Winston Salem church of Christ

I would like to wish you all a very merry confusing Christmas.  This time of the year I often get confused – so how’s that different than the rest of year you may ask?  Maybe no different, but I am confused nonetheless.  Would you care to join me in my bewilderment?

I am confused by the Christmas message.  Why this time of year do people so eagerly want peace on earth and good will to me, er…men, and yet are so self-absorbed the rest of year?  Don’t get me wrong, I love the politeness of this time of year, I just didn’t know that manners, unlike the Thanksgiving turkey, had an expiration date!  And remember, I am talking about adults here, not little ones who are on their best behavior because they have been warned, “you better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I’m tellin’ you why….” 

Did you know that at midnight on Christmas Eve 1914, the firing from the German trenches suddenly stopped? A German brass band began playing Christmas carols. Early Christmas morning, the German soldiers came out of their trenches, approaching the allied lines, calling “Merry Christmas.”  At first the allied soldiers thought it was a trick, but they soon climbed out of their trenches and shook hands with the German soldiers. The truce lasted a few days, and the men exchanged presents of cigarettes and plum puddings, sang carols and songs. They even played a game of Soccer.  But then after a few days, they started killing each other again.  “Merry Christmas” on December 25^th; “I am going to kill you” on January 5^th.  This Christmas message confuses me. 

I am confused by the Christmas religion.  The Christmas religion is that which is practiced once a year.  It is sometimes associated with the Easter – not Eastern – Religion observed in the Spring.  Churches are filled this time of year, but why not at other times?  Homes are filled with Nativity Scenes but the rest of the year Jesus is not seen.  I am puzzled.

I am confused by the Christmas Jesus.  Everyone loves the baby Jesus, but He did grow up.  Why do people love the Christmas Jesus?  A little baby doesn’t demand:

Luke 14:27 – “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 

But like I said, the baby grew up to be a man.  That man died for our sins.  One story is sweet, the other makes us cringe.  Both are truth, but remember, the baby Jesus grew up. 

I am confused by the Christmas story.  What is seen on TV and in books is so different than what is seen in the Bible.  Did you know that Jesus was born in the Spring?

Luke 2:8 – In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. Keeping watch in the fields at night in the December would be quite unlikely, unless the combustible engine caused global warming in the first century!   

The Christmas story says Jesus was born on December 25^th.  Did you know that the Bible does not say when Jesus was born?  December 25^th could have been Jesus birthday, if December 25^th fell in the spring time!  It wasn’t until the 4^th century that this date was proclaimed as the actual birthday of Christ. I have read various suggestions as to why.  December 25^th was both a pagan holy day and the winter solstice.  I do not have a problem celebrating Jesus’ birth any day of the year, including December 25^th, but I do have a biblical problem celebrating December 25^th as Jesus’ birthday.   

The Christmas story has the Magi (i.e., wise men) coming to the stable with the Shepherds.  Did you know that the magi did not come to the stable? 

Matthew 2:11 – After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

In fact, it is possible that Jesus was almost two years old by the time the visitors from the East arrived which is why Herod ordered the
Bethlehem massacre of boys up to two. 

Did you know that the Magi were not, “We three kings of Orient are…?”  A magus is not a king. 

I am so confused by the Christmas story….I wonder when people wish me a Merry Christmas if they are confused too?

Perry D. Hall