2. Reasons For The Religious Observance of Christmas
This is a festive time of year
Family gatherings
Reflection on the year & life

3. Reasons For The Religious Observance of Christmas
Christmas is observed by many people
Enjoy time with family & giving
Religious services

4. Reasons For The Religious Observance of Christmas Reasons From Man
Reasons From The Bible
Critical Look At Reasons
Other Things To Consider

5. Reasons For The Religious Observance of Christmas Reasons From Man
Good to celebrate the birth of Christ
He is Savior, Jn. 1:29; 3:16
Bible tells of His birth, Mt. 1:20-23; Lk. 2:7
Joy over His birth, Lk. 2:8-12

6. Reasons For The Religious Observance of Christmas Reasons From Man
Many others do it

7. Reasons For The Religious Observance of Christmas Reasons From Man
It is the tradition of our church
Christ + Mass – Roman Catholic
Dates: Dec. 25 or Jan. 6
Celebration in the 4th century
Pagan practices mixed in
Winter solstice
Teutonic earth worship

8. Reasons For The Religious Observance of Christmas
Reasons From The Bible

9. Reasons For The Religious Observance of Christmas
Critical Look At Reasons
“It is good”
Saul’s sacrifice, 1 Sam. 15:15-23
Simon’s censure, Mt. 16:21-23
Paul’s persecution, Acts 26:9-11; Jn. 16:2
Good is defined by God, 2 Tim. 3:16, 17
No Statement, Example, Or Necessary Inference
For The Religious Observance of Christmas

10. Reasons For The Religious Observance of Christmas
Critical Look At Reasons
“Others are doing it”
Golden calf, Ex. 32:1-28
Refusal to enter Canaan, Num. 14:1-3
Korah & Co., Num. 16:1-35
Not to follow a crowd to do evil, Ex. 23:2

11. Reasons For The Religious Observance of Christmas
Critical Look At Reasons
“Tradition of our church”
Nehushtan, 2 Kgs. 18:4
Pharisees & scribes, Mk. 7:1-13
Aimless conduct, 1 Pt. 1:18

12. Reasons For The Religious Observance of Christmas
Critical Look At Reasons
“The Bible doesn’t say ‘not to’”
Positive, divine authority, 1 Pt. 4:11
Warnings, Deut. 4:2; Josh. 1:7; Rev. 22:18, 19
The Bible doesn’t say not to:
Baptize babies
Burn incenses
Pray to Mary
Build a bowling alley in the building

13. Reasons For The Religious Observance of Christmas
Other Things To Consider
If we may celebrate the birth of Christ with a holy day,
May we also have holy days with religious rituals for:
His circumcision, Lk. 2:21
His baptism, Mt. 3:16, 17
His triumph over temptation, Lk. 4:1-13
His entry into Jerusalem, Lk. 19:37, 38

14. Reasons For The Religious Observance of Christmas
Other Things To Consider
Why do we observe His death, burial, & resurrection?
Command, Mt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 11:23-26
Example, Acts 20:7