What? You Don't Celebrate Christmas?

"Christians have been set free from the problem of mixing pagan with holy. How can you not celebrate Christmas?" The answer I'm told is to change the meanings of pagan things. Apparently, God doesn't need His chosen people separated like he used to.

Now that I have either offended you (hopefully you are still reading) or got a pat on the back (I hope you finish reading this article as well, I will step on your toes in a little bit too).

In a quick search for mixing holy and unholy, the bible tells us this in his instructions to Aaron. Leviticus 10:10-11 states "You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean, and you are to teach the people of Israel all the statutes that the Lord has spoken to them by Moses.” Later on in Ezekiel we read that Israel did not follow through with what God had said in Chapter 22, Verse 6 in speaking about Israel "Her priests have done violence to my law and have profaned my holy things. They have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean, and they have disregarded my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them." This is not something we want to do. However, the question is, is this something that God finds OK to do now as long as our motives are good?

Hebrews 13:8 tells us "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever," and in Deuteronomy 12:32 it is commanded, “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it." There is a lot more scripture on this topic, but I'm sure anyone still reading this article would agree that God never changes. Whether God's commandments for us change or not (and as a megachurch pastor would argue, is still changing, and why not if it changes) is what must be decided. Most of our Christmas traditions do not come from a holy background.

Krampus was the original Santa's helper. Good old Saint Nick captured Satan. Naughty children were not given a lump of coal, they were dragged off to spend a year in the underworld. Talk about making sure you are not on the naughty list!

Our modern-day elves are much cuter than this brute on the right! Santa became red and white because he became the mascot to sell Coka-Cola in 1931, with his character becoming finalized in 1934. The elf had to change, or they wouldn't sell anything!

My pastor at River City Christian Fellowship briefly spoke about the birth of Christ, and I liked his perspective. He said that many people believe that Jesus was born in December. He disagreed that scripture tends to point to the biblical feast of Sukkot (a time representing God dwelling with us). That was all he said.

I want to discuss the real issue that is going on in the church. The entire chapter of Romans 14 adds many levels, but I will try to make my point with the first three verses:

"As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him."

It is funny that when we read this, we immediately start thinking about the dude we disagree with and how they are the weak brother. Everyone who reads this scripture is the strong brother in their minds as they read it. I go more into this topic in my sermon If You Do What You Think Is Right, You Are Wrong Part 2. Here is the bottom line, Paul wants us all to be unified as Christians. If we are all stronger brothers, we should accept fellow Christians where they are and discuss scripture as the Holy Spirit leads to help us grow to become more Christ-like. As brothers and sisters in Christ we are commanded (I hope we all agree this is still valid) to love one another.

The scripture of not passing judgment in Romans 14 is not about bringing back someone in sin; it is about someone praying, reading their Bible, and seeking God's leading. Don't judge this person where they are in their walk with God. None of us should be complacent in that walk, and if we are all strong brothers, we should all accept each other and not want to cause a brother to stumble.

Scripture must be unchanging and be an absolute authority as God's Word. If Scripture isn't for you, we are not following the same Gospel or discussing the same faith. If we agree on the authority of God's Word, then let us leave the traditions of men behind that pull us into the world and away from God. If we disagree on whether or not to celebrate Christmas, we should still be accepting of each other. After all, when someone asks if we are Christian or not (and we answer yes), we all get grouped anyway. Weak and strong brothers are not supposed to be separated, we are supposed to be learning/helping each other.

God inspired the psalmist to say in Psalms 19:7 "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul" and Jesus (Yeshua) walked in this law perfectly, and I want to walk as Jesus walked. If I am the weak brother, please accept me and show me why it is now OK to change what is perfect.

I hope this has blessed you and remember to pray for discernment and be reading your Bibles.