When Pope Julius I authorized December 25 to be celebrated as the birthday of Jesus in A.D. 353, who would have ever thought that it would become what it is today?
In 1223 when St. Francis of Assisi used a nearby cave and set up a manger filled with straw and his friend Vellita brought in an ox and a donkey just like at Bethlehem, nobody thought how that novel idea was going to evolve through the centuries.
When (professor) Charles Follen lit candles on the first Christmas tree in America in 1832, who would have ever thought that the decorations would become as elaborate as they are today?
It is a long time since 1832, longer since 1223, even longer since 353, longer still since that dark night brightened by a special star during which Jesus was born. Yet, as we come to December 25 again, it gives us yet another opportunity to pause, and in the midst of all excitement, elaborate decorations and expensive commercialization which surround Christmas today, to consider again the events of Christmas and the person Whose birth we celebrate.
No comments:
Post a Comment