Observing Christmas

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Observing Christmas

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr


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PREACHING THROUGH THE CALENDAR (16)

Today we bring our 2025 theme, preaching through the calendar, to its conclusion.  We have addressed a number of holidays throughout this year and I hope this exercise has been beneficial.  Today, we want to address one of the biggest holiday observances – Christmas.

As with every lesson presented in this series, we are not observing this holiday, or any holiday, as the church.  In NT scripture, you do not find special holidays being observed by churches, so when they are done, it is without Biblical authority.  What we are doing today is the way we observe every Sunday, worshipping God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

However, Christmas is on the minds of many at this time of year, so we will address it from a Biblical perspective.   NOTE: As I present this, I mean no ill will toward anyone, nor am I questioning the sincerity of those who observe Christmas as the birth of Christ, but we are interested in what God actually has to say.

  1. The origin of Christmas
    1. When did the observance of Christmas (a celebration of the birth of Jesus) being?
      1. The answer is we do not really know.
      2. According to Britannica[1] the date of December 25 as the birth of Jesus was first mentioned in 221 AD by Sextus Julius Africanus and Hyppolytus in 204 AD. But even as recognized, there is no record it was celebrated.  Early Christians did not emphasize birthdays but instead recognized the days of one’s death (e.g., martyrdom, the crucifixion of Jesus, etc.).
      3. Other sources trace it back to 336 AD[2], beginning as a subdued religious celebration of the birth of Jesus. This is the first recorded observance of His birth.
      4. Some tie this later date to Roman pagan observances, noting various pagan deities as they celebrated the winter solstice (the first day of winter) because it was the shortest day of the year. Thus, it was celebrated as a rebirth for the year. Worshipping pagan deities.
      5. Some also tied December 25th as being 9 months from the conception of Jesus which they believed occurred on March 25th.
      6. The reason we do not know is because the Bible does not tell us. Thus the exact date of His birth was of no importance to God and NT writers.
    2. The name – Christmas is from the Catholic term, Christ mass. It designates a mass celebrating the birth of Christ.  Understanding what a mass involves (communion, etc.), again the term is not found in scripture.  Furthermore, the first recorded usage of the term dates to 1038 AD.[3]  NOTE: This word has also been secularized to recognize a national holiday, with national traditions and encouragement to show goodwill to all men.
    3. Other elements associated with the holiday – the Christmas tree, singing carols, gift giving, candles, special services, nativity scenes, the materialistic promotion of the holiday, etc. also have varying dates of origin, but ALL developed much later and are NOT mentioned in scripture.
    4. NOR is Santa Claus found in scripture. Santa Claus[4] is actually based upon Saint Nicolas, who was a 4th century Greek bishop who was known for his generosity and kindness.  He is typically depicted wearing red bishop’s robes. He has also been described as the patron saint of children and sailors. Obviously, the modern concept developed much later and he is clearly mythological.
  2. Why we do not observe Christmas
    1. As with other holidays we have discussed this year, we do not celebrate this holiday as the church here.
    2. As noted, the Bible is completely silent as to its observance. As we study authority we find that silence is NOT a valid source.  At best, you are HOPING Gid will accept it.
      1. Colossians 3:17 – all that we do is to be done in the name of the Lord (by His authority).
      2. 1 Corinthians 4:6, not to think beyond what is written. Paul taught the same thing everywhere in every church (4:17).
      3. As you study scripture you read of the danger of appealing to, “Well He did not say we could not do this.”  When God specifies, that limits what we can do.  And He HAS given us a pattern on how to worship Him.  Ephesians 3:10-11 notes that the church was a part of God’s eternal will and wisdom.  Thus, we MUST respect His pattern in all that we do.  The church belongs to Christ (Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 1:22-23).  He determines what it is and does.
    3. The observance of Christmas by the Catholic/Denominational world (and now by some of our brethren) is a tradition of men.
      1. We have briefly noted WHEN it began to be celebrated. The timing is too late to declare it as scripture.  Most sources will not admit this, though they see nothing wrong with merging tradition with the gospel.
      2. Matthew 15:3, 8-9, Jesus notes that teaching the traditions of man as scripture leads to vain worship.
      3. 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.
      4. NOTE: When churches preach on the birth of Jesus at this time of year and FAIL to address this, they are deceiving visitors who do not know any better. Consider that while many defenders of this observance admit it is not in scripture, there are multitudes that DO believe it is in the Bible and what God wants/expects us to do.  We should not be partakers with such.  2 John 9-11 tells us that if one brings a false doctrine, we are to have nothing to do with that one (or his error – Ephesians 5:11).
    4. But isn’t remembering the birth of Jesus a good thing? Absolutely!
      1. And I do not question that there are good things associated with the Christmas observance.
        1. There is the encouraged spirit of giving which is always good.
        2. Whether right or wrong, our society IS reminded about the reality that Jesus came to this earth and has had an impact on history and our society, much to the chagrin of atheists and humanists.
        3. Opportunities for families to spend time together is good (a result of it also being a national holiday).
        4. There is a greater sense of compassion and concern for those suffering and in need.
      2. But does the good that something produces or the appearance of God make it right? No!  What makes something right is that it is authorized. We can accomplish the good results without an unauthorized religious observance.
      3. We would not be here if it were not for the birth of Jesus but let us consider what the Bible says about His birth and lessons we can learn from it.
  3. Remembering the birth of Jesus –
    1. Events associated with His birth are recorded in Matthew and Luke.
      1. Matthew 1:18-25 records Mary being with child of the Holy Spirit while engaged to Joseph. Joseph is told by an angel of the Lord that the child was from God (miraculous conception) and that He would be called Immanuel (God with us).  Joseph submitted to the Lord and raised Jesus along with Mary. Matthew 2:1-18 records wisemen (magi) visiting Jesus as a young child (NOT at the place where He was born) and Joseph fleeing with Jesus to Egypt because of Herod. He does not return to Israel until after Herod (the great) is dead.
      2. Luke 1-2 also record various event leading up to the conception of Jesus, including the birth of John the Baptist, the birth of Jesus being in Bethlehem because of a census where Jesus is born in an animal stall because there was no room in the inn for Him. He is laid in a manger (an animal trough).  Angels appear to shepherds in the field who go to see Jesus and worship Him.  We also find as Jesus is circumcised and weaned, His birth is praised by both Simeon and Anna in the temple.
      3. Galatians 4:4 is the only other mention of the birth of Jesus in the NT. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law.  This was a declaration that Jesus came at the exact and ideal time for Him to come to this earth.
    2. WHY did Jesus come to this earth? That is the real question we must ask.
      1. That He came to this earth is SOMETHING we firmly believe in. Without His birth, what He did would not have happened.
      2. He came to save us – 1 John 4:14, And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. John 3:16 notes God so loved the world…;  Romans 5:6-9 – He died for us!
      3. He came to reveal the Father to us – we have a better understanding of God because He came to this earth. John 1:18, No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.  Hebrews 1:2-3, notes that in “these last days” God has spoken to us through His Son,  who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.  Recall Matthew 1:23, He was to be called Immanuel (cf. Isaiah 7:14) which means, “God with us.”
      4. He came to give us an example of how to live –
        1. 1 Corinthians 11:1 – we imitate Christ.
        2. We learn from Him that we CAN overcome and resist temptations – Hebrews 4:14-15 notes He was tempted in all points as we are without sin.
        3. How to forgive others – Colossians 3:12-13 – as He forgave us, we must also forgive others. He even emphasized that in Mattthew 6:14-15 as He taught us how to pray.
        4. The importance of serving others – Galatians 5:13 calls for us to through love serve one another. Matthew 20:25-28 – He came to serve and give His life a ransom for many.
        5. Humility as we consider others – Philippians 2:3-8 describes how humble Jesus was.
        6. How to endure trials and sufferings in this life – 1 Peter 2:21-24. Likely, the suffering we will endure cannot compare to what Jesus went through for us.
        7. Consider that when we imitate Christ, we are imitating God, our Creator and thus we can have assurance that He is pleased with us.
  4. So how should we observe the birth of Jesus?
    1. We ought to preach it! We have noted that the birth of Jesus is recorded in scripture.  And within these texts there are many lessons that we can learn and apply to our lives.
    2. Through various acts of worship – we can sing songs about Him, including His birth (Ephesians 5:19). NOTE: There are hymns about His birth that ARE appropriate for remembering His birth (not Christmas).  In our prayers, we can thank God for sending Him to this earth – cf. 2 Corinthians 9:15 – thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!  Even as partake of the Lord’s Supper which commemorates His death (1 Corinthians 11:23-26), indirectly we by faith proclaim His birth.
    3. By living as He lived – Colossians 2:6 – As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him. Consider those areas where He gives us an example.  By living by following His example, we are celebrating His incarnation (He came to this earth).  We are professing our belief that He really did live.
    4. By giving ourselves to Him – Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20. When we devote our lives to serving Him, we are remembering His birth.  Romans 13:14, But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
  5. What about the secular observance of Christmas traditions?
    1. Some struggle with this for various reasons. Can Christians observe Christmas as a secular holiday?   NOTE the wording.  I did not say, “should”.
    2. I personally believe that family traditions at this time of year are acceptable. AS earlier noted, Christmas has a dual nature and I believe we can distinguish between the two.  However, I believe we should make the distinction.
    3. Romans 14:5-8 is a text dealing with Christian liberties (matters about which God is indifferent). Specifically, Paul mentions the observance of days.  He is clear that IF you choose to observe a day, do so “to the Lord” and do NOT bind it upon others.  Should one choose to NOT observe a day that is equally acceptable, do NOT bind that choice on others either.
    4. Should you choose to observe this as a family, remember your faith – consider materialism, being deceptive to Christians (e.g., Santa Claus), your influence to the world, etc.
    5. Much more could be said about this, but time will permit it in this lesson, nor has that been my focus.

And thus, we can see that on the calendar there is the observance of Christmas day.  We do appreciate and observe the birth of Jesus, but as with every other holiday we have addressed, we respect God’s pattern in what we do.  It is not a matter of observing His birth but HOW we do that.

AT this time of year, you might hear the cries of some, “Let’s put Christ back into Christmas.”  AS we have seen, He was not there in the first place.  Instead, I say, “Let’s put Christ back into our lives at all times.”  Think about it!

[1] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas

[2] https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/301-600/the-1st-recorded-celebration-of-christmas-11629658.html

[3] https://stillmantranslations.com/christmas-words/

[4] https://www.history.com/articles/santa-claus

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