This holiday season here in the Philippines consumes one third of each year. The Philippines has the fourth largest Christian population on earth. With over 80 million of its people professing to be Christian (mostly Catholic), the "Spirit of Christmas" begins as early as September 1 and doesn't end until January 6 each year. During this four-month season Christmas carols are played in public and pervade the airwaves. In an effort to authentically portray the birth of Christ, a new movie titled The Nativity Story was released on December 1 for showing in theatres during this year's Christmas season. Starring Keisha Castle-Hughes as Mary and Oscar Isaac as Joseph with Shohreh Aghdashloo as Elizabeth, movie director Catherine Hardwicke sought to achieve authenticity in the movie's depiction of the birth of Christ. The shooting location for Bethlehem was done in the village of Matera in Italy (the same location used in filming The Passion of the Christ), while the set for Herod's castle and the Jerusalem temple was filmed at Ouarzazate in Morocco (the same filming location as The Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven). While the effort to authentically portray Christ's birth is commendable, the influence of tradition has caused it to stray somewhat from the true biblical account. The movie depicts His birth occurring in a shivering cold, windy and wintry season where fires were essential for keeping people warm. When compared to the carefully detailed account of the gospel writer Luke at least three very important deviations from Scripture stand out. The Roman decree for census and taxation . Let's remember that with the collective wisdom of Roman tax officials, local Roman administrators made sure their tax collections would occur at the best of times—right after the main fall harvest with still good weather to minimize the potential problems stemming from lack of money or difficulty of travel due to winter conditions (Luke 2:1-5 Luke 2:1-5 [1] And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. [2] (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) [3] And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) [5] To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
American King James Version×). There was no room in the inn. Why? Lodging at that time was likely filled because of the Jews' custom to attend the annual fall festivals commanded by God. The Romans would have probably timed such taxation to coincide with the Jews' annual travel to Jerusalem to observe these festivals (Luke 2:7 Luke 2:7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
American King James Version×). Shepherds were out in the fields that night. The weather was still warm enough for shepherds to keep their flock out in the fields at night (Luke 2:8 Luke 2:8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
American King James Version×). The Adam Clarke's Commentary (Abingdon Press, Nashville) notes concerning Luke 2:8 Luke 2:8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
American King James Version×, "As these shepherds had not yet brought home their flocks, it is a presumptive argument that October had not yet commenced, and that, consequently, our Lord was not born on the 25th of December, when no flocks were out in the fields ... On this very ground the nativity in December should be given up." Alexander Hislop's book, The Two Babylons,explains: "In that region, from December to February ... the cold of the night was piercing. Thus the shepherds never kept their flocks and herds out in the open country from December through February—it was simply too cold" (p. 2, 1959). Most encyclopedias and similar historical references document that the December 25 nativity tradition is associated with the ancient Saturnalia celebration (for worshipping the pagan god Saturn). All such references (including the Catholic Encyclopedia) admit that Christ was not born on or even near December 25 in the middle of winter! Yet this ancient custom, even if celebrated in gross ignorance of its true pagan origin, refuses to die. Other aspects of Christmas' celebrations also oppose biblical teachings. Regarding adapting pagan celebrations for the worship of the true God the Bible commands, "... do not inquire ... 'How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise' ... You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way ... Whatever I command you be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it" (Deuteronomy 12:30-32 Deuteronomy 12:30-32 [30] Take heed to yourself that you be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before you; and that you inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. [31] You shall not do so to the LORD your God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hates, have they done to their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. [32] What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: you shall not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
American King James Version×) . Jesus Christ also spoke out against seeking to worship God by incorporating pagan customs, "And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men ..." (Mark 7:7-9 Mark 7:7-9 [7] However, in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. [8] For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things you do. [9] And he said to them, Full well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition.
American King James Version×). For more informative details on this important subject, just request, read online or download our free booklets: Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Keep? and Jesus Christ: The Real Story.