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Unlock This CourseChristmas is the festival when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus. Most Christians keep it on 25 December. The word comes from "Christ's Mass", the service held to mark his birth. Two of the four Gospels tell the story, and each tells a different part of it. Remember from the lesson on Jesus the incarnate Son of God that Christians believe God became human in Jesus. Christmas is the festival of that belief.
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The Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus, ordered a census. Joseph and Mary, who was expecting Jesus, travelled from Nazareth to Joseph's family town of Bethlehem to be counted. There was no room for them in the inn, so Jesus was born in a place where animals were kept. Mary wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger. Christians call this the stable.
Shepherds were looking after their sheep at night when an angel told them that a Saviour (someone who rescues people) had been born in Bethlehem. Many angels praised God. The shepherds hurried to find the baby, then went away telling everyone what they had seen. Christians often note that the first people told were ordinary, working people.
Matthew tells a different part of the story (Matthew 2:1-12).
Many Christians see meaning in the gifts. Gold stands for a king. Frankincense, a sweet-smelling resin burned in worship, stands for God. Myrrh, used for burial, points to Jesus' death. This is a traditional reading, not stated in the Gospel.
Only Luke: the census, no room at the inn, the manger and the shepherds. Only Matthew: the star, the Magi, Herod and the three gifts. Matthew does not say there were three Magi, only three gifts. Many cribs and carols show them beside the shepherds, but the Gospels never put them in the same scene.
In the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England the main service is often at midnight. Many Protestant churches hold a carol service and a Christmas morning service. Some Orthodox Churches, such as the Russian Orthodox Church, keep Christmas on 7 January because they use an older calendar.
Advent covers the four Sundays before Christmas. Many churches and homes have an Advent wreath with four candles, and one more is lit each Sunday. Advent calendars count down the days.
Advent looks back to Jesus' first coming at Bethlehem, and forward to his Second Coming. It is a time of prayer, quiet and hope. Orthodox Christians have a longer period of preparation, the Nativity Fast, before their Christmas.
The Epiphany falls on 6 January. It celebrates the visit of the Magi. In the Western Churches the Epiphany is mainly about the Magi. Because they came from far away and were not Jews, Christians see this as the moment when Christ was shown to the whole world, not only to Israel. Orthodox Churches mainly remember Jesus' baptism on this day, and also see it as a time when Christ is shown to the world. Many Christians take down their Christmas decorations around then, and some churches hold special services or bless homes.
For many Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican Christians, Christmas is one of the holiest times of the year because it celebrates God coming to earth. Catholics are expected to attend Mass on Christmas Day. Advent and Epiphany give the festival a beginning and an end.
Some Christians say shopping, spending and Father Christmas have pushed Jesus out of the festival, and they urge people to "put Christ back into Christmas". Others say gifts, family meals and charity reflect God's love, and that a popular festival gives a chance to share the Christian message.
(a) Outline two ways in which Christians celebrate Christmas. [4 marks]
(b) Explain why the visit of the Magi is important for Christians. [6 marks]
(c) "Christmas is no longer a Christian festival." Discuss this statement, considering the arguments for and against. In your answer you should include: reference to teachings; other (divergent) points of view; your opinion or point of view using reasoned arguments. [10 marks]
(a) Christians attend Midnight Mass or a Christmas service (1), where they take Communion and read the story of Jesus' birth from the Gospels (1). Many also give gifts and give to charity (1), which reminds them of the gifts of the Magi and of Jesus' care for the poor (1).
(b) The Magi are important because they came from far away to worship Jesus, so Christians believe Christ was shown to the whole world and not only to the Jews (1). This is why the Epiphany is celebrated on 6 January (1). Their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh point to Jesus as king, as God and as one who would die, so they show who Christians believe Jesus is (1). They also knelt in worship, which is an example for Christians today (1). Herod's fear shows that Jesus was seen as a king from the start (1). Matthew tells their story, so it is part of the Gospel that Christians read at Christmas (1).
(c) Plan. For: shopping and Father Christmas dominate for many people; many who celebrate never go to church; some Christians say the focus has moved from the birth of Jesus to spending. Against: Christmas is still the day Christians celebrate the Incarnation (God becoming human); many churches hold well-attended Midnight Mass and carol services; Advent, nativity plays and charity giving keep Christian teaching alive; some Christians welcome the popular festival as a way to share the story. Possible conclusion: Christmas is celebrated in different ways, but for Christians it remains the festival of Jesus' birth, so it is still Christian even if some of it is commercial.
In a 6-mark Explain question on a festival event, say why it matters for believers, not only what happened. Join each event to what it shows about Jesus.