Christians and Christmas
12/22/2016
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With Christmas rapidly approaching, it
is only right that we discuss the topic that surrounds the church and holidays,
"Should Christians celebrate Christmas?" Many people use the question
in sincere concern; however, some regurgitate whatever is on an Instagram meme
to discredit Christianity. Without further ado, let's jump into it!
The most popular reasons that nonparticipants of Christmas have are:
• Christmas is commercialized and promotes materialism.
While Christmas has become commercialized, it is
also whatever an individual makes it to be. The beauty of being “Christ-like” is that a Christian is not required to celebrate or honor in the same way
that others do. Regardless of what Christmas means to the world, Jesus
should still be at the center for the believer. If nonbelievers view the
holiday as means of simply giving and receiving expensive gifts, that is their
issue. However, the concern of the believer is to either participate in the celebration of Jesus and the season of giving or choose not to.
• The holiday has pagan
origins.
Perhaps, this is true.
However, there are many other things that have pagan origins that we utilize
and participate in everyday of our lives. The days of the week, birthdays, and wedding rings are to name a few. If we would like to
discontinue the observance of a holiday because of its pagan origins, then we
must be consistent about all things. The present meaning of many pagan
practices no longer carries the irreligious connotation. Christmas now is a day set apart for believers
to celebrate the birth of Jesus and to honor Him.
• Christmas has nothing
to do with Jesus, but rather with Santa.
As previously stated,
each individual celebrates the holiday how they choose. Of course, there are
some whose main focus is the selfish getting and unwise giving of gifts rather
than Jesus. However, that does not set the standard for everyone. There are also
others who choose to celebrate Jesus by giving to those less fortunate, feeding
the homeless, fellowshipping, worshipping, etc. Also, Santa Clause is based
upon an actual person in Christian history. St. Nick was an actual bishop of
the 4th century that
gave gifts to the poor and needy. Santa Clause is based upon Sinter Klaas/St.
Nick. If Santa is the issue, Christmas can be celebrated without him.
• The Bible forbids
bringing Christmas trees into the home.
Scriptures such as
Jeremiah 10:2-4 is not referring to Christmas trees. When studied in context,
the sin at hand was idolatry rather than Christmas trees and the décor thereof.
Idolaters would retrieve wood, adorn it with silver and gold, and then worship
it. The complete 10th chapter
of Jeremiah was referring to God and idols, and how idolatry leads to
destruction.
• Jesus’ birthday is
not proven to be December 25th.
The Bible is actually
silent on the actual date of Jesus’ birthday. The accounts of His birth do not
provide enough information to draw consistent conclusions. The earliest mention
of December 25 being Jesus birthday is due to the Roman Empire. Roman culture
already celebrated the winter solstice, so Christmas was dated December
25th in hopes of
making it easier for the Romans to accept Christianity as the official
religion. It was expected to spread Christmas and Christianity throughout the
Roman Empire. If the pagan customs were “Christianized”, they hoped that the
Romans would embrace and conform to Christianity. Still, Christmas is not
reserved for December 25th to all Christians. Orthodox and Coptic churches celebrate
Christmas on January 7th while
some churches celebrate on January 6th.
There are many trivial issues that may distance one from participating in Christmas festivities. However, that should be a personal conviction, not a matter of debate. The Christian holiday all comes down to intentions and matters of the heart. All things that were once pagan do not remain pagan. Sinful behavior is sinful whether pagans did it or not; the same is true of non-sinful behavior. Life was not meant to be lived in respect to paganism, but rather to God's Word.
Conscious and Christian,
Simultaneously.
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