Where to begin? Arguments are made for the eschewing of all things "Christmas" based on the observation that there are many coincidences to ancient pagan ritual observances, and a passage in Jeremiah 10 (which is stretched a bit thin to argue against what we know as a Christmas tree). There are also appeals to the absence of such an observance by the primitive Christians. For a primer in these arguments try a Google search of, "should Christians celebrate Christmas". For my purposes, I chose to first determine if there was a Biblical case against the observance of Christmas, and if not, determine if there is value in this observance for Christians. The following passage is the one which has been rolling in my head as I have looked at this, "...making the BEST use of the time..."
Ephesians 5:15 -- Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Today's question is this- Can a Biblical case be made against the special observance of Christ's incarnation/birth? We'll stick to the Old Testament today and look at the New Testament tomorrow.
From the account of creation in Genesis, we see God setting aside a day:
Genesis 2:1-3 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.
In Exodus He commands it's observance:
Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.Leviticus 23, 24, and 25 are entire chapters of dates, times, and seasons. Special time set aside to God for various observances about Him & His character and our relationship to Him. We also see this in Numbers, chapters 28 and 29.
Clearly we can see the Bible supporting the idea of special days and observances. All of these Old Testament special days were instituted and commanded by God. There were to be observed in obedience to Him. We are reminded of this in 1Chronicles 23:30-31, and 2Chronicles 31:3 The observances are part of what is know as the Law. The law served to teach Israel the character of God, to point forward to Christ and the Cross, and to highlight for them (and us) our utter inability to keep the Law perfectly and thereby see our great need for a Savior. To sum up, the old testament shows God commanding special observances with purpose...to point us to Himself.
As a parenthetical comment...(As for that pesky passage in Jeremiah 10 I mentioned earlier...
Hear the word that the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel. Thus says the Lord: “Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move. Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good. (See also Isaiah 44:9-18) A plain reading would indicate it is referring to the crafting of an idol, and not the procurement of a tree to decorate the home. So don't carve up your Christmas tree into an idol or worship your tree, but every commentary I could locate made no connection of these passages to holiday decorations. :)
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