It doesn’t matter when Christ was actually born.
It doesn’t matter if the origins of Christmas began as a pagan holiday or commemorated a pagan practice.
It doesn’t matter if we open gifts, drink egg nog (the real kind) or decorate a tree.
The reason none of that matters is because of two things:
REDEMPTION & REMEMBRANCE.
That is the whole essence of Christmas.
God is all about remembering. He commanded us to tell our children about His marvelous deeds and to establish times of remembrances, to erect Ebenezers (originally a “stone of help”, raised by Samuel celebrate a victory over the Philistines.) for the important events that demonstrate His power and glory.
Is there anything worth remembering, celebrating and hailing as a victory in the Christian’s life more than God in the flesh, coming to redeem the lost world?
The minute Christ was born, the whole world began the process of redemption. Hope flooded a sin-sick place, and His Kingdom came to earth and He began, and continues, to reconcile the world to Himself.
And it is because of this very redemption that Christians have been given the freedom and opportunity to redeem such things even as pagan holidays. For He has redeemed us, brought us out of darkness into His marvelous light–how beautiful that we can demonstrate that redemptive power to a lost world!
I like how Jeremy Meyers put it (Disclaimer: that I’m quoting someone may or may not indicate that I agree with every word he’s ever spoken. I don’t know. I haven’t read anything else he’s written.):
“But more than that, and here is the best part, and also the part that explains why I revel in pagan holidays, through the grace of Jesus, if He can redeem me from my slavery to sin, why cannot He also redeem stories? Why cannot He also redeem holidays? Which is harder? To redeem a person, or to redeem a day? To redeem a rebellious sinner, or to redeem an imaginative story?
But so that you may know that the Son of Man has power to redeem both stories and days, just look at yourself. If you have risen from your mat of pagan sin and death, then the core of paganism (you and me) has already been redeemed! If Jesus Christ can redeem us, then certainly He can redeem our past, our present, our future, our mistakes, our holidays, and our stories.”
It kind of reminds me of the way the Pharisees were always saying to Jesus, “But, but you’re breaking the rules and traditions of our fathers.” And Jesus constantly reminds them that things have changed now, and though the moral law has not been done away with, His redeeming love has changed things.
It is our job to mirror Christ to the world. To live out the Gospel. REDEMPTION. We, of all people, should celebrate the loudest, feast the heartiest, embrace life the fullest and live a redeeming life, bringing everything under the authority of Him who makes all things new.
And for those unfamiliar, Christmas is the Advent season and our joyous anticipation of Christ’s return, which is most certainly a Christian celebration.
“Til He appeared, and the soul felt its worth!”
51 comments
I have been praying about this very thing this season. I am on the fence because I have a few reservations about Christmas as a pagan holiday and redeeming it as a Christian one. I can hear Bethel church leaders and other Word-faith religions saying that Christ can redeem pagan things to be used of God, such as pagan rituals. If we practice other pagan rituals but say that we are doing them for Christ’s glory, is that okay? Here I am stuck. I don’t want to straddle the fence but I don’t want to be a fanatic in either direction, either. At this point, I would rather sell all my treasures and just have Christ than take anything the world has to offer, but in terms of a Christian church there are so many blurred lines between paganistic ideas and Biblical ones and is that all acceptable if we do them to the glory of the Lord? These are the things I ponder and pray over these days. Until I get a clear answer from the Lord and I have no doubt that He spoke, I am choosing to refrain. I am so thankful for His gracious patience in my ignorance. I would appreciate further thoughts. Thank you for the article, sister.
Jenny,
I admire your sincerity and desire for truth. I’ve been there with many issues before. I thought this article provided some good food for thought on the subject: http://redemptionhill.com/why-its-okay-to-celebrate-christmas/
Can you tell me one pagan thing in the Bible that God redeemed and changed it to holy?
You know how the early pilgrims celebrated Christmas?
They didn’t.
“So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” 1 Cor. 8:4
“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.” 1 Tim. 4:4,5
In the NT, when Christians debated over things that were commonly known to be pagan practices, Paul basically said to use common sense. So, for example, he said they didn’t need to go to the pagan temples and join in their worship, but that eating meat sacrificed to idols wasn’t, in itself, sinful, because everything belongs to God. That principles is most certainly suitable for how we approach holidays.
By the way, our everyday lives are full of pagan practices.
So joining in pagan worship and trying to make it Christian is ok? It just blows my mind how people justify it. Why not celebrate the birth of the Messiah closer to when he was probably born, which would be around the Feast of Tabernacles.
It just confuses me why people can’t even acknowledge that Christmas is pagan. At least you can do that.
I am not trying to attack you personally, i hope you know that. I love your blog and have read it for a long time.
I just don’t understand why people won’t take a stand for truth.
You’re making it obvious that you aren’t really listening or trying to hear another side. I specifically said we are not to “join in pagan worship” as Paul described it. But that symbols themselves can be accepted and practiced among Christians, without condemnation, because “everything created by God is good” and “and idol is nothing at all in the world.”
When Christ came, he overturned much of what people thought about previous traditions and practices and basically said, “Look, I’m here now. It’s all different. Celebrate, rejoice–I have redeemed the world.”
Are you familiar with how Christians celebrate the Advent season, which is Christmas is just a part of?
When you say “I don’t understand why people won’t take a stand for truth”, you have to realize, that what you may think is truth is not necessarily. If we err on the side of making our own commands in trying to keep God’s, we avoid one sin to commit another. I’ve been there.
This is not making my own command.
Truth- Christmas is pagan
Truth – Jesus was not born on Christmas
Truth- this is easily found in any encyclopedia
Truth- Christmas is not found in Scripture
You hold onto Christmas, and I’ll hold onto the Messiah, who didn’t celebrate Christmas.
None of these truths prohibit the celebration by Christians of Christ’s birth. I could take the same list and do this:
Truth: Jesus destroyed the temple.
Truth: After that, Christians were commanded to have church in each other’s homes.
Truth: Nowhere in Scripture are churches, as we think of them, found.
This is one of many, many examples I could use. Just because something isn’t explicitly condoned/found in Scripture, doesn’t mean it’s forbidden. Conversely, just as some things that aren’t explicitly forbidden in Scripture doesn’t mean they are acceptable.
Here is an EXCELLENT article that really unravels the distinctions between paganism and pagan customs, questioning where the line should be drawn, etc. I really had my thinking about this topic sharpened through it. https://www.gci.org/church/holidays/pagans
Paula,
Truth- Christmas is not found in Scripture
Truth: “Trinity” is not found in Scripture. Do you believe in the Trinity?
I’ll just day one more thing. Christmas was celebrated 2000 years before Jesus.
We shouldn’t celebrate it.
I fear that so often we think that since God is a redeemer, we have the power to redeem things as well. But Job 14:4 teaches that no one can take what is unclean and make it clean except for God. The Lord is pretty clean throughout scripture that He doesn’t want to be worshipped the way pagans worshipped their gods (Deuteronomy 12:4), and even that decking a tree with gold and silver is vain (Jeremiah 10). Since God didn’t specifically redeem pagan holidays for himself in scripture, I can’t do such with a clear conscience. The absolute main reason that I don’t celebrate is John 4:24 (God is a spirit, and He must be worshipped in spirit and truth.). While it is always good and worthwhile to remember and honor God, worship involving trees, gifts, etc. is done in vain since it involves the flesh. Christmas was even outlawed in Masaachusetts by the Puritans. 🙂 I still have so much to learn about this topic by God’s grace. Voddie Bauchum laid out his reasoning well and concisely here: https://m.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10150418557727550&id=227409437549 Blessings!
Nicole,
It is true and right that if you can’t celebrate with a clear conscience, you should abstain.
Nicole – thank you for sharing that conversation with Dr. Baucham. Somehow reading that has helped me sort through and organize all of the thoughts in my mind that I’ve carried over the years concerning this subject. Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure!
“If we err on the side of making our own commands in trying to keep God’s, we avoid one sin to commit another.” I love this, Kelly. Been there, too. I wanted to stop celebrating Christmas at one point, and used God’s Word to back up my decision. However, my husband was totally against it. We never celebrated Santa, and instead used Christmas as an opportunity to witness through cards, family letters, and treats with special notes to our neighbors. My husband encouraged me to seek out more than words. He wanted me to seek out my Father’s heart. I came to the conclusion that a spirit of dissension in our home would grieve my Father far more than celebrating Christmas, so the decision wasn’t hard. I agree completely with your response to Nicole: “It is true and right that if you can’t celebrate with a clear conscience, you should abstain.” What I think I missed 10 years ago was that my convictions do not need to be superimposed on others, particularly other brothers and sisters in Christ. We do so much harm to the Church of Jesus Christ when we try to BE God to one another. BTW, have you ever researched the origin of birthday celebrations? Our everyday lives ARE full of pagan practices. You are right, Kelly, about what Paul was basically saying: common sense. Thank you for the links.
Thank you Claudia, for sharing your personal struggle. Powerful thoughts about division. I appreciate you.
I think the difference lies in that while our lives are full of pagan practices, the worship of God is different and special, and we should strive to keep it as pure and holy as we can. “God is a Spirit, and those who worship Him *must* worship in spirit and truth.” Josh 4:24
While many debate whether to celebrate Christmas or not, scripture is clear that true worship is spiritual and truthful. While God accepts our worshipful hearts, adding trees, ornaments, nativity scenes, presents, etc. to the mix is really, done in vain. I fear that we fool ourselves into believing that these efforts are pleasing to God.
Correct me if I’m wrong, Nicole, but it sounds like you are saying that, “while our lives are full of pagan practices”, you believe participating in some of them is OK, and others of them (like Christmas) is not OK.
Do you celebrate birthdays? If so, since both birthday celebrations and Christmas celebrations have pagan origins, would it not be more consistent to refuse to celebrate both? How do you justify commemorating your birth and those of your family, friends, etc., but not commemorating Jesus’ birth, whenever it happened to be?
And if I’m misunderstanding you, and you refuse any and all activities that have pagan origins, it may interest you to read this link at the bottom of my post, which speaks specifically to the notion that birthday celebrations are wrong, but can also be applied generally to the rejection of any celebrations of pagan origin, including Christmas.
Here’s an excerpt:
https://www.gci.org/church/holidays/birthday
BTW, to clarify my first paragraph above, I’m not saying I think today’s Christmas celebrations are pagan practices. I’m only acknowledging there are some pagan roots associated with it. It sounds to me like Nicole is calling all Christmas celebrations, in history and in the present day, pagan practices, so I worded that paragraph similarly to how she stated it, not how I would refer to Christmas.
Just out of curiosity, name something about Christmas that did NOT originate with paganism?
Accusing someone of celebrating birthdays should not justify you or anyone else of partaking in pagan traditions. Two wrongs don’t make a right.
Once truth is revealed to us, we should always strive to obey it. 🙂
Rebecca,
Just out of curiosity, name something about Christmas that did NOT originate with paganism?
Coming up with even one example to answer your question is beside the point. Our liberty in Christ is the point. (I elaborated on this more in my replies below to you and Nicole — December 13 at 8:45 p.m., and December 13 at 8:34 p.m., respectively.)
Once truth is revealed to us, we should always strive to obey it.
Absolutely! 🙂
Why is it beside the point? Because you can’t answer the question therefore you minimize it?
How is your freedom in Christ honoring to God when you celebrate a day that was set apart for a pagan god? One cannot take something condemned in God’s Word and “use it” to spread the Gospel. Satan works to blend together his system with God’s system. The god of December 25th was a counterfeit Christ. Any time one mixes pagan ideas and practices with the pure religion of Christ, it is condemned in Scripture as the heinous sin of idolatry! God has always detested taking those things dedicated to idols and using them to worship Him. God is offended by false religion and I don’t see anywhere in scripture where He redeems demonic pagan gods or there customs. The ecumenical spirit and a counterfeit “love” under the guise of “peace and goodwill among men,” more than likely dulls one’s sensitivity to his desperate need to repent of sin and be reconciled to a holy God. How is a Christian’s freedom in celebrating Christmas honoring to God? Do all those demonic customs and traditions really help further the kingdom of God? Or is it to feed the flesh? And would He approve the use of paganism to spread the gospel?
Well, you might speculate about why I’m not answering your barrage of questions, but I will no longer engage in discussion with one as angry as you appear.
Sadly a typical reply from someone who has no argument to back up what they believe. They always try to attack someone’s character.
I posted what I believed to be true, and asked questions that you couldn’t answer and still can’t answer and that automatically makes me an angry person? Nice try. You don’t know me to make such an assumption. You make a lot of shallow accusations.
And by the way, Later on, you stated that I used scripture out of context. You’re wrong. If you still believe I used scripture out of context then you need to tell me what verse it was and exactly how I used it in the wrong context. If I’m in error…prove it, otherwise don’t make false accusations to support your stance. If I’m wrong I would like to know so that I don’t make that error again and I’ll apologize for using scripture out of context.
I don’t know you and I don’t have any ill will towards you. What I don’t appreciate are people who post their opinions but refuse to answer questions and then turn it around and attack a person’s character. I also don’t appreciate being accused of using scripture out of context without evidence to back it up.
Rebecca,
Sadly, it IS true that some people make arguments that can’t be backed up by Scripture.
If you’ve been around this blog for a while, you have probably seen me use Scripture on numerous occasions that support my beliefs when others question my assertions. I could do the same thing with you — show you from Scripture where you are mistaken in your thoughts about Christmas. Here is why I choose not to answer *your* arguments:
You have not exhibited a teachable spirit in your interactions on this post. There are other reasons, too (I do have a life outside of this blog), but that is the primary reason. Not having scripture to support my stance is not the reason, as much as you might like to believe that’s so.
It would be a waste of my time to answer your many questions, to outline the context of every verse you used on this thread (I read all of them yesterday afternoon, plus their wider contexts, as well), to show you the faulty conclusions you have reached through cherry-picking those verses, and to illustrate from Scripture that all Christians are not forbidden from celebrating Christmas.
One other thing: please note that I said above, “You have not exhibited a teachable spirit in your interactions on this post.” Does that mean you don’t have a teachable spirit?
No, not necessarily. Maybe you *do* have a teachable spirit. If so, wonderful! I just don’t see it on display here — not what I would call a teachable spirit, anyway. Thus, the necessity of my bowing out of this conversation with you.
I bear no ill will against you, Rebecca. I love the Word of God. I think you do, too. We just don’t view Christmas in the same way.
If you are a believer, and I think you are, then you have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to guide you. However, it is futile for me, under the circumstances, to further discuss this issue with you. You can have the last word, if you wish. Whatever opinions you might have about me — founded or unfounded — about what I’ve said or not said, and about my bowing out, I’m not bothered by them.
You don’t know my heart, but the Lord does, and I rest securely in His love.
May you enjoy the peace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Also 6 arrows, I don’t see the need to celebrate Jesus’ birth because He is God, and has always been. “In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was God,”. While the incarnation is beautiful and glorious, it is beautiful because it points to the redemptive work of Christ on the cross. *That* is what Jesus told us to remember. His “birth” in Jerusalem wasn’t His “birthday” so to speak, since it was just a change of form for Him. Does that make sense? I celebrate my kid’s birthdays with a clear conscience, since Jesus wasn’t really “born” in the manger, and as God, I find it silly to try to fit his incarnation into the terms of human birthdays. Just trying to answer your question. Be blessed!
Also, I realize that Christ was “born” in Bethlehem, not Jerusalem, please excuse my scatterbrain this morning! 🙂
Hi Nicole,
Thanks for replying. I’m glad to hear you celebrate birthdays with a clear conscience. Our freedom in Christ allows us that liberty to engage in such celebrations, if we so choose, even if they did have some pagan roots.
I also believe we Christians have that same freedom to celebrate Christmas, or not. However, being that you have a conviction to abstain from celebrating Christmas, it is right that you are doing so.
You’ve referenced John 4:24 a couple places on this thread. I’m not sure how you feel that verse has something to do with Christmas and not other celebrations and activities that have some pagan origins, but I will say that I don’t think believing that verse and celebrating Christmas are mutually exclusive. One can do both and still honor God.
The Lord looks at the heart. Whatever we do, we’re to do it to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). I can write a Christmas newsletter, for example, praising God for the many blessings I’ve received over the past year. Or I could write the same thing and send it out any month of the year. No difference. Doing it as part of a Christmas tradition, or not, doesn’t matter.
Now, for example, if Christmas to me was partying to drunkenness, going deeply into debt, or doing anything that violates clear scriptural principles, and the Lord laid it on my heart that I was to stop celebrating Christmas because of my lack of self-control, then most definitely I would need to obey.
But that example would be one of the Spirit speaking to me, personally, and not to all Christians, that they, too, should stop celebrating Christmas.
Your reasons for not celebrating Christmas, while very different from the example I gave above (!) are fine, and I respect that. However, I would caution you to be very careful to avoid building a doctrine out of personal convictions, for everyone to obey, if you are tempted in such a manner. (That’s a caution for all of us, myself included.)
I appreciate your tone in your replies to me, Nicole. Thank you. May the Lord bless you and your family.
I’m hoping this is my last comment here, I just want you to understand that if I thought this was a liberty issue, I would have left it alone quite some time ago. It is more than that to me, and I don’t believe I’m creating a new doctrine, I’m just looking at scripture. Does the way we worship God matter? For years, I celebrated Christmas with the mindset that since God is a redeemer, we can redeem the pagan stuff associated with the holiday for His glory (I had forgotten that God is the only true redeemer, and alas, I held no redemptive powers lol). Many folks who celebrate Christmas hold to very traditional church service “views.” But, using this reasoning, we can deduct that strobe lights in churches, rock concerts in churches, “seeker movement” churches are all “redeemed” too. If God redeems pagan practices for His worship, then why bother looking to His Word as to how * He wants* us to worship and remember Him?
I’m glad you’re looking at Scripture, and that you are abstaining from celebrating Christmas when you feel it is not a liberty issue.
6 arrows,
“…I could do the same thing with you — show you from Scripture where you are mistaken in your thoughts about Christmas.”
Really? It’s more like you’re unable to show me where I’m wrong. If you could you would have done so by now.
“Here is why I choose not to answer *your* arguments: You have not exhibited a teachable spirit in your interactions on this post.”
I don’t exhibited a teachable spirit? Wow…yesterday I was angry, today I’m unteachable. You’re really on a role with attacks to my character. Remember, it was I who asked you to show me my error and it’s you who is unable to. In order for one to be teachable there needs to be a teacher and it’s obvious you’re ignorant on this topic and therefore aren’t able to teach anyone concerning idolatry vs. Christian liberty.
“There are other reasons, too (I do have a life outside of this blog), but that is the primary reason.”
Yet you have enough time write a long reply stating reasons why you can’t show me my error. Not to mention all the time you’ve spent replying to almost everyone here that thinks Christians should refrain from Christmas idolatry
. I too have a life. We have 8 children. I homeschool. We have two special needs children. I do the bookkeeping for my husband’s business, etc. etc. etc. We’re all busy and have a life. You’re excuse isn’t valid when you’ve spend days on this blog debating back and forth with various women.
“Not having scripture to support my stance is not the reason, as much as you might like to believe that’s so.”
I believe what I see and I see no scripture brought forth to support your definition of liberty. The current widespread misguided teaching on Christian liberty is no more than the snare of the devil to entice believers to lawlessness. The word of God is absolutely binding on the conscience. There is no liberty to pick and choose. Our conscience needs to be instructed in the (moral) law. You will find no truth in Christmas. All Christmas customs and traditions are saturated with the worship of false gods. To say that we are celebrating the birth of Christ is a lie. God can’t be worshipped in a lie.
“It would be a waste of my time to answer your many questions, to outline the context of every verse you used on this thread (I read all of them yesterday afternoon, plus their wider contexts, as well), to show you the faulty conclusions you have reached through cherry-picking those verses, and to illustrate from Scripture that all Christians are not forbidden from celebrating Christmas.”
Yes, it would be a waste of your time to answer my questions because you can’t. You aren’t being truthful when you when you say I’ve cherry-picked scripture and that you can show my error. Here is a Biblical fact for you. All Christians are forbidden, regardless of their idea of Christian liberty, to incorporate into their worship, or yet their homes, any of the customs or manners of idolatry when it comes to worshipping God. You accuse of cherry-picking, yet you have no problem cherry-picking 1 Cor. 10:31 “…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” How is it glorifying (honoring) God by putting Christ in the setting of an idolatrous festival? How is that right? It’s not! The God of Heaven (the One you claim to love) will NOT be placed within the trappings of man’s idolatry. You can’t bring glory to God with idolatry.
“One other thing: please note that I said above, “You have not exhibited a teachable spirit in your interactions on this post.” Does that mean you don’t have a teachable spirit? No, not necessarily. Maybe you *do* have a teachable spirit. If so, wonderful! I just don’t see it on display here — not what I would call a teachable spirit, anyway. Thus, the necessity of my bowing out of this conversation with you.”
I have a teachable spirit for the things of God. Not man-made inventions –vain imaginations that you cling so tightly to. The imaginations of man’s heart is evil; therefore all so-called spiritual idolatrous inventions of man are evil because the source is flesh. Christmas is all about feeding the flesh. Why does an idolatrous festival day which has been so-called Christianized in such a grotesque and bizarre manner be so special to you? You cling to your Christian liberty without realizing what that means. You claim your conscious dictates your freedom but I say that is nothing more than humanism that has crept inside the church. It sets you up as judge over right and wrong. Christian liberty does not give us the freedom or the right to go against the word of God. Yes, we have been given liberty but not liberty to change God’s eternal law in how we are to worship Him. We are commanded to abstain from idolatry in any form.
“If you are a believer, and I think you are, then you have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to guide you.”
The Holy Spirit doesn’t contradict the word of God. When it comes to Christmas, which is a form of modern worship, it is either of God or it is the vain imagination of man. If this worship is not founded upon the scripture of truth it is false. It is a sad reflection of Christianity when Christians resort to an idolatrous festival to remind them of the incarnation of Christ. The very fact that the world falls into line to celebrate Christmas should be sufficient to alert any discerning Christian that it is not of God, for the unbelieving world never seek the things of God – never! Do they flock to hear the word of god preached? They certainly do not, they will not come near; yet all will join in and sing carols at Christmas. Christmas is nothing more than modern-day idolatry wrapped in a “Christian” package handed to you by the Roman Catholic Church.
Idolatry in any form is serious. I used to love Christmas. My mother is a Satanist and brother is a warlock. I understand and have knowledge of demonic teachings and it’s origins in Babylon. I’ve also spent the last 11 years studying Christmas and it’s origins connected to Babylon and even after all this time, I’m still learning and connecting the dots. You’re free to do as you want, but you’re not free to worship God anyway you want to. God gets to determine how we are to please Him. And I’m 100% sure that idolatrous celebrations are not one of them.
6 arrows, All I was saying is that in our world today we are faced with all kinds of pagan practices. I trim my hair (pagan), I acknowledge that this month is December (pagan). But anything that involves the worship of God should be kept as holy and non-pagan as possible! God is completely holy and his worship should be so too. It isn’t right to say, oh well, we have the “freedom” to worship God how we’d like, so let’s do it our way. That is contrary to God’s character.
During this time of the year, in an undeniable way, there is a softening of hearts – on this we can all agree. The whole world, pagans & Christians alike, are all more willing to be hospitable during these winter months, opening our homes to both strangers and friends. Reflecting on the kindnesses we have experienced throughout the years, sharing memories with friends over meals & snacks of hot cocoa & laughter.
Isn’t it a shame that we haven’t followed Christ’s example? He didn’t wait for a certain season or special time of year to share of the wondrous things of God…. if we love Him – then we need to honour Him. We need to thank Him and worship Him for what He has done for each of us — every day of the year. We need to have higher concerns — the Glory of God. We need to thank God EVERYday for the birth of His son. We don’t need a special time set aside to celebrate the birth of His son, Jesus, to bring hope to the world; we need to incorporate sound doctrine into our everyday lives and then live it let’s build a Kingdom…
Christmas needs to be about more than trees & lights — it is about sharing the love of the Son of God, it is the peace that comforts & sustains & blesses all who know Him. Christmas is more than the story of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. We need to look past the baby and share how God became incarnate through a Virgin in order to save His people from their sins and judge all the enemies of His kingdom. We must remember that the birth of Christ does NOT hold “good tidings” for everyone we must remember that the “Christmas story” holds a message of judgement for those who remain in unbelief (Luke 1:50-55, 71, 72; 3:15-17)
Isn’t it our Lord who allows this time of the year to be sweeter & kinder & orchestrates “chance” conversations? May each of us consider how we can give of ourselves to help restore the hope to those that God brings into our lives every day of the year- not just at Christmas! … The Christmas season itself will never change a person, it is only the grace of God which can bring eternal happiness.
That is a beautiful truth, friend.
The celebration of Christmas, as with any tradition of man, needs to be tested with the Word of God. First we must realize that if Christ wants us to celebrate his birthday, he would have told us when and how to celebrate it, yet nothing is recorded in the Word of God. This is why the apostles and the early church never celebrated Christ’s birth. The Savior of the world was NOT born on December 25th. Luke tells us the shepherds were in fields taking care of their flocks on the night Jesus was born (Luke 2:7,8,15). December falls in the middle of the rainy season in Israel and sheep are kept in the fold not in the field during this time.
No one knows the day Jesus was born, but in all probability, he was born in late September or early October.
The Bible does tell us when Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead. He was crucified on the 14th of Nisan and raised three days later (John 19:31; Leviticus 23:5).
The roots of Christmas are in paganism and the feast started with sun worshippers. Thousands of years before Jesus was born, the heathen in every country observed December 25th as the birth of the sun god named Tammuz. The sun god’s mother was worshiped as the queen of heaven (Jeremiah 17 & 44). Christmas is a pagan holiday that came out of pagan Babylon and born-again believers should have nothing to do with pagan festivals.
The word Christmas means the mass of Christ. The mass is a sacrifice where a wafer is said to become the physical body and blood of Jesus Christ.
It is ritualistic slaying of Jesus Christ on an altar for the purpose of appeasing the wrath of God. It is followed by the eating of His flesh and the drinking of His blood. This is official Roman Catholic doctrine, and “Christmas” is a word that they invented for Christ-mass.
When people say, “Merry Christmas,” they probably don’t know the meaning behind the greeting. What is so merry about the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ? Clearly people do not realize they are really saying, “Merry the death of Christ”. They are also mixing the holy name of Christ with a pagan holiday.
The Lord says His name must not be mixed with pagan idolatry, “My holy name you shall no more profane with your gifts and your idols” (Ezekiel 20:39). It is no wonder that Satan has influenced the world to blend paganism with the worship of God. Satan (which contains the same letters as Santa) has been diverting minds and hearts from a pure devotion to God and Christ since the Garden of Eden (2 Cor. 11:4).
Parents who tell their children that Santa Claus is real are actually lying to them. When Christians are telling the world and each other that Christ was born on December 25th they are lying and not worshipping God in truth.
Paul wrote, “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices” (Col. 3:9). “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor” (Eph. 4:25). Since Christmas has pagan roots we are commanded to “take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them” (Eph. 5:11). We are told in Scripture, not to “be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).
Rebecca,
If you read my post (and I’m not sure you did) you’ll see that I know Christmas has pagan roots and I know we don’t celebrate on Christ’s actual birth, and that these things do not prohibit my choice to celebrate. I respect your position and decision to not celebrate, and for conscience sake, I think you are right in that.
For me, the season of Advent (which is what we are really celebrating) is a glorious time of anticipation, reflection and thanksgiving for the most important work God has ever done. To NOT celebrate it seems wrong. As I explained in the post, PRAISE GOD that we are seeking to redeem what was once dark, bringing truth into the light. That’s what happened after Christ’s death on the cross, where traditions of men were turned over on their heads and things once forbidden were now made new.
I don’t think you are wrong. I think in this area, we are free to decide what our consciences allow.
As a matter of fact, I read it three time before I commented on it. Personally, I don’t think the birth of Christ was the most important thing God has done. I think God using Christ as our sacrifice and Christ death and resurrection is the most important thing God has done for us. Why do we believe that Christians have the right to add to the Bible? Is the church a legislative body? Are we to follow the Bible in our faith and practice, or the thinking of fallible men? Christmas is a demonic pagan practice of demonic faiths. Why would we want anything to do with such evil? If we have the right to add a special holy day to the Christian economy, we will be no better than the false cults and the Roman Catholics who follow pagan traditions! Besides, celebrating Christ’s birth is a form of worship. But since Christmas is a lie, those who celebrate it are not worshiping in “spirit and truth” John 4:24. Christ conquered death so that we could have eternal life, not so that we are free to take on pagan customs and why would we want to?
What I find discouraging is that during the holiday season, Christians proclaim Christ and say it’s all about Him but then stop at that. It’s all talk and no walk. I live in Lynden, WA and literally there are 2 churches on every block. A few years back when Christmas fell on a Sunday, most of the churches were closed that day. It saddened me because if Christmas is supposed to be about the birth of Christ, then why were churches closed on Christmas Sunday? And why aren’t churches open every year on Christmas day? This year, and really every year, weekly Bible studies are stopped during the Christmas season because everyone gets too busy. Too busy to continue to learn about God and have fellowship with each other? Too busy to attend church on Christmas? I don’t understand the hypocrisy. I told my pastor that I would love it if our church was open on Christmas day to serve the homeless or the lonely by offering them a meal, clothes or other needed items in a care package. Spending time with them singing and worshipping God is a great way to bring Christ to those who are lost. I would love to do that and I think doing something like that would be more honoring to God then to spend it at home under pagan decorations receiving presents we really don’t need (or want). We have a world full of lonely and hurting people who are going to hell. Would we be better witnesses by serving them on Christmas day or by staying at home with friends and family under pagan traditions? My pastor told me that no one would show up at church to help. This was not the only church I asked. It seems no one wants to spend Christmas with those who need to hear about Christ the most. I just find it all very sad that there are so many lost souls who are homeless, lonely, in hospitals, nursing homes, etc., that would love to spend time with people who cared and took the time to leave Christmas to the pagans and spend the day with them. Can you imagine if all the Christian churches in America were open on Christmas day to feed and clothe the poor and the lonely, and bring the gospel to them? That would be great! But it’s not going to happen because Christians love Christmas just the way it is. I’m grieved by it all.
Rebecca,
If it is your conviction to abstain from celebrating Christmas, then do obey your conscience. However, please don’t pull Bible verses out of their contexts to build a doctrine you think all Christians should obey.
Pagan origins or roots, in and of themselves, do not prohibit Christians from participating in celebrations or activities in a God-honoring way, even if some behaved in an ungodly manner in prior celebrations of same. (Did you read the link I provided in my December 12, 3:50 p.m. post above? Even weddings and funerals contained pagan activities like wild revelry and orgies. Are we to forbid Christian weddings and funerals on that historical basis? I would answer no.)
(Also, see my reply to Nicole above at 8:34 p.m. tonight for further related thoughts on this subject.)
I’ve enjoyed reading the different comments and convictions held. I agree with Kelly that if our conscience (though the Holy Spirit’s leading) guides us away from certain “freedoms” we may have in Christ, it is sin to go ahead and partake. Some women feel very strongly about wearing skirts only and this is their conviction. Some feel they are not to touch a drop of alcohol and this would be their conviction. We DO have freedom in Christ, but our freedom is actually for this purpose which is stated in Galatians 5, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
Our freedoms in Christ are not so that we can demand to live in a way that pleases ourselves, but in humility and understanding toward others, even those who are weaker in the faith.
God’s word does not forbid the celebrating of birthdays and yes, Christ Jesus’ arrival should be the most wondrous event of all and yet, Scripture does not command us to remember His birth. Instead, it commands us to remember his death (meaning our freedom from sin and hell). Where I end up feeling confused is not that it is wrong to celebrate my Saviour’s coming to earth, but that this celebration is so tightly interwoven with gifts and decorations that Jesus is crowded out.
Melisa is right to acknowledge that there does seem to be a softening of hearts around this time of year and since we are ambassadors for Christ, we should always strive to use the opportunities we are given to share the Good News. If we are truly walking with Christ, we can expect that He will lead us to the right balance of celebrating Him, as well as enjoying the beauty of a decorated tree. A tree is not sinful in and of itself (no matter what time of year).
I do have a question for you Kelly. I am wondering your thoughts on Halloween (and yes, I may be getting into another “touchy” subject)? If you believe that Christ can redeem every form of pagan celebration, I am wondering how Halloween would fit into that? There’s nothing wrong with pumpkins per-say or with dressing up, but my convictions have always centered more on how could we participate in celebrating death, blood, ghosts, etc.? God is a God of life, not death? Some of my friends think it’s cute to dress their kids up in costumes and go trick or treating. Do you feel this pagan holiday can be redeemed and if so, would you be willing to share your thoughts?
Thank you.
I like your thoughts here, D. Regarding your question:
We do celebrate a “redeeming” holiday on Halloween–Reformation Day, which is actually a historically accurate (time and otherwise) celebration of the Reformers. The reason we don’t follow through with typical Halloween traditions (though a carved pumpkin is perfectly fine in my book) in the name of redeeming them, is that there is nothing to redeem them with. In other words, for Christmas, we take a holiday that has pagan roots and we make it completely about remembering our Lord’s birth. For Halloween, it’s just dressing up and candy and yes, the theme of death. So unless you basically reinvent your own holiday (and you would be the only one doing it) there doesn’t seem a way to enter in the festivities and replace the current traditions with Christian ones. I don’t know if that made ANY sense; I’m having a hard time articulating what I mean.
Thanks, Kelly for your response. Yes, I DO get your train of thinking. On the flip side, there are Christians that feel Halloween is a great time to do like a Harvest Festival theme where they can celebrate the holiday, but make it more about dressing up and games. They see it as an opportunity to invite the un-saved community into their midst, showing what a church body looks like and perhaps using it as an evangelistic opportunity.
As for now, my own personal conviction is that I really want NOTHING to do with attempting to “blend in” with such a holiday as my convictions and Gospel witness should be a lifestyle and not limited to special holiday opportunities. Still, many believers feel it is okay to participate or make their own version of Halloween.
I guess I just wonder where we draw the line in acknowledging all of these holidays that have pagan roots. It seems like as believers we have become so accustomed to the world celebrating these occasions that we hence feel the need to “Christian-ize” them and join along in the celebration.
But really, in the end, as believers we all stand before the Lord and in areas that seem not so black and white, we must trust the Holy Spirit’s guiding and step back from a judgemental attitude towards others.
Thanks again.
Poor Kelly! I am always amazed at your courage! Most of these comments have disagreed with your article, and you knew that some probably would. But, you chose to write it anyway, and for that, I am proud of you. I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas honoring the One who was born to die so that we might live. It’s that simple. It’s that joyful, that wonderful, that MERRY! Oh, and have a happy new year, too! Love you!
And, one more thought… The story of the wisemen in Matthew 2 describes in detail how they traveled far to find the “King of the Jews” so that they could bow before Him, worship Him, give Him gifts. And, yes, I know that they weren’t actually at the birth, but rather, it was some time later that they finally found Him. But, the point is, if they could celebrate the birth of the King of Kings on a day that most likely wasn’t His actual birthday, then so can I. And, I can use it to share the joy of His salvation with others because they are more likely to be open to the message at this time of year. What better time to share than when we’re all relaxed, eating, laughing, and remembering days gone by. I don’t even get to see some family and friends except at Christmas due to distance and schedules, etc… If I didn’t celebrate Christmas, especially as the Christian in the family, I would lose significant opportunities to speak of Christ. So, like the wisemen, I will celebrate Christ where I find Him and take the opportunities Christ has given me to spread the message as the Shepherds did. And, that’s all I have to say about that. Love to you all.
Amen, Summer. Well said.
Thank you, Summer!
And speaking of Matthew 2 and the wisemen, as Summer mentioned, here is the lovely hymn, We Three Kings of Orient Are. Thought I’d add a little Christmas music to this excellent post of yours, Kelly. 🙂
https://youtu.be/k8mjRxkMBkE
Kelly ~ Thank you for the beautiful way you share the gospel in this. I love it!
May the Grace and Love of our Lord Jesus fill your heart and family this Christmas season. ~ Melissa
Good point, Summer. Celebrating Jesus can be at anytime of the year and Christmas lends itself to hearts being a bit more open and soft!
This is a moving video illustrating well Jesus’ life on earth — his birth, death, and resurrection — set to O Little Town of Bethlehem. A beautiful reminder of that redemptive process of which you spoke, Kelly, and the great love our Father has for us, to send His Son as our Redeemer from sin.
https://youtu.be/QFzhdyA3SwA
I just wanted to say that I loved this post. Our family celebrates Advent as well. We also celebrate Christmas. Whether you celebrate Christ’s birth this time of year, or some other time, IT IS important to celebrate. In the early Church, there was a heresy that Jesus was not fully man. Athanasius contested that. He said that Jesus was fully man, as well as fully God. It’s important to celebrate Jesus’ human birth–it’s how He broke into our broken lives and fixed what we could never fix on our own.
Hello, I realize that Christmas is over, but maybe for a little Biblical inspiration for next year…
Deu 12:30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. Deu 12:31 Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.
Deu 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
It’s really not a matter of conscience, but of putting God’s interests above our own. We wouldn’t celebrate our husband’s birthday on our ex-boyfriend’s birthday and then tell him (our husband) that it’s no problem because we’ve decided that we’re going to redeem that day and he should just be pleased with our sacrifice. There are zero instances where God has redeemed pagan practices and turned them “for His glory”. Zero. As far as not judging people by the days they keep, there *might* be a different interpretation of that…if you think about the context of who/where the letter was written to…probably not about the Jews judging the Gentile believers, rather about pagans judging God’s people for keeping the days that GOD ordained. It really doesn’t matter what WE think about, it matters what GOD thinks about it. And Hos Word is very clear. I pray that before another so-called “redeemed” pagan holyday comes up, we will all search His actual Word instead on relying on our deceitful hearts to guide us. We praise God for His redeeming love and the Life that He alone can give and may we ever look to HIM for the answers and not ourselves.