The 
Advent: Christmas past and present in the Church
2006
The Advent-Christmas season is here again, that joyful time of year when we celebrate the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Have you ever wondered how Christmas came to be part of the annual Christian calendar?
Here’s the fascinating story, which we begin with a surprising observation. Neither Jesus nor the apostles commanded or even suggested that the Church should have a Christmas festival—and no evidence of such a celebration is in the New Testament.
In the Church of the second century, we see evidence of an annual celebration of Jesus’ resurrection in the spring (our Easter), but no celebration of His Birth.
The Church also added Pentecost and Epiphany to its yearly worship calendar in the second century. Epiphany, on Jan. 6, celebrated not the Birth of Christ, but the manifestation of His Divine Sonship, His Kingship and His Divine power as displayed in His Baptism, the visit of the Magi, and His miracle at the wedding feast in Cana. Pentecost commemorated the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Epiphany was the Church’s earliest annual celebration in connection with the Incarnation of Jesus. However, it was not until the fourth century that we have clear evidence of the Birth of Jesus being celebrated on Dec. 25.
Birthday of Jesus?
Why wasn’t Jesus’ birthday celebrated earlier than the fourth century? One reason might be that neither the day nor month of Jesus’ Birth is given in the Gospels or any other early Christian writings—and cannot be determined with any certainty. Despite this, it seems to have been the opinion of some Church leaders in the first four centuries that Christ was actually born on Dec. 25.
Whatever the facts might be about the date of Jesus’ Birth, it is clear that the Church sensed the need to have a festival that commemorated the Birth of our Savior.
However meaningful Christian worship was during the Christmas season, we must also acknowledge that Christmas was often celebrated with the same sensual excesses as some pagan feasts had been among the general populace. Truly, at times in the history of the Church, it was needful to put Christ back into Christmas.
"The Twelve Days of Christmas" is more than a secular, traditional Christmas song. At one time it was common for Christmas worship and celebration to last 12 days, from Dec. 25 until Jan. 5, the beginning of Epiphany. Today, Advent is celebrated on the four Sundays preceding Christmas. It is devoted to the commemoration of the coming of our Lord in the flesh as well as to His return at the Final Judgment. That’s why they are called Advent Sundays, since advent means: the coming or arrival, especially of something extremely important. What event could be more important than the Coming of the Son of God in human flesh—and then His coming again as King of kings and Lord of lords!
For the Church, the entire Christian year centers on the Person and work of Jesus Christ. Christians do not "celebrate" or "keep" days as though holy in themselves, but rather worship Christ and recall the great events of our salvation, using those special times as opportunities for worship.
The purpose of the annual worship year is to keep our minds focused on the Story of salvation and to worship Jesus Christ in a way that ministers to His glory. Specifically, Christmas, Advent and Epiphany were meant as vehicles to celebrate Jesus Christ.
May you have a blessed and joyous Christmas!
Finnish Northern Lights during the Holiday season.
Christian-Charles de Plicque
for: Angel House International Missions Ministries Association
Karleby Finland
November 2006
www.deplicque.net
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