Question:  You are right in saying that observing a particular day or not does not ensure salvation.  I have a problem with your stance on some of the issues of holiday observance though.  What does Santa Claus have to do with Christ or the Easter rabbit for that matter?

            Mark 7:8 reads “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.”  “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions.”

            The weighty issue here is the heart of a man, but your answers seem to justify people who observe these days handed down from pagan tradition.  I think observing them is vain, which means meaningless.  Please explain, or am I just reading too much into your answers?

            Ola

Answer:  Dear Ola,

            Yes, I believe you might be reading too much into our answers.  We do not intend to imply that Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny are part of Christianity.  There are many customs and traditions that Christians have added to the body of Christ like barnacles on a boat.  You quote and understand Christ correctly, for he was not simply saying that to the religious folks of his day, but to Christians of all times and eras.

            The important thing for a Christian is to be founded in Christ, and “bounded” by him – that is, he is the focus, the reason, the goal of our lives.  His birth and his resurrection – not to mention his atoning death on the cross and his Second Coming should be part of our worship.  The celebrations we choose and that we celebrate should be defined by the great events in the life, death and resurrection of our Lord.  Our celebrations are not to be defined by human authorities, or judged by them

(Colossians 2).

            Some who seem intent on discrediting Christmas and Easter do not propose an alternative date or celebration – but simply no observance at all of his birth or resurrection.  Why would Christians not want to celebrate (in some way, minus the commercialism, the materialism, the wild parties, minus Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, etc. – but with some symbols that are meaningful to them, and not subject to the approval/condemnation of other humans) the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht