I considered next the lights. Christmas is a time when everyone puts colored lights around their homes. December was a critical time for the ancient sun worship pers. They depended on the rays of the sun for their life. When days became shorter during the winter months they imagined that the sun was weakened. That is why they held their festivities during this season. They built great bonfires to give the winter sun god strength, trying to bring him back to life. They were generally converted in the 17th century so that the cus toms of their winter festival were blended with the Christian Christ mas. The Roman tribute to Saturn also laid great emphasis on light, especially candles. Since this was a pagan feast, does this mean that we should not have lights? Keep in mind that lights were an integral part of the first Christmas. There on a Palestinian hillside as shep herds kept watch over their flocks, the angel of the Lord came upon them. The glory of the Lori^thone round about them. What a scene that must have been! Then, too, there were the wisemen from the East, traveling many miles. They asked Herod where the King of the Jews was. They had seen His star and wanted to worship Him. Was not the One whose birth the star heralded Himself the Light of the world (John 8:12)? Feasting and ornamentation seems to be another big part of Christmas. Millions of people ex change good wishes by cards and gifts. Extra special meals are pro vided and thoughtful remem brances are made. We seek through various endeavors, small though they may be, to bring happiness Page 46
into the lives of others. Early Ro man homes in their tribute to Sat urn would ornament their homes with green bows and flowers. It was a time of great merry-making. Unfortunately moral standards were often lowered. (We see the same today.) Feasting was the most important part of these winter fes tivals. Sun worshippers gathered mistletoe to be hung in their homes. The Saxons later used holly and ivy. How should we believers react to this because of the back ground? Certainly joy is a very real part of the Christmas season. When the angels appeared to the shep herds, the announcement was, "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people." The birth of our Lord should be a joyful occasion. Our gaiety certainly should not result in the lowering of any spiritual standards. Let us make sure we are joyful about the right things. Make Jesus Christ the center of that Christmas festive occasion. He said, "I am the Bread of life; he that cometh to Me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst." The most prominent part of our seasonal customs today is the giv ing of gifts. While the pagans did this, too, it does not spoil it for me. Certainly this is a proper ex pression to commemorate the birth of the Saviour. He is Cod's great est gift to man. What a pattern has been set. Wisemen brought gifts to Him in worship. Keep in mind, there is a danger in this practice. Seldom is there any thought of Christ in the minds of many people. They gleefully tear open the wrappings. Unfortunate ly our motives for giving are not
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