Christmas is an annual Christian festival that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is preceded by the 40 day period of lent and preceds the twelve days of Christmas known as Christmastide. Jesus was born in Bethlehem in accordance with a number of old testament prophesies. The month and date of Jesus's birth is unclear but many believe that it was likely to be around September or October. Some time in the 4th century December 25th was chosen as a mass and feast day to celebrate Christmas. This helped to integrate Christmas with the pagan winter solstice rituals and was also symbolic in that Jesus entered a world of great darkness rather like at the winter solstice but with the prospect of increasing light ahead much like Jesus being the light of the world, pointing to a brighter future
The bible tells us that God sends his son in the form of a baby, Jesus enters into the world in order to redeem mankind, to be a light and a guide so that we may draw spiritually closer to God and be inspired to do his kingdom work here on earth . The term Emmanuel actually means God with us and the word Noel means Birthday The whole scene is one of humility. He was born in a stable having been denied a place in the Inn, the first of many rejections throughout his life. His birth is announced by angels to shepherds, telling them not to be afraid. Shepherds were considered to be among the lowest of the low in that culture. Jesus was born into a land which was the lowest place on earth. He was born to a virgin Mary, conceived by the Holy spirit and his earthly father was a carpenter. Three wise men who followed a bright star to locate the baby Jesus also came bearing gifts of Gold Frankincense and Myrrh.
Its interesting that the most humble and most wise were his first visitors rather than people of political or regal significance. He too would be humble and overflowing with wisdom. Jesus was a threat to power and when Herod learned that the predicted 'king of the Jews' was to be born in Bethlehem he ordered the murder of all boys less than two years old. This highlights that people of power will use violence to hold on to it, while in contrast Jesus was a Prince of peace who emptied himself of his divine nature to identify with us by becoming fully human. This was remarkable as the Jews were expecting a messiah to relieve them of the occupying Romans. His Kingdom however was not to be based on the power of the sword but rather the power of Gods word and spirit.
Today we celebrate Christmas in a variety of ways, by giving gifts and spending time together. Sharing a meal, exchanging cards, singing carols and decorating a Christmas tree. The pine Christmas tree was chosen as its triangular nature pointed both to heaven and the trinity. Many other customs accompany Christmas and the giving of gifts reflect those given by the three Maji. Whilst there is great commercial and financial pressure on people at Christmas to buy expensive gifts, the real riches lie in his message, that God is not a remote authoritarian figure but a God who wants to meet us in order that we can be made complete and experience him in Love.