Dec. 25 is not the date of Jesus’s birth. He was likely born about six months after John The Baptist who was born in the spring. So, in a way, it is somewhat humorous when a retail chain refuses to use the term Merry Christmas to ignore Jesus. It really isn’t his birthday that coincides with their attempt to diminish Christ and to be politically correct. OK, we get it. Hooray for them.

This date in history was designated to celebrate the Roman idol Mithra long before Jesus was born. The Egyptians also held that day aside to celebrate the birth of their idol Ra. There are many other pagan idols that are noted on that December day and church officials years ago decided to throw the birthday of Jesus in with the mix to bring him recognition.

The December celebration of revelry and gift-giving also goes back to the Romans celebrating Saturnalia; the sun-god idol worship of Saturn and the rebirth of the sun as it’s warming rays begin their return to the north.

Today’s Christmas tree, Santa Claus, elves, mistletoe, yule logs, evergreen wreaths, the Grinch, Frosty, Charlie Brown, wise men at the manger, are all charming and fun traditions but we all know that they have nothing to do with Jesus’s birthday.

All the symbols and traditions that surround this holiday don’t have to obscure the one great truth behind it all, whatever the date of His birth. Either Jesus was born a Messiah to the world or we are just passing time in a silly manner, having fun and as atheist Richard Dawkins suggest, go home, have a drink and forget the whole thing.

At least, Christmas, especially, this year, will provide a delightful respite from the endless reference to the Egyptian idol Isis. So let’s fill the world with the word Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, although that may be considered hate speech in America 2015.

There is nothing in scripture that tells Jesus’s followers to take note of his birthday. One may ask the question, “Then why do we do it?” It wasn’t because he said nice things. In fact, it was the things that he said that led to his execution. Thousands of victims were crucified by Rome besides Jesus but we don’t even know their names no less celebrate their birthdays. So why did people 2,000 years ago write about him? It’s because of what happened after his execution. If it was not for his death and resurrection from the tomb, no one would even know of his existence. We choose to celebrate his birthday because he is the fulcrum of the universe.

Scripture describes 7 feasts as Feasts Days of the Lord; Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles . These are the feasts that were given by God for his people to acknowledge. These are the days and weeks that were to be set aside as shadows of things to come. Jesus’s birthday was not set aside by God’s word to be a focus point.

As a note of interest, Jesus has already fulfilled the first four of these Spring feasts and His church awaits for him in anticipation to fulfill the final three Fall feasts.

President Obama told the TV audience during the 50th anniversary airing of Charlie Brown’s Christmas that, “Peace on earth and good will toward all is what Christmas is all about.”

With all due respect, that is not what Christmas is all about. Here is what Luke 2:14 really says. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased.” That verse does not say “all.” Perhaps the question to be asked this season is, “Who is He pleased with in 2015? “

The significance of Christmas is that God came to earth as a man and was born on earth to die. He came to redeem a condemned world from a hellish eternity of separation from its creator and to restore a way back to a glorious eternity.

It was prophesied long before his birth that he would be born in Bethlehem; to a virgin; go to Egypt; his birth would cause the massacre of many young boys; live in a small town called Nazareth; be betrayed for 30 silver coins; not one of his bones would be broken during his crucifixion; and he would be buried in a rich man’s tomb.

The odds for any one man to fulfill just those eight prophecies are astronomical. It would be equivalent to putting your initials on a quarter, tossing into a huge dump truck that is filled with other quarters sufficient to bury the state of Texas 2 feet deep in quarters. You’ve got only one chance to pick out your quarter. The chances of finding that quarter are the same that Jesus had to fulfill those 8 prophecies. You probably would not find your quarter but Jesus fulfilled those eight prophecies plus many others. It wasn’t by chance.

At the time of his birth ,there wasn’t peace on earth and his life hasn’t resulted in peace on earth, either. Not yet. It’s every man’s decision to believe that the One we celebrate at Christmas redeemed mankind from eternal separation or if it’s just a delightful fairytale.

Scripture tells us that Mary didn’t experience peace about what she was being asked to do. She was anxious. When she confronted a multidimensional being called an angel, she was frightened. Mary was told that she was going to conceive a baby in an extremely incredible way. Luke 1 tells us she was ” greatly troubled” by the angel’s words. Yet, with all that which was about to overwhelm her life forever, she obeyed her God.

The traditional aspect of the birth narrative includes the magi at the manger. The truth is they visited a ” young child ” in Jerusalem at a house, not at a manger, and not on the night of his birth. The Greek word used for “young child” in the translation from Hebrew is “paidion” which means a” toddler.”

The magi had come from the east following a “star” of supernatural origins because no natural star, as we know, can shine its light directly over a house.

They brought him three gifts but scripture never claims that there were three men traveling alone on camels. The magi were probably an entourage of scores of men including soldiers, cavalry, food wagons, tents, and supplies. They had traveled months to get to Jerusalem and were a formidable presence and force that was not to be trifled with by the Romans.

The magi offered the future king three prophetic gifts. Gold to signify his coming rule as a king, and frankincense to signify the nature of his future priesthood. Most disconcerting to his parents must’ve been the gift of myrrh. It was a perfume used to anoint one’s body at burial prophesying that his death would change the world. Parents receive a gift from strangers that includes a perfume for his burial and they have peace? One doubts it.

Following the visit of the magi, Joseph was warned in a dream that their son would be killed if they didn’t leave Bethlehem and go to Egypt. King Herod, seeing this child as threat to his rule, had all the young boys in the area two years and younger slaughtered. So much for peace on earth to all.

Upon Herod’s death, the family returned to Israel but not to Jerusalem because Herod’s son Archelaus was king. Fearing that he too might kill Jesus, they fled to Nazareth to protect their future King son.

So ends the story that surrounds the birth of Jesus. It includes several aspects that contain tragedy and concern for the future. Yet, many believe that He is the One who will eventually return to restore the original peace that was once on earth. Now, that will be a Merry Christmas.

Nin Privitera is a Fredonia resident. Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com