And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying,Β βThis is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.β
Luke 22:19
I was recently asked why I don’t celebrate the birth of my Savior given that it’s a Christian tradition. And that’s just what it is: tradition, a man-made one at that, too as Christmas tends to undermine the birth of Christ. It is not biblical, it will never be biblical for God never changes. Why didn’t the early church celebrate the birth of Christ? I was looking up something on birthdays recently (another post, another time) and I wondered where in scripture did the Jews celebrate birthdays? Why shop until we drop? Why snowmen, elves, trees, lights, and a chubby man in a red and white suit trespassing into people’s homes by going down a chimney? Why do we do many things in His Name that are based on tradition and not scripture? Why celebrate His birthday as a man when He is not?
Someone else inputted, “But Jesus is the reason for the season”. For me, He isn’t. It sounds like a slogan drummed up by a pretty good marketing team to target Christians, so they can get into the Christmas spirit.Β
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
Colossians 2:8
In “Do this in remembrance of me”, Jesus never directed anyone to celebrate or commemorate His birthday. Yes, I’ve heard the argument that “we give gifts for the giving of gifts comes from the wise men.” Yes, the wise men brought gifts, but they were not giving gifts for Jesus’ birthday. Rather, they were presenting gifts to a King and this event does not state that it was the King’s birthday. Rather, Jesus was already said to be a toddler when the wise men came to visit.Β
βYou are a king, then!β said Pilate.
Jesus answered,Β βYou say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.βΒ
John 18:37 (NIV)
It’s hard to believe now, but I used to celebrate Christmas. I woke up one morning in search of the truth after celebrating it didn’t sit too well on my heart. I prayed and sought God’s guidance in the matter. All of this was before I got baptized by the way. The Lord led me to the conclusion that this holiday was not to be celebrated anymore, so I stopped. I don’t miss it at all. There are some pastors out here that also came to the same conclusion to stop celebrating the holiday, but they love to compromise by still placing lights as decorations around the church minus the tree. It doesn’t make sense.Β
RELATED: That time of year
A great testimony & eye-opener by Sue Love!
Christ was never in Christmas for Christmas did not originate with His birth. He is not a sun god or a fairy tale, and He doesn’t deserve the silliness surrounding the hype around this time. He is not the reason for the season. You are. Jesus is not caught up in the commercial hype of the season; you are. Jesus is not interested in which gift is His underneath the tree; you are. When Jesus came to earth, it wasn’t for Jesus, it was for us, so we can gain salvation and everlasting life. Saying that “Jesus is the reason for the season” is like saying “Jesus was born for Jesus”. And if He was the reason for the season? Then Christmas would’ve gone a little something like this:
βThe Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lordβs favour.β
Luke 4:18
Jesus is the Word and the Word was always here. The Word is God and the Word was always with God and God has no beginning or end. No day, no month, nor year. He is Spirit, and He is Truth, and we must worship Him in such. The concept of Christmas seems like a golden calf to me.
Beautiful reflection on Christmas Di …
Merry Christmas to youπ
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Thank you for reading, Mich! I always appreciate when you stop by. ππ
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yes – so much confusion over this holiday and you had insightful points here.
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Thank you, Yvette! I always appreciate when you stop by. ππ
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Well written. Not sure I agree. I like the fact that a bunch of nonbelievers are being tricked into celebrating Jesus.
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Thank you for taking the time to read and share your thoughts, Kevin; I appreciate it. π
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Thank you for your comments. I feel like you do, it’s difficult though. I personally do not decorate my house but I seem to have been roped back into the bondage of Christmas after completely ignoring it last year. My mother wants me to go over and help her with the cooking as she is getting older. I know that to refuse to help her just to make a point would be a sin and to me it will just be a family dinner. I still send cards as I am trying to evangelise to my atheist friends by sending either scripture cards or show them my own faith.
The present buying is like emotional blackmail as even if I do not buy presents and ask my family not to buy me presents, they still will do it anyway. I am baking everyone biscuits this year and will wrap them up and share them. I feel that making something they can eat and enjoy is something I feel more comfortable with than buying things.
I became a Christian last year and most of my friends are atheist whereas my family are lapsed/ worldly Catholics. Like I said before, last year I refused to participate after learning that all the traditions are pagan. It was very difficult to do and it really hurt my family. I also started to become legalistic and I felt that it actually had the effect of scaring people away from the Faith.
Now I try to walk a narrow path away from sin and legalism by using the time to evangelise, help and love. This is what I try to do every day of the year but this time of year is the only time that atheists even vaguely think of Christ because of Christ-mas. It does make me wonder if, should Christ be removed from even the name of the season, will he be completely be forgotten by these people who ignore him all the other days of the year?
Having said that, the small things I have offered to help my family with over Christmas has crowded my mind so much that I felt Jesus leave the forefront of my mind for a few days which grieved me..
It is a very difficult issue and not easily remedied if your families and friends are not likeminded.
God bless you all. Walk with Jesus every day of the year.
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I appreciate that you stopped by, took the time to read and share your thoughts; thank you. π
Yes, the decision can be difficult where it concerns family for they can refuse to respect such. When I first announced to family and friends that I won’t be celebrating this holiday (or any other man-made one for the matter), it wasn’t easily welcomed. There were friends that still wanted to give gifts although I told them not to get me anything. I learned that no matter the cost, I had to stand firm and not to compromise even if it cost me loved ones for it was either them or God. I chose God. Over time, the presents and wishes of the season stopped.
Our walk with God is not easy, but stand firm and do not waver. Continue to seek His guidance as you continue to leave the world behind. May God’s peace be with you.
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Thank you and God bless you!
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You’re welcome and thank you. I hope that you’re doing well on your end.
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Amen – beautiful verses
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Diana, Thank you for what you wrote here. Yes, Jesus is not the reason for the season. If he was, like you said, it wouldn’t be done like it is. He would not share his glory with a false god, Santa, who has been given the same attributes as Almighty God by his creators. And, he certainly would not want everyone viewing him as a helpless baby in a manger, either, especially while “all-powerful and all-knowing” Santa goes around the world bringing cheer and presents to everyone. And, then he wouldn’t have his servants trying to prove that he was the reason for the season, even though it clearly is not about him. And, you are right, he didn’t say to remember him as a baby. He said to remember him and his death and his resurrection and to share his gospel message of salvation with a world dying in their sins.
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Amen! We ought to know who/what we’re worshipping when we celebrate this so-call holiday on our Savior’s behalf. What always struck me is how parents easily lie to their children about Santa, yet, they get mad when their children lie to them. As long as I have breath, I’ll continue to follow after God and not this world.
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Amen! Tell no lies!! I agree!!
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Diana, I appreciate your discussion. As you state so well, Jesus was born to bring us an opportunity for Salvation. This opportunity comes from a God and Father who truly loves us. God’s peace!
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Amen! Thank you, my friend for stopping by. I appreciate your presence always. π
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Amen && Amen!!!! And yet still so many of us as believers still accept this as the truth and celebrate it year come year go. I continue to pray for the body of Christ to be revealed to the truth behind not only this holiday but the others as well and sincerely repent. I too used to celebrate it until I was convicted by the Holy Ghost concerning the Christmas tree. And from there He kept cutting off the bondage I was tied strongly to piece by piece. Now, it comes/feels to be like any ordinary day in the year, although my unsaved family members celebrate it but I mean it doesn’t bother me. I keep my focus on Christ as we ALWAYS should daily. Great and blessed message, clear and straight to the point. Blessings & grace!
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Yes, we have to continue to pray for eyes and hearts to be opened to this great deceit. When my heart didn’t feel right so many years ago concerning this holiday, I turned to God for answers and He showed me why I needed to stop. I agree that our focus should be on Christ no matter what. God’s peace be with you! π
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Yes sis, Amen!! Yes, for He is the God of truth. Thank you Lord!! When I decided to never put back up that tree and packed up all the decorations as I told mom I’m going to throw everything away. The only two items that remained was two gold angels and a gift box. And I believed that was God speaking to me there concerning the reality of His birth and salvation entirely. Amen so true! Amen! In Jesus name! Same to you!
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That He surely is! He certainly was speaking to you through those items. Every day, as I continue to strip off this worldy bondage, I feel much lighter and better for my being belongs to Him. Thank you and may He continue to take first place in your heart.
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Yes! Amen!!! Yessssss!!! Amen yes!!! Amen in Jesus name! You’re most welcome Dee! β€
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Jeremiah 10:1-4 is enough for me. What many people fail to realize is that Xmas was celebrated long before Jesus was born (who BTW was not born in winter). This pagan holiday is based in Saturnalia, Mithraism and a host of other idolatrous worship/festivals. Xmas was illegal in the U.S. for a very long time; because the Forefathers knew that it was pagan, and felt that this drunken festival had no place among believers. It began to be celebrated around 1840 in the U.S.; and then became a federal holiday in 1870.
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Yes, exactly! I did research on this topic some years ago when I got led to stop celebrating this pagan festival.
Thank you for taking the time to read and leave a comment. May God continue to bless you.
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Thank you so much for this post! Heβs not the reason for the season. Youβre correct!
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All glory to God for this post! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment; I appreciate it. π
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No problem
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I commend you for learning the truth & acting on it boldly &bproudly, rather that continuing to celebrate it because it is a tradition. Jehovah God is proud of you for your brave stand β€. “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need.” (Matthew 5:3) β€β€
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Thank you, Chelle. All glory to God! Amen! π
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