Recently on a Christian Group on Facebook (intentionally kept nameless), I commented in on a heated debate over the origins of Christmas. There was a large portion of people arguing that we should not participate in Christmas Festivities because they are of Pagan Origin and therefore against God. Some of the aspects of these group’s conversations identified Santa Claus as Satan and nit-picked the secular and cultural inclusions of the Christmas Season.
I once watched what I thought was a really good movie about this exact matter. The movie was made by Kirk Cameron, and was titled “Saving Christmas.” Now this movie is not the backbone of this article. I wanted to share what I have said online in this facebook group because I felt very God-inspired when I wrote it.
Steven Hofmeister Who cares what day it is on. We are celebrating the birth of the Messiah, the arrival of our savior. The confusion debate and arguing of pagan not pagan, santa worship, and other madness is all part of the confusion of false teaching and other distraction that has been mentioned all through the bible. Celebrate the King, enjoy the festivities and community spirit, the lost sheep may missing the point but that doesn’t mean you don’t stand in the field with the flock. Saint Nicolas (Santa Clause) historically was a very Christian man who was not afraid to confront false teachers and phoney prophets, sometimes jerking them right up out their seat to stop them. From my reading he was a large man similar to the imagery of Santa Clause and loved children and commonly rewarded good deeds and behavior with small gifts. Please tell me why that does not make him a rockstar of Christianity. We are not worshiping him, we are just recognizing the good works of a good Christian man while paying tribute the the Almighty King. Every King has his Knights, I guess that would make Nicolas the Knight before Christmas…. ?
Posted on a Facebook Group – Group name removed out of respect to the group.
It is my perspective from my studies that God does not want his followers to quibble over such little details. Where it is true that some of the secular traditions that have developed from old Pagan festivals and other sources, so have many of the family and cultural differences that we share as humans came from sources other the Christian roots. Though there are aspects of Christianity that require a deep seriousness and understanding of the final coming of the King, Christmas is meant for us to be joyous, thankful, and celebrate the arrival of the Messiah. Another one of Paul’s teaching in 1 Timothy I find to be relevant to this is in his instruction to Timothy on False Teaching and True Riches.
May God Bless you and your family this wonderful Christmas Season. Let’s bring Christ’s Glory to the world in the new year. – Pastor Steve
I prefer using this scripture to explain this kind of thing. The Scripture is talking about matters such as circumcision as a requirement for being saved as false teaching, but the Apostle Paul’s statement in this scripture rings true for this as well.
But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. 6 For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.
7 You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? 8 It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. 9 This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough!
Galatians 5:5-9
(NLT)
Let’s not argue over such small things, ignore false teachings and enjoy the community, joy, and fellowship of the season. Use the season to share the wonders and grace of Jesus Christ, Love your Neighbor, learn from each other’s cultural differences, you may just find that they are not much different than your own when you get to the bottom of it.
Teach these things, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. 3 Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. 4 Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. 5 These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.
6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:2-10
(NLT)
