Christmas Evaluated

Before reading further, please read this. I am also a Christian. Since childhood I am always looking forward for Christmas. I did not mean to question your faith when I posted this and the succeeding posts , it is far from my intention. Much more to offend anyone. I am just sharing what Ive read. We are rational creature. Its up to you what to believe, then. The pictures found here in my posts about Christmas are all taken from the web, thank you to all (though I was not able to acknowledge you formally). May I borrow those?

Better yet, start reading from the December 4 post "How Christmas Grew" Enjoy reading.

We cannot escape that Christmas is rooted in ancient customs and religious practices that had nothing to do with Christianity and the Bible. Tom Flynn summarizes the issue: “An enormous number of traditions we now associate with Christmas have their roots in pre-Christian pagan religious traditions. Some of these have social, sexual, cosmological connotations that might lead educated, culturally sensitive moderns to discard the traditions once they have understood their roots more clearly” (Flynn, p. 19).

Originally envisioned as a way to ease converts’ transition from heathen worship to Christianity, the holiday’s observance in more recent years has been driven by economic forces. Encyclopedia Britannica observes that the traditional Christian holidays have “undergone a process of striking desacralization and - especially Christmas – commercialization. The Christological foundation of Christmas was replaced by the myth of Santa Claus” (15^th edition, Macropaedia, Vol. IV, p. 499, “Christianity”).

Even with its failings, Christmas remains an entrenched tradition. Although some recognize the intrinsic paganism of the holiday, they believe they are free to establish their own days of worship. Others cling to the naive and biblically insupportable belief that paganism’s most popular celebrations have been won over by Christianity and therefore are acceptable to God.

Human reasoning aside, we need to consider God’s opinion about such celebrations. We need to look into God’s Word to see how He views mixing pagan practices and customs with worship of Him.

(taken from: Holidays or Holy Days Does it Matter,p.6, 2006 reprint)

As for me, Christmas has already rooted to be part of our tradition. It is hard to simply discard this merriest season of the year. But apostle warns us in Colossians 2:8, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ”.

The world may celebrate Christmas still we can be in the world without be one of them. Let us just assess is this pleasing to the eyes of God? In the end, what matters is your faith and obedience. Everything will be between you and God.