The History of Christmas Sacred History Secular History Bible Authority

The History of Christmas Sacred History Everything the Bible says about Christmas: Nothing Disciples did not observe Holy Spirit did not reveal Apostles did not command

The History of Christmas Sacred History Christmas is extra-biblical in origin “Neither Christmas (… Christ + Mass) nor the actual celebration of the anniversary of the birth of Christ is recorded in the Bible” - Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible

The History of Christmas Sacred History Christmas is extra-biblical in origin “Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church” - Catholic Encyclopedia

The History of Christmas Secular History Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia Earliest known reference to date of Christ’s birth is around 200 AD End of 4th century special services adopted Originally a religious celebration… Gradual addition of practices of nations “The assimilation of such practices generally represented efforts by Christians to transform or absorb otherwise pagan practices”

The History of Christmas Secular History Why Dec. 25 for Christ’s birth? Two dates: Jan. 6 & Dec. 25 (Zondervan) Assigned to every month (Catholic Enc.) “the Gospels give no help…” (Catholic Enc.)

The History of Christmas Secular History Why Dec. 25 for Christ’s birth? “The date was chosen to counter pagan festivities connected with the winter solstice; since 274, under the emperor Aurelian, Rome had celebrated the feast of the ‘Invincible Sun’ on December 25” - Grolier Encyclopedia

The History of Christmas Secular History Why Dec. 25 for Christ’s birth? “The well-known solar feast… of Natalis Invicti, celebrated on 25 December, has strong claim on the responsibility for our December date” - Catholic Encyclopedia

The History of Christmas Secular History Other things associated with Christmas Tree: pagan, Anglo-Saxon (history.com) Gifts: Feast of Saturnalia (Zondervan) Yule Log: Norse festival (thehistoryofchristmas.com)

The History of Christmas Secular History Pagan connection traditionally condemned (history.com) “as late as the 1840s Christmas trees were seen as pagan symbols and not accepted by most Americans”

The History of Christmas Secular History Pagan connection traditionally condemned (history.com) “Oliver Cromwell preached against ‘heathen traditions’ of Christmas carols, decorated trees,…”

The History of Christmas Secular History Pagan connection traditionally condemned (history.com) “In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts enacted a law making any observance of December 25 (other than a church service) a penal offense.”

The History of Christmas Bible Authority Warned about adding to or taking from The Law, Deut. 4:2 Not to right or left, Josh. 1:7 Punishment, Rev. 22:18, 19 Wisdom, Prov. 30:6 Example, 1 Kgs. 12:25-33

The History of Christmas Bible Authority Must have divine authority, Mt. 21:23-27 Direct statement, Acts 2:38 Approved example, Acts 20:7 Necessary inference, Acts 15:7-11 No authority for the church to have a religious celebration of Christmas

The History of Christmas Bible Authority Individual liberty, Rom. 14:5 Birthdays Patriotic Days (4th of July) Days of rest/reflection (Thanksgiving) Days of respect (Mother’s Day) Days for family (Easter, Christmas)