- Questions -
1. In which book of the Bible does it explain HOW we should celebrate Jesus Birthday?
2. What was the weather like when the Shepherds were tending their flock of sheep, at the time of Jesus’ birth?
3. Why were Mary and Joseph in the city of Bethlehem when Jesus was born?
4. Why were the Wise Men at the Manger with Baby Jesus?
5. Why did the Wise Men give gifts to Jesus?
6. What is the significance of the tree and decorations in the Christmas Celebration?
7. How does the Encyclopedia explain the Christmas Celebration?
8. What does it mean when something is a Christian tradition or custom?
9. Why do most Christians join in the Christmas Celebration?
10. What does the Bible say about adding to or taking away from Scripture?
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- Answers -
1. There is not one word mentioned in all sixty-six books of the Bible that explain how to celebrate Jesus’ Birthday. If this was important (or even a commandment) it would have been given to us in the Scriptures. We are told to remember the sacrifice of His suffering and death, which purchased our salvation. The Lord told us to remember Him with communion at the Lord’s Supper. I Corinthians 11:24 “Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of me.”
2. At the time of Jesus’ Birth, as stated in Luke 2:8, “And there were in the same country Shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” These sheep were feeding on grass—not snow—as Bethlehem was north of the equator, and wintertime would not approach for another month or two. They didn’t keep their flock in open feeding areas any later than about the middle of October due to the piercing nature of the winter wind, rain, and cold.
3. The Bible records that at the time of Jesus Christ’s Birth, Luke 2:1-5, “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.”
The city was filled and over flowing with people coming to pay their taxes; and finding no room in any of the inns, Joseph and Mary found shelter in a stable. History records that these taxations always took place at the end of the harvest, which was sometime in September or October, a much more logical time for taxation and travel.
4. Did you ever consider that the traditional Manger Scene, with the Wise Men present, might be unscriptural? Many seem to overlook an important detail in Matthew 2:8 and 11, “And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child….And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him…”
Do we, as Christians, absentmindedly follow along with the traditions of our past, with what our pastor tells us—never questioning them? Shouldn’t we instead read the Bible for ourselves and see what our Lord Jesus Christ instructs us to do. Christians need to pray and ask the Lord for wisdom, guidance and understanding. If you truly want the truth, the Lord will show it to you!
5. The Wise Men saw Jesus as being King of the Jews (it was an Eastern Custom to present gifts when coming into the presence of a King). These were not birthday gifts, because by the time the Wise Men arrived, Jesus was nearly two years old. The Magi bought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh; which represented gifts for Christ’s death, not His birth. The simple truth is: Jesus Christ was born to die. Although most assume that the Christmas tradition of exchanging gifts is a reenactment of the Magi bringing gifts to Jesus, this is plainly not the case. As tradition goes, everyone receives gifts, except Jesus Christ, of whom they are having this celebration for! Guess who loves this time of year? The merchants…who are profiting from the birth of Jesus! Is there anything Christian in this?
6. The Christmas tree, holly, ivy and mistletoe were widely considered as symbols of immortality and fertility among the ancient pagan nations, because they stay green a long time. Jeremiah 10:1-4, “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….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 ax. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.” Millions of trees are annually sacrificed to satisfy the “Sun-god,” and all their followers, along with the merchants.
7. The Encarta 96 Encyclopedia states: “Christmas, in the Christian church, annual festival, held on December 25, to celebrate the Nativity, or birth of Christ. The origin of the festival is unknown. Scholars believe that it is derived in part from rites held by pre-Christian Germanic and Celtic peoples to celebrate the winter solstice. Christmas festivals, generally observed by Christians since the 4th century, incorporate pagan customs, such as the use of holly, mistletoe, Yule logs, and wassail bowls.”
The following are several excerpts from the Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2004, which states in it’s article about Christmas…“Most scholars believe that Christmas originated in the 4th century as a Christian substitute for pagan celebrations of the winter solstice….The Catholic Church hoped to draw pagans into its religion by allowing them to continue their revelry while simultaneously honoring the birthday of Jesus….Along the way, Christian beliefs combined with existing pagan feasts and winter rituals to create many long-standing traditions of Christmas celebrations….During the Reformation of the 16th century, Protestants challenged the authority of the Catholic Church, including its toleration of surviving pagan traditions during Christmas festivities. For a brief time during the 17th century, Puritans banned Christmas in England and in some English colonies in North America because they felt it had become a season best known for gambling, flamboyant public behavior, and overindulgence in food and drink.” (Introduction, II).
“While Santa Claus became increasingly familiar to Americans, the German Christmas tree also acquired popularity in North America. As early as the 17th century, Germans had transformed this pagan symbol of fertility into a Christian symbol of rebirth.” (The Christmas Tree, III B).
“The Bible provides no guidelines that explain how Christmas should be observed, nor does it even suggest that it should be considered a religious holiday. Because of the lack of biblical instructions, Christmas rituals have been shaped by the religious and popular traditions of each culture that celebrates the holiday.” (Religious Practices & Popular Customs, VI).
As you can see by the explanation above, the true origins of Christmas are pagan and have nothing to do with birth of Jesus! Although Christians unknowingly (or with knowledge of this being a pagan holiday) still want to participate and compromise the truth! They still want to be a part of the world! The Bible says in Matthew 6:24, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
8. Over generations, stories and customs are passed down from one generation to another. Webster’s Dictionary explains it as an unwritten practice passed on through generations. There is not one single scripture in the Holy Bible that tells us that we are to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We must question these traditions that have been handed down to our generation, even though few dare to take a stand against it. Many Christians who are convicted this holiday is pagan, still participate in it! You ask why? Some would say; “I don’t want to rock the boat,” or “I don’t want to be different,” or “it’s fun for the kids.” Did you ever think that you might be doing your children more harm, by not telling them the truth? The list could go on forever with excuses that people use to justify their still partaking in this holiday. My questions is…when you know this holiday is pagan and continue in it— what excuse are you going to use to tell the Lord on Judgment Day?
Many Christians and non-Christians alike both partake in the traditions of this popular holiday. However, as is often the case, what is popular is not always right and what is right is not always popular. Many Christians speak against the Catholic Traditions of Lent, Ash Wednesday, etc., but fail to recognize that there is pagan idolatry in the Christmas celebration.
9. Most Christians are just following the customs and traditions they grew up with, without questioning any of it. Most are brought up with all the wonderful “feelings” and pleasant memories that were created during the Christmas Season. Not wanting to destroy those memories, you really don’t look or want to look any further. But once you know the truth you cannot compromise by saying, we wouldn’t want to deprive the children of these gifts and this celebration. But as we said before…who are you hurting, if you don’t tell them the truth? Do you want to let them follow the world’s way or God’s way? Many Christians say, “Oh, we know all about the pagan past, but we try to keep every thing in perspective and stay away from the commercialism, etc.” This way you only partake in SOME of it—but does that make it right?
Are you lukewarm, neither agreeing or disagreeing? It says in Revelations 3:16 “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” Which side of the fence are you going to fall? There is no gray area—it is either black or white. Some people think there’s a spiritual smorgasbord where you can pick and choose from the Bible what you want to follow. However, this is not the case. God’s Word never changes, and it doesn’t conform to fit you—you conform to fit it. You either take all of the Bible or none at all. Are you going to take a stand for the truth of the Bible…or the traditions of men?
It’s not easy to stand alone when you decide not to compromise the truth anymore. You might have to leave the church who still wants to celebrate the pagan holidays, you might also lose some friends, and, yes, you might feel like you are a stranger on this planet—but you will have peace that passes all understanding, knowing this is right…and the Lord will bless you for standing up for the truth! You are never alone as long as you have Jesus Christ!
10. Are we adding to Scripture, when it is clearly not stated for us to celebrate Christ’s birth? Obviously God did not want us to know the date Christ was born, or He would have told us to do so. Isn’t it amazing that no one knows the exact date of the most important birth in the history of mankind? We must remember that the Son of God pre-existed from eternity with the Father. Perhaps for us to affix a “date of birth” to Christ—who always was—is to detract from His divinity.
Revelations 22:18-19 “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
Revelations 1:3 “Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: For the time is at hand.”
Leaving you with a thought…tell me who are you worshipping on December 25, since Christ wasn’t born then? Could it possibly be the pagan sun-god, whose birthday was celebrated as “Saturnalia,” or the “Victory of the sun-god festival” long before Christ was even born?
The Apostle Paul said in Galatians 4:10, “Ye observe days, and months, and times and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.”
Joshua 24:15 “As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord.”
For more information, see Is Christmas In The Bible?
