Today’s post is by guest blogger, Robin Sampson from Heart of Wisdom. Robin has a particular focus on the Hebraic roots of Christianity.
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).
Of further interest:
- “Should We Celebrate Christmas?” – online booklet
- We Should Not Celebrate Christmas – a blog entry with several Links (pro and con)
This was a wonderful post, thank you for sharing it.
I have felt the same way about Christmas since childhood.
We don’t celebrate Christmas either, but like you we do allow a bit for the sake of being with family members.
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I want to celebrate the birth of Christ too. But when.. that’s the thing. We know when John the Baptist was conceived, it was around the time of his father serving in the Temple, but when was that? What time of year? Luke 1:5 tells us In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, ➡ who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.
Our clue is in that part, the division of Abijah. When we look up this division of Abijah we find 1 Chronicles 24 tells us of the divison of the duties in the Temple – the 8th division was Abijah’s. That means, week 16 and 17 were Abijah’s weeks – and therefore Zechariah was in the Temple during those two weeks.. if the new year starts in the spring, the 16-17’th weeks would be in the early summer.
We then know that Mary conceived and went to visit her cousin Elisabeth when Elisabeth was in her 6th months – so, early Winter. – An early winter conception for Messiah means a fall birth.
The season of Sukkot is called the Feast of Indwelling. It’s the celebration of God dwelling with us. This picture is the perfect picture for the Messiah being born. and Sukkot is a 7 day festival, with a special day added at the end, the 8th day is called the Joy of Torah – Simchat Torah – it’s also called the Eighth day – Shimineh Atzeret. We know the Messiah was taken to the Temple on the 8th day for his circumcision, there he was welcomed and blessed by Anna and Simeon.
There are only three times a year when we are commanded to be in Jerusalem – to come to the Temple – for Pentecost, the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles – this Feast of Indwelling. Messiah’s parents would have been in Jerusalem for one of these feasts. The fact that Messiah was born in an outdoor temporary dwelling with animals – this scene shows strong signs of the commandment to live in booths = to live in temporary dwellings – to live outdoors for a week.
I want to celebrate the birth of my Messiah too – I do it at Sukkot.
And in some ways, I suspect I’m celebrating his conception at Chanukkah – the feast called the Feast of Light – He is a light to all nations, He is the Light of the World..
I do not celebrate Christmas anymore. I am not commanded to celebrate Chanukkah, but I do see the work of the Almighty in that time, and so I do keep it as a feast, along with my Jewish brethren.
I used to keep it before I was walking in Torah, and then I completely rejected Christmas – and broke some relationships. Now I accept that other people are not walking at the same place on the path as I am, and so I accept that they are keeping Christmas – and send gifts (we don’t live close to family so there is no visiting) – But you’re so right Robin, relationships are important – we must not cause our family to reject us, we must love them where they’re at, and hope they love us where we’re at.
Thank you Susan for hosting Robin’s blog post.
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