discovered was that the origins of Christmas were pagan, not Christian; I was astounded to find that the early church did not celebrate Christmas at all. I was in total disbelief when I found out that the pagans worshipped the sun (the created thing instead of the Creator of all things) on or around December 25. The Catholic church tried to christianize the paganistic hedonism, and around the 4th century, the Protestant church followed suit and began to merge the pagan and the sacred together. Nonetheless, Christmas was not widely accepted in America until the early part of the 19th century. I came to know that many of the symbols of Christmas are symbolic of the paganism that revolved around the worship of the sun and the winter solstice. I didn't know what to think anymore. I also realized that I wasn't celebrating Christmas anymore, although this didn't happen on a conscious level. I've never been one to do something just because everyone else is doing it. I have to know the who, what, when, where, why, and how behind my actions, and now that I was confronted with certain truths, I had to decide what to do with those truths. One major truth that I came to know was that attaching Christ's name to the title of a holiday doesn't necessarily means its roots are Christian.
Do I believe in the birth of Christ? Without question. Do I believe that He died and rose that I, and all human beings might have a right to the tree of life? Undoubtedly. For me, it is not a story. It is very real. Will I teach my son, who is six, about the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ? Yes, without His birth, he would have never been crucified, and now risen. However, I do find it interesting that many who love hearing the "story" about the birth of Christ find it lovely and endearing, but at the same time do not want to hear the "story" about the crucifixion and resurrection, or rather, how it is to meant to impact them on a personal level. It is quite easy to think pleasant thoughts about the "Christ child," but for many, thoughts about the "Christ man" who suffered for us all are quickly rejected.
I had the joyous privilege of leading my son to Christ this past summer, and I will continue to teach him the Word of God. However, I will not teach him about "The Three Wise Men," as in the Bible, I read about wise men--but they are not numbered, nor will I teach him any of the man made, fabricated, parts of the "Christmas Story." Will I teach Him about giving? Yes, I will continue to teach him about the ultimate giver, God, of the ultimate gift, His son, Jesus, the Christ, and because of His example, we too should give. I am not bound by celebrating Christmas; I have the liberty that only Christ can provide. (Colossians 2:16-17)
Some would question which holiday/Holy Day traditions I am imparting to my child. One thing I am teaching him is not to be bound by the traditions of men, but to examine everything in the light of scripture. I love the Thankgsgiving holiday, because it reminds us to be thankful--and for me and my household, who I am thankful to and for, is not ambiguous. I am thankful to and for the Holy, Righteous, Omniscient, Ominipotent, and Omnipresent God who is Perfect, Excellent, and Forever Reigns. As the pastor at the first church I joined post my salvation often said, "He sits high, but He looks low." God is intimately concerned with the affairs of all men, so I am teaching my child that every day is a Holy Day The resurrected Christ who sits on the right hand of the Father, forever lives. (Romans 14:5-6)
My son's birthday is in the month of December, and yes I give him gifts. Sometimes, he even has a birthday party. Nevertheless, I do not go overboard with gift giving, and I teach him to be thankful, not just on Thanksgiving or his birthday, but everyday. The Lord has taught me to teach my child about the needs of people and to respond to those needs as led by the Spirit of God.
I grew up longing and praying that my mother would take me downtown every year, so I could see the glowing Christmas lights. Those childhood days are long gone, and I have come to know that those lights which adorn many an evergreen tree have nothing to do with Christ, and I now pray that the true light of Christ would burn in my heart and in every spirtiually renewed heart during the holiday season and each day of the year.
Have a blessed and joyous Holiday season.
Ms. Phyllis
Comments
Dec. 25, 2006 - Amen!
Posted by TexasMomof3
Your writing is beautiful and vivid! This Christmas, I chose to be more simple. Instead of lavishing my children with nonsensical toys and do-dads, I gave them practical gifts like books, beauty products, and Christian/educational DVDs or CDs.
I sent Christmas cards to my most intimate relatives, but that was it. I didn't make a lavish production as I notice those do who give scantily throughout they year.
Since my children are visiting relatives, the Holy Spirit and I did some deep cleaning and organizing--I could not have done it without His help and encouragement. I am not the best homekeeper, but working with the H.S. instead of relying on my own limitless skills, I was productive and effective in my cleaning efforts!
Have a blessed day and I look forward to reading more about how Christ has transformed you!