Christ in Christmas 2022

Intro: talk about 2 years off, where Christmas is from and where it’s going.

History of Christmas

Ancient Romans celebrated:

Saturnalia (Saturn, god of agriculture) in winter

Schools and businesses closed to celebrate

Mithra (god of the unconquerable sun) on December 25

At some point, in the centuries between 300-600 AD, December 25 was decided by leaders in Rome to celebrate Christmas.

Consequently, it was celebrated around the time of worshipping of Saturn and Mithra.

I’ve read that in the 1600s, Boston outlawed Christmas because it was like Mardi Gras.

Today, Christmas seems to be more subdued.

We see Pine Trees, Snowman, St Nick, Santa, Reindeer, gift giving, etc.

But do any of those things have anything to do with the Name from which the holiday is named?

What does the word Christmas mean?

Cristes Maesse in Old English

Mass = assembly of people

What is Christ?

Christ is Khristos in Greek (many people in ancient Roman Empire spoke Greek)

Christ in Hebrew is Mashiah (Messiah) - The Hebrews/Jews were conquered by Rome

Messiah is a TITLE (not a last name) that means “The Anointed”

Anointed means “a liquid spread over something to set it apart for service to God”

This was a very meaningful thing for the Hebrew/Jewish people.

Literally, Christmas means “the assembly for the one who is set apart for service to God”

December 25 was intended to celebrate The Christ’s birth. So who is The Christ?

The Gospel

Jesus of Nazareth has the title of The Christ in the Bible.

He was BORN 2000 years ago to a Hebrew woman (Mary) in Bethlehem, an area controlled by Roman Empire.

He was born in a stable.

As an adult, he referred to God as His own father per the Bible, which shocked his own people’s religious leaders (Jewish leaders). So much so that they conspired to murder him.

They crucified him for this reason even though he was found not guilty by the Roman Government.

So as the Christ, what was Jesus anointed to do to serve God, His Father?

Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Sin, wrongdoing, defies God

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The consequences of wrongdoing toward God is separation from Him. The justice of God cannot let any wrongdoing slide without consequence.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Philippians 2:6-10 “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,”

Jesus was anointed and sent to Earth to save humanity from the consequences of the wrong we are infected with like a disease.

So here is the real gift of Christmas. The baby born grew into an adult, God in human form, who loves mankind so much to die for them.

Those that receive this gift will live forever with Him in Heaven and all other believers.

Receiving the gift entails trusting him, knowing him, loving him.

And this is the best part, according to the Bible, Jesus came back from the dead after he was murdered and crucified.

And at the time God designates Jesus is coming back again. But he’s coming back to rule the earth in person.

The best part is, this is all in the Bible which is accessible freely to you. You can find it yourselves. Don’t take my word for it.

I’m the worst of all wrongdoers.

But do know that the Bible expresses that eternity hinges upon what you choose to do with the Christmas gift.

If you ever have any questions you can ask me, my mom, my sister, Mav, and Kristina.