Christians And The Birth Of Christ

"Let’s keep Christ in Christmas." "Jesus is the reason for the season." You probably have heard these and countless other similar statements made concerning the Christmas holiday season. Statements like these sound well and good, but do they coincide with what the Bible teaches? Let us consider a few biblical facts in relation to Christmas.

First, most likely Jesus was not born in the winter months. In Luke 2:8, we read that shepherds were "living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night." Traditionally, however, shepherds kept their sheep in the sheepfold during the winter season. Israel is on approximately the same latitude as Atlanta, Georgia so its winter would correspond with Atlanta’s. December 25 would find both shepherd and sheep out of the fields. In fact, the date of Christ’s birth has been celebrated at various times throughout history. January 2 was the first we know about. Later May 20 was observed. At different periods Christ’s birth was celebrated on April 18, April 19, March 25, March 28, and January 6. For a long time the Eastern Orthodox Church observed January 6 and it is still the date observed by the Armenian Church. If the time of the year in which Christ was born cannot be definitively determined, how can we be expected to "Keep Christ in Christmas" or to keep Jesus as "the reason for the season."

Secondly, are we pleasing to God when we "keep Christ in Christmas" and make Jesus "the reason for the season." Where in the Bible do we read where God asks the New Testament church to set aside a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus? We do read, however, where the New Testament church celebrated the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ each first day of the week through the partaking of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 1 Cor. 11:17-34). They were commanded to do so (1 Cor. 11:23-26). Although we read nothing concerning the church celebrating the birth of Jesus, we do read in Romans 14 where some, as individuals, esteemed certain days above others. Paul wrote, "One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. (Romans 14:5,6 NKJV). Whatever days these brethren were esteeming it did not matter to God whether one did or did not observe them. The only stipulation concerning them was not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in a brother’s way (Romans 14:13). Thus any day that I might esteem above another must not be forced upon another. This would eliminate such observance as a congregation because it may cause one to violate his or her conscience (Romans 14:23). One cannot practice religiously that which is not done with confident assurance. Some questions to consider. In keeping with the aforementioned liberty, may I personally and privately set aside a day to praise, thank, and celebrate God sending his Son to earth? May I set aside April 1 or July 6? If so, could I also not set aside December 25. If not, why not? We must be careful not to infringe upon the Christian’s privilege regarding his private and personal devotions to God. If God is indifferent concerning the matter, how can we condemn what He has not.

May a Christian make Jesus the reason for the season which surrounds December 25? Yes and No. He may because it is a time he has chosen in his personal and private devotions to praise, thank, and celebrate God sending his Son to earth. He may not make Jesus the reason for the season because he believes December 25 is the day of the birth of Jesus, for of that day no one knows. He may not force others to celebrate with him for he may cause them to violate their consciences and thus sin. Let us neither bind nor loose what God has not.