The Christmas Story, A Biblical Perspective by Bruce A Proctor
- Bruce A Proctor
- Dec 21, 2023
- 8 min read
For true believers in Christ, the birth of Christ is clearly the theme of
Christmas. The miraculous incarnation (“in flesh”) of Christ
preceded His natural birth which came nine months later. Christ
was conceived in Mary’s womb by the Holy Spirit:
“The angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit
will come upon you, and the power of the Most High
will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child
shall be called the Son of God’” (Luke 1:35).
Also regarding the incarnation, the Apostle John wrote,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the
beginning with God… And the Word became flesh
(incarnate), and dwelt among us, and we saw His
glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father,
full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-3, 14).*
The incarnation, then, is of paramount significance: The Apostle John
also wrote,
“…every (person’s) spirit that confesses that Jesus
Christ has come in the flesh (incarnated) is from God; and every
spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God (demonically
influenced); this is the spirit of the antichrist” (1 John 4:2-3).
The Historical Development
The word “Christmas” derives from two Old English words, Cristes
mæsse, and literally means “Christ’s Mass.” Mass is derived from
“the Latin text of the priest's dismissal of the congregation at the
end of the liturgy ("Ite, missa est.").** It can also mean “Messiah’s
dismissal” which may also relate to missions in the sense of
Matthew 28:19 - “Go therefore and make disciples of all the
nations, baptizing…teaching…” However, missions was certainly
not the idea that prompted the first Christmas celebration.
Its celebration seem to have started in the first half of the fourth
century. Julius I, (born in Rome [?]—died A.D. April 12, 352)
was pope from 337 to his death. Various sources credit him as the
one who in c. 350 A.D. set the birthdate of Jesus on 25 December.
However, this claim is not unanimous among church historians.
Regarding the first Christmas celebration, one source says, “In an old
list of Roman bishops, compiled in A. D. 354, these words appear
for (celebrating as early as) A.D. 336: “25 Dec.: natus Christus in
Betleem Judeae.”*** That is, on December 25th, Christ was born in
Bethlehem, Judea. Therefore, this list is assumed to be the first
recorded account of the first Christmas celebration.
Pagan Holiday Celebrations in Ancient Rome
Saturnalia honored the god Saturn and was celebrated from December 17 to about December 24.
Sol Invictus (“Unconquered Sun”) associated with the winter
solstice (December 21) and observed on December 25.
The Roman church changed Saturnalia and Sol Invictus into one
“Christian” holiday sometime in the fourth century, naming it the
Feast of the Nativity, as a way to honor Jesus’ birth. This was done
to make it “a spiritually positive alternative to a pagan
celebration.”****
Other Celebrations During the Christmas Season
Some Orthodox Churches celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7 because they
follow the Julian Calendar (named after Julius Caesar) implemented
by him in 46 B.C. The Gregorian Calendar (named after Pope
Gregory XIII) is a revision of the Julian Calendar and went into
effect in October 1582 and is followed by most countries today.^
Yule - A modern German form of the Old Norse words Jól and Jólnir.
It was an alternative name for the Norse god Odin. Originally an
ancient pagan holiday, in the fourth century it became a winter
festival to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with a 12-day feast.^^
Advent – Beginning around the sixth century, it started as a four-
week period prior to Christmas to celebrate the First Advent
(“coming” or “arrival”) of Jesus Christ.^^^ It begins on the Sunday
closest to Nov. 30 and ends on Dec. 24.
Hanukkah (Chanukah = “Dedication”) - is the Jewish eight-day winter
celebration on the eve of Kislev 25 (Dec. 8, 2023) by lighting a
menorah candle each night for eight nights. It is a celebration of the
rededication of the Jewish Temple that was desecrated by
Antiochus Epiphanes IV in 167 B.C. It was first celebrated in 164
B.C. when, according to a legend, a one-day supply of oil for the
menorah lasted eight days and thus also referred to as “Festival of
Lights.”^^^^
Kwanza - Meaning “first,” an annual holiday devised in 1966
by Professor Maulana Karenga at UC Long Beach. Its purpose is to
affirm African family and social values that is celebrated primarily
in the United States from December 26 to January 1.*^
Traditional Relics
The Mistletoe
(mistel = “dung” + tan = “twig.”
play/christmas-word-origins])
In Norse mythology, the goddess of love, Frigg, obtained an oath from
all the world's animals and plants that they would not harm her son
Baldur, whose death was imminent. Unfortunately, Frigg forgot the
mistletoe, which was used to slay Baldur. However, Baldur revived,
and Frigg, being ecstatic, proclaimed the mistletoe a symbol of love
under which even enemies must kiss. The practice, however, is
believed to have started around the 1720’s.*^^
The Christmas Tree
According to Encyclopedia Britannica,
“evergreen trees became part of Christian
rites in Germany, and in the Middle Ages
“paradise trees” began to appear there.
Meant to represent the Garden of Eden,
these evergreen trees were hung with
apples and displayed in homes on
December 24, the religious feast day of
Adam and Eve. Other decorations
were added.”*^^^ Martin Luther, “reportedly
first hung lighted candles on a tree in the
16th century…and paradise trees evolved
into Christmas trees. By the19th century,
Christmas trees were a firmly established
tradition in Germany.*^^^^
Santa Claus
His popular image is based on traditions associated
with Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century Christian saint. According
to the Encyclopedia Britannica, “Nicholas’s existence is not
attested by any historical document, so nothing certain is
known of his life except that he was probably bishop of
Myra in the 4th century… After the Reformation (1517-
c. 1600), devotion to Nicholas disappeared in all the
Protestant countries of Europe except Holland, where
his legend persisted as Sinterklaas (a Dutch variant of the
name St. Nicholas). Dutch colonists took this tradition
with them to New Amsterdam (now New York City) in
the American colonies in the 17th century. Sinterklaas
was adopted by the country’s English-speaking
majority under the name Santa Claus…”**^
The Puritans’ Rejection of Christmas
When the Puritans came to political power in England, they
immediately proceeded to outlaw Christmas. It was their
contention that no feast of human institution should ever
preempt the Sabbath (Sunday). Since Christmas was regarded as
the most important of the non-Sunday festivals, it was abolished
altogether.
The first ordinances issued forbidding church services and civic
festivities on Christmas came in 1642. Finally, on June 3, 1647,
Parliament enacted a ruling that the occasion should no longer be
observed under pain of punishment.
“It is very difficult in our day to realize that Christmas was outlawed
in New England until the second half of the (19th century). As late
as 1870, classes were held in the public schools of Boston on
Christmas day and any truant pupil was gravely punished or even
publicly dismissed from school.”* Christmas Day, December 25,
finally became a federal holiday in the United States in 1870.
Over time, Christmas has lost its true meaning. Perhaps the most
captivating features of Christmas are Santa Claus, Christmas trees,
Christmas parties, gifts, and parades, football games, all of which
distract from the true meaning of Christmas for many Christians.
Satan craftily takes what appeals to us and uses it to blind our
minds to the most simplest truths we’ve been taught from God’s
word. If we allow ourselves to become overwhelmed with the things
of this world, we unconsciously alienate ourselves from God
(1 John 2:15-17).
This is a sacrilegious portrayal of the Nativity.“An Ohio homeowner was ordered by town officials to remove a Nativity scene in front of his house that featured zombies instead of wise men and a baby Jesus)***
Persons Associated With the Birth of Jesus Christ
Joseph and Mary (Jesus’ parents) – Matt. 1:18; Luke 1:27; 2:1-8
The Angel Gabriel (“God is my strength”) – Matt. 1:20-21; Luke 1:26.
The Shepherds in the field at night – Luke 2:8-17
The Angels – Luke 2:13-14
Simeon (“harkening”) – Luke 2:25-35
Anna (“grace”) – Luke 2:36-38
The Star in the West (Shekinah Glory [Rev. 22:6]) – Matt. 2:1-2, 9-10
The Wise Men (Greek, μάγοι = magoi = astrologers) – Luke 2:1-2, 11-12
2:1-8, 16-16 (see https:/www.behindthename.com/name/herod)
Places Associated With the Birth of Jesus Christ
Nazareth – Matt. 2:23; Luke 1:26; 2:4
Bethlehem – Micah 5:2; Matt. 2:5-6; Luke 2:4
Egypt – Hosea 11:1; Matt. 2:13-15
Ancient Songs Associated With the Birth of Jesus Christ
Mary’s Song (The Magnificat = “Magnify”) – Luke 1:46 – 56
Zechariah’s Song (The Benedictus = “Blessed”) – Luke 1:67-79
Simeon’s Song (Nunc = “Now” Dimittis = “Dismiss”) - Luke 2:29-32
3 P’s About The Birth of Jesus Christ
It was…
Prophesied - Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23; Isa. 9:6-7; Isa. 53; Micah 5:2; Matt. 2:6
Perfect (sinless) - Luke 1:30-33; 2:1-7; 11-14; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:22; 1 John 3:5
Purposeful – Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45; 1 Tim. 2:6; Heb. 9:14; 10:14
Things to ponder:
What does it mean to you personally that Jesus Christ became man?
Do you have eternal life?
If not, do you believe it’s real?
If you believe you already have eternal life, how did you acquire it?
If Jesus came for His church today, would He include you?
You don’t have to doubt your salvation. Repent and believe Jesus
died for your sins and rose again from the dead, and you will be
saved (1 Cor. 15:1-4).
A Post-Christmas Poem
“When Christmas Day Has Past”
By Bruce A. Proctor
Christmas Day may have already past
But it’s message, I'm sure, will continue to last
It's about God's love shown through His Son
Whose work of salvation on the cross has been done
In Jesus there's grace, mercy, joy, and peace
For He bore our sins, bringing us marvelous release
We rejoice because His sacrifice has set us free
Jesus has given us a reason to be filled with glee
Days before Christmas we anxiously wait and anticipate
And on Christmas Day we gather together and celebrate
After Christmas Day sweet memories are reminiscent
As we reflect on the reason that Jesus was sent.
Fair Questions To Ask About Christmas
In his blog (“pivot”), Karl Vaters asked, “What aspects of our church’s Christmas events or traditions need to be explained instead of just assumed?”**^^ For example:
Did Mary ride a donkey to Bethlehem? Not mentioned.
Did an innkeeper reject Mary and Joseph? Not mentioned.
Was Jesus born the night Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem? Not mentioned in Scripture.
Did the multitude of angels sing? Luke 2:13 doesn’t say “singing.”
Did a special star guide the wise men from the Orient to Israel?
Yes. This unusual star guided the Magoi to Jerusalem (Matt. 2:1)
and to Bethlehem (Matt. 2:8-9). It was most likely the Shekinah
Glory.
Did anyone kneel at the manger? The Magoi “fell down” (πεσόντες) and worshiped Him” (Matt. 2:11). Nothing is said about kneeling.
Is Santa Claus necessary? There’s no reason for him to be.
*See also 1 Tim. 3:16 and 1 John 4:2-3.
^See the slide 22 below for Countries that currently adopt the Gregorian Calendar.
mistletoe.
*^^^https://www.almanac.com/fact/have-you-ever-heard-of-the-feast. “It was popular in the middle ages. To mark the day and the “original sin” that was Adam’s and Eve’s downfall, it was popular to act out the scene in a Christian “mystery play” on December 24. As a prop, an evergreen called the Paradise tree was hung with red apples, a custom which is surely a precursor to our current Christmas tree traditions.”
**^^www.christianitytoday.com/karl-vaters/2018/november/why-behind-your-churchs-christmas-traditions.
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