Is Christmas a Religious Feast?

Christmas - by Lalo B. Enriquez, Dec, 1976 (edited: Nov., 2000), Article's Web Release Date: 12-9-2002
"Is Christmas a Religious Holy Day?" Christmas Day is celebrated by millions worldwide as the "birthday of Jesus." Most religious denominations hold special religious services on this day. They arrange elaborate manger scenes, fancy plays and shows; many get involved in elaborate church sponsored "give-away" programs to the poor. It almost makes a person feel "unChristian" if he or his church does not go along with it all. A primary question must be asked and answered on the basis of Scripture: "Is Christmas a Scriptural holy day?" If it is, then Scripture must be presented. Other questions are: "Are we as Christians obligated to observe it religiously in one way or another? Can Christians participate in any way? What should our attitude be toward those who believe it to be a holy day? Does it make any difference?"
Christians are commanded to, "prove all things, hold fast to what is good" (1Ths 5:21). Many in Christendom have not done this with regard to Christmas. Most have not studied nor even thought about the origins of Christmas. It has always being a part of their lives and they assume that it is Scriptural or a part of the Bible. Others, on the other end of the spectrum, are told by parents or friends that, "Christians do not get involved with any part of Christmas; it is sinful, period!" The wrong impression is left that Christians must abstain from "any and all" holiday activity. As a result of these assumptions and or false teachings many are confused and have honest questions about this and other holidays. The Holiday Season can be very intimidating. Hopefully this discussion will help answer some questions.
THE ORIGINAL MEANING OF THE WORD "CHRISTMAS" According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. III. p. 724, the term "Christmas" originally comes from the Latin words "Cristes Maesse," meaning "Christ mass," or "the mass held in honor of Christ." This encyclopedia says that "mass" means: "the complex of prayers and ceremonies that make up the service of the Holy Eucharist in the Latin rites." The "Holy Eucharist" is the Catholic concept of the Lord's supper. Webster defines "mass" as: "A sacrament of the Roman Church, consisting of a series of prayers and ceremonies, used also by some High Anglican Churches." (High Anglican Churches would include, Church of England, Ireland and Wales, the Episcopal Church, and the protestant Episcopal Church of America). Initially then, in early Catholic thought, Christmas meant a special Catholic mass, to be conducted by Catholic priests, and celebrated in honor of the birth of Jesus Christ on the 25th of December every year.
THE ORIGIN OF CHRISTMAS This may come as a shock to many, but "Christmas" did not originate with the birth of Jesus. Our Lord did not celebrate His own birthday with a special "religious service" nor a "religious holy day." Neither did His parents nor any of His generation. Also, the celebration of Christ's birthday did not originate with the early 1st-century church. The Catholic Encyclopedia relates: "Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church." In the year 245 A.D., when some disciples were merely suggesting that Christ's birthday be honored with a special religious service, Origin, an early church father, opposed it by saying that it would be sin to even think about doing such a thing.
When was the first Christmas observed? Historian Philip Schaff tells us, "We find it first in Rome, in the time of Bishop Liberius, 354 A.D." Both, the World Book Encyclopedia and the Britannic Encyclopedia, say that Bishop Liberius (an early "father" of the church in the city of Rome), in 354 A.D., ordered that Dec. 25 be adopted as the birth date of Christ and that a mass be held to celebrate this grand event. The actual date of the birth of Jesus was not known at this time. The American Book of Days says: "Scholars are of the opinion that this date was fixed arbitrarily. In fact there is no month in which reputable scholars have not fixed the date of the birth of Christ."
So, on December 25 of the year 354 A.D., the first mass was observed in honor of Jesus' birth, but only in the city of Rome. Once the Roman citizenry had accepted this observance and date, with the approval of the church in Rome and its local pope, the Christ mass quickly spread to the rest of the Roman Empire. Constantinople accepted the idea of a mass held in honor of the birth of Christ in 380 A.D. Parts of Asia Minor accepted it in 382, Alexandria and the rest of Egypt around 430, and the churches in and surrounding Jerusalem about 440 A.D. The celebration of the entire day came much later as other traditions ("Christian" and pagan) were added to the mass observance. Today's celebration is a far cry from the original intent of Liberius and other early church fathers.
WHY DECEMBER 25th? It is quite obvious that the Christmas Day festival is not celebrated because "this is the day that Jesus was born." Only the very unlearned in Scripture and those stubbornly not wanting to hear reputable scholarship will hold to this falsehood. According to all reputable scholars and historians, mankind just plain and simple does not know exactly on which day or month Jesus was born. Colliers Encyclopedia states: "It is impossible to determine the exact date of the birth of Christ, either from the evidence of the Gospels, or from any sound tradition." The Britannic Encyclopedia observes: "Before the 5th century there is no general consensus of opinion as to when it should come in the calendar, whether on January 6, March 25th, or December 25th."
Why then was December 25 chosen by Bishop Liberius to be the day Catholics were to celebrate the birth of Jesus with a special mass?
The early Romans celebrated the birthday of three heathen gods on this day: Bacchus, Osiris, and Apollo. Also, according to Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Vol. III, p 396, "The heathen festivals, the Saturnalia, Sigillaria, Juvenalia, and the Brumalia, were also kept in Rome in the month of December." These were heathen celebrations honoring the galactic planets, stars, and the sun. Apollo was later to be identified with Helios, the sun god. Also, among other cultures, this was the time that was held with great regard due to the winter solstice, the time of the year when the sun is at its furthest point from the earth. The Americana states: "Among the German and Celtic tribes the winter solstice was considered an important time of the year, and to commemorate the return of the sun they held their chief festival of Yule...." The Roman church was having difficulty with members who wanted to continue observing these pagan festivals. Many had been baptized only because of the political pressures place on them by the now existent "state religion." Real conversions to Christ were scarce. To offset the popularity of these heathen festivals and to get people to think more about Christ rather than these false gods, Bishop Liberius decreed that everyone celebrate the mass in honor of Christ's birth.
IS CHRISTMAS A RELIGIOUS HOLY DAY? For the true Christian there is no religious "holy day." The Gospel of Christ (the New Testament) is the Christian's only written source of authority and the only guide for Christian religious activity, for the individual and for the congregation. It says nothing about any "holy day" for Christians to observe. It would be sin for a Christian or a local church to observe any day as a religious holy day because it would be "adding" to the word of God (Rev 22:18). It would be "going beyond the doctrine if Christ" (2Jhn 9). Under the law of Moses many holy days were observed by the authority of God. But Christians no longer live by the Old Testament with its animal sacrifices and holy days (Col. 2:14). Paul told the Galatians, "You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain" (Gal 4:10-11). As Christians, washed by the blood of Christ and under the authority of Jesus, the early disciples had no business observing Jewish (or other) holy days or holy seasons. The same teaching applies to Christians today.
Christmas is a religious holy day to many, and these do feel obligated to observe it in a religious manner. In fact, many denominations tell their followers it would be sin if they did not. The child of God who wishes to remain true to God and to His Word will not submit to this pressure from the religious denominational world. They are wrong and against all that the Bible teaches about how we are to honor Jesus Christ. A Christian will not observe this day, nor any other such as Easter, Good Friday, Lent, Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc., as a religious holy day, nor will we even consider them as such.
It might be good to note at this time that Sunday, the first day of the week, the Lord's Day (Rev 1:10), is not the Christian's holy day. It has been said by some that it would be sin to work on Sunday because it is "holy to the Lord," "it is the Christian's Sabbath." This is false thinking and false teaching (if we are teaching this). God never sanctified Sunday as He did the Sabbath (Saturday) in the Old Testament (Ex 31:12-17). True, we are to perform certain "holy acts" on the 1st day of the week such as the Lord's supper, contribution, praying, singing, and all other things ordained for Christians to do in the 1st day of the week assembly; but these holy acts ordained by God do not make the day "holy" no more than assembling on Wednesday to worship God and study His Word makes Wednesday a "holy day."
WHAT ABOUT "CHRISTMAS TREES, SANTA CLAUS, ETC." The Christmas tree, Santa Claus, Christmas Day dinner, Mistletoe, cards, carols, Yule Log, gift - exchanging, decorating the house, wreath, etc., all fall under the category of human tradition. None can be found in the Bible! Many of these had their beginning within the Christmas observance itself, such as the cards, songs and carols, manger scene, the star on the tree, dinner, etc. Others had their origins in the pagan festivals and were incorporated into the Christmas observance. These include the Mistletoe, the Yule Log, house decorating, exchanging of presents, and others. The following is a hurried look at some of these Christmas customs and their beginnings:
CHRISTMAS TREE: Evergreen trees have been a symbol of life and fertility down through the ages. Pagans from ancient times have decorated their houses and altars with evergreen boughs. The early Europeans would decorate their houses with evergreens to ward off the evil spirits during the winter solstice and into the new year. In medieval times evergreen trees were used in a play about Adam and Eve and it became known as the "paradise tree." According to Life Magazine, Dec. 1952, Martin Luther, in the 16th century brought one of these trees into his home and decorated it with candles, and from that time onward it took new meaning. The Catholic Encyclopedia says," .... The Christmas Tree, first definitely mentioned in 1605 at Strasbourg and introduced into France and England in 1840 only, by Princess Helena of Mecklenburg and the Prince Consort respectively."
SANTA CLAUS: A Catholic priest named Nicholas (also known as Nicholas of Bari) served as the Bishop of Myra (Italy) during the 4th century. He became the patron saint of needy children and sailors, and became one of the most prominent of the Catholic saints in medieval times, third in popularity only to Jesus and the virgin Mary (The Columbia Viking Desk Encyclopedia, p.1282). The Dutch brought this popular saint to America in their migration from Europe. The name "Santa Claus" is the anglicized version of the Dutch "Sinter Claes." American poet Clement C. Moore made St. Nicholas famous to the American mind with his 1823 poem "Visit From St. Nicholas," which began with the famous words, "Twas the night before Christmas." Since then various authors and businesses have taken advantage of the marketing value of this figure now seen as a warm, chubby gift bearer. The name "Santa Claus" eventually became the most popular. One poet (Thomas Nansk) came up with the name "Kriss Kringle" ("Christ [child] like spirit"). The Scandinavian countries have had long standing traditions of certain fabled individuals ("gnomes") who would come during the winter months and help the poor. The gnome would come into the house through the chimney and leave gifts of food and other provisions in the house. Thus, it seems that through a combination of Catholic, Scandinavian, and through the marketing ventures of business people and authors, "Santa (or Saint) Claus" was born. The Catholic Encyclopedia says, "In Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands they have the custom of making him the secret purveyor of gifts to children on Christmas eve" (Vol. XI. p. 64). During the 2nd Ecumenical Council of the Roman Cath. Church, "St. Nick" was taken off the roster of recognized "saints" in the Catholic Church. His feast day (Dec. 6) is no longer celebrated.
YULE LOG: During their winter solstice the Scandinavians would burn certain logs in their religious rites at their feast of "Yuul or Juul." The Encyclopedia Britannic says, "The burning of the Yule Log is an ancient tradition transmitted to us from our Scandinavian ancestors, who, at their feast of Juul (or "Yuul"), at the winter solstice, used to kindle huge bonfires in honor of their god, Thor." When Catholicism invaded these northern countries this religious rite became incorporated into the Christmas celebration of these people.
CAROLS: "The practice appears to be as ancient as the celebration of Christmas itself .... in the early ages of the Church, the bishops were accustomed to sing carols on Christmas day among their clergy" (English Book of Days, Robert Chambers). Most of these ancient "spiritual or church songs" were written and composed by monks and initially sung within monastery confines.
MISTLETOE & HOLLY: "Kissing under the mistletoe is derived, according to some authorities, from ancient European marriage and fertility rites. Mistletoe was a widespread symbol of fertility .... also comes from an ancient Druidic tree cult." (Good News Magazine, Scott Rockhold). Because of its connection to pagan gods, mistletoe was banned by the 4th century church, and holly was taken as a substitute. The sharp, needle like edges of the leaves symbolized Christ's crown of thorns and the red berries were mindful of drops of blood. Thus, holly also became a Christmas tradition, sharing the stage with mistletoe.
GIFT EXCHANGING: "Yet it is admitted that many pagan customs centering around the 1st of January were adopted by the Christians in celebration of the Nativity. The giving of presents on January 1 by the Romans has survived as the giving of Christmas remembrances ...." (The American Book of Days, G.W. Douglas). The giving and exchanging of presents also is thought by many to have originated with the "wise men" (Magi) who brought their gifts to Jesus at His birth.
CAN CHRISTIANS PARTICIPATE IN ANY WAY? God does not condemn our participation in civil or secular matters nor in traditions of men as long as His word is honored with regard to the activities involved. If a Christian were to celebrate Christmas as a religious holy day, honoring the birth of Christ, it would be sin. We do not have God's approval for this religious activity! This would likewise apply to the customs involved in other man-made "holy days." To put up a tree in one's home and to decorate and worship it to "ward off evil spirits," as Jeremiah said the heathen did (Jer 10:2-5), would be sin in God's sight. It would be wrong for a Christian to sing carols simply as Christmas songs. Songs about Jesus, whether they are about His birth, life, death, resurrection, or about His gospel, can and should be sung without respect to the season of the year.
Just as millions celebrate Christmas as a religious holy day, other millions celebrate it as a civil holiday. They take time off allowed them from their jobs or schools because it is a national holiday. They have get-togethers with families and friends to enjoy dinners, barbecues, games, etc. To these there are no religious inclinations whatever in the festivities. The customs enjoyed at this time of the year (the exchanging presents, Santa Claus, Xmas tree, mistletoe, family dinner, etc.) are not considered as they originally were. Also, the loving benevolent aspect of the "spirit of Christmas" is certainly a worthy spirit for any Christian to involve himself in, so long as one does not emphasize the false denominational concept that "Christmas is the only special time to do this." If one chooses to get involved, be careful not to involve the church. Simply do so as an individual or as a group who wants to join in the spirit of giving. Helping the needy in scriptural ways is always approved by God (Gal 6:9-10). Christians, if they wish, could volunteer in non religious groups who help feed & clothe the poor, homeless, etc.; or they could do "their own thing" like go and visit those in convalescent homes, hospitals, etc., beginning with those of one's own congregation! True Christians have the "spirit of giving" every day! Giving should be a concern of every Christian throughout the entire year (Jms 1:27; 2:14-16).
Traditions are not wrong just because they originate with man, or even in a religious atmosphere. The Olympic Games are a human tradition enjoyed and participated in by millions, yet they had their origin in pagan worship. The same is true of New Years Day, Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween; and others. Valentine's Day was (is) a day in which the Catholic Church honors St. Valentine, one of their many "saints." Halloween is the Catholic's "hallowed eve" before All Saints Day (Nov. 1st). It is celebrated in honor of the dead Catholic "saints."
It is no more wrong to have a decorated tree in your home on Christmas than it is to have an array of Christmas Poinsettias sitting on your dining room table, or to have people over for a Christmas dinner. It is no more wrong to exchange presents than to dress up the children in costumes on Halloween night and for them to go "trick-or-treating." It would be no more wrong to sing "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" or "Jingle Bells" during the holiday season than it would be to sing "Yankee Doodle Dandy" or "America the Beautiful" on the 4th of July. Christians are given the liberty of engaging in activities which are not in-an-of-themselves wrong (1Co. 10:23; Rm. 14:2-6,14). This is not to say that all things, in an absolute way, are inherently okay. Fornication is always wrong in any way, form, or fashion. So is stealing, lying, murder, sorcery, idolatry, and all the things forbidden by God in His Word. Traditions are wrong only when they bind or loose where God has not bound or loosed. Just because they originate in a religious setting does not make them wrong from now on. Practicing them with their original pagan and religious intent is obviously wrong.
It is sin for Christians to participate in the "reveling, drunkenness" and other sins (1Pt. 4:3-4) that for many have since become a part of this and other festive holidays. These sins are specifically condem-ned by God in His Word. Christians must be careful in other areas as well that have become a part of Christmas and other holidays. Consider the following dangers: (1) OVERSPENDING: The trap of overspending can result in the sin of "unfaithful financial stewardship." It is well known that many spend far more than necessary on gifts, decorations, and other things related to this holiday, to the point it adversely affects the economics of one's household. Often it affects one's financial responsibility toward government, and worse, toward God. (2) TEACHING WRONG ATTITUDES: "Materialistic" concepts permeate this holiday season. What is this "overspending" teaching our children? Related to this are the dangers that some children face with the unhealthy barrage of presents they receive. Finally, there is the danger of: (3) FORGETTING GOD: Christians are not to take "time off" from God during the holidays. There is a great deal of traveling and visiting done at this time of the year. We leave town to be with loved ones, to have dinner with them, etc. Often this involves being gone for the weekend. As Christians we must make sure there is a faithful congregation of God's people somewhere near so that we might worship God and fulfill other duties commanded by God on Sunday. We must not forget our daily duties as well, such as prayer, study, etc. Christians are to be "faithful stewards in all things" (1Co. 4:2). The holiday season, if we're not careful, can become a stumbling block toward sound economics, proper attitude development in ourselves and our children, and toward our spiritual faithfulness to God.
WHAT SHOULD BE OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD OTHERS? Because of the strong feelings of many toward this day, believing it to be the actual birth of Christ and a day made "holy" by God Himself, we, as Christians, need to be careful. A Christian who desires to obey God's command to "love others as himself" will not flaunt his knowledge in the face of others without respect to their convictions, especially Christians who are "weak" in this area (Rm. 15:1-3 - NKJV).
Christmas can be considered in the same light as "meats offered to idols" (1Co. 8-10), the religious undertones are similar. Paul says in 1Co. 8:4, "We know that an idol is nothing in the world ... there is no God but one." He continues in v.7, "However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some (some Christians), with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscious, being weak, is defiled." Paul goes on to say that eating meats or not eating them is of any importance insofar as God is concerned, but our knowledge of this fact, and our liberty in eating meats, must not be the occasion of a weak brother to sin. In like manner with regard to Christmas, Christians who are "more mature" in God's teaching, know that NO DAY is anything in the world. Christians have no "holy day." However, there is not in every man (every Christian) that knowledge. Some (Christians) may observe Christmas with religious overtones. They may have come forth out of very deep religious backgrounds which believe very strongly in the "holiness" of such days as Christmas, Easter, Good Friday, etc. It is not easy for them to observe these days as just another "holiday," i.e., Memorial Day, Independence, Day, Labor Day, etc.
Knowing this teaching of God, and of Christians who may be struggling with some of these things, we must be careful to apply God's word by respecting (to a certain degree) their (weak) position. We might take the occasion to study with them so that they can come to a full knowledge of God's teaching on these things. Overall, Christians should be careful not to send out cards that have on them religious connotations such as the manger scene, a picture of the infant Jesus, the wise men, or anything like this.
We should abstain from putting a manger scene under our tree or in our front yard, or of participating in any religious "holy day" activity. Some Christians are careful to not use the word "Christmas," but will instead substitute the phrase "X-mas," or they will say (or send out cards that say) "have a nice holiday season" instead of "Merry Christmas." Although this last area may be in the area of personal judgment (because with many the word "Christmas" merely identifies the holiday and things in the holiday, i.e., "Christmas tree, presents, cards, dinner, vacation, etc.); yet, as Christians who are trying to teach God's truth, we should not do anything that would give people the impression we are celebrating this day in a religious way.
CONCLUSION The Christmas season is such a beautiful and happy time as a season of giving and receiving. It can be a thrill to have or to see the lights on houses and buildings, to see children's eyes light up when they first see the lights on their tree, or as they talk about Santa. It can be a warm, beautiful and rewarding feeling to help feed and do other things for the poor. Christmas can be enjoyed in so many ways as a civic holiday, similar to the different ways we enjoy the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and other civic holidays. This is as it should be. There is no scriptural reason to think of Christmas or any other civil holiday in a religious way. God never intended for man to celebrate His Son's birthday. He did not give man the authority to do so. Christians, and anyone else who desires to respect God's authority, will do all things by the authority of heaven (Col. 3:17; Ga 1:6-9).
"What difference does it make?" some will ask. The difference is doing things according to OUR WILL or according to GOD'S WILL. To do anything without Divine approval is to go "beyond the doctrine of Christ," and to "not have God" (2Jn. 9-11). There are too many examples in Scripture of people worshiping God in wrong and unauthorized ways, all resulting in disastrous consequences; why take any chances? Consider: Cain in Gen. 4:2-7; Moses in Nu. 20:7-12; Nadab & Abihu in Lev 10:1-2; and Uzzah in 2Sam. 6:6-8. These examples ought to teach us not to take God's authority lightly. Jesus said that only those who do God's will will go to heaven (Mt 7:21; 12:50). Celebrating Christmas as a religious holy day is a religious tradition of man, established according to man's will. It cannot be found in the Bible! It makes no difference how "good" it seems, or "how much good it does," or "how much closer it makes you feel toward God." It is still according to the will of man. By the same authority of God, Christians are at liberty to observe Christmas as a national holiday. We are at liberty to use the customs which do not compromise our faith in God; that do not directly relate to the "birth of Christ."
God has lovingly ordained certain things for Christians to do to "draw closer to God." These include walking daily in God's ways (and at the same time, not involving ourselves with evil), reading and studying His Word (Ps 1:1-2; Acts 17:11), growing daily in spirituality (2Pt. 3:18), assembling with the saints at the appointed times of the congregation (Hb. 10:25), doing and maintaining "good works" by the power and grace of Christ (Tit 2:14; 3:8, 14; Jm. 1:27), walking in "joy" always (Phil 4:4), and many other things done by God's direction. Christians who want to be closer to God must remember Jesus Christ DAILY (Lk. 9:23; Hb. 12:2-3). God's will is that we also remember Jesus WEEKLY on the first day of each week as we partake of the Lord's Supper (Mt 26:26-29; 1Co. 11:23-30; Ac 20:7). God's will is that we worship Him and His Son Jesus Christ, in "spirit and in TRUTH! (Jn. 4:23-24).
MAY EVERYONE ENJOY A HAPPY, JOYFUL, AND SCRIPTURAL HOLIDAY SEASON!