Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' ~ John 8:31-32
Why Believers of God in Christ Jesus Should Not Celebrate Christmas
Like many of you, I grew up with fond memories of Christmas: pretty presents around a glowing and decorative tree, time with a loving family, songs about the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, and the joy of Christmas that brought peace, and goodwill to all. But today I want to discuss with you why believers of God in Christ Jesus should not celebrate Christmas.
The devil is the father of all lies and the author of confusion (John 8:44). Here is just another example of how he has done a very good job in tricking God’s children in an attempt to lead us astray: The pagan “christmas” tree. Did you know that God and the Bible forbids this tree? It states in Jeremiah 10:1-5, “Hear what the Lord says to you, people of Israel. This is what the Lord says: ‘Do not learn the ways of the nations… though the nations are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with a chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter…their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk…they can do no harm nor can they do any good.”
The “christmas” tree is a representative (idol) of a demon Canaanite goddess named Asherah. God condemns this false god over forty (40) times throughout the Bible and instructs us not to build this wooden deity and to have nothing to do with it. In Deuteronomy 16:21-22 it says, “Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole beside the altar you build to the Lord your God, and do not erect a sacred stone, for these the Lord your God hates.” Nowhere in the Holy Bible does God tell us to celebrate christmas, easter, or any other pagan holidays. They do not glorify God in any way, shape, or form, but only dishonor Him and His beloved Son, Jesus Christ. In fact if you unscramble the words S-A-N-T-A, it spells “SATAN”. Do you see how the devil has deceived us?
In Deuteronomy 7:25-26, Moses warns the Israelites: "The images of their gods you are to burn in the fire...Do not bring a detestable thing into your house or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. Regard it as vile and utterly detest it, for it is set apart for destruction."
The "Christmas tree" is an image of a false god that our Heavenly Father detests. Many of you want to hold on to family traditions so that your children can have the same kind of beautiful memories that you had. I get it. I understand. I was once in your shoes. But once God opened my eyes and showed me the truth, I now know these practices are wrong and against His will. I no longer practice or celebrate any of the traditional holidays that I once observed while living in the United States of America. Not knowing something is one thing, because our Heavenly Father grants us His mercy, but once truth has been revealed to us then we must do what is right and be obedient in serving God only in Christ Jesus, otherwise we will be held accountable for our choices and actions.
The Apostle Paul Warns Us Not to Conform to the Ways of the World
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- His good, pleasing and perfect will. ~ Romans 12:2
So, for those of us who want to hang on to the traditions of the world, the Word of God warns us against this. Jesus said in Matthew 15:3, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?" This can also be read in 1 John 15-17: "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever."
Celebrating Christmas is NOT of God, but of the world! God never instructed us to celebrate this pagan holiday. Nowhere in the Holy Bible does our Heavenly Father command us to do this, in fact, He tells us the opposite time and time again.
In addition, we should have noting to do with standing images in the form of a memorial, column, stone, or pillar. Our Heavenly Father detests these things (Leviticus 26:1-2, Deuteronomy 16:21-22). If you do careful research, you will find that the monuments and memorials around the world and in many of the cities and towns you reside in were, at one time or another, idols worshipped and erected to satan, demons, and false gods. Even if you don’t worship them, why would you want anything to do with something that hurts, disrespects, dishonors, and makes a mockery of our Father in Heaven? Do you think our Savior Jesus Christ would have anything to do with such things? Do you think He wants us to have anything to do with them either? No, He does not!
We must live as Jesus lived as it it is written: "Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did (1 John 2:6). And, Jesus did NOT celebrate Christmas nor did He celebrate Birthdays.
Birthday of Jesus Christ
Nowhere in the Holy Bible, which is the Holy Word of God, does it say when Our Lord and Savior's birthday is NOR does it say we should celebrate His birthday or any birthday for that matter. In fact, according to first century Jewish historian Josephus, early Jewish families did not celebrate birthdays.
For the first three hundred (300) years, the birth of Jesus Christ was not celebrated in December, or any other day for that matter. Birthday celebrations were rejected as a pagan (heathen) tradition by the Apostles and deciples of Jesus Christ. Nearly every pagan religion in the world worshipped the sun and mocked Jesus by making Him their new SUN-god and celebrating His birthday on December 25th. For example:
The babylonian SUN-god's (Tammuz) birth was celebrated on Dec. 25th.
The Persian SUN-god's (Mithra) birth was celebrated Dec. 25th.
The Egyptian SUN-god's (Ra) birth was celebrated on Dec. 25th.
The Greek SUN-god's (Dionysus) birth was celebrated on Dec. 25th.
The Greco-Syrian SUN-god's (Adonis) birth was celebrated on Dec. 25th.
The Roman SUN-god's (Sol Invictus) birth was celebrated on Dec. 25th.
The Hindu SUN-god's (Surya) birth was celebrated on Dec. 25th.
No where in the Holy Bible does it say that Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior, ever celebrated or had a birthday party.
As I have already stated, since my Heavenly Father has opened my eyes to the truth, I no longer celebrate holidays that are rooted in paganism. Please know that anything not rooted in Christ Jesus is rooted in evil. As Jesus has said, "For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out in the open (Mark 4:22).
We are to be obedient to God's Word and to His commands through Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for He has said, "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters (Matthew 12:30).
In addition, we cannot serve two masters for Jesus Christ has said, "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other... (Matthew 6:24).
Starting today, right now, WHO will you serve?
But if serving the Lord seems undersirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." ~ Joshua 24:15
May the love of God continue to protect, guide, and bless you in the name of Christ Jesus! Amen.