Would Jesus Celebrate Christmas?
Summary
The article poses a thought-provoking question: Would Jesus celebrate Christmas if He were on Earth today? It delves into the historical and biblical context to argue that Jesus, or Yahshua, would not participate in Christmas celebrations, providing five reasons to support this viewpoint.
Firstly, the article contests the traditional date of Jesus' birth, December 25, citing biblical and historical evidence to argue that Jesus was likely not born in winter. The text references several biblical passages, such as the account of shepherds grazing their flocks at night, which would be improbable during the cold winter months, and the timing of Roman censuses and taxations which align more closely with a different time of year.
Secondly, it explores the pagan origins of Christmas, tracing its roots back to ancient festivals like Saturnalia and Brumalia, which predate Christianity. The author suggests that these festivals were adapted into Christmas as Christianity spread, maintaining pagan traditions under a Christian guise.
The article also emphasizes the Bible's stance against adopting pagan customs, highlighting verses from Deuteronomy and Mark that condemn incorporating pagan practices into worship. It questions the legitimacy of Christmas traditions, like decorating trees, which have pagan origins.
Additionally, the piece points out that the Bible does not record any of God's followers celebrating birthdays, using the examples of Pharaoh and Herod's birthdays, which were marked by tragic events, to underscore this point.
Lastly, the article addresses the eternal nature of Christ, emphasizing that His existence did not begin with His earthly birth. By celebrating His birthday, the article argues, we undermine His divine nature and eternal existence.
In conclusion, the article suggests that celebrating Christmas is incongruent with the teachings of Jesus and the Bible. It challenges readers to reconsider their participation in Christmas traditions, urging them to choose between following pagan customs or adhering to biblical principles. The decision, it posits, reflects one's true allegiance to Jesus' teachings and the authenticity of their faith.
Full Transcript
If Jesus visited the earth today, would He celebrate Christmas? Would He lead the planning and preparations for His own elaborate Christmas party? Will He use His power and influence to create a majestic worldwide celebration? In this episode, we will answer the question, “Would Jesus Celebrate Christmas?” Let’s discuss.
For most people around the world, Christmas is the most important holiday of the entire year. It symbolizes family togetherness, food and drink, going to church, quality time with friends, gift-giving, a boost in sales, cash bonuses, and a generally happy, peaceful time of the year.
Who wouldn’t want any of those things?
But have you ever wondered: “What does Jesus think of Christmas?” After all, it’s His birthday! Or is it? Here are five reasons why Jesus (Yahshua) will not celebrate Christmas:
1. Jesus was not born on or around Christmas
Suppose you were born on July 16. But your friends threw a birthday party on the birthday of your avowed enemy on January 29. Would you really feel honored? Would you celebrate it?
That’s how Christ feels about Christmas. He is the Truth. He stands for truth and nothing but the truth. He even said that we ought to worship God “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).
And the truth is, Jesus Christ (His real name is Yahshua the Messiah) was not born on or around December 25. Here are four biblical, logical, meteorological, and historical proofs:
- His birth occurred during the time of taxation and census decreed by Caesar Augustus for the Roman Empire. The Roman rulers and the Senate would be foolish to declare an empire-wide taxation during mid-winter (Luke 2:1-2).
- When Christ was born, He was wrapped in “swaddling clothes.” The Greek word for “swaddling clothes” is spargano-o [Strong’s #4683] which means strips of cloth. If this was winter, Mary would have prepared thick woolen clothes (Luke 2:7).
- There was “no room for them in the inn.” Why? Since Mary was way advanced in her pregnancy, she and Joseph had to travel slowly. When they arrived, all the inns were occupied. Why were all inns occupied? It coincided with the seventh month festival of the Jews, which is equivalent to our September (Leviticus 23:23-36; Luke 2:7).
- The biblical account says, “…shepherds were out in the field keeping watch over their flocks by night.” This is another proof, meteorologically speaking, that Christ’s birth was not in the middle of winter or anywhere near December 25 (Luke 2:8).
But some will say, “Big deal — so what? Jesus Christ may not have been born on December 25, but the important thing is we are worshipping Christ by dedicating Christmas to Him.”
Well, believe it or not, it is possible to worship God in vain! Notice what Yahshua Himself said:
Matthew 15:8-9 — These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.
So it seems clear that God doesn’t want us to give His glory to other gods or graven images:
Notice Isaiah 42:8 (Hebrew Roots Bible) — I am YAHWEH, that is My name; and I will not give my glory to another, nor My praise to engraved images.
This leads us to our second point.
2. Christmas originated in ancient paganism
The practices connected with Christmas started about 4,000 years ago, long before Jesus was even born. December 25 has long been associated with the ancient pagan celebrations of Saturnalia, Brumalia, and Dies Natalis Sol Invicti, the “Birth of the Invincible Sun (Mithra).”
We have a very old book in our library, published in 1953. The title is 4000 Years of Christmas, written by Dr. Earl W. Count, a Professor of Anthropology at Hamilton College in New York. In this book, he documents his research on this subject through four millennia.
Brumalia is the ancient Roman-era predecessor of Christmas. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines it as follows: “a pagan festival held at the winter solstice from which some features of the celebration of Christmas seem to have originated.”
The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, in its article on “Christmas,” explains its development into modern times: “How much the date of the festival depended upon the pagan Brumalia (Dec. 25) following the Saturnalia (Dec. 17-24) and celebrating the shortest day in the year … cannot be accurately determined. [Because] the pagan Saturnalia and Brumalia were too deeply entrenched in popular custom … The pagan festival with its riot and merrymaking was so popular that Christians were glad of an excuse to continue its celebration with little change …”
Now that we know Christmas is pagan, how does Christ — and how should we — feel about it?
3. The Bible prohibits following pagan practices
Notice Deuteronomy 12:29-32 — “When the Lord your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.”
Please also read Mark 7:7-9 — And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men … and many other such things you do. He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.”
One of the oldest traditions of Christmas is decorating a Christmas tree. But God says we should not follow these pagan customs:
Notice Jeremiah 10:2-4 — Thus says the Lord: “Do not learn the way of the Gentiles …
For the customs of the peoples are futile;
For one cuts a tree from the forest,
The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
They decorate it with silver and gold;
They fasten it with nails and hammers
So that it will not topple.
But isn’t it better to celebrate Christ’s birthday on a wrong day than not celebrate it at all?
That’s a good question, and it leads us to our next point.
4. God’s people do not celebrate their birthdays
The only two birthday celebrations mentioned in the Bible — Pharaoh’s and Herod’s — both involved deaths. None of the people of God ever celebrated their birthdays. Can we get a clue?
The first birthday celebration is mentioned in Genesis 40:20-22 — Now it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them.
The second instance is found in Matthew 14:6-11 — But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.” And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.
Now it is NOT wrong to mark the passage of time by thanking God for another year of life. But God’s people do not make a big deal of their birthdays by throwing big, elaborate celebrations.
This leads us to our last point — the fifth reason Jesus will not celebrate Christmas:
5. Christ’s existence did not begin here on earth
Notice John 1:1-2 — In the beginning was the Word [Jesus Christ], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
See also Hebrews 7:1-3 — For this Melchizedek [Jesus Christ], king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.
It is important to know who Jesus Christ was before His incarnation and human birth. He was the God of the Old Testament. In the New Testament, He solemnly declared:
John 8:58 — Before Abraham was, I AM.
And talking about the Israelites’ wilderness history, the apostle Paul wrote:
1 Corinthians 10:4 — And they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.
The active God-Being in Old Testament times was the One who later became Jesus Christ.
Christ was co-eternal with the Father. They both had no beginning. Jesus existed from eternity with God the Father. By trying to celebrate His birthday, we are degrading His true divinity and denying His true identity.
The Bottom Line
It should be clear from these five points that Jesus, the Christ, will not celebrate nor endorse Christmas. If you are a true follower of Jesus Christ, then you will heed the words of God and the voice of your Savior. Christ Himself said:
John 10:27 — My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Are you a genuine follower of Christ? Do you heed His voice? Does your Savior know you as a humble and obedient follower?
You are now left with only two choices: Either follow the pagan tradition of Christmas or follow God and His words in the Bible. Now, choose.
Until next time, this is Daniel Macaraeg, of BiblicalTruths.TV, reminding you to always be growing, to always be giving, and to always be grateful.
