Sentimental at Christmas

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This Christmas season, I’ve found myself unusually sentimental. Listening to some of my favorite hymns about the birth of Jesus—like “Away in a Manger,” “Mary, Did You Know,” and “Breath of Heaven”—gives me goosebumps and tugs at my heartstrings. For years, I took Christmas for granted, seeing it as a joyful season for visiting friends and family and indulging in my favorite activity: shopping for thrifty, personal, thoughtful gifts for my ever expanding family. The season has always felt like one big, festive party—until this week, when a wave of unexpected emotion has completely overtaken me.

We celebrate Christmas as the birth of Christ, a real, live birth of an infant to a young teenage girl married to a husband who accepts that she is still a Virgin. I did know that Mary and Joseph were poor, but that was the extent of my knowledge. I have since learned that Christ was not born on December 25, or even in the winter, because the shepherds would not have been in the field watching over their flocks until springtime. It appears that in the fourth century, the Roman Catholic Church decided to celebrate his birthday on December 25 because that was the same day that Rome celebrated the winter solstice, which was when the pagans celebrated the birth of their gods. It also appears that Joseph may not have been a carpenter because most of the homes and buildings were made out of stone, not wood. Because of the massive construction projects, it is more likely that Joseph worked in the quarry.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a town considered one of the least significant during that time, underscoring the humility of his birth. Contrary to the traditional image of a stable, the Gospel account mentions there was no room for him in the “inn.” However, the Greek word used refers to a “guest chamber,” not a public inn. It’s more likely that Jesus was born in the home of relatives in Bethlehem. With no space in the guest room, they may have stayed in a lower room where animals were typically sheltered at night. On this occasion, the animals were likely absent, and Mary placed Jesus in a feeding trough lined with clean straw for his bed. Female relatives probably assisted with the birth, as it’s unlikely Joseph possessed the necessary skills.

The wise men were likely astrologers who specialized in interpreting dreams and studying the stars. When they observed a bright star in the sky, they reportedly embarked on a journey of over 1,000 miles, traveling by camel caravan to find Jesus. By the time they arrived, Jesus would have been a toddler rather than a newborn.

The name Jesus was as common in his time as names like Joseph, reflecting his humble and ordinary beginnings. In Hebrew, his name was Yeshua, which translates to Joshua in English, emphasizing his humanity. Jesus was not an only child; he had siblings, including James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. He likely had dark skin and dark hair, features that sadly continue to be the target of prejudice in today’s world.

Discovering the historical context of Christmas has only deepened my appreciation for it. Rather than an improbable tale of Christ being born in a stable among unclean animals, with Mary left to fend for herself, the story reveals a more heartwarming scenario. They were likely staying in the home of a relative who offered them a warm and welcoming place for the birth. Understanding the more realistic depiction of Christ’s birth has, surprisingly, made me feel closer to Him than ever before. He isn’t a fictional character in a moral fable — He was a real, living baby, born to loving parents in humble circumstances. It’s His humanity, His very normalness, that makes Him so extraordinary and deeply relatable.

life, matters

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