Christian Year

CHRISTMAS DAY

Christmas Day is 25 December and it is the day when Jesus’s birth in Bethlehem is celebrated [Luke 2:1-20]. Those celebrations usually involve the giving of presents.

Not much is known about the birth of Jesus. Luke’s gospel is the only one supplying the traditional picture of the stable and the shepherds and, in fact, he does not even mention the stable.

It is unlikely that even a Roman emperor would organise a census which required people to travel during the winter, so the date of Christmas is questionable. The early Christians probably took over an existing (pagan) festival. And a day when people need cheering up because the days are short and cold (in the northern hemisphere), seems as good a choice as any.

Matthew’s gospel gives details of the Magi (or the Wise Men) coming to see the infant Jesus [Matthew 2:1-12]. Their arrival is celebrated at Epiphany.

Happy all who hear the message
Of his coming from above;
Happier still who hail his coming,
And with praises greet his love.
Blessed Saviour, Christ most holy,
In a manger thou didst rest;
Canst thou stoop again, yet lower,
And abide within my breast?

George Stringer Rowe (1830-1913)