Why Celebrate Christmas?

Among Christians, there is an ongoing conflict of whether or not we should celebrate Christmas. Tensions over the date, the focus on material value, the decorating of Christmas trees etc. have left us mixed up and confused.

Yet, in all of the chaos, we’ve forgotten to focus on the one thing that matters. Why do we celebrate Christmas? What was the point in the first place?

I’m going to be taking a unique approach to this topic, so buckle up! You might be surprised by the many things we’ve overlooked, as Americans, concerning the depth of Jesus’ birth. 

Mary’s Life

Mary is the one part of the story that has surprised me the most over the years as I have studied and processed it. There is so much more to her life than the blue scarf and donkey that we often associate her with.

In most cultures around the world (namely outside of the United States and Western Europe) the purpose of women is to bring honor to the family by bearing children and educating them in the traditions and religions of their people group.

They don’t have a say in everyday decisions or habits. The men are the ones with the power and authority to dictate the lifestyle and traditions. More often than not, women are severely demeaned.

I want to note that this is not because the men are trying to do evil or treat the women unfairly. It is simply the culture and mindset that they were raised in. 

Because of the little value that women in these cultures hold, they often feel worthless. One of the hardest things for me, personally, in living overseas, is seeing the eyes of the little Muslim girls. They are so empty. So lifeless.

What’s my point here?

Mary probably wasn’t valued either.

Customs and Traditions of Mary’s Time

According to Jewish customs and traditions of that time, her role in the family would have been to watch the younger children, take care of daily chores, and bring in money from her “bride-price”.

Let’s talk about the bride-price for a minute.

Do you have any idea how demeaning it is to have someone ask your dad how much you cost? Mary was being betrothed to a man she probably didn’t know, didn’t love…all for a bag of money or another animal that would support her family.

But don’t think that wasn’t happening only to her. All her friends were dealing with this realization too.

Oh…

And did I mention this was all happening around the ages of thirteen and sixteen (if not younger)?

Mary was just a girl.

And she had, as far as she knew, been born with one purpose: to protect her family’s honor.

How? By respecting authority, being seen, and not heard, helping to cook and clean, swallowing her emotions because they would only “get in the way,” and bearing children.

That was the “value” of the girl we have come to know…as Mary.

So…Why Do We Celebrate Christmas?

I want to note something that may seem offensive at first. Our ears and perspectives as Americans simply will not understand it until it is explained more in depth.

By God choosing Mary, He destroyed the one thing that was bringing her “value.”

I already mentioned that her “purpose” in life (according to the culture) was to protect her family’s honor. And the minute people discovered she was pregnant before marriage; she would have brought an extreme shame to her family.

She was filthy.

And that is my favorite part of the story of Jesus’ birth.

Why?

Because God chose a lonely, demeaned, hopeless little girl and gave her a reason to smile in the middle of all the chaos.

A little girl whose purpose was being fulfilled in ways she couldn’t control; who hid her tears and shushed her doubts because she had no value, no hope, no future.

A little girl that no one saw…was seen by God.

And that little girl, became the mother of the Savior of the world.

That is why we celebrate Christmas. Not because of family or traditions. Not because of the twinkling lights or presents under the tree. But because the King of Heaven saw us in our lonely, desperate state and gave us a reason for peace and hope.

Immanuel…God with us.