How Do I Talk About Christmas to Others?

HOW DO I TALK ABOUT CHRISTMAS TO OTHERS--PART 1-3

by Ted Clarke

     Since we are rapidly approaching the time when most of the religious world observes "Christmas," I thought I might discuss how we can kindly tell others why we do not observe December 25th as the birthday of Jesus. Many (perhaps most) people who supposedly observe Christmas do not do so with a great degree of religious attention. To them it is a somewhat exchanging of gifts and eating good food—a time of social enjoyment with religious but mostly secular holiday to enjoy time with our families in the family and friends. Still, even these "only slightly religious people" are somewhat taken back, or even upset, when we tell them we do not celebrate "Christmas" as the birthday of Jesus.
    Our religious friends in the denominational faiths are even more concerned or distressed that we do not have special religious services observing December 25th as Christ's birthday. Some question whether or not we are truly Christians because we do not do so. Still others think we are like Jehovah's Witnesses or some cult with weird beliefs and unscriptural practices. If we are bold enough to say something to these friends who do observe "Christmas," they frequently become offended when we seem to question their practice of their faith on this so-called holy day.
     How can we discuss "Christmas" with others without appearing to be non-religious or making it seem as though we are attacking their practices?
   First, you must realize that the pure practice of New Testament Christianity is much different than what is commonly believed to be in the Bible. You cannot always avoid the fact that some will think that your neglect of doctrines and practices that men have added to the Christian system is a mark of a weak or weird faith. Second, you do not need to enter into the "attack mode" when you discuss religious differences with others. Remember that the apostle Paul said to use a gentle and loving approach in teaching the truth and correcting others. Read Ephesians 4:15 and 2 Timothy 2:24-26. The next two or three articles will explore how we can make the best approach.

Part Two      Last week we recognized that even people who aren't very religious, as well as those who are, have a tendency to think we area little weird when
we tell them we do not celebrate "Christmas" as a religious holiday. How can we tell them why we believe as we do without alienating them? We noted two things to keep in mind. One, the practice of pure Christianity is strange to many people. Speaking where the Bible speaks, calling Bible things by Bible names and doing Bible things in Bible ways—having a "thus saith the Lord" for all that we teach and do—these are not common in denominational thinking, even though many have a deep respect for the Bible. They don't always apply these principles to their teaching and practice. Two, be kind!
     One way you can approach the matter if people ask you why you do not observe a religious Christmas is to say, "You know, I can assure you that I want to do what the Bible teaches me to do. Do you know where there is a command or example of the church in the Bible observing Dec. 25th as the birthday of Christ? If you can show me where it is I'll begin doing so. I just haven't found it. Certainly the events of Christ birth are recorded for our belief, but no where in Scripture is that day made a day for special observance and worship. Men have made it so, but not God." Make sure you have a kind and loving tone when you say these things. When they cannot find it in the Bible you might continue by saying, "I'm happy for any occasion when people think about Jesus and want to honor Him, but my research has shown me that this is a manmade holiday. I honestly don't think it is right to judge whether or not a person is a good Christian based on whether or not they keep manmade religious observances, do you? That is the way the Pharisees judged people and Jesus condemned them for doing so. Look at Matthew 15:7-9, "These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."
[Next week we'll give the history of the origin of observing "Christmas."] –Ted

Part Three--Conclusion

When it comes to a historical consideration of when "Christmas" is first mentioned or observed as a religious holiday in celebration of the birth of Christ, it is clear that it was long after Jesus' birth mentioned in the New Testament Scriptures. Before the December 25th observance was ordered by the bishop of Rome around A.D. 357, there were three dates that were being considered (Jan. 6th, March 25th, and December 25th). So there is really no positive evidence that points us to the precise date of Christ's birth.
The World Book Encyclopedia's article on "Christmas" says that the December 25th date was chosen probably "because the feast of the sun, or winter solstice, was a familiar Roman feast celebrating the victory of light over darkness." Thus the, date of December 25th was chosen to compete with the pagan feast to the sun god on or about that same time. Such was not a very good reason to begin a holiday that erroneously has taken over with Easter as the two most important religious holidays of the Christian faith—at least it is so in the minds of many! Certainly we do not (and should not) accuse those today who observe Christmas religiously as imitating a pagan ritual feast. However, there is no historical basis nor Bible authority for insisting that "true Christians" observe December 25th as a special religious holiday. See the enclosed insert for more information. —Ted

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