OPINION – By Rachel Melikian
Both Christians and non-Christians celebrate Christmas around the world; the latter celebrate secular and commercial aspects, focusing solely on decorating the Christmas tree and Santa Claus bringing gifts to them, but true Christians celebrate Christ’s birth. For the former, Christmas is a worldwide celebration of the biblical event of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, which serves as a reminder that revelation and prophecy have been fulfilled. It is the Feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, the Christ Child, Baby Jesus, the Holy Child. Christmas, the crucifixion, the resurrection, our salvation, and the glory of Jesus Christ all depend on Christ’s birth.
He who calls himself Christian but opposes the celebration of Christmas and who labels it pagan and non-Christian while claiming it is unbiblical is unknowingly denied the Holy Bible, who does not rejoice in the birth of baby Jesus, and thus consequently does not understand the Word of God.
Star Of Bethlehem
The star on top of the Christmas tree is a scriptural depiction of the Holy Star of Bethlehem, which guided the three Magi to Jesus’ birthplace.
Christmas Tree & Manger
In a modest attempt to hide His humble birth from the earthly ambitions of kingship, baby Jesus’ manger lies beneath the Christmas tree. The nativity scene is all biblical. The shepherds visited baby Jesus with their animals and saw Mary and Joseph by Jesus’ manger.
Instead of December 25, the Armenians celebrate Holy Christmas on January 6 and Armenians in Jerusalem on January 19. At the same time, Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7.
Date Of Christmas
“Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared,” — Matthew 2:7.
King Herod the Great was interested in the exact time of the Star of Bethlehem’s appearance to know how many days and months had passed since Jesus’ birth. However, Jesus’ birth is not just about the exact day of the month and year; rather, it is the fulfillment of prophecy and revelation. It is Christmas, not the date, that marks the birth of Christ, which we celebrate with Midnight Mass and Christmas Mass, which precedes 12 days of Christmas and four weeks of Advent.
“After seven days, that star shall be hid, and the Messiah shall be hid for twelve months.”
Instead of December 25, the Armenians celebrate Holy Christmas on January 6 and Armenians in Jerusalem on January 19. At the same time, Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7.
Christmas is a biblical, heavenly, angelic, divine, and holy event when Messiah, the only Begotten Son of God, was born. God is outside time, and no one has seen our Heavenly Father. The Gospel attests to Christ’s birth, which the prophets foretold. “Christ was born on Christmas Day,” and we sing the carol to let the world know.
Christmas Gifts
Gift-giving and receiving are biblical. The three Magi opened their treasure chests and gave Christ Child gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Christmas Carol: The Joy to the World by Christmas Carols
Caroling is angelic; Christmas music has its unique melody. It is biblical, for being the first angels to sing the birth of Christ, rejoicing in Christ’s birth. Angels even sang during the creation. Therefore, Christmas hymns have biblical roots, and Christmas carols are scriptural. Christmas carols, including George Frideric Handel’s Messiah, depict Christ’s birth in a biblical context. The Christmas carol also emphasizes the importance of angels singing at Christ’s birth. “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” is a well-known Christmas carol that praises God in heaven and brings peace and goodwill to people on earth.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men,” the angels sang at Jesus’ birth, and the shepherds heard, “Gloria in Excelsis Deo.” Christmas celebrations include more than just carol singing; they also highlight God’s glory. The Christmas carol choir sings, “Christ was born on Christmas Day,” but when we sing the Christmas hymns, let the angels sing instead of us, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” so that we, like the shepherds, can ask, our savior, who was born, is where we can find? Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”
Christmas Greetings: Merry Christmas!
Christmas greeting is a biblical greeting heralding the birth of Christ. “Great joy, fear not, Great Joy shall be to all people.” The angels greeted the shepherd with great joy and wished everyone this joy. And Christmas became a biblical holiday with the angels’ greetings of Great Joy. The shepherds made Christmas known to the people, making it a biblical feast, and the shepherds were the first to spread the Christmas greetings.
Merry Christmas! Everyone will be incredibly joyful to hear the good news, so don’t be afraid, said the angels to the shepherd. It’s “Joy to the World,” indeed. Amongst many other greetings, Armenians greet Christmas with “Christ is born and revealed” and respond with “Blessed is the revelation of Christ.”
Why did the angels appear to the shepherds? (To be continued…)
Rachel Melikian is former GCC Woman of the Year
Also by Rachel Melikian: “The Story of the Armenian Van Cat”
