Carol Service Sermon (@Christ Church 13 Dec 2011) "Christmas starts with Christ(?)"

Christmas Starts with Christ - Pagan beginnings
At one level this is patently untrue.  Jesus was most definitely not born on December 25, not in December at all.  We have very little evidence when He was born, but the stories indicate that it was most likely towards the end of September. Then the weather would still have been good enough for Shepherds to be outside overnight.  In December it was too wet and cold for that.  So how did we get to December 25?
In the early Christian world there were many activities that we would find outrageous and entirely unacceptable .  There was a winter solstice festival celebrated in ancient Rome called Saturnalia. The festival celebrated the return of the unconquered sun.  The days had been shortening, now they were lengthening again, the sun was returning.  It lasted a full week, ending on December 25th.  In pagan Rome the law courts were suspended, charges of drunkenness, criminal damage, criminal injury and rape could not be made.  The festival was characterized by naked singing in the streets.  On the last day, someone was chosen as an enemy of Rome, they were fed generously then attacked and killed.
The early Christians were appalled at the excesses of this festival (along with much of the rest of life in Rome) and put an alternative festival on the day.
Much as we do on Halloween with our lights parties.
The birth of Jesus was a good choice – it picks up on the equivalent Christian symbolism.  The son of God is born, the light of the world has come, sin and darkness will be banished forever, we celebrate the coming of brighter days ahead.
When the Empire became officially Christian the Saturnalia festival was still widely supported and the official celebration of Christmas encouraged, with much of the over indulgence of Saturnalia being left in place so as not to upset too many of the population.
Then, just as there is now, there was a tension between Christ at Christmas and the other festivities that take place at that time of year.  Most of the traditions that go with Christmas have come from other pagan festivals from other times and other cultures, as Christianity spread throughout the world.

Christmas Starts with Christ - Times are changing
I've already use the title 'Light of the World' to describe Jesus.  It's especially true that a new baby brings light and hope into our lives.  When there is a birth among family or friends we make an effort to visit the baby as soon as we can.
I can remember visiting my sister when she gave birth to her first child (He's 30 now).  I knew nothing about babies and was very tentative.  I bent over the cot next to the hospital bed to get a closer look.  A small fist shot up, and only because I was young and had good reactions did I avoid a black eye.
I remember when our God Child was born desperately trying to find the hospital in a strange town, and then struggling to find the maternity ward which seemed miles away.  All that effort just to visit a baby, who will never have any memory of your visit.
We visit partly out of politeness , I'm sure, but also because babies represent our hope for the future.
We get a phone call and we go to visit, the shepherds went to worship, but then the announcement they received was somewhat more impressive than a phone call.  The baby they were visiting represented hope for the future, not just for them and their families but for the whole world. 
Most of us have about six months to prepare for the arrival of a new baby.  That's when the expectation begins.  What will he or she be like, what effect will they have on us and on the world around them. 
We've heard the prophecies of Jesus' birth, they were hundreds of years before the birth.  “ … the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting  Father, Prince of Peace.
That's a lot to expect!
This child, though, changed the course of History.  His death on the cross paid for our sins and allowed us to make peace with God, and even to have good will to all men.
For a baby like that you'd expect an impressive announcement when He finally does arrive and you'd expect a good attendance.  That's just what Jesus got.  Wise men – Magi – Astrologers from the east traveled for many miles, so far that they didn't arrive until He was described as a Child. 
Christmas then began with Christ.  There is biblical evidence for the celebration of His birth.

Christmas Starts with Christ - Today
Again it looks like it's just not true.  Christmas, it seems begins with Marks & Spencer’s, and in September too – very appropriate!  We must remember though that for many Christmas is a festival of gluttony and laziness, because they do not know what they're celebrating. So much mythology is incorporated into our tradition it's hard for someone who doesn't attend church to work out what's real and what isn't.  They're in danger of throwing out the baby [pause]. 
If Christmas begins with Christ it is up to Christians to show that. 
There's nothing wrong with preparing for a celebration and having everything ready in good time, but when it comes to the celebration we must be sure that it's Jesus we are celebrating.
When I first joined this church the group of friends I was among used to meet at the midnight communion and exchange presents after the service.  The pattern was worship first and celebrate second.
When we first had our own children we continued the tradition.  About 11pm we got them up, put them in the car in their pyjamas, dressing gowns and coats, and took them to church.  The only babies, the only toddlers, the only children at midnight communion (in this church anyway).  We continued the pattern of putting Jesus first – worship first, then celebration.  Not only that NONE of them EVER got up early in the morning on Christmas day!
There are many things we can do during advent to prepare for the celebrations. Attending some of the special services, like the Carol service.  Delivering invitations, keeping appropriate advent calendars, using an advent wreath at home.  Whatever it is we must be sure that Christ is the focus, just as He should be in the rest of our lives.  That way our Christmas really can begin with Christ – and end with Christ.

There's a Christmas song from the seventies you may remember: 'I believe in Father Christmas' by Emerson, Lake and Palmer the last verse reads:

I wish you a hopeful Christmas
I wish you a brave new year
All anguish pain and sadness
Leave your heart and let your road be clear
They said there'll be snow at Christmas
They said there'll be peace on earth
Hallelujah Noel be it heaven or hell
The Christmas you get you deserve

If our Christmas begins with Christ and continues with Him, the Christmas we get will be far better than the one we deserve.