To Christmas or Not to Christmas? Holiday Dilemmas
How do you feel about Christmas?
Do you observe it differently now compared to how you observed it when you were a child? Do you observe it at all? Did you know Christmas has pagan roots? Does that bother you?
Don’t get nervous. I’m not going to tell you what you should or shouldn’t be doing this time of year. I can’t because I don’t have it all sorted out myself.
Since the beginning of the Church, there has been controversy over pagan customs. On one side were those who wanted to ‘christianise’ the customs to win over the heathen and on the other side were those who rejected anything to do with paganism.
Some Christians observe Christmas as they always have with family traditions, Santa, etc. but with a focus on the Savior’s birth. Some avoid the Santa scene, try not to get wrapped up in materialism (pardon the pun) and focus on Christ.
Some have completely given up Christmas because of the pagan roots, or because the Puritans didn’t observe it, or the materialism, etc. Those that have given up Christmas usually face a lot of flack from friends and family.
Our Christmas Evolution
Our Christmas in the Sixties
As a child we did what everyone else did in the 60’s. Full blown Santa is coming, tinsel-decorated tree, with a big-time focus on presents. We didn’t leave out Jesus but He wasn’t the focus. My mother would read the Christmas story in front of the nativity scene on Christmas Eve. Jesus got about 15 minutes of the holidays rush.
Our Christmas in the Seventies
When my first children were toddlers (over 30 years ago) we had a birthday cake for Jesus each year. Our traditional centerpiece was a Santa kneeling over the Baby Jesus in the manger. I also took my children to have their photo taken with Santa. Santa even came to our church to pass out presents.
Our Christmas in the Eighties
By the time my oldest children were school age we dumped all Santa décor and focused on Christ. (We also stopped all Easter bunny traditions that year). We made Chrismoms (symbols of Christ) for the tree out of white and gold felt and sequins and hung them every year as we read Scripture verses for the symbol (door, crown, sheep, bread, etc). We sent out “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” Christmas cards. I remember my mother was disappointed we didn’t accept Santa and reindeer presents. The tree and stockings were still a family tradition.
Our Christmas in the Early Nineties
About 15 years ago I learned about the Bible holidays and the pagan roots of Christmas and Easter. I wanted to give up Christmas and Easter. My children were horrified. All those holiday memories! Mom has lost her mind!
We went back and forth on the topic for a few years. I wanted to at least get rid of the tree (based on Jeremiah 10:1-5). We finally made the decision not to have Christmas. It was hard. My Grandmother was crushed. (The shocked reactions from telling family and friends of homeschool and homebirth decisions pale compared to reactions we got from giving up Christmas.)
When a Christian is raised to believe that devoted family traditions bring glory to God, then finds out about pagan history and God’s ways, it’s quite a blow. God’s ways should have been taught since childhood and are now being learned in adulthood. My motives were pure. I only wanted to do what I believed God wanted us to do.
Our Christmas from Late Nineties until Now
Ten years ago we went back to celebrating Christmas. I remarried and my new husband did not want to give up Christmas (mainly because it is the only time his family gathers). I still don’t feel at peace with this decision but it is really not my call. So I make the best of it and focus on Christ. I feel God can use all things for His good.
I want to Celebrate the Birth of Christ!
I have no problem that celebrating Jesus’ birthday wasn’t commanded by God. Purim wasn’t commanded by God, but suggested by the Hebrews as an observance to remember a miracle of God. I want to celebrate the birth of Christ as a miracle of God. The most wonderful miracle of all! I would just prefer not to merge the celebration with a pagan festival. It’s a compromise I don’t feel good about.
12 Things I like About Christmas
1. Focus on Christ
2. Families getting together (for some, the only time of the year)
3. Church programs (giving to the needy, the elderly, plays, songs, etc., focusing on Christ)
4. Nativity scenes
5. Generosity
6. Caroling
7. The music (especially Handel’s Messiah)
8. The lights
9. Baking
10. Homemade gifts and cards (especially from children)
11. Goodies (fudge, cookies, nougat, and peppermint–yum)
12. Creativity (crafts, gingerbread houses, decorations, Chrismoms, etc.)
12 Things I don’t like about Christmas
1. Lack of focus on Christ
2. Pagan roots
3. Lonely people feeling lonelier
4. Christians disagreeing
5. Greed (coveting)
6. Materialism
7. Shopping, shopping and more shopping
8. Debt
9. Family stress
10. The good are rewarded philosophy that spills over in “saved by works” mentality
11. Santa worship (idolatry)
12. Political War on Christmas
God Wants us to Have Holidays (Holy Days)
God created us with a desire to have celebrations. He gave us instructions for observing seven holidays listed in Lev 23. The holidays contain more divine information of spiritual and prophetic value than any subject of scripture. Why aren’t we taught these marvelous lessons in church? The answer is found during the first through the fourth centuries.
Read What Happened to the Holidays for more information. I give you the link with a warning. Once you learn about God’s Holidays (they are God’s holidays not Jewish holidays) you will face controversies.
How does God feel about us ignoring the holidays He gave us and replacing them with other days? I’ll answer in a parable and let you decide.
A Parable
Once upon a time there was a little boy who loved his Father very much. His Father asked the boy to prepare and serve a special dinner on a particular day. The Father wrote out all the specific instructions clearly and departed for awhile expecting these instructions to be executed.
While the Father was gone the boy shared the instructions with a family friend. The family friend said, “I have a better idea. We had a party that was much more fun, let me tell you about it.” We tell mythical stories, dress up in furry costumes and make beautiful decorations and have tasty treats. The friend gave all the details and suggested they change the dinner date to another day. The boy decided the party would be more fun than the dinner and felt his father would understand. The boy undertook the friend’s party plan.
Was the Father disappointed?
The Father loved his precious son but was probably disappointed in his disobedience. To what degree would depend on two facts. 1. the age or maturity of the boy and 2. the motivation of the boy.
God Looks on the Heart
Yes, I do believe the pagan holidays are offensive to God. I also believe He is merciful. . . God looks on the heart and views our motives.
“Man looks to the outward appearance but God looks to the heart.”
The Reason for the Season
The attention of the whole world is called to acknowledge the birth of the Savior at this time of year, even if they don’t believe. Let us be careful not to get our focus off of what is important. If our desire is to celebrate or not to celebrate the birth of Jesus at this time of the year, then let that be done according to the purity of the heart and with integrity of conviction without judgment toward others.
God looks at the heart. Jesus taught against condemning one another—He taught the most important things: 1. Love God. 2. Love others. This should be our focus. Too many are condemning others on either side.
Christmas is a merging of pagan and Christian religions—it is a fact. The ultimate would be to abandon all forms of pagan worship and teach our children the ancient paths—only God’s pure worship. Then our children won’t be faced with this holiday dilemma each year.
How do we get there from here? I think it’s going to take time. Josiah changed things (2 Ch 34:3-8). He got rid of the paganism that crept in—but over a period of time. If we commit to seeking God through His Word and teach our children His Word, we will grow spiritually and God will reveal His paths.
A Season of Peace?
With so much controversy how does one have peace? Isaiah 26:3 says that if we keep our mind stayed (focused) upon God we will have perfect peace. Perfect peace was put in this verse when it actually says Shalom, Shalom.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3
Let not your heart be troubled: John 14:1a
Bring peace to this season by focusing on Christ. Then celebrate Jesus in every season by loving one another.
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors. (Luke 2:14).
For more details
- “Should We Celebrate Christmas?” - online booklet
- We Should Not Celebrate Christmas - a blog entry with several Links (pro and con)
When homeschoolers are asked about this book, one word continues to come up over and over–Wow! Read the excerpt today to see what all the wow is about. 500 pages!
hello robin.. i know it hurts you must be strong for your kids. God is with you ...
Thanks for the list of tools. I have been really frustrated with people following me that are porn related. ...
What a great celebration of service, Robin and thank you, Ronnie for your commitment to serve! 
I agree wholeheartedly with your follow/unfollow beliefs. I wrote a very detailed post about this not too long ago ...
Comment by Lori Haynes :
Robin, I agree. I too believe it is very important to celebrate God in the ways that He gave us to do so. However, in my rather large family, only my sister and I even know that there is another way. I continue to seek God and makes changes little by little. I look forward to the day when God’s ways will take precedence over what we are used to, and His body will thrive and flourish with no distinction between Jew and Greek. God bless you and your family now and always.
Comment by Sharon Sue :
Very interesting discussion. We do celebate Christmas-actually we celebrate the birth of Jesus. We have never done the Santa thing. I always felt that was lying. We have always emphasized the birth of Jesus and what he has done for us all. We give gifts with the idea that Jesus provided for our Salvation as a free gift of love. We give gifts to each other because we love. We give very modestly and our children have great appreciation for what they receive. We gave up the commercialism of this time of year some time ago. I knew we had accomplished our heart goal with our children when, one year we had no money and were unable to purchase gifts or even the materials to make gifts. Our middle child owned two horses. She put a bow on one and gave it to her brother. That was sacrifice and love. That same brother wrapped up some of his precious belongings and art work for each of us.
We do some of the “traditional” decorations just because I think they are pretty!!!!!!! I will usually go to some exhibit of lights or at least drive around the community and see the light displays. This is just a personal delight for me, my family does not care one way or the other. I would never spend the money to decorate this way, but if others want to, I do not mind enjoying what they have done!!!!!!
I understand the points brought up in this discussion and respect each one to do as they feel right. I know we do a combination of what would be considered Holy and pagan, but am at peace in my heart with my decisions. That is not to say that this may change in the future as God grows and teaches me but for now this is where I am on the subject.
One question I would add to the discussion: If we are celebrating Jesus’s birth, life, death, resurrection; does it matter what day of the year we celebrate???? I would consider Jesus’s birth a Holy day, so worthy of celebrations. Just a thought!!!
Comment by Robyn :
Hi Robin,
I was raised in a family where we celebrated Christmas..but as I got older in my teens the Lord kept putting in my heart about the jewish traditons, didn’t know why?
A few years after I became born again, I started going to a Jewish Messianic Synagogue.. the Lord showed me the truth about different holiday’s. Actually Jesus was born during the high holy days which would have made it in Sept/Oct this holiday is pagan made by men. As I have explained to my children- when its Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln etc birthday people make a “BIG” deal about it?
Why is it that Jesus doesn’t get the same recognition, he is the saviour of the world he died for all of us…it’s based on man’s greed, and ME ( pride) and now it’s being handed down to their children. We have a large family too, 7 children and soon to be 2 grandson’s…we plan to make a birthday cake and celebrate Jesus birthday. And give something to others whether it is a gift, or just doing something nice for someone because we love them. And also I found out “why” I have had the Jewish people in my heart - my grandparents on both side of my Mom’s families are full Jew…isn’t that cool?
Merry CHRISTmas!!!
Comment by Jami Waid :
My family and I have been in the Way (Hebrew Roots) for seven years now. God revealed this Way to us through a good friend. We had been christians our whole lives. It was very eye opening and life changing for us. It filled the hole in our hearts. The longing we had for more of God. Although we have endured a lot of persecution over the years, we know this is what God wants for our family. We have no regrets. I will admit that christmas was something that was hard for us to give up but only because we didn’t want our children to feel left out (at the time they were in public school). My husband and I were more than happy to give it up. We had become so frustrated with the materialism, greed, and commercialism of christmas. After that last christmas we decided to be done with it. We came to the conclusion that the state of our children’s hearts and their walk/relationship with God was much more important than continuing pagan practices. We practice all of the mandated feasts in the Torah and really enjoy it. It really gives us more of an appreciation for God and who HE truly is. For those who would like to celebrate Jesus’s (Yeshua’s) birthday consider these three things. Jesus was a Jew. He (more than likely) did not celebrate his own birthday while growing up. Second, in scripture Jesus (Yeshua) says to celebrate the One who sent him. Thirdly, it is believed that Jesus (Yeshua) was born at the time of Sukkot. I encourage everyone to seek God’s will for their lives through prayer and scripture. I do believe that God is merciful and looks at the heart. I also believe that He will hold us accountable for all that is revealed to us. Thank you Robin for the loving way you present these different subjects. May God bless you.
Comment by Angela :
Thanks Robin for this thoughtful post. I have been grappling with this very issue. Our family has a big thing on Christmas Eve. I will probably bake for the gathering. My dd still wants the tree. So far we have not put up any decorations. We all enjoyed learning about Hannukah very much this year.
Comment by Terri Layne :
Wow! I am so glad you addressed this, and in such a gracious way! I hope you let the others on the heartofwisdom yahoo group know about it.
I too struggle with the commercialism, and get caught up in it too much. I strive to make the holy day as meaningful as possible, just as I’m sure you do, Robin. However, I somehow think totally abandoning the celebration of Christ’s birth would not be winsome to my children or to friends and family. Isn’t the point to not only honor God, but to be a light in the darkness to those who are perishing? (That’s only a rhetorical question
I know there would be two schools of thought (total separation from the community aka Amish style, or “to the Jew I became as a a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law…..to the weak, I become weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. (I Cor 9:20, 22-23) in Pauline style. Paul also
I agree with Ace Collins in Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas. In this book, he is very clear about the pagan origins of the Christmas holiday. He also recognizes that Christ is the ultimate gift-giver, and thus sets the example for us to follow.
This is a perfect time of year to minister to those who are lonely, depressed, and sense the emptiness of the decorations, tinsel and greed, by introducing them to the gift of the One who came to give His all. Above all, grace.
God bless you, Robin. I do understand your struggle and admire your courage and also your submissive attitude to your husband. May God bless your efforts to honor him (and Him!) in ministering to your family and others!
Terri Layne
Comment by Jacque :
Matt and I just were talking about this the other night. I loved reading through your “Christmas Evolution”. I think I would like to do our own too.
We have not celebrated Christmas much as far as decorations, etc. for a few years, but it was more of a ‘feeling’ than knowing about the pagan roots. I just learned of all of that last year, and it was no surprise, but wondering what to do next is a topic we have yet to conquer.
I blogged about it, and, yes… I think the Christian community is hardest of all to communicate things like this and homeschooling and home birth to. If they don’t do it or belive in it, it is an offense to them they don’t know how to handle. I don’t know that these are things to divide on, but it happens that way many times.
Thank you for sharing all of these aspects. There are things we love about Christmas, and things we won’t celebrate too. We did Santa when I was a child, but never have as a parent. I was reading the OT out loud last week-just opened it and read- to Jeremiah 10. Everone was floored. So that solidified that. I think as we seek, He will show.
We are right now just trying to establish what traditions we as a family will celebrate during this season.
Blessings in your journey!
love,
J
Comment by Sherree :
Hi Robin, I am so grateful for the insight and genuine love you have for God and His original concepts of Holy Days. Christmas can be such a distressing time for some of us
One of the Holy Days that I find mentioned in the Old Testament that is not included in the link you provide is the Shabbat or Sabbath. What are you’re thoughts as to keeping this day holy? As I read the link about the origins of Christmas and Easter from its pagan rituals I wondered about the Sabbath and its switch from Saturday to Sunday. If its in the Bible can you please point me to the place it says that we should keep Sunday instead of Saturday the way the Jewish people used to; you know from sunset Friday to Sunset Saturday. I have been asking this question for some time now, and from what I have studied it was a Roman Emporer who changed the day from Saturday to Sunday. Would you consider this day, then, to have pagan roots given that the change was made to encourage the ever growing Christian population to keep coming to the pagan festivals on the Sunday?
I have had a couple of verses given to me but I am not convinced that Sunday is the day that Jesus wants us to remember. The fourth commandment says Remember the Sabbath Day, but its the one we always seem to forget. Could you share your thoughts on this topic too please?
Comment by Tee :
Thanks for your post! Very insightful. My children are young and our “traditions” are still evolving. We have never made a Huge deal of Christmas either (besides spending a lot of time with family!). We don’t bother with buying gifts for our kids (although extended family often does).
This year we are in Mexico for Christmas (we are living here at the moment) so we, along with a small team of people, are building a house for a family who really needs it (they have 5 children and are living in a home mostly made of cardboard). We will be giving the home to the family on Christmas Eve. I hope that our children will be able to learn a lot from this experience and I believe it is something we will continue to do every year.
The purpose of us setting up this project was so that other families who struggle with Christmas (materialism, etc) would have an alternative that would also be a way to teach their children about giving, generosity, social justice, the heart of God, and much more.
However, although many people agree it is a great idea, when it came down to it, most of them did not want to give up the material aspect of the season. We hope this idea takes off after this experience and we will have more people and more projects for next year!
Comment by Kelly :
I have been through the same questions as you. I decided not to have Christmas in my home. I do still go to my parent’s house for Christmas Eve to be with my family. My mom doesn’t have a tree anymore. It is just my family, my brother’s, and our parents. Once my parents pass away I won’t have any Christmas at all. I do however celebrate Hanukkah.
This subject can be a sore one for some people. I wish you the best and blessings and shalom be upon you and yours.
Comment by Theresa :
I too have been thinking about some of these same things and recently blogged about my own feelings on the subject.
Christmas is not the only battlefield Christians can war with each other on and it is also not the only area the church has “borrowed” from the world (such as worship music vs. hymns (some of which were old drinking songs with the words changed. Or the KJ only school of thought)
Love needs to be our guide is all things. God promises to give wisdom liberally to all who seek Him and Christmas is no exception.
In the few years I have left I want Christmas to be special. The traditions we do celebrate I want to tie the hearts of my children to the real meaning of Christmas.
I want the reason we avoid certain traditions(such as Santa) to point to Christ just as clearly as the one we celebrate.
We are all at different places in our faith…but faith with no joy is not worth sharing with anyone and Christ’s birth is part of the gospel story. Whatever we feel God leading us to do we should do with a truly joyful heart…YES?
Comment by Eren :
Hi Robyn,
I go through the exact same feelings that you have expressed.I love Christmas but since learning about pagan roots I can’t seem to get all excited about it anymore. This makes me very sad because I want to give wonderful memories to my kids. On the other hand I have thought about celebrating the bilical holidays of the old testament. The thing is that I have also seen that we are not under the law. We are now in a new covenant and this doesn’t include old testament observations. Here are some verses:
“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ” (Colossians 2:16–17).
“But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years” (Galatians 4:9–10)
I am not saying that it is wrong to obseve holidays but that I also don’t feel very free to do so after reading these verses. I have talked to good christian friends of mine about observing the biblical holidays and they have said to me that I would be going back to old testament covenant.
I’m actually writing this comment because I would love to understand that it’s okay to celebrate biblical holidays since this is a desire of my heart and that I wouldn’t be “going back to the old covenant” if I did so.
God bless:)
Eren
Comment by H0MEFree :
What ever we do, do it in love.
Whatever we blog let us be edifying and draw people to the light.
homeschoolblogger.com/h0mefree
Comment by Kelly :
Eren, it isn’t “going back to old covenant”. It is avoiding pagan culture. This is precisely what the chosen people were instructed to do. My main problem is this..the tree, some songs like O’Christmas Tree, Santa. I have friends who are regular Christians and I can deal with that. I just don’t have the tree at my house. I believe that Jesus/Yeshua was conceived during Hanukkah, and born during Sukkot. (Feast of Tabernacles) So if I were to have a birthday celebration for Him, it would be then. If people are celebrating His birth, fine. Mainly I haven’t cut myself off completely from it because of my small family, and friends, who still want to do Christmas. I told them the roots of it, then dropped the subject. My best friend insists on sharing presents with her family. I can do that as well. But that is where I draw the line. I turn down the ham and ham in beans etc… and they call me Jewish, even though technically I am not. So that is where I am on my spiritual journey. We must be careful to say why we do this, and not condemn others who have not been called to this yet, maybe they never will. I like the spirit of loving and giving during this time of year. That is such a positive quality about the holiday!
Comment by Tee :
Hi Robin!
Thank you so much for sharing this with us! As always your articles and blogs are just filled with wisdom and light!
We personally as a family do not (and have not for the past 10 years or so) participate in ANY of the customary/traditional holidays that most people/Christians observe and instead we joyfully and gratefully Observe God’s Holy Days from His Holy Word exclusively. We have a house filled with young children that understand, agree and are gratful with our decision to “opt-out” of the frenzied holiday times–and there is absoultely NO guilt, sadness nor regret from our young children or from us as their parents.
We’ve simply explained that EVERYDAY is Christmas, Thanksgiving and a time of focusing and worshipping/celebrating Jesus/Yeshua! We let them know that we will buy them gifts and toys and things when we are led to of The Lord…not when society/the traditions of man dictates we should. Everyday is Thanksgivings and we don’t wait one day per year to “recognize” this. God has just given our children and us the Grace and Mercy to live this way–with Joy and Gladness and completely stress/guilt-free!
That being said, we take serious heed and Obey with Fear and Trembling Our Lord’s Command that we do NOT/are NOT to judge others in regards to holidays or anything–(that they choose to celebrate/honor traditional holidays because we know and understand/believe/have the Holy Fear of God knowing that as/when/if we judge others (thinking ourselves more “spiritual or wise” instead of weak and humble, we ourselves will be judged in the exact measure and way that we judge). We judge ourselves and our conscience and do not participate–KNOWING that the Revelation Abba Father has given us is unpopular and look to The Lord to have his High and Holy Way in us and to give us the Grace to Follow Him and not lean to our own understandings and way and to not disobey Him by compromising our convictions in this matter of holidays.
We look forward to people asking us why we do not/will not participate in popular holidays and explain in love and Fear of the Lord Why. In ALL of the years that God has used our “opting-out” of traditional Christian and/or popular holidays…I can count on one hand the people/Christians that have NOT congratulated us on our choice to “just say no” to the “pressures/stress/commericialism of Christmas and other popular holidays–and every single person who has asked us why we won’t/don’t “celebrate” traditional holidays has left us with a smile and nod of agreement and in admiration of God in us. Also 99% of them have said they “wished” that they could/would just say no too…but have stated that the “pressure” (fear of man/tradition of men-and children :o) keeps them from saying NO as well. ONLY About 1% of the people who have questioned us as to “Why don’t you “celebrate” holidays” have said that they “enjoy it”. ALL of the other 99% of folks have said/told us that “traditional holidays are a grievious, commercial/materialistic/ and stressful time for everyone and they actually hate it and look forward to the “holiday” being OVER with. That’s just our experience for the past 10 years or so.
I found this on the web…and it speaks volumes to us and I hope whoever reads this will be equally as blessed to.
WISDOM
Approaching the subject of the holiday with anyone first of all requires using God’s wisdom. Different situations require different approaches, different solutions. There are no pat answers. However, this does not mean situational ethics that reek with compromise. It does mean walking in the Spirit and speaking in accordance with the level of relationship you may have with a person, the critical (or non-critical) issues that are at stake in their life and the overall direction of your relationship with that person. You can’t be lazy and just dump everything you know about the holiday on them like it’s just some doctrine you believe.
Especially with family members, it’s important to not be lazy and consider each person individually. With families, there seems to be a wider door of opportunity. Take advantage of your best open doors. A soul is a soul; but remember who your mothers and brothers are.
Realize also that we can work against the work of God in someone’s life by bringing up some doctrine without really dealing with the heart issues, the things that ultimately are the only real issue. December 25 isn’t the issue. Giving gifts and having some enjoyable time is not the issue. The motives and intentions of men’s hearts is the issue. So to get at those things, we must not speak just what we know, but the Word which divides between soul and spirit. Consideration, discernment, prayer, fasting, searching the scriptures: whatever it takes to speak His Word.
For example, a parent that you’ve discussed some serious truths with and the choices are clear. Bringing up the whole holiday issue could be a major distraction. Although exchanging gifts may be out of the question, pressing into that issue may also be as well. If other key heart issues are settled, the holiday issue may eventually fall by the wayside anyway. Another example would be someone talking to you in the elevator. They say, “So, have you got all your gift shopping done?” It might be right to say, “Actually, I don’t celebrate holidays that originated in worship of demon-gods. Maybe you should reconsider it too. Well, this is my floor. Happy Holidays!” And then go on your way. Whether during holidays or not, simple declarations are very possible. Listen for God’s Voice, His unique and penetrating word, but also, don’t be afraid to just speak the truth in love and humility. Depend upon God for supernatural wisdom in each circumstance (e.g. “whose face is on this coin?” …they won’t forget it.)
Another example could be a ‘Christian co-worker’ whose life doesn’t match his talk. And during the holiday season, Jesus’ Name is on his lips often. “O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord,” you hear him singing in the hall. This could be an opportunity to finally break through to his heart by pressing in to the hypocrisy of the season and his own life.
Another example has to do with your own heart. Maybe not celebrating the holiday sounded like a good idea since you really don’t like spending money on others anyway and the malls are so crowded this time of year and… you get the point. Don’t let the accusation of being a scrooge intimidate you into compromising your convictions but don’t let it be true either. A shower of gifts might be right… in February with orange wrapping. It can be December, but be sure to let them know that it’s out of care for them and not because of the date on the calendar that you’ve sent the gifts (plain paper is still a good idea). It all may serve to soften hearts and open doors for an opportunity, so once again, don’t be lazy.
Another important point is unity in approaching families, unbelievers… First, do we agree on how God views this (e.g. “Christmas”)? From this, ask God for a wisdom that results in unity in this thing at hand.
ROOTS
Do the “roots” or origins of something have any meaning or consequence to us? Of course they do. Would you put a butcher knife on your kitchen counter for daily use that you knew had been used to brutally massacre fifteen people? “Well, that’s not what I plan to use it for - no matter what someone else may have used it for! I’m not effected by that. My heart is right.” Actually, that is not what a normal person’s view of things would be. In the real estate business, there is even a name for property that is unsaleable because a violent crime had been committed there. People do not say, “What difference does it make to me what the origins of this house and previous use of this house has been. That’s not what I intend to do with it! I intend to use it for good purposes.” Realistically, everyone does care what the roots or origins of things are. Unless it is to their advantage to ignore that issue.
Jesus said that which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit. The history of December 25 is clear and indisputable. Rome controlled the world. Romans worshipped many gods and twice a year celebrated two major festivals, one in spring and one in winter. When Constantine converted to Christianity, most of his subjects did too, at least for political correctness. But because their conversions were mostly external, most Romans still wanted their festivals to their gods. These were wicked festivals, honoring demons and filled with every evil deed. So to appease his subjects (how many poor, poor decisions are made to appease), Constantine renamed and “christianized” the holidays. The festival of Sol Novus - The day of birth of the sun god Mithras. It occurred on Dec. 25th. Pagans were rebelling against Constantines strong recommendation for everyone to become “Christians,” so he began to accommodate the pagans by allowing them to keep their holidays and festivals. The spring pagan festival, which was for the goddess of fertility, became easter, the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. Consequently, during this holiday we have bunnies and eggs, symbolizing fertility, not Christ’s resurrection.
Adopted customs from the Winter Solstice were put into practice with “Christ” mas. Consequently, during this holiday we have trees, mistletoe and lights, things that have nothing to do with the birth of Christ. Simon the zealot was killed in Persia after refusing to worship Mithras, the sun god, whose birth was celebrated Dec. 25. Many brothers and sisters were put to death over these newly named pagan holidays because they refused to give sacrifice and worship to the pagan gods. The Puritans in England and New England tried to abolish “Christ” mas, but the move was unpopular and “Christ” mas survived.
Most scholars actually suspect His birth was in October. But what would the holiday be without snow (I’m dreaming of a white…). If it were really to honor Him and not to replace a pagan festival, then it could be moved. But don’t hold your breath, because it’s not for Him.
The significance of all this becomes increasingly clear. For example, you wouldn’t eat beef that was raised on nuclear waste. If you’re used to eating nuclear waste, that is, if you’re a pagan, celebrating a pagan holiday is normal. But if you claim to be a Christian, then you should know that the unseen world is more real than even the effects of something polluted by nuclear waste is in the seen world. Just because a holiday’s name has changed, that doesn’t change its spiritual architecture. Remember, this was a holiday for demon-gods. Jesus isn’t honored by this time of year; He’s blasphemed. Essentially it’s a pagan holiday with His name on it. Putting Jesus’ name on something that is impure and wicked causes the spiritual senses to be dulled and lulls them to sleep. It makes it even harder to reach others for Christ the other 11 months of the year because Jesus is associated with “Christmas time;” because they see Him as a cute little baby in a manger instead of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
FRUIT
The result of the above is obvious. I saw a sign the other day that said in reference to this season, “Love, joy and peace are in the air.” Bzzzt. Wrong answer. Materialism, gluttony, selfishness, suicide, greed, pride, self-righteousness, family idolatry, hypocrisy with strangers and family members and all the like are in the air, in abundance. The demonic power of “Christ” mas includes a seduction of the flesh which is warm, fuzzy and intoxicating. It strokes every sense of the flesh with smells, sights, sounds, and a “spirit” in the air - literally. Or it totally depresses them. Suicide is higher this time of year than any other time. “No one even cares for me at “Christ” mas time,” is a common thought. During this time of year, “Christian” people are supposed to be glad that at least once a year people’s attention is on Jesus. The facts are, people are probably more concentrated on themselves during this time than any other time. References to Jesus, the nativity, the virgin birth and singing all these beautiful songs about Him, seems to only allow people to feel more justified in their sin and more callused to those truths and words later. It blinds and hypnotizes them.
Many people feel justified or appease their conscience by putting a manger scene in front of their tree or donating food or money to the Salvation Army; going caroling or going to a “Christ” mas Eve service. Some people are sincere about wanting to celebrate Jesus’ birthday and believe that others can be reached with the gospel during this time of year. But for the one person who might come to know Jesus as a result of something he heard during this season, there will be thousands of others who will be further and further away from knowing who Jesus really is and what that means for their lives.
The fruit shows itself to be very related to roots. Hypocrisy and shallowness of heart produces hypocrisy and shallowness of heart. Take exchanging gifts for example. Is it really gift giving or is it possession exchanging? If someone gives something, how often would there be a person who honestly doesn’t want something back. Very rarely. Greed and self-centeredness are bred into children. This holiday does not draw people to an exalted Christ. It mocks Him and pulls people away from Him. Just as the soldiers mocked Jesus when they crucified Him. They put a robe on Him, a crown of thorns on His head and said, “Behold the King of the Jews.” Today, scripture says, that rebellious sin crucifies Him again. And in the middle of rebellious sin, people sing, “Silent night, HOLY night.” In reality, it’s children of satan singing songs about Jesus. God sees it as blasphemy because their hearts are far from Him. The Father is not pleased; He is angry. And we will be too if we see His Son and the name of His Son the way He does. One of the things most important to Him to say to His People when He first revealed Himself on Mt. Sinai was, “DO NOT use my name in vain!!!” Wouldn’t you say that a choir or a group of intoxicated “carolers” singing joyously about “baby Jesus” and the “HOLY night” to a group of folks that also have little or no intention of obeying Jesus in their personal lives - wouldn’t THAT qualify as using His name in vain, the most grotesque form of hypocrisy? Bad news, and not, it would seem, something we can join in with and fellowship with in the name of “keeping peace” or “I don’t PERSONALLY abuse it, so it’s OK for me.”
Comment by admin :
Wow Tee, great comment! thanks much for pointing out it is possible to live your convictions and how important it is to be careful with others feeling.
>>You can’t be lazy and just dump everything you know about the holiday on them …Especially with family members, it’s important to not be lazy and consider each person individually.<<
Good points!
Robin
Comment by Tee :
Hi Robin!
Thank you so much for sharing this with us! As always your articles and blogs are just filled with wisdom and light!
We personally as a family do not (and have not for the past 10 years or so) participate in ANY of the customary/traditional holidays that most people/Christians observe and instead we joyfully and gratefully Observe God’s Holy Days from His Holy Word exclusively. We have a house filled with young children that understand, agree and are gratful with our decision to “opt-out” of the frenzied holiday times–and there is absoultely NO guilt, sadness nor regret from our young children or from us as their parents.
We’ve simply explained that EVERYDAY is Christmas, Thanksgiving and a time of focusing and worshipping/celebrating Jesus/Yeshua! We let them know that we will buy them gifts and toys and things when we are led to of The Lord…not when society/the traditions of man dictates we should. Everyday is Thanksgivings and we don’t wait one day per year to “recognize” this. God has just given our children and us the Grace and Mercy to live this way–with Joy and Gladness and completely stress/guilt-free!
That being said, we take serious heed and Obey with Fear and Trembling Our Lord’s Command that we do NOT/are NOT to judge others in regards to holidays or anything–(that they choose to celebrate/honor traditional holidays because we know and understand/believe/have the Holy Fear of God knowing that as/when/if we judge others (thinking ourselves more “spiritual or wise” instead of weak and humble, we ourselves will be judged in the exact measure and way that we judge). We judge ourselves and our conscience and do not participate–KNOWING that the Revelation Abba Father has given us is unpopular and look to The Lord to have his High and Holy Way in us and to give us the Grace to Follow Him and not lean to our own understandings and way and to not disobey Him by compromising our convictions in this matter of holidays.
We look forward to people asking us why we do not/will not participate in popular holidays and explain in love and Fear of the Lord Why. In ALL of the years that God has used our “opting-out” of traditional Christian and/or popular holidays…I can count on one hand the people/Christians that have NOT congratulated us on our choice to “just say no” to the “pressures/stress/commericialism of Christmas and other popular holidays–and every single person who has asked us why we won’t/don’t “celebrate” traditional holidays has left us with a smile and nod of agreement and in admiration of God in us. Also 99% of them have said they “wished” that they could/would just say no too…but have stated that the “pressure” (fear of man/tradition of men-and children :o) keeps them from saying NO as well. ONLY About 1% of the people who have questioned us as to “Why don’t you “celebrate” holidays” have said that they “enjoy it”. ALL of the other 99% of folks have said/told us that “traditional holidays are a grievious, commercial/materialistic/ and stressful time for everyone and they actually hate it and look forward to the “holiday” being OVER with. That’s just our experience for the past 10 years or so.
I found this article “Living room xmas conversation excerpts” on the web…and it speaks volumes to us and I hope whoever reads this will be equally as blessed to.
Tee :o)
**************************
Living room xmas conversation excerpts
Taken from the Web
WISDOM
*******
Approaching the subject of the holiday with anyone first of all requires using God’s wisdom. Different situations require different approaches, different solutions. There are no pat answers. However, this does not mean situational ethics that reek with compromise. It does mean walking in the Spirit and speaking in accordance with the level of relationship you may have with a person, the critical (or non-critical) issues that are at stake in their life and the overall direction of your relationship with that person. You can’t be lazy and just dump everything you know about the holiday on them like it’s just some doctrine you believe.
Especially with family members, it’s important to not be lazy and consider each person individually. With families, there seems to be a wider door of opportunity. Take advantage of your best open doors. A soul is a soul; but remember who your mothers and brothers are.
Realize also that we can work against the work of God in someone’s life by bringing up some doctrine without really dealing with the heart issues, the things that ultimately are the only real issue. December 25 isn’t the issue. Giving gifts and having some enjoyable time is not the issue. The motives and intentions of men’s hearts is the issue. So to get at those things, we must not speak just what we know, but the Word which divides between soul and spirit. Consideration, discernment, prayer, fasting, searching the scriptures: whatever it takes to speak His Word.
For example, a parent that you’ve discussed some serious truths with and the choices are clear. Bringing up the whole holiday issue could be a major distraction. Although exchanging gifts may be out of the question, pressing into that issue may also be as well. If other key heart issues are settled, the holiday issue may eventually fall by the wayside anyway. Another example would be someone talking to you in the elevator. They say, “So, have you got all your gift shopping done?” It might be right to say, “Actually, I don’t celebrate holidays that originated in worship of demon-gods. Maybe you should reconsider it too. Well, this is my floor. Happy Holidays!” And then go on your way. Whether during holidays or not, simple declarations are very possible. Listen for God’s Voice, His unique and penetrating word, but also, don’t be afraid to just speak the truth in love and humility. Depend upon God for supernatural wisdom in each circumstance (e.g. “whose face is on this coin?” …they won’t forget it.)
Another example could be a ‘Christian co-worker’ whose life doesn’t match his talk. And during the holiday season, Jesus’ Name is on his lips often. “O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord,” you hear him singing in the hall. This could be an opportunity to finally break through to his heart by pressing in to the hypocrisy of the season and his own life.
Another example has to do with your own heart. Maybe not celebrating the holiday sounded like a good idea since you really don’t like spending money on others anyway and the malls are so crowded this time of year and… you get the point. Don’t let the accusation of being a scrooge intimidate you into compromising your convictions but don’t let it be true either. A shower of gifts might be right… in February with orange wrapping. It can be December, but be sure to let them know that it’s out of care for them and not because of the date on the calendar that you’ve sent the gifts (plain paper is still a good idea). It all may serve to soften hearts and open doors for an opportunity, so once again, don’t be lazy.
Another important point is unity in approaching families, unbelievers… First, do we agree on how God views this (e.g. “Christmas”)? From this, ask God for a wisdom that results in unity in this thing at hand.
ROOTS
******
Do the “roots” or origins of something have any meaning or consequence to us? Of course they do. Would you put a butcher knife on your kitchen counter for daily use that you knew had been used to brutally massacre fifteen people? “Well, that’s not what I plan to use it for - no matter what someone else may have used it for! I’m not effected by that. My heart is right.” Actually, that is not what a normal person’s view of things would be. In the real estate business, there is even a name for property that is unsaleable because a violent crime had been committed there. People do not say, “What difference does it make to me what the origins of this house and previous use of this house has been. That’s not what I intend to do with it! I intend to use it for good purposes.” Realistically, everyone does care what the roots or origins of things are. Unless it is to their advantage to ignore that issue.
Jesus said that which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit. The history of December 25 is clear and indisputable. Rome controlled the world. Romans worshipped many gods and twice a year celebrated two major festivals, one in spring and one in winter. When Constantine converted to Christianity, most of his subjects did too, at least for political correctness. But because their conversions were mostly external, most Romans still wanted their festivals to their gods. These were wicked festivals, honoring demons and filled with every evil deed. So to appease his subjects (how many poor, poor decisions are made to appease), Constantine renamed and “christianized” the holidays. The festival of Sol Novus - The day of birth of the sun god Mithras. It occurred on Dec. 25th. Pagans were rebelling against Constantines strong recommendation for everyone to become “Christians,” so he began to accommodate the pagans by allowing them to keep their holidays and festivals. The spring pagan festival, which was for the goddess of fertility, became easter, the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. Consequently, during this holiday we have bunnies and eggs, symbolizing fertility, not Christ’s resurrection.
Adopted customs from the Winter Solstice were put into practice with “Christ” mas. Consequently, during this holiday we have trees, mistletoe and lights, things that have nothing to do with the birth of Christ. Simon the zealot was killed in Persia after refusing to worship Mithras, the sun god, whose birth was celebrated Dec. 25. Many brothers and sisters were put to death over these newly named pagan holidays because they refused to give sacrifice and worship to the pagan gods. The Puritans in England and New England tried to abolish “Christ” mas, but the move was unpopular and “Christ” mas survived.
Most scholars actually suspect His birth was in October. But what would the holiday be without snow (I’m dreaming of a white…). If it were really to honor Him and not to replace a pagan festival, then it could be moved. But don’t hold your breath, because it’s not for Him.
The significance of all this becomes increasingly clear. For example, you wouldn’t eat beef that was raised on nuclear waste. If you’re used to eating nuclear waste, that is, if you’re a pagan, celebrating a pagan holiday is normal. But if you claim to be a Christian, then you should know that the unseen world is more real than even the effects of something polluted by nuclear waste is in the seen world. Just because a holiday’s name has changed, that doesn’t change its spiritual architecture. Remember, this was a holiday for demon-gods. Jesus isn’t honored by this time of year; He’s blasphemed. Essentially it’s a pagan holiday with His name on it. Putting Jesus’ name on something that is impure and wicked causes the spiritual senses to be dulled and lulls them to sleep. It makes it even harder to reach others for Christ the other 11 months of the year because Jesus is associated with “Christmas time;” because they see Him as a cute little baby in a manger instead of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
FRUIT
*******
The result of the above is obvious. I saw a sign the other day that said in reference to this season, “Love, joy and peace are in the air.” Bzzzt. Wrong answer. Materialism, gluttony, selfishness, suicide, greed, pride, self-righteousness, family idolatry, hypocrisy with strangers and family members and all the like are in the air, in abundance. The demonic power of “Christ” mas includes a seduction of the flesh which is warm, fuzzy and intoxicating. It strokes every sense of the flesh with smells, sights, sounds, and a “spirit” in the air - literally. Or it totally depresses them. Suicide is higher this time of year than any other time. “No one even cares for me at “Christ” mas time,” is a common thought. During this time of year, “Christian” people are supposed to be glad that at least once a year people’s attention is on Jesus. The facts are, people are probably more concentrated on themselves during this time than any other time. References to Jesus, the nativity, the virgin birth and singing all these beautiful songs about Him, seems to only allow people to feel more justified in their sin and more callused to those truths and words later. It blinds and hypnotizes them.
Many people feel justified or appease their conscience by putting a manger scene in front of their tree or donating food or money to the Salvation Army; going caroling or going to a “Christ” mas Eve service. Some people are sincere about wanting to celebrate Jesus’ birthday and believe that others can be reached with the gospel during this time of year. But for the one person who might come to know Jesus as a result of something he heard during this season, there will be thousands of others who will be further and further away from knowing who Jesus really is and what that means for their lives.
The fruit shows itself to be very related to roots. Hypocrisy and shallowness of heart produces hypocrisy and shallowness of heart. Take exchanging gifts for example. Is it really gift giving or is it possession exchanging? If someone gives something, how often would there be a person who honestly doesn’t want something back. Very rarely. Greed and self-centeredness are bred into children. This holiday does not draw people to an exalted Christ. It mocks Him and pulls people away from Him. Just as the soldiers mocked Jesus when they crucified Him. They put a robe on Him, a crown of thorns on His head and said, “Behold the King of the Jews.” Today, scripture says, that rebellious sin crucifies Him again. And in the middle of rebellious sin, people sing, “Silent night, HOLY night.” In reality, it’s children of satan singing songs about Jesus. God sees it as blasphemy because their hearts are far from Him. The Father is not pleased; He is angry. And we will be too if we see His Son and the name of His Son the way He does. One of the things most important to Him to say to His People when He first revealed Himself on Mt. Sinai was, “DO NOT use my name in vain!!!” Wouldn’t you say that a choir or a group of intoxicated “carolers” singing joyously about “baby Jesus” and the “HOLY night” to a group of folks that also have little or no intention of obeying Jesus in their personal lives - wouldn’t THAT qualify as using His name in vain, the most grotesque form of hypocrisy? Bad news, and not, it would seem, something we can join in with and fellowship with in the name of “keeping peace” or “I don’t PERSONALLY abuse it, so it’s OK for me.”
Comment by Tee :
Hi again Robin!
Can you delete my comment #15. I “tried” (in vain–duh) to edit my comment #15, so that people reading my comments can know/see that of the some of the first portion of my post was from me–my personal comments, and the 2nd part is an article I found on the web (”Living room xmas conversation excerpts”) and is NOT mine/written by me. But is free to copy and distribute/share.
The “Living room xmas conversation excerpts” was taken from an article I found on the Web. Again, I did *try* to edit it/fix it, but it turned into another post (number 17), which I’d like to keep here :o) Is anyone REALLY confused now?
Lastly, if you could delete this post (asking you to pls. delete comment #15) I’d appreciate it so very much. So Sorry for the confusion and {{{{Hugs}}}} to you!
Tee :o)
Comment by Eren :
Hi- it’s Eren again:)
I posted about the fact that some of my christian friends say that observing the biblical feasts is going back to old testament covenant. They say this based on those verse I wrote up there.
Could any of you help me with logical answers as to why observing biblical holidays is not going back to the old covenant and a balanced interpretation of these verses?
“But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years” (Galatians 4:9–10)
Their interpretation is that each of the feasts is a shadow of Christ therefore we should not celebrate the feasts but only celebrate Christ.
I truly would like some help here:)
In Christ,
Eren
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Comment by Katia :
Wow, so much wisdom, thank you!
We have been on this journey now since 2002, and every year it seems that we have the need to think and rethink our stand as a family on Christmas…..There is a world out there searching and hurting for salvation in Messiah….We in the body of Messiah should look for the things which will bind us together and not divide us. As hard as it is to knowing the origins of this holiday we chose as a family to be a light to those who are hurting and lonely this Christmas….They will know us by our love to one another….look for the good in it and not focus so much on the bad.
I love this post and if you don’t mind I am linking it to my blog.
Thank you again for sharing from the heart.
Because of Him,
Katia
Comment by keri :
I too have been thinking.
I always feel bad for the lonely people at Christmas time.
Comment by Kelly :
Eren, that is not something that can be done easily. How about when did God do away with His feast and holy days? He NEVER did. Is God wishy-washy? Nope. Read Zech 14 about observing Sukkot in the end of days. That is for GENTILES too. If you don’t do that feast plagues like no rain will come upon you. That is just one point. In the end of days gentiles will grab the fringe of a Jew (tzit-zit) and want to go to God’s holy mountain to learn more. If they knew all there was, why do that? Some people will never listen, because they aren’t ready. Also I like to say I want to worship as the early believers did. They went to synagogue and kept Shabbat. They ate clean food. Some may say that is going back, but that is because they don’t understand the bible, or are not ready to accept the truth concerning instructions…instructions are what regular Christians call LAW. They equate Law with something that is a burden. Law wasn’t a burden. The burden was the man-made fences put around Torah. Have they read any of Heart of Wisdom’s books? How about sending them to Brad Scott’s website? Just thoughts, hope it helped.
Comment by admin :
Eren,
Here are some articles to help
http://biblicalholidays.com/Excerpts/excerpts.htm
Read:
Holiday Parable
Controversies or Why All The Fuss?
What Happen to the Holy Days?
Why Celebrate?
Celebrating the Holiday
Comment by Vienna :
Robin,
Thank you for posting your thoughts and evidence on Christmas. It really made me go deep and think about why I continue to celebrate it. I did not experience relief when I read your essay. In fact I got a little depressed after thinking about what you had to say. It made quite a bit of sense, but after much prayer and soul searching I think I have a resolve in my own heart about the Christmas issue.
Have you ever heard, “Sometimes we give too much credit to the devil”? When it comes to Christmas I think we give too much credit to the pagans. In my own heart and of my own opinion I would venture to say that God isn’t even displeased with Christmas. I will even go out on a limb to say He may even get excited and have joy over it. It promotes praises, hearts full of joy, giving, loving, and as we know in the Spirit ‘against such things there is no law.’
I can say without hesitancy I love Christmas! I just can’t help myself. When all the hooha about not saying “Merry Christmas” came about I got depressed. When I read the Time article on Christmas being based on a pagan winter solstice celebration, and that Christians should be more excited about celebrating Easter (another pagan day), or the Resurrection, I didn’t get any happier.
I like to think on Thesselonians 5:15 “always be joyful, pray without ceasing, and be thankful in all circumstance.” Being quite unsettled and sad, I asked God what He thought. (Whoa! What a concept. Ask God what He thinks and wait for an answer!) “Are you really disappointed with us for celebrating this as a holiday LORD?” You might think this a silly thing to ask the God of everything, but since I heard the story of Joshua’s experience with the Gibeonites, I try to remember that nothing is too silly to ask God.
Now I’ll tell you what came together in my mind and heart. I went to an AGLOW meeting last week and it was on the 2ND to last night of Hanukkah. They had a menorah with the candles lit. (They are very respectful of Jewish customs around here. I’ve met a few Messianic Jews.) The lady who had brought it made a point that Hanukkah is the time of conception. I’ve never heard of that, and I won’t dispute it because I know nothing about Hanukkah or most of the Jewish holy days we don’t celebrate. (I’m saving up for your Biblical Holidays.) Several times I’ve heard that Jesus was not born in winter, but probably summer which makes sense because when the angels made the announcement to the shepherds they were out in the fields with their flocks. There is no grass for grazing in the winter hence it was probably summer.
Now I don’t usually watch the television ministries, but I happened upon Billye Brim who was on a Kenneth Copeland broadcast this week. She got my attention because she was going to explain how she thinks the early church got it right to celebrate the Lord’s coming to the earth in December. She was very excited about it. Well, I love joyful news so I thought I’d watch. She said that there is an ancient church holiday, I think it was called the feast of angels, that was forgotten about for a time that was celebrated around December 25Th or 29Th. It has nothing to do with pagan celebrations. It commemorates the angels who brought the word to the virgin who would carry the child and the announcement of his birth to the earth. From that date it is exactly 9 months until Roshashana, the Feast of Tabernacles, September 29 at that time period, that they believe Jesus was born. Now this lady has studied and learned Hebrew from Jewish people. She, Billye Brim, says they will teach you to look into what prophesies mean by examining the meaning of the original Hebrew words. Like in Isaiah it says the child shall be called Emanuel, God with us. She said in Hebrew it means Em= us, anu= tabernacle, El= God. That’s why they think Jesus was born in September because that is also the time of the feast of Tabernacles. (I’m sure you know all this, I’m just telling you how my thoughts came about.)
That got me excited, but I was still perplexed as to why I enjoy Christmas so much. Then I got to thinking about the excitement, happiness, wonder, and pleasure that comes from just hearing that a baby is coming. Not born yet. Just coming. Then I had my answer. Jesus being conceived was his foot first stepping upon the earth, and the heart of He creation rejoices in that. How the earth must have sighed with pleasure at feeling his presence again after so long an absence. Just hearing that He is here sends me over the moon. It’s a deep place in me beyond my reason. And I believe He was just as excited to come. I think that is why we should celebrate Christmas. His very conception sent shock waves through the universe. All those packages under the tree are like little babies waiting to be born. Matthew 9:14-15 says, “Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?’ And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them and then they will fast.” This is my new Christmas scripture. I love Christmas because it is the starting point of when He came and dwelt among us. He was happy, and joyful to come.
Which leads me to my second thought, and question I asked the LORD. I was thinking about Jesus having to come out of perfection and step into this crumbling world. He was only here for 33 years. Then the Holy Spirit came, but he’s been here for over 2000 years. I asked Him how he felt about being away from Jesus and the Father for that long. His reply, “It is My Joy to be with you.” I cried. I didn’t realize just how much we mean to Him. He really, really loves us. I mean he even likes us! He likes being with us! He gets a kick out of us trying to give back something to Him to express what an honor it is to have Him in our lives. Doesn’t it tickle you when your kids do the same?
As for me and my house, we are celebrating Christmas. And I can’t wait to tell anyone who asks why.
Comment by Kelly :
Vienna, yes on comment 14 I said I believe Jesus/Yeshua was born during Sukkot/Feast of Tabernacles and conceived during Hanukkah. Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights. (He is the Light of the world, and that surely makes sense!) Just as He was born in Bethleham which is House of Bread in Hebrew. It all starts to come together when I learn a little Hebrew. (I am still a newby in this, but am learning as I can.)
I have never heard of the feast of angels. I do know that the Jeremiah 10:1-5 still pertains. (Robin put that out earlier in the thread) The tree also has other meanings.
Read about Nimrod and the evergreen tree. Also read the feast of Saturnalia.
If you feel led to continue with Christmas, I am not condemning you.
I am just showing what made me stop. Those are some of the strongest arguments against it I know of.
Comment by admin :
Many scholars believe Jesus was born during the Feast of Tabernacles. Matthew Henry states:
It is supposed by many that our blessed Saviour was born much about the time of this holiday; then He left his mansions of light above to tabernacle among us (John 1:14), and he dwelt in booths. And the worship of God under the New Testament is prophesied of under the notion of keeping the feast of tabernacles,…for full article see
http://biblicalholidays.com/Tabernacles/birth_of_christ.htm
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[...] Those who like “either/or options” HATE a third way. In their dualistic mentality, they need to be on a side, defending it vigourously and passionately and fight vociferously those on the opposing side. You bring a third option, it shatters their world upside down. On Robin Sampson’s blog, Heart of Wisdom—we have another champion for a “third way” when it comes to Christmas and Christmas celebrations. Read what she has to say here at http://heartofwisdom.com/blog/holidays/to-christmas-or-not-to-christmas-holiday-dilemmas/. [...]
Comment by zamejias :
I have never read anything like this before - the way you presented the pros and cons, I love it. I know (a little though) that Christmas has pagan roots but like what you said it’s hard to do away with something that’s been there for years, that’s been there when you opened your eyes -it’s hard to junk a tradition. But I love it when you said we should focus more on the true meaning of Christmas…despite the commercialism etc.. that has eroded this tradition. Thanks for this insightful post. Happy Holidays.
Comment by Kelly :
Robin has a wonderful online booklet that I have not read until now on this. I just saw it from a reference above. Robin really does her homework on her writings.
I came into this thread from an email I received on the subject. I had not seen the booklet until the comment previous to this one.
Comment by Vienna :
We have this very dilemma in our family. To celebrate Christmas or not.
My husband’s mother and step-father are both devout bible believing, studying teaching, people. They are very balanced, and I love to talk to them about these issues. The thing is his step father hates Christmas with passion. He sites all the reasons mentioned here as to why none of us should be celebrating it. He even forbade his wife to celebrate Christmas at all. She politely refused, but seeing his adamence about it she asked him if they could both pray about the matter and seek to see what the LORD had to say about it. (My husband’s mother loves Christmas with a passion that rivals her husband’s.) She said if the LORD said it would be better to ban the day from their home she would submit to her husband and agree with the decision. She said over the next few weeks she kept hearing little things like even though Christmas was fraught with materialism and pagan aspects it should be celebrated because it is the one time we can proclaim Jesus with liberality. People are going to hear about Jesus this time of year, and we need to keep reaching out to them about the good news. Her husband heard the same things she was hearing, and as far as I know he didn’t receive anything that agreed with his point of view, but he steadfastly refused to believe those were God’s answer to their query. I don’t know how many years it has been, but I think he’s still waiting. As of this writing they are still doing Christmas at their house.
The situation does remind me of what Jesus said about John and Himself. John came neither eating nor drinking and they said he had a demon. Jesus came eating and drinking and they said He was a drunkard and a glutton. I guess what I’m saying is that sometimes you can’t make anyone happy. I would agree with Paul who said walk carefully so that you don’t cause someone else to stumble. One person has the freedom in their heart to eat and drink anything, and another thinks it is sin to eat and drink certain foods. Still another avoids these same drinks and foods for health reasons. The same can be said for esteeming some days above others.
For me, Christmas has never been celebrated as a pagan holiday. So I don’t associate it with other gods or pagan traditions. That might be a very basic and uneduacated way to look at it, but I’ve always associated it with the New Covenant because that was my experience in childhood. Christmas was one of two times a year my family went to church. It was my first taste that God is good. So I have freedom in my heart to celebrate it. In fact, I had no idea it had anything to do with paganism until I started a true relationship with Jesus and met other Christians! Someone else might not have that kind of an experience and maybe they shouldn’t celebrate it because thoughts about it leads them away from the goodnes of God.
Should we judge everything we do by the history of the thing or our own experience with it? Like, for example, given that the Democratic Party’s steadfast refusal to end slavery was a factor leading to a civil war, and the its own splintering into the Republican party, why on earth would a person of African-American descent ever want to be a Democrat? Why is there even a Democratic party with that kind of history behind it? I mean, we know that slavery is wrong without a doubt. I think the answer may be that party is not the same as it was a hundred years ago. It changed, and perhaps the Lord allowed it to exist because it had a change of heart.
Is the issue of Christmas that extreme? Is it being celebrated the same way it was 100 or even a thousand years ago? Do the symbols have the same meanings they had way back in time? Is God allowing it to remain because the holiday had a change of heart?
Hmm. That’s something to think about.
Comment by gerry :
My wife sent me your blog and got me to join. Thank you for your insight - and for everyones’ posts.
I don’t know how to keep this short, but I’ll try.
We too grew up with Christmas. Your reference to Josiah hit took my breath away. Over the last few years, God has been “bringing us out” of the pagan customs ever so graciously. We homeschool, so studying our herbraic roots in Christ was our natural first step. God opened up the biblical feasts to us. And instituted friday night/saturday sabbath. Again, we don’t keep it as a legalism, but as a joy of having a meal together as a family and focusing on the relationships.
And this year, as a husband and wife, have agreed not to “do” christmas in our house. It’s been more of an ongoing dilaogue that has just happened rather then “we won’t do this or that.” It’s all been real great for us.
Alas, we have family that “does” christmas to the hilt. We’re excited to share with them what we’ve been learning, but not in a “thou shalt not” way. We plan on participating with them, but not adopting their customs.
It’s so exciting! Our only concern has been where to find fellowship. We’d love to fellowship with other folks, especially those who have been keeping the biblical feasts longer than we have, but we don’t know of too many in our area. There is a big 7th day adventist group near-by, but I’m not called to yet another organized religion. Everyone else around us insists that the Lord’s Day is on Sunday, and thinks we’ve joined a cult. LOL!
Any thoughts on where/how to find fellowhip nearby?
Oh, so I was planning on going to work on Tuesday, but my boss emphatically said, “No one will be here,” - meaning “Don’t come in.” So, I guess I’ll joyfully get paid for doing some much needed work around the house - and spending time with my family.
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[...] To Christmas or Not to Christmas? Holiday Dilemmas [...]
Comment by Sarah :
I have been researching this topic for the last several weeks and am overwhelmed with the pagan customs surrounding everything we Christians celebrate. My heart aches and my head is spinning. I don’t know what to do about Christmas as we are now in November and it’s fast approaching. We are basically following what man has told us to do, not God, and that bothers me. christians as a whole do that anyway as churches follow the latest worship fad and follow who they think is the leading Christian because he has a big church and has written books.
Psalm 14:12 keeps coming to mind where it says “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” I don’t like to take verses out of context but it seems we are continually doing what we think is right and then we end up confused and weary as is my state of mind right now! Other Christians look at me like I am crazy or that I am becoming a heathen when I talk about this with them. I am met with great opposition and defensive arguments. I will just have to continue to pray and seek God’s desire for my life and that of my family but at the moment my heart is heavy and burdened by how we have altered so much of what God intended for our lives and relationship with Him. Seems like this should be a simple thing but it’s not!
Comment by Sisterlisa :
Thank you SO much for this research Robin!
Sisterlisas last blog post..From the Learning Room
Comment by Susan :
Used this post as a guest blogger Robin…full credit and links back to you.
Susans last blog post..satan’s meeting
Comment by Gerry :
Hey Robin! I commented last year, and it’s good to be able to see again what I wrote.
I came here tonight for some encouragement, mostly, and to share a mini-revelation.
This year, more than others, I am actually feeling angry toward the paganism of the whole thing. I wholly believe that God wants us to be celebrating feasts. Even the term holiday, or “holy” day is bothering me. The older I become in Christ, the more I realize our earthliness. God created us as earthen vessels, perfected in Him in Spirit. The biblical feast days are rooted in real life earthly things, not tinsel and twinkling lights and glitter. I guess the argument can be made that Christmas has a lot of earthly things too, like gold and silver.
So what’s bothering me most right now, is that we just sat through 2 half-hout “children’s christmas” shows - Shrek the Halls and The Grinch. The story hasn’t changed - there’s always one who is non-christmas. He is always portrayed as miserly and, in the case of the Grinch, even stole. Of course, there’s always the end, when the miser/scrooge/grinch has the BIG change of heart and joins in on all the celebration. The funny thing is that through the transformation, the individual’s revelation leads them to believe that “it’s not about the tree, the presents, etc.” And the next scene is this person joining in the giving of presents, singing around the tree, etc. Go figure!
What made me angry is the realization that this particular “christmas” story of miser to joyous could very easily be interpreted as anti-semetic!
Okay, I’m not Jewish by birth, but if I were, and gre up not celebrating christmas, I would feel as though I were a horrible person with all the guilt surrounding those who do not participate.
Maybe it’s a stretch, but I really felt grief for all the Jewish people out there who don’t celebrate.
Anyone else have a similar revelation or was it just me? Bah-humbug!
Comment by Sisterlisa :
Gerry, I do understand what you mean. However it’s still the most giving time of year and as Christians we are to be giving. There are plenty of other nonculture Christmas ways that we can be joyous and not humbug. Homeless shelters need food and small children need coats. (see if there is a local coats for kids program in your area. it’s nation wide) The giving is down this year due to the economy. If we save on not buying culture related items we can certainly do what we can to help those whom God commands we help, the needy.
Robin, I keep getting this message when I try to come to yor site today:
“A username and password are being requested by http://www.blenza.com. The site says: “Restricted Area”
Sisterlisas last blog post..Make a Small Child Happy This Month
Comment by Vienna :
Guess what I found out! Talk about a duh moment. I was looking up federal holidays, and found Christmas on the list. President Grant established it to honor Jesus’ birthday in 1870. So that means Jews can celebrate Christmas too.
That is too cool. It’s law! Just like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. By the way, has anyone else commented about that?
Comment by Gerry :
I can see how many conservative, right-wing christians (of which I am for the most part) would think it great to force a law on Jews to celebrate Christmas, but it feels too much like the Crusades to me. Bill O’reilly stated last night on his show that it was established by Grant because Jesus was a “great philosopher”. (He was commenting in regards to the whole atheist movement thing going on in Wasington State.)
I don’t know that Christ is best honored by taking one day out of the year to make it all about gift-giving. Frankly, I kind of support the idea of “Christmas” being turned into the “Winter Festival” or whatever, so that the Truth could then be revealed about Christ and his people.
That said, I do feel that it’s important to celebrate not so much Christ’s birth, but the fat that God redeemed us. I also feel that the better/best time to celebrate this is during Sukkot, the time of remebering that God dwells with us, and probably closer to the real birth date of Christ.
Incidentally, birthdays in general were celebrated by pagans as part of the fertility thing. That’s not to say that the pregnancy and birth isn’t a joyous thing altogether, and should be treated as such - just that I don’t know that annually celebrating one’s birth is all that important. (My mother would shudder reading this…)
Anyway, I don’t have any answers, per se, just a lot of thoughts right now. We’ve stopped “celebrating” Christmas, and struggle through celebrating festivals we don’t fully understand because we didn’t grow up in a tradition of it, but they’re so much more meaningful to us.
Thanks for letting me work through this on this site… And thank you everyone for the dialogue.
A few interesting facts:
1. Federal law cannot compel state, municipal or other local governments to observe or recognize federal holidays in any way (U.S. Const., Amend. X effectively reserves holiday creation policy to the governments of the several states).
2. Father Christmas, who predates the Santa Claus character, was first recorded in the 15th century, but was associated with holiday merrymaking and drunkenness. Harper, Douglas, Christ, Online Etymology Dictionary, 2001.
Comment by QuietMom :
We’ve struggled through this issue for a few years now and have come up on the side of not doing it - mostly because there is no command and/or example of it in the word of God.
Throughout the old testament when God wanted his people to celebrate or remember something He made it abundantly clear - set aside THIS day and celebrate this way, etc. There was never any question that this day should be set aside.
Yet no where in the new testament does Jesus model or instruct us to set a day (let alone an entire season) aside to worship His birth. He does tell us to remember Him each time we celebrate communion. There’s is no evidence of the early church celebrating it either, yet they did celebrate the O.T. feasts.
But it’s hard, I’ll admit. The good parts of this time of the year are tied to the emotion that comes from all the fluff, etc. It’s hard to give that up and yet I just couldn’t keep doing the same things over and over again because “that’s what we’ve always done”.
The hardest part for me right now is watching as our church enthusiastically engage in the celebration of the season and other holidays put on the calendar by man but tosses out the ones that God establishes in His word. That and gracefully bowing out without creating a spirit of division.
Comment by Gerry :
QuietMom - THANK YOU!!!! That’s really been our sentiments exactly…
We no longer attend a church, though, so we’re not so concerned about the division thing. If it’s a grace-based church, and they practice what they preach, then healthy discussion and debate over this issue and others should never be seen as a “spirit of division” and should be welcomed. But that’s just my opinion.
Seriously, thank you for your post.
Comment by SheilaGregoire :
We’ve always done Christmas, but never Santa. And we keep it to only three gifts: Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. The gold is something the kids want; the myrrh is something the kids need; and the frankincense is something that nurtures their spirit. So we don’t go overboard.
And we do a chocolate baby Jesus birthday cake. Because Jesus likes chocolate. Or why would He have made it?
When I was in kindergarten I told all my friends in an evangelistic frenzy that Santa wasn’t real. My mother and I were almost run out of town.
I know the season has pagan roots, but with the way we celebrate it, we remind our unsaved family members what Christmas is all about. To me it’s an evangelism opportunity, and that’s how we use it!
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Comment by Denese :
Wow!
I have been struggling with this very issue for the last several years. It’s a little comforting to know I’m not the only one.
What is hurtful is that so many Christians attack and put down people who do not celebrate Christmas, even though it is a man-made tradition.
Rom 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day [alike]. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
Rom 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth [it] unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard [it]. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
Thank you so much for the article.
Comment by Jan :
For years my husband and I have struggled over the issue. We never did the Santa thing and we always made sure the focus was on Jesus, but it still wasn’t right…something was wrong. This year, because of several things, we decided not to decorate or do anything special. With six adult children and thirteen grandchildren, it’s hard because it’s expected of us. This is where we feel we need to make the separation. We are semi-retired, living on a limited income, busy with ministry activities, and in love with our family. So, why should we feel the pressure to conform? This year we won’t. We’ll get together with family and friends and not make an issue of it with them, but as far as huge gift-giving and parties and decorations and stuff, no. What the Lord has impressed on us for the past several years is this:
1. God was very specific about the festivals and celebrations He ordained in His Word. If His only begotten Son’s birthday was to be celebrated as such, there would have been specific instructions.
2. We should celebrate Christ’s birth, life, death, resurrection, and soon-appearing EVERY DAY of EVERY YEAR, not just seasonally. If we decided to sing, “Joy to the Word” in August, then we’ll sing it! If we want to give a gift in honor of Christ in June, we’ll give it. We also determined that the light of Christ dwelling within us and shining through us should be present throughout the year.
Aside from the pagan origins of Christmas and the fact that commercialism has robbed the focus away from the Truth, Christmas is very much a beleiver’s lifestyle as we celebrate Him day by day.
No one ever said separating from the world’s pressures to conform would be easy. But, we’re taking a stand and whether people (including family and friends) understand it or not doesn’t matter. We’re not here to please them or to be accepted by them. We’re here to honor our Father who gave His Son as a sacrifice to all. I sometimes think we’re in love with the thought of the picture of a precious little baby born in Bethlehem when, in fact, God’s emphasis was obviously on the mission and ministry of Jesus. Jesus Christ, the adult who, though tempted in every way as we are, lived a sinless life, died a horrible death, spilled His blood to atone for our sins, rose again from the dead conquering death hell and the grave, and ascended into heave where He now sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for us.
Let’s celebrate Him every day by conforming to His will, being transformed by the renewing of our minds, and bearing His light and life to the world!
Comment by Jacque :
Interesting. We are in the same place we were when I left my comment last year, except that my husband has actually come to the same conclusion. Last year he was undecided. He is still wanting to give gifts this year, but won’t make the decision! I told him it is up to him. I think the Scriptures keep coming back to him, and it is a war with the traditions of childhood, which I understand. Who doesn’t love a warm fireplace, twinkling lights and gifts??
I feel that we are all on a journey with the LORD in our relationships, and when Believers celebrate christmas, well, that is not for me to worry about [unless I am asked by them]. As a whole, I know what the WORD says, and I do believe it is for all Believers - as well as the OT is too - but, as for judging their hearts because they celebrate christmas (or practice any thing that may be contrary to the WORD for that matter)is their journey/relationship and not mine.
I do not refrain from stating what we practice and why, though, as you have done here. What is heartbreaking is the comments I find that don’t just state a belief, but they refer to ‘other believers’ who are missing out on spreading the love because they don’t celebrate christmas. It is a shame to think that christmas is the only time to support the homeless, the naked, the poor and unsaved. It is not. We need to celebrate Jesus and love through him all year. We need to share the gospel all year. It is great to celebrate His Resurrection, and though I agree that there is no real need to celebrate his birth, I am thankful for His birth. I prefer to remember that His birth was only necessary for His death, which was necessary for MY SIN.
So, in reality, if I want to celebrate christmas, I suppose I could go tell everyone that I am a sinner and that I am thankful that Jesus was born to die for my sins so I won’t burn for eternity in hell. I just don’t see how giving my children christmas gifts shows them that Jesus came to die for their sins too.
I think serving in a food line at a mission or giving to the poor and needy, etc. is a much better way to lead them to that understanding. This year, they are sending their christmas money to a couple of families in need. We have served for thanksgiving at a mission, but not in recent years, and we always give wherever we can. All year.
I love my brothers and sisters in Christ. I love them. I don’t mind if they send christmas cards. I don’t mind if they put up a tree. I do have a problem with lying to children about santa, but really, I love my friends.
And, isn’t every season about love? And isn’t Jesus the reason for every season?
Thanks for your research.
blessings!! and love~
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[...] part of this entry was taken from a comment I posted on To Christmas or Not to Christmas? Holiday Dilemmas [...]
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[...] As usual Robin Sampson puts evrything it it’s proper order, her article To Christmas or Not to Christmas? Holiday Dilemmas [...]
Comment by Marcia Wilwerding :
Robin, I could have written this post! I can hardly believe how near exactly we have “evolved” in our attention to Christmas. However, we are not celebrating it. We generally try to ignore it. It is so much more peaceful this way. We don’t travel during the winter anyway, so our family knows we won’t be coming and no one would venture to come here because of the weather (we are currently in a blizzard!). The men will be home from work, so we will have a special dinner something like Sunday dinner. But, there will be no tree or gifts. We thought about switching to New Years Day, but then found out the Romans celebrated Saturnalia and gave gifts on that day! *sigh* Some time around the first of the year, we send out our family letter and usually give gifts of wisdom (religious books, Bibles, Scripture-based gifts, etc.). I suppose we still don’t know what to do with Christmas. May the Lord give us all wisdom and love for one another.
Comment by Mary @ Raising 4 Godly Men :
Robyn,
Thank you so much for spending the time to write down what the Holy Spirit has given you to say. I have been very torn what to do the last half decade. I have taken Santa out for sure. I barely have a tree. Now what ever I have put on the tree needs to tell the story of Jesus. I really appreciated the anology you gave. I am REALLY going to start celebrating the HOLYdays this year. I can’t wait. I have your book and will be studing it after Christmas. Thank you for living the life God has called you to do. So many are blessed by what you do.
Blessings and ((HUGS)) my SSiC
In Him<
-Mary
Comment by Bryan Karl :
Christmas is always celebrated differently by different families from different countries around the world. Here in the Philippines, the nine days of going to Church in the dawn (Simbang Gabi) before Dec 25 is an unbreakable tradition. Noche Buena is also a tradition. I just went to the church by the way two hours ago and it was full. It means people still celebrate Christmas for Jesus.