To Christmas or not to Christmas: How should a Christian treat the Christmas season?
The holiday season is now in full swing, and, each year at this time, I get a few questions from friends as to why we don’t celebrate Christmas in the traditional way. I understand the questions and do not take any offense to them as I used to celebrate Christmas just like everyone else: tree, Santa Claus, lights, etc. I too would have once raised my eyebrows at any family who strayed from those “sacred” traditions.
In our culture today, the Christmas tree, Santa Claus, Yule log, and other traditions have been incorporated into what we see as the Christmas holiday for both Christians and non-Christians alike. Of course, most if not all Christians would claim that the Christmas holiday is really about the birth of Christ. However, we all know that the other traditions easily overshadow any celebration of Jesus’ birth. Aside from the typical traditions, the holiday has been overcome by materialism and wealth.
We claim that this holiday is sacred yet we don’t keep it as sacred. We think of Christ as an afterthought. I must wonder, what would Jesus Christ think about the holiday we have assigned to honor His birth? I believe that just as He overturned the moneychanger’s tables in the temple with righteous anger, He would do the same to our traditions. Have we polluted our temple with the materialism and traditions of man?
Matthew 21:12-16 (KJV)12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
I think all Christians know the true answer to that question is YES. Of course, this truth applies to everyday of our lives and not just Christmas, but I think the Christmas holiday highlights our hypocrisy in this matter.
I will take the time to go over two typical holiday traditions to explain why my family does or doesn’t participate based on the Word of God. I am not writing this to try and hold myself up as “holier than thou” but to hopefully illuminate some of the hypocrisies that Christians are actively participating in on the holiday of Christmas. I try to base what our family does and doesn’t do at Christmas on the Bible as the Word of God is the only true judge of our hearts and actions.
Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree is a fun tradition that I really enjoyed as a child. But its origins do not start with Christianity. In fact, the Christmas tree is rooted in pagan tradition and religion (pun intended!). I could spend the entire article quoting publications that affirm this statement, but I will spare you those. I would much rather go straight to the ultimate source: the Bible! Yes, the Bible actually talks about Christmas trees, and not in a good way!
Jeremiah 10:1-6 (KJV)10 Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:2 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.3 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 axe.4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.6 Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.
The Bible associates taking a tree, setting it up, and decorating it with idolatry. Here in Jeremiah, we can see that God is describing exactly what we do today!
Some critics will say that this passage is referring to carving an idol from a tree and not the actual tree itself. This explanation is certainly possible, but I would argue that the result is the same. If the Christmas tree did not originate as anything to do with Jesus but quite the opposite – pagan religion (Satan) – should we celebrate Christ’s birth with it?
During the solstice (December 21 or 22), many people groups, including the Egyptians, Romans, Vikings, and Europeans, would bring in evergreen boughs in celebration or to honor their gods inside and decorate them. During the 16th century, Christians in Germany started to bring trees into their home and decorate them. It wasn’t until the 20th century that American Christians began to incorporate the indoor tree since the Puritan history of the US caused Americans to be slow to allow what would have been seen as a pagan tradition to be associated with Christmas . Today, the Christmas tree has been incorporated to the extent that many Christians just assume it is a Christian tradition.
I know plenty of Christians who say, “But, Cassie, I don’t view the Christmas tree as an idol, and I don’ worship it.” I understand this argument. I do. But, when does something become an idol? It becomes an idol when the item replaces God. So, now, is this when we say or admit that it replaces God or when our actions determine if it replaces God. I would say it is our ACTIONS that determine the idols status as words are mere words. Think about it, we come into our living room on Christmas morning and we kneel before the tree which is in the center of our home to open presents. We place the tree near windows so everyone can see it. We take time and effort to decorate it and it mostly defines the season for us. Do we do this for Jesus on that day? Do we place the nativity in the center of our home where everyone can see? Do we kneel before God on that day to thank Him for sending His Son to die for us? Do we go through significant time and effort to decorate God with our praise on Christmas? The truth is no. We devote our time and actions to the Christmas tree. If an unbeliever who didn’t know much about Christmas looked into our window on Christmas morning, would they see Christ? Or would then think that possibly we were worshipping a tree?
Or course, a tree is just a tree and everything is made by God and belongs to God. So, in that sense, we cannot offer something to any pagan god that doesn’t belong to us in the first place. However, how do other people view what we are doing? In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul addresses this same issue in regards to eating meat that had be sacrificed to idols. While eating this meat, as a Christian, may not technically be wrong, how does it look to the person who offers the meat that did so with intentions of offering it to a pagan god? Would this strengthen that person’s view of Christianity? Probably not. Would it confuse that person? Likely yes. Paul goes on to explain that everything we do should be to further the glory of God. We should definitely take into account the view of other people in what we do.
1 Corinthians 10:31-33 KJV“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”
So, now I raise the question: does the Christmas tree further the glory of God or does it hinder it?
Santa Claus
To me, Santa Claus is the most straightforward to discuss in relation to this topic. Basically, he is the Jesus Christ substitute of the Christmas season. We ascribe to him all the attributes as Jesus. Think about it! He is:
1. Omniscient – knows all, whether you are good or bad
2. Omnipresent – can be everywhere/anywhere, at least for one night of the year
3. He can judge our behavior – he decides if you are good enough for presents or if you deserve coal
4. We tell our children to please him
5. Our children write letters to him regarding their needs
6. He can offer our reward
These are what we should be teaching our children about Jesus Christ! Jesus Christ is everywhere and knows all. He is the true judge so it is He that our children should please. It is Jesus Christ who will offer punishment and reward! Our children should be praying to Jesus for their needs – someone who actually can help them!
Instead of telling our kids about Jesus Christ, we teach them songs about Santa. Then we tell them, “oh yeah, but Christmas is about Jesus”….what?!?! That is a mixed message if I ever heard one! We tell our kids to actively interact and follow something other than Jesus. I just cannot get on board with that.
My children know that Santa is not real. I explain to them where his character came from and how he takes the place of Jesus Christ. I do not feel as though my children are missing out on any fun but are actually being educated on Christ and how subtle Satan’s attempt to turn people from Christ is.
Conclusion
As Christians should we be teaching and promoting Santa Claus and Christmas trees and other traditions? Can we do this and still claim our holiday is about Christ? The thing is we either serve God or Satan. There is no in between!
Matthew 6:24 (KJV)24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Everything we do should further the kingdom of God. Someone should be able to look at what we do and know that we are Christians. It is ok if our traditions do not mimic the world and it is ok to explain why we do and do not participate in certain activities. It is a fabulous way to share Jesus Christ with others.
The holidays are tricky because so many of the traditions are fun! Many of us grew up participating in all of the excitement. It is hard to dissociate these traditions from Christianity because we became so accustomed to them and incorporated them to such an extent that they “feel” christian to us but they are simply not. We have to make a decision as to what is more important, doing what is fun and what everyone else is doing or doing what is right.
Joshua 24:15 (KJV)15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Do you have a question? Do you have something to add? Leave a comment below or on my contact page! I am more than happy to engage in friendly discussions. Thank you!