Should Christians celebrate Christmas when it evolved out
of a pagan holiday in the past?
What business does a Christian have celebrating Christmas,
since the Bible gives no date for Christ's birth? Isn't Christmas as we know it really an
old pagan holiday?
In reply to the first issue, historically, no exact date
can be affirmed as the day of Christ's birth, but this does not mean that celebrating
Christmas in the spirit of giving gifts to those we love is unbiblical. God Himself gave
the greatest gift ever in Jesus Christ.
As for "pagan" influence, several objections have
been raised. Many followers of Herbert W. Armstrong maintain that Christmas is a
"pagan holiday celebrated 2,000 years before the birth of Christ [which] crept into
the Christianity of the western world." They add to that, "Your eternal destiny
depends on" whether you celebrate Christmas or not.
These objections are also voiced in one form or another by
some Christian people. Our hope is that they will read what follows and check it out for
accuracy.
First, if it is a particular day (December 25, for example)
that creates the problem, is it not likely that any day can be found on which some
"pagan" somewhere isn't already celebrating something?
On the objection that the New Testament nowhere commands a
celebration of Christ's birthday, this is an argument from silence, and this silence is
insufficient to justify the objection. In fact, God condoned and even appointed times of
joyful celebration for His people.
Under the heading of "Festivals," Unger's
Bible Dictionary on page 350 says, "Besides the daily worship, the law prescribed
special festivals to be from time to time observed by the congregation. One Hebrew name
for festival was 'hag' (from the verb signifying to 'dance'), which, when applied to
religious services, indicated that they were occasions of joy and gladness."
The recurring festivals of Israel include a feast at the
beginning of each new civil year (Feast of Trumpets) and a yearly remembrance of Israel's
deliverance from Egypt (Passover), and the deliverance under Queen Esther from Haman's
treachery (Purim, which means "lots"). A careful check of what the Bible says
about Israel's festivals makes clear that God intended these times to be joyous
celebrations.
Concerning why the Christian Church generally regards
December 25 as the day to honor Christ's birth, it appears historically to be an
alternative to the pagan celebration of the early Roman Feast of Saturnalia. God's
faithful used the "time off" for the remembrance of Christ's birth while their
secular neighbors were celebrating on their own.
It may well be that the Christmas tree, yule log, etc.,
were at some point "pagan." In our culture, however, they could be more a
reflection of, and a sentimental return to, the early pioneer days when without a yule log
you would freeze to death. A tree today may only be a symbol without any
"deeper" meaning. To millions of people, the only "meaning" of the
tree is the holiday itself. To assign it anything else would be incorrect and/or
confusing.
Romans 14:5,6 leaves room for celebrating Christmas, or
Easter, or whatever special day we select. A Christian is free to celebrate or not.
Whatever we do, it is all to be done unto the Lord (unselfishly as an act of worship), and
according to the dictates of a Godly conscience. That assumes, of course, that what is
done is not contrary to Scripture (see Rom. 14:8).
But no brother is to condemn another believer in areas
where God does not condemn (see Rom. 14:13; Col. 2:16-17).
Finally we are not to do anything in such a way as to cause
an offense to another believer whose conscience and convictions differ from our own. (Note
that this does not prohibit me from celebrating Christmas just because my Christian
brother objects. It does prohibit me from celebrating only to show him up or to flaunt my
freedom to his harm.)
In conclusion, It is good and proper for the Christian to
celebrate the birth of Christ. Each is free to choose the day and manner of his
celebration so long as conscience permits and Scripture is not violated. But none of us is
free to condemn another where his conscience or convictions differ from our own.
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