The traditions surrounding Christmas stir warm feelings in the hearts of many—young and old alike—all over the world. Families come together. Shoppers go into a shopping frenzy. Kids await the day they’ll receive their presents.
There is no other time quite like it, maybe that’s why for most people it’s the most wonderful time of the year.
The attachment people feel to these days isn’t surprising. After all, these traditions have been going on for hundreds of generations. Consider the following description in the Bible:
“For one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not†(Jer. 10:3-4)
. That description, clearly describing a Christmas tree, recorded hundreds of years before the birth of Christ.
Most people simply follow the customs of their family, region or nation without knowing where those customs originated or why they are kept. Most never ask about the origins of Christmas, why people exchange presents on this day, or even whether this holiday really represents the birth of Jesus Christ, after whom it is named!
What does God think of Christmas? Does the Almighty God command its observance? If not, does He forbid that we partake in it?
I’m curious to hear your opinion in the comment field below.
I didn’t even research the tree thing but as usual – ignorance is bliss
This is yet another interesting question without any answer. The first question to ask is which God are you talking about? The God of Judaism, Islam or Christianity. If we are to assume that you are referring to the Christian God then what you are asking is if Christmas is in keeping with the faith.
If the question is whether Christmas celebrations can be reconciled with the Christian faith, then only each individual practicing Christian can answer that question for themselves. As human beings whether we believe in a God or not, we do have faith. I have faith that the individuals who I drive on the road with will follow the traffic signals and drive with caution. I have faith that my neighbors will do nothing to harm my property. I have faith that the school bus will drive my children to and from school safely. Given my faith, I behave accordingly and most importantly consistently. I place my children on the bus every school day.
That brings me back to the Christian faith, if the individual who practices Christianity can reconcile their celebration of Christmas with their faith then they, acting as they believe God would want them to, find their celebration of Christmas to be perfectly acceptable. At times I think people attempt to classify others behavior based on their world view and their faith rather than looking internally. It is after all “your” faith and you are free to interpret it as you wish as it relates to you. The problems always arise when you attempt to push your faith onto others. If Christmas gifts, parties and food work for you – by all means, enjoy.
SKT
I totally agree with Suki. the bible says let everyman be convinced in his own heart. This is an individual matter just as faith. The Creator did not make clones, he allowed us the freedom of choice, so let us just rejoice in each others choices. I personally celebrate winter solstice. But i believe in the Creator= Fathe, Son,and Holy Spirit to guide me daily through my journey on earth the mother.