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Shall we celebrate Christmas? It is popular. Professing Christians have been celebrating it for centuries. It is even common for non-Christians (whom we might consider unlikely to do so) to endorse the celebration of Christmas and even to elaborate on the benefits of the season and celebration. Yet we know that early Christians did not celebrate it; and the Scriptures are strangely silent on the subject of Christmas—strangely omitting mention of what today is considered to be a most important Christian celebration. Were the apostles and early Christians lacking in appreciation for Christ or for His birth—or were they lacking in ideas about ways to express their appreciation? Or is Christmas a big mistake?
Arguments in favor of Christmas
Both Christendom and the world advance many arguments in favor of the celebration of Christmas. However, arguments are not the proper foundation for Christian behavior: “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5. The knowledge of God enables us to judge things from His perspective, and that is gained only from His Word. How does Christmas line up with the Word of God?
The Origin of Christmas—Sharing God’s View
The celebration of Christmas is often justified by claims that angels and shepherds (not to mention wise men, animals, drummer-boy, etc.) celebrated the birth of Christ. Yet history plainly tells us that the popular celebration of the season began as a pagan holiday. Does that prevent our celebrating an event conveniently linked with the season as Christians in honor of Christ? We may have good motives and a desire to honor Christ, but we tend to forget a fundamental principle: The meaning of anything is closely connected with its origin. Time may heal wounds, but it does not change truth.
The origin of Christmas is well documented. Briefly, it is this: Several hundred years after Christ’s birth, Christianity began to become more popular than paganism. The people, unwilling to forego their pagan feasts and holidays, transformed their pagan feasts and holidays into “Christian” feasts and holidays—two of which became Christmas and Easter.
Now, suppose that you were a simple believer in Christ, living at the time of this Christianization of society. You would have abhorred the pagan practices. How would you have felt when you discovered that these new “Christians” intended to continue their customs in a modified form and to attach to them the name of your Savior? Would have been repulsed by the idea, or would you have joined in? I suspect that, as a lover of our Lord, you would have sought to avoid any direct or implied connection with these festivities. Even with the name of name of Christ attached, you would have recognized these things as “of the world.” “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world … is not of the father, but of the world.” 1 John 2:15-16. Do we share God’s view? Do we see things His way?
Appreciation for Christ—Sharing His Feelings
Now, suppose the case of a wife who pursues her own interests to the detriment of her husband’s reputation and her children’s welfare—largely ignoring her husband’s expressed will and inconsiderate of his wishes throughout the year. Then, one day, she says to the children, “Let’s celebrate Daddy’s birthday. We’ll have a big party and sing nice songs about Daddy.” Would “Daddy” value such an occasion? Suppose you were “Daddy,” would not be repulsed by such hollow flattery? You would consider it an odious mockery, and you would seek to shun the occasion. If you, as a child or friend who loved Daddy were invited to the party, would you not share his feelings about it?
In many ways, Christendom has seriously disregarded and dishonored Christ. We can never know, much less share, the sufferings at the hand of God which He endured at Calvary for us; but is may be our privilege to “suffer with Him” as we experience the world’s and Christendom’s rejection of Him. The Apostle Paul wrote, “That I may know Him … and the fellowship of His sufferings.” Philippians 3:10. Do we feel things as He feels them? Do we share His feelings?
Remembering Him and His Death—Sharing His Position
It is right to want to do something in memory of our Lord Jesus Christ to honor Him. In fact, there is something which He has asked us to do. After dispensing the bread and the wine to His disciples in the upper room, He said, “Do this in remembrance of Me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24. It is proof of the lack of heart for Christ that the world (including Christendom) makes much more ado about His birth than about His death, which was the epitome (see Philippians 2:8) and purpose (see 1 Timothy 1:15) of His coming to earth, and particularly that in which He expressly desired to be remembered. Yet this may be our privilege every week, and maybe oftener. How many people put the same energy into preparation for this momentous occasion (the remembrance of our Lord in His death) that they put into preparation for Christmas (or Easter)? Do you remember Him as He requested? Should anything else usurp the attention that His request deserves? “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do shew the Lord’s death till He come.” 1 Corinthians 11:26.
We may also memorialize Him and His death in other ways: “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14. We appreciate the death of Christ because we appreciate Him. As associated with Him, His position in relation to the world belongs to us, and we belong to His position. Christmas in only one opportunity to demonstrate that we do not belong to this present world.
You may remember the story Jesus told (Matthew 21:33-40) about the landowner who went into a distant country and, after sending his servants, finally sent his son back to his tenants, only to hear that his son had been killed by them. Suppose that, before the landowner returned in judgment, you visited these rebellious tenants and let them know that you were a friend of the landowner’s son—only to hear, “Well, you’re just in time for a party to his honor. Welcome! Join the party!” Would you feel welcome? Could you join the party without compromising your friendship with the landowner and his son? “Whoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” James 4:4. Do we stand where He stands? Do we share His position?
Other Considerations
Why focus on Christmas (other than because my children asked questions about Christmas which prompted these considerations)? That question may be answered with another: Is there any one thing in contemporary society which so mixes Christianity with the world? Christmas is a prime occasion to catch Christians off their guard and to get them occupied with the things of this world and to make them complacent about the world’s treatment of God’s Son. It promotes sentimentality where repentance is needed, celebration instead of separation, and worldliness instead of godliness.
Some may object that in all that has been said there has been no Scripture given which expressly condemns the celebration of Christmas. That is true about many things which are worldly—even about many things which we would admit are wrong and sinful. But God holds us responsible to “try ([test] the spirits” and “prove [test] all things, hold fast that which is good.” 1 John 4:1 and 1 Thessalonians 5:21. On the other hand, where are the Scriptures which supposedly endorse the celebration of Christmas despite its proven pagan origin, hypocritical character, and worldly associations? We do want to be sure, don’t we? “But he that doubteth is damned [condemned] … for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Romans 14:23.
We need to remember that condemnation is God’s prerogative. Many dear children of God ignorantly and sincerely celebrate Christmas with a desire to honor Christ. He can appreciate what comes from their hearts. He did not come to condemn, and we need to be careful to show the same gracious spirit. Separation from the world involves separation from that which characterizes it for the Lord’s sake, as He gives us light to discern it. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17. We can be thankful for what there may be in Christmas which does in fact exalt Christ and which temporarily improves the music on the radio and in public places.
Still, failure to observe this greatly loved celebration may cause offense. Relatives and friends may accuse us of merely being cheap or of being hypocritical unless we are careful to demonstrate a care for them at other times and care for the cause and honor of our Lord Jesus Christ at all times. We can take or make other occasions for giving gifts and for expressing our love in a manner that is even more meaningful than that ordained by the world; and we can do it all in fellowship with Him.
J. A. Kaiser
We show Thy death, Lord Jesus,
And here would seek to be
More to Thy death conformed
While we remember Thee.
G. W. Frazer