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Why Celebrate Christmas?

by Jerry Ousley  
12/06/2008 / Holidays

I received an email last year from someone who was criticizing me because I had written a couple of articles about Christmas. He said that there was no place in the Bible that taught the celebration of this holiday and that most practices at Christmastime originated from pagan rituals. Well, I'd like to address that if I may.

First of all, he is right about several things. There are no commands from God saying, "thou shalt celebrate the birth of my Son." He is also right that many of the traditions originate from other than Christian practices. However, I say, "What's the harm?" We tend to need things to celebrate. We celebrate a wedding, a birth, a birthday, and national memories such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Independence Day. Why can't we celebrate the birth of the most influential life on the face of this planet? Just because God didn't command it does that mean that we shouldn't do it? I don't think so.

I also realize that His birth probably wasn't on December 25th. In fact, Jesus was more than likely born closer to spring. But again, since no one really knows the day, isn't it better to have a set day even if it isn't the true birthday of our Savior? I also realize that the Bible tells that some regard a day more important than another and others regard each day as the same (see Romans 14:5). As Christians we should realize that we live for Christ each and every day and not just on Sunday or special holidays like Christmas. However, isn't it better to have a day when most people are at least regarding and acknowledging Christ than to not give them a day placing attention on Him?

There are traditions that originated from pagan practices like a Christmas tree. I don't deny that, however, if we put up a tree in our homes and decorate it for fun and to put us in the mood for the holiday, as long as we don't worship the thing, what's the harm? We don't pray to a tree and we don't worship a tree, at least not in our home. We realize that the tree is just decoration and we always have a good time putting it up and decorating it together as a family. If anyone finds anything wrong with that then I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree because as long as God is okay with it then we're going to continue to do it.

Santa Claus is another one of those things that some Christians have a problem with. Actually, the legend of Santa Claus originated from the true story of an early Christian named Saint Nicholas. He actually did make toys and gifts for individuals and secretly leave them for those they were made for. As long as we don't go overboard by deepening our debt, putting more stock in the gifts than in the Savior, and getting too commercial, again I say, "What's the harm?"

Of course, Christians must decide these things for themselves. But if the Holy Spirit would tell you not to celebrate Christmas that doesn't mean that He has spoken the same word to others. Unless it is specifically found in the Bible one way or another, then those things not addressed are left up to the believer and what the Spirit speaks to his or her heart. If an individual chooses not to celebrate Christmas because of things associated with it other than the birth of our Savior, that is their business. I don't judge them and they shouldn't judge me.

Frankly, people sometimes get way too dogmatic about things like this. As far as the pagan practices go, again, if we do them innocently then there is no harm done. It's the same principle addressed by Paul the Apostle when he wrote about eating meats sacrificed to idols. Because the idols weren't real Paul saw no harm in eating the food unless it was specifically known that they had been sacrificed to idols and that one was present who was offended by this practice (see 1 Corinthians 8:4-13).

Let's not get all tangled up in the do's and don'ts and let the Holy Spirit be our guide. However if you decide to celebrate Christmas, or if you choose not to celebrate Christmas, either way, do it because of Christ and not just because someone wants to control you.

Merry Christmas!

Jerry D. Ousley is the author of ?Soul Challenge?, ?Soul Journey?, ?Ordeal?, ?The Spirit Bread Daily Devotional and his first novel ?The Shoe Tree.? Visit our website at spiritbread.com to download these and more completely free of charge.

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