Such concern about the mystery of the incarnation would focus more attention on the importance of celebrating Christmas, the birth of our Lord. Moreover, we now see the Church addressing controversies concerning Jesus as true God and true man, and how He entered this world. 220) do not include Christmas or its date on their lists of feasts and celebrations.Īfter legalization, the Church was better able to establish universal dates for feasts and to organize their public celebration. Prior to the legalization of Christianity by the Emperor Constantine in the year 313, no universal date or even formal celebration of Christmas is found. Easter, on the other hand, can be better dated because of its linkage with Passover. Mark’s Gospel does not even include the Christmas story but begins with the Baptism of the Lord at the River Jordan. The reason is probably that the focus of the gospels is on the kerygma or mystery of redemption– the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. Unfortunately, the gospels do not pinpoint the date of Christ’s birth.
One would think that if anyone’s date of birth were remembered exactly, it would be that of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
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