Should We Celebrate Christmas? (Part 1)
Not all Bible-believing Christians celebrate Christmas. That’s a fact. However, the question is not “Who has the right belief?” but “What is the right attitude?”
We are commanded in the Bible: “Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with… one person thinks that some days should be set aside as holy and another thinks that each day is pretty much like any other. There are good reasons either way. So, each person is free to follow the convictions of conscience.” (Romans 14:7, 5, The Message)
Christians differ on minor issues due to many reasons. One reason was their backgrounds or past experiences. Paul wrote the guidelines in Romans 14 to discuss how Jewish and Gentile [non-Jewish] believers would live in harmony in the church. For example, Jews grew up with a lot of dietary restrictions. Gentiles did not have such a list of “clean” or “unclean” animals. So, when they became Christians, they were poles apart. They ended up arguing which food to eat and not to eat. Before, Gentiles eat meat sacrificed to idols. Now, when they became believers, some refused to do so for they associated it with pagan worship. But others in good faith continued eating those meats. Paul advised respect for each other’s opinions: “Some think it is all right to eat anything, while those whose faith is weak will eat only vegetables. But you should not criticize others for eating or for not eating. After all, God welcomes everyone.” (Romans 14:2-3, Contemporary English Version)
Thus, if you want to celebrate Christmas, you may do so. But please don’t rub it in to those who don’t. If you do not want to celebrate, you may do away with its observance. But please don’t look down on those who do so. “We must stop judging others. We must also make up our minds not to upset anyone’s faith.” (Romans 14:13) Brethren, we can disagree with each other without being disagreeable. We should agree to disagree.
The issue of Christmas is a matter of personal choice. It should not divide us. Always remember: “Let there be unity in the essentials, liberty in the non-essentials and charity [love] in all things.” More than that, whether you celebrate Christmas or not, grab the opportunity to talk about the Lord Jesus Christ. Share why He came down here on earth. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, New International Version)
That is something we should all agree to do.
We are commanded in the Bible: “Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with… one person thinks that some days should be set aside as holy and another thinks that each day is pretty much like any other. There are good reasons either way. So, each person is free to follow the convictions of conscience.” (Romans 14:7, 5, The Message)
Christians differ on minor issues due to many reasons. One reason was their backgrounds or past experiences. Paul wrote the guidelines in Romans 14 to discuss how Jewish and Gentile [non-Jewish] believers would live in harmony in the church. For example, Jews grew up with a lot of dietary restrictions. Gentiles did not have such a list of “clean” or “unclean” animals. So, when they became Christians, they were poles apart. They ended up arguing which food to eat and not to eat. Before, Gentiles eat meat sacrificed to idols. Now, when they became believers, some refused to do so for they associated it with pagan worship. But others in good faith continued eating those meats. Paul advised respect for each other’s opinions: “Some think it is all right to eat anything, while those whose faith is weak will eat only vegetables. But you should not criticize others for eating or for not eating. After all, God welcomes everyone.” (Romans 14:2-3, Contemporary English Version)
Thus, if you want to celebrate Christmas, you may do so. But please don’t rub it in to those who don’t. If you do not want to celebrate, you may do away with its observance. But please don’t look down on those who do so. “We must stop judging others. We must also make up our minds not to upset anyone’s faith.” (Romans 14:13) Brethren, we can disagree with each other without being disagreeable. We should agree to disagree.
The issue of Christmas is a matter of personal choice. It should not divide us. Always remember: “Let there be unity in the essentials, liberty in the non-essentials and charity [love] in all things.” More than that, whether you celebrate Christmas or not, grab the opportunity to talk about the Lord Jesus Christ. Share why He came down here on earth. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, New International Version)
That is something we should all agree to do.
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