Billions of people around the world celebrate December 25th as Christmas to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, who in fact, does not have a beginning or end but rather IS the beginning and end itself! What does the word of God, the Bible, tell about celebrating Christmas? Bible does speak about the virgin birth of Jesus but it neither specifies the date nor mentions the need to celebrate it.
Is it a time to remember Jesus?
If Christmas is celebrated to 'remember' the birth of Jesus, it should be celebrated 365 days a year because we are ought to remember Christ and his manifestation on earth, in our everyday life. The only celebration Jesus gave to the church to remember him is the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-24). If Jesus wanted his followers to remember his birth on a specific day or season, he surely would have given that as a command in the Bible either himself or through his saints. Since it is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible that early Church celebrated this day, I don't think God wants this day to be 'set aside' for Him.
Is it a time to follow tradition?
Christmas indeed is a 'Christian tradition' being followed since 1st century. What does Bible say about following traditions, which does not have roots in the Word of God? Paul does urge the believers to stand firm on the traditions that Apostles taught. (2 Thessalonians 2:15). However, the celebration of Christmas on December 25 (as a matter of fact, any special day, be it Easter, Good Friday or Sabbath) was not one of the teachings of early apostles.
The roots of the celebration on this day are laid on the pagan worships. The following is a quote from the 2000 Ency-clopædia Britannica, Volume 11 ; page 390.
"During the later periods of Roman history, sun worship gained in importance and ultimately led to what has been called a 'solar monotheism.' Nearly all the gods of the period were possessed of Solar qualities, and both Christ and Mithra acquired the traits of solar deities. The feast of Sol and Victus (open unconquered Sun) on December 25th was celebrated with great joy, and eventually this date was taken over by the Christians as Christmas, the birthday of Christ."
Colossians 2:16 urges us not to be carried away by the observances of certain days. I am not arguing that Christmas is Pagan. However, the selection of December 25th as the Christmas was backed by a lie to follow the idolatrous feasts by Pagans. Now, even the believers celebrate Christmas using the idols of Jesus Christ, his earthly parents, and even of Santa! Christmas has become a time when man moves away from the God the most! Parents tell "licensed lies" about Santa Claus to their children! Everyone is busy decorating their houses with all kinds of Christmas related idols! I was deeply saddened when I saw the Christmas decorations including the idols of "baby Jesus", Mary, Joseph etc inside a very prominent and 'Bible believing' Christian church in town. That reminded me of the incident of Jesus driving out sellers and buyers from the tabernacle (Matthew 21:13 and Luke 19:45-46) and scolding the Jews for turning the tabernacle as a den of robbers!
Jeremiah 10:2,3,4 clearly warns us not to learn from the ways of the world! When I read verses 3 and 4 I felt as if it were referring to the custom of cutting out evergreen trees, shaping its branches, decorating it with red, silver, gold colored ornaments and calling it as Christmas Tree?
Another tradition is of the myth of Santa Claus, who is portrayed as omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. I even heard a Pastor delivering his Sunday Sermon portraying Santa Claus as Jesus himself! Parents are used to lie to their children about the nice vs naughty list maintained by Santa! Bible clearly despises the worldly fables and warns the believers against it. 1 Timothy 4:7
Is it time to have fun?
All celebrations are for joy and fun. I am no way against enjoying and having fun. We can have that at any time. But should we misuse the name of Jesus for having fun? If we celebrate our children's birthdays, would we leave them at home alone and go to some place to have fun without them? Isn't that what is happening in Christmas now a days? Where is Jesus in these celebrations? Where is His Glory in all these traditions of Santa, drinking wine/alcohol, partying and decorating the places? On our child's birthday, we would do the maximum to make him/her happy. Does the Christmas achieve a goal of making God pleased? Usually we give the gift to the person who has the birthday. How many of us really think what gift Jesus would like the most? What is it that pleases God the most?
There is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away! - Luke 15:7
Repenting and turning to God, is what God pleases the most! Zephaniah 3:17 says God is delighted on us when he is among us. Are all these celebrations for being close to God so that God can delight on us? No. All these traditions of Santa, Yule Log, Christmas trees, wreaths, candles, goose, ham, stockings etc, are mere copying of the world's practices while 1 John 2:15,16,17 clearly advises us that we are not supposed to copy the things in this world!
Is it time to spread the message of Jesus?
Having said all the above, against celebrating the Christmas on a particular day, I think Christians should "use" Christmas wisely, without getting carried away by the traditions and celebrations. We cannot change the world, but we can change ourselves. Why don't we use this time to effectively reach out to the unreached by asking them a question "Do you know why we have Christmas" and use the opportunity to convey the real meaning of Christmas to them [and educating them of the lies behind Christmas]? Why don't we use these holidays to get closer to God by doing what is pleasing to him? Don't get me wrong! God doesn't need a special day to send across his messages or getting his people close to him and this cannot be a reason to 'celebrate' Christmas. I was just suggesting to use this time wisely, since this world will never change or stop these traditions!
So when is the real Christmas?
In my opinion, the true Christmas for a Christian is the day Jesus was born in his heart. It is a combined birthday of a man and his God since accepting Jesus as personal savior and lord is the experience of a person being born again!
Epilogue:
Please don't feel offended if you disagree with any views I've shared in this article. I do not judge anything which I criticized in this article as 'sin', since it is God who has to justify our deeds and words. Your constructive comments and feedback are very much valued.
Your Brother In Christ,
Finny Samuel
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