Bible Question: Should Christians celebrate Christmas and Easter?

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Bible Question:Should Christians celebrate Christmas and Easter? If so, why?

Bible Answer: Are Christmas and Easter really Christian celebrations or are they just modified versions of the holidays of ancient religions, legends and folklore? Some would say that Christmas and Easter are secular holidays with a Christian emphasis. Many people understand that today they are religious holidays but do not want the religious emphasis. The majority of Christians know that the original purposes for Christmas and Easter celebrations were designed by the Christian churches to celebrate Jesus' birth (Christmas), death, and return to life (Easter).

Christmas. The celebration of Jesus' birth was apparently not formalized until about the fourth century. The date for Christmas appears to have been chosen to replace a pagan holiday - the worship of the sun. If true, the celebration of the Son was a victory over pagan gods, including the "invincible sun."

Easter. The first celebrations of Easter occurred during the first century at the time of Passover. The celebration started on Saturday night and continued until Sunday morning in honor of Christ's return to life. Sometime after A.D 200 early records show that Christians finished the worship celebration with the baptism of new Christians. This pictured the death of new Christians to their old life and commitment to a new life for Jesus.

Change Has Occurred. Today, Christmas and Easter are celebrated very differently in the homes and churches around the world. In the United States the spiritual emphasis of Christmas has almost been completely replaced with gifts, feasts, decorated trees, Santa Claus, and music. Easter now includes rabbits which carry chicken eggs in baskets, stylish clothes, yellow and pink colored paper, and a Sunday feast. The beginning was good back in the first and fourth centuries but, today, the world has almost lost the message. Unfortunately, it is becoming a tradition in Christian churches and the meaning is drifting. So what should a Christian do - participate or not?

Celebrate Or Not? The apostle Paul provides us with a biblical principle that will help us here. In 1 Corinthians 10, he provides advice to some Christians who are struggling with eating meat offered to idols. The idea of eating meat offered to idols was offending some Christians. Here is His advice. It will surprise many.

Eat anything that is sold in the meat market, without asking questions for conscience’ sake; FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S, AND ALL IT CONTAINS. If one of the unbelievers invites you, and you wish to go, eat anything that is set before you, without asking questions for conscience’ sake. (NASB) 1 Corinthians 10:25-27

His point was simple. Do not ask, just eat. To participate in Christmas or Easter is not a sin. Christians are not worshipping idols or other gods. The issue is why are we celebrating Christmas and Easter? I would encourage every Christian and Christian family to use Christmas and Easter as a time to remember Jesus' birth, death, and return to life. Return it to its original meaning. But if doing so in some way is offensive, then I would suggest that you do not celebrate. Listen to His Paul's words at this point.

But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin. (NASB) Romans 14:23

What is important is that we celebrate with a clear conscience.

Conclusion:Christmas and Easter are wonderful opportunities to remember Jesus' birth, death, and return to life. They are opportunities to teach our children the true meaning of these events. But I would encourage every Christian not to teach your children that Santa Claus or Father Christmas or the Easter rabbit are real for three major reasons. First, it is a lie. Christians are to tell the truth.

Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices . . . (NASB) Col. 3:9

Second, if a Christian parent tells his or her child that someone who they never see (Santa Claus and the Easter rabbit) are real and alive today, how can they expect their children to believe them when they say that God is real? I would encourage every Christian parent to explain the real meaning of Christmas and Easter, to tell our children the truth that Santa Claus and the Easter rabbit are not real, and to minimize the worldly emphasis. Third, to teach our children that Santa Claus and the Easter rabbit mysteriously give gifts is to ascribe to them god-like powers. God has asked us not to give honor to any other "god." Christmas and Easter are times to worship Jesus - not things that have not eternal value!