Allow me to also say this as it’s the most important thing that I’ll say in this entire article. What your Pastor teaches on this topic in your local assembly supersedes anything that I would write here. Don’t print this off and take it to him as a means to justify why he should be swayed from his position or his teaching.
This blog post came about after being asked by a young man that attends one of our Churches about the pagan roots of Christmas.
Let's Define Christmas
Christmas must be looked at in the same manner as we look at any holiday, including birthdays. It’s best to view this holiday objectively, with balance. Any extreme has the potential to be detrimental to our hearts and character. The Word of God discerns the thought and the intent of our heart. That should be a bit sobering for us all. (Hebrews 4:12)Let’s define what the word Christmas is. The word Christmas “is a shortened form of "Christ's mass". It is derived from the Middle English Cristemasse, which is from Old English Crīstesmæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038 followed by the word Cristes-messe in 1131.” (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas)
With that knowledge, we know the word Christmas is a combination of 2 words from a Catholic mass. The word Christmas is not found anywhere in scripture. Just for reference, I went to one of my Bible apps and typed it into the search bar. It yielded no results.
Consistency & the Dangers of Self Righteousness
Common & cultural understanding of this holiday commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. This is a vitally important nugget when discussing this topic. Albeit, Christ was probably born in the fall. (There's a great comment at the bottom of this post highlighting the probable birth month)What’s important in this matter, as well as in anything-especially that of the Church, is to be consistent. If you feel that Christmas (or any other day/holiday) is pagan or ‘too pagan’ to celebrate, I can & will respect that. I commend conviction so long as it’s not driven by self-righteousness. Again, be consistent in all things God. Consistency speaks of our Christian character and forms an indelible mark on the all who see it. There's also an indelible mark left on all who see a consistent inconsistency in our life, this one, however, isn't so good. Whether it's an athlete, an executive, a Pastor, or a school teacher; if you want to be successful you must be consistent. Living for the Lord is no different.
While I'm on this topic of self-righteousness, in my humble opinion it's why we're seeing more Churches close in America than we're seeing open. We can live right, talk right without being self-righteous, or have that type of body language. I was reading a book earlier today, there was a line that arrested my attention. It said, "Sometimes our words say one thing, but our tone of voice says another." It goes on to say that the recipient of what we say is more interested in our tone than our words. Think about that! (Book: The 5 Love Languages, Dr. Gary Chapman, pg. 72)
Being Persuaded
If you feel that Christmas (or any other day) is inherently pagan/evil then exclude yourself from all activities and benefits from it. Don’t give or receive gifts, don’t take a Christmas bonus from your employer, don’t spend time with family on that day, don’t have a special dinner, etc. completely withdraw from it. That’s what Paul told the Saints of Rome in his epistle to them.One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. -Romans 14:5 (KJV)
I remember hearing of a Pastor that vehemently preached against Christmas due to it being 'pagan'. He approached it so boldly that he instructed his parishioners that if they celebrated it they were in danger of being lost in eternity. Interestingly enough, he gladly accepted a bonus that carried the name of this 'pagan day'. Wouldn't that also make the money 'pagan'? Sorry, my facetious side is coming out!
Being fully persuaded is not saying Christmas is pagan/evil in one hand and take a Christmas bonus in the other. If it’s pagan/evil then withdraw completely from it. Be persuaded!
Does Christmas have underlying pagan roots?
Probably to some extent. But so do our days of the week. For example “Sun-Day”. It was a day the sun worshippers set aside to perform their religious rituals. Do we follow in their religious/pagan idolatry simply because our calendar uses the name of their day? Do we change the name of the 1st day of the week to something else? I think not. I’d say we worship Jehovah God. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (click this link for a more exhaustive source on this topic)What about Christmas trees?
That’s a question that as a Pastor I occasionally get asked. Many folks go to first 6 verses Jeremiah 10 as a reference point. Here’s what it says:
Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people [are] vain: for [one] cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They [are] upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also [is it] in them to do good. Forasmuch as [there is] none like unto thee, O LORD; thou [art] great, and thy name [is] great in might. -Jeremiah 10:1-6 (KJV)
There are some parallels there. But there’s also some silence when comparing this scripture to the modern day use of the Christmas tree.
Some parallels are the decorating of silver and gold and fastening to not be moved, at least for a short period.
Some things that aren’t similar are the reference to the signs in Heaven and using this tree as a god. Which was what was happening in this context.
Matthew Henry, a commentary author, very aptly describes this concept from Jeremiah 10.
“(1.) Consider what the idol is that is worshipped. It was a tree cut out of the forest originally. It was fitted up by the hands of the workman, squared, and sawed, and worked into shape; see Isa. 44:12, etc. But, after all, it was but the stock of a tree, fitter to make a gate-post of than any thing else. But, to hide the wood, they deck it with silver and gold, they gild or lacquer it, or they deck it with gold and silver lace, or cloth of tissue. They fasten it to its place, which they themselves have assigned it, with nails and hammers, that it fall not, nor be thrown down, nor stolen away, v. 4. The image is made straight enough, and it cannot be denied but that the workman did his part, for it is upright as the palm-tree (v. 5); it looks stately, and stands up as if it were going to speak to you, but it cannot speak; it is a poor dumb creature; nor can it take one step towards your relief.”
-Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible
With this being said, my family and I do not celebrate Christmas using a tree. However, we do not condemn someone that does. I feel that this is a matter of personal conviction. I surely do not feel as if it’s a salvation issue.
What about Giving gifts?
Giving is a very Biblical concept. As a matter of fact, if we don’t give of our tithe and offering, God says we’re cursed. If we do give of tithes and offerings we’re blessed! (See Malachi 3) God so loved the world that He gave. (See John 3:16)If you are a Christian, you give. I can't find a Christian in scripture or in life itself that's a non-giver. (time, talent, money, & resources to the Kingdom of God & beyond) Not just at Christmas. Similarly, when we celebrate someone’s day of birth, it’s usually accompanied by the giving of gifts. It's sobering, at least to me, that Christmas is the only birthday in which the person we celebrate doesn’t receive the gifts. (I promote giving financially to Christmas for Christ in both of our Churches and in my family; so we “give our best gift to Jesus” See www.christmasforchrist.faith for more details)
While this surely isn’t the best piece of literature on this topic, nor is it the most exhaustive, my prayer is that it helps you, reaffirms, and encourages you. As I said in the opening lines of this, submit to your Pastor. He’s the one praying and watching for your soul. If he’s wrong God will deal with and correct him. If you don’t submit to your Pastor, God will deal with that also. (Hebrews 13:7,17)
I’ll end with this simple thought. I had a Pastor once that viewed this topic with this approach, if you don’t celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25th, then you need to take a day at some point in the year and celebrate the birth of our Messiah. Amen and amen!
Merry Christmas! Have a blessed New Year!
Pastor Brian D. Young
Pastor of the 2 greatest Churches in the world!
