The Christ in Prophecy Journal

Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?

Jesus Nativity

Every year during the Christmas season I start receiving critical messages from professing Christians who condemn me for celebrating Christmas. Some verge on outright hate mail. They seem to be prompted by Christmas articles I have written in the past. Or, they are offended by Christmas decorations on our television set.

I am lectured in no uncertain terms about how Christmas is a pagan holiday and that no true Christian would ever stoop so low as to recognize the day in any way.

These messages always remind me of the ones I receive throughout the year from Seventh Day Adventists who condemn me for going to church on Sunday instead of Saturday, the true Sabbath.

It seems I just can’t get my days straight!

I respond to both in the same way — by pointing to what the Apostle Paul had to say about such things in Romans 14. In the first 13 verses of that chapter he makes it crystal clear that believers have the freedom in Christ to give, or not to give, spiritual significance to any day they please. Paul expressed it this way (Romans 14:5-6a):

One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord…

David Reagan: Romans 14 makes it crystal clear that believers have the freedom in Christ to give, or not to give, spiritual significance to any day they please. #Christmas Click To Tweet

Paul concludes this whole section with a strong admonition that we are not to judge one another over such peripheral issues (Romans 14:13).

Thus, if I want to give spiritual significance to December 25, I have the freedom in Christ to do so, and no other believer has a right to condemn me for doing so. Nor do I have the right to condemn those who refuse to give any spiritual significance to the day. The same is true regarding the day of the week we choose to worship the Lord.

Regarding Christmas, some object by arguing that in ancient times the day was a pagan holiday when the Roman god, Saturn, was given special honor. (The Romans mistakenly thought December 25 was the day of the Winter Solstice.) All this is true, but so what?

I don’t worship any false sun god on Christmas. I rejoice over the Incarnation — the true God becoming flesh.

This argument reminds me of those who denounce the Star of David as a pagan symbol. There is no doubt that it has been used by pagans from time to time in history, but that does not invalidate it as a modern day symbol of Israel.

By this twisted logic, we Christians should abandon the rainbow as a symbol of God’s faithfulness to His promises because it has been adopted as the symbol of the current day Sexual Perversion Movement.

I fully realize that Jesus was not born on December 25. He was most likely born during the time of the Feast of Tabernacles in the Fall of the year, in either September or October.

But I intend to continue celebrating the incredible miracle and blessing of the incarnation on December 25. Together with the angels, I am going to rejoice over the “good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people” — namely, Jesus (Luke 2:10).

If that offends you, then just pray for me and skip the day. But please don’t send me any self-righteous condemnations. Thank you!

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Dr. David Reagan

Dr. David Reagan is the Founder and Evangelist Emeritus of Lamb & Lion Ministries. He is a life-long Bible student, teacher, and preacher and he led over 45 pilgrimages to Israel. Dr. Reagan was the host of the radio then television program Christ in Prophecy for nearly 40 years.

8 CommentsLeave a Comment

  • Dear Dr. Reagan, I just want to thank you for your ministry. Christmas, at one time, meant a lot to me and I usually ended up sick because I overdid it. I have learned to walk away from what I felt was expected of me. I, now, recognize Christ’s birth by giving gifts of baked goods to neighbors, etc. Your explanation of when Christ was born goes along with some other teachings I have heard and I think it’s a correct one. However, since we do not know an exact date, we should celebrate His birth each and every day and be thankful for it.

  • Agree with you on Tabernacles as a possible date but also think Chanukah is a option when the Light of the world came into the world. What I think about by Christmas is G-d gave us His feasts. Is add another on saying what ABBA has given is not enough? Only two gospels mention Yeshua’s birth but all 4 mention His death & resurrection. Be blessed.

  • When I read of individuals who explain why they celebrate Christmas, it often makes me wonder if people ask themselves “How does God feel about it?” I see/hear a lot of responses like “I think” or “I feel”. Just for a moment, set aside an emotional feeling or reaction and think about how God feels or thinks. The Bible gives us plenty of passages that tell us exactly that.

    A Bible example that well illustrates why we would not wrap Christmas in pretty packaging with a bow and think God approves is found at Exodus 32. But first, remember that Paul reminded first century Christians at 2 Timothy 3:16 that “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.” So Bible examples can teach us and correct our thinking.

    Exodus 32 is the story of the golden calf. When Moses took too long (in the people’s opinion) to return from the mountain, they asked Aaron to make a god for them. So Aaron took all of the gold the people had and made it into a statue of a calf.
    Here’s where it gets interesting. After Aaron also made an altar for it, he said this: “tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.” (verse 5) If any are familiar with the account, God wasn’t too happy with his people foolishly wrapping their worship in a shiny golden calf and calling it a festival to Him. Lives were lost because of this mistaken viewpoint.

    Again, set aside an emotional reaction and think about it. God uses his word to give us examples of how to worship. Christmas didn’t exist in Bible times so we aren’t going to have scriptures to tell us not to celebrate it. We have to reason and think “how would God feel”. It’s possible we might come to a different conclusion.

    • Liam, but what we do have that the ancient Israelites did not is progressive revelation. God’s faithful now live under the New Covenant and the grace that God gives us in Romans 14 allowing us to worship Him on any day we chose, including Christmas and Easter.

  • I have enjoyed reading your recent articles on Christmas. I especially liked the article about celebrating on December 25 and what the Apostle Paul reminded us on what days we chose to worship the Lord Jesus Christ. Too many self righteous Christians need to read their Bibles more closely before offending a sister or brother in Christ. I pray that 2019 the Lord will bless your ministry family in reaching the lost for the end days harvest of souls. We give all Glory, Honor and Praise to Our ABBA Father and His Precious Son, Jesus Christ the Lamb who washed our sins away! Hallelujah!

  • I love Christmas because it is not only an opportunity to focus my attention on Christ, but to draw others into its true meaning and significance. Christmas can also from a secular viewpoint represent unbridled revelry and a focus on materialism that may present an allure even for Christians (caution recommended). I can not separate Christmas from the three most important events in my life: Christ’s birth and life, His substitutionary death and His resurrection on all believer’s behalf. When I look upon these three milestones I am left in utter awe, praise and worship. Therefore I unashamedly profess “I love Christmas!”.

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