To Christmas or Not to Christmas? Holiday Dilemmas

[Robin Sampson]

How do you feel about Christmas?

Do you observe it differently now compared to how you observed it when you were a child? Do you observe it at all? Did you know Christmas has pagan roots? Does that bother you?

Don’t get nervous. I’m not going to tell you what you should or shouldn’t be doing this time of year. I can’t because I don’t have it all sorted out myself.

Since the beginning of the Church, there has been controversy over pagan customs. On one side were those who wanted to ‘christianise’ the customs to win over the heathen and on the other side were those who rejected anything to do with paganism.

Some Christians observe Christmas as they always have with family traditions, Santa, etc. but with a focus on the Savior’s birth. Some avoid the Santa scene, try not to get wrapped up in materialism (pardon the pun) and focus on Christ.

Some have completely given up Christmas because of the pagan roots, or because the Puritans didn’t observe it, or the materialism, etc. Those that have given up Christmas usually face a lot of flack from friends and family.

Our Christmas Evolution

Our Christmas in the Sixties

As a child we did what everyone else did in the 60’s. Full blown Santa is coming, tinsel-decorated tree, with a big-time focus on presents. We didn’t leave out Jesus but He wasn’t the focus. My mother would read the Christmas story in front of the nativity scene on Christmas Eve. Jesus got about 15 minutes of the holidays rush.

Our Christmas in the Seventies

When my first children were toddlers (over 30 years ago) we had a birthday cake for Jesus each year. Our traditional centerpiece was a Santa kneeling over the Baby Jesus in the manger. I also took my children to have their photo taken with Santa. Santa even came to our church to pass out presents.

Our Christmas in the Eighties

By the time my oldest children were school age we dumped all Santa décor and focused on Christ. (We also stopped all Easter bunny traditions that year). We made Chrismoms (symbols of Christ) for the tree out of white and gold felt and sequins and hung them every year as we read Scripture verses for the symbol (door, crown, sheep, bread, etc). We sent out "Jesus is the Reason for the Season" Christmas cards. I remember my mother was disappointed we didn’t accept Santa and reindeer presents. The tree and stockings were still a family tradition.

Our Christmas in the Early Nineties

About 15 years ago I learned about the Bible holidays and the pagan roots of Christmas and Easter. I wanted to give up Christmas and Easter. My children were horrified. All those holiday memories! Mom has lost her mind!

We went back and forth on the topic for a few years. I wanted to at least get rid of the tree (based on Jeremiah 10:1-5). We finally made the decision not to have Christmas. It was hard. My Grandmother was crushed. (The shocked reactions from telling family and friends of homeschool and homebirth decisions pale compared to reactions we got from giving up Christmas.)

When a Christian is raised to believe that devoted family traditions bring glory to God, then finds out about pagan history and God's ways, it’s quite a blow. God's ways should have been taught since childhood and are now being learned in adulthood. My motives were pure. I only wanted to do what I believed God wanted us to do.

Our Christmas from Late Nineties until Now

Ten years ago we went back to celebrating Christmas. I remarried and my new husband did not want to give up Christmas (mainly because it is the only time his family gathers). I still don’t feel at peace with this decision but it is really not my call. So I make the best of it and focus on Christ. I feel God can use all things for His good.

I want to Celebrate the Birth of Christ!

I have no problem that celebrating Jesus' birthday wasn’t commanded by God. Purim wasn’t commanded by God, but suggested by the Hebrews as an observance to remember a miracle of God. I want to celebrate the birth of Christ as a miracle of God. The most wonderful miracle of all! I would just prefer not to merge the celebration with a pagan festival. It’s a compromise I don’t feel good about.

12 Things I like About Christmas

1. Focus on Christ 2. Families getting together (for some, the only time of the year) 3. Church programs (giving to the needy, the elderly, plays, songs, etc., focusing on Christ)
4. Nativity scenes
5. Generosity
6. Caroling
7. The music (especially Handel’s Messiah)
8. The lights
9. Baking
10. Homemade gifts and cards (especially from children)
11. Goodies (fudge, cookies, nougat, and peppermint–yum)
12. Creativity (crafts, gingerbread houses, decorations, Chrismoms, etc.)

12 Things I don’t like about Christmas

1. Lack of focus on Christ 2. Pagan roots 3. Lonely people feeling lonelier
4. Christians disagreeing
5. Greed (coveting)
6. Materialism
7. Shopping, shopping and more shopping
8. Debt
9. Family stress
10. The good are rewarded philosophy that spills over in “saved by works” mentality
11. Santa worship (idolatry)
12. Political War on Christmas

God Wants us to Have Holidays (Holy Days)

God created us with a desire to have celebrations. He gave us instructions for observing seven holidays listed in Lev 23. The holidays contain more divine information of spiritual and prophetic value than any subject of scripture. Why aren't we taught these marvelous lessons in church? The answer is found during the first through the fourth centuries.

Read What Happened to the Holidays for more information. I give you the link with a warning. Once you learn about God’s Holidays (they are God’s holidays not Jewish holidays) you will face controversies.

How does God feel about us ignoring the holidays He gave us and replacing them with other days? I’ll answer in a parable and let you decide.

A Parable

Once upon a time there was a little boy who loved his Father very much. His Father asked the boy to prepare and serve a special dinner on a particular day. The Father wrote out all the specific instructions clearly and departed for awhile expecting these instructions to be executed.

While the Father was gone the boy shared the instructions with a family friend. The family friend said, "I have a better idea. We had a party that was much more fun, let me tell you about it." We tell mythical stories, dress up in furry costumes and make beautiful decorations and have tasty treats. The friend gave all the details and suggested they change the dinner date to another day. The boy decided the party would be more fun than the dinner and felt his father would understand. The boy undertook the friend's party plan.

Was the Father disappointed?

The Father loved his precious son but was probably disappointed in his disobedience. To what degree would depend on two facts. 1. the age or maturity of the boy and 2. the motivation of the boy.

God Looks on the Heart

Yes, I do believe the pagan holidays are offensive to God. I also believe He is merciful. . . God looks on the heart and views our motives.

"Man looks to the outward appearance but God looks to the heart."

The Reason for the Season

The attention of the whole world is called to acknowledge the birth of the Savior at this time of year, even if they don't believe. Let us be careful not to get our focus off of what is important. If our desire is to celebrate or not to celebrate the birth of Jesus at this time of the year, then let that be done according to the purity of the heart and with integrity of conviction without judgment toward others.

God looks at the heart. Jesus taught against condemning one another—He taught the most important things: 1. Love God. 2. Love others. This should be our focus. Too many are condemning others on either side.

Christmas is a merging of pagan and Christian religions—it is a fact. The ultimate would be to abandon all forms of pagan worship and teach our children the ancient paths—only God's pure worship. Then our children won't be faced with this holiday dilemma each year.

How do we get there from here? I think it's going to take time. Josiah changed things (2 Ch 34:3-8). He got rid of the paganism that crept in—but over a period of time. If we commit to seeking God through His Word and teach our children His Word, we will grow spiritually and God will reveal His paths.

A Season of Peace?

With so much controversy how does one have peace? Isaiah 26:3 says that if we keep our mind stayed (focused) upon God we will have perfect peace. Perfect peace was put in this verse when it actually says Shalom, Shalom.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

Let not your heart be troubled: John 14:1a

Bring peace to this season by focusing on Christ. Then celebrate Jesus in every season by loving one another.

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors. (Luke 2:14).

For more details

• "Should We Celebrate Christmas?" - online booklet
• We Should Not Celebrate Christmas - a blog entry with several Links (pro and con)

[Robin Sampson]

Beautifully said Brenda. My heart is with you. Thank you.

[YAHaloma]

I wrote this for another group that I am on, because there was SO much desire being expressed to celebrate some sort of Christmas, in spite of knowing it's pagan roots. I for one do NOT celebrate it, and have many scriptural reasons for avoiding it. PLEASE if you read this, do not get offended!! I am only trying to help my brethren grow in Torah. We can't make it what we want it to be, it is not our place. If we really want to draw close to our First Love, we need to come to know HIM on HIS terms, not try to make Him someone He isn't.

Shalom.....

There seems to be so much desire to 'celebrate' Yahushua's birthday. It's such a human desire. I suppose a reasonable one, since we've become conditioned to the idea that to celebrate the birth of a loved on, or someone we appreciate (be they a friend, or an icon) is a way to show respect, love, adoration.....it borders dangerously on worship, don't you think?

This is an area that YHWH has been slowly teaching me, showing me what is in Torah, about the whole thing. Especially since I've come out of the Church, and away from the pagan festivals such as Christmas, Easter, etc. Those are given, they are BIG festivals, and are very obviously (even to a Christian) warped, and corrupted from their intended (by Christians) purpose of celebrating Yahushua. And those of us who are trying to learn to keep YHWH's ways are learning that even that is warped and misguided. Most of us agree that Christmas, even in it's 'purified' form of being touted as Yahusha's birthday, is pagan in nearly all of it's rituals and observations (tree, wrapped gifts, wreaths, etc). And Torah shows us that at least the tree is pagan, not of Him. Scriptures make reference to that custom, LONG before it was called Christmas..... Jer. 10:2-5. And, it is called 'worthless'. Certainly it is not something He'd have us get involved with. In fact 2 says not to go the way of the Gentiles, or be awed as they are.

Anyway, when I first learned about Christmas' true origin (one I had always suspected, but never read anything, or knew the truth of the matter), one supporting argument was that we KNOW Dec. 25th is not His birthday, but is the day of the birth of the Sun, and it's corresponding god Mithra. I've since read a few studies written as to when His birthday may truely be, out of human desire to know. Torah is not real forthright, saying, 'And He was born on such and such a day, on this year', or even 'that everyone celebrated the day of His birth'. We know, more obviously, what day he died rather than was born. THAT is the day, it seems, that matters more to YHWH, and therefore, I believe should matter more to us. Chapters, BOOKS where written about that day, and what happened within a very short time span immediately before and after that day, with mostly a summary leading up to Yahushua's life at the point of His baptism/immersion. That day, the day He died for my sins, is the day I make the biggest fuss over, now.

But, still, my human curiousity, and my strong desire to understand YHWH's ways, and Yahushua's life, drives me to find out more about everything, even the day He was born. As I've said, I've found a few studies on the subject, mostly that conclude He was born during Sukkot. But, I found a few, albeit seemingly minor, inconsistancies with those studies, revolving around why Mariam and Yoseph had to travel to Beit Lehem (Bethlehem) in the first place, when she was so close to being due. All say that is was during the Feast of Tabernacles (hence they stayed in a sukkah, not a cave), but if that were so, if I understand this right, the Jews all would have been heading to the Temple in Yerushalaim because it is a pilgrimage feast, one that once the Temple is rebuilt, we will be expected to travel to Yerushalaim for each year. So, no matter what the law of the land said (in this case the census called by King Herod), any observant Jew would NOT be heading to Beit Lehem for Sukkot! In spite of my questions, though, I kinda let it all slide, because that seemed to be the prevailent belief about the birth of Yahushua, and I couldn't find any compelling arguments that said otherwise.

Then, I found this article, which makes tremendous sense to me, and settles well with my questions. I encourage you to read it, and make your own asessment on what it teaches. It is from what I believe is a Christian teacher, but it makes tremendous sense, and is written from a Hebraic view.

Either way, as I've said in one of the discussions, I feel strongly that we need to stop making excuses to observe as the world does. We need to get serious about our relationship with YHWH. If He hasn't shown you, given you conviction, nothing I say will change your mind, but He has a goal for us, a plan, and we'll only get there if we open ourselves to His truth, not our truth. As the bottom of that article says, 'It's not what YOU think, but what the Word (Torah) says. When people start saying things like, "well it would be something nice to do for YHWH/Yahushua, it's our way to worship/celebrate/please Him," it brings to mind the golden calf incident, just after the people came out of Egypt. There is a parallel here, people, you are coming out of 'Egypt' (Church/Christanity), yet you are looking for ways to worship YHWH on your terms, and you are yearning for things that were in Egypt that you miss.

Know, now, that I do NOT judge, I am merely telling you what YHWH has shown me, for I, too, have done this. I too came out of Egypt, and have missed things from my past. I still have yearnings that come up, but He is healing me, and making me strong. My love and fire for Him burn much hotter and stronger than my love of Egypt, and I pray that someday you'll feel that same heat. And may our fires burn hotter each day....

In LOVE, achot...


Barucha.......

[YAHaloma]

All too well. I came from a very permissive stance on things like magic, dragons, fantasy things. Pagan things. I have found that I have to be very strong against the sway these things have on me. I have a strong pull to the natural world, but there is a very fine line between celebrating YHWH's provisions and creation, and worshiping the creation itself. Man made traditions, in any form, are no different.

Shalom om brachot.....

[YAHaloma]

I just realized that the article I was referring to in my post isn't showing a link. The link to the article concerning Yahushua's actual date of birth is here. It is an excellent read, if not thorough.

Shalom om brachot.......

[Carol]

I like the reference to coming out of Egypt and longing for the things of the past. It gives me something to consider and take to our Lord...

Carol

[Jody]

Shalom, BAH HUMBUG!!
And I quote:"we need to stop making excuses to observe as the world does. We need to get serious about our relationship with YHWH" OMEIN
Sorry if that is offensive. The others have made excellent points. I am not judging, simply stating the TRUTH..There is only ONE TRUTH, YHVH'S TRUTH. All one needs to do is look to HIM and His Word to see that we should not touch the unclean thing.

[Carol]

Robin, I know I stand with you in the minority on this. Our family continues to celebrate Christmas. I have prayed a lot about it, and continue to seek Him regarding what He would have our family do. For now we have totally taken Santa out of our holiday. We do advent studies that remind us many things about our Lord and His beginning in Bethlehem. We are growing in our appreciation of Him and closer together as a family. I have struggled with the thought of giving up Christmas, knowing that many are going that path. For now, I have peace that my heavenly Father is okay with me doing this in this way, and I will continue to seek Him as I continue down the path He has led me down. My husband is still not on this same path with me, and I, like you, believe God wants me to submit in this.

We continue to have a tree, very simply decorated. We have advent candles on our table that we light each evening as we eat our evening meal. Each evening we read together as a family from a book with a good advent story... I can't see at this time that we are doing anything that is grieving the Holy Spirit, and I continue to seek His will on this. Maybe some day He will take us away from this place, but for now it is not His timing or maybe not His will for us.

I do hope that this thread does not get ugly. Last year this topic on another board had me very distraught. It was the first time I learned that Christmas wasn't hallowed by everyone, and many weren't very nice about it when I asked about it...

Shalom,
Carol

[YAHaloma]

No, I agree. Everyone's timing is unique. YHWH leads us down the same paths, at different rates, sometimes taking different little detours here and there, to show us things, that are important to the growth of each of us. The point is the heart issue. We have to be serious about our quest to seek His face, His will. We can't let ourselves be held back by personal desires. These things, like false prophets, are tests to our commitment to Him. And as a patient Abba does, YHWH doesn't give up on us just because we don't get our 'potty training' the first couple of tries!

We will each come to conviction, and gain the power and strength required to leave our personal Egypts, in YHWH's timing. It all is, and always will be.

Because I understand this, there is NO way I can judge anyone based on where they are at. Each and every one of us has their own responsibility for our relationship with Abba. No one else can 'set us straight', nor judge us in our current walk.

We had a tree here for the first 2 years after I decided I didnt want to participate in Christmas any more. My husband is not a believer, either, and LOVES his Christmas. I offered to do what made him comfortable, to not push my beliefs on him, but my heart longs for the day when he, too, will see. We didn't put up a tree last year, and won't this year, either. Dave is at a very different point on this walk than I am (not to say I have things more 'right' than he does, but that YHWH has me in a different place right now). I spent over 20 years loving Christmas myself, and 30 years seeking Truth, but only coming to it, finally these past few years. Even in the beginning of being fed Truth, I still tended to spit it out, wanting something that 'tasted' more familiar. But, now that I understand what I do, I can't stomach anything but Truth. I cry for those who can't see, but I don't judge them. Everyone in my family, and all of my friends think I am the lost one, lol.

I think that those who try to push don't understand it's not their place to do so. Yes, we are to protect Torah, defend it with our lives, but not at the expense of obeying one of YHWH's strongest commandments, love our brethren, those who, like us, seek YHWH's face. Only YHWH knows who of those out there are called, and who will be choosen. We have NO place in that process, only in being holy representatives for Him, and planting the seeds.

Shalom om Brachot...........

[Carol]

Shalom om Brachot........... What does this mean in English?

Thanks for your support. (a big smile!)

Carol

[YAHaloma]

Shalom (peace) om (and) brachot (blessings).....


Barucha (be blessed)......

[Trish]

This IS such a hot topic! My husband insists that we continue to celebrate Christmas, but has willingly agreed to go without the tree every other year. After much contemplation and prayer, I have decided to joyfully celebrate with him instead of being a grumpy-pants about it.

The fact that we need to walk in faith and shouldn't just be "following religion" has really been pressing on me as of late and causing me to re-think some things. Now, I realize that many of the Christmas traditions originally came from a desire to imitate pagan celebrations. The question there is are we (or those we are celebrating it with) trying to imitate pagan worship of idols? The honest answer I came up with was that I do not know of one person today who associates anything having to do with Christmas with a pagan form of worship. So, we're not causing anyone to stumble in that sense. Basically, the traditions of believers, over these many last centuries, have overcome the traditions of pagan worship. Christmas and Hanukkah (which my children and I also celebrate) are both simply traditions. Are we going to let traditions be a point of contention? I personally feel that there are much more important things to be worrying about...and for me this year, that thing is showing my husband that I love him even if the traditions he choose are not the same ones that I would choose.

[YAHaloma]

Indeed, it is a hot subject. But, we must ALWAYS keep in mind, it's not about what we say, what we want, everything is about YHWH.

I know of MANY people who celebrate X-mas with the winter solice in mind. Many. I am surrounded by pagen folks here where I live. Just because you don't know anyone who sees X-mas in its original context, doesn't mean they aren't out there. Think of the golden calf, hon. If you are substituting YOUR understanding in worship for what He asked/expects of us, you have yourself a golden calf.

I think the causing a brother to stumble 'excuse' is misused. A brother is someone who believes as you do. Someone who has accepted the heritage of YHWH's family. If they don't believe, they aren't within the family yet. It's not our say WHEN, or IF they will ever be, but you can't go pussy footing around for them. I believe that causing a brother to stumble is something we need to be gentle with within the family of Israel. Afterall, don't you think that Yahushua would have caused an awful lot of 'brothers' to stumble when he had overturned the tables, or told the Rabbis they were liars, and workers of evil? Another thing to think about, aren't your non believing friends/family who insist you behave as they do causing YOU to stumble?

I don't follow religion, I follow YHWH. Religion is mans' way. He is able to turn a few loaves and fish into a meal for some fifteen thousand. He can do the same for you. One thing to think about though is that He began with something, not with nothing. Yeshua took what one young boy had prepared and fed the multitudes. He expects us to do our part, and then He does His. Yes, He will forgive us for our inequities, our mistakes, and misunderstandings, but we have to have the desire to listen to HIM, not try to find our own way, that is our part. We have to be fertile ground, otherwise we are nothing but gravel for the seed. It may sprout, but it will eventually die out.