Should
Christians Observe Christmas?
Without
fail, at this time every year, I receive numerous letters, pamphlets, and
tracts denouncing the evils of Christmas as a pagan religious holiday. I fully
agree that no believer should ever observe pagan religious holidays like
Christmas and Easter. We must never incorporate pagan customs into the worship
of our God.
We
must not observe any religious holiday. We should attach no spiritual,
religious significance to any day. Yet, we do not need to act like super-pious
religious idiots over a day that has absolutely no religious significance. I
would never teach a child that such a thing as Santa Claus
exist, or that Christ was born on Christmas day. But, as Paul said
concerning idols, Santa Claus is nothing and Christmas is nothing. Did you know
that every day of the week, every planet in the universe, and many of the cars
we drive are named after pagan gods? Yet, we still call Sunday Sunday, Mars
Mars, and a Saturn a Saturn. No one would ever dream of calling us pagans for
doing so. We worship our God on Sunday, and would laugh at anyone who suggested
that we observe the pagan Roman holiday called “Sun’s Day” in doing so. If your
car is a Saturn, use it for the glory of God; and laugh at anyone who thinks
that you are worshipping the Roman god of agriculture by driving it.
We
must not, and I trust do not, worship Christmas trees and lights, or even
attach spiritual significance to Christmas day. However, I do suggest that we
seize this opportunity afforded us by Divine providence to tell people who
Christ is, why he came into this world, what he did, and how they may obtain
his salvation. It is no accident that once every year every human being in the
world is confronted with the fact that the Son of God assumed human flesh and
came into the world to save men.
Certainly,
no one can think that it is wrong for believers, during this season of the
year, to express thanks and praise to God for his unspeakable gift, the Lord
Jesus Christ. It is never wrong, but always right to think of him, speak of
him, and sing his praise. Rather than not singing
While
I loathe the religiosity of this holiday season, the silly plays, the
idolatrous pictures and representations of Christ and the angels of God, and
pretense of spirituality by people who have no interest in the glory of God, I
am delighted for this season of the year (for any season) that brings families
together, encourages kindness and good will, and promotes thoughtfulness of and
generosity to others. It is perfectly all right to exchange gifts with and send
cards to family and friends. (I cannot imagine a reason for anyone objecting to
that!) But I suggest that each of us find a way to acknowledge and do something
special for someone from whom we expect nothing, maybe even from someone from
whom we expect abuse. “Remember the words
of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Don
Fortner