Heavy Christian Topics and Beliefs!: Christmas is it Christian

Christmas decorations lighting up house

Christmas Today!

The Christian festival commemorating the birth of Jesus is observed by most branches of Churches on December 25, but by some in January. Gifts are given to one another, singing Christmas carols, lighting candles, hanging a mistletoe in a door way, putting a wreath on the front door, and last the most popular item I believe is bring an evergreen tree into the home and decorating it. To many people these are wonderful and fulfilling activities during the holiday season of the year, but what do we really know about Christmas, and is it a Christian celebration to participate in?

Christmas Origins!

The first religious celebration which honored Jesus Christ birthday is Christ's Mass, were the word Christmas came from. The Bible does not give the actual date of Jesus Christ birth, but the “Christ's Mass” celebration was in April or May. In Luke 2:8 tell us that the shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks by night, unlikely for the sheep to be out doors during the winter, they would have been kept indoors.

In 350 AD Pope Julius I designated December 25 as Christmas Day in attempt to abolish the pagan celebration Saturnalia. This celebration of Saturn was held during the winter solstice, were the days are the shortest and the nights are the longest. Many of the Christmas activities are pagan in origin giving honor primarily to the Roman god Saturnus. So how are we, as true Christians to respond to the celebration of Christmas?

A True Christian View!

Some people believe the celebration of Christmas is a Christian activity and a religious one. So, with the religious aspect in mind what do we know? Well, does it come from folklore, tradition, or the bible itself? Of course the Bible itself is all things are to come from, right!

Let me quote for you Luke 2:8 to 2:11 in the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. It says “⁸ There were also in that same country shepherds living out of doors and keeping watches in the night over their flocks. ⁹ And suddenly Jehovah’s angel stood by them, and Jehovah’s glory gleamed around them, and they became very fearful. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them: “Have no fear, for, look! I am declaring to YOU good news of a great joy that all the people will have, ¹¹ because there was born to YOU today a Savior, who is Christ [the] Lord, in David’s city.”

An elaborate Christmas alter display

In Matthew 6:3 to 6:4 we learn to give gifts of mercy in secret and Jehovah will repay you. In 2 Corinthians we learn to give cheerfully, not grudgingly, or under compulsion since God loves a cheerful giver. Last in 2 Corinthians 6:14 through 6:18 it says “¹⁴ Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? ¹⁵ Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Be´li·al? Or what portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols? For we are a temple of a living God; just as God said: “I shall reside among them and walk among [them], and I shall be their God, and they will be my people.” ¹⁷ “‘Therefore get out from among them, and separate yourselves,’ says Jehovah, ‘and quit touching the unclean thing’”; “‘and I will take YOU in.’” ¹⁸ “‘And I shall be a father to YOU, and YOU will be sons and daughters to me,’ says Jehovah the Almighty.”

We can see that the shepherds are out doors living, watching over the sheep, so it definitely is not winter during the birth of Jesus Christ. We see that God loves a cheerful giver and wants us to separate ourselves from what is unclean and Be´li·al (good for nothing). We also learned how important it is to separate ourselves from unchristian activities.

Saturnalia Mythology and Christmas!

The Roman god Saturnus was celebrated during the winter solstice season. Many traditions were incorporated in an attempt to Christianize the pagan traditions. The evergreen Christmas Tree has it Origins in very ancient believers of magic. During winter when all of nature seemed dead, the evergreen branches were thought to ensure the return of vegetation and new life. In other cultures the tree symbols enduring and renewed life and immortality. The Romans decorated their homes, temples and statues with green foliage in the celebration of Saturnalia. The giving of gifts trace back to “Box Day”, that started in ancient Rome during the Saturnalia festival. Traditionally, a box containing a gift or cash was handed to a postman and tradesmen for “services rendered” through out the year. The candles and lights at Christmas originate far back as sun worship, to strengthen the weakened sun. But Saturnalia tradition also called for the social order in the house to be turned upside down for a day, slaves and servants had liberty, and the masters waited on them at the table, wild parties were given, and presents were exchanged.

Yes, Christmas is a Christianize tradition that is unclean. Jesus Christ was not born during the winter months rather he was born about October 1, a time of year when shepherds kept their sheep outside at night. Giving of gift should be done when ever you are moved to, not during certain occasions. We should separate ourselves from unchristian activities and look toward the Bible for answers not tradition or unscriptural believes.