Daily Affirmations - Day 1- Promised Hope: Blessing for All Nations
- Alisa B.
- a few seconds ago
- 4 min read
This week's Theme: Promised Hope
Day 1: Blessing for all nations
Alex's* family had planned a trip to the Caribbean for Christmas. But Alex adamantly refused to go along with the plan.
With all the unmitigated conviction of teenage wisdom, Alex declared that Christmas was "only supposed to be celebrated in the cold." He launched into long discourses on the "origins" of Christmas, and the reason that cold (and preferably snow) were integral to the celebration. Nothing would change his mind.
Alex's views on Christmas may have seemed both frustrating and funny to his family, but they point to the subtle fusion (and confusion) of cultural, traditional, and religious perspectives on Christmas that can shape a million expectations and arguments for and against what "should be."
Some of the confusion might be eliminated if we consider what Christmas signifies. To do this, it is important for us to revisit the basics.
For many Christians in today's world, Christmas is the celebration of the monumental advent of the Savior of the world— Jesus, Son of God— coming into the world as a human, born as a baby in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. And for others— many countries, regions, groups, and individuals today, Christmas is a secular celebration with emphasis on family gatherings, gift giving, old traditions, sentimental values, and nostalgia.
Most celebrate this event on December 25, but in some Christian traditions, Christmas is celebrated on January 6 or 7. However, it is important to note that none of these dates have a basis in historical fact. Indeed they have absolutely no historical significance.
The bible does not record a date for the birth of Jesus, and scholars have debated whether it was even in the winter, considering some of the details of the gospel narratives. And from all accounts the earliest Christians did not even appear to have celebrated the birth of Christ. But in the fourth century, December 25 was adopted as the official celebration date.
Various ideas exist about the choice of this date. One of the main theories suggests that church officials in Rome sought to establish a stronger Christian presence in society by attempting to supplant pagan festivities central to that date. Instead, many of those societal customs and traditions merged with the Christian celebrations, and are still part of Christmas festivities today.
In light of all this, one could understand Alex's arguments and the basis for his perspectives on Christmas. An example from history.com of the customs and traditions that became part of the "blend" provides more insight:
The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world. Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many people rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight.
In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, the winter solstice, through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs, which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year. [i]
And therein lies the danger of courting cultural influence over what is set apart and sacred. Scripture is clear. In Christ there are no distinctions in race, class, status, origin, or ethnicity (Galatians 3:28). But that works both ways. While the message of Christ— His birth, His death, His resurrection, His forgiveness— is open, available, and welcoming to any people or culture, it cannot be subverted by anyone or anything.
Neither Christianity nor Christmas is Western, or Eastern, or Northern or Southern, and neither depends or rests on the customs and traditions of "dominant" cultures. The gospel message and the essence of Christianity are not subject to the forces of culture, or religion, or politics, or business, or anything in this world.
The evolution of Christmas in the Christian world has been far from linear, with periods of disapproval and resurgence. Cultural and societal influences are still strong, and many Christians today continue to struggle with aspects of the celebration.
But what if we could really get back to the theme of hope that is central to the Christmas message? What if sentiment and nostalgia could give way to true hope that springs eternal? What if the most precious gift of Christmas remains when the decorations are taken down, and the cookies and cakes are gone, and the other gifts are all used up or returned? What if cold, empty reality is lighted and warmed by its rays?
What if we could show the heart of a loving God who promised hope so long ago to a human He befriended, “I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky... and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed…” (Genesis 26:4)?
What if we could tell every "Alex" that Christmas is not rooted in Yule logs that spark an unknown, capricious future, but in God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas… (Psalm 65:5)? So that in Hawaii, folks can smile and say, 'Mele Kalikimaka', and in the Caribbean we can sing, "I'm dreaming of a sunshine Christmas!?"
*Name has been changed
