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
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