The debate over whether Christmas should be celebrated on December 25th or January 7th often stirs up discussions that blend political and theological perspectives. However, if we strip away the political aspects and focus solely on the theological content, we find that neither date is inherently correct.
Early Christian Traditions
Early Christians did not celebrate birthdays, as this practice was considered a pagan tradition. Consequently, they did not celebrate the physical birth of Christ. Instead, ancient Christians focused on the spiritual birth of Christ, an event marked by His revelation as the Son of God and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Him. From a theological standpoint, this is considered the true “birth of Christ,” rather than His physical incarnation.
The Significance of January 6th
This spiritual birth was celebrated on January 6th (January 19th in the old Julian calendar). On this day, early Christians commemorated both the Baptism and the Nativity of Christ together. This dual celebration highlighted the importance of Christ’s divine revelation and His baptism as key events in Christian theology.
The Armenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the only church that has preserved this ancient tradition. By continuing to celebrate both the Baptism and the Nativity of Christ on January 6th, the Armenian Apostolic Church maintains a unique connection to the early Christian practices and theological emphasis on the spiritual birth of Christ.
In conclusion, the debate over the correct date for celebrating Christmas is less about the specific day and more about understanding the theological significance behind the celebration. By recognizing the spiritual birth of Christ and its importance in early Christian traditions, we can appreciate the depth and richness of this sacred event beyond the confines of a calendar date.
Based on the status of Tsvata Berdzenishvili, a Georgian public figure
Status posted by: Levan Tonaganyan in Հայաստան Armenia Armenia
