Should We Celebrate Christmas
Should we celebrate Christmas? If so, why and if not why not? I was raised in a conservative Church of Christ were we certainly didn’t decorate anything in the church building that was Christmas. If anything, sermons would touch on the fact that this is not something “authorized” in the bible. Anyway, this wouldn’t have been the birthday of Christ. They were correct on the fact this probably would not have been Christ’s birthday for a number of reasons.
Jerry Shaw writes religious post on Facebook and has an accurate discussion of the origin of Christmas–it was a pagan celebration and are many of our trappings of Christmas. I refer to Jerry’s post for the history of Christmas ( Go to this link and scoll down to find the post on Christmas: https://www.facebook.com/jerry.d.shaw ).
There are three reasons I suggest my earlier brethren were wrong in condemning any mention of Christ’s birth in the “church” during the Christmas season. First, however, if you believe celebrating Christmas by having a Christmas tree, wreaths, gifts, etc is actual worship of a pagan idol in some way and that would violate your conscious, then by all means do not do so. I dare say there are few who celebrate Christmas even have knowledge of the pagan background and certainly don’t have that in mind.
The first reason we should honor and celebrate Christ’s birth is from what the heavenly host said:
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Then, see what the angel said:
Luke 2:10 “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Then the famous prophecy in Isaiah:
“To us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. “
Therefore, the heavenly host themselves celebrated the birth of Christ; His birth is an occasion for great joy; and clearly we should be thankful for and rejoice that the Prince of Peace was born.
The second reason we should honor and celebrate Christmas is to be thankful for those nominal or those not Christians actually acknowledge the birth of Christ. We should take advantage of this to more completely share the meaning of his birth.
The third reason is the reason given by most that “it is not authorized” is specious. Honoring and rejoicing at Christ’s birth is certainly something the bible in no way condemns or forbids. Next the argument from “silence” is not a valid hermeneutic principal. It can be used arbitrarily to forbid most anything — and is by various groups. To forbid any particular action requires a more complete and higher hermeneutic principal than silence alone.
My essay this Christmas week in entitled “Joy” . Martha has two poems continuing this theme. One is also entitled “Joy” and the other completes the story with the title “On the Whole.” Enjoy.
And, Merry Christmas.
Blessings and love sent to you, Martha, and to all of your sweet family.
Blessings and love sent to you, Martha, and to all of your sweet family.
Well stated.
Rejoice in God’s fulfillment of his promise of a savior for mankind who accept Him. Exploit an opportunity to “tell the old old story” to everyone including those who have not, yet, accepted the great gift. We cannot save others, but we are tasked with repeating the story and assisting those who are choosing whether or not to believe. As for my wife, Pam, and I, we believe and pray fervently for others to accept the greatest gift. After all, God needs no calendar. He accepts us 24/7/365! OK, 366 in 2024. Everyday is Christmas for believers.
Merry Christmas to you both and your family! Enjoy reading your posts. Love you both lots.
Han and Ans,
Thank you and Happy New Year:
Do you have WhatsApp available we can do a video call on it free. Just let us know love to talk to you.
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