BY T. O. BANSO
“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21 ESV).
There appear to be at least three different groups in Christianity on the celebration of Christmas. Some celebrate Christmas and don’t condemn those who don’t believe in celebrating it. Also, some don’t celebrate Christmas and condemn those who believe in celebrating it as idol worshippers. The third group comprises those who don’t celebrate it and don’t believe that those who celebrate it are engaging in idolatry.
It may not be wrong to say that the greatest criticism against the Christmas celebration is not from outside the church. It is from Christians calling Christmas celebration idolatry. They point out that Christmas has a pagan origin, it is not in the Bible, Jesus was not born on December 25, the commercialization and secularization of Christmas, etc.
While some of the points they’ve raised are valid, they do not invalidate the celebration of Christmas today. Christmas is more than Santa Claus, a holiday, and all the social events during the season. It’s more than all the feasting and commercial activities of the season. These are just distractions. It is one thing to condemn the celebration and another to point out whatever is contrary to the scriptures in its celebration so that they could be eliminated.
Christmas celebration is not idolatry as some have argued. It is not pagan idol worship. Even if it is true, as many have argued, that some traditions associated with Christmas in early years were from a pagan festival, these idolatrous practices no longer exist in most nations. Where they still exist, this should be addressed, and not throw the baby out with the bathwater.
If a god was being originally worshipped on December 25, that’s not the case now. We can worship God on December 25, as we worship Him every day. There is nothing wrong with celebrating the birth of Jesus on December 25, even if there is no proof that He was born on that date and early Christians didn’t celebrate it.
God made all days of the year; no god or idol made any day! So if a god or an idol was being celebrated on a certain day and the celebration of Christmas was fixed on the same day, what is bad about that? We have taken back the day that originally belonged to God and given it to Him as a day of worship! Where are those gods today? You don’t hear about them anymore.
None of the scriptures being relied on to condemn the Christmas celebration, such as Jeremiah 10:2-4, are relevant to the subject. “Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the Gentiles are dismayed at them. 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” (Jeremiah 10:2-4 NKJV). The mention of a tree in this scripture is not relevant to the Christmas tree used for mere decoration. No scripture specifically prohibits the celebration of Christmas.
Even if the Christmas tree was a symbol of idol worship in the past, it doesn’t have that connotation today among most Christians. The Christmas tree today is for decoration. We don’t worship the tree. We don’t worship any idol at Christmas; we worship the living God. It is different if they worship the tree in some places and call themselves Christians. They need to be taught to reform their Christmas celebration.
We must celebrate Christmas with the right understanding, spirit, and attitude. The celebration of Christmas must be Christ-centred, not commercialized and secularized. Jesus Christ must be at the centre of the celebration; He is the reason for the season. Christmas is a celebration of God’s love for humanity – the salvation of man from sin.
The word “Christmas”, just like Easter and rapture, is not in the Bible, but is described there. Christmas is mainly about the birth of Jesus, which is recorded in the Bible. The Bible does not say anything for or against the celebration of Christmas. Nevertheless, the non-existence of the word Christmas in the Bible doesn’t make its celebration sinful. There are also traditions and programmes being done by different Christian denominations that are not mentioned in the Bible, especially the New Testament. They are not sinful once they do not violate the Word of God.
The Bible warns against quarrelling over doubtful things. “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things” (Romans 14:1 NKJV). The New International Version says, “Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.” The English Standard Version puts it this way: “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.” This principle is applicable. Christians must be careful about quarrelling over opinions on Christmas; thus, empowering the church’s enemies.
Romans 14:5-6 says, “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks” (NKJV). If anyone doubts if it’s right to celebrate Christmas, he should not celebrate it for whatever is not of faith is sin (verse 23b).
Those who do not celebrate Christmas should not condemn those who do. If there are excesses or pagan practices, these could be pointed out for correction without making the celebration of Christmas appear evil. Indeed, some denominations that condemn the celebration of Christmas may have to reform and stop all unbiblical practices in how they pray, conduct services, etc. Those who celebrate Christmas should do everything to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31-33 says, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved” (NKJV). This principle is relevant to the controversy over the Christmas celebration, which was first held as a Roman state festival in 336 AD under Roman Emperor Constantine, the first Christian Roman Emperor.
Is Christ born in your heart?
Only two of the four books of the Gospels in the Bible, Matthew, and Luke, record the birth of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 1:21, the angel told Joseph in a dream the reason for the birth of Jesus: “She [Mary] will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (ESV).
The salvation of sinners is the main reason for the birth of Jesus and Christmas should be celebrated with this understanding. If you’re not born again, you should respond to the love of God now. Your Christmas celebration this year shouldn’t be without Jesus in your life.
You need to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ rather than concentrate on the social aspect of the season. Jesus, born over 2000 years ago, must now be born in your heart. This is possible now if you’re ready to surrender your life to Jesus.
God loves you and sent Jesus to be born to save you from your sins. He wouldn’t have died for your sins if He had not been born. Jesus was born human because of God’s love to save humanity. “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him” (1 John 4:9 NKJV). Christmas is a demonstration of God’s love for the world.
You should respond to God’s love. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16-17 NKJV).
Jesus is the Saviour of the whole world, not the Saviour of only the Israelites. Have you received Him as your Lord and Saviour? Don’t celebrate Christmas without Christ in your life. “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV). Is Christmas celebration a sin? No. Celebrating Christmas sinfully is the problem!
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. Take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner, and cannot save yourself, and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You must join a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
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