Christmas: What About It?

[EDITOR:  A recent article on the "Anti-Preterist" website posted an article about Preterists and the celebration of Christmas--or the lack thereof on the past of some.  It was the contention of the author that Preterists reject the observance of Christmas and therefore are somehow "off" in their theology as a result.  The article was full of unsubstantiated claims which deserve appropriate comment.]

The observance, or non-observance of calander holidays falls into the realm of individual conscience and therefore is a matter of opinion rather than a matter of “faith.”  It falls into the same category as those issues raised by the apostle Paul in Romans 14:1-23 in the realm and context of Christian liberty.  In this passage, the apostle Paul addresses specifically those during the first century C.E. who were troubled over matters of “disputes over opinions” (14:1), related dietary issues and the observance of certain “days” (14:2, 6).

In the context of Jew-Gentile inclusion the matter of Christian liberty became a controversial issue within the local congregation and the purpose of Paul’s address to both groups of believers was to promote the spirit of unity while allowing the individual believer to decide for himself that which was appropriate in those areas deemed matters of conscience.  “Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.  Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or he falls. And he shall be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. One indeed judges one day above another; but another judges every day the same. Let each be fully assured in his own mind” (14:3-5).

It was wrong for those who chose to eat certain foods to stand in judgment of those who continued the dietary practices that had been forbidden under the Old Covenant system of things (Lev. 11:1-47).  In so doing these “liberated” believers were attempting to violate the conscience of those who could not bring themselves to partake of that which had been previously considered “unclean” and an “abomination” to the Lord (Lev. 11:4ff;  Deut. 14:8; Isa. 66:17).  The admonition of Paul was that “each be fully assured in his own mind” (14:5), because, “each of us shall give an account concerning himself to God” (14:12).

The historical record regarding the origins of the Christmas holiday are documented and require no comment in this brief consideration.  The fact that the actual month and day of the year when Christ was born is unknown.  Many speculate that the birth of Jesus occurred at some time between the months of June and October.  The choice of December 25 was simply a matter of convenience since various pagan celebrations were already occuring during that season of the year.  Christmas–at best–is a Christianized version of the arrival of the ‘Winter Solstice” already in common practice at the time it was selected.

This truth does not address whether or not Christians are at liberty to set aside this time of the year in recognition of Christ in the world, “born of a woman, born under the Law” (Gal. 4:4).  It is neither right nor wrong as it relates to that which is authorized in the Scriptures–it is simply a matter of opinion.  The choice of observing the day does not make one a believer anymore than eating at McDonalds makes one a hamburger.  The choice of decorating a tree has nothing whatsoever to do with the prophecy of Jeremiah 10:3-5 and use of this passage as “proof” is just bad exegesis.  The singing of “Joy to the World” is appropriate during this season of the year and every other season of the year!  Singing “Deck the Halls” which mentions the “Yule” aspect of the season does not automatically consign one to the eternal torments of an unending Hell of fire either.

Believers ought to use the opportunity of the Holiday season–while the rest of the world is looking–to call their attention to the wonderful love of God in the act of sending His only-begotten Son into the world for the purpose of redemption.  Sadly, many believers have “bought into” the secular aspect of the seaon and the materialistic thrust of the Retail industry to become distracted from the One whom we profess to be “the reason for the season.”  The same could also be said on the one time of the year when Americans pause to give thanks on the last Thursday in November.  There can be no “Thanksgiving” without first acknowledging that God in the One from whom all blessing flow.

The problem with all of the hype associated with the Christmas holiday season is the pressure to spend money we do not have, buying presents we cannot afford, to give to  people we do not like!  The “spirit” of the seaon must be practiced and observed the other 364 days of the year and not reserved for “one day only” Christianity.  How ever did Jesus ever get into a situation where He was forced to compete with Santa Claus on Christmas and the Easter Bunny at the time of His resurrection?   Apparently Santa and the Bunny have a much better PR Firm working on their behalf.  Certainly “giving” is not an act that is confined to one date on a calender.  The homeless and hungry need the attention of believers each and every day, separate and apart from the whole “peace on earth, goodwill toward men” gospel minute that ends on December 26th while we are standing in the Customer Service line at Walmart. 

Brian Simmons makes the point in his article that, “Their [Hyper-Preterists] rejection of Christmas goes hand-in-hand with their rejection of everything else” is certainly an exaggeration of the facts related to this and to other matters.  Does Brian celebrate “Lent” in the Catholic tradition?  What about other holidays such as Halloween?  Some churches (evangelical–non–preterist–in–any–sense–of–the–word) are divided over whether or not children should dress up on Halloween because of the pagan roots of the holiday, so why single out “Christmas” as the test of what constitutes orthodoxy?  Has Brian read or watched any of the Harry Potter series?   What about Lord of the Rings? 

Extremes exist in both Futurism and Preterism and there is no valid reason for pulling a holiday “rabbit” out of the hat to draw attention to one particular area that may or may not be considered an imbalance.  The Holy Spirit chose not to reveal the exact date of the birth of Jesus Christ for a reason–people are prone to to create their own ”times” and “seasons” and “days” without the benefit of Divine authority.

As a “non-theological” side-bar, I spent last night with friends and family gathered around a beautiful Christmas tree where hymns and songs of praise and adoration were sung unto the Lamb of God.  This morning early I raced across the Bay Area to join my oldest daughter and my grandchildren and in-laws in another celebration of Christmas, at which time there was a wonderful time of giving, sharing and caring.  At other times in my life there observance of Christmas has been of lesser importance because of the need to be at work instead of at home, but my relationship with Jesus has remain constant.  To those of you who would receive it, “Merry Christmas and God Bless You” to those of you who choose not, “Happy Thursday”…  Either way, To God be the Glory for the day!

Larry Siegle