I’ve been taking flak from Christians who are too holy to celebrate Christmas. They don’t even want to defend it from the atheists. (See my News With Views column, “Atheists Gunning for Christmas, Again”–scroll down a little, and you’ll find it posted under “Lee’s Twitter.”) I am informed by a few of them that because I celebrate Christmas, that makes me some kind of pagan.
But the reason for celebrating Christmas is so simple, even the self-righteous should be able to understand it. We celebrate Christmas as a way of proclaiming to the world the birth of Christ, the Incarnation, as an event in history–that is, something that really happened.
The Bible doesn’t give us the date. Yeah, yeah, save your breath–I already know the Church, many centuries ago, chose December 25 as a means of co-opting the pagans’ winter whatsit holiday. Any other date would do as well.
Why do we give presents and decorate our homes? To express our joy that Christ is come into the world, and make it a joyful occasion. If the presents and the decorations become an end in themselves, then that’s a problem–but isn’t it entirely up to us to see that that doesn’t happen?
Has Christmas in our time become so commercialized, so bastardized, as to be almost a pagan celebration? Well, yes, of course–but only because we Christians have let it happen. But the solution to that problem is hardly to ignore Christmas and give a victory to the ungodly in taking it over.
Look, if you’re too holy to do Christmas, fine, God speed you. But please don’t bug me with that stuff about the pristine purity of the Early Church. If you think the 1st century Church was pure and perfect, re-read Paul’s Epistles. The Galatians had him practically tearing his hair out, and he winds up writing to the Corinthians, “Don’t make me come down there with a stick!”
Folks, don’t get this wrong. Atheists don’t sue to abolish Christmas because they want to get rid of Santa and Jingle Bells and candy canes. They do it to get rid of Jesus Christ. Maybe some of you can’t see the connection anymore between Jesus Christ and Christmas, but Christ’s enemies sure do.
Your last line was terrific. The ungodly can always notice when WE do wrong, even though they can always claim they are good guys, why would God throw me in the dungeon? Of course, they never think what a slap in the face it is to reject the greatest gift ever given THAT WE CELEBRATE ON CHRISTMAS.
I LOVE CHRISTMAS, I HAVE FOR 92 YEARS AND I DON’T INTEND TO STOP NOW! MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYBODY!!!!
Here, here! (Applause)
Your lifestyle should be a witness to the unsaved not just celebrating Christmas which by the way isn’t an ordained festival. God hates our man-made festivals if you read Scripture. We are also told not to judge others and that if one person holds any day as holy to the Lord we are not to judge them. Personally I hold every day holy to the Lord but do not celebrate Christmas when once I did. Some do and some don’t, let us not be contentious in this.
Shirley Anne x
If you’ll remember what I actually wrote, I have been attacked by other Christians for defending Christmas and celebrating it. I never suggested anyone should be forced to celebrate Christmas, nor did I impugn the Christianity of those who don’t.
Now, don’t take this as applying to you personally: it doesn’t. But in today’s Pop Christianity (as opposed to the real thing based on the Word of God), people resort to the “do not judge” formula to excuse any and all reprobate behavior–especially their own.
You are right in pointing out that the Bible specifically commands us not to judge one another in regard to the keeping of holy days, or diet. “One man esteemeth one day above another; another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.” (Romans 14:5-6) I know these are the verses you have in mind. I have quoted them here because we never know who might be reading.
I respect your reasons for not regarding Christmas. Please respect mine for celebrating it. Both of us pay honor to our Lord. Meanwhile, you should see how mad some Christians get if you don’t join them in celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles.
Thank you for your considered and considerate reply brother. What attracted me to your post was its title. When you said Christians are wrong for not celebrating Christmas I had to reply as I did. No offence intended nor taken. Enjoy your celebrations.
Shirley Anne x
De nada, amiga.
Let’s be honest here. Being a Christian … or as they say “Giving your life to Christ” means giving up on certain things. You Christians love to shout this from the pulpit until it comes to YOUR traditions … then it’s a different story.
You can cry all day long that it’s the day your celebrate Jesus’ birth but that’s a lie 90% of the time as well. You, just as the non-believers, delve into consumerism, splurge your money on worthless nonsense resulting in your kids becoming just as spoiled as the non-believers’ children.
God made it very clear (Deut 12) that it is an abomination to combine the pagan festivals with His name. Find any loophole you want but the only person you are kidding is yourself. If you want to celebrate His birth, do it on Sukkot – His real date of birth!
Funny how you defend a tradition that was rejected by all protestants and baptists, yet 1850 years of rejection is wrong and your 150 years of acceptance is correct …
Arrogance.
Sukkot is Christ’s real date of birth? Where did you get that?
“All protestants [sic] and baptists [sic]”? Where did you get that?
I don’t seem to be the only one here who’s doing arrogance?