Christ’s mass – is it what we know?

All my life I have been thinking that Christmas is a super time for gifts and remembering Jesus.

However, curiosity led me to investigate the origin of the name “Christmas,” as nowhere in the Holy Bible is there a mention of that specific word. History tells us that Christ’s mass is a mass dedicated to the whole life of Christ, a celebration, from His birth to His resurrection, done by 9th-century monks.

The Dec. 25 date was chosen by pope Julius I (about 350AD) to amalgamate their Roman feast of Saturnalia, a pagan ritual. There is no mention in the Holy Bible of when Christ was born but, there is a verse mentioning when the Holy Angel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary, what was to be.

This was the sixth month – Luke 1:26 -38. Biblical months do not coincide with our calendar, which is the Gregorian calendar.

My opinion is that the chosen date of Dec. 25 is not important. What dominates and should be pondered is that God sent His only begotten son, so that we might have life eternal, an excerpt from John 3:16. Now, we welcome Him with song and celebration.

This is a time for a feast. However, when we see that His holy name is used for a holiday tree, let us examine the Holy Bible, Acts 5:30: "... Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree." Also in Acts 10:39, Galatians 3:13:

May we have respect for His holy sacrifice and holy name and not use His abbreviated Mass, Christmas, for any item of commercial or cultural way. Let us choose holiday tree, winter holiday socks and this way we show love for Jesus.

For His glory, a very happy winter holiday to all!

Sharlane La Rocque is a Canadian residing in Taiwan, who was recently visiting with family in Pugwash.