The following post was originally published in December of 2012 on the original Refined4him website at blogger.com. It is here in its original format, unedited. I can no longer guarantee that any links associated with this post are still active. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!
The Conclusion
Finally! We are at the end. So, after reading through Parts I-IV of this series, what have we learned?
First of all we need to understand that Christmas is nowhere in the Bible and doesn’t say that we must celebrate it, nor does it say that we are wrong for not celebrating it. It is simply not in there. So we can determine that Christians who celebrate Christmas are no better than Christians who don’t. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God (Romans 14:4-6). It is a matter of choice on whether or not we choose to honor the birth of our King at Christmas time. Second, we need to recognize that December 25th is more than likely NOT the actual date of Christ’s birth. I don’t believe that this really matters, seeing that the Bible doesn’t even recognize holidays or dates of important events to begin with. So are you in judgment of hellfire for celebrating Christmas? From all the evidence that I have gathered and reported on, I don’t believe so. As long as we keep focus our honor and celebrations on Him and not worldliness.
Now, please allow me to address my target audience. To say that it is a sin to celebrate Christmas because it isn’t mentioned in the Bible, because we don’t know the date of Christ’s birth, because it was paraded on top of or with paganism, and because it shares customs that pagan holidays once had is called legalism. Because something is not in the Bible does not mean that it is a sin. Christmas is not in the Bible, but honoring our Lord IS and is in more scripture references than I can afford to quote. I would basically have to copy and paste the entire Bible to this blog in order to do it. Driving cars is not mentioned in the Bible. Are we wrong for that?
But again, you are not wrong in your choice either, because we are not commanded to celebrate Christmas. However, no one is going to burn for honoring Christ. But remember this: No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light (Luke 11:33). This time of the year Jesus’ name is out there. We, as Christians, should take His holy name and magnify it before the world for all to see. What you are doing is running into your home, shutting all your blinds, locking your doors, and putting The Light under a basket in your cellar because of assumptions in God’s word. This time of year is the perfect opportunity to witness before a world that hears His name, and sees His name, but does not know Him. Let us show this world that Jesus is more than just a name above all other names. For this season, and this season alone, the world opens the door to Him because of this holiday. Show them The Light that is on the other side of it. And no, you don’t have to partake in the commercialism part either.
Let us celebrate His birth and reflect of the greatest gift that has ever been given.
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). One day The King left His throne and came down to be with us. We praise you Emmanuel! We need to remember this year round, regardless.
I would like to thank you five readers for following this blog series to the end. I hope that it has been informative, inspiring, and maybe even a blessing. To all my Christian friends, both Christmas and non-Christmas celebrators, I wish you a Merry Christmas, Peace on Earth, and Grace to you. Until next time…if there is a next time…
Love In Christ
P.S. I know I said in Part IV that there would be no more links, but here is one more that I came across at the last minute. From R.C. Sproul, Jr. …http://highlandsministriesonline.org/ask-rc/ask-rc-is-it-a-sin-to-celebrate-christmas/
Refined4Him 