What is Christmas?

Nativity scene in Baumkirchen, Austria
(Source)

While casting about for something to post I came across something I found interesting, it's bloody obvious to probably everybody but me, but nevertheless, I found it interesting.

Part of my "What am I going to write about?" process is picking a topic and then searching Google Images for what comes up. As an experiment, go there now and type in "Christmas." I'll wait right here. (For you smart phone Chanters, I think if you just search for Christmas then pick "Images" you'll get similar results.)

What I got was a lot of photos of Christmas trees, presents under the tree, Santa Claus, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and things of that ilk. I did see one Nativity scene done in brightly colored lights, but it was all very secular for the most part. You want pictures like the one above? Search for "birth of Christ."

I would like to say that Christmas has become more and more commercialized over the years, but that would be nonsense. When I was a kid, it was already very commercial. It was more about presents under the tree, singing carols (not all of which were related to the "reason for the season," after all it doesn't snow much in the Middle East), sending cards, gatherings of family, and things of that nature.

We did actually go to church for a Christmas program, which was very much about the birth of Christ, but that was a couple of hours during a season lasting at least two weeks, if not more. At least when I was a kid, the holiday was actually tied (somewhat loosely) to the birth of the Son of God, if only through that Christmas program.

As an adult, I didn't attend church for many years. I wrote about my return to religion here, as the title of that post suggests (and its second part here), that return was, I suppose, inevitable.

I've always been a believer, I've seen too much, and experienced even more, to doubt that there is a Creator, a Supreme Being, what we Christians refer to as God. However, the practice and the ritual of religion has often left me wanting.

So, for many reasons, Christmas has always been one of my favorite times of year, if not THE favorite. Now take the word itself:

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the word Christmas originates from the phrase “Cristes Maesse”, first recorded in 1038, which means the Mass of Christ or Christ’s Mass. The word mass is the English version of the Latin word missa, a celebration of the Eucharist, done in memory of Jesus Christ, where Christians eat bread and drink wine. But not all is Latin; in fact, the word Christ comes from the Greek word Khristos, translated from the Hebrew term messiah, which means anointed. (Source)

The coming of the Messiah is, indeed, the reason for the season. But I love the gift-giving, the singing of carols (though I try not to over-participate in said singing as my voice has been compared to the roaring of a gored bull, loud but not particularly pleasing to the ear) and the food, the gathering of family and all the other secular aspects of the holiday. But each and every year, I will take the time to read this passage on Christmas Day:

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Luke 2:1-20 (KJV)

 

Even during those long years when I didn't go to church, I would read this passage aloud to my kids, usually at Christmas dinner. I did want them to know why we celebrated Christmas each year and how important an event it really is. Not sure if it really took, only one of my three  bairns attends church on anything like a regular basis. That's on me, it's my fault we didn't go when they were young (and impressionable), even though more than once The Missus Herself strongly suggested that we should. (Yes, I should have listened to her then, I should listen to her more now, as you'd think I'd have learned by now. Being stubborn ain't necessarily a virtue.)

Anyhoo, that's where my head was Tuesday eve. I have a new post from John Blackshoe which I need to get up, but wanted to cover this first. I mean, it is Christmas, dontcha know?

Speaking of which, here's one of my favorite carols, sung by an incredible singer ...

Peace be with you ...