Many fear the extreme commercialization of the Christmas season. It often leads to a lot of disillusionment. Meanwhile, other informed believers are worried about being polluted by the pagan traditions included in the season.
Romans 12:16, “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” (KJV)
GOD WANTS US TO WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH! One must not let materialism or desires for receiving or giving the best gifts drag us into discontent.
John 4:23, “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit andtruth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.”
ARE SOME TRUE BELIEVERS OVERLY FEARFUL OF THE WORLDLY XMAS SEASON ?
Some true believers are uncomfortable during this season, because they are aware of the pagan traditions. They fear that if they seem to be O.K. with all of this they might offend God. Paul instructed us to not be overly concerned about the paganism surrounding us since we are not willingly participating in it. Corinth was full of pagan temples and influences so the Apostle wrote this to assuage concerns and fears:
1 Corinthians 8:3-6, “But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. 4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods…6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.” (NKJV)
The Apostle who authored most of the New Testament says that pagan gods are nothing. They are nothing to be feared. Even their temples are not to be feared. If you happen to eat some meats offered to an idol it is meaningless, just ignore it.
1 Corinthians 8:9-10, “But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience ofhim who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols?”
He is saying that only weak believers are concerned and worried about such matters as worldly pagan contamination all around them. They are still giving their pagan past power. Believers can make a moral equivalence to our society. If pagan things are so pervasive that one cannot avoid some of it, just ignore it. If one was visiting, say, India we would treat many of the idols as artwork. Whether we were near them or not would be meaningless to us. We are to follow the example of the strong believers, obviously. The strong just ignored the paganism around them.
HOWEVER, JESUS WAS BORN INTO THIS WORLD AND IT IS A WONDERFUL EVENT
The issue is WHEN was Christ born into this world and how is it to be celebrated based on the Bible alone? As a good historian, Luke provides some vital information about the time period surrounding Christ’s birth. First, in a section from Luke 1:5 to 2:8, Zachariah, the priest was of the priestly course of Abijah which began June 18th and extended until July 1st. (See 1 Chronicles 24:10.) The eighth course would occur in the summer. Zachariah's son John the baptist, was born six months before Jesus. Elizabeth was impregnated in the summer, so the birth of John would therefore be in the spring. Note Luke 1:26-38. Then, six months later would have Jesus Christ born in the fall. The Bible has Fall Holy Days which celebrate Christ’s first and second coming.
Why the December 25 date? Constantine merged the Saturnalia –– a Roman Sun worship celebration –– with Christianity. Why did Constantine, the first Catholic Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, try this merger? He believed that Christianity would help him rule the empire. Does God allow the blending of His true worship with pagan customs? The answer is an obvious No! Note Deuteronomy 12:31-32:,
“You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way…32 Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.”
Should we be apprehensive about the pagan Xmas traditions?
Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
When encountering things like Christmas trees or the all-pervasive good music about pagan symbols, just kind of ignore it or give it no special importance, as one would pagan art in a non-Christian country. It only has power if we give it power.
However, in another way we appreciate that those celebrating it mean well. When they say “have a merry Christmas” we do not need to feel defensive. It is a sign that many Americans are still nominal Christians and this is better than being in a country ruled by more threatening religions or atheism to our freedoms. We know the Christmas tree has a common origin with pagan tree worship and we can just ignore it.
Jeremiah 10:2-4, “Thus says the LORD: "Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the people are futile; For one cuts a tree from the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. 4 They decorate it with silver and gold; They fasten it with nails and hammers So that it will not topple.”
God said do not be dismayed when the Sun is at it's lowest point or believe that gifts come from a tree, which is part of the Babylonian pagan story of Nimrod and Semiramis. We need not worry about Xmas decorations. We just give it no importance. It only has meaning when we give it meaning. God says these are worthless doctrines.
Jeremiah 10:8-12, “But they are altogether dull-hearted and foolish; A wooden idol is a worthless doctrine … But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth will tremble, And the nations will not be able to endure His indignation.”
All pagan beliefs and myths will lose their power when soon Jesus returns to bring the entire planet into true and pure worship.
Isaiah 11:9, “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earthshall be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea.”
