Christmas is very simply the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the
son of God, and savior of the human race. Simple, but over the centuries, much
has been added or subtracted to it. Did you know that this year will be the
1680th time Christmas is celebrated, the first time in 336AD, on December 25th,
in Rome? Some 300 years after his crucifixion? That’s a lot of cards and
presents bought and given over the years. But it hasn’t always been so, as
scripturally the Bible tells us the day of one’s death is more important than
the day of one’s birth, so no birthdays were celebrated until then. More
importance was given to the day of being baptized, and it took many courses
after that. Some factual, some based on individual belief, and some just
traditional. Everything starts somewhere...
But in the colonies, before we declared our independence, Christmas or its
recognition was considered blasphemy by the church, the Puritans in England had
banned it, and until Charles II by popular demand reinstated it. But the early
Christians in 1620 followed the Puritans even more rigidly, being outlawed in
Boston, a fine of five shillings, but encouraged in Jamestown, where all were
encouraged to participate. But as we won our independence, English traditions
fell out of favor, and on December 25, 1789, the first Christmas under the new
Constitution, Congress was in session. It wasn’t until a law was passed
recognizing December 25th as a national holiday, passed on June 26th, 1870,
after the Civil War. But here are some historical landmarks based on Christmas
in the US of A....
In the 1600’s the Puritans made it illegal to celebrate in any way, no
candles, gifts, or singing. BAH, HUMBUG! Dutch immigrants meanwhile brought
with them the story of Sinter Klaas, and in 1773 he first appeared in the media
as St. A. Claus. Then in 1804 the New York Historical Society named St. Nicolas
as its patron saint, and instituted the tradition of giving gifts from the
Dutch. In 1809, Washington Irving, he of the Headless Horseman fame, wrote of
Nicolas riding a horse into town and later refined it to flying over trees in a
wagon. Under the pseudonym of Diedrich Knickerbocker. Reindeer were to first
appear in 1821 in a William Gilley poem, Santeclaus, but with only one
reindeer.
In 1822 things were top change, as a dentist Clement Clarke Moore wrote
what was to become The Night Before Christmas, with eight reindeer pulling a
miniature sleigh. Twenty years passed until a Philadelphia merchant dressed a
man up in a Criscringle outfit and had him climb the chimney outside his store.
Then another 20 years later, Thomas Nast created the image of Santa that lasted
almost until the 1900’s. President Lincoln had asked him to draw one, and it so
demoralized the Confederates thinking Santa had found favor with the North.
Talk about psychological warfare...
Then in 1897, the editor of the New York Sun wrote an editorial, “Yes
Virginia, There is a Santa Claus,” in response to a letter written by an 8 year
old girl. And into the 1900’s, where Santa was portrayed as a jolly fat fellow
in a red suit with a beard. But that all changed, as in 1931 Coca Cola
commissioned Haddon Sundblom to draw a Santa for their Christmas ads, and became
the one we know and recognize today, a popular form of Santa until 1964. Coca
Cola still holds the trademark for Santa to this day....and also out the
Depression comes the music we know and love about him.
In 1939 a copywriter for Montgomery Wards came up with a ninth reindeer,
Rudolph, and we know the story of Rudolph, because of the song Rudolph the Red
Nosed Reindeer, the second most popular song of all time, recorded by Gene
Autry, White Christmas being the first. Even copies of the poem were given to
customers, who can’t sing the song without feeling good? There is a bit of
Rudolph in all of us.
Which brings us to today, where Jesus and even Santa have passed from the
Christmas holiday. In 1997 a rebel artist drew a picture of Santa on the cross,
proclaiming his importance over Jesus, it was critically banned, but how true is
it? Is Santa more important in your heart than Jesus? Stop and think about
your actions and attitudes....
But maybe a clue or hint about December 25th being celebrated as Christmas,
the birth of Jesus Christ can be found in Jewish tradition. We know Joseph and
Mary were heading to Jerusalem for a census, history tells us around Yom Kippur,
in September, when he was born in Bethlehem. History bears the facts out. But
the Jews believe life begins at conception, go back about nine months from then,
and you are in September, the time of their trip. Maybe, just maybe....but the
most important thing is not when, but that he was born. That he died on the
cross bearing our sins, and was resurrected. The first to be resurrected, and
we shall be too if we believe. The true message of Christmas, love,
forgiveness, and hope. A gift from God that keeps on giving...the scripture
tells us wise men sought him,and today wise men still seek him. Concentrate on
the giver, not the gift. Jesus, not the getting, but of his giving. Don’t look
at the elements, they confuse, look to their creator, and see Christmas in a
whole new light, the light of the world. Make the 1680th Christmas one to
remember by keeping Christ in it. Singing songs, giving gifts, and celebrating
with friends and family. Show love to the unlovely, for in doing so you are
doing it unto Christ. What better way to say Merry Christmas than to show his
love as he did for you. For Christmas, like the gospel it is based on is
simple, and free...so enjoy it in Jesus. And although it’s been said many
times, many ways, Merry Christmas to you!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com