The Top 10 Reasons Why I Don't Celebrate Christmas
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ItÂ’s that time of year again! YouÂ’ll soon be barraged by the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas. Shoppers will soon go into spending overdrive, and when the bills arrive, some will wonder if itÂ’s really worth it. HereÂ’s a perspective from one who kicked the Christmas habit.
by Scott Ashley
Christmas is a hugely popular holiday celebrated by some 2 billion people worldwide. It's become such an ingrained part of modern culture that even people in nations with little or no Christian history or tradition are celebrating it in increasing numbers.
Christmas is so big that it plays a key role in the economies of many nations. In the U.S. retail industry, the day after the Thanksgiving holiday is commonly known as "Black Friday"—not because it's bad, but because this marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season and stores that have been "in the red"—operating at a loss all year—suddenly see their sales shoot up so fast that they are now operating in the black (at a profit) the rest of the year. "Black Friday" is the biggest shopping day of the year due to its Christmas sales.
Christmas is big—very big. Schools and colleges commonly take a week or longer break at this time, some businesses shut down to give their employees time off, many families plan trips and get-togethers, and some people darken the door of a church for perhaps the first time all year.
So it's not surprising that I get some pretty shocked looks when I tell people I don't celebrate Christmas. That's pretty unusual for anyone, much less someone who's been an ordained minister for 15 years and edits a Christian magazine.
So what's up with this? Why would anyone not want to celebrate Christmas like nearly everybody else? Are there valid reasons for not participating in all the holiday hoopla?
American Late Show television program host David Letterman is famous for his "top 10" lists in which he offers pointed commentary about popular culture and current events. So here I offer my top 10 reasons for not celebrating Christmas! -
1. Christmas is driven by commercialism.
It's not that difficult to recognize what really drives the holiday in our age. Cal Thomas, an American syndicated columnist who often writes from a Christian perspective, acknowledged uncomfortable truths about Christmas in a December 2003 column.
"I'm not sure it's worth keeping Christmas anymore," he began, lamenting that the holiday has become a "road show of reindeer, winter scenes, elves and the God substitute, Santa Claus, who serves as a front for merchants seeking to play on the guilt some parents bear for ignoring their kids the rest of the year."
He asks a great question: "Why participate any longer in this charade where the focal point of worship has shifted from a babe in a manger to a babe in the Victoria 's Secret window? . . . No room in the inn has been replaced by no room in the mall parking lot."
But perhaps his most insightful statement is this: "It's instructive how just one season away from lusting after material things can break the habit. It's something like liberation from an addiction or lifestyle choice. Being away from it can cause one to realize the behavior is neither missed nor needed for fulfillment and enjoyment."
Having said good-bye to the Christmas habit several decades ago, I couldn't have said it better myself! -
2. Christmas is nowhere mentioned in the Bible.
This is rather obvious, but most people never give it a second thought. The books of the New Testament cover 30+ years of Jesus Christ's life, then another 30+ years of the early Church following His death and resurrection, but nowhere do we find any hint of a Christmas celebration or anything remotely like it.
Yes, the Bible does give us quite a few details of His birth—the angelic appearance to Mary and then Joseph, the conditions surrounding His birth in a stable in Bethlehem, the heavenly choir's performance for the shepherds in the fields outside the town. But nowhere in the Bible is there any record of anyone observing Christmas or any hint that God the Father or Jesus Christ expects us to do so. -
3. Jesus wasn't born on or near Dec. 25.
Surprising but true! Remember those shepherds who were "living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night"? (Luke 2:8 ). December weather around Bethlehem is often miserably cold, wet and rainy. No shepherd in his right mind would have kept his flocks outside at night at that time of year!
The Interpreter's One-Volume Commentary says this passage argues "against the birth [of Christ] occurring on Dec. 25 since the weather would not have permitted" shepherds to be out in the fields with their flocks then.
And Celebrations: The Complete Book of American Holidays tells us that Luke's account of Christ's birth "suggests that Jesus may have been born in summer or early fall. Since December is cold and rainy in Judea, it is likely the shepherds would have sought shelter for their flocks at night" (p. 309) rather than keeping them outdoors.
Also, Luke 2:1-4 tells us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem because his parents came to that town to register in a Roman census. The Romans were well known as highly efficient administrators. It would have made no sense to have conducted a census in the dead of winter, when temperatures often dropped below freezing and traveling was difficult due to poor road conditions. Taking a census under such conditions would have been self-defeating! -
4. The Christmas holiday is largely a recycled pagan celebration.
Again, surprising but true! Read it for yourself in just about any encyclopedia.
Consider the customs associated with Christmas. What do decorated evergreen trees, holly, mistletoe, yule logs, a jolly plump man in a fur-lined red suit, sleighs and flying reindeer have to do with the birth of Jesus Christ?
None of these things have anything to do with Him, but they have a lot to do with ancient pagan festivals. (Read the eye-opening details in our free booklet Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Keep?)
And what about the date of Dec. 25? How did it come to be assigned as the supposed date of Jesus Christ's birth? Historians Gerard and Patricia Del Re explain:
"The tradition of celebrating December 25 as Christ's birthday came to the Romans from Persia. Mithra, the Persian god of light and sacred contracts, was born out of a rock on December 25. Rome was famous for its flirtations with strange gods and cults, and in the third century the unchristian emperor Aurelian established the festival of Dies Invicti Solis, the Day of the Invincible Sun, on December 25.
"Mithra was an embodiment of the sun, so this period of its rebirth was a major day in Mithraism, which had become Rome's latest official religion . . . It is believed that the emperor Constantine adhered to Mithraism up to the time of his conversion to Christianity. He was probably instrumental in seeing that the major feast of his old religion was carried over to his new faith" (The Christmas Almanac, 1979, p. 17).
It's difficult to determine the first time anyone celebrated Dec. 25 as Christmas, but historians generally agree that it was sometime during the fourth century—some 300 years after Christ's death. And then a contrived date was chosen because it was already a popular pagan holiday celebrating the birth of the sun god!
Similarly, virtually all of the customs associated with Christmas are recycled from ancient pagan festivals honoring other gods. -
5. God condemns using pagan customs to worship Him.
Since Christmas is supposedly a day to worship and celebrate God the Father and Jesus Christ, wouldn't it be a good idea to look into the Bible to see what it says about how we should worship God?
The answer is quite clear. God gives specific instruction about using pagan practices to worship Him—the exact thing Christmas does! Notice what He says in Deuteronomy 12:30-32: ". . . 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 . . . Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it" (emphasis added throughout).
And lest some think this is simply an Old Testament command that no longer applies, the apostle Paul makes the same point in 2 Corinthians 6, where he addresses whether unbiblical religious customs and practices have any place in the worship of God's people:
"What fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial [the devil and/or demons]? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God . . .
"Therefore 'Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.' 'I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.' Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 7:1).
Rather than relabeling pagan customs as Christian, or allowing members of the Church to continue their old pagan practices, the apostle Paul told them in no uncertain terms to leave behind all these forms of worship and worship God in true holiness as He commands. Jesus likewise says His true followers "must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24)—not revel in recycled pagan customs and symbolism. -
6. Christmas is worshipping God in vain.
Since Christmas is a jumble of ancient pagan customs invented by men, and a holiday found nowhere in the Bible, does God honor or accept such worship?
Jesus provides the answer in His stern rebuke of the religious teachers of His day, men who had substituted human traditions and teachings for God's divine truths and commands: "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites . . . 'in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' . . . All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition" (Mark 7:6-9).
In the 17th century Christmas was actually outlawed in England and some parts of the American colonies because of its unbiblical and pagan origins. They knew something most people today have forgotten or have never known! -
7. You can't put Christ back into something He was never in.
Some people admit the many problems with Christmas. But rather than face up to those problems, some assert that we should "put Christ back in Christmas."
However, it's impossible to "put Christ back in Christmas" since He never was in Christmas in the first place! He never so much as heard the word "Christmas" during His lifetime on earth, nor did His apostles after Him. You can search the Bible cover to cover but you won't find the words "Christmas," "Christmas tree," "mistletoe," "holly," "Santa Claus" or "flying reindeer."
Putting Christ back in Christmas may sound like a nice sentiment, but it's really only a misguided effort to try to justify a long-standing human tradition rather than what the Bible tells us we should do. -
8. The Bible nowhere tells us to observe a holiday celebrating Jesus Christ's birth—but it clearly does tell us to commemorate His death.
As noted earlier, the Bible nowhere mentions Christmas or tells us to celebrate Christ's birth.
This is not to say that the Bible doesn't tell us to commemorate a highly significant event in Jesus Christ's life on earth. It does—but that event is His death, not His birth.
Notice what the apostle Paul, conveying the instructions of Jesus Himself, tells Christians: "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.'
"In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes . . . Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (1 Corinthians 11:23-28 ).
And yes, many believers do what they consider a form of this today in taking communion or "the Lord's supper." They fail to realize, however, the full significance of these acts, or that what Paul is actually describing here is the Passover — which is what Jesus Himself called this observance (Matthew 26:18-19; Mark 14:14-16; Luke 22:8-13, 15).
And many have no idea of the real date of Christ's death and the annual Passover observance, but that's an issue for another time. (Hint: It isn't "Good Friday" prior to Easter as so many mistakenly believe. See our booklet Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Keep? for details.) The point is: Jesus clearly expects His true followers to commemorate His death—not His birth—by observing the Passover. -
9. Christmas obscures God's plan for mankind.
Passover, mentioned above, has enormous significance in God's plan for humanity. The Old Testament Passover, described in Exodus 12, was symbolic of Jesus Christ's future role and sacrifice. As the blood of the slain Passover lambs on the Israelites' houses spared them while the firstborn of the Egyptians were slain, so does Jesus Christ's sacrificial death on our behalf spare us from death— eternal death.
Paul alluded to this great truth when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 5:7 that "Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us." Similarly John the Baptist, speaking under divine inspiration, said of Jesus, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29).
Peter wrote that we are redeemed "with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:19)—a clear reference to the Passover lambs (Exodus 12:5).
A central key to God's plan for humanity is Jesus Christ's sacrificial death on our behalf. He is "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8 )—meaning His death for our sins was planned before the first human beings were ever created (1 Peter 1:18-20). Only through His death to pay the penalty for our sins can human beings receive God's gift of eternal life (John 3:14-17; Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
Christmas, in contrast, teaches us none of this. Regrettably, because it is a hodgepodge of unbiblical customs and beliefs thrown together with a few elements of biblical truth, it only obscures the incredible purpose of Jesus Christ's coming—as well as why He must return to earth a second time! (For more details, request our free booklets Jesus Christ: The Real Story and The Gospel of the Kingdom.) -
10. I'd rather celebrate the Holy Days Jesus Christ and the apostles observed.
God in His Word sets out many choices for us. Will we do things His way or our own? Will we worship Him as He tells us to, or expect Him to honor whatever religious practices we choose regardless of what His Word says?
It's always good to ask the question, What would Jesus do? The answer, from the Scriptures, is quite clear as to what Jesus did. Jesus didn't allow His followers the option of adopting pagan practices in their worship. He and the apostles plainly kept God's Holy Days and festivals that we find recorded in Leviticus 23.
As noted above, they kept the Passover (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Scripture shows they also observed the Days of Unleavened Bread (Acts 20:6; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 ). The New Testament Church itself was founded on the Feast of Pentecost (Acts 2:1), another biblical festival they clearly observed (Acts 20:16). They likewise kept the Day of Atonement (called "the Fast" in Acts 27:9) and the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2, 10).
Christmas, meanwhile, is totally missing from the biblical record.
Most people don't know that the Bible includes a whole list of festivals that God commanded, that Jesus Himself observed and that the apostles and early Church were still keeping decades after Christ's death and resurrection. And unlike Christmas, these reveal a great deal about Jesus Christ's role and mission.
Each one teaches us a vital lesson in what Jesus has done, is doing and will yet do in carrying out God's great plan for humankind. The differences between these and the tired old paganism and crass commercialism of Christmas is truly like the difference between day and night. Why not look into them for yourself?
I've given you my top 10 reasons for not celebrating Christmas. What do you suppose God thinks of your reasons for continuing to observe it? GN -
Are there any other believers out there who feel the same way?
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do you celebrate christmas and why?
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don't really celebrate christmas, but its refreshing to go everywhere here, and hear/see people directly and indirectly talking and sharing about Christ and a good (better than normal) chance to share the Gospel message.Originally posted by breytonhartge:do you celebrate christmas and why?
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how to reconcile the gospel message on christmas especially in the light of point 7 when Yeshua was never in christmas in the first place?Originally posted by vince69:don't really celebrate christmas, but its refreshing to go everywhere here, and hear/see people directly and indirectly talking and sharing about Christ and a good (better than normal) chance to share the Gospel message. -
is there a need to?Originally posted by breytonhartge:how to reconcile the gospel message on christmas especially in the light of point 7 when Yeshua was never in christmas in the first place?
But this is the period of the year where there will be many who wanted to know about Christ (as in christmas) and present us with the chance to share about the Truth Gospel about our Lord Jesus Christ.
*** just sharing my opinion -
that argument is flawed.
yes, christmas is about the birth of jeses. but it has evolved to become something more.
its now a season of giving and recieving, a time when we exchange presents and spread the love. thats why even non-christains celebrate christmas. -
in my opinion, yes, in the light of point 6. It is a man made tradition, why is the church holding so fast to it especially when it was never practiced or celebrated by Yeshua and the apostles themselves.Originally posted by vince69:is there a need to?
But this is the period of the year where there will be many who wanted to know about Christ (as in christmas) and present us with the chance to share about the Truth Gospel about our Lord Jesus Christ.
*** just sharing my opinion
This is all part of mystery babylon of whom we as believers are asked to come out of... -
christmas has never and will never be about the birth of Yeshua or Jesus as you know Him.Originally posted by OO_OO_OO:that argument is flawed.
yes, christmas is about the birth of jeses. but it has evolved to become something more.
its now a season of giving and recieving, a time when we exchange presents and spread the love. thats why even non-christains celebrate christmas. -
errr. Brother, I am refering to "the act of taking the chance to share the true message of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" not the tradition/celebration of christmas (which I don't really care about)Originally posted by breytonhartge:in my opinion, yes, in the light of point 6. It is a man made tradition, why is the church holding so fast to it especially when it was never practiced or celebrated by Yeshua and the apostles themselves.
This is all part of mystery babylon of whom we as believers are asked to come out of... -
brey, I have attempted to avoid commenting on articles that you have started in DT.
However, with this current thread, I like to voice my opinion on which this who series of post had taken place.
Up to the point of the 10 reasons, I really have no issue with it. It is the opinion of the writer and in a way, you have endorsed it and this being your forum you have every right to post it in anyway you please.
With your personal questions, I think the thread will take a different turn.
Had anyone responded to this thread, it will inevidently take the path that why should a true believer follow the traditions of a pagan culture... therefore, the answer will have to be a YES. A NO answer will bring about an endless debate on the "erroneous theology" of the church.Originally posted by breytonhartge:Are there any other believers out there who feel the same way?
Again, really, a loaded question (in light of DT's beliefs). Invidently the answer will have to be NO, otherwise, another endless debate and condemnation.Originally posted by breytonhartge:do you celebrate christmas and why?
with the current exchange between you, vince and some other forumites, it again will become the endless debate on whether the church is right or not.Originally posted by vince69:errr. Brother, I am refering to "the act of taking the chance to share the true message of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" not the tradition/celebration of christmas (which I don't really care about)
My personal opinion is: if you had left the post as the ten reasons without attempting to get opinions (which in reality are not really opinions to you, but an "erroneous teaching"), it is probably better.
You may already notice that I no longer have any wish to debate on theological issues with you. The reason: while I am willing to accept that you might be right in some points, your view of my theology is that I am definitely wrong.
While I am more than happy to write to you and exchange life stories and what I do with my Lego, I am no longer encouraged to participate in threads pertaining to theology. -
Originally posted by Chin Eng:
point duly noted and thank you for taking the time to post.
brey, I have attempted to avoid commenting on articles that you have started in DT.
However, with this current thread, I like to voice my opinion on which this who series of post had taken place.
Up to the point of the 10 reasons, I really have no issue with it. It is the opinion of the writer and in a way, you have endorsed it and this being your forum you have every right to post it in anyway you please.
With your personal questions, I think the thread will take a different turn.
with the current exchange between you, vince and some other forumites, it again will become the endless debate on whether the church is right or not.
My personal opinion is: if you had left the post as the ten reasons without attempting to get opinions (which in reality are not really opinions to you, but an "erroneous teaching"), it is probably better.
You may already notice that I no longer have any wish to debate on theological issues with you. The reason: while I am willing to accept that you [b]might be right in some points, your view of my theology is that I am definitely wrong.
While I am more than happy to write to you and exchange life stories and what I do with my Lego, I am no longer encouraged to participate in threads pertaining to theology.[/b]
Whilst it may be something that I agree with and I endorse, I am not in the mindset to push this as an agenda per se.
The questions I asked are more to gain understanding and to serve for reflection on my part as well.
I suppose its just me that is this hard headed but it really really bugs me now that I know the truth about christmas.
I think that the question I asked vince is valid. In the light of the fact that Yeshua was never in christmas to begin with, why are we still keeping a celebration that is not talked about in the bible and is not commanded by Yahweh? Am I the only one that sees a hard line drawn in the sand? You will probably say yes and I won't argue with you on that... christmas is a deception that I want to dispel amongst believers so that we can go back to our biblical roots as it should be.
call me hard headed about this issue of christmas, but I do not intend to pick a meaningless fight with anyone... if you saw this as my intention due to the questions I asked, i apologise.
the church may or may not be right, now i know from our many discussions it is not my place to say, but I think you can agree with me that I can voice an opinion about a matter say like christmas and let everyone make the decision for themselves. As to whether the church is right or not, we will let Yahweh decide. Is that fair? I will back off on the church bit. -
Hey CE, I don't want to condemn anymore, no point and it does not help, but I would like to push a different opinion and that is the point of DT. I hope that this will be a more acceptable route? I know I have been pretty harsh in previous posts, but I think I can maintain a stance without the condemnation. Keep me in check if I stray. Cheers.Originally posted by Chin Eng:Again, really, a loaded question (in light of DT's beliefs). Invidently the answer will have to be NO, otherwise, another endless debate and condemnation. -
if you put it that way about taking the opportunity to share the gospel of Yeshua, without linking it to christmas, I really have nothing to say.... except that I pray that you will spread it better than me. I think you will do a good job, I am more judgemental and over passionate.Originally posted by vince69:errr. Brother, I am refering to "the act of taking the chance to share the true message of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" not the tradition/celebration of christmas (which I don't really care about)
But thank you for providing an iron to which I can be sharpened. -
What Yeshua did for us may certainly be shared anytime and anywhere the opportunity arises, including during Christmas and Halloween and any other pagan festival. As long as the person shared to is clear that Yeshua has nothing to do with Christmas and Santa Claus and Christmas trees and giving of presents from under a tree and all the other Christmas related stuff so widely accepted by the world.Originally posted by breytonhartge:if you put it that way about taking the opportunity to share the gospel of Yeshua, without linking it to christmas, I really have nothing to say.... except that I pray that you will spread it better than me. I think you will do a good job, I am more judgemental and over passionate. But thank you for providing an iron to which I can be sharpened.
What's important is that the person is reconciled back to God through the blood of Yeshua and is taught repentance from sin (transgression of the law) and returns to God's ways.
As long as we're preaching the truth about Yeshua, by all means, talk about Him during Christmas!