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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
The debate about whether or not Christians should celebrate Christmas has been raging for centuries. There are equally sincere and committed Christians on both sides of the issue, each with multipl...
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Jennifer Rothnie
Supporter
As a secular or religious holiday, it is up to a person's conscience whether or not they keep it, as with any other holiday, albeit subject to God. (Col 2:13-23, Mark 7:14-15, Rom 14:5-9, James 4:11-12) Though, there are many things to consider, especially in regards to how the testimony of the church is affected: 1) Is everything ascribed to God on this day true? (II Cor 4:2) That is, is Jesus actually the "reason for the season" vs. The reason for all time? Was Jesus actually born Dec. 25th? What is the history of the day? Were there three kings at the manger? (John 1:1-18, Matt 2:7-12, Luke 2:8, John 4:24, etc) God is a God of truth, so eliminate conscious lies, even those done for the sake of simplification or tradition. God is worshiped in spirit and in truth. 2) Are the commands of God subverted for the sake of tradition? Is Christmas treated as a necessary part of the christian faith, or left it in its rightful place as a tradition of man? (Mark 7:8-13, Luke 10:25-37, Deut 11:13-21, Luke 18:18-30) Birthdays are, themselves, a pagan tradition. That doesn't mean we can't celebrate them, or that we can't acknowledge Christ coming to earth in the flesh, but they still are traditions and not gospel. Even the desire to celebrate Christ's birthday does not replace loving others, charity, truth, preaching, forgiveness, stewarding the resources God has given us, etc. 3) Is the right to say 'Christmas' defended more than the right to freely preach the gospel? This is more of a modern problem, but there are many individuals and churches who are shy about preaching or will even say that one should not preach directly because it might offend or scare someone off. Yet, when a store says 'Xmas' or happy holidays, they will cry about persecution or call for boycott. Persecution for the sake of Christ is actually good and expected, and the church should not return evil for evil- - but in this case it is a tradition being persecuted, not Christ. 4) Is more charity given at Christmas than at other times of the year? This would link charity to Christmas, not to Christ or to love. 5) Are churches more likely to outreach on Christmas than to go outside their walls to preach the gospel? (1 Cor 2:1-5, II Tim 4:2) Many nominal Christians and unbelievers are exposed to Christmas/Easter, and that's about it, as far as Christ. 6) What is the prevailing attitude of the church? Loving or stressed? Bitter or Gracious? Generous or greedy? Christmas hype or discipleship focused? We are to be spiritual lights to the world, not physical lights. 7) Is celebrating Christmas a stumbling block to unbelievers that know it is derived from older pagan religions? Is it a stumbling block to any fellow believers? (Rom 14:13-18, 1 Peter 2:11-12) 8) Is my behavior set apart from the world? (1 Pet 2:4-9) Back in the 2nd century AD, Tertullian (a pagan convert to Christianity) commented on this topic frequently. There were many newly converted Christians concerned about the push to 'Christianize' pagan holidays, as to them they had just come out of the bondage of idolatry, and it made no sense to return to it merely by disguising the terms. Consider some of his thoughts: "By us who are strangers to Sabbaths, and new moons, and festivals, once acceptable to God, the Saturnalia, the feasts of January, the Brumalia and Matronalia, are now frequented; gifts are carried to and fro, new year's day presents are made with din, and sports and banquets are celebrated with uproar. Oh, how much more faithful are the heathen to their religion, who take special care to adopt no solemnity from the Christians" "For, even if they had known them, they would not have shared the Lord's Day or Pentecost with us. For they would fear lest they would appear to be Christians. Yet, we are not apprehensive that we might appear to be pagans!" [Both the above quotes by Tertullian, A.D. 155-230]
Rob Vee
Plain and simple, no. It is yet another pagan feast that was sold to the "christians" as celebrating the birth of Christ. The feast's original name is saturnalia and is mixed with other forms of pagan worship such as the Saxon pagan worship of tree gods where they sacrificed and put gifts of fruit etc at the base of trees to appease the tree gods. The birth of Christ by the way is at a totally different time of year and the Lord Himself has not aligned any of the biblical feasts with it simply because even though He came as a man to this world He is God and has had no beginning and has no end therefore no actual birth. Focus should not be in His birth on earth but on His death and resurrection and His Salvation of mankind.
Donna Bender
Jesus Christ was born on September 11th of three BC. The date can be determined by tracing the activities of the stars While comparing them with the prophecies written in the scriptures. Revelation 12:2 states that the woman was closed with the sun and the moon was under her feet. Virgo was on the ecliptic and a crescent moon was under her feet during the same time frame that Jupiter and Venus were manifesting a great deal of activity in the constellation of Leo between two and three BC. All of this has been researched and can be found in a volume called Jesus Christ our promised seed. Christmas was rooted in the winter solstice celebrations which occur around December 25th. However there is nothing contrary to the Scriptures in enjoying the holiday season.
Dawn Irion
There is specific instruction in Deut 12:30-31 to not adopt the ways of the pagans into how we worship God - " not to be trapped into following them; so that you inquire after their gods and ask, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I want to do the same.’ You must not do this to Adonai your God! For they have done to their gods all the abominations that Adonai hates!" Since God gave us specific instructions as to how He wants to be worshipped, we don't need to go looking for other ways to worship Him. He spells it all out so why do we need to make up new holidays or adopt the holidays from the pagan nations? Let us simply keep the feasts He gave us in the Spring and the Fall. The instruction to not mix has to do with how we worship Him. Other holidays that don't purport to be for God or associated with Him I don't see any specific instruction to avoid.
Meluleki Maphosa
My purely personal view is that I always get suspicious about something that is embraced and loved globally by all cultures. Jesus said in Mat 7:13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." All Christians ought to be extremely worried when some gets so popular as Christmas. It is not surprising that historians have laid the truth bare. The whole world has been taken for a ride. We have been told that we are celebrating the birth of Jesus, when in fact it is a nicely packaged pagan holy day since the days of Nimrod! We have the Santa (satan) clause brought right into our homes. No how well meaning one maybe when you trace the origins, the symbols used and the dates the argument that we are bringing Christ to the world false away. The mother and child used in the festivities speak volumes of the origins of this "holy" day. Simply substituting the names does not make Christmas holy. We should be looking at the early Christian church for guidance when it comes to these things. Nowhere does it say they celebrated the birth of Jesus on the 25th of December. All we hear is the sacrificial death of Christ. I sometimes wonder if by this we are not downplaying the significance of Christ's death on the Cross. The same goes for Easter and the Easter eggs and hot cross buns. Christians must wake up and see that they are unwittingly participating in pagan festivals dressed as Christian holy days. The question that needs to be pondered seriously is, does God accept this worship that was designed to worship false gods now supposedly directed to God? I do not have an answer but I believe each true worshiper of God will read and pray to find the correct answer.
Rajaraman V
Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ is one's personal idea not a biblical idea. It is an important question to ask oneself on how he/she celebrates the birth of Christ. There are two things I wish to share. 1. The disciples of Lord Jesus Christ should not nullify the Word of God for the sake of tradition - Mathew 15:6 When we come across myths or stories made by humans which does not origin from the Word Of GOD, then we must not include those ideas while he/she celebrates the birth of Christ. 2. When we were a kid we thought like a kid, when we became mature we think and act like a mature person - 1 Corinthians 13:10-11. Do we not have the understanding of how to share the birth of Christ to the world? Should one promote ideas of celebrating the birth of Christ externally or inwardly? Should one pronounce the birth of Christ only in December month? Shall we not do it cheerfully on all days? The true joy of accepting the birth of Christ starts in the inner changing of a person and it will reflect in sharing the good news to others not only in the month of December but on all days. Irrespective of any days, we should evangelize the whole world to give the good news that Christ was born, came from God and died for sins of the world and went to GOD and lives immortal forever and ever. To me the true celebration comes only when I see Jesus Christ and be with him for eternity.
Tony Flores
Christmas is a time to celebrate Jesus Christ our savior and to let the whole World know who He is. It is a time to reflect the Way, the Truth and the Life for there is no other. It is the time for Christians to shine in His light. All glory and honor to Him. Praise the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Thomas Cofie
Yes that's the whole Truth..Christmas is pagan worship & it involves the spirit of the world which Christ warn us to guard against..
Paul Jass
All our modern day celebrations have historical origins, some of which can be traced to certain pagan rituals due to their era or structure. This does not mean our modern celebrations are pagan. At Christmas, you are celebrating, remembering the birth of Jesus; celebrating the birth of Jesus cannot be pagan. Do not be tricked just because a long time ago the pagans celebrated events during this same era. But, the bottom line is we should celebrate, remember the birth, life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus every day.
bobby pandaram
I believe we should but we should hold more significance in the act of JESUS emptying HIMSEF and taking the form of man for the hope and salvation of man rather than the hype the world made it to be. I celebrate the fact that GOD made the greatest sacrifice because HE loves me. I do not need an instruction to do this - it comes as a response to love shared between me and my GOD who first loved me. When i make a joyful noise - it means I am celebrating. The more reasons i have to celebrate JESUS the better.
Lynn Sander
If the generally accepted and known way to celebrate Christmas was to engage in pagan rites and rituals, then no, we should not observe it. I strongly doubt, however, that most Americans know of the supposed "pagan" origin of this holiday. For most Americans, in general, Christmas is a time to get together with family and remember those who are hurting and less fortunate. Should we do this year round? Absolutely! Has Christmas become largely commercial? Yes! God does not care about traditions, rituals or festivals because Jesus, being born in a manger, living on the earth, dying on the cross and raising again completed, fulfilled the law. What is important is what's in the heart. Man looks on the outside but God sees the heart. Paul went to where he knew they were observing pagan rituals and studying every god they knew of because he saw an opportunity to witness. Christians should use the holiday season to show those without Christ that they can have hope and love and peace with Him.
Vincent Mercado
Supporter
The Gamaliel Principle is the best describes the approach we should do - "If their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." c.f. Acts 5:38-39 From my perspective, I can conclude that God willed his birthday to be celebrated. We have been blessed in doing it for almost 2000 years.
Richard Magee
Yes, I do believe we should celebrate Christmas, for it is a time of great focus of joyful worship and homage offered to Jesus. This day should not be excluded as one of the many others days we are required to do so who faithfully believe in him, regardless of the criticisms and doubts heaved upon it, and regardless of how many have tried to blaspheme its truest intent. This notion that it is a pagan ritual in disguise is being misunderstood! It was the church's attempt to sell Jesus to pagan believers in the hopes of converting many of them over into Christianity, which it has successfully done so and continues to do so now and forever more. Amen.
James Kraft
The Great Commission is to go into all the world and preach the gospel. First Corinthians 15:1-4. That is the only gospel that saves sinners which we all are. First John 1:8. First John 1:10. First Corinthians 1:18. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness, but unto us who are saved it is the POWER of God. First Corinthians 1:21 For after that, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God, by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. John 3:18 Once you believe the gospel you are saved forever. Sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise unto the day of redemption. Ephesians 1:13-14 and Ephesians 4:30. So, if you want to celebrate Christmas, go ahead. Personally I love Christmas. Whether it was on December 25th or not. It is the day we celebrate it, the birth of our savior. Jesus is the savior of the world. First John 2:2. For He is the propitiation for our sins, and not ours only, but for the sins of the whole world. If you do not want to celebrate the birth of our savior, then that is your decision. Galatians 2:16 Let no man judge you in food, or in DRINK, or in a feast day, or of a new moon or of a Sabbath day. For all things are ours in Christ Jesus. You are not condemned if you do and you are not condemned if you don"t. It has nothing to do with Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him who justifieth the ungodly, his FAITH is counted for Righteousness. His righteousness not our own filthy rags righteousness. We are saved the second we accept Jesus finished work on the cross as the only way of salvation apart from works. Romans 11:6 Romans 4:5. John 3:18. John 6:40. The will of God is that we believe on His Son for the free gift of eternal life. Everything else just causes division among those who believe the gospel and have eternal life. The truth. We are all sinners. Jesus died for sinners. First Timothy 2:4 Second Peter 3:9. The GIFT of God is ETERNAL LIFE BECAUSE NO MAN CAN EARN IT. Romans 6:23. Once you have it you can not lose it because it is eternal. Even if we never believe it again. Second Timothy 2:13. So much for the perseverence of the saints.
Shey Smith
This pagan history of Christmas is readily available and widely known. Jeremiah 10:1-5 describes a tradition eerily similar to that of Christmas that God warns Israel against. The question of whether or not a Christian should be celebrating Christmas comes down to: a) what the purpose of meaning of the celebration is and b) is it commanded by God? c) is it even the right day? The original meaning of the celebration can be found in reading about Saturnalia, the predecessor of Christmas. There is evidence Saturnalia also has it roots in pagan religions even further back. We are never commanded to celebrate Jesus' birthday, in fact, only his death is commemorated. Even still, there is no evidence to support the idea that Jesus was born on December 25th. The Bible does give clues to when Jesus was born by looking at the priestly divisions and the "course of Abijah" described in Luke 1 and Luke 2 in addition to the chronology of the pregancies of Elizabeth and Mary (John and Jesus being 6 months apart). I believe this information is not given to us by accident. By finding Abijah's course in 1 Chronicles 24 and triangulating the timing of Luke 1/2 with the Hebrew calendar of God's Holy Days in Leviticus 23 we can see his birth probably occurred during the Feast of Tabernacles. This makes sense since many of the great miracles performed in the Bible happened on one of these Holy Days.
Tom Huntford
Short answer: it is perfectly fine to celebrate Christmas in a way that honors the Lord, but it is not required. I did some research, and found that Christmas has nothing to do with Pagan holidays. The date of December 25 was calculated independently by Ireneaus, Hippolytus, and Sextus Julius Africanus, from the late 100's to the early 200's. None of the Roman feasts line up with the December 25 date. The Christmas tree is NOT a pagan thing. It dates back to 521 AD in the Byzantine tradition. A play about the Garden of Eden was done on December 24 back in the days when there were a lot of feasts and holidays on the "church calendar". A decorated "Paradise Tree" was part of that play. People would keep the tree for the next day, and the Paradise Tree merged with the Christmas celebrations to become the "Christmas Tree". In the New Testament, it is plain in Romans 14, that whether to observe some special days, or no special days, is left to the conscience of the believer. So, the direct answer to the question is: "It is not required for a believer to make Christmas a special day of celebration: and it is not forbidden either". Also it is plain in 1 Corinthians 8 and 10, that a believer could even eat meat in an idol's temple, as long as someone didn't offer him the meat in a way that implied that the Christian was supporting idolatry. This teaches us to not enquire about the origins of every last little thing in our celebrations. If you can do it unto the Lord in a clear conscience--if it somehow points to Him--then go ahead! For example, I have no idea where the brightly colored balls come from (though from what I have read, the Paradise Tree is likely the answer). But I put the titles of our Lord Jesus on them, and enjoy the beauty as it reminds me of the Lord. It has absolutely no "pagan" connotative to me, and I'm not going to drag stuff up on every little detail. Things like kissing under the mistletoe are silly and not related to the Lord Jesus, so I don't include stuff like that. Everything to glorify the Lord! Personally, I love the Christmas season. I focus on the Lord, thinking about the coming of the Messiah and his salvation. Singing songs about the Messiah. I regularly get opportunities to witness to people during that season. I think the Christmas lights are the best representation of Christians: points of light connected to a common power source. MERRY CHRISTMAS! (6 months in advance)
Donna Williams
I personally do not believe that Christmas has anything to do with Jesus Christ at all, but I do not condemn those who choose to believe that it does! It is a personal conviction, but I will speak the truth when and if I am asked. I believe that as Christians we should honor God at all time, and not just on holidays! We have been instructed through the Word of God, not to be conformed to this world, meaning the world's way of doing things, or according to the systems of this world; but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Whatever we choose to do or not do, our motives should be to please and glorify our heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
Paul Hwu
Why is Christmas celebrated as "Christ's birth"? Christmas in America is on the fixed date of December 25 and other countries celebrate it in early January. The Mormons declared Christmas on April 6 (I believe, but I can be wrong). This causes division and shows Christmas to be political rather than scriptural! What do all of these have in common? The answer is that they all are based on the pagan calendar system which revolves on the solar sun rather than the traditional lunar Jewish calendar. There is not a one on one correlation between the date of a Jewish calendar and the solar calendar. What did 1 Peter 1:16 say about being holy? Holy originally means being separated from the fallen world. The holiday word came from the old English word of combining 2 words of holy and day to become holiday. Remember, Catholicism is the result of the ill churches as Christ described in Revelation 2 and 3 where they refused to repent and consequently formed the "universal" church of Rome which integrated all the pagan days and practices for political and social cohesion. Jesus Christ was Jewish and he was born on Jewish lunar based calendar and not a pagan solar calendar. God allow all these deception because the bible warned about such in the N.T. Why would God allow it? It is to test each and every one of us and God did not create people like a computer or robots. Revelation 11:1-3 reminds us to measure inside the temple and not the outside courtyard of it because the temple belongs to God and the courtyard are given to the pagan and the unbelievers. Christmas is NOT the temple of God because it is based on the solar and pagan calendar. HOW can Christmas be part of God's temple when the dates are not consistent throughout the world AND it is on a pagan calendar system? Christmas was not observed in the first century because there is no record of them doing such. What good is celebrating Christmas when one does not know mercy or forgiveness? Could baby Jesus rebuke the Pharisees and the false teachers? Christ own words is do not be deceived as there will be many false Christ (Mat 24:4, 24). Christmas is a form of a false Christ! If you are working in a bank, a person tried to cash a check but unable to provide you with an accurate identification information as the correct date of birth, would you say that person is the rightful owner? The devil loves to attack the identity of God and His words as the devil twist and warps and corrupt God's meaning of the OT as the devil tempted Christ USING the scripture. So Christmas is another vehicle that the devil devises to worship another Christ. Revelation 21:23 emphasized on God's glory rather than God's creation (moon and sunlight). The Yom Kippur is the holiest of all the holy days in the O.T. and it is translated to September whereas it is the seventh month of the Jewish calendar. The Yom Kippur is not a fixed solar calendar date. These pastors which seemed meek and peaceful are the lamb that spake like a dragon as they are fulfilling God's prophecy. Just because they are fulfilling God's prophecy, it is not a ticket for them to deceive you and have you to follow them. I do believe that we can attend church gatherings, but need to refrain from participating with their practices as Jesus warned in Revelation 2 and 3. The bible in Revelation 12:9 reminds us that the devil has deceived the world by media, holidays, public education (evolution and LGBTQ), false doctrines as do not judge, attacking any of the 4 parts of the gospel (creation, fall, redemption, and restoration), and so on. Daniel refrained from eating rich food and wine and God worked through him and not other "wise men". It may not be a "sin" but it would not be wise - Mat 24:1-12.
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