So, who made Christmas the largest commercial gimmick ever? Christians when did it cease to be about Jesus?

Answer 1

No one made it anything. It has done what many religions have over time, it has evolved. Now for some it may be just a meaningless exchange for gifts but for those of us who carry on traditions which have a deep rooting in our personal histories and religions. I didn't celebrate Christmas for a large part during portions of my childhood, I may be a hypocrite for reveling in the whole superficial gift giving but that is my choice, to follow the rest of the sheep. I don't let it deter me from the core beliefs and practicing of my faith.

Answer 2

Originally envisioned as a way to ease converts' transition from heathen worship to Christianity, the holiday's observance in more recent years has been driven by economic forces. Encyclopaedia Britannica observes that the traditional Christian holidays have "undergone a process of striking desacralization and—especially Christmas—commercialization. The Christological foundation of Christmas was replaced by the myth of Santa Claus" (15th edition, Macropaedia, Vol. IV, p. 499, "Christianity").

Even with its failings, Christmas remains an entrenched tradition. Although some recognize the intrinsic paganism of the holiday, they believe they are free to establish their own days of worship. Others cling to the naïve and biblically insupportable belief that paganism's most popular celebrations have been won over by Christianity and therefore are acceptable to God.

Human reasoning aside, we need to consider God's opinion about such celebrations. We need to look into God's Word to see how He views mixing pagan practices and customs with worship of Him. An objective look shows that many traditions supposedly rooted in the Bible don't match the biblical account.

Did three wise men travel to see Jesus? The Bible doesn't say. There could have been more. We are told only that they gave Jesus three kinds of gifts: "gold, frankincense, and myrrh" (Matthew 2:1, 11). The number of wise men is not known.

Did everyone exchange gifts when Christ was born? Gifts were presented to Jesus because He was born "King of the Jews" (verses 2, 11). This was the expected custom when appearing before a king, thus the wise men brought gifts fit for a king: gold and valuable spices. Jesus alone was the recipient of the gifts; others did not exchange gifts among themselves.

Did the wise men, as nativity scenes often depict, arrive to find Jesus in a makeshift shelter–a manger–because there was "no room in the inn"? (Luke 2:7). Not really. By the time the wise men arrived, apparently some time after Christ's birth, Joseph's family was residing in a house (verse 11).

Did the writers of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) consider Jesus' birth to be one of the most significant events for Christians to acknowledge or celebrate? Mark and John do not even mention the event. Although Matthew and Luke mention it, neither gives the date. None of the biblical writers says anything about commemorating Christ's birth.

Did Jesus Christ tell us to celebrate His birth? No. However, He left explicit instructions regarding how His followers are to commemorate His death (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

Answer 3

No one knows what day the Jesus character was alledgedly was born on. From the biblical description, most historians believe that his birth probably occurred in September, approximately six months after Passover. One thing they agree on is that it is very unlikely that Jesus was born in December, since the bible records shepherds tending their sheep in the fields on that night. This is quite unlikely to have happened during a cold Judean winter. So why do xtians celebrate the birthday as Christmas, on December the 25th?

In 350, Pope Julius I declared that Jesus’s birth would be celebrated on December 25. There is little doubt that he was trying to make it as painless as possible for pagan Romans (who remained a majority at that time) to convert to Christianity. The new religion went down a bit easier, knowing that their feasts would not be taken away from them.

Answer 4

The almighty Capitalist dollar. However, for many it still is about Jesus, regardless of what time of year He was born. Our family has a birthday party for Jesus every Christmas Eve, and we do share gifts with one another on Christmas day. Gods peace :)

Answer 5

I think it must have started about the 1920's or 30's. It was already showing up by the time of 'Miracle of 34th St'. Then again, there's evidence that Christmas was engineered about the time of Dickens because Dec 25 was being used as an excuse for drunkenness and debauchery.

good question.

Answer 6

Who cares. It is just a great way to break up the long grey cold winter with a break from work, a bit of fun, colour and pressie giving and receiving, and it gets families together. Kids love it. It creates a lot of jobs.

Enjoy it, and don't feel guilty - you can make it a religious festival if you want to - that is your choice.

Answer 7

Christmas has always been about love. "God loved us so much that he gave us his only son." In celebration of that love, we give gifts to those who we love.
We have commercialized that holiday by exaggerating the purpose of it. It has really been in my lifetime. I can remember as a youth, that it was small presents only to your family.

Answer 8

It was NEVER about Jesus, not in its present form. Maybe in ages past, but it has always been heavily influenced by paganism.

The idea about getting gifts is simply honoring Mammon.

Answer 9

I think the problem began when it was Christianized. I don't celebrate Christmas. I don't want anything to do with it.

Answer 10

it is really about a greek God. But the people of old just change the name of it to Christ mass out of not wanting to get rid of that day of celebration