Why I cannot celebrate Christmas

I thank God that he left his home in glory and was born in a humble manger in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago so that he could ultimately die for your sins and mine. I love the story of Christ’s holy birth! But the celebration of his birthday as a yearly event is nowhere to be found in the Bible. Regardless of this, every year it is considered to be the most important religious observance in “Christendom”! Since the Bible is the complete revelation of God’s will to his children, why is the day (and even the season) of Jesus’ birth absent? And why did Christ not give us clear instruction regarding the observance of this event (as he did with the remembrance of his death)? Indeed, he has given us clear direction for everything else that he has deemed important in our walk with him.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

II Timothy 3:16-17

Since the practice of observing this day is not found in God’s word, where did it come from? The faithful Christians of the first centuries did not observe this day, nor did the first Christians of America. It is a historical fact that thousands of years before Christ was born, this day was observed by pagan people as the day that the “sun-god”, Tammuz, was supposed to have been miraculously born. It was celebrated with idolatry and immorality.

“Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.”

Jeremiah 10:2

Centuries after Christ’s birth, Roman Catholicism sought to “christianize” the pagan masses by blending paganism with Christianity. Anyone can study the history and practice of Christmas for themselves and easily confirm this. Christmas was one component of this strategy, and it was and still is a very effective one. It was an intentional mixing of pagan beliefs and practices with the holy birth of our Saviour. Search the Scriptures and see if God has ever approved creating any such mixture. The word “Christmas” originates from “Christ-Mass”.

“That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.”

Ecclesiastes 1:15

“Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.”

Job 14:4

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?”

II Corinthians 6:14-15

In this world, the Christmas season is awash with sin. Drunkenness, injury and death on our highways, adultery, fornication, theft, and suicide are all on the increase during this time. Should this be surprising given the roots of this occasion?

“Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit;

but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.”

Matthew 7:17

In addition to this unholy marriage between paganism and Christ’s birth, the observation of Christmas is of this world. The great majority of the millions of people throughout the world who observe Christmas are not Christians and have no interest in Christ's salvation, yet observing Christmas year after year is very natural and comfortable to them. Think about this.

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

I John, 2:15

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Romans 12:2

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

John 14:15

The traditions associated with Christmas (for example, the Christmas tree) have come to us from witchcraft, paganism, and false religion in many forms.

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”

Colossians 2:8

A few years ago during December, I was sharing some really great time with my grand-niece-twins who were ten years old at the time. One of them turned to me and with a concerned look asked, “Uncle Bruce, why don’t you celebrate Christmas? Don't you believe in God?" I told her about what God says about such things in his word. She looked up at me, smiled, and said, “Oh now I understand! You want to do what God says!”

And that, my friends, is why I cannot celebrate Christmas.