During this series, we will take a look at the holiday we know as Christmas from a 30,000 foot view. For the next 4 Sundays, we will be taking a look at different time periods in history, cultures, and celebrations as they relate to the Church, but ultimately how they point to Jesus. 

Today, we are going to be taking a look at the New Testament Church and how they did (or did NOT) celebrate Christmas. 

• Christmas or Christ Mass was not celebrated until the 4th Century. 
• The prevailing thought was that the early church did not originally celebrate the birth of Jesus due to the fact that “birthdays” and their celebrations were a Roman tradition. 
• Just in case you are not familiar, Israel had fallen to the Roman Empire and remained there for the entirety of what we know as the “New Testament. 
• That being said, the people of Israel were no the biggest fans of ANY Roman tradition
• The bigger celebration for the Early Christians was what we call Easter. From the very beginning, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ was an event of great magnitude!

So when it comes to Christmas, what did the Early Church celebrate?

• Jewish Feast of Dedication which took place on the 25th of Kislev (Kee-slev), which has become Hanukkah today.
•  This feast celebrates the last time a deliverer rose up to free them from oppression. 
• The story goes that once Alexander the Great defeated the Persian Empire, Roman influence spread across the world like McDonalds.
• Once Alexander the Great passed away, his kingdom was split into quarters.
  This includes Israel and Syria, which were inherited by Antiochus Epiphanes.
• Antiochus Epiphanes made it his lifes mission to wipe the world clean of the Jewish people. 
• Although Antiochus was bent on genocide, The Jewish people had enough when Epiphanes gave the order to slaughter a pig on the alter of the temple.
• A man priest named Mattathias rose up, although outnumbered and overpowered, and began to launch a series of guerilla attacks on their oppressors. 
• Mattathias was eventually killed in battle, but his son, Judah Maccabee would take his place. It was Judah’s military knowledge that would eventually lead them to victory. 

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. 44 Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47

1. Deeply Devoted

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles

2. Radically Generous

44 Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need.

3. People of Praise

46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.