Tis the season to be jolly, la la la la la la la la la!
Once you see me start off with those words, if you did not realize; we are in the christmas season, which is, undoubtedly, everyone’s favourite time of the year; based on my observation. During this season many give to those in need and others just give. To make it fun, they do a pixie, which is a gift exchange practice.
The importance of Christmas
I’m sure if you asked people around you, “what is the reason for celebrating Christmas?” Most would answer: “To celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ,” linked with the birth story of Jesus found in the Gospels. Others would simply say, “to eat food and chill with family and friends!”
The story in a nutshell
In case you somewhat happen to be living under a rock, the story behind the season is, according to the bible; Joseph and Mary were in a relationship, preparing to marry when God, instructed Gabriel the angel to inform Mary that the spirit of God will allow her bear a child and they should call him Emmanuel. After this was revealed to her, she then told Joseph who was a bit curious, when the virgin was ready to give birth, there was nowhere available so they travelled to Bethlehem where they found a stable instead of a room…..
What an adventure, while in labour!
The controversy
Though not specifically stated in the gospels people over the years suggested that Jesus was born on December 25, during winter and some said that he was born in July in spring. All this with biblical references to prove what they considered facts based on clues given in the gospel of Matthew and Luke which basically gives detailed descriptions of the story.
In my opinion, it matters not when Jesus was born, all that matters is that he was born and that we recognise and celebrate his life….
The season to give
As I tried to understand the whole tradition as to why persons themed this period as ‘the season to give’ and how it could possibly be linked to the story of christmas my mind immediately went back to the gospels. To summarize, the story recounted in the gospel of Matthew chapter 2 verses 1 to 12 about the visit of the three wisemen who came from the east after Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem of Judea while King Herod ruled enquiring about the king of the Jews and explained why they came. This explanation sparked curiosity in the king’s head, who instructed them to “go and search diligently for the child and when you have found him bring me word so I may come and worship him..” So they went on their mission, following the star thesy saw earlier which rested over the place where the child was born. Entering the house they saw the child with Mary, the mother and began offering their treasures of gifts, frankincense and myrrh. However, they aborted going back to King Herod after they received a warning from him via dream, resulting in them running away.
The pixie culture
It is said in an article found during research by Christian science monitor that, Step;han Nissenbaum in his book, “The Battle for Christmas” said
"Gift-giving has its roots in pagan rituals held during the winter.
When Christianity folded these rituals into Christmas,
the justification for bearing gifts was redirected to the Three Wise Men,
the Magi, who gave gifts to the infant Jesus.
But in early modern Europe, it also had its roots in Christmas begging.
At that time, Christmas bore little resemblance to the family-centered holiday celebrated today.
During the holiday seasons, bands of young men,
often rowdy, would "wassail" from home to home and demand handouts from the gentry.”
{Christian science monitor, ‘Christmas: how did gift-giving and caroling get started’, Sara Mullings-Llana}
Why should we give?
Finally,throughout the bible God instructed us to give generously, below are two scriptures that tell us why:
“Give, and it will be given to you.
Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.
For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
(Luke chapter 6 verse 38, ESV)
And
“A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
(Proverbs chapter 11 verse 25, NIV).
In the same breath however, we were warned as to how it is that we give in Matthew;
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by othason and ers. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing
so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
(Matthew chapter 6 verses 1-4, ESV)