December 23, 2007

Why Christmas?

source Chris Buzelli.com

At risk of being struck by lightning, I share some Christmas thoughts sparked by an old shipmate -- Bob Young, a Destroyer Escort sailor in our World War II days.

First, know that I believe in the historicity and divine nature of Jesus -- even though I have been exasperation for a half-dozen preachers over the years.

Bob explains the reasons why leaping lords, French hens and partridges won’t come out of a pear tree -- as encoded in the popular carol “Twelve Days of Christmas.”

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to openly practice their faith. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.

It has two levels of meaning: the surface one plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.

The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ. Two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.

Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love. French Catholics had designs to conquer and rule England.

Four calling birds were the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Five golden rings recall the Torah, or Law – the first five books of the Old Testament.

Six geese a-laying stands for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represent the seven-fold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy.

Eight maids a-milking are the eight beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and self Control.

Ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.

Eleven pipers piping stand for the eleven faithful Disciples.

Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

And, don’t forget: Holiday is a contraction of “holy day.”

More History

From other sources, we learn about the birth of Jesus. His disciple Matthew says: Three magi (magicians, wise men) from the East ( Persia) followed a star to Bethlehem to bestow gifts on the Christ child.

The best, logical interpretation of the star, in my opinion, is that by Michael R. Molnar, an astronomer and coin collector. See his book “The Star of Bethlehem: The Legacy of The Magi” – as described also in his website: Revealing the Star of Bethlehem .

Years ago, Molnar bought an ancient Roman coin from Antioch, Syria, which shows the zodiacal sign Aries the Ram – known then to have been the sign of Jews. Also stamped on the coin – backwards over the Ram’s shoulder – was a star.

Checking his astronomy atlas, Molnar found that Jupiter in the eastern sky underwent a rare two eclipses by the Moon in the constellation of Aries -- visible in the eastern sky – April 17, 6 BC and again the following December 19.

Ancient astrologers held that Jupiter was a “regal” star that conferred kingships. After the first eclipse “in the east,’ the star appeared to stand still in August, then “went before” and “stood over” until appearing to reverse again and resume its regular course.

Fair Assumptions

Taking into account the Biblical account that “shepherds in the field herded their sheep at night” – during the Spring lamb-birthing season – we can assume Jesus was born April 17.

Early Christian clerics – unaware of ancient astronomy, or the precise natal date of Jesus – arbitrarily set it on December 25.

Thus, they hijacked the pagan’s riotous five-day winter solstice (the Sun’s “stand-still” December 21) holiday when a natural new year began.

Since then, clerics have tinkered with the calendar so many times (to coordinate holy feast-days) we seem to have lost track of April 17.

Astronomers and clerics now agree that Jesus was born on that date in 2 BC – religiously sanitized as “By Common usage."

This is straining at gnats while swallowing camels, but it is politically correct.

When I go to church near April 17, I tweak ministers with: “Happy birthday to Jesus.”

They usually make a wry face and shake their heads. And promise to sermonize about it next year.

But they never do.

Pity. History generally is more interesting, and meaningful, than fairy tales.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

By Lindsey Wilger Williams, retired newspaper publisher and syndicated columnist