Should Christians celebrate Christmas?

Question: "Should Christians celebrate Christmas?"

Answer: 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 multiple reasons why or why not Christmas should be celebrated in Christian homes. But what does the Bible say? Does the Bible give clear direction as to whether Christmas is a holiday to be celebrated by Christians?

First, let’s look at the reasons why some Christians do not celebrate Christmas. One argument against Christmas is that the traditions surrounding the holiday have origins in paganism. Searching for reliable information on this topic is difficult because the origins of many of our traditions are so obscure that sources often contradict one another. Bells, candles, holly, and yuletide decorations are mentioned in the history of pagan worship, but the use of such in one’s home certainly does not indicate a return to paganism. While there are definitely pagan roots to some traditions, there are many more traditions associated with the true meaning of Christmas—the birth of the Savior of the world in Bethlehem. Bells are played to ring out the joyous news, candles are lit to remind us that Christ is the Light of the world (John 1:4-9), a star is placed on the top of a Christmas tree to remember the Star of Bethlehem, and gifts are exchanged to remind us of the gifts of the Magi to Jesus, the greatest gift of God to mankind.

Another argument against Christmas, especially having a Christmas tree, is that the Bible forbids bringing trees into our homes and decorating them. The passage often cited is Jeremiah 10:1-16, but this passage refers to cutting down trees, chiseling the wood to make an idol, and then decorating the idol with silver and gold for the purpose of bowing down before it to worship it (see also Isaiah 44:9-18). The passage in Jeremiah cannot be taken out of its context and used to make a legitimate argument against Christmas trees.

Christians who choose to ignore Christmas point to the fact that the Bible doesn’t give us the date of Christ’s birth, which is certainly true. December 25 may not be even close to the time Jesus was born, and arguments on both sides are legion, some relating to climate in Israel, the practices of shepherds in winter, and the dates of Roman census-taking. None of these points are without a certain amount of conjecture, which brings us back to the fact that the Bible doesn’t tell us when Jesus was born. Some see this as proof positive that God didn’t want us to celebrate the birth, while others see the Bible’s silence on the issue as tacit approval.

Some Christians say that since the world celebrates Christmas—although it is becoming more and more politically correct to refer to it as “the holidays”—Christians should avoid it. But that is the same argument made by false religions that deny Christ altogether, as well as cults such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses who deny His deity. Those Christians who do celebrate Christmas often see the occasion as an opportunity to proclaim Christ as “the reason for the season” among the nations and to those trapped in false religions.

As we have seen, there is no legitimate scriptural reason not to celebrate Christmas. At the same time, there is no biblical mandate to celebrate it, either. In the end, of course, whether or not to celebrate Christmas is a personal decision. Whatever Christians decide to do regarding Christmas, their views should not be used as a club with which to beat down or denigrate those with opposing views, nor should either view be used as a badge of honor inducing pride over celebrating or not celebrating. As in all things, we seek wisdom from Him who gives it liberally to all who ask (James 1:5) and accept one another in Christian love and grace, regardless of our views on Christmas.

Recommended Resource: The Case for Christmas by Lee Strobel.

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Related Topics:

What should parents tell their children about Santa Claus?

What is the true meaning of Christmas?

How should Christians respond to the "War on Christmas"?

Should a Christian celebrate Hanukkah (Christmaskah)?

What does the Bible say about the three wise men (Magi)?

Read more at and adapted (with many thanks) from: GotQuestions.org

See also: http://www.equip.org/articles/should-christians-celebrate-christmas/

Photo: Images of Christmas. © 2012. Lizette De Klerk. All rights reserved worldwide.

"Perilous times shall come...corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith"

1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. 10But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Tim. 3 KJV

No More Freedom to Worship God in YOUR OWN HOME?

Eytan Yam: Remember: America is the trendsetter of the Western World.

Permission Slip from Caesar

"If I were to tell you about a city where it's illegal to hold a Bible study in your home without official permission, you'd think I was talking about a city in China or Saudi Arabia.

Well, you would be wrong. I'm talking about California. You might think, 'That can't be constitutional.' But you would be wrong again."

This also don't bode well for any Christian anywhere!

Read the rest of the article here:

http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/18042

...
Take note: check your local ordinances — you may need to change them.

FURTHER READING AND INFORMATION
Capistrano Couple in Legal Battle for Hosting Bible Study in Home
Jonathan Volzke | The Capistrano Dispatch | September 27, 2011

California Family Fined for Bible Study in Home
Christina Ng | ABC News | September 22, 2011

City With Religious Roots Fines Home Bible Study
Pacific Justice Institute | PacificJustice.org | September 13, 2011

Remember: America is the trendsetter of the Western World. This don't bode well for any Christian anywhere!

Freedom, Schmeedom

Religious Liberty on Trial

By: Chuck Colson|Published: October 21, 2011 7:38 AM

Topics: Politics & Government, Relationships

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Can the government really tell a church whom to hire as a minister? That frightening question is very relevant today.

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"That is extraordinary," proclaimed Justice Scalia.

"I, too, find that amazing," Justice Kagan chimed in.

As reported by the New York Times and theWall Street Journal, The conservative Scalia and the liberal Kagan seemed bewildered by the Obama Administration's unbelievable assertion that there should be no "ministerial exemption" for churches when it comes to hiring.

That's the issue at stake in the case Hosanna-Tabor Churchv. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission. Who, in the end, decides who is a minister and who is not? A church, or the government?

In his excellent opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, Stanford's Michael McConnell, a former federal judge, notes that for "40 years lower courts have applied a 'ministerial exception,' which bars the government from any role in deciding who should be a minister.

"But," McConnell continues, "the Obama Justice Department has now asked the court to disavow the ministerial exception altogether. This would mean that, in every future case, a court — and not the church — would decide whether the church's reasons for firing or not hiring a minister were good enough."

Folks this is frightening. And I can't but help wonder if there's not a deliberate pattern here by the Obama Administration to restrict religious freedom.

Now, I'm not given to conspiracy theories, but how else do we interpret the Administration's actions over the past couple of years?

Remember last year, I warned something was up when Hillary Clinton proclaimed that "freedom of worship" was a top U. S. priority. As I explained then, "freedom of worship" and "freedom of religion" are not interchangeable. One allows you to worship any way you want in private — even Chinese citizens enjoy such so-called "freedom of worship." Freedom of religion, however, means the right to live out your faith in private and in public.

Well, not long after Clinton's speech at Georgetown, the Administration said it would no longer defend or enforce the Defense of Marriage Act — that's a federal statute!

Earlier this month, the administration announced it would not renew a $19 million contract with Conference of Catholic Bishops to help sex trafficking victims. Why not? Well, we do know the ACLU sued the government to terminate the contract because the Bishops Conference wouldn't help sex-trade victims obtain abortions!

And recently, the Department of Health and Human Services issued regulations that would force all employers — religious or otherwise — to purchase insurance that covered contraception and other "preventative care." Could that be true? True enough that the President chirped "Darn Tootin'" at a political rally.

What is the Administration up to? The Catholic Bishops are alarmed enough that they are forming a committee to press the Administration on its overtly hostile approach to religious freedom.

This is why everybody listening to me today has got to read and sign and get friends to sign the Manhattan Declaration. If you have read it already, go and read it again. We'll have a link for you at BreakPoint.org.

I think there's good reason to fear that if we fail to raise our voices now, we will be forced into civil disobedience. It's time to rally our forces. Christians should not have to compromise their faith to remain free and equal citizens.

Again and again, we must make clear, as the Manhattan Declaration states, we will under no circumstances ever render to Caesar what belongs to God.

FURTHER READING AND INFORMATION

Washington Wants a Say Over Your Minister
Michael W. McConnell | Wall Street Journal | October 6, 2011

Religious Groups and Bias Get the Justices' Attention
Adam Liptak | New York Times | October 5, 2011

Catholic Bishops Target Obama on Religious Freedom in the US
Leigh Coleman | BreakPoint.org | October 9, 2011

Bishops Lose Obama Anti-Sex Trafficking Grant Over Abortion
Steven Ertelt | LifeNews.com | October 12, 2011

The Manhattan Declaration
ManhattanDeclaration.org

http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/18041?spMailingID=2132951&spUserID=OTQ0MjI3NDM1S0&spJobID=32792832&spReportId=MzI3OTI4MzIS1