Christmas is about to be observed in many parts of the world this month.
Lately, some of my friends seem to be pulling away from celebrating.
Yes, the Puritans didn't celebrate Christmas, but while the Puritans had a lot right...they aren't a substitute for the Bible.
Perhaps the word "Advent" lessens the offense to some.
Celebrating Christmas as a Christian is NOT a sin.
It isn't mandated to celebrate it in the Bible, but people choosing not to celebrate doesn't make them more spiritual than those who do.
It is good to avoid the false teaching and idolatry of Roman Catholicism, and it's good to not deceive your kids by replacing God with Santa.
It's also good not to be selfish, but then that is an issue of your heart.
For the record, I do celebrate the season and the day...and I'm not ashamed of it.
As I get older, I have more joy in remembering Christ's birth.
For us, gifts are usually given Christmas Eve, and on Christmas we eat a nice meal, hear about Christ's birth, and we sing or listen to carols.
My family usually has a Christmas project we choose before Christmas...meaning we give to missions, missionaries, etc.
I do understand some who have an issue with the name of the day, but then other words we use have origins in false religion as well (including the days of the week).
If it bothers a person's conscience to celebrate, then that person shouldn't.
Still, we need to have our consciences properly informed...that this is not an issue of right or wrong.
The following links may interest you:
Is Christmas Day Rooted in Paganism? - by Nathan Busenitz
Another good article by Nathan Busenitz is about the Controversy of The Incarnation
J.C. Ryle wrote a Christmas tract:
What Think Ye of Christ
Charles Spurgeon did not see harm in remembering Christ's birth, while decrying the Catholic "mass" and popish origins.
Spurgeon on Christmas
Should Christians Celebrate Christmas? - from Grace To You
Another MacArthur Video on Celebrating Christmas
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 NASB
Lately, some of my friends seem to be pulling away from celebrating.
Yes, the Puritans didn't celebrate Christmas, but while the Puritans had a lot right...they aren't a substitute for the Bible.
Perhaps the word "Advent" lessens the offense to some.
Celebrating Christmas as a Christian is NOT a sin.
It isn't mandated to celebrate it in the Bible, but people choosing not to celebrate doesn't make them more spiritual than those who do.
It is good to avoid the false teaching and idolatry of Roman Catholicism, and it's good to not deceive your kids by replacing God with Santa.
It's also good not to be selfish, but then that is an issue of your heart.
For the record, I do celebrate the season and the day...and I'm not ashamed of it.
As I get older, I have more joy in remembering Christ's birth.
For us, gifts are usually given Christmas Eve, and on Christmas we eat a nice meal, hear about Christ's birth, and we sing or listen to carols.
My family usually has a Christmas project we choose before Christmas...meaning we give to missions, missionaries, etc.
I do understand some who have an issue with the name of the day, but then other words we use have origins in false religion as well (including the days of the week).
If it bothers a person's conscience to celebrate, then that person shouldn't.
Still, we need to have our consciences properly informed...that this is not an issue of right or wrong.
The following links may interest you:
Is Christmas Day Rooted in Paganism? - by Nathan Busenitz
Another good article by Nathan Busenitz is about the Controversy of The Incarnation
J.C. Ryle wrote a Christmas tract:
What Think Ye of Christ
Charles Spurgeon did not see harm in remembering Christ's birth, while decrying the Catholic "mass" and popish origins.
Spurgeon on Christmas
Should Christians Celebrate Christmas? - from Grace To You
Another MacArthur Video on Celebrating Christmas
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 NASB
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