Chapter 7: Christmas Traditions and Truths

            The birth of Jesus Christ happened over 2,000 years ago, which is more than enough time for truth to become entwined with tradition.
            Truth: There are over fifty scriptural prophecies foretelling the birth of Jesus Christ. Two examples: “A virgin shall conceive and bear a son” (Isaiah 7: 14; 1 Ne. 11:13-20); and “Out of Bethlehem shall come forth a ruler in Israel” (Micah 5: 2). (You can read more than 50 other prophesies at: lds.org/scriptures/tg/jesus-christ-prophecies-about?lang=eng.)
            Truth: Historical records document that these prophesied events happened and played out in real life to Mary who was espoused to Joseph.
            Truth: The prophet Nephi saw Mary in vision and said she was “most beautiful and fair” (1 Nephi 11:13, 15). The angel Gabriel said Mary was “highly favored” that the Lord was with her (see Luke 1:28). Book of Mormon prophets knew her name. (See Mosiah 3:8 and Alma 7:10).
            Truth: The angel Gabriel told Mary what to name her infant: "Thou shalt call his name Jesus" (Matthew 1:21). Jesus is Greek for Joshua or Jeshua, meaning God is our help or Savior. (See Bible Dictionary.)
            Truth: Joseph’s confusion and sadness must have been wrenching when it became obvious that Mary was “with child.” Stoning was the penalty under the Law of Moses. However, "Joseph… being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 1:19-20, 24).
            Tradition: Was Jesus born on December 25? No. The Emperor Constantine in 325 A.D. combined the celebration of Mithra, the pagan God of light, with Jesus’ birth.
            Tradition: Did Mary ride on a donkey into Bethlehem? The Bible does not mention a donkey but just that she accompanied Joseph.
            Tradition: Were there three wise men who came from the East bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The Bible doesn’t say how many, and three gifts does not necessarily mean three wise men.
            Tradition: Did the wise men see Jesus on the night he was born? No. In truth, the wise men traveled perhaps 400 miles from Persia or Babylonia. Jesus was probably more than a year old by the time the wise men arrived.
            Tradition: Did the star guide the shepherds to the manger? No. The angels led the shepherds to the stable. The star led the wise men to Joseph and Mary’s home in Bethlehem.
            Tradition: Did a heavenly host of angels sing to the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth? The scripture doesn’t say the angels sang. The Bible says: “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:13-14, italics added).
            Learning what is true and what is tradition is interesting but certainly not of critical importance. A book, In His Steps, written in 1897 by Charles M. Sheldon, elevates learning about the Christmas story to desiring to become like Jesus.
            The book begins as Reverend Henry Marshall is preparing a sermon on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The doorbell rings, disturbing his concentration. On the doorstep stands a homeless man who asks for work. Reverend Marshall says he does not know of any jobs in town and tells the man he is busy.
            Two days later, as Reverend Marshall is giving his sermon, the same man interrupts the meeting. He speaks to the congregation about his wife’s death, the loss of his job, and of his negative experiences trying to find a job in their town. Referring to Reverend Marshall’s sermon he asks what it means to follow in the steps of Jesus. Then he faints in the aisle and dies a week later in Reverend Marshall’s home.
            This experience transforms Reverend Marshall. His sermons become less polished and more heartfelt. He realizes it is not enough to talk of Christ; he wants to do the works of Christ. With this change of heart, he invites members of his congregation to join him in a pledge to live for one year by asking themselves at every decision point: “What would Jesus do?” Fifty persons take the challenge. In His Steps is the story of how those individuals who accept the challenge change themselves and thereby their community.
            Truth: In a panoramic view, if Mary rode a donkey or if the angels sang or spoke does not matter much. But it does matter whether we celebrate Christmas as a holiday or as an opportunity to worship the Son of God and learn to better walk in His steps.
            Truth: The life of Jesus Christ is central to all human history. He lives today and directs His Church here on earth through His prophet. By walking in His steps we will find happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come.
            May all truth and tradition in your Christmas be focused on the only true reason for the season—Jesus Christ—the life, the light, and hope of the world.

(c) Marilynne Todd Linford, 2018