The Christ Mass

Sometime in the Fourth Century Anno Domini, December 25 was chosen as the day to celebrate the "Christ Mass". The Christ Mass is, as the name suggests, a Mass (i.e., a Christian worship service of Holy Communion) marking the nativity of Jesus the Christ.

All of the best evidence indicates that Y'shua (Jesus) of Nazareth was not born on December 25. Nevertheless, the celebration of Christ's nativity on December 25 has become fixed in the culture of Christendom ever since. At some point, the words "Christ Mass" were truncated to the word we commonly use now, "Christmas".

Over the years, much has built up around the celebration of Christmas. A whole mythology, both sacred and secular, has developed. Many heartfelt traditions became established. And much of what has evolved has nothing to do either with Christ or the celebration of Mass. The Christians who celebrated the first Christ Mass back in the Fourth Century would probably be amazed (or perhaps even shocked) to see what has became of their celebration of Christ's nativity.

This is not meant to be a rant, or a complaint about how Christmas is celebrated these days. This is not about the "reason for the season" or "putting Christ back in Xmas". I'm no Ebenezer Scrooge trying to spoil anyone's Christmas fun. I simply want to remind everyone that the whole package of what we now call the Christmas season, began as just a worship service--the Christ Mass.

Merry Christ Mass!