We’re in the midst of a festive season in our land and throughout much of the world. Christmas isn’t only a national holiday, but for most people, at least nominally, it’s a religious holy day.
Because of this, questions and concerns arise in the minds of those who want to do God’s will in everything. In the church environment in which I grew up, most of the public teaching about this was negative. My early preaching also adhered to that model. But questions and evidence should be examined. What has God revealed in His Word concerning Christmas? What principles has He given to us to guide our degree of participation in this time of celebration?
Let’s take a look at some facts, traditions, and matters of opinion or judgment concerning Christmas.
Facts Relating to Christmas
These are facts that one may check out in the Bible or find practically everywhere online.
- One doesn’t read about Christmas in the Bible. The word isn’t found there. There’s no indication that the first century church, under the leadership of the apostles, celebrated the birthday of Jesus in any regular or special way.
- The Bible doesn’t reveal the date or even the time of year of the Savior’s birth. Before the 5th century A.D. various dates were offered including January 6, March 25, dates in April, May, and September, November 17, and December 25.
- December 25 came to be the most popular date through the influence of the Roman Empire. In antiquity, long before Christ, this date was celebrated by pagans as the birthday of the Sun.
- Many Bible scholars have opined that it’s unlikely Jesus was born in December. This is a cold and rainy season in Palestine, much like our Middle Tennessee area. They say that shepherds wouldn’t likely be tending their sheep in the fields at night at this time of year. I don’t know if this is true, but it’s a fact that many have stated.
- The word “Christmas” doesn’t mean the birthday of Christ. It refers to the “Mass of Christ.” The Mass is a sacrifice offered in “an unbloody manner.” According to Roman Catholic doctrine, the bread and wine of the communion are changed by the consecration of the priest into the actual body and blood of Christ, a process called Transubstantiation. The name “Christmas” or “Mass of Christ” was given to this ordinance by the Catholic Church.
Traditions Relating to Christmas
- Most of the customs such as trees, decorations, mistletoe, holly, and feasting had their origins in pagan ceremonies that predated Christ and the church.
- While there are various traditions about Santa Claus or Saint Nicholas, the most prevalent says he was actually a fourth century bishop who lived in the Roman province of Asia Minor. Many stories circulated about gifts that he left for various people. He was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church (after his death) and became known as the patron saint of children. Legends about him have accumulated though the years.
- Many of the traditions that are presented in the typical manger scenes and Christmas carols are without biblical support. There’s no evidence that there were three wise men or that they were kings. A careful reading of Matthew 2:1-12 indicates that these magi did not come to the stable to see the child, but they came sometime later to a house. There’s no evidence of a little drummer boy being present, although the song does teach a valuable spiritual lesson.
Questions and Judgments Relating to Christmas
- Should the church incorporate this day into the assembly of public worship and follow the religious traditions started by the Roman Catholic Church and borrowed by most of the denominations? Those who are dedicated to speaking as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11) should certainly ask where is the Lord’s authority for doing so. Until such evidence is presented, we surely must refrain from the practice. This isn’t to suggest that singing some of the hymns that focus on the coming of the Savior into the world should be taboo. Some of the most meaningful and majestic spiritual songs ever penned fall into this category. Meditate on the words of “Joy to the World,” for example. Historical evidence indicates that Isaac Watts didn’t write this hymn with Christmas in view, but it has come to be associated with the Christmas season, and for that reason hasn’t been used among most churches of Christ at any time of the year. In my opinion, this is unfortunate. Or read the words of Charles Wesley’s “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” The lyrics certainly are majestic and scripturally accurate.
- Should I participate in the customs and festivities of the season — the exchanging of gifts, the ornaments, decorations, etc.? Am I involving myself in the rites of paganism if I do? This has never been an issue in our personal history, although I’ve known a number of people through the years who object to such. Each must determine his or her degree of participation. My judgment is that one may enter into such aspects of the holiday. The pagan roots of the celebrations are no longer in the view of the majority of people; no more than the pagan origins for the names we give the days of the week or the names of many cities, and no more than most people are aware of the history and etymology of the word, Christmas.
- Should I perpetuate the Santa myth with my children? Isn’t it wrong to lie to your children? Will they trust me when they find out? Will they decide that God and Jesus are myths too? You must answer these questions for yourself. My judgment is that there’s a difference between “make believe” and lying. We played Santa with our children and I don’t believe we damaged them — not by doing this anyway. I don’t know of anyone who decided to distrust his parents or renounce God because his parents played Santa Claus.
- Should I acknowledge or celebrate the birth of Christ? Absolutely! The angels did and that looks like a pretty good approved example to me. Should I acknowledge or celebrate it on December 25? Sure — and every other day too. But should I set this day especially aside to be thankful for His birth? You’ll have to make that judgment for yourself. This is an area in which every person will have to live by Romans 14:5: “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.” We understand that we aren’t to worship and commemorate the Savior’s birth in this time of our churches, but we can be thankful for His arrival into the world (Isaiah 9:6-7; Galatians 4:4-5).
Personally I’m glad that so many people give some thought to Jesus at this time of the year — because they give Him very little consideration at other times. Lots of brethren have seized on this opportunity to engage people in a meaningful discussion of the true gospel of Jesus. And I pray that this may spark some deeper thoughts that’ll lead to faith. I’m saddened by an increasingly secular culture that demands that all mention of the Savior be removed from the public square and the marketplace.
To the plea, “Don’t take Christ out of Christmas,” many would chime, “He never was in Christmas.” But I don’t want Him out of Christmas or anything else (and I hope you know what I mean by that statement). Therefore, in our house we say, “Merry Christmas.”
Adapted from Ken Green