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.
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Christmas Tree Truthby eliluc09611 views
No, I think christians should be the glum, joyless, repressed people they are for all 12 months. Why break that stride for mere fun?
d3ejmz 2 months ago
Christians DO celebrate Christmas! That's why Christmas is here, mother fuckers!
Fameyfoo 2 months ago
youtube.com/watch?v=Wuq5zscZn1Q
TrumpetCallofGodLT 2 months ago
u guys r retarded as hell..jesus was born in summer time u fucking morons fucking thats the problem with reli.. u all dont know shit.. they changed the day to convert some pagans ... stop believing everything people tell u.....
nicholasboscia 2 months ago
I am not going to loose my salvation there are much worse things, the angels celebrated the birth of the lord. If anything it is a season where people are more open minded about the message of Christmas.
matsebah 2 months ago
@ToWorshipHimintruth Your reasoning is conflicting with Romans 14 & Esther 9.
SRamdhani1 2 months ago
@SRamdhani1 This is psycho-babble. The apostles did not celebrate this feast. We are not free to do the same. You dont even see how ridiculous you sound. Your reasoning is so unsound it is not even funny.
ToWorshipHimintruth 2 months ago
@matsebah Then you do so in total error and you are in danger of losing your salvation.
ToWorshipHimintruth 2 months ago
@SRamdhani1 Christmas was celebrated before Christ. It was saturnalia. jesus was not even born on dec 25th You my friend are terrible deceived if you believe it is okay to celebrate christmas.
Christianity itself is pagan. Its doctrines are pagan. the festivals are pagan. The nonsense you spewed out does not come from God.
Christmas is pagan!
ToWorshipHimintruth 2 months ago
True. According to Romans 14 & Esther chapter 9 where the Jews CREATED The Feast of Purim we are FREE to celebrate Christmas. Christmas is a phenomenon based on Lk 2;10. Its message is associated with a spirit of GREAT JOY & came TO ALL PEOPLE. So it is to this day hence the worldwide celebrations. The Christmas spirit of joy is of God & not Satan as some would have us believe.Those who teach that Jer.10 is about the Christmas tree are using God's Word deceitfully & the Bible warns against that.
SRamdhani1 3 months ago