Is It OK To Celebrate Christmas?

Romans 14:1-12

SUBJECT: CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY OBSERVANCE

THEME: today I want to identify the boundaries of Christian liberty and the proper exercise of Christian love regarding Christmas holiday observances.  

In this study series, I hope to articulate the approach a Christian should take regarding holiday observances. Secondly, and in full disclosure, I aim to steer you clear of the two major pitfalls of license and legalism regarding holidays. That is we cannot allow nor forbid all aspects of any holiday observance as a standard practice for all believers. Some aspects may be morally acceptable while others are concretely violations of biblical truth. In those facets that are truly neutral, we must afford liberty to others. Thirdly, we hope to encourage you to live with a voluntary self-restraint regarding gray area issues that may offend others or hinder our efforts of reaching and helping people. We do not want our freedom in Christ to be regarded as evil or needlessly offensive. All of these are worthwhile goals; therefore, exploring this subject, though it came be volatile,  is still a worthwhile time investment.

The way a person observes the Christmas holiday can be a matter of controversy and unnecessary hard feelings or resentment. For example, someone may inquire, "Can I drink eggnog at the office Christmas party?" Another may ask, "Why erect a Christmas Tree? It has nothing to do with the birth of Christ...." Yet someone else may wonder if participation in any part of Christmas observances are pleasing to God...especially since its origin is pagan. Well, the Apostle Paul in Romans 14 gives us valuable guidance and relational principles in the areas of questionable things and practices. He shares powerful guidelines to enable believers to disagree on nonessentials (gray area issues) while maintaining love and unity in the churches and Christian homes.

With as much as Fundamental Christians agree upon, it's quite amazing what we can fight about, and even split churches over. Unfortunately, it has been this way with Christianity from its inception. And in those early days, God gave His people a way to handle these matters so they would not become divisive. His plan? Liberating love. This solid plan is delineated for us all in Romans 14:1–15:13 (also 1 Cor. 8-10), which describes two groups who are at odds with each other over two areas of concern. So let's keep open minds, laying aside our differences so we can hear what God has to say to us from these passages.  

HOW DO WE KNOW CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY OBSERVANCES ARE “GRAY AREA ISSUES”?

Simply stated we know that Christmas is a Gray Area Issue Because the Bible Does Not Address the Subject At All; therefore, the Christian Can Exercise Liberty in the Matter.

In other words, God does not forbid nor command us to observe the holiday. We cannot require another to honor this day, nor can we forbid another’s observance. The choice is up to you whether or not you participate or refrain. It is a matter of personal persuasion. Note what the Apostle Paul actually says in Romans 14:5-6,

One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. [6] He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

It is up to the individual believer as to whether or not she or he will celebrate the holiday of Christmas. But let every believer be “fully persuaded in his own mind” that what he or she does is completely pleasing to God.  The choice is yours but it must be made in faith! Note that Romans 14:23, requires, “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”

While there are a number of things associated with the observance of the Christmas Holiday that are biblically wrong like lying to children about Santa Claus and the godless parties promoting drugs and alcohol, there are many traditions that are healthy. Time reflecting on the actual meaning of Christ's birth, giving thanks to God for the "gift" of His only begotten Son, and worship services devoted to celebrating the incarnation of God are all worthwhile. Any Christian should be able to subscribed to worship emphasizing these truly scriptural realities without any difficulty. However, if a believer objects to Christmas trees, traditional Christmas tales like Rudolf the Rednose Reindeer, and swapping gifts then they are free to do so as a personal matter. We all must be careful to separate the biblical from the traditional in many matters. Each individual needs to be persuaded about these matters of conscious as a matter of faith. We must be watchful against imposing our personal convictions on another person; they must also be free to act according to their own conscious with impunity.
 

THERE ARE "GRAY AREAS" THAT ARE NOT EXPRESSLY RIGHT OR WRONG FOR EVERY BELIEVER. 

Some may view these as black and white matters while others disagree referring to them as gray areas. Consider these suggestions:

    1.  Consider Just a Few of the Gray Area Issues of Our Day.

         a. Consider the Issue of Christians in The Military and Fighting in War.

         b. Consider the Issue of Christians Holding Government Offices.

         c. Consider the Issue of Christians Attending an Office Christmas Party.

         d. Consider the Issue of Christians Playing or Owning a Pool Table.

         e. Consider the Issue of Christians Owning a Gun or Advocating for Guns.

         f. Consider the Issue of Christians Playing Card Games.

         g. Consider the Issue of Christians Working on the Lord’s Day– Sunday.
         h. Consider the Issue of Christians Working at Stores that sell Liquor and Tobacco. 

All of these issues have been debated for years with little or no resolution or coherency. My aim here is not to revisit them all individually, but to demonstrate that the subject of observing Christmas is categorized with them. In addition, I merely hope to emphasize that true matters of conscious can be real hot button subjects. They can generate much heated debate and drive deep the wedge of division in a family or church. People tend to be quite passionate about their position; they will vigorously defend their perspective. It seems to me the more deeply one's position is rooted in tradition, the more tenaciously it is held. Christmas observances typically present a vast array of secular traditions and of course teachings deeply rooted in biblical truth. It is a potentially explosive subject when a secularist and a believer address the subject to each other. It is also a challenging portion of discussion when two believers haggle over the significance of the holiday and devotion to biblical emphasis. I am simply contending that the proper balance can be struck if we observe the principles of Christian Liberty. Perhaps we need to visit the subject of "Christian Liberty" to help us understand how to handle all such matters.

     2.  “Christian Liberty” is Applied to These Areas of Moral Indifference.

To avoid confusion, please allow me to explore the subject of Christian Liberty so that we all understand what I am actually saying here.

Liberty Means that Believers Are Emancipated from the Bondage of Satan, the Domination of Sin, Guilt, and the Fear of Death. Christians are entirely free of any obligations to sin and its condemnation. Spiritual union with Christ, involving the service of Christ, is compatible with perfect freedom; inasmuch as we are thus restored to the right relationship to God and brought into harmony with His will (see Matt 11:28-30; James 1:25). The season of bondage and fear of death is over for genuine believers. Note that Hebrews 2:14-15, says, "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; [15] And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." (see John 8:31-36; Acts 26:17-18; Rom 7:24-25; 8:15; Heb. 2:14-15). 

Liberty Means that Christians Are Not under Obligation to Observe the Distinctly Jewish Regulations in the Bible. Paul says in Galatians 5:1, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."  We are not required to embrace the Jewish traditional holidays mentioned in the Old and the New Testaments. Christians should insist on liberty concerning such matters of culture, observing holidays, feasts, and ceremonies. All the while we accept the fact that Christianity will look and feel differently in different cultures, but the essential truths and message remain in tact. The result is not a watered down version of Christianity, but real Christianity in another cultural context. I certainly am not encouraging perversions of our Faith, but simply recognizing that Christianity is designed by God to be indigenous, lucid and relevant on many levels regardless of the people group. The Liberty we have through Christ tolerates such nuances as the Faith is expressed through a certain cultural setting. It will differ slightly in other social/ethnic situations without any violation of essential or fundamental truths.     

You see, circumcision, Animal Sacrifices, with the whole body of ceremonial requirements essential to the chosen nation, Israel, during the period that was preparatory to the gospel,  are set aside under the gospel. These features of religion were annulled by the incoming of the new dispensation in Christ. They were not in keeping with the dignity and inward liberty of redeemed souls, our new moral elevation and illumination, or our relationship as children of God. (see John 4:20-24; Acts 15:1-29; Gal. 2:1; 5:1-6; Heb. 8:10,13).  Hebrews 8:13, says, "In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away." The Old Covenant requirements were satisfied through Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. They are accomplished on the behalf of every believer, thus they are nullified. These elements were not transferred to other people groups, but many Jewish converts still continued to observe these traditions for a while. 

                                                           

The Phrase, Christian Liberty, Also Refers to the Privilege of Christians to Regulate Their Lives as Individuals with Respect to Matters That Are Morally Indifferent. The NT instructions upon this point were developed for the most part on account of the attempt to impose Jewish regulations upon converts of Christianity. Again Christians are not obligated to observe these regulations or holy days. We must also understand the principles set forth by Paul have a much broader application and are still of great importance to us today (see Rom 13; 14:14; 1 Cor. 7:8; also Scriptures referred to above). He repeatedly advocated for Christian Liberty concerning days and diets.  

With Respect to Such Things that Are Not Commanded or Forbidden in the Word of God, Christian Liberty May Be Exercised and Should Be Allowed. Actions are not to be pronounced sinful that are not sinful. Different does not mean wrong or a perversion of the Faith. Often there is more than one way to obey a biblical requirement. Any scriptural injunction can be executed in a number of ways; multiple strategies could be employed by any congregation even. Nonessentials are not to be elevated to the place of essential virtues. Some things concerning our Faith are vital and necessary while others are not. Essentials (relative to Christmas) are fundamental teachings like the nature of God, the nature of Christ's birth, salvation by grace, propitiation through one ultimate Sacrifice, the inspiration and veracity of Scripture, and the significance of Christ's birth. Nonessentials are things like Christmas trees, a white Christmas (snow), sleigh rides, turkey dinners, Santa Claus (a lie), gift swapping, gingerbread cookies, and chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Each Christian is free to choose for themselves before their Lord on these matters that are truly neutral. Regarding the essentials, every believer should advocate for these truths, but all the rest is not worth bickering over except to demonstrate they are not fundamental to biblical Christianity.  

Proper Room must Be Left for the Exercise of Individual Judgment or of Enlightened Christian Conscience. That is correct, in these gray area matters it is permissible to allow your conscious to be your guide. Individual preference is appropriate as long as it is exercise with loving consideration for how our actions will impact others. 

But remember, this Liberty with Respect to Things Indifferent Is Not Absolute; There are Limitations. Its exercise is under the limitations of the principles of self-preservation, of expediency, of duty, and of love. Healthy concessions should be made for the sake of "the weak," though care should be taken not to make them in a way, or to such an extent, as to perpetuate their weakness or to promote superstition. If the former is not done "the weak" are needlessly injured. If the latter is omitted the principle of evangelical liberty is violated, Christians are reduced to un-Christian slavery, and the progress of Christ's kingdom is obstructed. Always keep the principles of expediency and edification in mind as you grapple with these matters. The Apostle Paul says in 1 Cor. 10:23, "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not." Is it expedient for the cause of Christ? Does it edify my brother or sister in Christ? These are good questions to grapple with. 

MANY BIBLE SUBJECTS ARE BINDING WHILE OTHERS ARE GOVERNED BY GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

     1.  Some Activities We Know Are Wrong, Because the Bible Clearly Condemns Them.  For instance we do not have to wonder or worry about whether drug usage, immorality, stealing or lying are wrong.  When we are faced with these temptations we do not have to stop and pray about whether or not we should indulge.  We do not need to analyze the situation to see if we should participate; no, we just simply believe God and refuse.  God already said NO about immorality, substance abuse, lying, and stealing.

     2.  Other Activities We Know Are Right, Because the Bible Clearly Commands Them.  Things like faithful church attendance, tithing one’s income, evangelizing the lost, living holy, being honest and beyond reproach, Bible study, and encouraging others with the Scriptures are clearly the expressed will of God as prescribed in the Bible.

But when it comes to areas that are not clearly defined in Scripture, we find ourselves needing some other kind of guidance. Paul gave Christian Liberty principles for this guidance. He explains how believers could disagree on nonessentials and still maintain unity in the church. He gave his readers three important admonitions. We will consider two of them in this series.

     3. Some Matters Can Be Settled Based on General Biblical Principles.

The following are general principles that can be applied to many of these gray area matters. Consider these as questions for personal examination:

       a. Will what I’m about to do raise questions about my motives? (1 Thes. 5:22; 1 Cor. 9:12, 18)

       b. Will what I do have a positive effect on others for the Lord? (1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23)

       c. Will what I do clearly bring glory to God? (1 Cor. 10:31)

       d. Will what I do result in the salvation of souls? (1 Cor. 10:33)

       e. Will what I want to do master or enslave me? (1 Cor. 6:10)

       f. Will what I want to do promote peace in the fellowship? (Rom. 14:19)

       g. Does what I want to do make me feel uneasy in my conscience? (Rom. 14:23)

Again through this study I hope to clarify what position a Christian should take on such holiday observances.  Secondly, I wish to steer you clear of the two major pitfalls of license and legalism regarding the holidays.  Thirdly, I want to encourage you to live with a voluntary self-restraint regarding gray issues that may offend others or hinder our efforts of reaching and helping people. Remember in all matters Christian Love is applicable and prescribed by our Heavenly Father. 

Yes, the way a person observes the Christmas holiday can be a matter of controversy and unnecessary hard feelings or even resentment. It may appear as hypocrisy to observe it or to refrain from observing it. The Apostle Paul gives us helpful guidance and relational principles in the areas of questionable things and practices. Study carefully the passages mentioned above in their original context. Then do the profitable work of working out how these principles apply to us today. You will be gloriously enriched! 

Yes, believers can disagree on nonessentials (gray area issues) and still maintain love and unity in the churches and Christian homes. If we understand and faithfully apply these principles we will not find ourselves tearing up our churches and our homes about things that are neutral before God. We will also learn to tolerate the different preferences of other believers; how to govern ourselves when dealing with “gray” issues are necessary relational skills.  

As always, I am not advocating the sacrifice of biblical truth and important principles of the Scriptures, but I am saying that we should be willing to give up our personal rights in order to win souls to Christ and build-up other saints in Christian love. It is not about what I want, but what is edifying, expedient, or others centered. I realize some folks want to make every subject an absolute matter with universal application. We all function a little bit better when we know the clearly defined boundaries.... In matters of conscious the boundary is the individual's choice or preference under the authority of Christ the Lord. That is the standard Beloved, for us all.