Bible scholars have established that December 25, and any other winter day for that matter, is a highly unlikely date for the birth of Jesus Christ. For this reason, some say it is not the birth of Jesus that Christians celebrate at Christmas time each year. Christmas is, they say, an erroneous practice, irreversibly tainted by inaccurate dating and pagan tradition.

It is my perspective, however, that the actual date of Christ's birth is not as important as one might first presume. Take for example, the U.S. holiday called President's Day. Here in the United States, we celebrate the birth of two prominent presidents on the third Monday of February. George Washington was a prominent military and political leader during the birth and infancy of our nation. Abraham Lincoln was a prominent political leader credited with maintaining our nation's unity when civil war truly threatened to rend us apart.

Washington and Lincoln were not born on the same day. For convenience, however, we celebrate their birth on the same day. Not only have we consolidated their birthdays into one holiday; we have also adopted the practice of changing the day each year to make it fall on a Monday. This scheduling is simply a pragmatic concern. Who wouldn't prefer a 3-day weekend each and every year?

In spite of the fact that I know the third Monday in February is not the actual date of their birth, I still participate in the celebration of Washington and Lincoln's birthdays on that day. I could, of course, personally celebrate their actual birthdays each year. But isn't the memorial much more meaningful when I share it with millions of other Americans all across my country? The actual date of their birth is not as important as the experience of participating in the memorial, and sharing that experience with my fellow countrymen.

I personally view Christmas in a similar way. Although I know that December 25 is an incredibly unlikely date for Jesus' birth, that does not have to keep me from participating in a celebration of his birth on that day. I could, of course, select a day that I believe to be much closer to His real birthday and celebrate it all by myself. But I find that the memorial takes on a special quality when I share it with millions of fellow believers from all over the world. The actual date of Christ's birth is not as important as the experience of sharing the memorial with a larger Christian community worldwide.

Many people in the U.S. celebrate President's Day simply as an opportunity to enjoy some time off of work. They relax, cook outdoors, participate in sporting events and never really stop to consider what Lincoln and Washington did for our country. Some of them don't even hold Lincoln and Washington in high regard. They still enjoy the holiday without participating in the memorial at all. Each person should have the right to celebrate or not celebrate any holiday of their own choosing. This does not irreversibly taint the holiday nor does it preclude my participation in it.

The same thing holds true for Christmas. Some people celebrate Christmas, not as a memorial of the birth of Christ, but rather as simply a time of family, fun, and gifts. Their holiday is entirely secular, free of any religious significance whatsoever. Some do not even celebrate the holiday at all. Each person should have the right to decide when, how, and even if they celebrate this worldwide holiday. This does not irreversibly taint the holiday nor should it discourage me from celebrating it.

Each year, more people celebrate Christmas than any other holiday in the world! This year, as you pause from the frantic pace of the holiday season, think about Christ's birth and what it means to you. And let me invite you to consider also the countless millions of fellow believers all over the world, who are also celebrating that God became a man and lived among men, so that he could die to pay for our sin and be raised to life again - so that we too could share in His ressurection!

A very merry Christmas to all - and best wishes for a Happy New Year!

Mark Wendt