Celebrating Christmas
Joshua L. Pappas

One commonly hears the statement, "Keep the ‘Christ' in ‘Christmas,'" this time of year. To be fair, for one to assert such, he would need to approve of a statement like, "Keep the ‘mass' in ‘Christmas,'" as well. Though with pagan roots, Christmas as we know it today is distinctly Catholic in origin. The concept of Christmas, as a special day for the religious observance of Christ's birth is foreign to the scriptures; nowhere is it commanded, and no passage even specifically authorizes it. Understanding then it's secular roots, the Christian must decide whether one may observe it with good conscience or not.

Since it is not a scriptural mandate, and for that matter, is not even scripturally authorized in the specific sense, for churches to sponsor the observance of Christmas is to cast a stumbling block before those whose consciences do not allow for such. So-called Christmas carols, or hymns, have no place in the assembly of the saints unless they not only could rightly be, but are being sung in June. Christmas decorations, decorated trees, and nativity scenes do not belong on the grounds of a site where the church assembles.

If the church must refrain from observing Christmas corporately, must the individual Christian household so refrain? Paul wrote, "One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord" (Romans 14:4-6 ESV). Whatever view one holds as to which special days were under consideration, it is important to note that the observance of any day above another comes from outside of the New Testament, and as such, the debate is pointless. So long as it is done in good conscience, and not in violation of Christian principles, the saint is free to observe special days privately, whether religious or secular. To assert otherwise is to destroy the meaning of the passage.

In conclusion, the Christian who refrains from observing any day as special above another is perfectly right. The Christian who chooses to remember Christ's birth on Christmas as a matter of private piety is perfectly right. The Christian who chooses to observe a special day of family feasting and gift giving with no special religious significance is also perfectly right. However, for the congregation to sponsor one opinion is to do injustice to the others, and the result will commonly be sin.

Baptized Into Christ
We rejoice with the angels in Heaven at the baptism of Marshall and Tracey Hobbs last Tuesday evening, November 28th. Please add the following information to your directories:

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Youth Devo
The monthly Youth Fellowship and Devotional is scheduled for this evening after the PM services. See Matt Faneuf for more information.

Senior Dinner
We will be having our annual Senior Appreciation Dinner in the annex after the morning services NEXT SUNDAY (Dec 10). All non-seniors are asked to bring a covered dish and everyone is invited to stay and celebrate our senior members.

Congratulations
Rita and Lawrence Bauer are the proud grandparents of a baby girl: 6lbs. 11 oz. 20 inches long with curly black hair. The mother had a rough time but both her and the baby were doing fine at last report.

Today resolve that:
I will be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind. I will think only the best, work only the best, and expect only the best. I will be nearer to heaven today, by the things I do.