Forgotten truths about Christmas (Nativity day)

We, Maltese, are not at all lacking in religious fervour, especially in the manifestation of hearty demonstrations of delight with which Christians welcome the anniversaries of the Nativity of Jesus Christ (the Blessed Redeemer of humankind), for those who believe.

As the Nativity season approaches, there is much debate as to when Jesus was born. Ultimately, we should be more interested in the study of God’s Word (Theology) rather than the exact date. Nativity Day is about the fact that Jesus was indeed born.

This feature explores early Maltese traditions during the Nativity season, while examining the roots of Nativity Day and its real meanings.

Nativity Day – as a Maltese holiday custom

The demonstration of faith during the Nativity season is very apparent, especially by the rich street and church decorations and illuminations which are to be seen all over the Maltese islands.

In times gone by, on Christmas Eve, most of the inhabitants, especially young men, did not retire to bed at all but rambled about, some parading the streets playing sweet melodies to charm the ears of the people; others, in company of close friends, at whose house they amused themselves eating honey cakes and pancakes or fritters. And others played for nuts till the church bells rang a little before or after midnight.

The approaching festival of Nativity was heralded in some of the villages of Malta by the appearance of the (żaqq) or bagpipe and the tambourine. The Maltese bagpipe was one of the primitive instruments formed of an inflated animal skin, which is held by the player under his left arm, with the legs directed upwards, having a mouth piece by which the skin is filled, and a cane flute or pipe which is played with both hands. This was played by the country people at this time of the year to represent the shepherds of Bethlehem.

The custom of eating pancakes or fritters and honey cakes on Nativity Day in Malta is supposed to owe its origin to the cakes baked in honour of the pagan god Janus (Roman god of beginnings), who presided over the beginning of the New Year.

December 25?

More often than not, the world dishes at us dates to celebrate particular occasions. But we need to be spirit-smart and question everything and filter the information using primarily the Word of God. One of these dates, that needs profound examination is 25 December, which came to be Nativity Day.

Since the Bible does not give a precise date of the birth of Jesus, Catholic and Protestant Churches placed Jesus’ birth as 25 December, while Orthodox Churches such as the Russian, Romanian, Greek and Bulgarian celebrate Nativity on 6 or 7 January.

The Pagan influence and mix

The reason why 25 December was chosen is that during

December, there are many pagan festivals. For instance, the winter Solistice is one pagan feast (among many others) with its own rituals, traditions and celebrations.

From Astronomy, 25 December is the longest night of the year and marks the beginning of longer days and the rebirth of the sun.

Other pagan celebrations during and around the Nativity Day period include the following:

• Yule Festival, 21 December, old calendar – Northern European festival

• Birthday of Horus (Egyptian god), 21 December, old calendar – Egyptian festival

• Wendling, 24 – 26 December – Franconian-Elbe-Germanic festival

• Birthday of Tammuz (Babylonian god), 25 December – Babylonian festival

The Catholic and Protestant Churches needed a holiday to rival the above pagan holidays and celebrations and hence they chose 25 December. But the real date of Jesus’ birth is debatable and only speculative approximations have been made.

The most important thing to realise is that we celebrate Jesus’ birth, which has certainly taken place, and not the date.

Worshiping God in spirit and truth

First of all, we need to thank God daily that He has been birthed in us when we accepted Him as Lord and Saviour and is living in us through the Holy Spirit. God also seeks the true form of worship. John 4:23-24 clearly defines what true worship in Jesus’ own words: “But the hour is coming, and now is,

when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and Truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

God wants us to worship Him in spirit and in truth. Are we truly worshiping God in spirit when, more than often, we are so focused on the material things we receive, especially during the Nativity season?

Are we allowing the sparkling and trappings and joyful atmosphere of the Nativity season deceive us? Rather, we need to allow the Bible to show us how to truly worship the Living God and His Son, Jesus Christ!

Christ, Himself, condemned the Jews of His day when they held on to their traditions and broke God’s command:

“He answered and said to them, ‘Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:

‘This people honours Me with

their lips,

But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men” (Mark 7:6-8).

So, it comes at no surprise that many Christians around the world are very cautious and some even do not celebrate Nativity Day.

In fact, God commanded the Jews to celebrate the feasts that point to Christ, and which are found in the Old Testament:

According to Leviticus 23, the seven feasts or festivals that the Israelites were instructed to observe and which foreshadow

Jesus in the New Testament are:

• Passover (The Blood of Jesus)

• Unleavened Bread (Christ the sinless and perfect sacrifice)

• First Fruits (Christ the first to be risen from the dead)

• Shavuot/Pentecost (Christ sends the Holy Spirit and the Church is birthed)

• Yom Teruah/Trumpets (Christ comes for His Bride – the Church)

• Yom Kippur/Atonement (Christ the victor over sin)

• Sukkot/Tabernacles (linked to Christ’s First Coming and His Second Coming)

Some lies about the Nativity season

Some Christians also feel disgruntled about the lies propagated during this season:

Three kings – the Bible does not specify how many kings there were. They are not even kings but wise men from the East.

Nativity scene – the nativity scene shows a baby Jesus in the manger with the animals. Actually, the animals were out in the field. When the wise men arrived, Jesus is already in a house not in a manger. Plus, Jesus is no longer a baby, but rather a young child when the wise men visited.

With the above exposition, some might feel disappointed how the Nativity Day has become a far cry from what the Scripture says.

Still, there is absolutely nothing wrong in celebrating Nativity Day in a true Christian way, not driven by commercialism or hiding the Biblical Festivals (seven Holy Feasts of Leviticus 23 that foreshadow Christ) and the commandments of God and His Son.