I am at odds here it dishoroning to the Lord to celebrate Christmas. I read that the customs originated from pagan rituals. Also, I know as Christians we choose to celebrate Because of the birth of our Savior. I understand Jesus wasn't born on the 25th of December, but I don't see how he would have a problem with us celebrating his birth on any day we was to choose. As long as we are celebrating it and showing him honor. The problem is though is why did it have to be December 25th? Is it wrong to keep this holiday alive since it comes from pagan rituals? I have read that the Bible has commanded us not to keep celebrations of the pagans alive. I feel like I myself may not have not done enough in depth research yet, but for some reason I am feeling very uneasy about wanting to continue to celebrate it. I feel like the Lord is not pleased. I don't know if its the Holy Ghost talking or my own head. How do yall feel about it?
celebrating Christmas
- Thread starter Acr96
- Start date
-
Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.
If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!
To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
U
If you ever get married, don't use a wedding ring. Pagan origins.
Or have a traditional American wedding, as much of that has pagan origins.
Don't use the names of the days of the week (Monday, Tuesday, etc..) They are all named after pagan gods.
Hope you don't believe in soul mates or any similar concepts. Pagan origins.
Daily we are involved in one form or another of pagan influenced culture. If you're going to demonize Christmas for it's pagan origins then you better start researching many of the common things in our culture that have pagan roots, so you don't involve yourself in anything pagan.
So far i've yet to meet a person who demonizes Christian holidays for pagan roots, but makes the effort to remove all other pagan culture influences. it's a double standard.
Or have a traditional American wedding, as much of that has pagan origins.
Don't use the names of the days of the week (Monday, Tuesday, etc..) They are all named after pagan gods.
Hope you don't believe in soul mates or any similar concepts. Pagan origins.
Daily we are involved in one form or another of pagan influenced culture. If you're going to demonize Christmas for it's pagan origins then you better start researching many of the common things in our culture that have pagan roots, so you don't involve yourself in anything pagan.
So far i've yet to meet a person who demonizes Christian holidays for pagan roots, but makes the effort to remove all other pagan culture influences. it's a double standard.
This has been debated to death.
If you feel the Holy Spirit is telling you to not celebrate Christmas, go for it. I, personally, enjoy the season, keep my eyes focused on Christ, and bring glory to Him by singing great carols/hymns of the faith, gathering with family and being generous to others. None of those things dishonor God or Christ.
There are plenty of things that started off as pagan or secular but have been "redeemed" into God's glory. Take for example the hymn "Joyful, Joyful, We adore Thee." That tune was originally in Beethoven's 9th Symphony with text that was completely secular. Henry Van Dyke wrote new, God-honoring, words to the tune and now we have one of the greatest hymns in our hymnal. Are you not then going to sing this fantastic hymn?
It's all about your heart. Almost anything can be turned into a God-honoring event if our hearts are in the right place.
If you feel the Holy Spirit is telling you to not celebrate Christmas, go for it. I, personally, enjoy the season, keep my eyes focused on Christ, and bring glory to Him by singing great carols/hymns of the faith, gathering with family and being generous to others. None of those things dishonor God or Christ.
There are plenty of things that started off as pagan or secular but have been "redeemed" into God's glory. Take for example the hymn "Joyful, Joyful, We adore Thee." That tune was originally in Beethoven's 9th Symphony with text that was completely secular. Henry Van Dyke wrote new, God-honoring, words to the tune and now we have one of the greatest hymns in our hymnal. Are you not then going to sing this fantastic hymn?
It's all about your heart. Almost anything can be turned into a God-honoring event if our hearts are in the right place.
From Romans 14:
Who are you to condemn someone else's servant? They are responsible to the Lord so let him judge whether they are right or wrong. And with the Lord's help they will do what is right and will receive his approval. In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever you choose is acceptable. Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him…. (and later gets on into eating or refraining from eating certain foods and how both choices are made to honor the Lord).
All that to say, if you're celebrating Christmas because of Jesus and using the time to show love and goodwill to others as he did, only a legalist would condemn you. If you can't celebrate because the whole concern of pagan things makes you feel guilty, then feel free to refrain, though I'd hope you can still be gracious enough to receive gifts other people might give you out of love or tradition. And if someone gives you crap about it, this is probably one time where it's perfectly acceptable (and there's biblical basis) to say that it really is between you and God and this is where you are at this year. If it changes by next year that's ok too.
Who are you to condemn someone else's servant? They are responsible to the Lord so let him judge whether they are right or wrong. And with the Lord's help they will do what is right and will receive his approval. In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever you choose is acceptable. Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him…. (and later gets on into eating or refraining from eating certain foods and how both choices are made to honor the Lord).
All that to say, if you're celebrating Christmas because of Jesus and using the time to show love and goodwill to others as he did, only a legalist would condemn you. If you can't celebrate because the whole concern of pagan things makes you feel guilty, then feel free to refrain, though I'd hope you can still be gracious enough to receive gifts other people might give you out of love or tradition. And if someone gives you crap about it, this is probably one time where it's perfectly acceptable (and there's biblical basis) to say that it really is between you and God and this is where you are at this year. If it changes by next year that's ok too.
A few questions to ask as you pray and consider:
1) Did God tell His people to celebrate christmas?
2) Did anyone in Scripture celebrate it or teach others to?
3) Would anyone be celebrating christmas if the originators hadn't tried to mix Christianity with pagan worship?
4) Why do we continue to celebrate Jesus' birth on a day we know He wasn't born?
1) Did God tell His people to celebrate christmas?
2) Did anyone in Scripture celebrate it or teach others to?
3) Would anyone be celebrating christmas if the originators hadn't tried to mix Christianity with pagan worship?
4) Why do we continue to celebrate Jesus' birth on a day we know He wasn't born?
The Bible does not tell us the exact day of Jesus’ birth, but it gives us clues.
Clue#1 The first chapter of Luke in the Holy Bible tells us that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in Mary’s womb six months after his cousin, John the Baptist. (See Luke 1:26-40.)
Clue#2 John the Baptist was conceived shortly after his father, Zechariah, received the message from the angel Gabriel. It is written that Zechariah met with Gabriel while he served in the temple. (See Luke 1:8-25).
Theory Based on the Biblical description of Zechariah’s service in the temple, some scholars believe he served during Yom Kippur (in September or October). This means John the Baptist would have been conceived in September or October.
Conclusion If John the Baptist was conceived in October and Jesus was conceived six months later, Jesus was conceived in Mary’s womb by the Holy Spirit in April. If Mary conceived on April 2, Jesus would have been born on December 25.
Who is glorified if you stay in, do nothing, and be grumpy all day? Not God. Who is glorified if you sing traditional Christmas carols about Christ, give gifts to commemorate the gifts brought to Jesus, and put up a nativity? God, that's who! You can always bake a birthday cake and sing happy birthday to Jesus if that feels more spiritual. The birth of our Savior is a big deal and deserves to be celebrated in a big way.
Clue#1 The first chapter of Luke in the Holy Bible tells us that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in Mary’s womb six months after his cousin, John the Baptist. (See Luke 1:26-40.)
Clue#2 John the Baptist was conceived shortly after his father, Zechariah, received the message from the angel Gabriel. It is written that Zechariah met with Gabriel while he served in the temple. (See Luke 1:8-25).
Theory Based on the Biblical description of Zechariah’s service in the temple, some scholars believe he served during Yom Kippur (in September or October). This means John the Baptist would have been conceived in September or October.
Conclusion If John the Baptist was conceived in October and Jesus was conceived six months later, Jesus was conceived in Mary’s womb by the Holy Spirit in April. If Mary conceived on April 2, Jesus would have been born on December 25.
Who is glorified if you stay in, do nothing, and be grumpy all day? Not God. Who is glorified if you sing traditional Christmas carols about Christ, give gifts to commemorate the gifts brought to Jesus, and put up a nativity? God, that's who! You can always bake a birthday cake and sing happy birthday to Jesus if that feels more spiritual. The birth of our Savior is a big deal and deserves to be celebrated in a big way.
1 Corinthians 10:31) Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Colossians 3:16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17.) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
It's always about the heart............the intent...........sincere and loving praise/worship of God will not be rejected by God.
Last edited:
"Christ the Saviour is born!" "Gloria!" "Joy to the world, the Lord is come!"
"Oh Come all Ye Faithful - O Come Let us Adore Him" "Christ the Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born!"
"Christ the Lord, the new born king!" "Son of God, love's pure light!"
"The hopes and dreams of all the years are met in thee, tonight!"
"Mary did you know, that your baby boy, would one day rule the nations?"
Just a few examples and extracts from some well known Christmas carols. And while not all the information in carols are perfect, there is certainly a proclaimation of who Jesus is, and what he came to do in these carols. When I was teaching elementary music in public schools, I made it my business to put on a Christmas concert each year. I was in a school district that had a large East Indian and Muslim population, with some schools being 99% ESL (English as a Second Language).
These children and their parents knew nothing about Jesus, they only knew about Santa Claus, which most of them embraced, trying to fit into Canadian culture. In all the 1000's of students I taught, only one Hindu boy was not allowed to participate in these concerts (Not including JW's who basically don't count!)
So I would teach each class a secular carol, and a religious carol. So my little kindergartners would sing Jingle Bells shaking bells, and the do the actions for "Away in a Manger." The parents loved it and so did the children. It became an "annual" Christmas show, and one year when I was too sick to do it, the parents committee met with outrage that I wasn't putting it on, because we "always" have a Christmas concert. Except they didn't until I came!
The last class before Christmas, when the concert was over and done with, I would bring in a Christmas story book about Jesus being born, and what he came to do. I would read the story, and we would talk about the meanings of the words. Because these children had never been exposed to words like "manger" "angels" "Christ" and so many other words. We would talk about baby Jesus, and then how he grew to be a man who died on the cross for our sins. (Sin was another word even the older children did not know - unless there was a Christian child in the class!)
I never did an altar call. If I had ever been called on what I was doing, I would have just said I was exposing them to Canadian culture and music. But I was never called on it. The parents, with all kinds of accents, would thank me gratefully for allowing their children to sing these beautiful songs and for teaching them.
So not in 7 years, with 200-300 students each year, and I didn't get one complaint. Now, it might be different today, but even then, in the province I taught there was a strong secular movement. Christmas provided the one legitmate opportunity to expose the children to Jesus. My prayer is that I planted a few seeds. And maybe the next time the children heard about Jesus, they would pay attention and want to know more. What a huge mission field that God blessed me with!
But I could not have done it without the Christmas culture that exists in the western world.
As for now, my church is having a turkey potluck dinner on Sunday. My son and his wife and our two grandchildren are coming. My prayer, which I hope you will agree with, is that they will both renew their committment to Christ. Or at least open a door to their hearts.
Christmas is one of the greatest missionary opportunities God has provided for us in the west. To say we should not celebrate it misses God's purpose and timing. Christmas is not about us. It is about using the story of Christmas, something most people are still not totally defensive of, to preach the gospel. And then God will prepare hearts for the harvest.
(And if you know anything about reaching people for Christ, missionaries to untouched cultures bridge the gap by using something in their culture to reach people with the gospel. I had a professor who was a missionary in Indonesia on Sabbatical the year I took the course. His mission field was Muslims and head hunters. The Muslims he reached when they came to him with their visions and dreams about Isa, and the head hunters he reached with their shrunken heads. When they realized the real power in this world came from Christ, they emptied their pouches of their shrunken heads and put the parts of the NT that were in their language in their pouches, because Jesus was their new "power." Not very sophisticated, I admit, but God can use whatever he wants to reach the lost, including Christmas.)
"Oh Come all Ye Faithful - O Come Let us Adore Him" "Christ the Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born!"
"Christ the Lord, the new born king!" "Son of God, love's pure light!"
"The hopes and dreams of all the years are met in thee, tonight!"
"Mary did you know, that your baby boy, would one day rule the nations?"
Just a few examples and extracts from some well known Christmas carols. And while not all the information in carols are perfect, there is certainly a proclaimation of who Jesus is, and what he came to do in these carols. When I was teaching elementary music in public schools, I made it my business to put on a Christmas concert each year. I was in a school district that had a large East Indian and Muslim population, with some schools being 99% ESL (English as a Second Language).
These children and their parents knew nothing about Jesus, they only knew about Santa Claus, which most of them embraced, trying to fit into Canadian culture. In all the 1000's of students I taught, only one Hindu boy was not allowed to participate in these concerts (Not including JW's who basically don't count!)
So I would teach each class a secular carol, and a religious carol. So my little kindergartners would sing Jingle Bells shaking bells, and the do the actions for "Away in a Manger." The parents loved it and so did the children. It became an "annual" Christmas show, and one year when I was too sick to do it, the parents committee met with outrage that I wasn't putting it on, because we "always" have a Christmas concert. Except they didn't until I came!
The last class before Christmas, when the concert was over and done with, I would bring in a Christmas story book about Jesus being born, and what he came to do. I would read the story, and we would talk about the meanings of the words. Because these children had never been exposed to words like "manger" "angels" "Christ" and so many other words. We would talk about baby Jesus, and then how he grew to be a man who died on the cross for our sins. (Sin was another word even the older children did not know - unless there was a Christian child in the class!)
I never did an altar call. If I had ever been called on what I was doing, I would have just said I was exposing them to Canadian culture and music. But I was never called on it. The parents, with all kinds of accents, would thank me gratefully for allowing their children to sing these beautiful songs and for teaching them.
So not in 7 years, with 200-300 students each year, and I didn't get one complaint. Now, it might be different today, but even then, in the province I taught there was a strong secular movement. Christmas provided the one legitmate opportunity to expose the children to Jesus. My prayer is that I planted a few seeds. And maybe the next time the children heard about Jesus, they would pay attention and want to know more. What a huge mission field that God blessed me with!
But I could not have done it without the Christmas culture that exists in the western world.
As for now, my church is having a turkey potluck dinner on Sunday. My son and his wife and our two grandchildren are coming. My prayer, which I hope you will agree with, is that they will both renew their committment to Christ. Or at least open a door to their hearts.
Christmas is one of the greatest missionary opportunities God has provided for us in the west. To say we should not celebrate it misses God's purpose and timing. Christmas is not about us. It is about using the story of Christmas, something most people are still not totally defensive of, to preach the gospel. And then God will prepare hearts for the harvest.
(And if you know anything about reaching people for Christ, missionaries to untouched cultures bridge the gap by using something in their culture to reach people with the gospel. I had a professor who was a missionary in Indonesia on Sabbatical the year I took the course. His mission field was Muslims and head hunters. The Muslims he reached when they came to him with their visions and dreams about Isa, and the head hunters he reached with their shrunken heads. When they realized the real power in this world came from Christ, they emptied their pouches of their shrunken heads and put the parts of the NT that were in their language in their pouches, because Jesus was their new "power." Not very sophisticated, I admit, but God can use whatever he wants to reach the lost, including Christmas.)
Based on Zacharias' service in the temple in the order of Abijah, many theologians also believe that would have put the conception of John the Baptist around June/July.
The conception of Jesus would have been 6 months later around December/January
Add 9 months of gestation to give... September/October.
To make this even more interesting, in December in Jerusalem, it snows and is bitterly cold. So if the shepherds were abiding by their flocks by night in December, their flocks would die.
Regarding the wedding ring, I think we're focusing on direct worship of God and the ways we worship Him.
Either way, it can be a good time to spread the gospel message yes, but with truth
The conception of Jesus would have been 6 months later around December/January
Add 9 months of gestation to give... September/October.
To make this even more interesting, in December in Jerusalem, it snows and is bitterly cold. So if the shepherds were abiding by their flocks by night in December, their flocks would die.
Regarding the wedding ring, I think we're focusing on direct worship of God and the ways we worship Him.
Either way, it can be a good time to spread the gospel message yes, but with truth
Last edited:
I'm not against remembering Jesus' birth. But when no one in Scripture says to do it , and the only reason people started celebrating it is syncretism, and God continuously warns His people to not have anything to do with pagan customs, and most everyone recognizes it isn't even close to the right day, I think all of those things outweigh the "but He's happy with it because I really love Him."
Would you feel loved if all of your family upped and decided to start celebrating your birthday during Ramadan? (assuming your birthday isn't then. If so, pick another religious holiday of your choice.)
Would you feel loved if all of your family upped and decided to start celebrating your birthday during Ramadan? (assuming your birthday isn't then. If so, pick another religious holiday of your choice.)
Pretty much EVERYTHING in this world has pagan roots. From picking up lucky pennies to celebrating holidays. I believe it's the spirit in which you celebrate Christmas. If you celebrate it as a joyous time, to remember Jesus' birth, then good for you. If you celebrate it as a commercial holiday in hopes of big and beautiful presents, then that's not a good spirit to have. Christmas is about Jesus, and being thankful for him, not anticipating how many wonderfully expensive and lavish gifts you get or give..jmo
L
This site thinks it was the end of september by using john the baptists birth in the last paragraph (Biblical Evidence Shows Jesus Christ Wasn't Born on Dec. 25 | United Church of God)