I have often wondered about our two pagan Christian holidays, Christmas and Easter. Yes, I call them pagan holidays, which begs the question, "Why?" Christmas and Easter are the creation of Constantine, who wanted to make the "Christian," religion he was introducing to the Roman Empire, more palatable to the masses of Romans who were used to their own religion. Christmas corresponds to the winter solstice and Easter was a celebration of the Sun God. Constantine wanted to make sure that the newly "converted," pagan priests would have proper feasts to celebrate at their usual times, so he invented the holidays we know as Christmas and Easter. I defy anyone to show me shepherds in Israel out in the fields with their flocks on December 25th. Unless the shepherd has decided to create sheep-cicles this is just something that would never actually happen.
Putting the pagan origins aside, it is interesting to me that Christmas is a smashing success in our current culture, while Easter has been in decline for some time. I have often wondered why a supposedly "Christian," nation like ours would latch onto the birth of Jesus so strongly, but yawn at the celebration of His resurrection. Christmas gets all the hoopla, bunting, commercialism, legends, and presents while Easter is left with bunnies, eggs, and chocolate. Christmas gets trees festooned with lights, stars and angels Easter makes due with the white lilies that funeral directors use in bereavement bouquets. The point here is this: Why has the Western World (and Western Church by association) become so attached to Christmas and so fully trivialized Easter?
I believe the answer lies in the messages of the two holidays. Even the "true," Christmas story can be warped to cater to the flesh of man. Jesus, though God, cares enough about men that he becomes an infant, dependent on His human parents for every necessity of life. All of this is done with angels singing background music about joy, and peace. "See," the mind of man says, "human beings are important, special, yes loved. Even God came down here to enjoy the 'human experience.'" We can focus on that beautiful little infant in the manger stall and say, "You know, God is such a loving God. And God wants us to be tolerant and loving and caring and help little old ladies across the street and generally be all-around good guys (and gals). And if we do those things, how could this little baby reject us?" We have created a religious holiday catering to our desire to be special and unique while promoting a concept of a God that lacks any real expectations of us. The Jesus of the manger makes us feel warm and fuzzy and doesn't demand anything from us, because if He did, we'd never take Him seriously. How scary are the demands of a helpless infant?
The Resurrection demands a different look at God. Far from being the helpless little baby, Jesus has vanquished the unconquerable foe known as death. Instead of being dependent on human kindness and maternal instinct, He is now the One upon whom all of humanity must depend. Far from being the mediocre "human/small 'g,' God," some have imagined Him to be in the manger scene, Jesus has finally revealed the true reality of who He is. God incarnate, Mighty Conqueror, King above all Kings, Lord to Whom All Others Must Bow, these are His proper titles and as such He has the right to expect obedience to His precepts and commands. Also, as such, He will never abdicate His throne to any mere man or organization.
This incomparable Jesus leaves no room for any other concepts of deity or for man-made traditions, which attempt to nullify His teachings. He will share His throne with no other. How sad that in the face of this clear reality, the organizations that have claimed the mantle of being His Church have allowed themselves to become lumped together as "another valid expression of man's search for the Divine," or "one of the world's great religions," or "that old-time religion that has no relevance in the lives of modern man." Those who say they bear the name Christian have allowed themselves to be marginalized because of lack of belief in this Jesus, who alone holds the keys to Hell and Death that He snatched from the very hands of the enemy.
In conclusion, since my conversion to Christianity, it has always fascinated me that Jesus did not come to establish our modern-day concept of church. Jesus never gave a command to set up the Celebration of His birth nor did He say, "Hey guys, don't forget to set aside a special day to celebrate my Resurrection." No, the only celebration Jesus instituted was the Lord's Supper, in which we commemorate the Lord's Death and Resurrection on an on-going basis. Jesus was very specific that this commemoration was not to be confined to a set time or feast, but rather was to be done whenever we get together as a reminder and celebration of the incredible gift He has bought for us. Our very lives are to radiate the thanksgiving and joy of the salvation of God. This is in keeping with the spirit of Christianity, which has so often been characterized as, "Not a religion but a relationship." A religion features special feast days on which man draws near to God and then retreats back into the realm of the "real world," to actually live. A relationship, as any husband and wife can acknowledge, requires daily work and perseverance with constant reminders of it's origins and background to help it to last through the challenges of everyday life. A religion is something we pick up when we feel like we need a boost. A relationship is something we grasp, even when we feel like giving up and walking away.
So celebrate your pagan feast days. Decorate your trees and paint your eggs and enjoy these feasts as times to cherish with family and friends. Use the opportunities the Lord opens up during these holidays to proclaim the truth of Jesus' incarnation, death and resurrection to your unsaved loved ones who look to this season as their boost towards God. Enjoy the music and the lights--the food and the holiday specials on T.V., but remember that Christians should celebrate the wondrous redemption Jesus bought for us, everyday. Never confuse religious holidays with a life of committed relationship.
...Shawn
Posted Dec. 16, 2001
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