The history of Christmas begins with the birth of Jesus
When Israel was governed by King Herod, during the time of the violent days of the Roman empire which was then ruled by Caesar Augustus, in the city of Galilee in the small village of Nazareth lived Mary who was promised in marriage to Joseph. Joseph was a carpenter and a descendant of King David.
Mary told her husband Joseph of a revelation in a dream where she was visited by an angel who told her she was chosen to give birth to Jesus the Son of God.
Later when Mary was pregnant and close to giving birth, the emperor demanded that a census be completed and all subjects were to register in the town of their birth. So Mary and Joseph left Nazareth, in Galilee to travel to Judea, to the town named Bethlehem, where King David was born. Mary rode a small donkey which Joseph led. They traveled for many days resting each night.
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They finally reached Bethlehem in the night. They searched for a place to sleep but there were no empty rooms available at the inn. Joseph mentioned to the inn keeper that his wife was close to birth and so was told of some shepherd's caves in the hills nearby. |
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So Mary and Joseph travelled to the caves up in the hills near Bethlehem to seek shelter. Joseph cleaned up one cave used as a stable room ( a manger) and made beds of fresh hay. He used a feeding trough which he cleaned out and filled with hay for a crib. Mary gave birth to her son in the cave and named him Jesus, as the angel had foretold.
When the Christ child was born a huge star appeared over Bethlehem that could be seen for many miles around. An angel surrounded by light appeared to shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night in nearby fields. The shepherds were frightened. "Fear Not," said the angel, "For I bring tidings of great joy. For unto you is born this day in Bethlehem, a Saviour who is Jesus Christ the Lord". "This shall be a sign unto you. You will find the child wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger". Then the sky was miraculously full with angels, praising the lord saying, "Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth and goodwill towards all men". When the angels left, the shepherds travelled to the Bethlehem cave and found the stable with Christ wrapped in swaddling clothes. The shepherds told what the angel had said about the child. All who heard it were filled with wonder, and the shepherds returned, singing praises to God.
With the star shining so brightly over Bethlehem, three wise kings of the east took particular interest. They knew it was an important sign and set out to follow it. The three wise kings were; Melchior king of Arabia, Caspar the King of Tarsus and Balthazar king of Ethiopia. They traveled together on camels over the mountains, and through the deserts, and plains following the bright star.
They too arrived in Bethlehem and found Jesus in the manger. The three wise kings bowed and offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrh. The three wise kings then returned to their homelands to spread the news of the birth of the Christ child and the idea of "peace on earth and goodwill towards all men".
Time on earth is now measured from this day. Jesus Christ was born 2005 years ago. Christmas day on the 25th December each year is a celebration of the anniversary of Christ's birth. Christ's life was spent speading the idea of "peace on earth and goodwill towards all men". People decorate their homes and give gifts each year at Christmas time to celebrate "peace on earth and goodwill towards all men".
The modern day Christmas festive season continues from 25th December to new years day, which humans have celebrated for over 4000 years in various forms, including festivals and rituals, like burning the Yule log when the Scandanavian sun returns, or worshiping the sun or just celebrating the new seasons.