Here are five things every Believer should know about Christmas:
1. Christmas is not mentioned in the Bible. You can read the entirety of Scripture and you will not once come across 'Christmas.' Luke 2 and other places give some details of the birth of the Messiah, but without question this didn't happen on December 25 or even in December. You will not find the events of Christmas celebrations in Scripture, even by a different name (at least in a positive light). It just isn't there. Take a moment to consider the wisdom of basing a considerable block of your faith on something other than the word of God. What did the Messiah say about building your house on sand?
2. Many of its traditions are expressly prohibited by Scripture. This includes bringing a Christmas tree into your home to decorate (Jeremiah 10:2-4), the traditional Christmas ham (Leviticus 11:7), many nativity scenes (Exodus 20:4), and more. Does it make sense to try and worship YHWH by doing things he tells us not to? What does it say about us if we aren't willing to follow some basic instructions from him?
3. Scripture does not tell us to celebrate Christmas. Nowhere in the Bible are we instructed to celebrate Christmas or even the Messiah's birthday. If this had been something the Creator wanted us to do, he would have told us! Yahusha had many chances to throw himself birthday parties, but we don't see that. The Disciples could have preached on celebrating Christmas, but they didn't. However, Leviticus 23 gives us the details on seven set apart times of YHWH that we are to observe, and we can see these honored by both the Messiah and the Disciples.
4. Christmas predates the birth of the Messiah by centuries. There is a reason so many cultures and faiths celebrate Christmas, because it's not a holiday that is rooted in Scripture. The December 25 Christmas holiday has a long history of honoring the sun god or other pagan gods around the time of the winter solstice. So no, this isn't something that started out as a nice little way to honor the Messiah's birthday. This is something that originated from faiths against the Living God. While YHWH certainly could choose to redeem it, according to Scripture that is not how he handles things of pagan origin. One such example would be 2 Kings 10:27, when rather than 'redeeming' a perfectly usable temple of ba'al for his own glory he had it made into a public toilet. Here is a good article on Christmas predating the Messiah.
5. The lies of Christmas undermine faith! In our culture, children are told stories of beings they don't see but who do nice things for them. Santa brings presents, the Easter bunny gives candy, and the tooth fairy leaves money under pillows. In time children are let down (Or devastated. These things can hurt.) with the truth...that these are just lies. How does that impact their faith in the Messiah, whom they also can't see, but supposedly loves them and will give them eternal life? I don't think we can emphasize enough how confusing and detrimental these lies are to faith. Even if your children know Santa isn't real, what are the implications for their faith when they find out Christmas isn't in the Bible? It's frustrating and confusing to realize that the Christian faith isn't based on following YHWH's commandments, and if we don't believe we should do as YHWH instructs in one area, why would we in another?
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Exactly the reason we walked away. It's not been easy and it's taken years to completely rid our lives of these pagan traditions but it's so worth it.
ReplyDeleteWe walked away 35 years ago. Everyone thought we were crazy. We were mocked, ridiculed, shunned by family and lost a lot of friends; on the other hand, we also were free from "holiday" stress, our family time was peaceful, not rushed, and we found out who our real friends (and family) were. God has richly blessed us for our obedience, and we have never regretted a single second.
ReplyDeleteThis will be the first year that I won't be celebrating Christmas. It is hard for my boys, but I know it is the right thing to do and they will teach their children the truth of the Torah from the very beginning. Family and friends are not taking it well. I would rather choose Yahuah than traditions of men. I know it will take some time to get used to, but I'm ready for it all.
ReplyDeleteI believe you have taken this to a place that is totally unnecessary. I am a believer and a Pastor. While I don't push Santa Claus and the like. I do and even encourage the celebration of Christmas. Solely focusing on the Birth of Christ. My children are well informed of the true and the false. It is really not relevant to time and season. What is relevant is that he was born and we will forever celebrate that
ReplyDeleteHi Rob, I agree that the Messiah's birth is well worth celebrating every day! If the time and season of doing so is truly irrelevant, why not do so during the set apart times of Scripture? Knowing truth is great, but YHWH calls us to walk in his ways, not just know what they are.
DeleteI commend all of you who have stopped celebrating Christmas and support all of you. I two know it is hard as I did so myself 11 years ago. I am glad to hear you are following the Bible God's word and not mans. You wont regret it, God will bless you and your family for what you are doing. I will be praying for all of you
DeleteWell said. Amen!
DeleteI'm walking away christmas because its pagan tradition hurting our Savior. Its lies instead I'm unlearning this and Observe the Feast and Sabbath of the Messiah.
ReplyDeleteI'm walking away christmas because its pagan tradition hurting our Savior. Its lies not biblical instead I'm unlearning this and Observe the Feast and Sabbath of the Messiah.
ReplyDeleteBless you for putting this out there. He who has ears, let him hear.
ReplyDeleteGave up the celebration of Christmas and the trappings a number of years ago. Of course, my husband and I are in the boat alone. No one else even seems interested to know the facts concerning the celebration, Christian or non-Christian. We are stress free and debt free. We can donate to those who really are in need what we save from not purchasing silly, meaningless gifts for those who have everything and are not in need. I do not understand why Pastors and church clergy do not investigate the facts. Our friends and relatives do not question why we are abstainers.
ReplyDelete