Answer: The
debate about whether or not Christians should celebrate Christmas has been
raging for centuries. There are equally sincere and committed Christians on
both sides of the issue, each with multiple reasons why or why not Christmas
should be celebrated in Christian homes. But what does the Bible say? 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 the 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 having 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.
Christians
who choose to ignore Christmas point to the fact that the Bible doesn’t give us
the date of Christ’s birth, which is certainly true. December 25 may not be
even close to the time Jesus was born, and arguments on both sides are legion,
some relating to climate in Israel, the practices of shepherds in winter, and
the dates of Roman census-taking. None of these points are without a certain
amount of conjecture, which brings us back to the fact that the Bible doesn’t
tell us when Jesus was born. Some see this as proof positive that God didn’t
want us to celebrate the birth, while others see the Bible’s silence on the
issue as tacit approval.
Some
Christians say that since the world celebrates Christmas—although it is
becoming more and more politically correct to refer to it as “the
holidays”—Christians should avoid it. But that is the same argument made by
false religions that deny Christ altogether, as well as cults such as the
Jehovah’s Witnesses who deny His deity. Those Christians who do 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 is no legitimate scriptural reason not to celebrate Christmas.
At the same time, there is no biblical mandate to celebrate it, either. In the
end, of course, whether or not to celebrate Christmas 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 a badge of honor inducing pride over
celebrating or not celebrating. As in all things, we seek wisdom from Him who
gives it liberally to all who ask (James 1:5) and accept one another in Christian
love and grace, regardless of our views on Christmas.(courtesy: GotQuestions.org)
