CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS
Dear friends,
The Bible never tells you to celebrate Christmas. Some people think that is all that has to be said on the subject of Christians and Christmas. If the Bible does not tell you to celebrate Christmas, then you should not celebrate Christmas. To do so is to follow an authority other than the Bible, and that is wrong.
Is there a case for celebrating Christmas? I think there is.
First, abuse of a good thing should not lead to dis-use, but to good use. A moment’s reflection shows this is a wise insight, exactly the sort of mindset taught by the Bible. The Bible is terribly mis-used and abused. No one would say you should stop reading and preaching the Bible because of mis-use and abuse. You should seek to learn and practise proper use instead. Marriage, parenting, the local church - all good things misused and abused. Once again, the solution is to humbly seek repentance, reformation, and renewal so that marriage, parenting and the local church are done well. Non-Christians and Christians have lost the biblical meaning of Christmas. Christmas is shaped by secularism and consumerism. But, this does not mean Christians should not celebrate Christmas. It means we should humbly and reverently seek to celebrate Christmas in a Christ honouring way.
Second, to not celebrate Christmas is a poor witness. This sounds harsh, but if you think about it, you remember and celebrate what you love and think is important. If parents forget their child’s birthday it is often devastating. The same is true if the husband forgets his wife’s birthday or vice versa. The “forgotten” one feels and believes that they are not important or loved. Obviously the Triune God is not devastated if you forget to celebrate the birth of Jesus, God’s Son and our Saviour. The reason to celebrate Christmas is found elsewhere. In a world where people celebrate and remember what they love and think is important, if you never celebrate Jesus’ birth, or His death , or His resurrection - the obvious implication to your neighbours and friends is that this person, and the events in His life, are not important and loved by you.
Third, if the biblical gospel does not shape you, the world and the flesh will. I know of churches that (pre-lockdown) never had a service on Christmas, but religiously celebrate one or more of Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Thanksgiving, Canada Day and Remembrance Day. Basically, the business world and the state are allowed and encouraged to shape Christinas, but that which is important to God is not.
Fourth, the Bible does require you to follow biblical rhythms. I was recently a speaker at an Apologetics event. I did something a bit naughty. I said, “For you non-Christians who are watching this, you can probably challenge your Christian friends on the fact that many of them don’t keep one of the ten commandments, and feel no guilt about this. Ask them why they do not keep the Fourth Commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy …” (Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15). The Old Testament set forth a “sacred rhythm” for the year, so that the “Big Story” of redemption and covenant shaped the year. Most of that is now eclipsed by the Gospel, that is why Christians do not keep the Old Testament feasts. But you are still to keep the Sabbath, and the civil and ceremonial laws of the Old Testament point to our need to allow the big story of redemption in Christ and His New Covenant to shape your year. I believe the Bible teaches both Christian freedom as to how to do this in your context, and the importance of doing this in your context. If the big story and New Covenant does not shape your year, then business, other religions, the state and idolatry will gladly step in and shape you.
So, Merry Christmas! Celebrate the birth of Jesus, Immanuel, Saviour, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Alpha and Omega, our true Consolation and Comfort.
George+