Hmm, so we all must have said "Merry Christmas" countless times to our friends and family and people we don't even know.. but what is the real significance of Christmas? Have you actually thought about that before you say "Merry Christmas" to someone? The other day I went to church, the pastor was saying something about "merry" coming from "Mary", the virgin mother of Jesus. Hmm.. don't really understand what significance that has.. hehe.. In English, "Merry" generally means being happy and cheerful. And Christmas could probably mean the birth of Jesus Christ.
So, now, what has all that have to do with Santa Claus? Is Santa Jesus' uncle or something? heh. of course not. The legend of Santa Claus told in modern times is that he lives in the North Pole and is assisted by his green elfs and reindeer to give presents to children during Christmas. However, this legend, which has been told for a long time to children all over the world, Christian or not, is of course only a legend. And the tradition of passing on the story is also slowly becoming irrelevant because kids find out about it easily nowadays and refuse to believe.
And as shocking as it may sound, I think one of the most Santa-believing kids are actually in Japan. When asked by my teacher in class, most of my classmates say they only found out that the presents were not from Santa at around age 8 or 9, and some even believed until they were 11! Do you notice that the way I'm saying this implies that every one of my classmates believed in Santa? ^^ If you were to say that you believed in Santa in Malaysia, you would be laughed at like an idiot by the other kids for sure.
Well, the reason for this might be that we were not
As for Santa Claus, it was a Christian bishop who lived in the 4th century by the name of Saint Nicholas.
Saint Nicholas of Myra is the primary inspiration for the Christian figure of Santa Claus. He was a 4th century Christian bishop of Myra in Lycia, a province of the Byzantine Anatolia, now in Turkey. Nicholas was famous for his generous gifts to the poor, in particular presenting the three impoverished daughters of a pious Christian with dowries so that they would not have to become prostitutes. He was very religious from an early age and devoted his life entirely to Christianity.Source : Wikipedia
Another version of this story is that Saint Nicholas dropped 3 gold coins through the chimney into the house of the daughters mentioned, and coincidentally they were drying up their socks at the fireplace, so the coins fell straight into the socks. This is where the tradition of giving presents in a sock come from. So, you're asking how a Christian saint became our great magical uncle in the North Pole? Well, all I can say is, humans have really great imaginations. ^^
So, what about Jesus Christ? Well, to start with it, in the Bible, Jesus is said to have been born of the Virgin Mary. The night Jesus was born is said to have been a very holy night, bringing joy to the hearts of people. Jesus himself was said to have not cried when born, despite of being born in a stable and laid in a manger. I believe that it is undeniable that Jesus' birth fulfilled the prophecies made by Jewish prophets long before His birth of a Messiah who would be a Saviour. This day is what is now officially called Christmas Day, generally accepted to be on the 25th December.
However, the real date is actually unknown. The date was actually decided by the first Christian Roman Emperor, Constantine.
There are numerous reasons why Constantine may have chosen the date of December 25th to celebrate Christmas. On that date also was celebrated the birth of Mithras, the Persian god of light.Source: Wiki
You might ask why Constantine had this wild idea of replacing a pagan holiday with Christ's birthday. However, during that time, it might have been the wisest thing to do, because the nations he ruled all believed in the pagan Gods, and by replacing the pagan holiday, people would thus be celebrating Christ and not pagans. It was also easier for the people to celebrate a holiday on the day they were familiar with.
However, in conclusion, December 25th needs only to be seen as the day of celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and not the birthdate of Jesus Christ. Many churches seem to forget this fact (or uninformed) and proclaim that the birth of Jesus Christ is on this day. You might ask what does that matter? Well, when you think of it in a spiritual way, the day Christ was born is a Holy Day and a day full of joy and power. It is the day that the Son of God was born in flesh and blood to the world. Now you see how significant it is?
During the Reformation, some Protestants condemned Christmas celebration as "trappings of popery" and the "rags of the Beast". The Roman Catholic Church responded by promoting the festival in an even more religiously oriented form. Following the Parliamentary victory over King Charles I during the English Civil War, England's Puritan rulers banned Christmas, in 1647.Source: Wikipedia
To think that the Protestants actually banned Christmas, and are now celebrating it vigorously is kind of weird. Well, either ways, Christmas is a happy day on which we should all celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ, Son of God who saved our souls with His own innocent blood. And it is also a day to remind ourselves that He is coming again. We do not know when, but it is imminent that we prepare ourselves for it.
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