Does the Bible tell us to celebrate Christmas?

[Fedusenko]

That is probably my fault. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, "Test all things, keep those that prove true." I have not seen where the bible says to celebrate Christmas, in part or whole. I suppose this may also include Easter. While modern day celebration includes the nativity scene, it is clearly not the focus. How much time do we spend buying decorations, setting them up, buying gifts, preparing them watching sports and parades with Regis compared to actually worshiping the Messiah and honoring his birth? That is my first concern.

My second concern: where did these traditions come from? If you are compelled to give gifts, why not give the way the Magi gave or the Turkish Saint Nicholas is credited to giving? They gave to those who were in need? The Magis gave the funds for fleeing Herod. Saint Nicholas gave fuel for warmth. Is spoiling our children and diluting the Nativity with a caricature Christian? Shouldn't we be honest with ourselves and observe the Nativity with the proper diligence instead of bastardizing it with foreign traditions? Shouldn't we know the origins of our traditions in honoring the Messiah? Yahweh seems to think so according to Deut.12:30-32:

Take heed to yourself that you be not snared by following them . . . and that you inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so I will do likewise. You shall not do to the Lord your God: for every abomination to the Lord, which he hates, have they done to their gods . . .What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: you shall not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

And so did Paul and Barnabas in Acts 14:15-16

Sirs, why do you these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach to you that you should turn from these vanities to the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past allowed the nations to walk in their own ways.

Earl W. Count, a Professor of Anthropology at Hamilton College states the following in his book 'In his book 4000 Years of Christmas'

For that day [25th of December] was sacred, not only to the pagan Romans but to a religion from Persia which, in those days, was one of Christianity's strongest rivals. This Persian religion was Mithraism, whose followers worshiped the sun, and celebrated its return to strength on that day. The church finally succeeded in taking the merriment, the greenery, the lights, and gifts from Saturn and giving them to the "babe of Bethlehem"

Even the Catholic Church admits its pagan orgin in the Catholic Encyclopedia

Christmas, . . .it was, according to many authorities, not celebrated in the first centuries of the Christian church, as the Christian's usage in general was to celebrate the death of remarkable persons rather than their birth . . ." (The communion, which is instituted by New Testament authority, is a memorial of the death of Christ.) ". . .A feast was established in memory of this event (Christ's birth) in the fourth century. In the fifth century, the Western church ordered it to be celebrated forever on the day of the old Roman feast of the birth of Sol, as no certain knowledge of the day of Christ's birth existed

I believe prudence dictates that we understand our actions before committing them.

 

[Vic C.]

Of course the Bible doesn't tell us to celebrate Christmas. Christmas didn't exist in Jesus' time.

But Potlock put it in proper perspective. Jesus' birth is mentioned in the OT and was worthy enough to be mentioned by the writers of a couple of the Gospels.

It's too bad the early church got the date wrong. . I have to believe that while God thought is was worthy enough to shed much light on the event of His Son's birth, the actual date is unimportant to the actual message of salvation.

... and I pray that the entire Body of Christ will one day forgo all the trimmings and trapping and silly "traditions" that muddy up the birth of our Savior and concentrate in the REAL reason for the season. :yes

His birth was foretold and looked forward to for a long time by those who believed the Father. For Christians not to recognize, celebrate and acknowledge the supreme promise kept would surely be a stiff-necked and rebellious act on our part.
That recognition is an essential that we believe Christ was born, a child given, a promise kept. The lights, the gifts and the day are a liberty by which we choose to publicize the event and remind us that His promises are indeed the basis for our hope and our faith.

 

[BobbyKing]

To answer this question literary, it is NO.

Historically speaking, Christmas is really a pagan holiday. Lots of stuff have been written here, so I won't dwell more.

More importantly, Jesus says that 'those who worship me worship in SPIRIT and in TRUTH. Practically speaking, Christmas is a public holiday and hence, I took the opportunity to gather my family together (plus in-laws) so that they are aware Jesus was born 2000 years ago (but not really on 25 Dec). For my kids, I also remind them year after year that Christmas is NOT the day our Savior was born.

Having said that, 'celebrating' Christmas did not deter our faith and understanding of our Salvation. It's how you manage it that is important.

If anyone here feels they do not want to celebrate, it is also fine. Go with your faith and comfort.

Bob

 

[Fedusenko]

... and I pray that the entire Body of Christ will one day forgo all the trimmings and trapping and silly "traditions" that muddy up the birth of our Savior...

Word. But I have trouble reconciling the rest of your comment. Would you celebrate His resurrection if it was wrongly and purposefully identified on Beltane, a fertility holiday honoring Bel (Where else do we find Bel)?

99% truth and 1% lie is still a lie. Why not make it pure? Is it unthinkable to strip everything that is false out of the celebration of our Savior?

 

[jasoncran]

you do realise that if you do channukah as the jews do that i can get a little difficult.

i did it but i cant go to the temple and be with them and listen to them.

yes im free and can do the feasts but if i do with them it will be a pitfall. the kaballah is out there and while not all of it is but most of it.

i havent posted all that menorah (temple type) not the chanukah one means to them.

yes it does make sense if one really thinks about it but it can cause christians to stumble.

the idea of physical things being in the natural doesnt ring in the bible we have at all.

nor the seven heavens and so forth.

i do hope you see that as well.

 

[Chris]

The word of god is quiet on a few things and I believe celebrating Christs birth annually might be one of them.

 

[Fedusenko]

you do realise that if you do channukah as the jews do that i can get a little difficult.

i did it but i cant go to the temple and be with them and listen to them.

What sect of Jews did you approach about it. My experience with orthodox jews has proved difficult, but others have welcomed me with open arms.

 

[jasoncran]

What sect of Jews did you approach about it. My experience with orthodox jews has proved difficult, but others have welcomed me with open arms.

should i post the kaballic traditions and meanings of the menorah? i have done that in the ct&a. that is from a very orthodox site.

most christians wouldnt take to that too well. that is the issue where does one stop with the sages and what isnt really supported.

i did chanukah on my own. that menora in my avatar is my grandmas not mine.

 

[Fedusenko]

A link would be sufficient. I agree with you, though. One could go off the deep end concerning what to follow and how far.

Again, why couldn't you participate in Channukah with them? I suppose that will be answered in the post you referred to.

What is ct&a?

 

[jasoncran]

A link would be sufficient. I agree with you, though. One could go off the deep end concerning what to follow and how far.

Again, why couldn't you participate in Channukah with them? I suppose that will be answered in the post you referred to.

What is ct&a?

ov vey. as a jew who is fulfilled in christ. when my grandmother died it was hard enought not to want to convert as that has drawing like none other.

the depth of judaism when it not talking about whacky stuff or their blindness is real deep.

look for the thread, in the christian talk and advice called channukah.

chanukah points to the lord. the menora its self(the seven one , not the channukah menora) points to the lord.

http://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/45620/jewish/Spiritual-Space.htm

now then that is what i am talking about.

 

[Bob Carabbio]

No - it doesn't.

Case closed.

So go ahead and celebrate it if you feel like it. The Bible's got nothing to do with it at all.

 

[Mike]

No - it doesn't.

Case closed.

So go ahead and celebrate it if you feel like it. The Bible's got nothing to do with it at all.

Exactly. And so Merry Christmas! I will glorify the Lord, and celebrate my Christmas, and fah-lah-lah all the way. Happy new year, if you celebrate it.

 

[Fedusenko]

Is this a hint?

 

[handy]

Is this a hint?

I don't know if it's supposed to be a hint or not.


However, I think a very good case has been made that Christians most certainly have the freedom to celebrate Christmas...or not.

Getting down to the bottom line (hopefully, in a friendly, conversational, rather than confrontational way :yes)... it would be every bit as wrong for you, dear Fedusenko, to judge me for celebrating Christmas, as it would be for me to judge you for not doing so.

I support you in your decision to not celebrate Christmas and even would warn you to not do so...for if you did, it would not come from faith and anything not from faith is indeed sin.

However, for those Christians who choose not to do certain things...and this runs the gamut of everything from having an altar in one's church to celebrating Christmas, to dancing or socially drinking....the Bible does have a text that is well worth considering...

and I have yet to ever, even once, hear any of those who set themselves up as judges in these matters to concede that this verse could possibly be speaking of themselves...

The text is:

The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. Romans 14:3-4

I want to be careful to say that I'm not accusing you, Fedusenko, of being judgmental...you have shared your reasons as to why you don't celebrate Christmas. But, it's very saddening to me to see how Satan has, yet again, found a good juicy and spicy subject in which to divide Christians over.

Satan, more than anyone, knows that a Christian isn't going to lose their salvation and be damned to eternal hell, just because they put up a tree and put presents under it...all the while celebrating the birth of Christ. That's never going to be a worry.

What Satan is doing instead is to get Christians to judge each other and divide with each other over the subject.

It's good to examine the origins of Christmas. Then each person should prayerfully make up their own mind on the subject and then apply this text:

The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. Romans 14:22

 

[Classik]

Doesn't tell us to, nor does it tell us not to...Myself, I love Christmas, not only for the wonderful family time but also because when else during the year do we hear the Gospel proclaimed over and over on TV, the Radio, you name it.

For those who don't want to celebrate the day, there is no reason to...but then again for those who want to celebrate the day, there is no reason not to.

Just let each person be fully convinced in his own mind. :yes

I go with that

 

[Nathan Alterton]

It's too bad the early church got the date wrong. . I have to believe that while God thought is was worthy enough to shed much light on the event of His Son's birth, the actual date is unimportant to the actual message of salvation.

... and I pray that the entire Body of Christ will one day forgo all the trimmings and trapping and silly "traditions" that muddy up the birth of our Savior and concentrate in the REAL reason for the season. :yes

When the church decided on December 25th as the date to celebrate Christmas, they knew it wasn't the actual date - it was very intentionally done to co-opt the various pagan holidays that surround that date. Personally, I think it was a brilliant idea. The Church won. Today everyone knows about Christmas and the meaning of this Christian celebration, but virtually nobody remembers the pagan holidays that were supplanted; just those atheists who think they score points against Christianity by pointing out that pagan holidays existed around this date ("What! You're telling me Mithras was supposedly born on Dec. 25! That means Christianity is all a lie!"), and other Christians who seem to think that if I memorialize Christ's birth with songs, decorations, and joy, really I am worshipping ancient pagan deities without realizing it!

I love the celebration of the birth of Jesus with lights and gifts and, yes, even evergreen trees, because it helps create an atmosphere of joy and expectation that I think is very appropriate to the rememberance of the birth of Christ. It also draws children into the rememberance. It's true, when they're young they are more into the gift aspect of the celebration, but remember, they're kids. As a father of seven I can tell you, kids need the trival things like gifts or fun activities so that they learn to associate those feelings of joy and anticipation with the deeper meanings of the celebration as they grow older.

I can't imagine sitting my kids down and saying to them, "You see all those lights, hear the beautiful music, see the joy and excitement at the exchange of gifts? Those people may think they're remembering Christ, but those things are really just silly pagan holdovers, so we don't do that. No. We're going to do the more meaningful thing. We're going to sit in a dark house meditating on God's gift of Jesus to mankind. Isn't that so much better?" :toofunny

I'm sorry, but it's not. Not to a child, nor, frankly, to me. My joy in the celebration of the birth of Jesus today as an adult springs largely from the fact that I learned to love the celebration as a child because of the lights, decorations, music, and gifts. Besides, I have a hard time believing that God doesn't take delight in the fact that for basically a month even secularists are caught up in a massive celebration that virtually evenyone understands is about the birth of our Savior. The Messiah. Christ the Lord.

 

[handy]

When the church decided on December 25th as the date to celebrate Christmas, they knew it wasn't the actual date - it was very intentionally done to co-opt the various pagan holidays that surround that date. Personally, I think it was a brilliant idea. The Church won. Today everyone knows about Christmas and the meaning of this Christian celebration, but virtually nobody remembers the pagan holidays that were supplanted; just those atheists who think they score points against Christianity by pointing out that pagan holidays existed around this date ("What! You're telling me Mithras was supposedly born on Dec. 25! That means Christianity is all a lie!"), and other Christians who seem to think that if I memorialize Christ's birth with songs, decorations, and joy, really I am worshipping ancient pagan deities without realizing it!

I love the celebration of the birth of Jesus with lights and gifts and, yes, even evergreen trees, because it helps create an atmosphere of joy and expectation that I think is very appropriate to the rememberance of the birth of Christ. It also draws children into the rememberance. It's true, when they're young they are more into the gift aspect of the celebration, but remember, they're kids. As a father of seven I can tell you, kids need the trival things like gifts or fun activities so that they learn to associate those feelings of joy and anticipation with the deeper meanings of the celebration as they grow older.

I can't imagine sitting my kids down and saying to them, "You see all those lights, hear the beautiful music, see the joy and excitement at the exchange of gifts? Those people may think they're remembering Christ, but those things are really just silly pagan holdovers, so we don't do that. No. We're going to do the more meaningful thing. We're going to sit in a dark house meditating on God's gift of Jesus to mankind. Isn't that so much better?" :toofunny

I'm sorry, but it's not. Not to a child, nor, frankly, to me. My joy in the celebration of the birth of Jesus today as an adult springs largely from the fact that I learned to love the celebration as a child because of the lights, decorations, music, and gifts. Besides, I have a hard time believing that God doesn't take delight in the fact that for basically a month even secularists are caught up in a massive celebration that virtually evenyone understands is about the birth of our Savior. The Messiah. Christ the Lord.

Amen to that, Nathan! Excellent post!

 

[Hitch]

No one can say the modern December 25 is incorrect. It has a 1/365 chance, just like every other day.

 

[JNathanK]

We shouldn't set aside special days that we regard as more sacred than others. Every moment of every day you live is sacred, and we should see it as such.

 

[Hitch]

We shouldn't set aside special days that we regard as more sacred than others. Every moment of every day you live is sacred, and we should see it as such.

Ya think Passover was a mistake?