Should Christians Observe Christmas?

Should Christians Observe Christmas?

by Don Fortner-

Without fail, at this time every year, I receive numerous
letters, pamphlets, and tracts denouncing the evils of
Christmas as a pagan religious holiday. I fully agree that
no believer should ever observe pagan religious holidays
like Christmas and Easter. We must never incorporate pagan
customs into the worship of our God.

We must not observe any religious holiday. We should attach no
spiritual, religious significance to any day. Yet, we do not
need to act like super-pious religious idiots over a day that
has absolutely no religious significance. I would never teach
a child that such a thing as Santa Claus exist, or that Christ
was born on Christmas day. But, as Paul said concerning idols,
Santa Claus is nothing and Christmas is nothing.

Did you know that every DAY of the week, every PLANET in the
universe, and many of the CARS we drive are named after pagan
gods? Yet, we still call Sunday Sunday, Mars Mars, and a Saturn
a Saturn. No one would ever dream of calling us pagans for
doing so. We worship our God on Sunday, and would laugh at
anyone who suggested that we observe the pagan Roman holiday
called “Sun’s Day” in doing so. If your car is a Saturn, use it
for the glory of God; and laugh at anyone who thinks that you
are worshipping the Roman god of agriculture by driving it.

We must not, and I trust do not, worship Christmas trees and
lights, or even attach spiritual significance to Christmas day.
However, I do suggest that we seize this opportunity afforded us
by Divine providence to tell people who Christ is, why he came
into this world, what he did, and how they may obtain his
salvation. It is no accident that once every year every human
being in the world is confronted with the fact that the Son of
God assumed human flesh and came into the world to save men.

Certainly, no one can think that it is wrong for believers,
during this season of the year, to express thanks and praise
to God for his unspeakable gift, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is
never wrong, but always right to think of him, speak of him,
and sing his praise. Rather than not singing Watts’ grand old
hymn, Joy To The World, we ought to sing it year round.

While I loathe the religiosity of this holiday season, the silly
plays, the idolatrous pictures and representations of Christ and
the angels of God, and pretense of spirituality by people who have
no interest in the glory of God, I am delighted for this season
of the year (for any season) that brings families together,
encourages kindness and good will, and promotes thoughtfulness
of and generosity to others. It is perfectly all right to exchange
gifts with and send cards to family and friends. (I cannot imagine
a reason for anyone objecting to that!) But I suggest that each of
us find a way to acknowledge and do something special for someone
from whom we expect nothing, maybe even from someone from whom we
expect abuse. “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said,
It is more blessed to give than to receive.”