The anti-Christs do not want to hear the name of Christ less to talk of having any remembrance of Him. It is therefore convenient for them to lay claim on the fact that the memorial name “Christmas” was not mentioned in the bible. However, Christians and anti-Christs who disparage people’s celebration of Christmas failed to realize that any event of significance will continued to be remembered. The birth of our savior as we know about Jesus Christ calls for joy and celebration in spiritual term not glorification of man’s efficient merchandising or commercial nexus not related to the spiritual significance. The business world hijacked the reason for Christmas and really wiped it off. The birth of Christ had been predicted many centuries ago by respected Prophets of God and specifically stressed His mission on earth which He achieved. People who are criticizing date of birth chosen by converted pagans and made Christianity a world religion are merely chasing shadow instead of substance.
Isaiah 7:14 says “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign : Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call His name Immanuel.” Prophet Micah in Chapter 5: 2, he foretold the coming Messiah thus: “But you Bethlehem Ephrata though you are little among thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to me, The one of the ruler of Israel, whose going forth are from old, from everlasting.” It was Angel Gabriel that gave the good tidings in fulfillment of Isaiah”s prophesy in Isaiah 61:1 where Jesus was to later read to the hearing of the elders during which the Savior outlined His mission. Isaiah 9: 6-7 says “For on to us a child is born , unto us a sign is given: And the government will be upon His shoulder, and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Of the increase of His government and peace, There will be no end upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgement and justice, From that time forward, even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of host will perform it.”(NKJV)
Thanks goodness no true believer has ever derogated the divine nature of Christ as being above all men. In Matthew 1: 17, we read about the relevance of Christ to the Jews and their ancestral father Abraham: “So the generation from Abraham to David are 14 generations and from the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.” in other words. there were forty-two generations from Abraham to the birth if Jesus Christ. The Messiah was to redeem Israel. On his arrival, He commissioned his disciples to carry the gospel to the uttermost part of the earth. the gospel is still spreading up to today and beyond.
God’s promise of redemption to mankind got fulfilled in the birth of Christ. Matthew 1:16-28 was where bible recorded the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophesy. His prophesy was fulfilled in Virgin Mary as recorded in Luke 1: 26-31. So also Zacharias’ prophesy in Zacharia 9: 9-10 was fulfilled in Luke 1: 67-80. The scribes knew that Bethlehem was to be the birthplace of the Messiah and Jesus was born a Bethlehemite. Matthew 2: 4-6. The sign that heralded the arrival of the savior was a new star that appeared in Israel Matthew 2; 1-2 “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the King, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying , where is He who have been born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east and have come to worship Him”
Let us look at it that the religious elites or pundits ranging from the Chief Priests, Priests, to the Sanhedrin consisted of Pharisees, Sadducees and Zealots tended to believe that such a great spirit-filled king should come from possibly the Priest cadre or the Sanhedrin. The prophesy had declared the lowly birth of Jesus especially from Zacharias 9: 9 and at such these cadre of elites found it hard to believe that the coming of the expected messiah could ever be from the rural area and ever to be born “lowly riding a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey” The Jewish elites sought to wipe out the memories of Jesus missionary work by fiercely prosecuting his disciples and followers to and beyond the time of Paul’s conversion. Paul later became the “MVP” (Most Valuable Player) in the spread of the gospel. It was in pagan Rome that the seed planted in jewish land was watered and nurtured to fruition to become the state religion in the then Roman Empire that subsists up to today as Roman Catholic Church world-wide with possibly the largest followers in the world.
Having said all the foregoing, the Jewish historians would never have deliberately chosen to think of celebrating Jesus’ birthday. So those that venerated Him chose to pick a date to celebrate his birthday. There is therefore no surprise about stressing the correctness of date. Is it the date that is important or following his teaching that is meant to make them make heaven? It was historical record that proved that Princess Diana belonged to the British nobility with royal ancestry at the time she was to be married to Prince Charles of Wales. Solemnly remembering the birth of Jesus Christ should not stress anyone. it is joy to the world that a savior was born and He fulfilled his ministry. What is important is in following His teaching for eventual salvation of lost souls through Him.
However, if the complaint is on commercializing what ought to be a solemn ceremony, I would join forces with them. The period had been turned into a period for fattening the pocket of business enterprises. All believers should jointly condemn turning spiritual joy into a period of exploiting the populace. such situation tends to drive man away from the spiritual appreciation of what Lord Jesus had come to do and did achieve to ensure that man does not perish as per Romans 6: 23 which states: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord”. To God be the glory of man’s redemption. Take it or leave it. See you at the judgement seat.