Developing Minds

12 Success Principles
by: Dr. Sidney N. Bremer

Success Principles 12 Success Principles by Dr. Sidney N. Bremer.

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Volunteerism Featuring two of the top non-profit organizations for volunteers in the Philippines - iVolunteer Philippines https://www.ivolunteer.com.ph/and Greenpeace Phi...

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Why the first Christmas was originally undated

Many have criticized a recent post on why Jesus Christ might not be born in December based on possible internal evidence from the Gospels. Some have put the page in bad light for citing certain historical contexts even though it was pro-Christmas to actually trace when and how Christians began to celebrate the said occasion in remembering His birth. What points do critics usually say?

1. "Shepherds do not stop being shepherds in winter. They could have been grazing in December, especially in 1st century Judea."

True, but winter grazing is not the norm even to this day, because the falling temperatures change sheep behavior. Shepherds may opt to stockpile forage for the duration of the season.

This was a criticism on the analysis that Luke was referring to shepherds out in the fields witnessing the first Christmas. But one has to consider that conducting the census in winter was also not advisable in Roman times. Remember that Mary and Joseph had to travel, as the Gospels attest, to Bethlehem for the census. It was not a trip done in a few minutes.

If the start of the Philippine Revolution was undated as well, it was like saying the Filipino revolutionaries could have not started in August because you can harvest palay at that month - since it was said some leaders would have wanted to participate after gathering their harvest. True, but the usual harvest period for palay would be from September to December. The next cycle would be from January to April.

2. "Christians celebrated Christmas on December 25 before the 4th century."

It was said the Roman Church began to celebrate Christmas on December 25 around the year 336, citing that Emperor Julian (the Apostate) even tried to replace Christmas during his reign (361-363). But did Christians celebrate Christmas on a certain date prior?

They most certainly did not. None of the books in the New Testament ever cited a birth date, nor did the Christians writing from the 1st century. It was only by the 2nd century when dates began to surface, but as Clement of Alexandria demonstrated, there was no general consensus yet: "Therefore, from the birth of Christ to the death of Commodus are a total of one hundred ninety-four years, one month, and thirteen days. There are those who have calculated not only the year of our Lord’s birth, but also the day. They say that it took place in the twenty-eighth year of Augustus, on the twenty-fifth day of Pachon [May 20]…Others say that He was born on the twenty-fourth or twenty-fifth day of Pharmuthi [April 19 or 20]."

Clement was believed to have lived between the years 150 and 215, at a time when Christianity was being challenged by Gnostics.

It seemed the prevailing belief among Church Fathers was articulated by Origen of Alexandria, who mocked in the 3rd century those who celebrate certain anniversaries: "Not one from all the saints is found to have celebrated a festive day or a great feast on the day of his birth. No one is found to have had joy on the day of the birth of his son or daughter. Only sinners rejoice over this kind of birthday...the saints not only do not celebrate a festival on their birth days, but, filled with the Holy Spirit, they curse the day."

Origen, regarded as one of the greatest minds the Church had at the time, was believed to have lived between the years 184 and 253.

Paul, in his letter to the Galatians long before Origen and Clement of Alexandria, appear to have preached in a similar note: "Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God---or rather are known by God---how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you."

The point being, it was not so much about the exact date but the specific event that led to the salvation of humanity. Technical details ought not to outshine the phenomenal birth of the Savior. Surely Jesus might have minded if His own disciples did not bother writing down the date of His birth, or His death, much like how people today may cringe if others greeted and gifted them on the wrong date? If critics did not comprehend this conceptual framework coming from early Christians, could it be said they were also anti-Christmas and anti-Christ for not agreeing on a date earlier?

Learn more about the historicity of the Christ: https://history-ph.blogspot.com/2020/12/inventing-messiah.html

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See the recent post being criticized here: https://www.facebook.com/277825885761748/posts/1864084987135822/