The One
20th October 2010, 12:26
WHAT MAKES CHRISTMAS IMPORTANT?
IS IT THE DATE?
Some mistakenly think that December 25th was the day Christ was born. The honest truth is, that no one is exactly sure when Christ was born. The Bible is strangely silent on the issue!
Let me share with you some interesting historical notes. Did you know that the Apostolic and early churches did not even celebrate the birthday of Christ? The only recognition of his birth that I have been able to find was a century after Christ had ascended to heaven. An early churchman from Rome urged the people in his congregation to sing musical prayers, praising God for the birth of the Lord Jesus. No specific date was connected with his encouragement.
It is curious to note that Eastern Orthodox Churches believe Christ was born on January 6th and Armenian Churches celebrate his birth on January 19.
One Bible Scholar, Frank R. Klassen, believes that Christ was born on April 1, 5 B.C. In fact it is his theory that this accounts for "APRIL FOOLS' DAY," because those who remembered Christ's real birthday were heckled as "APRIL FOOLS."
Is that possible? I can tell you this from my research. .. No one is able to determine the origin of April Fools' Day! It IS possible, yet no one knows for sure.
HOW DID CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS ON DECEMBER 25TH GET STARTED?
Many Roman Catholics would like to point to Pope Liberius, who in 354 A.D. decreed Christmas to be celebrated December 25th. In reality it was the Roman Emperor, Constantine who declared December 25th to be Christ's birthday in the year 336 A.D. What was his reason for this? It was based on political pressure! Many zealous church members urged the decree.
Why December 25th? That day was already observed as a heathen holiday..."THE FEAST OF SATURN, BIRTHDAY OF THE UNCONQUERED SUN." This pagan feast began two weeks of festivities which included feasting, drinking, abstention from work, special musical presentations and the exchanging of gifts.
You will remember that Constantine was the first "Christian" emperor of the Roman Empire. As a result of a vision of the cross, inscribed with "In hoc signo vinces" which in Latin means by this emblem shalt thou conquer in 312 A.D., Constantine gave full support to Christianity and proclaimed it the official religion of the Empire. It is said he even ordered his army to ride on horseback through a river to "baptize" them into Christianity. It was Constantine's desire to "Christianize" December 25th so that people would not have to lose a holiday and could honor Christ, the Light Of The World instead of the pagan god Saturn and the Sun!
You can see December 25th is a mixed bag so there we have it avalon friends whats your intake on this
IS IT THE DATE?
Some mistakenly think that December 25th was the day Christ was born. The honest truth is, that no one is exactly sure when Christ was born. The Bible is strangely silent on the issue!
Let me share with you some interesting historical notes. Did you know that the Apostolic and early churches did not even celebrate the birthday of Christ? The only recognition of his birth that I have been able to find was a century after Christ had ascended to heaven. An early churchman from Rome urged the people in his congregation to sing musical prayers, praising God for the birth of the Lord Jesus. No specific date was connected with his encouragement.
It is curious to note that Eastern Orthodox Churches believe Christ was born on January 6th and Armenian Churches celebrate his birth on January 19.
One Bible Scholar, Frank R. Klassen, believes that Christ was born on April 1, 5 B.C. In fact it is his theory that this accounts for "APRIL FOOLS' DAY," because those who remembered Christ's real birthday were heckled as "APRIL FOOLS."
Is that possible? I can tell you this from my research. .. No one is able to determine the origin of April Fools' Day! It IS possible, yet no one knows for sure.
HOW DID CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS ON DECEMBER 25TH GET STARTED?
Many Roman Catholics would like to point to Pope Liberius, who in 354 A.D. decreed Christmas to be celebrated December 25th. In reality it was the Roman Emperor, Constantine who declared December 25th to be Christ's birthday in the year 336 A.D. What was his reason for this? It was based on political pressure! Many zealous church members urged the decree.
Why December 25th? That day was already observed as a heathen holiday..."THE FEAST OF SATURN, BIRTHDAY OF THE UNCONQUERED SUN." This pagan feast began two weeks of festivities which included feasting, drinking, abstention from work, special musical presentations and the exchanging of gifts.
You will remember that Constantine was the first "Christian" emperor of the Roman Empire. As a result of a vision of the cross, inscribed with "In hoc signo vinces" which in Latin means by this emblem shalt thou conquer in 312 A.D., Constantine gave full support to Christianity and proclaimed it the official religion of the Empire. It is said he even ordered his army to ride on horseback through a river to "baptize" them into Christianity. It was Constantine's desire to "Christianize" December 25th so that people would not have to lose a holiday and could honor Christ, the Light Of The World instead of the pagan god Saturn and the Sun!
You can see December 25th is a mixed bag so there we have it avalon friends whats your intake on this