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Put the “Mass” Back in Christmas
Around this time of the year people start pulling out religious slogans. Surely you’ve seen them:
- “Happy Birthday, Jesus!”
- “Jesus is the reason for the season.”
- “Put the ‘Christ’ back in ‘Christmas.’”
Well, this year I propose that we add a new one. Instead of just putting the “Christ” back in Christmas, why not put the ‘mass’ back in it too?
“What is Christmas?” If you ask this question and turn to the pages of the Bible you will walk away sorely disappointed. Unless the copy of the Bible that you happen to be looking at puts in “section titles” and calls one of the birth of Christ stories a “Christmas Story” or “The First Christmas Story” you will not be able to find the word “Christmas” in your Bible at all.
If, on the other hand, you ask this question and consult the pages of human history, you will learn much more that is instructive.
The early Church did not celebrate any “holy day” in recognition of the birth of Christ. In fact, as far back as the second century, Origin asserts that saints do not celebrate their birthdays as this was a thing that pagans did. In the third century, Arnobius was still able to ridicule those who celebrated the birthdays of their gods.
This is not to say that there were not those who made early attempts to celebrate the birth of Christ. Clement of Alexandria tells us that as far back as A.D. 200, some in Egypt were celebrating the birth of Christ on the 25th day of Pachon, which would correspond to around May 20.
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, it is from these early attempts that the keeping of Christmas comes. In fact, they tell us that the word “Christmas” comes from the Late Old English “Cristes Maesse” or “Mass of Christ” and is first found mentioned by that name in 1038.
Reader friend, you very likely see where this is going. People decry the fact that the “‘Christ’ has been taken out of ‘Christmas.’” Yet, what history tells us is that the “mass” has also been taken out of Christmas. Were that not the case then members of the various denominations in the world would be flocking to Roman Catholic churches in order to keep the mass of Christ.
If we are going to put the Christ back into “Christmas” then should we not also put the “mass” back in as well? On the other hand, if we want to do what God would have us to do, then perhaps we should turn to His word for guidance instead of our history books.
What feast days do you find described in the pages of the Bible? The answer is “none.” Or, at least none as we would normally consider feast or holy days. The pages of our Bibles do not tell us that God would have us to put off work so that we might celebrate the birth of His Son. In fact, the Bible does not tell us that God would have us set aside a single day of the year to commemorate the death of His Son, and people do that also when Easter rolls around every year.
So, let me ask you: If you want so badly to see the “Christ put back into Christmas” are you also looking to return the “mass”? If not, why not? Both are human inventions, were put together by men, and taken apart by men. If you want to put one back, why do you not want the return on the other as well?
MickC @ December 16, 2004
The early church adopted a number of varied practices in relation to xmas (as well as other events) from the pagans as part of their conversion techniques – the idea was to make the christian event close and familiar so the switch would be easier.
IMO the seasonal celebration should go back to its roots and be the non-commercialized, non-religious, part way through the winter gathering of friends, family, and communty it is supposed to be.
Hhhmmm, good question. While I’d like to see more religious celebration, or atleast more tolerance for Christins celebrating one of their “High Holy” days, that doesn’t mean I want to attend a Mass. You can chock that up to the fact I’ve been labeled a “heretic” by some Catholics…I was raised Southern Baptist…so I have no need to attend their church services. Basically, I think the holiday is way too commercialised, and that has lead to its trivialization.