THE KING’S BIRTHDAY

 Galatians 4:4-5

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.

                Queen Elizabeth II is the longest reigning monarch in British history. She was born on April 26, 1926. But as a nation, her birthday is celebrated on the second Saturday of June every year. That day is set aside as a national holiday. There are many official celebrations that take place on that day. Everyone knows that the second Saturday in June is not her “real” birthday, it is just the day that her birthday is officially celebrated.

                On December 25^th we celebrated the birth of Jesus. Theologians and scholars will tell you that Jesus was not born on that date. It is much more likely that he was born in the spring when shepherds would have been out in the fields with their flocks. So why do we celebrate on December 25^th?

                The tradition of celebrating Christ’s birth on Dec. 25 began in 336 AD during the reign of Emperor Constantine, the first Christian Roman Emperor. It coincided with the pagan celebration of Saturn and the winter solstice.  It is likely that the Church was trying to overshadow the pagan holiday and replace it with a Christian holiday.

                Christmas was not always widely celebrated by Christians. The holy days of Epiphany (Jan. 6) and Easter were considered far more important. The Puritans in colonial New England banned the celebration of Christmas. After the Revolutionary War, Christmas was viewed as a British holiday in the colonies and was not recognized. Christmas did not become a national holiday until 1870.

                Some people like to make a big deal out of the reality that Dec. 25 is not the actual date of Jesus’ birth. Some use this to mock Christians, while others see its ties to the old pagan holiday as unspiritual. In reality, both arguments against celebrating Christmas on Dec. 25 are, in my opinion, rather lame. The focus of the celebration is not the date, but the child that was born. When the time was right, God sent His son into the world.

                Just as Great Britain celebrates Queen Elizabeth’s birthday on the second Saturday of June, so we celebrate the birth of the King of Kings on Dec. 25. It matters little that it is not the actual date of his birth. What matters is that we recognize the reality that the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.

                When the angel appeared to the shepherds, his message was one of great joy. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." (Luke 2:10-12) The angel didn’t tell the shepherds to write down this date so you can remember it. He told them that they should go and find the child. That message still rings loud and clear at Christmas. The date is not important. What is important is that we go and find the child for ourselves.  

                For most people, the Christmas season transforms their lives, at least for a time. Whether a person is a believer in Jesus or not, they sense a spirit of generosity and good will. Acts of kindness flourish. For a time, the light of hope and joy fills our world. For many people that light fades when the presents are opened and the Christmas tree is discarded. But it doesn’t have to be that way. For those who seek out the King, their lives will be transformed for all of eternity. They will experience the truth that the shepherds discovered on that first Christmas.

    So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. (Luke 2:16-18)

    The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke 2:20)

                Dec.25 is the day that we celebrate the birthday of the King. For those who have actually taken the time to encounter Him, all of life is transformed. Every day becomes a celebration of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Whatever the actual date of the birth of Jesus, He came right on time, just as God had planned it. 

 

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6-7)

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)