Is the Tree a Pagan Symbol?, Is Santa the Antichrist? (and more).
Can we, as believers, celebrate Christmas?
Of course we can!
So what do we do then with the typical anti-Christmas arguments so widely quoted nowadays?
Well, we refute them…
Argument 1: It’s a Pagan Festival
No, Christmas isn’t a pagan festival. Constantine instituted Christmas to eradicate paganism from the Roman Empire.
Argument 2: The Bible Nowhere Commands Us to Celebrate Christmas
That’s right. But we have to distinguish between what the Bible doesn’t command and what’s sinful. Scripture, for example, never commands us to buy mobile phones, use Facebook or read articles published on Evangelical Focus; but we continue to do so.
Argument 3: Jesus’ Birth wasn’t in December
Correct. But what we celebrate at Christmas isn’t the historical date in and of itself but the spiritual significance of the incarnation.
It’s good and wholesome to dedicate a part of the calendar year to muse more profoundly upon the Word made flesh.
Argument 4: The Tree is a Pagan Symbol
No, trees are a wonderful creation of God. If pagans turn trees into idols, that’s their problem. But the tree itself isn’t evil.
The tree reminds us that God is our Creator; whilst the Nativity scene speaks of our Redeemer.
Here’s a question: if pagans drink water, should we all stop drinking so as not to pollute ourselves? If pagans breathe, should we all cease from breathing?
Argument 5: The Israelites Committed Fornication Under Trees
We could apply the fourth answer to this fifth argument. If a bunch of Jewish rebels sinned underneath trees, it doesn’t follow that trees are bad. God never rebuked the trees but the sinners.
At the end of the day: if trees are so wicked, why don’t we go out this Christmas and burn them all down?
Argument 6: Christmas is Materialistic
It doesn’t have to be that way. Yes, there sure are folk who use the Christmas holidays in materialistic fashion; but abusing something doesn’t make that ‘something’ evil.
There are people who eat too much. Does that make food bad? There are people who misuse their money. Does that make cash bad? Perish the thought!
Christmas doesn’t all of a sudden become a great social evil because certain folk get all materialistic come December-time.
Argument 7: We Don’t Have to Celebrate Special Days
Yes. Well said. But he who keeps the day does so for the Lord; whilst he who doesn’t keep the day, doesn’t keep it for the Lord (Romans 14:7). It’s that simple!
One believer esteems one given day to be more important than another whereas another saint thinks every day is alike. Let everyone be fully convinced in his/ her own mind.
Argument 8: Santa Claus is the Antichrist
This eighth argument is just pure folly. Christians celebrate the incarnation at this time of year; not some fictitious figure named Father Christmas.
Now, though old Saint Nick’s gospel (“If you’re good, you’ll get a lot of presents”) is a far fetch from the Christian gospel (“God justifies the ungodly”); by no means can Santa Claus be considered as the antichrist.
Father Christmas only comes once a year; the spirit of the antichrist, however, is ever at work until the end of the age.
Conclusion
All in all, the typical arguments used at this time of year to dampen our festive spirits are severely lacking in logical power. So, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year in the joy of the Lord.
Thank you for coming to earth, Lord Jesus! We love you! We worship you! We give you thanks!
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