Christmas

There are some Christians who adamantly refuse to celebrate Christmas and get angry that other Christians do. Their basic tenants are that the Early Church did not celebrate it, the celebration of Christmas widely observed today has its roots in paganism and Roman Catholicism, and the birth of Christ was probably not on December 25 anyway; therefore, Christians ought not to participate in it all.

Romans 14 states that each one of us in Christ need to be “fully convinced” in our own minds as to how we should walk with our Lord regarding abiblical issues (those things not directly addressed in the Scriptures – such as whether to celebrate Christmas). Where the Bible speaks, unquestioning obedience is the rule; but where the Bible is silent, loving understanding ought to be the rule, with the knowledge that any condemnation of those who do not share the same conviction is forbidden. So if some of our brethren are so convicted that the celebration of Christmas is inappropriate, then they have the freedom in Christ to hold to that conviction (and so they should!); though they must never condemn other believers in Christ who do celebrate it.

Here, I will insert a “side-note”: Do not confuse the celebration of Christmas (with its “pagan” roots) with the celebration of Halloween (and its distinctly pagan roots). Christmas, truly celebrated, is all about Christ; whereas, Halloween, truly celebrated, is all about Satan. The two have nothing whatsoever in common. That said, let’s move on to the original topic……

It is a historical fact that Roman Catholicism (true to its common practice) instituted a syncretistic religious worship by associating the celebration of the birth of Christ with some aspects of the pagan celebration of Saturnalia (Winter Solstice). It is also quite likely that the birth of Christ actually took place in the spring, around Passover time. Hence, there may be an understanding of the repulsion of some Christians to the whole idea.

But I want to take a moment to remind us why we should celebrate Christmas!

Christmas (the “mass” or coming of Christ) is the fulfillment of 4,000 years of promises and prophetic predictions from God that He would send His Messiah, His Son to earth to be the Savior of mankind from our sins. The Old Testament is filled to the brim with those promises and predictions – some provide amazing detail! The celebration of Christmas is about rejoicing over the fact that God (true to His common practice) kept His Word to us!

Christ was born in Bethlehem to a grace-given, virgin woman named Mary; He was dedicated in the Temple and named Jesus (Jeshua – JHWH saves); He lived briefly in Egypt; He was reared in Nazareth; He lived without sin; He proclaimed and proved Himself to be God, the Messiah/Christ; He gave His life by shedding His blood on a terrible cross, suffering the shame of man and the wrath of Almighty God in our behalf; He was buried in a borrowed, rich man’s tomb; He was raised again on the third day; He proved He was alive; He ascended back to the right hand of the Father – all this fulfilling every detail of every promise and prophecy concerning His First Advent! We celebrate Christmas, because it’s the earthly beginning point for the reason why we also celebrate Easter! I am convicted that that’s something to celebrate!

Has Roman Catholicism demeaned Christmas in its syncretism with paganism? Has the world disgraced Christmas by subverting attention to Santa Claus, elves, marketing, etc.? Sure they have – just like they have demeaned everything else that is holy. But that does not mean that our sincere, heart-felt rejoicing over the fact that God kept His Word to us should be silenced! How we celebrate Christmas may be slightly different in each of our families, our churches, or our ethnic traditions; but the fact that we celebrate Christmas must never be condemned or silenced! For to condemn or silence our rejoicing over God’s faithfulness to His Word as it applies to Christmas is the first step toward silencing our rejoicing over anything else God has done.                          

Think about it!

                              The greatest Gift was God’s dear Son,

                                             Born in a cattle stall;

                              This was the Bible’s Promised One,

                                             Who came to die for all. – J. Harvey Dixon

The Cross

Question

How is “the cross” an important part of Paul’s thought? What role does it play and how does Paul “use” the language of the “cross” and “crucifixion?

Answer

Paul did not promote or engage human wisdom when he preached the message of the cross of Christ, which is foolish to man; for that message (the Gospel) is the means God uses to save those who believe.

1 Corinthians 1:17-18 (NKJV) ¹⁷  For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. ¹⁸  For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 

The message of the cross was all that mattered to Paul – he was unconcerned about impressing people with his skills.

1 Corinthians 2:1-2 (NKJV) ¹  And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. ²  For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 

Christ took upon Himself the curse of our sin by “hanging on a tree (the cross)”

Galatians 3:13 (NKJV) ¹³  Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), 

The message of the cross offends people, including the religious.

Galatians 5:11 (NKJV) ¹¹  And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. 

The facts surrounding cross of Christ were that in which Paul “boasted” or “gloried” – nothing else in the world mattered.

Galatians 6:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴  But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 

God used the cross of Christ to reconcile all mankind – both Jews and Gentiles – to Himself.

Ephesians 2:16 (NKJV) ¹⁶  and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 

People within the Church who depend upon their religiosity rather than Christ were/are enemies of the cross.

Philippians 3:18 (NKJV) ¹⁸  For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 

All on earth were reconciled by means of the cross; thus, peace with God was achieved.

Colossians 1:20 (NKJV) ²⁰  and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 

The Old Testament Law was “nailed” to the cross – wiped out (because Christ had fulfilled both its requirements of holiness and its cursed punishment against sin).

Colossians 2:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴  having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 

Conclusion

The cross was only a couple pieces of wood used by the Roman Empire to put criminals to death; in and of itself, the cross has no meaning beyond that. However, when placed into the context of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on a cross, the message of the cross became Paul’s focus in life (1 Timothy 2:5-7).  The cross itself should never be adored.  It is Christ Who died upon a cross (thus is the message of the cross – the Gospel) Who should be adored.  We do not trust in the cross for salvation; we trust in Christ Who died on a cross and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-13; John 3:16).

Please look further into this at both:

http://www.gotquestions.org/cross-theology.html

http://www.compellingtruth.org/meaning-of-the-cross.html