Arguably Christmas is reputed as the biggest religious event globally. It is possible because Christianity is the dominant religion with the greatest followership in the world. A recent record (2020) indicate that Christianity is the most successful religion in the world with an estimated 2.38bn believers followed by Islam and Hinduism with 1.91 and 1.16bn adherents respectively However, there appears some controversies surrounding the event which has created some rifts in beliefs among Christians leading to different practices.
Today, while some churches welcome and celebrate the event there are some others that do not honour the event. Example includes the God’s Kingdom Society (GKS), Jehovah Witnesses and recently some Pentecostal groups. Some contend that the event is not scriptural and only a human contrivance to hoodwink the world. Others argue that it took root from a pagan religion of the Romans which its leadership foisted on the world.
Speaking in a television program monitored in Owerri, an Anglican faithful who has supported to plant about 6 churches, John Isiodu and a professor of Onamastic Science, Prof Tony Oha who was also an ordained pastor of the Redeemed Church concede to the controversies. However, they yield to the fact that there is nothing wrong in commemorating the birth of Christ. They further argued that the choice of Dec 25 was symbolic and not the real date drawing from both geographical factors and period of conception all of which negate the chosen date.
Isiodu elaborated that originally the early apostles and founders did not initiate nor introduce Christmas else it would have been recorded. He avers that the interference of European culture and tradition invaded the faith when it transited to Europe and so much influence was robbed into the faith. It would appear that in recent times contrary to what obtained in the past the Christian faithful are now at home with this position as so much contention has ceased.
Justifying October as the actual birth period of Christ a pastor in the Diobu branch, Port Harcourt, of the God’s Kingdom Society (GKS) contends thus. “In his biblical account giving rise to the October date he had this to say, ‘In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s conception-Chisleu, which is our December-the angel Gabriel was sent by God to the Virgin Mary and he announced to her that she would conceive and bear a son to be called JESUS. The angel added, ‘And behold, thy cousin, Elizabeth, she had also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month—.
“Consequent upon the annunciation Mary, no doubt, was in high spirits. With haste she went straight to a city in the uplands of Judah to meet Elizabeth. She stayed with her cousin about three months (i.e. from January to March) and then returned home. (Luke 1:39-40, 56). Something dramatic occurred when Mary visited Elizabeth.
“As soon as she entered Zacharia’s house and greeted Elizabeth, the babe (John) stirred in her womb. The words of Elizabeth to Mary at that instance, which were motivated by the Holy Spirit, show clearly that Mary herself was already pregnant. Not only did Elizabeth bless the fruit of her womb but she went on to address her out right as ‘the mother of my Lord’—Luke 1:41-44
‘The angel appeared to Mary in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s conception and Mary went to her and stayed three months: six plus three equal nine. It was when Elizabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered and she brought forth a son-obviously in the tenth month, April- Luke 1:36, 56-57
“Having been equipped with this knowledge, let us now count Mary’s conception from that January as was manifest in Elizabeth’s declaration, we will arrive at September as the ninth month, then in the tenth month OCTOBER, Jesus Christ was born. But on which day in October his birth took place no one can tell because there is no record. We of the GKS say only what we can prove’, he explained
Citing further facts to buttress the claim, he explained that even the physical features of Palestine that is the climatic conditions in December which corresponds with the Jewish ninth month, would not have allowed seeing people outside because it was winter season. He also indicated that the observance of Good Friday in April is a pointer that his birth could not have occurred in December.
“Now let us admit that he was born in December as the Churches teach, it will mean, therefore that his 33rd birthday anniversary fell on December, and six months later which was June he died. If it was so, why then are the churches celebrating his death in April and not in June? The plain truth is that he was born in October and six months later, that is, in April he was slain’, he further asserted.
He cited extensively other authorities to further confirm that Christ was not born in December. Quoting a Catholic source, the Catholic voice of December 1956 said, ‘The 25th December…., the present feast of Christmas has a longstanding tradition, but it is likely that in the beginning it was simply fixed on one of the great public holidays of the civil year and probably one that was originally a pagan feast…(page 179-180)
The link to paganism further queries the reason why Christianity should condemn the traditional worship of certain societies while establishing and entrenching its own religion when its practices are strongly rooted in paganism. It is reported that all the days of the week including Sunday which is the day of worship of the Sun God among the Roman all bear names of Roman Gods.
Further controversies that have continued to dog the festival is the high level of social upheavals that characterize it. Some social commentators have continued to query why such a solemn event would be mired by social irregularities. It is during period of Christmas that at least in this part of the world we witness upsurge in crime rate, increased accident rate arising from drunkenness, high cost of living. The occasion is stripped of all virtues of spirituality and is more or less clothed in carnality and bestial conducts
As factual as these contentions may appear it does not detract from the fact that it still remains a great event everywhere you go in the world. The world stands still at Christmas as it corresponds to end of year when many corporate organizations take stock of their activities and wind down temporarily for some days holiday. People seize the moment to travel outside their environment to explore and catch fun depending on their dispositions.
The atmosphere that characterizes Christmas and the series of events, religious activities like songs gives it its uniqueness. Adherents and non-adherents of the Christian faith are all touched by the sweetness of the occasion. It heralds a joyous moment that lifts one so high as captured by those who celebrate it.