Given that Christmas was once one or more pagan festivals, which has over the years has been “Christianised”, whereby we now celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, but with the addition of non-biblical elements such as “Christmas” trees, reindeer etc., should I participate or celebrate the day?
It is apparent the questioner is aware that Christmas was originally a pagan festival, and over time imbued with Christian motifs, artifacts, and narratives of Christ’s birth; some factual and some less so.[1] We answer using the following points:
Christmas is not mentioned in the Bible. The date of the birth of Jesus Christ is not mentioned except by relative reference [2], but the event is recorded in the four gospels (and unlike his death, which falls on Passover, a day that is prescribed by day of month, under Jewish Law). There is no mention of the early Christians celebrating the birth of Christ – only his death through keeping the Lord’s Supper (communion), baptism and perhaps celebrating Passover [3]. Jesus did not celebrate his birthday, but did attend the festivals in Jerusalem, as required by Mosaic Law. Indeed, he was taken prisoner and crucified while attending Passover in Jerusalem.
The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of attendance of Jewish festivals (and perhaps pagan ones), some prescribed under Mosaic Law (e.g. Passover), others like Purim which Jews instigated at the time of Esther[4], when writing to the church at Colossae. He tells them not to be concerned about what others eat, drink and what festivals they attend [5] because they do not add or subtract from a person’s righteousness. He says one must not judge (as in condemn[6]) a person who attends such a festival.
That is, there are no ‘brownie’ points for participating, or on the converse, for not participating. Attending does not add to ‘things stored in heaven’ nor to that on earth.[7] It does not impute righteousness or subtract from it.
The question then becomes: does celebrating Christmas dishonour Christ? It certainly would dishonour Christ if one went about performing the rites of the pagan festivals of the Dark or Middle Ages which included celebration of the ‘birth’ of the sun: when in fact God created the sun.[8] A Christian is to worship God, and God alone – to love Him with all our heart, soul and mind.[9] And it certainly does not honour Christ when Christians make material wealth and abundance of possessions or excess of merriment leading to drunkenness central to the celebration. The western world, closely followed by others, even by Muslim countries, have made Christmas a time consumerism; greed driven by covetousness (which is idolatry because it draws our attention from God)[10] – a sin the Bible mentions at least fifteen times in the New Testament. [11] On the other hand, giving gifts to those less fortunate or in need is commendable – we are to love our neighbours as ourselves and what better way than to share your own good fortunes that God has provided with those that have little.
If you do not celebrate Christmas, one needs to ask:
The late Stephen Armstrong points out: “We are not honouring pagan teaching simply because our annual holiday coincides with their rituals.”[12]
I strongly believe churches must celebrate Christmas – its one of the few times when Christians can frankly speak of the Lord Jesus Christ without retribution (this may not last long in some countries). And, in my experience, it is much more likely unsaved people will attend church services on Christmas compared with nearly any other time of year. People tend to be more open to being asked to come along to a Christmas church service than any other type of service.
But churches must stop being mediocre or half-hearted or frankly false in their gospel message: the full gospel must be taught - centred on the grace of God who sent Jesus into this world, born of a virgin[13] to save sinners[14]; we are all sinners destined for hell (not a word modern pasters use)[15], coming to save us, by paying the price of our sin (yes we must speak about sin and its consequence - death)[16], Jesus came to die in our place, on the cross at Calvary[17], allowing our slate of sin to be wiped clean[18], a fact which we remember weekly at the Lord’s Super, or at least at Easter/Passover. And most importantly – our salvation is not earned or worked for, but rather it is through our faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, that we received the forgiveness of sins.[19]
Our attendance or otherwise in Christmas celebrations cannot be a result of the fact Christmas was established by the world. If we can participate, just as we would of any national or local holiday, then by all means let us do so, with joy; with the gospel on our lips. But if we do so, we must not add to or accede to superstitious observances resting on traditional foundations or the folly of greed and materialism; our message is one of Christ Jesus who came to save sinners. We care about tripping up immature Christians, for instance, we should be wise about using the phrase “have a merry Christmas” – does this conjure the image of drunkenness, something that cannot honour Christ?
One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honour of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honour of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honour of the Lord and gives thanks to God.
(Romans 14:5-6)
[1] It’s hardly likely that shepherds would be on the hill side caring for their flocks in mid-winter; at this time of year, the flocks would be in stalls, being protected from the freezing wind and snow, thus Christ’s birth was possibly at any other season other than winter. There are many other non-factual stories that have been added to Christmas; it is hardly likely the Magi (wise men – no number is given) attended Jesus while in the manger as depicted in most nativity scenes – they probably came a couple of years later, around the time Herod ordered 2 year olds to be killed, not on the night of his birth (Matthew 2:1-2).
[2] E.g. Luke 1:5 – the birth is given relative to the ruler at the time; it does not nominate a month nor a day of birth.
[3] 1 Corinthians 5:7-8, although there is some debate about exactly what Paul is referring to.
[4] And perhaps we could add recently added memorial days including Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Day).
[5] Colossians 2:16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.
[6] Greek krino, also used in Luke 6:36; John 3:17, 5:22, 7:51; and Acts 13:27.
[7] Matthew 6:19-20 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
[8] In Australia and other southern hemisphere countries, the pagan festivals are nonsensical; by the 25th December the summer solstice (longest day) has occurred and the full force of the heat of summer is upon us.
[9] Matthew 22:37 And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
[10] Colossians 3:5
[11] For example, Apostle Paul speaking of Gentiles: Ephesians 4:19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.
[12] Verse by Verse Ministries (Accessed 12 November 2024) < https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-answers/should-christian-celebrate-christmas-or-easter >
[13] Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:27, 34
[14] 1 Titus 1:15
[15] Romans 6:23; Matthew 5:29; Matthew 13:40-42 etc.
[16] 1 Corinthians 6:20, 7:23; Gal 3:13 etc.
[17] 1 Peter 2:24
[18] Hebrews 9:22, 10:10, 14,16-17
[19] Ephesians 2:8, 9
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