This is the time of the year where millions celebrate the birth of Christ. Even the name (“Christ’s Mass”) implies its relation to Christ. If you go by any denominational church building this time of year, you will probably see slogans on their outdoor signs like, “Let’s put Christ back into Christmas” or “Jesus is the reason for the season.” A lot of groups will even organize and hold Christmas programs for the community.
However, it is obvious from history that Catholicism and paganism, not the Bible, is responsible for Christmas and the traditions surrounding it. A Christian will not attach any religious significance to Christmas nor will they in any way indicate that anything they do is done because they consider the season to be honoring the birth of Christ. If we offer to God worship that He has not authorized, we are being presumptuous. Psalm 19:13 says, “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.” Remember Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-2)?
The emphasis in the New Testament is on the death of Christ, not His birth. God has left three memorials to Christ; all of which point to His death and resurrection: (1) Belief and baptism (Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Peter 3:20-22); (2) the Lord’s supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-29); and (3) worship on the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1; Acts 20:7; Revelation 1:10). God does not want His Son remembered as a baby lying in a manger, but as the suffering Savior and resurrected Redeemer. Christ cannot be put back into Christmas because He was never there in the first place!
Kyle Campbell