Christmas
Introduction. Only once every seven years does the first day of the week and the national holiday of Christmas fall on the same day as it does this year. These two days form a powerful contrast that those who truly love Jesus must carefully consider. The most important difference is simple yet profound. While the 1st day of the week is recognized and commanded, the annual celebration of Christmas is not. “Disciples came together” “as the church” “to break bread” and “remember” “the body and blood of Jesus” on “the first day of the week” (Acts 20:7; 1Cor. 11:17-34). Also, on “the first day of every week” all disciples were commanded to bring an offering to the Lord (1Cor. 16:1-3). Remembering Jesus’ death every first day of the week was a command given by Jesus Himself. Remembering His birth on December 25th is neither commanded nor observed anywhere in the Bible.
Thus the contrast could not be more stark. Millions will rejoice on Dec 25 over the birth of Jesus. Yet of these millions, how many will keep Jesus’ command to break bread and drink the fruit of the vine to remember Him? Multitudes celebrate His birth on Christmas, and remember His resurrection on Easter. Yet on the first day of the week, few will take the time to remember His death with unleavened bread and fruit of the vine as He commanded.
When one keeps a human tradition to remember His birth, then ignores His command to remember His death, they follow in the steps of the Pharisees. Listen to Jesus words to them. “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.” “For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men.” Jesus then quoted the harsh words of Isaiah and applied it to them. “This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Mk. 7:6-13).
Death or Birth? While Jesus death is mentioned in nearly every book of the NT, His birth is only mentioned once. The details of His death span entire chapters in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Yet only two details of His birth are found in Luke. First, Joseph and Mary were on a journey to Bethlehem to be “registered” for a Roman census. While there Mary gave birth: “So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Lk. 2:1-8). The second detail was the “shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.” “an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” (Lk. 2:8-14). This is all the information God chose to reveal to us about the birth of His Son. We have nothing more.
Although tied to His birth, it was “after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea” that “wise men from the East came to Jerusalem.” Since they “came to Jerusalem,” “after Jesus was born in Bethlehem,” they were not present at His birth. Actually, Jesus was no longer in the manger, or even at the inn when they arrived, for “they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother.” Since the Law of Moses commanded that “forty days after birth,” only “if she cannot afford a lamb,” could she “bring two doves or two young pigeons” (Lev. 12:1-8). Since Mary brought doves (Lk. 2:22-24), the wise men had not yet “opened their treasures,” and “presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
With no commands and only two details, how did Christmas come into being? Historians tell us: “We find it first in Rome, in the time of the bishop Liberius, on the twenty-fifth of December, 360, ... “Christmas was introduced in Antioch about the year 380; in Alexandria, ... not till about 430.” (Shaff, History of the Christian church). It is of human origin. A human tradition that no one in the church knew anything about for 300 years. “In the Christmas festival, which from the fourth century spread from Rome over the entire church, the holy commemoration of the birth of the Redeemer is associated ...” (Shaff).
Conclusion. The truth is we don’t know the exact day Jesus was born and we don’t have any commands to remember His birth. The name "Christmas", the day of December 25th, the decision to honor Jesus’ birth, are all of human origin and everything about them are human tradition. Many of the things taught this time of the year are timeless. Spending time with family, giving gifts to show love, being reminded to be kind and compassionate to our fellow men are things to be done at any time. Bringing a tree into our home, decorating with lights and ornaments, baking cookies and creating a special dinner are decisions that anyone can make at any time. There is nothing wrong with any of these things.
But for the church to set aside any special day to honor Jesus birth without any Scriptural guidance is not from the Father or the Son and we must leave the teachings of Christ to find it. How can John’s words not apply here? “Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.” (2Jn. 9-10). Jesus said it best, “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Mt. 7:21). Since nothing in Christmas is found in Scripture, it is not God’s will, but only human tradition allowing us to honor it.
Thus the contrast could not be more stark. Millions will rejoice on Dec 25 over the birth of Jesus. Yet of these millions, how many will keep Jesus’ command to break bread and drink the fruit of the vine to remember Him? Multitudes celebrate His birth on Christmas, and remember His resurrection on Easter. Yet on the first day of the week, few will take the time to remember His death with unleavened bread and fruit of the vine as He commanded.
When one keeps a human tradition to remember His birth, then ignores His command to remember His death, they follow in the steps of the Pharisees. Listen to Jesus words to them. “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.” “For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men.” Jesus then quoted the harsh words of Isaiah and applied it to them. “This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Mk. 7:6-13).
Death or Birth? While Jesus death is mentioned in nearly every book of the NT, His birth is only mentioned once. The details of His death span entire chapters in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Yet only two details of His birth are found in Luke. First, Joseph and Mary were on a journey to Bethlehem to be “registered” for a Roman census. While there Mary gave birth: “So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Lk. 2:1-8). The second detail was the “shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.” “an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” (Lk. 2:8-14). This is all the information God chose to reveal to us about the birth of His Son. We have nothing more.
Although tied to His birth, it was “after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea” that “wise men from the East came to Jerusalem.” Since they “came to Jerusalem,” “after Jesus was born in Bethlehem,” they were not present at His birth. Actually, Jesus was no longer in the manger, or even at the inn when they arrived, for “they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother.” Since the Law of Moses commanded that “forty days after birth,” only “if she cannot afford a lamb,” could she “bring two doves or two young pigeons” (Lev. 12:1-8). Since Mary brought doves (Lk. 2:22-24), the wise men had not yet “opened their treasures,” and “presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
With no commands and only two details, how did Christmas come into being? Historians tell us: “We find it first in Rome, in the time of the bishop Liberius, on the twenty-fifth of December, 360, ... “Christmas was introduced in Antioch about the year 380; in Alexandria, ... not till about 430.” (Shaff, History of the Christian church). It is of human origin. A human tradition that no one in the church knew anything about for 300 years. “In the Christmas festival, which from the fourth century spread from Rome over the entire church, the holy commemoration of the birth of the Redeemer is associated ...” (Shaff).
Conclusion. The truth is we don’t know the exact day Jesus was born and we don’t have any commands to remember His birth. The name "Christmas", the day of December 25th, the decision to honor Jesus’ birth, are all of human origin and everything about them are human tradition. Many of the things taught this time of the year are timeless. Spending time with family, giving gifts to show love, being reminded to be kind and compassionate to our fellow men are things to be done at any time. Bringing a tree into our home, decorating with lights and ornaments, baking cookies and creating a special dinner are decisions that anyone can make at any time. There is nothing wrong with any of these things.
But for the church to set aside any special day to honor Jesus birth without any Scriptural guidance is not from the Father or the Son and we must leave the teachings of Christ to find it. How can John’s words not apply here? “Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.” (2Jn. 9-10). Jesus said it best, “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Mt. 7:21). Since nothing in Christmas is found in Scripture, it is not God’s will, but only human tradition allowing us to honor it.