According to the Associated Press, Gallup polls from 1994 to 2005 consistently show that more than 90 percent of adults say they celebrate Christmas, including 84 percent of non-Christians.
Some Christians–as well as secularists, Muslims, Hindus, etc.–believe that Christians should not celebrate Christmas because the Bible does not command us to celebrate Christ’s birth, it has its origins in the pagan celebration of the birthday of the sun god Tammuz, and/or it is too commercialized.
I am one of those who think we should celebrate Christmas, these and other arguments not withstanding.
The Bible does not tell us to celebrate each other’s birthdays, wedding anniversaries, Mother’s or Father’s days…and it seems to me that if we are going to celebrate any birthday, it should be Christ’s.
Further, there are many things that we support or do that Scripture neither explicitly commends nor condemns. However we are commanded to be thankful for all things (Ephesians 5:20), and if our Christmas is a time of sharing and thanksgiving to God, it seems to be honoring to Him.
As for the pagan connection, so are the names of our week–Saturday for the god Saturn, Sunday for the sun god, but we do not consider changing them. In addition, one could argue that it is good to change a day honoring a false god into a day that honors the one true God.
In addition, according to Greg Peters, an assistant professor and expert in early church history at Biola University, “There is also a theory that Dec. 25 was picked based on some early Christian sources that say that Jesus’ death would have been on March 25, based on the year and when the Passover happened…[he] also explains that according to ancient rabbinic practice, one’s death date was one’s birth date. In case of Jesus, it was March 25. Also in rabbinic tradition, birth is the same as conception. Therefore, if Jesus was “conceived” on March 25th, you add nine months and get Dec. 25.”
As for the fact that Christmas has been over-commercialized, this warrants only de-commercializing your Christmas not eliminating it.
Christmas is a wonderful time to give thanks to God, to celebrate family, life, and eternal life; sing about God’s bountiful love toward us, recommit ourselves to sharing the gospel, and thereby honor God.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
