When I lost my talent agent in August ’10, I decided to hire a personal assistant rather than immediately hiring another agent. I lucked out when I found Josh Jacobson. He’s been a major asset to me, and he’s a really nice, and likable guy. Did I mention that he’s only 6 years old? To hear me tell it anyway, that’s his age. He may act like he’s 23, and look like he’s 23… but I like to say he’s 6. (I’m a comedian, that’s how I roll.) Josh was born in 1988, on February 29th.
We all know that Feb 29 is a leap day. Since Josh technically has only had six birthday’s to date, I like to say that he’s six. But I’ll tall ya, he’s the best five year old assistant ever! Every year, Josh gets a year older, but he obviously cannot do it on Feb 29th except on a leap year. So, Josh elects to eat his cake on either February 28th, or March 1st. This doesn’t make him not age. He’s still 23 years old. He’s just… different. He’s six!
We’re in the Christmas season once again. Christmas is the day that we celebrate the birth of Christ. If you’re not familiar with the story of Christ’s birth. let me tell it to you. About 2,010 years ago, the evening of December 25. Mary rides into Bethlehem on a donkey, urgently needing to deliver her baby. Although it’s an emergency, all the innkeepers turn them away. So they deliver baby Jesus in a stable. Then angels sing to the shepherds. Afterwards, they all join three kings with camels in worshipping the quiet, newborn.
That’s the true story of the birth of Christ. Right? … … Well… Not Really. What you just read is not totally sound scripturally. But, it sure makes for a good Christmas play at church! You’ll need to turn to the Bible for accurate records of Christ’s birth. Let’s look at popular misconceptions about the birth of Christ.
Mary rode to Bethlehem on a donkey. – – The bible does not mention a donkey. It just says that she came with Joseph.
All of the innkeepers turned them away. – – The bible never mentions that they spoke to innkeepers.
Jesus was born in a stable. – – A manger was mentioned, but never a barn… or a stable, or any structure at all.
Jesus was born on December 25th. – – No specific day or month was mentioned in Christ’s birth. However, it’s believed that it would have been very difficult for a pregnant Mary to travel 70 miles from Nazetheth to Bethlehem in the very cold weather of December 25th. It’s also suggested that no shepherds would have been abiding their fields in December because the fields would be unproductive.
Theologians believe that Jesus Christ was truly born in late September. This would mean, then, that His conception took place in late December. Thus, it might well be that when we today celebrate Christ’s birth at what we call Christmas (i.e., ‘Christ sent’), we are actually celebrating His miraculous conception, the time when the Father sent the Son into the world, in the virgin’s womb.
The date of December 25th was chosen by the Roman Catholic Church. Because Rome dominated most of the “Christian” world for centuries, the date became tradition throughout most of Christendom. The original significance of December 25th is that it was a well-known festival day celebrating the annual return of the sun. December 21 is the winter solstice (shortest day of the year and thus a key date on the calendar), and December 25th is the first day that ancients could clearly note that the days were definitely getting longer and the sunlight was returning.
So, why was December 25th chosen to remember Jesus Christ’s birth with a mass (or Communion supper)? Since no one knows the day of his birth, the Roman Catholic Church felt free to chose this date. The Church wished to replace the pagan festival with a Christian holy day (holiday).
So, the question is this. Does anything you’ve just read change the fact that Jesus Christ came to earth to take away the sin of the world? NO. It doesn’t. Does anything you’ve just read change the fact that Jesus was murdered on a cross as the ultimate sacrifice, and then rose from a grave so that a lost and dying world could accept Him as Lord rather than face death for their sins? NO. Christ may not have been born on December 25th of our calendar, but it doesn’t change the fact that He was indeed born. It’s also been suggested that Christ didn’t actually die on Good Friday, and rise on the day we celebrate as Easter Sunday. Some say it was on a Wednesday. News Flash… I’m still forgiven! I know that He died for my sins, that’s all I need to know.
The meaning of Christ’s birth gets totally lost when people get caught up in worrying about dates. There are those who will bring out their pulpit and tell you everything I have just mentioned about the facts of His birth, but never mention that “For God so Loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him would not die, but have eternal life.” This is much more important than knowing whether or not Christ had camels and Kings waiting outside of a barn that He really wasn’t born in. It’s silly, and it won’t get anyone any closer to knowing Him.
The best thing you can do is to worship Christ EVERY DAY. C’mon, the man DIED for you! I could care less if He was born in June, I’m just glad He was born! He’s my Savior.
It’s Christmas time! Have fun, enjoy being with your families, and don’t worry about petty things that really don’t matter. Jesus most likely doesn’t use calendars, anyway. Scripture says even He does not know the day He is to return to Earth, so I highly doubt He circles any other dates on the calendar with a sharpie. If we’re even acknowledging Him in the first place, He’s happy no matter what time of year it is.
Merry Christmas!
The Alarida Journey 