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What do decorated trees, Santa Claus, elves, reindeer, candles mistletoe, holly, ornaments and exchanging gifts have to do with the birth of the Son of God?
by Mario Seiglie
oes the Bible permit a believer to observe
religious festivals that are not established by God? Does He allow
us to use forms of worship that originated in pagan ceremonies,
adapting them to worship Him? Is the New Testament more flexible
than the Old, allowing us to disregard God's prior instructions
on how to worship Him? More to the point, can we justify the observance
of Christmas by Christians?
Let's examine this subject and review what the Bible and history say regarding Christmas observance and its customs.
When the apostle Paul addressed the issue of how flexible Christians should be in their fellowship, he stated: "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.' Therefore 'Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you'" (2Corinthians 6:14-17).
Regarding pagan beliefs and customs, the New Testament is as emphatic in rejecting them as the Old. There is not a single example in the New Testament of a new religious feast day being established in Christ's honor. Following Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, the New Testament was written over a period of 60 to 70 years-yet nowhere in that written record is there evidence of or instructions for institution of new days of worship in His honor.
Related Information on UCG Sites:
Table of Contents that includes "Christmas Reconsidered"
Other Articles by Mario Seiglie
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