Christian Traditions:
The Christmas Holiday
Contents
For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. {4} They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
Jer 10:3-4
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Is there Something Wrong
What is Christmas
Who Observes Christmas
Summary
Is there Something wrong with Christmas
The modern Christmas celebration is surrounded with traditions that have developed through the centuries. Some of the more well known traditions include the christmas tree, nativity scenes, singing carols, hanging stockings on the fireplace, Santa Clause, and opening gifts on Christmas morning. Lesser known traditions include the yule log, hanging of the greens, and mistletoe. While Christianity generally tries to connect Christmas with the birth of Messiah, most of the world turns this time into a large commercial venture which has no lack of participation from the entertainment industry. Although all these things seem pleasant on the outside, a serious look at where these traditions came from and what they truly represent is called for. Much of the time, the origins lay in the worship of false deities and have absolutely nothing to do with Scripture or how the One Most High truly wants to be worshipped.
What is Christmas
Christian Definition In Christian circles, the modern Christmas celebration is an annual holiday that claims to celebrate the birth of the Messiah. By most denominations, this event is observed on December 25th. Another common date is that of January 7th (this date corresponds to December 25th of the Julian calendar which pre-dates the modern Gregorian calendar). The name of 'Christmas' comes from the Middle English "Christemasse' and from the Old English 'Cristes Maesse' and was first found around 1038 AD.
Retail & Entertainment Definition Within the retail and entertainment industries, the Christmas Holiday is one of the most important times of the year. Most of the sales that retail stores will make in a given year will come between the Thanksgiving Holiday and the Christmas Holiday. In fact, the sales are so huge that the day after Thanksgiving has come to be known as 'black friday' because this is the time that the budgets come out of the 'red ink' of money lossed into the 'black ink' of profit gained. Without the Christmas sales, many retailers would be at risk of going out of business. The Entertainment industry puts a lot of working into the Holiday as well. Many movies and shows are designed to be released shortly before Christmas so that the marketing of the toys and items associated with the movie can be purchased as gifts at this time. Also, many movies and shows are produced with Christmas themes so that they can be aired not just this year, but many times over in years to come which enhances their monetary return.
Who Observes the Christmas Holiday
Jewish The Christmas Celebration does not have any interest to the Jewish people. In fact, the Orthodox Jews want nothing to do with a day commemorating someone they believe is not the Messiah. Yet the Jewish people are scattered throughout cultures that do celebrate Christmas and must deal with not keeping this holiday. In many places, the Jewish people receive a lot of persecution for not observing the day, especially if they themselves are vocal about not keeping it. Since almost everything is closed that day, it is not uncommon for families to gather together or to find activities such as going to movie theatres and chinese restaurants which also do not close on this day. Some will even make the effort to find a job to work at someplace that does not close on Christmas and is in need of workers to replace those taking the day off.
Christian Since the Christmas Holiday was created by the followers of Christ, the main group of people to observe the Christmas Celebration would be the Christians. As far as religious observances of Messiah's birth this is true. Whether being Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, or of any of the specific denominations, the advent season and its culmination on Christmas Day is one of the biggest liturgical events of the year. The specific traditions will vary from denomination to denomination, but the basics of celebrating the birth of Christ is celebrated throughout the world.
Messianic Among the formal Messianic Jewish Movement, Christmas is generally regarded as something to be avoided because it was never commanded to be kept and because many secular and pagan customs are thought to be part of the holiday celebration. Among the more general Messianic groups, there is some tolerance and acceptance of the Christmas Celebration. These groups will make the effort to focus on Messiah and His birth and avoid the other traditions and secular events.
Creation Worshippers In addition to Christians, there are large numbers of other groups also celebrating a Holiday at this time. Those of the pagan and new age religions that worship the creation rather than the Creator. In this case, they are celebrating, in one form or another, the rebirth of the sun god which occurs on the winter solstice. Modern groups include Wiccans, Neopagans, and others.
Summary
There are many problems with the Christmas Holiday. First is the fact that there is no command in Scripture to worship the day of Messiah's birth. Instead, the birth is emphasized to show the fulfillment of prophecy which points to Messiah. Second, although we may not be able to know the exact day of Messiah's birth, the season was not in the winter. Third, it seems unlikely that the birth of Messiah would occur on or near the winter solstice when many pagan religions celebrate the rebirth of the sun god. Fourth, nearly all Christmas traditions can be traced back to pagan forms of worship.
Todd Elder is a believer in the Messiah who wants to help people understand Scripture and know the message of Salvation. For more information from the Christian Traditions series, please visit my website http://www.exploringsalvation.info and look under 'Scripture'.
Additional Information
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