Question:  Dear Greg,

            Should Christians celebrate Christmas?  I know that Christ was born, but I have not read anything in the Bible that we should remember that event!  The Resurrection, yes!  In research I have done, Christmas seems to be a Roman Catholic invention, not a Biblical one!  (I tend to view anything coming from Rome with great mistrust).

            Thanks for your time,

            Steve

Answer:  Dear Steve,

            Perhaps we should define the word “Christmas”.  For some this word simply means an endless round of parties, concerts, gift giving, decorating, etc.  MUST Christians do this?  NO.  SHOULD Christians do these things?  ONLY if these activities are centered in the birth of Jesus Christ.  IF THEY ARE NOT, and have no meaning, there is no reason for Christians to be involved in such things.  As many Christians remind themselves during that time of the year, when materialism and commercialism can overcome everything, “Jesus is the reason for the season.”

            However, if by the word “Christmas” we mean the birth of Jesus Christ  -- the answer is YES.  Of course Christians should celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.  Next question -- but isn’t it true that we do not know the exact date of Jesus’ birth?  Answer:  yes, that’s true.  But we do not need to know the exact date of his birth to celebrate the fact that there was a day, a specific time, when God became flesh for the purpose of saving us.

            We are free to choose any time – for that matter; there is no reason to limit the celebration of the birth of Jesus to December 25, or the month of December for that matter.  We should remember his birth at other times during the year.

            Question – is something wrong with celebrating Jesus’ birth, either on December 25, or on December 20, or January 6, or . . . (pick a date)?  Answer – NO, there is nothing wrong.  What is wrong is failing to acknowledge the fact that he was born, that it was a miracle, that it was and is the hinge of history, that we measure time by that event, etc.

            Question – as you note, we know that the resurrection was in the spring – so there is nothing wrong with celebrating Easter/Resurrection Sunday.  But we don’t know the exact date, or even season of the year, of his birth.  How can we celebrate it?  Answer – many churches celebrate both the second and the first comings (or advents) of our Lord in December.  There is nothing wrong with celebrating the Second Coming, even though we have no idea, and are expressly told not to try to find out, predict, or speculate when he will return.

            Further questions about Christmas can be found in our category “Holy Days and Holidays”.  Hope this helps, Steve.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht