Hi Red Beetle,
Your essay seemed to be saying that even though you oppose Christmas (which is very unpopular with Christians) that you do not mind if others celebrate the day, or say, "Merry Christmas" because you are a proponent of free speech. And that both of these decisions are based on your own religious beliefs, and theology.
Our family also chooses to not honor December 25, or have images of God (which is very hard because pictures of Christ are in lots of books). We do not neglect to honor His coming another time, but in a different manner, and with different emphasis. Anyway, I appreciate your essay, and that you have considered the matter. Oh, and I also agree that communion is most important, and so beautiful.
I think you may find that some believers may feel you are being legalistic, or judgemental, to say such things, but of course to judge others for not doing these things may be legalistic as well. Some will be offended, and give you a tongue lashing, because you do not celebrate Christmas...as if God commanded it, and you are breaking His command. I have some that tell me every year what all the symbols of Christmas are, and extend their regret for our family that we do not honor December 25. I have come to know who they are now, and am able to smile, and move through it lovingly...though, I admit I would cry over such things in those beginning days. With each year, and as my children grow older, I am more inclined to be a bit more outspoke about it because of the legalism that would pressure other believers to keep such a day, and mark them as near "blasphemers" if they don't. But, I pray for all of us as a church that in our own convictions, we are more and more able to be graceful and loving in our disagreements with others, and just have a response of love.
On the other hand, I think it is important that if you do not honor December 25 that you do not judge those who do. I am trying to instill this in my children as well, which can prove to be difficult when people are constantly shaming us, and saying to my children that they are sorry for them...as if they are missing out. I use to want to reciprocate with reasons not to celebrate it, but I do not think it would have been loving, nor would it glorify God...this would work against our efforts to honor Him, really. It takes prayer, ultimately. It took prayer to follow God's leading in not celebrating the day, and every year we must ask God to help us not be angry, or offended, by the words, and actions, of our brothers and sisters because of our obedience to Him. We must give Him control over our responses as well.
To my brothers and sisters who celebrate December 25 as Christmas, I do not judge you, but I would ask you to consider that some of your very own brothers and sisters have been led by the Holy Spirit to not honor the day. We have prayed, struggled, and obeyed. Please believe, and understand, that we have not come to the decision lightly, and that it was difficult to pull our families out of it, and into a position where they are sometimes considered outcasts even among those who share Christ. Christmas has not been commanded to us to celebrate, and we should not treat others as if they must honor the day, or that they are somehow less. I would like to encourage you, that if you know someone in your church that does not celebrate the day, to encourage them in their efforts to obey God, and extend grace to them because of Christ, even if you do not agree.
Red, my prayers go with you as you go on to raise a family up with these convictions. I pray God give you strength to pave the way for them in obedience to Him, and sometimes your greatest struggles will be found among your own brothers in Christ...which I guess all of us have in some area or another...not just those who don't celebrate Christmas. I challenge you to love them in your response, and not judge them, but be as gracious and understanding as God allows you to be. The Lord bless you, all of you.
