Christmas Thoughts

 

The question of whether Christians should celebrate Christmas is complex, involving both biblical principles and historical context. Christmas, as celebrated today, combines traditions with pagan origins and Christian reinterpretations. The Bible does not specifically mention Christmas or prescribe the celebration of Jesus' birth. Thus, the decision to celebrate Christmas depends on how it aligns with biblical teachings, particularly regarding worship and avoiding pagan practices.

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Biblical Evidence

The Bible offers principles that can guide Christians in evaluating the celebration of Christmas:

1. The Bible Does Not Command the Celebration of Jesus’ Birth

• Nowhere in Scripture are Christians commanded to celebrate Jesus' birth. The focus of the New Testament is on His death, resurrection, and second coming (e.g., 1 Corinthians 11:26, Luke 22:19).
• Early Christians did not celebrate Jesus’ birth, viewing such observances as unnecessary compared to His redemptive work on the cross.

2. The Bible Warns Against Pagan Practices

• Deuteronomy 12:30-31: "Be careful not to be ensnared by their ways... Do not worship the Lord your God in their way."
• God explicitly warns His people not to adopt pagan customs, even when directed toward worshiping Him.
• Jeremiah 10:2-4: "Do not learn the ways of the nations... For the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest... they adorn it with silver and gold."
• While this passage primarily refers to idol-making, it has often been applied to modern Christmas tree practices, which have pagan origins.

3. Worship Must Be Spiritually Pure

• John 4:24: "God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."
• Worship should be based on biblical truth and free of practices that could detract from God’s glory.

4. Jesus Condemns Traditions That Contradict God’s Word

• Mark 7:6-9: Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for placing human traditions above God’s commandments.
• Christians must examine whether Christmas traditions align with biblical principles or distract from true worship.

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Historical Evidence

The history of Christmas reveals its origins in pagan practices and later adoption by the Church.

1. The Date of December 25

• Not Biblically Based:
• The Bible does not specify the date of Jesus’ birth, and many scholars believe He was born in the fall, based on the timing of shepherds being in the fields (Luke 2:8).
• Roman Adoption of December 25:
• The date was chosen in the 4th century to coincide with pagan festivals such as Saturnalia (a Roman festival for the god Saturn) and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti (the birthday of the unconquered sun god).
• By adopting December 25, the Church aimed to redirect pagan worship toward Christ, but the date remains tied to pagan sun worship.

2. Pagan Customs Integrated into Christmas

• Evergreen Trees: Symbolized eternal life in pagan winter solstice festivals and were later adapted into Christmas traditions.
• Gift-Giving: Rooted in Saturnalia, where Romans exchanged gifts to honor pagan gods.
• Yule Logs and Candles: From Norse Yule festivals, symbolizing fire and light to honor pagan deities.
• Feasting and Revelry: Common in pagan festivals like Saturnalia, marked by indulgence and debauchery.

3. Early Christian Resistance

• Many early Christians avoided participating in pagan festivals and traditions, viewing them as incompatible with biblical worship.
• The Puritans of the 17th century rejected Christmas celebrations, banning them in some regions due to their unbiblical and pagan connections.

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Arguments For Celebrating Christmas

Some Christians argue that celebrating Christmas can honor Christ if done with the right intentions:

• Commemorating Christ’s Birth: While not biblically commanded, reflecting on Jesus' birth can be an opportunity to share the gospel message (Luke 2:10-14).
• Romans 14:5-6: "One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind."
• This passage suggests that believers have freedom in observing special days, as long as their motives are to honor the Lord.

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Arguments Against Celebrating Christmas

Many Christians, however, choose not to celebrate Christmas, citing the following reasons:

1. Pagan Origins Contradict Biblical Worship

• Mixing pagan customs with Christian worship can dilute true worship and violate God’s commands (Deuteronomy 12:4).

2. Focus on Materialism

• Modern Christmas often prioritizes materialism and consumerism, detracting from the focus on Christ (Matthew 6:24).

3. Idolatry and Worldliness

• Some traditions, such as the Christmas tree and Santa Claus, can overshadow the gospel message and promote secularism.

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Conclusion: Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?

• Individual Conviction: The Bible provides principles, but it does not explicitly forbid or endorse the celebration of Christmas. Each Christian must prayerfully consider whether their participation in Christmas glorifies God or conflicts with biblical teachings.
• Avoiding Pagan Practices: Christians who celebrate Christmas should focus on Christ and avoid traditions with pagan origins or worldly distractions.
• Colossians 3:17: "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
• If Christmas is celebrated, it should be done with Christ-centered worship, gratitude, and reverence.

Ultimately, the decision to celebrate or abstain from Christmas should be guided by Scripture, conscience, and a desire to glorify God in all things.

 

One Gospel

1. The Gospel in the Old Testament

The writer of Hebrews explicitly states that the Israelites under Moses also had the "good news" proclaimed to them:

 

Hebrews 4:2:

"For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed."

This shows that the "good news" was not a new concept revealed only in the New Testament. It was presented to the Israelites in the wilderness, but they failed to receive it because of unbelief and disobedience.

 

The "good news" they received can be understood as God’s promise to bring them into the Promised Land (a physical rest that foreshadowed the spiritual rest in Christ).

Exodus 6:6-8: God promised to deliver them from slavery, redeem them, and bring them to the land He swore to their ancestors. This was "good news" rooted in God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

However, the Israelites failed to enter that rest because of their lack of faith and obedience, as emphasized in Numbers 14:22-23, when they rebelled at Kadesh Barnea after hearing the spies' report.

 

2. The Gospel in the New Testament

In the New Testament, the "good news" is centered on the life, death, and resurrection of Yeshua (Jesus), which fulfills the promises made in the Old Testament.

 

Hebrews 4:2 ties the gospel proclaimed to the Israelites with the gospel preached to believers in the New Testament.

 

Both groups received a promise of "rest":

 

The Israelites’ rest was tied to the land of Canaan (a shadow of greater spiritual rest).

Believers’ rest is in Yeshua, who provides eternal salvation and spiritual peace (Matthew 11:28-30).

Hebrews 4:9-10: "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His."

The "rest" offered through Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of the "good news" proclaimed from the beginning.

 

3. The Same Gospel: Faith in God’s Promise

The key principle of the gospel, both in the Old and New Testaments, is faith in God’s promise:

 

The Israelites were called to believe in God’s promise to lead them to rest in the Promised Land.

Believers today are called to have faith in Yeshua for spiritual rest and salvation.

Evidence of Continuity:

Hebrews 11: The faith chapter shows that Old Testament saints (like Abraham, Moses, and David) were justified by faith in God’s promises, pointing forward to Christ (Hebrews 11:13, 26, 39-40).

Romans 4:3: "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."

Failure of Unbelief:

Hebrews 3:19: "So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief."

Just as unbelief kept the Israelites from entering the Promised Land, it is unbelief that keeps people today from entering God’s eternal rest in Christ.

4. God's Rest Since Creation

The promise of entering God’s rest is tied to the Sabbath rest established at creation:

 

Hebrews 4:4: "For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: ‘On the seventh day God rested from all his works.’"

 

God’s rest at creation was a model of the rest He offers His people.

The Sabbath rest was not just about physical rest but also about trusting in God’s provision and work (Exodus 20:8-11).

The ultimate rest is found in Christ:

 

Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Through faith, believers rest in the completed work of Yeshua, just as God rested after creation.

5. Historical Connection

The continuity of the gospel throughout Scripture shows God's unchanging plan for redemption:

 

Genesis 3:15: The first proclamation of the gospel after the fall of man, promising a "seed" who would crush the serpent’s head (fulfilled in Yeshua).

 

Galatians 3:8: "Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’"

 

The gospel was proclaimed to Abraham, showing that salvation through faith was always God’s plan.

The "good news" of entering God’s rest spans all of history, from the Israelites’ journey to Canaan to the eternal rest offered through Yeshua.

 

6. Application

Why This Matters:

The gospel is not a New Testament invention; it has always been about faith in God’s promises.

The Israelites’ failure to enter God’s rest is a warning for believers today:

Hebrews 4:11: "Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience."

Faith and obedience are inseparable in walking with God.

Conclusion

The gospel is the same from the Old Testament to the New Testament. It is centered on God’s promises, fulfilled in Yeshua, and received by faith.

 

Hebrews 13:8: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

The Israelites were given "good news" but failed to receive it because of unbelief. Believers today must heed this lesson and trust fully in the completed work of Yeshua to enter God’s eternal rest.