Introduction

In this short book I aim to present a Biblical view of the festival we have come to enjoy and love as Christmas. I will use the facts of history and Bible passages to make my case regarding Christmas.

I am not trying to convince you for or against Christmas. My aim is merely to expose the truth about the celebration that so many indulge in.

In the Western world we have come to recognise Christmas as a Christian festival, that marks the birth of the Christ child. As a child growing up in the United Kingdom, I always looked forward to the Christmas season and heartily joined in with what I thought was a Christian holiday. For many years I joined in the celebration that many claim commemorates the most important birth in all of human history.

However, when I looked closely at the roots and origins of Christmas, I was shocked by what I discovered. I would like to share with you what I learnt about Christmas in this book.

I came to study Christmas with an open mind and to begin with just mere curiosity. I had a great desire to know the reason why we have this celebration and where it came from. This booklet is written with facts, truth and Scripture in mind. As Christians we ought to do what Scripture commands and always be truthful and trustworthy. This booklet is just a brief overview of some of the customs and traditions of Christmas, so not every aspect is covered.

Most Christians have never studied the subject of Christmas, nor have they questioned their participation. This is why I have decided to write this. My motive is to provide Christian people with the truth and facts about Christmas.

Yours heartily in Christ

Nathan A. Hughes

Section I 

Prior to 335 AD the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth was not part of the Christian life. The word “Christmas” originates with the Roman Catholic faith. The term was first used in 1038 AD. It is not very clear where all the traditions and customs of Christmas came from as many scholars and historians have written different accounts of the roots. I am just going to give you the facts of the matter, you form your own conclusions.

No one should be forced against their conscience to join in a festival or celebration that they believe to be wrong. It is fine for believers to reject or accept Christmas, what is wrong is to put pressure on others to believe the same as you do, without clear Scripture on the subject. For example, when the virgin birth of Christ is being questioned you can point to the appropriate Scriptures to show this teaching according to God. There is no clear Scriptural teaching that outlaws Christmas, we must therefore use Biblical principles to form our view on such matters.

“Thou shall not celebrate Christmas” never appears in Scripture. Some will say that the absence of such a command gives approval for Christians to use their liberty in Christ to celebrate Christmas. Others will say that as God never tells us to celebrate Christmas we should not. I think it is not as simple as this. The two points are valid and good reasons to form a view, but I think we need to go much deeper than this when addressing this important topic. 

I think it is very important that we keep in mind Romans 14: 5-6 when dealing with this topic, “One man esteems day more than day; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regards the day, regards it to the Lord. And he that eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he that does not eat, it is to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.”

A person must be fully convinced in their own mind that they esteem the day to the Lord. Some may view all days alike, while others may regard some days better than others. I believe that the celebration of Christmas falls under the teaching of Romans 14.

If you wish to regard December 25th as the Lord and His birth with a clear conscience before God that is fine. If on the contrary, you have doubts and regard December 25th as the same as all days that is also fine. The key here is we should be fully convinced in our mind that what we are doing is for the glory and honour of God.

At this time of year, we hear, “Jesus is the reason, for the season” and “Let’s put Christ back into Christmas.” But, is Jesus really the reason for this season, is Christ really in Christmas? This is what we are about to explore.

There is a difference, I think, between how most people of the lost world celebrate Christmas and how godly families do. How the world regards Christmas ought not to be adopted by the true Christian Church. There are some good points and some bad points about Christmas to consider.          

The negative sides of Christmas are as follows.

1. At Christmas people drink far too much alcohol and eat too much food. Drunkenness and gluttony are socially accepted things during the season of Christmas. When people are in the “Christmas spirit” overindulgence is not seen as a matter of concern. During this holiday a lot of people put on extra weight affecting their health. True people do this at other times of the year, but not on the same scale during Christmas.
2. At Christmas people expect or demand gifts. This promotes a spirit of greed and discontentment, especially with young children. If expectations are not met discouragement sets in the heart. Gifts should be freely offered without any expectation from the recipient. The gift giver ought to give from a desire to give and from their heart, without any pressure.
3. The materialism side of the season is also an area of great concern. A desire to gain more material things rather than spiritual blessings and growth ought to be detestable to the Christian. To want more possessions is to grumble and complain about what God has already provided for us in His mercy and grace.
4. Linked closely to materialism is consumerism. Shop owners and customers alike develop an unhealthy love for money more at this time of year. Shops do not really have the financial interests of people at heart during Christmas. They just want to make as much profit as possible. Notice how a few weeks after December 25th products are cheaper. Companies know that people will spend more in their stores for that “special day.” During the months of November and December, people will spend money they don’t have or can’t afford, racking up huge debts to clear in the new year. An unwise decision of living beyond your means takes over the minds of so many during the weeks leading up to December 25th.
5. People tend to be lazy and relaxed in the workplace during Christmas. A lethargic attitude seems to descend during this festive season. The holiday mode and mood are damaging to the workforce. People think they are entitled to take it easy in the few weeks and days leading up to Christmas Day.
6. I believe the greatest indictment on Christmas is this. Parents and adults teach children to believe in Father Christmas/Santa Claus. This “care-free, harmless fun” attitude is accepted among those in the world. However, Christian people should not view this in the same way as the ungodly. Why as a Christian would you teach children to believe in something that is not true? Many will say that it is just harmless fun. Ask yourself this question if you really think that this lie is just harmless fun. What message will it send to your child and other young people when they discover you lied to them about Santa? I ask, will this cause them to question other things you taught them, such as the Gospel and the things of God? Will they start to doubt what you told them about the Lord Jesus Christ? Why anyone who calls themselves a Christian would lie to a child is beyond my understanding. Lying in all matters is always wrong, sinful, and never just harmless fun. Every lie comes from the Devil as he is the father of lies (John 8:44). You will do well to keep in mind what God says about lying lips. Proverbs 22:12 says, “Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah; but they that deal truly are his delight.”

There are some positive sides to Christmas to consider.

1. Those who do not usually attend public worship services on the Lord’s Day are more likely to go to church during this season. Which must be a good thing.
2. The unsaved are more likely to hear the story of Christ’s birth from the Bible at Christmas time. Which must be a good thing.
3. Schools hold nativity plays where the birth of Christ is the focus. Which must be a good thing.
4. In the month of December Christianity is promoted more than at other times of the year. Which must be a good thing.
5. One of my personal favourites is that Handel’s Messiah is performed at Christmas in theatres and is sometimes on the wireless and the television. The piece of music is all Scripture. In full Handel’s Messiah lasts for about two and a half hours. People are hearing Scripture, which must be a good thing.
6. The last point I would like to mention is that people are less self-centred and a spirit of goodwill is often on display at Christmas. Kindness is promoted more at Christmas than at any other time of year. Which must be a good thing.

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 says, “But prove all things, hold fast the right; hold aloof from every form of wickedness.” “Prove all things” means that as believers we should not do something just because we were taught to from a young age. The sinful world around us tells us to partake in all manner of wicked things. As believers, we are to have our minds transformed by God’s Word.

Colossians 2:8 teaches, “See that there be no one who shall lead you away as a prey through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the teaching of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ.” It ought to be a matter of great importance for Christians to follow the Word of God and not human traditions and man-made festivals. This is also taught in Mark 7:13, “making void the word of God by your traditional teaching which ye have delivered; and many such like things ye do.”

Section II

An issue of contention among some is the actual time of year that Christ was born. It is unlikely that Christ was born on December 25th. The most likely time of year that Jesus was born was in the autumn.

Where Christmas originates from depends on which sources you read. I would now like to present you with the two origins of December 25th that I am aware of.

The first source is that the Roman Emperor Constantine who is the founder of the Roman Catholic Church, as it is called wanted to make it easier for the pagans to convert to Christianity. The celebration of the ancient Roman pagan god Saturnalia was a weeklong festival starting on December 17 and lasting a few days. It is believed that this began in pagan Babylon. Alexander Hislop says in his book The Two Babylons, “The very name by which Christmas is popularly known among ourselves – Yule-day proves at once its Pagan and Babylonian origin. “Yule” is the Chaldee name for an “infant” or “little child” and as the 25th of December was called by our Pagan Anglo-Saxon ancestors.”[1]

Another source reports that Christmas began with Nimrod and his son Tammuz. An extra-biblical tradition links him with the Tower of Babel which has played a role in presenting Nimrod as a rebellious god who was against the true God of Israel. Nimrod’s birthday was December 25th. Tradition says that Nimrod married his own mother, whose name was Semiramis. After Nimrod’s death, Semiramis claimed that an ever-green tree sprung up overnight from a dead stump. She claimed that every year on December 25th Nimrod would leave gifts under this ever-green tree. Thus, the idea of the Christmas tree was born.

The Christmas Tree

Those who use the information above to prove that Christmas trees are pagan and thus forbidden for Christians will turn to Jeremiah 10:1-4. This portion of Scripture is about cutting down a tree and making an idol out of the wood. Then decorate it with silver and gold.

Those who reject the Christmas tree will stop at the fourth verse. However, if you keep on reading God gives some important details about this tree. A belief that the tree can walk, talk, and do good, or evil was a key part of this practice. Those who have a Christmas tree do not believe that the tree is a god to be worshipped. The fact that it was the act of bringing a tree indoors is pagan, is the next point the objectors will rise.

Turn to Isaiah 60:13. In this verse God tells us that He wanted the fir tree and the pine tree to be brought into the sanctuary to beautify the place. It may sound logical to not bring trees indoors from the passage from Jeremiah, but the Scripture is not teaching the same as a Christmas tree. The sin was not cutting down the tree and bringing it indoors, rather the sin was to make a graven image and idol.

Although Christmas observers do not “worship” their tree in the conventional terms known by believers. It is worth noting how the Christmas tree is viewed and treated in the home. The tree has “pride of place”, and gifts are placed at the base. Many will decorate the tree to make it look a certain way. The verses above may not prove that Christmas trees are forbidden but they sure can become a focal point of honour. The child of God should not give honour and respect to anything that is not worthy of such. The Christmas tree is a direct descendant from the Yule season customs of the Germanic pagan peoples.

The Christmas tree in the United Kingdom was introduced in 1841 by Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. Prince Albert brought a Christmas tree over from Germany to England and placed it in Windsor Castle. The tradition of decorating a tree became fashionable in England and throughout the United Kingdom after the Royal couple appeared in a newspaper around their tree.

Birth of Christ

According to tradition, Jesus Christ was born on December 25th and his birth has been celebrated on this day for many centuries. As I have already mentioned this date is very unlikely. This date has its roots in pagan Rome where festivals were held at the end of the year to celebrate the time of the winter solstice. 

Such celebrations included the honour of Saturn who is the pagan god of agriculture. The feast also included the worship of the Roman god Sol and Persian god Mithra both of which are sun gods.

The Roman Catholic church adopted this date but changed its meaning to make Christianity more acceptable. The idea behind this move was an attempt to celebrate the birth of the “light of the world.” The worship of the pagan god Mithra was a victory over darkness. Catholicism tried to incorporate that in their form of worship. The emphasis of the Papists was to celebrate the triumph of Christ over spiritual darkness.

However, none of the apostles or the early church celebrated the birthday of Jesus. It was not part of their worship. We are not told in Scripture to celebrate the birth of Christ.

In fact, Christ’s death is the most important commemoration in the Bible. As Christians are we going to base our worship on Scripture or on manmade traditions? These traditions we know came from Roman Catholicism who changed the meaning of pagan festivals to make Christmas look “Christian” and present it as a legitimate form of worship. This pagan element in the history of Christmas is of great importance, if you don’t think so then you have missed the whole point made in these past few paragraphs. The only form of worship acceptable to God is that which He has revealed to us in His Word.

We are to worship God in spirit and in truth. The truth of the matter is that we are not commanded to celebrate Christ’s birth in Scripture. However, that does not mean Christians cannot and/or should not commemorate Christ’s birth. We are to have no fellowship with pagan practices and customs, and we cannot justify partaking in anything that has many pagan and cult-like customs. So, if a Christian wishes to mark the birth of Christ from a godly view and Christ-centred that is a good thing.

Above all of this, Scripture commands Christians to not join in any worldly, wicked, and woeful celebration. So, therefore how we celebrate Christ’s birth is important.

Fun and gift giving

In order to get to the roots and origins of this element of Christmas we need to go back again to Ancient Rome and the Satutanlian pagan festivities which concluded on December 24th where gifts were exchanged. These feasts were accompanied by heavy drinking, overeating, riotous behaviour, noisy celebrations and other ungodly practices. This is where the gift-giving and partying element of the Christmas season comes from.

Joy and generosity are good gifts from God. Both are characteristics of true worship. We learn this many times in the Psalms. In Psalm 32:11 David writes, “Rejoice in Jehovah, and be glad, ye righteous; and shout for joy, all ye upright in heart.” Another time we are taught to rejoice in the Lord is found in Philippians 4:4, “ Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.”

Jesus said in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall be given into your bosom: for with the same measure with which ye mete it shall be measured to you again.” We can see from Scripture that giving is a principle of the Christian faith. However, this kind of giving that is mentioned by Christ is not ritualised, nor from a spirit of compulsion. During Christmas, the social custom is to give a gift. The attitude in Scripture regarding giving is contrary to the Christmas norms. We are told in the New Testament that God loves a cheerful giver. The giver is willing, cheerful and under no obligation to give, but does so due to his desire and joy.

Giving a gift to a friend, family member or loved one can be at any time of year. It does not have to be within a certain season or a so-called special time of year. A gift is given from a generous heart and is not burdensome.

Father Christmas

The last aspect of Christmas I wish to address is Father Christmas also known as Santa Claus. This in my view is the worst element of Christmas. During the old days, people would think of Christ when Christmas was mentioned. Now people think of Santa Claus as the main figure of the season. It is a sad fact that Santa has high-jacked Christmas.

Another name for this Christmas figure is St. Nick or St. Nicholas. In the United Kingdom, the devil is sometimes referred to as “Old Nick” and in Germany, the name Nicolas is used as a name for the devil also. So, who was St. Nicholas? According to tradition, he was a Bishop who lived in Myra, Asia Minor in what is now modern-day Turkey. Nicholas gained notoriety for giving to the poor and being kind to children.

The story behind the creation of Santa Claus comes from St. Nicholas. According to tradition, there was a poor man who had three daughters. The man did not have sufficient funds for a dowry, so his daughters could get married. This is a sum of money that the bride’s family gives to the bridegroom on the wedding day. This custom still happens today in some countries.

One night St. Nicholas dropped some gold down the chimney of the poor family. The gold just happened to fall into a stocking that was hanging next to the fireplace. This meant that the oldest daughter could now marry. Nicholas dropped gold down the chimney on another occasion which meant that the second daughter could marry.

The father of the three girls wanted to know who the secret gift giver was. One evening the father caught Nicholas dropping the gold down the chimney. Nicholas begged the man not to reveal his identity, but word soon got out and when anyone received a secret gift it was thought that it was from Nicholas.

The existence of St. Nicholas is not based on any reliable historical document, so there is nothing certain about his life. He may have been a 4th-century bishop, but there is no proof.

The accounts of his life are historically unconfirmed. Due to the unconfirmed nature and uncertainty surrounding the life of St. Nicholas in 1969, Pope Paul VI ordered the feast of St.

Nicholas to be removed from the official Roman Catholic calendar.

In Nordic mythology, Sinterklaas is described as one that would reward good children and punish bad ones. In some children’s games in Germany St. Nicholas is not a Bishop but a Dark Helper, a devilish figure who wants to punish children who misbehave.

Another traditional name linked to Santa is Kris Kringle. A German name for “little Christ child.” It appears that Kris Kringle is the counterfeit “Christ child.” It is very possible that Satan himself is behind the falsehood of Santa. Let us look closely at this.

Here are a few examples.

The true Christ is all-knowing. Santa is presented as all-knowing, who knows all the names of the good little children.

The true Christ is ever-present. Santa is also viewed as one who is always present, so he knows who has been naughty or nice. Christ came down from heaven and gave gifts (Ephesians 4:7-8). Santa has the ability to travel all over the world and give gifts.

The true Christ has white hair according to Revelation 1:14. Santa is always pictured as a man with white hair and beard. It is also worth noting that Santa is also pictured wearing a red suit. Revelation 19:13 says, “He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.”

So, here are the facts of some customs and traditions of the Christmas season. Now, to partake in Christmas is a matter between you and God.

Closing Remarks

For what it is worth this is my personal view on Christmas. I object on a matter of conscience all the cuttings and trimmings of the Christmas season. In my view no Christian should have anything to do with the secular and worldly side of Christmas. However, if you want to meet with family and friends to sing and celebrate the birth of Christ that is a good and acceptable form of worship.

Personally, I do not celebrate Christmas, but I do celebrate the birth of Christ with my local assembly. On the surface this may sound like a contradiction. On the contrary as we discovered in the book Christmas has nothing to do with Christ’s birth. The name of the event is what I object to, not what Christians do. Christmas and celebrating the birth of Christ are not the same thing. One is from pagan Rome and ancient Babylon the other is a godly event that is all about Christ.

It is not pagan, sinful, or wrong to celebrate the birth of Christ. There is nothing wrong about lifting the name above all names, the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord of lords and King of kings.

So, how should Christian’s view Christmas? Christ centred and Christ exalting, that is how. An opportunity to share the wondrous truth of the birth of the Saviour. Not commercial centred that omits Christ and his glory. Not based on Santa Claus, Christmas trees, drinking, partying and over indulgences. We should take the time of year very serious. It is important that Christians are set apart from the world especially at this time of year. It is a good witness that Christians treat Christmas differently from the secular world.

It is no secret that in England during the time of the Republican Commonwealth of Oliver Cromwell he banned Christmas completely. The celebration of Christmas was illegal in England. Cromwell banned Christmas on a number of grounds. One of such was the fact the Christmas is a Catholic holy day. Christmas is not a holy day. The steps Cromwell took I personally think were a little strong. For example, Cromwell ordered armed guards to walk the streets of London and seize by force if necessary any food that was being prepared for Christmas celebrations. Banning Christmas is one thing, but forcing people against their will to give up food that may or may not have been for a Christmas meal is ridiculous. Just like Cromwell I am not a big fan of Christmas.

I agree with some of Cromwell’s reasons for banning Christmas, but his unorthodox methods leave a blot against his name in the history books.

The Act of Parliament that banned Christmas in 1645 made it very clear that Christmas was not to be celebrated but spent in respectful contemplation. This is how I personally spend Christmas Day. Every December 25th, I contemplate on the year that is about to end and see how things can be different in the year to come. The day is often spent in prayer and study of the Word.

An important Bible verse to keep in mind when addressing this topic is 2 Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time shall be when they will not bear sound teaching; but according to their own lusts will heap up to themselves teachers, having an itching ear; and they will turn away their ear from the truth, and will have turned aside to fables.

Biblical worship is responding to God’s commands in scripture. A lot of modern-day worship is man deciding what God ought to receive as worship. May we never be those who make up our own form or style of worship and believe that is true worship. God has told us how to worship Him in Scripture. The Bible alone is sufficient enough material for our worship. Some examples of false worship at this time of year are believing that Christmas is a holy day and God is more inclined to answer prayer. Holding a nativity service where the service leader blesses an image of the Christ child, is also a false form of worship.

God has commanded public worship should be with distinct elements that are found in Scripture. God forbids any and all other attempts of worship. If we keep to what the Scriptures teach, we cannot go far wrong. If we obey the clear commands God has revealed about worship in Scripture, then we are honouring Him according to His Word alone.

The normative principle of worship leaves it to man and his heart to decide how to worship. This view of worship leaves it open to all kinds of styles and forms. The normative principle of worship allows any element of worship that Scripture does not expressly forbid. Churches that follow the principles of normative worship are declining in members and in truth, some are now apostate. Now, of course we do not measure the success of the church by how many people attend the service.

However, it is interesting to note that many churches that hold strongly to a Bible based principle of worship are the most active and growing ones.

God honours those that are faithful to His truth. God blesses churches that stand up for the truth as it is shown in Scripture. We don t need all the excess baggage that comes with Christmas to celebrate and worship the Son of God. Christ’s birth was not a big event with partying and everyone enjoying themselves with food and drink. The birth of Christ as told in Scripture was a very peaceful, sombre, humble, and quiet occasion.

There is nothing boring or miserable about the event of Christ’s birth in the Bible. The view of the Gospel writers is that the time was very happy and joyous. Don’t believe the lie that you are boring or no fun if you want to reflect at this time of year in a quiet and peaceful manner. You do not have to join in all the so-called merrymaking of Christmas. The birth of the Saviour is a very serious event and ought to be treated as such. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not is a personal matter. I hope that this booklet has helped you to learn more about the season and some of the roots of the customs and traditions associated with Christmas.          

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[1] Rev,d Alexander Hislop – The Two Babylons pg. 93-94.