If Christ Was Born on December 25 th

1. If Christ Was Born on December 25th Matthew 2:1-23 Luke 2:1-40

2. This is the “Christmas Season” • “Jesus is the reason for the season” • Said by many! • But… • This is the season of the most: • Greed • Excess: • Spending • Consumption of Alcohol • Indulgence in fleshly lusts • Family feuds • Commerce • Hypocrisy • 1 John 2:15-17

3. Common Assumptions • There were 3 wise men!

4. Matthew 2:1-11 • Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

5. Where There 3 Wise Men? • Matthew 2:1-11 • Came to worship Him! • Gave Gifts • Gold • Frankincense • Myrrh • Vs. 11 - And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh

6. 3 Wise Men? • Nativity Scenes • Yards • Churches • On Cards • Other places • Such scenes depict 3 wise men! • Bible does not reveal how many wise men!

7. Common Assumptions • There were 3 wise men! • December 25th is the birthday of Jesus • This view is not supported by any reputable source! • No man knows the Savior's birth date!

8. Cyclopediaof Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature by McClintock & Strong • “The observance of Christmas is not of divine appointment, nor is it of New Testament origin. The day of Christ's birth cannot be ascertained from the New Testament, or indeed, from any other source. The (church) fathers of the first three centuries do not speak of any special observance of the nativity (birth) of Christ .... The institution may be sufficiently explained by the circumstance that it was the taste of the age to multiply festivals .... at the same time the heathen winter holidays (Saturnalia, Juvenalia Brumalia) were undoubtedly transformed, and so to speak, sanctified by the establishment of the Christian cycle of holidays; and the heathen customs .... were brought over into Christian use”(Vol. 2. p. 276).

9. Encyclopedia Americana • “Most of the customs now associated with Christmas were not originally Christmas customs, but rather were pre-Christian customs taken up by the Christian church”

10. Collier’s Encyclopedia • “The indications are that the church (Catholic church, gm) in this way grasped the opportunity to turn the people away from a purely pagan observance of the winter solstice to a day of adoration of Christ the Lord. Both St. Cyprian and St. John Chrysostom allude to this thought in their writings.”

11. Collier’s Encyclopedia • “After the triumph of Constantine, the church at Rome assigned December 25 as the date for the celebration of the feast, possibly about A.D. 320 or 353. By the end of the fourth century the whole Christian world was celebrating Christmas on that day, with the exception of the Eastern churches, where it was celebrated on January 6. The choice of December 25 was probably influenced by the fact that on this day the Romans celebrated the Mithraic feast of the Sun-god (natalis solis invicti), and that the Saturnalia also came at this time.”

12. The Encyclopedia Britannica • “The traditional customs connected with Christmas have developed from several sources as a result of the coincidence of the celebration of the birth of Christ with the pagan agricultural and solar observations at midwinter. In the Roman world the Saturnalia (December 17) was a time of merrymaking and exchange of gifts. December 25 was also regarded as the birth date of the Iranian mystery god Mithra, the Sun of Righteousness”

13. The Book Of Knowledge • December 25 is...observed as the...birth of Christ. In early times this day was not one of the feasts of the Christian Church. In fact, the church fathers frowned upon the celebration of birthdays and thought them a heathen custom. It is thought that Christmas was not celebrated until some 300 years after the birth of Christ. No one is certain why December 25 was chosen. There is nothing in the New Testament to indicate that this is the date of the Nativity • (Vol. 3, p. 289).

14. Wikipedia On Date of Celebration • The December 25 date may have been selected by the church in Rome in the early 4th century. At this time, a church calendar was created and other holidays were also placed on solar dates: “It is cosmic symbolism...which inspired the Church leadership in Rome to elect the winter solstice, December 25, as the birthday of Christ, and the summer solstice as that of John the Baptist, supplemented by the equinoxes as their respective dates of conception. While they were aware that pagans called this day the ‘birthday’ of Sol Invictus, this did not concern them and it did not play any role in their choice of date for Christmas,” according to modern scholar S.E. Hijmans. • However, today, whether or not the birth date of Jesus is on December 25 is not considered to be an important issue in mainstream Christian denominations rather, celebrating the coming of God into the world in the form of man to atone for the sins of humanity is considered to be the primary meaning of Christmas.

15. Adam Clark On Christmas • “It was a custom among the Jews to send out their sheep to the deserts, about the Passover, and bring them home at the commencement of the first rain: during the time they were out, the shepherds watched them night and day. As the Passover occurred in the spring, and the first rain began early in the month of Marchesvan, which answers to part of our October and November, we find that the sheep were kept out in the open country during the whole of the summer. And as these shepherds had not yet brought home their flocks, it is a presumptive argument that October had not yet commenced, and that, consequently, our Lord was not born on the 25th of December, when no flocks were out in the fields; nor could he have been born later than September, as the flocks were still in the fields by night. On this very ground the nativity in December should be given up. The feeding of the flocks by night in the fields is a chronological fact, which casts considerable light upon this disputed point”

16. Albert E. Barnes on Luke 2:8 • The climate was mild, and, to keep their flocks from straying, they spent the night with them. It is also a fact that the Jews sent out their flocks into the mountainous and desert regions during the summer months, and took them up in the latter part of October or the first part of November, when the cold weather commenced. While away in these deserts and mountainous regions, it was proper that there should be some one to attend them to keep them from straying, and from the ravages of wolves and other wild beasts. It is probable from this that our Saviour was born before the 25th of December or before what we call Christmas. At that time it is cold, and especially in the high and mountainous regions about Bethlehem. But the exact time of his birth is unknown; there is no way to ascertain it.

17. Grolier Interactive • “Despite the beliefs about Christ that the birth stories expressed, the church did not observe a festival for the celebration of the event until the 4th century. The date was chosen to counter the pagan festivities connected with the winter solstice; since 274, under the emperor Aurelian, Rome had celebrated the feast of the ‘Invincible Sun’ on December 25.”

18. Wycliffe Bible Commentary • “The exact date of Jesus’ birth is unknown; the legendary date of December 25 cannot be traced back farther than the fourth century.”

19. Halley's Bible Handbook Why Christ was born 4 years "Before Christ” When Christ was born time was reckoned in the Roman Empire from the founding of the city of Rome. When Christianity became the universal religion over what had been the Roman world, a monk named Dionysius Exiguus, at the request of the Emperor Justinian, made a calendar, 526 AD, reckoning time from the Birth of Christ, to supersede the Roman calendar. Long after the Christian Calendar had replaced the Roman Calendar it was found that Dionysius had made a mistake in placing the birth of Christ in year 753 AUC. (From the founding of Rome.) It should have been 749 or a year or two earlier. So the reason we say that Christ was born 4 BC is merely because the maker of the Christian Calendar made a mistake of 4 or 5 years in coordinating it with the Roman Calendar which it replaced. - Halleys Bible Handbook, 436

20. Micky Galloway • Even the name “Christmas” is of Catholic origin. “The name is derived from the medieval Christes Masse, the Mass of Christ” (Encyclopedia Americana). The Catholics had a special “mass,” (their corruption of the Lord’s Supper) for Christ. This was called “Christ-Mass,” later shortened to “Christmas.” • Source: Is December 25th the Birthday Of Christ? By Micky Galloway

21. Ferrell Jenkins • Collier’s Encyclopedia concurs with Mr. Barnes when it says, “It is impossible to determine the exact date of the birth of Christ, either from the evidence of the gospels, or from any sound tradition.” The Catholic Encyclopedia tells us that “Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church.” Three commonly accepted dates for the birth of Jesus are January 6, March 25, and December 25. The majority of people celebrate Christmas on December 25. One might ask the question, “Why was December 25 chosen as the birthday of Christ?” Why December 25? Liberius, Bishop of Rome (it should be remembered that the Catholics consider him as one of their early popes), in 354 A.D. ordered that December 25 be adopted. • From article entitled “Christmas” • http://truthmagazine.com/archives/volume39/GOT039317.html

22. What The Bible Does Reveal About The Birth of Christ! • Birth of Jesus - (Mt. 1:25; Lk 2:1-7) • Visit of the Shepherds – same night - (Lk 2:8-20) • Jesus circumcised 8th day - (Lk. 2:21) • Jesus’ presentation 40 days after birth - (Lk 2:22; Lev. 12:2-6) • Visit of wise men - (Mt. 2:1-12) • Not told how many • Came to house – not a manger (v. 11) • Journey to Egypt - (Mt 2:13-15) • Male children killed - (Mt 2:16-18) • Return to Nazareth - (Lk. 2:39; Mt. 2:19-23)

23. What The Bible Reveals on The Birth Date of Christ! NOTHING!

24. Common Assumptions • There were 3 wise men! • December 25th is the birthday of Jesus • We hear these songs ONLYduring this season… • O Holy Night • Silent Night • O Little Town of Bethlehem • Joy to the World • God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen • Hark! The Herald Angels Sing • O Come All Ye Faithful • Go Tell It On The Mountain • We are to worship His birth! • Most Do!

25. Many Religions Worship His Birth! • A girl with her hands decorated with henna prays during a Christmas mass at St. Anthony Church in Lahore December 25, 2010 • Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fuad Twal carries a statuette of baby Jesus during the midnight mass ceremony which marks the beginning of Christmas Day

26. Many Religions Worship His Birth! • Pope Benedict XVI waves as he delivers Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) Christmas Day message from the central balcony of Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican December 25, 2010. • Bosnian woman offers a prayer during the Christmas midnight mass in Sarajevo main Cathedral, Bosnia, on Saturday, Dec. 25, 2010.

27. Common Assumptions • There were 3 wise men! • December 25th is the birthday of Jesus • Such songs as these imply His birth! • O Holy Night • Silent Night • O Little Town of Bethlehem • Joy to the World • God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen • Hark! The Herald Angels Sing • Mary’s Boy Child • Go Tell It On The Mountain • We are to worship His birth! • On December 25th

28. But, Even If Christ Was Born On December 25th, Then What? Suppose the Bible said… • “Now when Jesus was born on December 25th in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” • Matt. 2:1 IMAGINED

29. Then What?

30. Jesus Never Authorized Observance of His Birth! • He gave Apostles what He wanted observed: • Matt. 28:20; 7:21-23; 15:8-9; Acts 15:24 • 1 Cor. 4:6, 17; 11:1-2 • 2 Thess. 2:15; 2 Tim. 1:13; 2 Jn. 9 • Commanded to remember His Death! • Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 11:23-26 • Even if we knew the date, we are not authorized to have a special day of worship to remember it! • Col. 3:17

31. The Apostles Did Not Honor Jesus On His Birthday! • No Biblical record of such! • We are commanded to follow the Apostles as they followed Christ and keep the ordnances He gave them: • Lk. 10:16; 1 Cor. 4:6, 17; 11:1-2, 23-26 • 1 Thess. 4:1-8; 2 Thess. 3:4 • Even, if Jesus was born on December 25th, that fact alone would not authorize us do so! • Acts 15:1-24; Gal. 4:8-10

32. N.T. Churches Did Not Have Special Services Celebrating His Birth! • No Biblical record of such observance! • N.T. churches abode in Apostles Doctrine & Fellowship • Acts 2:42; Col. 2:4-7 • Remembering His birth is of the Apostles doctrine! • The remembering of His Death was! – Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-26 • Not part of their scriptural work! • 2 Cor. 9:2; 1 Thess. 1:8 • Seems strange that such a prominent thing as “Christmas” was never mentioned as being part of the life and work of N.T. churches?

33. No Divine Command, Apostolic Example, Nor Inference To Honor The Birth of Jesus! • Jesus condemned those who followed traditions! • Matt. 15:8-9 • He rejected ordinances of men! • Matt. 7:21-27; Lk. 6:46; 2 Jn. 9 • Duet. 4:2; Prov. 30:6 • We are to observe His DEATHweekly! • Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-26

34. Conclusion • Even if the date of Christ’s Birth was known: • Jesus never authorized observance of His birth! • The Apostles did not honor Jesus on His birthday! • N.T. Churches Did Not Have Special Services Celebrating His Birth! • There is no Divine Command, Apostolic Example, Nor Inference To Honor The Birth of Jesus!

35. Conclusion • Christians rejoice that … • Christ was born! • That Jesus was sent to save the world! • John 3:16; 5:24 • That He suffered and died on the cross for us! • 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Gal. 6:14 • May we enjoy seasonal holidays but never forget that Jesus was born to die for us and that our focus should be on His cross of suffering! • John 4:24; 3:14; 1 John 4:14