with all of the debates on whether Christians should celebrate Christmas...why and why not...I thought I'd share this. In the end...to each their own.



"Should Christians celebrate Christmas?"

Answer: 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 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 the baby 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 Palestine, the practices of shepherds in winter, and the dates of Roman census-taking. None of these points is 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 Him 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 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.

good points, something to think about....thanks

anytime. I hope you have a merry season regardless of whether you celebrate traditionally or not.

yellowrose

One church place where they really like to change there sign weekly had this on the sign this week: "When you leave the 'Christ' out of 'Christmas' all you have left is 'mess'. I think personally that they are making a statement.

lol, I like that. We celebrate,, the younger kids have a fair amount of joy in gift giving and receiving but we try to stress that Jesus is the Reason for the season. I think if it is celebrated with Jesus as the theme, its a beautiful way to give praise.

I wouldn't try to take anything away from anyone that decides to celebrate. My, personally, I don't celebrate holidays except as family gatherings. But that is my choice and my beliefs. I don't celebrate Christmas in a religious sense because I celebrate the Birth of Jesus everyday. and I am thankful every day and I don't need only one day to do this.

Keep in mind that this is only my belief and I wouldn't tell others they are wrong for believing differently.

That was sort of the reason I posted this. Basically it's what is right or wrong for you

I celebrate it as a recognition of the birth of Christ. My child knows the real purpose also.

I continue the traditions and fun of it as child for my child.

The only thing I struggle with is lying about santa clause, because I am a christian. But by grace I am forgiven.

Ok.... picture this:

After the Rapture is the Church going to celebrate Christmas?
If it does how would the celebration be?

I doubt there will be holidays after rapture, every day will be blessed and no singular day will be more significan than any other.

http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Psychology/xmas/celeb.htm

Thier are many points to this that are totally false.

1 being you can not pinpoint when Yahshua was born.. If you know anything about Abiyah and his priestly heritage of his time in the temple then you can pinpoint Yahshua's Birth he was herld a king is born and if we did not throw out the OT then we would know when this was....Blessings....Miles

Also the meaning is so much deeper than any manger scene that we have complete lost what the scriptures say.. but of cource since i say these things I must be a Cultists.. If so i am glad as they called the messiah and his Disciples the same thing.. Thiers nothing New under the Sun. Yahshua's Grandfather..

Yes christians should celebrate christmas. That is the celebration of our saviors birth. The reasons we give presents is cause the wisemen brought gifts with them for Jesus when he was born. Sociaty and commercial buisenesses turned it into Santa. Regardless as if Jesus was born on this specific day, we celebrate it in memorance of Jesus and his birth. And Santa was created to appeal to the non believers as well, a commercial expansion to more then just christians. But still nevertheless the reason christmas ever started and is suppose to be the same reason we celebrate it today is the birth of Jesus Christ.

Yes, we should celebrate our Lord's birth and everyday is a good time to do it, yet, having a specific time of year to set a side and do so is awesome!!!

Any one can be born.. It is the person and what they have done in thier life that should be remembered.


No where does it say to celebrate a b-day.. John The Baptist had his head cut off for a B-day present.

Yahshua tells us to remember his death and what he did for us.

No b-days of believers can be found....Shalom....Miles

i don't believe it tells us to celebrate Jesus's birthday, but we do it out of memorance of him. And to celebrate the day the way we worship God changed. And celebrate the birth of the greatest person we can have in our lives.

yet the scriptures say do not rely on your own understaning but the will of Yahweh

whether you celebrate or not....for religious beliefs or for tradition or not at all....

I hope everyone has a very safe and happy time

DITTO,,,,,wink,and GREAT TRY at reasoning,,,lol

I think just one day,,,,is not to MUCH to ask ANYONE.
To TRY and be happy for them selves and for others they come into contact with,wink.. Tomorrow, may NEVER COME...

To each his/her own. But I think its important that as a Christian, you should know the background of what your celebrating, because the more you know the less your suckered into believing something that's false... But I always found it funny that christmas is the celebration of the birth, but the name of the holiday itself is the exact opposite, christ-mas.