Should Christmas Be Celebrated? – By Pastor Raphael Adegoke
Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. 2 One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. 5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. (Romans 14:1-10)
One of the issues that have caused division among Christians in the world today is the celebration of Christmas. While some believers and Churches believe it should be celebrated, some believe it should not be celebrated. In fact, it has formed the basis of doctrines of some sects and argument against the Christianity and to contest the validity of the same, more so that the word “Christmas” is not found anywhere in the Bible. Sometimes, this creates a space for the enemies of the Church to cast aspersion on her. Thanks to God that Christ is the Head of the Church and has never left the Church without giving her comprehensive regulations that guide her operation. Nonetheless, a major challenge today is believers reading or studying the scriptures for the purpose of reinforcing their sentiments. Meanwhile, no minister or believer grows holistically and through sentimental diet. The scriptures regulate our thoughts, decisions and activities and not vice-versa.
It is a known fact that the date of Jesus’ birth is stated nowhere in the gospels or in any historical sources, but most biblical scholars assume a year of birth between 6 and 4 BC with almost nobody being able to specify the exact date. Though University of Cambridge Professor Colin Humphreys put Jesus’ birth in or near April, 5 BC. No matter the inferences or conclusions from research works or the Bible, it is clear and indisputable that Christ was not born on 25th December, more so that the Gregorian calendar widely used that has got December is different from the Jewish calendar.
There are many stories about the origin of Christmas. Some of these are distorted while a few genuine. While the focus here is not to delve into history Christmas and prove the authenticity of any or make conclusions about any, yet it is more widely believed that Christmas stem from both the pagan and Roman cultures. Rather, what is of concern is the celebration.
It is undeniable that there is no culture or tradition where something is not celebrated. Besides the fact that individuals celebrate birthdays, wedding, wedding anniversaries, christening, child dedication, house warming, e.t.c, communities celebrate festivals and feasts, organizations celebrate anniversaries, special functions, e.t.c, nations celebrate independence, national days, e.t.c.
The Old Testament mandates the observance of annual feasts such as Passover, the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles (Exodus 23:14–27; Leviticus 23; Deuteronomy 16:1–7) of which some earliest Christians took part in its observance. For instance, the Holy Spirit descended on the day of Pentecost. Apostle Paul, on his supposed final trip to Jerusalem, expressed the desire to be there by Pentecost (Acts 20:16). The Bible records that Jesus in the early days of his ministry participated in the Sabbath service. Though not a festival, but a day of rest and of assembling in the synagogue for scriptural readings, yet celebrated. With the believe that Christ had offered himself as the ultimate sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11–14; 10:1–10) and that his death and resurrection had cancelled the decrees of the ceremonial law (Colossians 2:13–14), this makes the festivals to lose their grip in the New Covenant, more so that Christianity has moved beyond the cycle of Judaism.
It was never the purpose of Jesus to establish any human culture or reinforce any, but to establish the Kingdom of God in the hearts of men, so this made him not to place emphasis on the culture and traditions of men. Notwithstanding, Jesus established an ordinance (the Lord’s Supper) which he commanded that should be done in remembrance of him. “And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19). This shows us there is a kingdom reality of remembrance which Jesus delights in. Jesus wants us to remember Him and thanks to the Holy Spirit who also brings to our remembrance all that Christ taught (John 14:26).
The question that may likely now arise is, “Should Christian now celebrate Christmas since Jesus didn’t establish it as an ordinance, more so that it is widely believed it has Roman and pagan origin?” Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. 3 But whoever loves God is known by God.[a] 4 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. 7 But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. 9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” (1 Cor. 8:1-9). The biblical regulations as regards our individual perception on idols and sacrifices offered to idols, now that we are in the Lord is clearly seen in 1 Cor. 8:1-9.
In addition, another question you are likely to ask is, “Must the Celebration of Christ only be limited to a particular day (25th December)?” Can’t we celebrate Christ everyday? 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. 5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. (Romans 14:4-7).
The Kingdom is full of undeniable realities. For instance, the Bible acknowledges there are babes and adults, there are children and sons, slaves and heirs, weak conscience and strong conscience. It also acknowledges that we have got different convictions and are persuaded differently, and for these Christ, the Head of the Church, has made provisions to cater for these differences and has therefore spoken through Apostle Paul that we should accept one another without quarrelling over disputable matters. “Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.” (Romans 14:1)
The issue of Christmas celebration should therefore never be allowed to cause any quarrelling, disputes or argument, but rather should be based on each person’s or denomination’s persuasions. Meanwhile, in doing this, nobody should condemn another’s conviction or persuasions as long as they are in the Lord.
For those who are thereby convinced not to celebrate, they must be very careful so they don’t commit the sin of hypocrisy. Wishing people Merry Christmas, accepting Christmas wishes, gifts, e.t.c, while you condemn it will amount to hypocrisy.
Also, for those persuaded that Christmas should be celebrated, it should be done unto the Lord. “6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. (Romans 14:6-7).
It is not uncommon then to see people associate Christmas with dinning, winning, shopping, travelling, exchange of gifts, Santa Claus, e.t.c. These often take the people’s gaze off what it is intended to achieve. If truly it is the Celebration of Christ, then it must be appreciation for and reflection on the gift of God (Christ) to mankind and the love of Christ to the world. The appreciation can be expressed through thoughts, melody in the heart, imaginations or meditations. It can also be expressed verbally through the words of appreciation or songs. Also, it can be expressed by doing what gladdens the heart of Christ, such as showing love to widows, orphans, the less privileged, prisoners, the sick, e.t.c. And ultimately by telling sinners and reminding the saints about the significance of the birth of Christ. By this we can say Christ is really being celebrated.
Conclusively, it will be deception of the highest order and gross act of madness celebrating Christmas with sex, wild partying, drinking of alcohol, clubbing, robbing, kidnapping, gambling, betting, manipulating figures, defrauding others, e.t.c. Nobody needs to be told that Jesus is not in such celebration, and such celebration is nothing but idolatry and it is unto the devil. “The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. 9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked (Proverbs 15:8-9). Jesus is born and given. While the blessing (redemption) of His birth is to all mankind, the blessing (salvation) of him being given is only to the ones that accept him as a gift. “6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6). So, your celebrations of Christ without accepting him is a waste of resources, efforts and time.
I pray God opens our understanding so we can receive all the blessings that Jesus has brought to mankind. Amen!
Pastor Raphael Adegoke is a Pastor in Christ Apostolic Church (Nigeria & Overseas) and a Lecturer in Christ Apostolic Church Theological Seminary.
This is simple, clear and well understood.
Thank you sir!