Prepare for the ‘decisive baby’
“A little child, a shining star, a stable rude, the door ajar; Yet in that place so crude, forlorn, the Hope of all the world is born.”
The word Christmas entered the English language in the 11th century as “Christe Maesse”, which is old English, meaning “Christ’s Mass”. In time, it was pronounced and spelt as “Christmas”. It was observed as a feast as early as the 4th century, according to some authorities.
How did we get from the birth of Jesus, the date of which is unknown, to the celebration of Christmas on 25th December? Although the evidence is greatly disputed, there seems to be some connection with the winter solstice, usually occurring around December 25, with pagan worship of Sol Invictus (the unconquered sun), and with celebrations honouring Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture, beginning on December 17 and lasting for seven days, during which time business and even warfare were postponed, gifts were exchanged, and slaves freed temporarily.
In the Eastern Churches, Christ’s birth was observed on January 6. As the Eastern and Western strands became mingled, a sequence emerged in which both December 25 and January 6 were integrated into the Christmas celebration as Nativity and Epiphany (Birth and Manifestation) respectively, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia.
“Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright, round yon Virgin, mother and Child!”
In the Office of Readings (Matins) for Christmas, the second reading is taken from a sermon given way back in the 5th century by Pope St Leo the Great.
“This is the day our Saviour was born: what a joy for us, my beloved! This is no season for sadness, this, the birthday of Life—the Life which annihilates the fear of death, and engenders joy, promising, as it does, immortality. Nobody is an outsider to this happiness, for joy is common to all. Let the saint rejoice, for he hastens to his crown; let the sinner be filled with joy, for pardon is offered him; let the Gentile be emboldened¸ for he is called to life.
“O Christian, be aware of your nobility: it is God’s own nature that you share; do not then, by an ignoble life, fall back into your former baseness. Through the sacrament of Baptism you have been made a temple of the Holy Spirit; do not drive so great an Indweller away from you by evil deeds, submitting yourself to the slavery of the devil; you were bought at the price of Christ’s blood.”
“There is love at Christmas; because Christmas was born of love.”
John tells us this in his gospel: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life” (3:16).
“What is the message of Christmas to you and to me? Is it that Christ was born in a manger of faraway Bethlehem; or that he has been born in our hearts? Is it that the angels sang, while shepherds watched their flocks by night: a song of peace and goodwill to mankind; or that in our hearts, yours and mine, that song is being sung?” (Anon)
“I am the spirit of Christmas time, when all should gladness be. I am the light that you see shining upon each Christmas tree! I am the thought that brings each gift from ones we hold so dear. I am the good that permeates the world with Christmas cheer!
“I am the joy that brightens homes and guides our thoughts above. All heaven and earth rejoice in me, for I am known as love!”
“The miracle of Christmas: that a baby can be so decisive.”
