Should Christians Observe Christmas?
Without fail, at this time every year, I receive numerous
letters, pamphlets, and tracts denouncing the evils of Christmas as a pagan
religious holiday. I fully agree that no believer should ever observe pagan
religious holidays like Christmas and Easter. We must never incorporate pagan
customs into the worship of our God.
We must not observe any religious holiday. We should attach no
spiritual, religious significance to any day. Yet, we do not need to act like
super-pious religious zealots over a day that has absolutely no religious
significance. I would never teach a child that such a thing as Santa Claus
exist, or that Christ was born on Christmas day. But, as Paul said concerning
idols, Santa Claus is nothing and Christmas is nothing. Did you know that every
day of the week, every planet in the universe, and many of the cars we drive
are named after pagan gods? Yet, we still call Sunday Sunday, Mars Mars, and a
Saturn a Saturn. No one would ever dream of calling us pagans for doing so. We
worship our God on Sunday, and would laugh at anyone who suggested that we
observe the pagan Roman holiday called “Sun’s Day” in doing so. If your car is
a Saturn, use it for the glory of God; and laugh at anyone who thinks that you
are worshipping the Roman god of agriculture by driving it.
We must not, and I trust do not, worship Christmas trees and
lights, or even attach spiritual significance to Christmas day. However, I do
suggest that we seize this opportunity afforded us by Divine providence to tell
people who Christ is, why he came into this world, what he did, and how they
may obtain his salvation. It is no accident that once every year every human
being in the world is confronted with the fact that the Son of God assumed
human flesh and came into the world to save men.
Certainly, no one can think that it is wrong for believers,
during this season of the year, to express thanks and praise to God for his
unspeakable gift, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is never wrong, but always right to
think of him, speak of him, and sing his praise. Rather than not singing Watts’ grand old hymn, Joy To The World, we ought to
sing it year round.
While I loathe the religiosity of this holiday season, the
silly plays, the idolatrous pictures and representations of Christ and the
angels of God, and pretense of spirituality by people who have no interest in
the glory of God, I am delighted for this season of the year (for any season)
that brings families together, encourages kindness and good will, and promotes
thoughtfulness of and generosity to others. It is perfectly all right to
exchange gifts with and send cards to family and friends. (I cannot imagine a
reason for anyone objecting to that!) But I suggest that each of us find a way
to acknowledge and do something special for someone from whom we expect
nothing, maybe even from someone from whom we expect abuse. “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how
he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Grace Baptist Church of Danville - Grace For
Today Radio Message #883
2734 Old Stanford Road -
Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438
`Donald S. Fortner, Pastor -Telephone 859-236-8235 - Email grace@mis.net