Introduction

As we head into December, people lean more and more towards religion; the discussion of the birth of Christ becomes dominant in conversation. Phrases like: Jesus is the Reason for the Season and Put Christ Back in Christmas are spoken quite often. The questions to really ask are: Does Christ belong in Christmas? AND Is Christmas a religious holiday?

Celebrating the Birth of Christ

In Luke 2, we are given the story of the miraculous birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus The Christ. As you read further in the gospels, there is no mention of anyone celebrating his birth. Not even Jesus, himself, threw a party for his birthday with cake and punch.

It is not until centuries later that the concept to celebrate his birth on an annual basis comes to fruition by the Roman Catholic church to help combat the pagan celebration of Saturnalia (Dec. 17-24). December 21^st is the first day of Winter and also the shortest day of the year. The Romans called this the rebirth of the Sun. December 25^th was chosen as the birth of Christ to lean the celebration in a more religious nature.

Although the focus is on Jesus, the same kind of revelry is used. Nativity scenes are set up which, in essence, are pagan statues to honor his birth. Some go so far as to create a living nativity scene in which people dress up as Mary, Joseph, the Wise Men, and shepherds to give it more meaning. While lights, decorations, and the festive feeling are still there. The question still remains: Where does the bible authorize such an event?

A Misplaced Zeal

When the challenge is made that you can’t find this celebration in the bible, people respond by saying, “It doesn’t have to say it” OR “I want to do it anyways.” And it’s primarily because this tradition has been engraved in their minds for centuries. They can’t let go of these beliefs.

It’s the same problem the Jews had during the Period of the Judges. When a new Judge arose to deliver the people out of the hands of the enemy, the Jews put away their idols and worshipped God. However, when that Judge died, the Jews pulled out their idols and started to worship them again. The idols may have been put away, but it’s like putting away Christmas decorations; when the season is over the decorations are removed and stored away until the season begins the following year. It becomes an endless cycle of pagan worship, followed by enslavement, followed by repentance and true worship, followed by more pagan worship, etc.

In the New Testament the apostle Paul writes, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” This is the perfect description of the religious world today; a misplaced zeal. People who call themselves Christians want to worship God, and honor his Son, but they focus too much on the traditions of the past and not enough on the bible itself.

Salvation is obtained from the man who died on the cross, not the infant born in a manger. This is not to belittle Christ’ birth but rather emphasize his death, burial, and resurrection. We do this through the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week (Lk. 22:19; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-26). This was commanded by Jesus, was carried out by his apostles, and continues to be observed even today.

Conclusion

When talking to family, friends, and co-workers about Jesus, commend them about their beliefs; as Paul did in Acts 17:22. From there, steer the conversation to the man who willingly gave his life (Jn. 19:32-33, 36) on the cross for the forgiveness of all sins (Matt. 20:28; 1 Jn. 1:7). Only then can they have an understanding of how God wants us to worship him (Jn. 4:24; Mt. 7:21-23).