Dec 14th, 2012 by Rev Dr Steven Kau-
Every year when Christmas comes around, some wrestle with this issue of whether we are going to celebrate Christmas. I remember decades ago, when I was still a Jehovah’s Witness, I took great pride to tick off Christians for celebrating a pagan festival. Now that I am on the other side of the road so to speak, I obviously look at things a little different. I have also learned a few others things about Christmas since then other what I was told by the JWs.
Okay, the debate about whether or not Christians should celebrate Christmas has been raging for centuries. Even those who chose to celebrate Christmas irrespective of the objections to it, feel a little uneasy that they may be involved in something of a pagan nature. Well, both sides have offered multiple reasons why or why not Christmas should be celebrated. But what does the Bible says? 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 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 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. No one in his right mind today (except New Agers perhaps) think a tree is a god or sacred, bow down and worship it.
Christians who choose to ignore Christmas, also point to the fact that the Bible doesn’t give us the date of Christ’s birth, which is certainly true.
Some ridicule Christians celebrating Christmas because Christ was never born on 25th December and worse it was actually a celebration of a Roman festival of Saturnalia. December 25th was chosen to replace the pagan Roman holiday Natalis Solis Invincti (Birthday of the Unconquered Sun).
Emperor Aurelia introduced the cult of the Sol Invinctus (Unconquered Sun) to Rome in AD 274. Aurelian found political traction with the cult because of his own name. Most importantly, there is no historical record for a celebration Sol Invictus on 25th December prior to AD 354. Moreover, the tradition of a December 25th celebration does not find a place on the Roman calendar until after the Christianization of Rome. The “Birthday of the Unconquered Sun” holiday was scarcely traditional and hardly popular. Saturnalia was much more popular, traditional and fun. It seems, rather, that Emperor Julian the Apostate had attempted to introduce a pagan holiday in order to replace the Christian one!
Further, Christ could not have been born in December since Luke describes shepherds herding in the neighboring fields of Bethlehem. Shepherds do not herd sheep during the winter. Thus, there is no way Christ could be born in December, the winter season.
Please be reminded that Bethlehem is not England, Russia or Alaska. Bethlehem has a latitude of 31.7, almost similar to Dallas Texas on latitude 32.8 and it’s still rather comfortable outside in December. As the great Cornelius a Lapide remarks during his lifetime, one could see shepherds and sheep in the fields of Italy during late December and Italy is geographically to the north of Bethlehem.
Some Christians say that Christmas today is highly commercialized and even the greeting “Merry Christmas” had been replaced with “Happy Holidays.” Therefore, Christians want nothing to do with it. But that’s the same argument made by false religion that deny Christ altogether, as well as cults such as Jehovah’s Witnesses who deny His deity. Those Christians who do not 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 are no legitimate scriptural reasons not to celebrate Christmas. At the same time, there is no biblical mandate to celebrate it either. The Bible gives more focus on the death and resurrection of Christ rather than His birth. In the end, of course, whether to celebrate Christmas or not 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 badge of honor inducing pride over celebrating or not celebrating.
Rather, let us focus on the true meaning of Christmas. The true meaning of Christmas is the greatest expression of God’s love. “For God so love the world that He have His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17) Yes, Christmas today is highly commercialized, the manger scene is all but gone in most shopping complex and Santa Claus is the “star” attraction of the season, plus there may be excessive eating and drinking. But the fact remains; the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love of God. Nothing the world does will change that.
Why do we celebrate Christmas each year? Out of gratitude for what God did for us through Jesus Christ. We remember His birth by giving each other gifts, worshipping Him and being especially conscious of the poor and less fortunate. The true meaning of Christmas is love. God loved His own and provided a way – the only Way – for us to spend eternity with Him. And what a day it is when He comes to live eternally in the hearts of those who believe in Him! This is the victory of godliness that every Christian should be experiencing.
Happy and Blessed Christmas!
Dear Viewers in Christ, if you find this article edifying to you, please share with your friends or loved ones by using the social media plugs (Share, Email to this article). The Lord will surely bless you as you bless others. May the Lord’s peace and love be with you. Amen.
Rev. Dr. Steven Kau is the pastor of Faith Covenant Church. The church address is at 1-1 Jalan Putra Mahkota 7/5B, 47650 Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, Selangor. Sunday service in English starts at 10 am. His email contact – kausteven@gmail.com
Disclaimer: The views or opinions expressed by the columnists are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Christianity Malaysia.com
References for pictures:
Leave a Reply