THE IMPORTANCE OF A DATE!
In 2005, Jim, Jennifer and I went to Washington DC for about a week. We had been there before, for a weekend, but decided to go again. We wanted to take a little bit more time to get a closer look at our countries beginning, right to the present. One day we rented a car and went to Williamsburg, Virginia. While there we also went to James Town and York Town. In York Town we went to look at the homestead where the British General and Jr. Officers of Washington’s & Cornwalis’ army negotiated the terms of surrender of the Revolutionary war which ended sometime around 1783. The Southern Colonial style home was beautiful sitting by itself amongst the trees and surrounded by a white picked fence. We didn’t go into the house but took pictures. Just to the left we found a small cemetery! I love old cemeteries! This one was extremely special because on a prominent four sided tombstone, one side read; "Anna B. wife of W. H. Sheild born 1800 died Feb. 30, 1847." I asked Jim; Did February use to have 30 days in it? Jim said; No! We took a picture of this tombstone just to have proof of what we saw.
This past July 4th my sister Jewel turned 80! The past few years it has become a tradition in our family to celebrate the 80th birthday. This will be the third time in almost six years we have done this. However, we wanted to celebrate Jewel’s on June 28th because that date would be more convenient for some members of the family who would be traveling. Jewel was not pleased because that date was not her birthday! Unlike other members of the family, there has always been a celebration on Jewel’s birthday. My brother Lee convinced her that this would be a good thing. The party plans went forward and we had a great celebration on June 28th.
Each time I think about February 30th on that tombstone and Jewel not wanting to change her party from her actual birth date, I am reminded of the controversy of celebrating Christmas on December 25th. It is true that Christ was probably not born on December 25th but that date was chosen because in the Book of the McAbee’s they held an annual celebration for the ‘cleansing of the temple’ then. Adding Christ’s birth around that time made it possible to just continue with that date. Even Easter Sunday is probably not the anniversary of Christ’s resurrection but using the calendar with December 25th being His birth brings His resurrection following to sometime in March or April, which has something to do with the new moon. Years ago I read a book called "The Man Jesus" written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The information gives dates to help get a feeling of continuity and of the lapse of time. These dates are approximate but as close as possible to the correct time. The dates are taken from the Holy Bible, The Berkeley Version, published by Zondervan Publishing House, 1946. According to the book, it was around Dec. 5B.C. that Caesar Augustus, the Roman Emperor, decreed that a census should be taken. Hence, Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem! Easter followed on April 9,A.D.30.
I find it not relevant to wonder about what date Christ was born or the actual date he arose from the dead. What is relevant is that He was born and at the age of 33 died and rose from the dead, just as He said He would. In Luke 18:31-33 Jesus tells us that in Jerusalem all that was written by the prophets would be fulfilled. He would be handed over to the Gentiles by the Jews to be mocked, treated terribly and spat upon. They would scourge Him and put Him to death and on the third day He would rise again. Does it matter what the date was? Every Sunday in the life of the Christian, is resurrection Sunday. It is the first day of the week! The day that Christ arose from the dead! Without His resurrection from the dead, His birth and His death would mean nothing. Let’s celebrate His birth, death and resurrection and not worry about what date it was. Lets just be held by His glory and His majesty and praise God He did and is alive for ever and ever! Through Christ we are made alive! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 5/15/08
1 comment:
Even if some very smart person discovered a more realistic date for Jesus' birth, December 25th will always be Christmas. It has become tradition. I do wonder what the weather is like in Bethlehem in December, however. We know Jesus wasn't born in a stable and laid in a manger in this snow we are having.
Evidently the date of the birth wasn't important to God or He would have clearly let us know.
Our world is trying its hardest to squeeze Christ out of Christmas and we need to try all the harder to keep Him in our Christmas celebrations. My Santa uses every opportunity to point to the birth of Christ. That is what St Nicholas was doing with his life when he was discovered (wearing his red bishops cape) and delivering gifts in secret. He simply went about doing good, and in secret so others wouldn't be bombarding him for gifts. We so want the glory for what we do--but not Nicholas.
I think Christ is more concerned about the position of our hearts toward him, than the date on which we focus the celebration. He is not bound by time and space like we are. In our limited sphere the date needs to be correct to keep us on track.
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