People are writing wish lists. They are sending off once-a-year donations to charitable groups. Many people become exceptionally kind this time of year, while others become exceptionally mean. Malls are crowded and airports are abuzz with nervous activity. Amidst all this pitter-patter, many well-meaning folks are quoting their annual clichés, “Keep Christ in Christmas” and my favorite, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” Since Christians live by Christ’s authority in every aspect of life, how should we view this season of shopping, sales, Santa, and “Silent Night”?
The Bible and Christmas
Wouldn’t you think that since so much of this time of year is associated with Jesus’ physical birth that the Bible would at least mention words like nativity, Christmas, and three wise men? Well contrary to common misconception, the Bible says nothing even remotely linked to what we know today as Christmas.
Jesus and Christmas
Even though you may see scenes depicting Christ’s birth in your city, town, or neighborhood, Jesus never committed one word of commentary on His birth in the New Testament. Rather, the Lord instructed His disciples to remember His death weekly as they observed the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28).
Throughout the New Testament, one can almost feel an air of freedom resounding from its pages. Freedom from ceremony, holy days, national feasts, ritual. These practices, though legitimate under Moses’ Law, have been outlawed by Christ’s new and superior covenant (Hebrews 8:6-13; Colossians 2:8-19). This being true, any day recognized as being holy or religious in nature today is contrary with New Testament teaching, and must be from mere humans and not from Almighty God (cf. Matthew 15:8-9).
Misconceptions associated with Christmas
- It is the day of the Lord’s birth. This cannot be proven. Even December twenty-fifth is the Lord’s “birthday,” He does not authorize the celebration of it as such.
- The “wise men” came to bring gifts to Jesus on the night of His birth. The Bible does not indicate such. It is clear that by the time of the magi’s arrival to the Child, some length of time had elapsed. Matthew even lets us know that the magi did not begin traveling until they saw the Star on the night of Christ’s birth (Matthew 2:1-12). The journey took a substantial amount of time, and by the time they arrived, Jesus was a toddler, no longer and infant. Also, why would Herod have all males under age two killed?
Christians and Christmas
Christians are separate from the world and its sinful practices (cf. John 17:16-17). This is true concerning Christmas also. We should not recognize it as a holy day or as a day of any religious significance. Why? Because we cannot bring glory to God if we do such (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:31). We will not reduce Jesus from being the resurrected Lord to a defenseless infant in a feeding trough.
Christmastime, though, serves as the perfect opportunity to share with loved ones and friends why we reject holy days: because they are creations of men that will be rooted up by Jesus (Matthew 15:13). This is a great time to be sober-minded and emotionally collected. Do not let long lines and rude shoppers allow you to stop reflecting the Savior. Remember, we are a people who reflect His beauty everyday, not just on Christmas day (cf. Matthew 5:16).
P.S. How can Christ be kept in something He was never apart of?
2 comments:
As a member of the church, I will disagree with you. I see nothing wrong with taking a day to celebrate the Lord Jesus coming into our world. Its a day the world (or many) rejoices. We can not ignore scripture on this issue. Starting at Romans 14:5 it states "5One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. 8If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."
That speaks volumes. What a wonderful scripture. I respect your view on Christmas and I understand it but what maybe wrong for you may not be for another.
Amen, Broderick! You made some very good points, and it is so important that we follow Christ as He instructs, not as any earthly doctrine might teach.
A couple of other common misconceptions that I have heard are that there were three wise men (the scriptures do not give a number), and that Jesus was born in a stable (it simply states that He was laid in a manger).
The situation of various beliefs about Christmas is a unique one. Whereas in many cases (such as fighting the theory of Evolution) there are many non-Christians supporting the truth of the matter, in this case there are very few who do so, since most if not all denominations consider Christmas to be a religious holiday. All we can do though, is teach the truth in love, and stand up for what's right.
I have a Christian friend who, being from Mexico, does not celebrate Christmas at all. At first I thought this was a bit strange, but I can understand it better now with the understanding that in Mexico, with the Catholic majority, Christmas is almost exclusively a celebration of Christ's birth. Here in the United States there is (generally) more emphasis on the secular side of Christmas.
Although Christmas should not be celebrated as a religious holiday, I don't think there is anything wrong with celebrating it with presents, Christmas trees, and other such traditions.
Thanks Broderick! Keep up the good work in the Kingdom.
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