Question
Please give me your opinion about Christmas. I’m an evangelical Christian and for a few years have had a very heavy heart about this “feast”. I’ve studied nimrod and his wife/mother, Saturnalia, Nicolaitans, Baal, the Roman empire, Jeremiah 10, Revelation, and none of it eases my mind about celebrating. My problem is my family enjoys it so much. But I’m truly worried.
Answer
Of course what is being asked here is whether Christians should join in the secular festivities that surround the celebration of the birth of our Lord. The more commercial and secular Christmas becomes, the more this question is raised.
As Christians, we know that many of the traditions originated from pagan practices. The passage in Jeremiah 10:1-16 is thought to have given origin to the practice of cutting down trees, bringing them into the home and decorating them. But when this passage is carefully read and discerned, we see that the Lord was warning against participating in the pagan practice of cutting down a tree and then adorning it…BECAUSE they were worshipping such things:
Jeremiah 10:3-4…For the customs of the peoples are futile; For one cuts a tree from the forest, The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. They decorate it with silver and gold; They fasten it with nails and hammers So that it will not topple..
The Lord’s warning is quick and judging:
Jeremiah 10:11 Thus you shall say to them: “The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens.”
While this might seem to suggest that we should not have Christmas trees, let’s understand that Christmas trees are not brought into our homes as an idol to worship. They are simply a decoration of the season. We should also remember that God created evergreen trees and everything that God creates is good. So it really comes down to the question, what we do with the things that God creates? As Christians, we can look at the twinkling lights on Christmas trees and be reminded of the Light that has come into the world. We can look at the beautiful ornaments and enjoy the beauty of all things created. And of course, the gifts beneath the tree should remind us of the greatest Christmas gift of all…the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ as a baby born in a manger.
Holiday Activities
It is also well known that the timing of Christmas was determined by pagan festivals. If we were to more accurately celebrate the birth of Christ it would most likely be in the fall around the time of the Feast of Tabernacles. There are many passages and verses in the Bible that substantiate that timing. (Read Was Jesus born in September? and Should we celebrate Jesus’ birthday in September?)
So, the question remains, is it wrong to celebrate on December 25th?
Let’s first note that there’s nothing in the Bible that tells us we should celebrate the birth of Christ. We are told to remember His death, but not His birth. However, there is also nothing in the Bible that says we should not remember His humble incarnation.
Since the Bible is silent about memorializing the birth of Jesus, we need to ask ourselves, what does God really care about? That answer is clear. He cares about our hearts. If our purpose in celebrating the birth of Jesus is to remember the amazing gift we have been given, the gift of God sending His Son into the world to live among us and then to die for us and open the way to eternal life with God, then celebrating Christmas can be a wonderful time of praise, worship, and thanksgiving.
The same is true about how we celebrate. If the activities and decorations do not in any way dishonor the Lord, then there is nothing wrong with them. In fact, many Christmas celebrations honor God. As Christians, we should actively try to create activities and display decorations that magnify the Lord and cause us to remember and worship our wonderful God.
Ultimately whether or not to celebrate Christmas is a personal decision. If you decide to celebrate Christmas….just remember to keep it Christ-centered — just as every day is meant to be!
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The Season of Advent (the 4 weeks before Christmas)
What is Advent?
HOPE Advent Candle 1 – Prophecy Gives Hope (video)
LOVE Advent Candle 2 – Promise Reveals Love (video)
JOY Advent Candle 3 – Jesus Is Our Joy (video)
PEACE Advent Candle 4 – Pause to Find Peace (video)
Christmas Day: When Love Was Born — Light the CHRIST Candle (video)
What is the Prophetic Symbolism of Advent Candles?
How Do We “Take” Advent and Find Rest?
Download a Daily Devotional for Advent
Download “King of Love” Daily Advent Devotions
A Christmas Poem to Download and Print
Christmas-themed GOT QUESTIONS?
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- What do Zelophehad’s Daughters have to do with Christmas?
- Errors in the Nativity Story? Is Jesus’ birthplace wrong?
- Who were the Three Wise Men? Fact or legend?
- How Did the Wise Men Know to Follow His Star?
- Did The Wise Men Arrive 12 Days After Jesus’ Birth? Or Was It Much Later?
- What is the significance of the Three Kings' gifts?
- Was Jesus born in a stable, a cave, or a house?
- Should we celebrate Jesus’ birthday in September?
- Was Jesus born in September (not December?)
- Does “Xmas” Cross Jesus Out of Christmas?
- What is the Prophetic Symbolism of Advent Candles?
- The Most Important Lesson for YOU in the Nativity Story?
- Was Mary a Levite, making Jesus both King and Priest?
- Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?
- How did Jesus become a man?
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- Are You Stuck in the Middle This Christmas? (short video lessons from the popular comedy TV show "The Middle.")
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- Why Are There Two Different Genealogies for Jesus?
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- “Immanuel” — A Poem by Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)
- Who’s Often Forgotten in the Birth of Jesus Story?
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Christmas-themed Articles
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- Preparation Produces Hope
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- A Christmas Morning Prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)
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- Need a Quick Christmas Letter with a Significant Message?
- It All Happened in a Moment
- T’was the Night Before Jesus Came
Christmas Word Search Puzzles
Scripture from: Isaiah, Matthew, Luke, and John. A Christmas message from “In the Bleak Midwinter”
Christmas-themed Videos
- The Most Beautiful O Holy Night O Night Divine, when Christ was Born
- A Baby Changes Everything, by Faith Hill
- Mary, Did You Know?
- While You Were Sleeping — A Wake Up Call for America
- I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, performed by Casting Crowns
- Mary’s Child — from the movie, A Christmas Wish
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- What If You Had Been There When Jesus Was Born? (video)
- Pause to Find Hope. Receive the Promises of God. See Jesus. Hear God’s Plan.
- Christmas Trivia Fun
- Songs of Christmas Series: Away in a Manger; Mary, Did You Know? The Rose of Bethlehem; Good Christian Men Rejoice; Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; I Wonder As I Wander; What Child Is This? The First Noel; In the Bleak Midwinter (a golden oldie)
Have You Heard About This Baby Boy? A most beautiful rendition of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah, with a Christmas message to touch your heart and give joy to your soul.
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***A Hidden Message in Psalm 23?***
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A Room with a View of Eternity—The Last Will & Testament of Jesus Christ Take a seat at the Master's table. Learn about the riches He gives to all who are His. This book will bless and encourage you, give you hope, and help you live in the joy of your salvation and the riches of Christ that are yours.
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There is much to be learned from those who have gone before us in the faith. Check out our Cloud of Witnesses category that features the words of departed saints who are now with the Lord in glory. Their words equip and encourage us even to this day. Take a few minutes to hear...
- ONLY ONE LIFE, Twill Soon Be Past – by C.T. Studd (1860 – 1931)
- “The Love of God is Greater Far” by Frederick M. Lehman (1917)
- Prayers from Billy Graham
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- “Immanuel” — A Poem by Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)
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This remains one of our most popular pages viewed.
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