Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?

It seems strange to ask should Christians celebrate Christmas, since it’s named for Christ. But was He born December 25th? Does He want us to celebrate it?

If you strip Christmas of its crass commercialism, pre-Christian customs and biblical inaccuracies, what do you have? If Christ and the early Christian Church didn’t celebrate Christmas, should we? Would you be shocked to know that the Bible doesn’t tell when Jesus was born and that the early New Testament Church didn’t celebrate Christmas? Or that Christmas was banned by the Puritans of New England? Or that some Christians today don't celebrate Christmas for biblical and doctrinal reasons? The primary problem is that the roots of Christmas lie in pagan religious practices, rather than in Christian ones. Many people today want to put Christ back into Christmas, but the fact is that He was never in Christmas in the first place. Dec. 25th was a polytheistic festival based on myth.

When Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity, he began to make it the dominant religion of Rome.  Then, in A.D. 380, Emperor Theodosius I, along with Gratian and Valentinian II, issued the Edict of Thessalonica (Cunctos populos), making Nicene Christianity the official state religion of the Roman Empire, requiring subjects to follow the faith of the bishops of Rome and Alexandria and branding dissenters as heretics.​

The 4th century Church strategically placed Christmas to co-opt existing pagan winter solstice festivals, including the cult of Mithras ("birthday of the unconquered sun") and Saturnalia, making conversion easier by "rebranding" popular celebrations into Christian ones. While pagans didn't initiate the date, the Church adopted it to offer a Christian alternative, leveraging the already popular mid-winter festivities. You can google this question: "When is the birthday of Mithras?" (the sun god) Here is the link 

This is also the reason we see sundials in the art depicted from the early church period over the heads of Jesus and disciples. It's because in their worship they mixed Christianity with aspects attributed to the sun god, Mithras.

Just proclaiming something is Christian does not make it so, regardless of what our traditions have been or what rationalizations we may use. Consider some of the customs of Christmas. For instance, over the decades, parents have lied to their children about Santa Claus and his workshop at the North Pole. Where in the Bible does God excuse us for lying—especially to our children? Shouldn't we consider that God's Word says liars will not inherit the kingdom? Even though we think it's innocent, is it in-fact, willful sin to continue lying about Santa to our children? 

“But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur...” (Revelation 21:8)

Is adopting pagan customs acceptable to God?

The Bible reveals that God does not want his people to worship Him in the same manner that pagans worship their gods. Therefore, based on what the Scriptures disclose, we believe God and His Son are not pleased with Christians celebrating Christmas. God explicitly warned ancient Israel against incorporating pagan customs into their worship of the true God.

“Do not worship the LORD your God in the way these pagan peoples worship their gods.” – Deut 12:4

“…be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there.” – Deut 18:9

Later, Jesus pointed this out to the Pharisees in Mark 7:6-9: “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men. … All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.”

What difference does it make?

Some people will wonder, “What difference does it make? Those pagan customs now have ‘Christian meanings’ associated with them. Doesn’t that make the customs acceptable?” If we leave the decision up to human opinion, the debate about whether it makes any difference could probably go on endlessly. But since God specifically addresses the issue of what customs to use in worshipping Him, we should look to the Bible for the answer. It’s found in Deuteronomy 12:29-32: “When the Lord your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods... Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.”

1 Corinthians 10:21 says, “"You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons, too; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons, too."

How is this kind of error and deception possible?

"Satan, who leads the whole world astray." (Revelation 12:9) We haven’t asked, why are we doing this? Why do we believe that? We just follow the customs and traditions that have been passed down to us. But when we compare them to the Word of God, what should our response be? Are we trying to please people or God?  God does not change (Malachai 3:6) He wants us to "distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean" (Leviticus 10:10)

"O Lord, my strength and my fortress, My refuge in the day of affliction, The Gentiles shall come to You From the ends of the earth and say, “Surely our fathers have inherited lies, Worthlessness and unprofitable things." Jeremiah 16:19

"You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. ...Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things... Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Tim 2:3-7,15

What Should I do instead?

Knowledge comes from revelation, and revelation comes from God alone. He who has ears to hear and eyes to see, let him hear and see what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church.

Jesus was born as our Savior, but He is also coming again as the great King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:15-16). The millennial reign of Christ will then begin on the earth. This prophesied event is pictured by and emphasized during the annual Feast of Tabernacles, which occurs during autumn every year (Leviticus 23:33-35). Christ told His disciples to keep this feast, as He observed it as well (John 7:2, 14, 37-39). So, instead of celebrating the Christmas holiday, a Christian should be celebrating the annual commanded festivals of God. 

It's not easy. Persecution will come as a result if you decide to obey what God shows you.

"Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true... All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right."  (2 Timothy 3:12-14,16)

"Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you." (2 Corinthians 6:17) The Bible identifies an unbeliever as someone who doesn't DO what God has said. A true believer is not based on cognitive awareness; it is behavioral. Works are NOT THE ROOT of salvation, but they are the FRUIT. What we DO proves that we are genuinely saved. This is why James said, "faith without works is dead. Even the demons believe and tremble;" and Jesus Himslef said, "“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not practice what I tell you?" (Luke 6:46) 

Jonathan Cahn gave a great teaching in 2012 during an interview with Jim Baker around the question, “when was Jesus really born?” Click the link to the left to listen now.

If you're going to quote Romans 14...

 which says, "One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind" (NKJV). This passage addresses differing Christian practices, like observing certain days (Sabbath, festivals) versus viewing all days as equal. The Apostle Paul was addressing disagreements in the early church, especially between Jewish and Gentile Christians, concerning food and holy days. The overarching point of Romans 14 is that it is the Lord (the Holy Spirit) who will lead us into the truth, if we are seeking it. So, we are just the messenger’s and He is the judge. Therefore, regardless of the response of others we are not to condemn them on their journey, but that does not mean we become silent with truth. The Lord was patient with us. Therefore, we are to be patient with others.

Every day is a good day to rejoice in Jesus, laying aside his deity, so we could KNOW HIM.

He took on a human form to become the perfect sacrifice required to pay the penalty for our sin, and reconcile us to the Father. We're not instructed to commemorate His birthday. We are instructed to share the gospel daily and teach others to do what He said. (Mt 28:19-20) Jesus came into the world to reveal Himself to sinners, calling us to repentance from our sin, and teaching us to walk in righteousness by following Him, and putting His commands into practice.

We are not supposed to add to what he told us to do because we think we have a better idea. As we read the scriptures, we see that doing things our own way never went well for those who were determined to do what they preferred over what God instructed. And, yes, God knows our heart, that's why He tells us not to trust it because it's the most deceitful of all. (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

To learn more, be sure to watch the video teachings on this page

All glory. All honor to Jesus Christ, our soon coming King and Lord over ALL.