Is Christmas Really Over, Already?
Here it is, December 26th. Some people may say “Good, we can get back to normal life.” Others may say “Only 364 days till Christmas.” Yet others may feel discouraged and say “All that anticipation leading up to Christmas and it's already over?”
Where do you fall in this list or are you on a different list completely?
Regardless of your feelings on the Celebration of Christmas itself, I would like to encourage you on this December 26th.
Christmas didn't start at the birth of Jesus and Christmas didn't end at midnight last night.
Christmas is so much more than a one day event. Christmas is more than a month full of events.
Christmas has a meaning that goes deeper than just a celebration.
Just a couple things to keep in mind as we continue on:
History says the early church was more interested in keeping track of believers death day rather than birth day. Before you say how terrible that sounds remember the verse that says “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” PSALM 116:15.
No matter your perspective on Christmas you can find some article to back it up. Type in the correct wording and you can find a view that will support your own view. From thinking Christmas started out good and turned bad to thinking it started out bad and turned good and anything in between.
You may ask, “What do either of these things have to do with Christmas or December 26th?”
First, it's important to realize nobody really knows when Jesus birth day was. Tradition has us celebrating on December 25 so, celebrate or don't. But don't get caught up in the yearly argument about the “true” birthday of Jesus. The Bible tells us he came, as a baby. Once you understand that significance, that is worth picking a date to celebrate. It's interesting to note we can get closer to his death date, resurrection date and ascension date. As believers we understand the importance of being prepared for out departure date. We should also understand the importance of sharing this with those around us.
Second, when I originally thought about doing a Christmas themed post I began looking into the history of Christmas. “When was it first called Christmas?” “Why was it called Cristmas?” “Was it originally a Christian celebration?” I asked these questions, as well as others.
I found views from all perspectives and I thought, as I do about any info I find online, how is a person ever suppose to know the truth? Which view is accurate?
Things in this world are always changing. History is being rewritten. How do we know what is correct?
And of course, this question always brings me back to one source that I know I can stand firm on.
The Bible.
Before we go to deep;
A brief word study can help us understand, more fully, the word Christmas.
It's easy to see Christmas is a compound word. Christ Mas (or Mass).
Christ is from the greek word - christos (Strong's G5547) meaning -anointed.
Mas (or Mass) comes from the Latin phrase “Ite, missa est” meaning “Go, it is sent" or "Go forth, the Mass is ended”. The word missa is taken from the the Latin “mittere” meaning “to send”.
From these two ancient words we see Christmas, in it's simplest form, means “The Anointed was sent”.
Talk about exciting!
The Bible talks about Jesus being the Christ. Jesus was the anointed that was sent.
Not just to stay in the manger and not just to stay on a cross. It's so much more that that.
Christmas started before “In the beginning.” before Adam even sinned the Father knew Jesus would be sent as the Anointed One.
Christmas continues on, past the final judgment and the end of the world. Jesus will remain the Anointed that was sent to save a dying world throughout all eternity! The redemptive plan will be finalized at the time of the new heaven and new earth but the fact that Jesus was sent for us will never change.
Amazing! Awesome!
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
As I continue on this journey I'm sure I will add more posts with more scriptures and such.
But for today, Rest in the love of Jesus. He saw you before time began. He knew he would be The Anointed one Sent. Our Christmas before the world was created and for ever more.
Accept the gift he has given. Salvation through His blood and life eternal.