Celebration or Desecration? Romans 14:5-7 CHRISTMAS Celebration or Desecration? Romans 14:5-7

It is Christmas Time As December approaches I am often asked about what kind of special program we will have for Christmas. We don’t have a special musical program We don’t decorate with a special service – “Hanging of the Green” We don’t make any special observance of the birth of Christ. BUT – we do have parties, decorate trees in our home, send cards, exchange presents, celebrate the holiday with family – I eat Sloppy Joes.

It is Christmas Time There is a lot of confusion Even among members of the church What does the Bible teach about this special holiday?

The Grinch’s Argument: In syllogism form – it is argued: MAJOR PREMISE: Christmas is of (pagan, Catholic, denominational, worldly) origin. MINOR PREMISE : All things of (pagan, Catholic, denominational, worldly) origin are wrong. CONCLUSION: Therefore, Christmas should not be observed.

What about these things? Pagan Origin Days of the week Months of the year Many other customs Catholic Origin Candles Church weddings Church funerals

What about these things? Denominational Origin Sunday school Orphans homes Sunday night worship Wednesday night Bus ministries Jail ministry Radio / TV programs Church related colleges

What about these things? Worldly Origin Microwaves TV, Radio Heat / AC To reject things of the world – become Amish and go back to the late 19th century.

What can individuals do on December 25? Anything you can do on any other day Family, friends, gifts, cards Tree, parties, decorations Spend the day reading your Bible and worship God Go to work and do your normal activities

Scriptural Studies Galatians 4:10-11 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain. This passage has reference to the “binding” of Jewish holy days. This applies to “religious” holy days. Not to birthdays, etc.

Scriptural Studies 5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. Romans 14:5-6

Scriptural Studies Personal liberty One can observe the day Another can ignore the day BOTH are doing right Make sure God is glorified Apply to fasts and feasts The problem is not observing or not observing The problem is BINDING EITHER

Let’s Talk About: The Date: Biblical facts indicate: Pagans worshiped the sun god on the shortest day Several dates were debated between Dec. 15 and Jan. 6 They finally settled on Dec. 25 Biblical facts indicate: Late spring or early summer Shepherds in the fields all night Some think around Passover

Let’s Talk About: Gift Exchanges: Learn the blessing of sharing Acts 20:35  I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " The focus should be on “giving” not on “getting.”

Let’s Talk About: The word “Christmas”: In Old English – Christes Messe = “Mass of Christ” Noel – French word – birthday Xmas – still means Christmas X = Roman symbol for Christ and the cross REAL PROBLEM – Is not the spelling – but the BINDING of this day.

Conclusion: As the church – we have no authority to celebrate, impose a ceremony or rituals on the members – ONLY 1st day of the week As individuals – we are free to celebrate (or not celebrate) any day – AS LONG AS GOD IS GLORIFIED IN WHAT WE DO.