Hi Mike

Hope all is well with you.

I have a quick question … It’s concerning Christmas. I am or have been reading some articles on why we shouldn’t celebrate Christmas and I was just wondering what your thoughts are on this.

Thanks

J____

Hi J____,

You are the first person to ask me this question after 5 years of answering emails on Biblical subjects. Apparently, observing Christmas is not a very important concern for most.

I have never written on this subject simply because it is not nearly as basic as the subject of salvation. But the main reason I have never written anything about Christmas is that in the new covenant, sin is no longer defined simply as “the transgression of the law,” which it certainly is, but now, under Christ’s administration it is also defined in this way:

Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

This is a much more general definition of what constitutes ‘sin.’ This new definition allows for all the different stages of maturing as a Christian, and allows us to accept a brother, as a brother, even though he may not be able to eat the spiritual food that we are now able to assimilate. A baby will choke to death on a steak, and an adult will starve to death of malnutrition if he drinks only milk. This is one of those miracles of life we take for granted. But there is one of the greatest lessons in life in this apparent paradox. Why is it that what nourishes one will starve another? It is because God works with each of us as individuals, as we are able to receive His Word. He and He alone is able to accomplish His work in each of us.

Read the 14th chapter of Romans carefully and prayerfully. Ask God to give you the wisdom to live in the “proportion of faith” He has given you. Ask Him to also help you to avoid trying to ‘force feed a steak to a babe in Christ.’ God knows you and your heart. He knows your frame. He made you what you are, and He loves you.

It is true that Christmas is as pagan as the day is long. So are Easter, Halloween and Valentine’s Day. But any brother or sister in Christ who doesn’t see the need to forsake these holidays should not be forced to do so. Our calling is to “let your light shine.”

A light is a quiet but powerful testimony. A mature Christian has no holidays because he knows that the adversary is always busy.

Here is what Christ had to say about the sabbath itself:

Joh 5:16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things[ healed a lame man and told him to ‘Pick up your bed and walk’] on the sabbath day.
Joh 5:17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work [ on the sabbath].
Joh 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

But this is meat that to this day few can receive. So I will close with the answer to your question. I cannot implement these words for you. It must be you with whom God must apply these words. But they are His Words and therefore they are life:

Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Rom 14:20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed [ are] pure; but [ it is] evil for that man who eateth with offence.
Rom 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Rom 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

I hope I have been of some help. I am praying for you. I am asking God to give you the strength and wisdom to handle this situation wisely.

Mike