Why December 25th?
One of our Sisters has a great interest in the “Hebrew Roots”
of our Catholic faith. Based on her biblical research, she has an explanation of why we celebrate Christmas on
December 25th. I personally,
have a somewhat different opinion, but I will give her a hearing. In a Franciscan community, we excel in
diversity! And we aspire to unity which is
not the same as uniformity. So, here is
my beloved Sister’s contribution:
Why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25th? There is a reason, and a very profound
biblical answer to this question. When
the elderly priest Zachariah went to offer incense in the Temple in the 34th week of the
year which would be in the Jewish month of Tishri on the feast of Yom Kippur,
the Day of Atonement, his encounter with the Angel Gabriel occurred. At the end of his priestly duties he returned
home and Elizabeth
conceived. The small child was destined
to point out the Lamb of God who atoned for the sins of the world. What better time could divine providence
choose for the one who was destined to be the forerunner of the Lord? Nine months after Tishri, we reach the Jewish
month of Tammuz, June/July. And that is
why the Church celebrates John’s birth on June 25th. The Angel Gabriel came to Mary when Elizabeth was in her 6th
month, Nisan or March/April which would be Passover. So our Paschal Lamb was conceived on Passover
and nine months later he came forth as the light of the world on December 25th
which is the Jewish Feast of Lights, Chanukah.
May we follow the daughter of Zion , Mother of the Word, who kept pondering
all these things in her heart. And by
imitating her simple obedient biblical faith, may we too become a light bearer
to the world.
Comments