Christianity: The Birth of Jesus and Modern Christmas Traditions Unit 4

Descended of David Jesus was descended from David, (of David and Goliath fame) who was a great King of the Jews Most traditions believe that Jesus was a descendant through his foster father, Joseph but there is one gospel not included in the New Testament that indicates that Mary was a descendant of David too! There were fourteen generations from Abraham to David. There were also fourteen from David to the exile in Babylonia and fourteen more to the birth of the Messiah. (Matthew 1:17)

The Holy Virgin God sent the angel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee 27 with a message for a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to Joseph from the family of King David. 28 The angel greeted Mary and said, “You are truly blessed! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was confused by the angel’s words and wondered what they meant. 30 Then the angel told Mary, “Don’t be afraid! God is pleased with you, 31 and you will have a son. His name will be Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make him king, as his ancestor David was. 33 He will rule the people of Israel forever, and his kingdom will never end.” 34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this happen? I am not married!” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come down to you, and God’s power will come over you. So your child will be called the holy Son of God. 36 Your relative Elizabeth is also going to have a son, even though she is old. No one thought she could ever have a baby, but in three months she will have a son. 37 Nothing is impossible for God!” 38 Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant! Let it happen as you have said.” And the angel left her. (Luke 26-38)

The Birth of Jesus Caesar Augustus announces that there will be a census. All citizens must return to the place of their birth. (The King James version of the New Testament says that all went to be taxed.) Joseph returned to Bethlehem with a pregnant Mary. –7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 7-11)

Christmas The Christian Holiday of Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. Many Christians attend a special church service or mass to celebrate. There are many hymns that have become popular Christmas songs. Exchange of gifts is symbolic of the gifts that the three wise men gave to baby Jesus.

Pagan Roots of Christmas Early Christians tried to appeal to Romans by incorporating many of their traditions into Christmas celebrations. The Romans traditionally celebrated Saturnalia, a celebration of the god Saturn, during the Winter Solstice. The Winter Solistice is December 21. It wasn’t until the fourth century CE that Christians began to celebrate the birth of Jesus during this time. This coincided with Christianity becoming the official Religion of Rome.

Christmas Tree The tradition of cutting down a Christmas tree, bringing it into the home and decorating it is not pagan in origin, and did not appear until centuries after Christ's birth. The Romans decorated their homes and temples with evergreen clippings, but allowed the trees to remain intact, often decorating live trees with religious icons. The Druids tied fruit to the branches of live trees, and baked cakes in the shape of fish, birds and other animals, to offer to their god, Woden. We also inherited the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe from the Druids.

Where does Santa Claus fit in? Also called St. Nicholas or Sinterklaas (Dutch) The portly figure wearing red that we know today was popularized at the end of the 19 th century by the popular poem “The Night before Christmas” The first drawing came around the same time by the cartoonist, Thomas Nast

Coca-cola and Santa Coca-cola company in the 1920’s commissioned an illustrator who took his inspiration from the Nast comic Coke began to use Santa in their advertising during the holidays They have primarily shaped our image of Santa over the last 90 years Santa is part of secular Christmas celebrations

Who celebrates Christmas? Christians celebrate religious Christmas, but often include secular aspects in their enjoyment of the holiday, like Santa. Non-Christians sometimes celebrate a “secular Christmas” which does not include celebrating the birth of Christ but often includes the Christmas tree, exchange of gifts, tracking Santa’s progress on Christmas Eve and other traditions. This celebration of Christmas by non-Christians is due in large part to the commercialization of Christmas by advertisers who sell huge amounts of merchandise during the Christmas season.