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.
GotQuestion.org
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