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 Resources: The
Case for Christmas by Lee Strobel
and Logos
Bible Software.
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