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

2. 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.

3. 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?

4. 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.

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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. Scriptural Studies
Galatians 4:  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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.”

14. 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.

15. 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.