Q/A: I have read through most of the information you have regarding Easter and some of the practices associated with it (bunny and eggs).  This is an issue I have struggled with but feel I have arrived at a fairly balanced view of it (with your help).  BUT…the church we began attending 6 months ago is having an Easter egg hunt after a sunrise service and brunch and I am not comfortable with this.  I am not against an egg hunt in general and we have always done one for our children but not on Easter, and I feel it gets in the way of what the focus of the celebration should be.  If we choose not to participate, we would not come across as haughty or better…but are we being too rigid? - Jody

Q/A: The date for Christmas never changes.  Why does the date we celebrate Easter change each year? - Lou

Q/A: What information do you have on the Christmas tree?  Some people have told me that the use of a Christmas tree is sin.  I’m not so sure.  What do you think? - Dick

Q/A: My family and I observe Christmas.  A friend of mine recently has decided to stop observing Christmas.  I asked him why and he quoted Deuteronomy 12:30-31, saying that since many of the Christmas traditions have “pagan” origins, then we should not worship God in that way.  My feeling is that if he cannot in good conscience observe Christmas, then he shouldn’t because “whatever is not from faith is sin”.  For my family and me though, I intuitively feel that worshiping Christ through Christmas is right and good. What is the proper understanding of Deuteronomy 12:30-31 as it relates to Christian holidays? - Kevin

Q/A: Where did the star of Bethlehem come from?  Was the star placed there by God or by Satan?   We are not to have anything to do with astrology.  Were the “Wise Men” followers of the stars?  Should they be a part of the Nativity Scene?  The Bible tells us that they were there to worship the child.  Who really sent them? - Shirley

Q/A: What is the history behind St. Nicholas? - Steven

Q/A: I appreciate your thoughtfulness in the Question/Answer section of “Ask Greg” and my impression from your responses is that you are seeking lifelong learning as you read God’s words and ask for understanding.  For this reason I am comfortable asking you this sensitive question. ... I am wondering about how I might become more accepting of the secular notion of Christmas without compromising my own integrity.  I personally feel that I should honor Christ’s birth every day and remember that his sinless life allows me to change and grow in spite of my mistakes. ... I know many people who make a huge deal about Christmas but seem not to acknowledge Christ or attempt to emulate his goodness at any other time of the year.  I know it is not my job to judge anyone, and that how people choose to acknowledge Christ is personal.  However, more than once when pressed for my opinion I have been compelled to tell them my true feelings—that I prefer to celebrate Christ every day and not attach my love of Christ to a commercial event.  I am continually struggling with how to be gentle and non-confrontational and live by example.  Any suggestions? - Lisa

Q/A: I am puzzled that mainstream Christian churches seem to place so little importance on Pentecost; it is essentially the “birthday” of the New Testament Church—the day of the foundational meeting and the day of the arrival of the Holy Spirit.  There were thousands of conversions on Pentecost.  Some years later we come to the time of the Apostle Paul’s ministry: Paul (Saul) was a wealthy, highly educated Roman Citizen.  He was also something of a tyrant, torturing and murdering many Christians.  Due to his close contact with Roman society, it is unlikely that he had much regard for the Jewish religion either, including the Holy Days.  Following his conversion, however, we find the Apostle Paul actually delaying his missionary journey in order to observe Pentecost with the Ephesians (1 Corinthians 16:8).  What did he know that many today apparently do not?  We seem to “bend over backwards” to observe the day on which we imagine Jesus Christ was born (most scholars say it is not) while ignoring the (known) day of the coming of the Holy Spirit. - Dale

Q/A: I am a former Sabbatarian (SDA).  I agree with you that the more important aspect of Christ’s resurrection is the fact that he really rose from the dead, thus we have a reason to believe, be saved and be resurrected.  That, really, is the gospel!  Unfortunately, for most hardcore “legalists”, saying these things will never help.  They want hardcore evidence, hardcore support from the scriptures and hardcore explanations.  I believe that there are a lot of approaches to sharing the gospel with “cultic” minded people and sharing with them the historical facts as well as the biblical facts in a loving manner is one of them. I would greatly appreciate it if you can share with me some biblical as well as historical facts why we should be comfortable with celebrating the resurrection on Sunday.  Keep in mind, too, that I strongly support your stand (as I have read from your other answers to questions) that “the main thing should be the main thing”—the gospel behind the resurrection and not the accurate computation of days and times of Jesus’ resurrection.  But for witnessing purposes, kindly share with me your stand on this. - Arnold

Q/A: Why does Easter Sunday fall on different weeks every year? - Sue

Q/A: According to Jeremiah 10 we should not celebrate Christmas (or any Christian event) with trees and shiny decorations.  The tree, decorations and even presents for that matter should be out, not so?   If you don’t celebrate the gift of Christ on Christmas, it has just as little value as, for instance, Halloween.  What is your opinion of this? - Gerrit

Q/A: If Christmas is not the day that Christ was born then why should Christians celebrate it?  Not only that, I heard that it is a day that pagans used to celebrate.  Why should Christians observe Christmas? - Cory

Q/A: What should we as Christians teach our children about Halloween?  What is the history of Halloween and your thoughts on it? - Tim

Q/A: 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). - Steve

Q/A: It seems that Jeremiah 33:18 indicates that sacrifices will be ongoing when Christ returns.  Is this a correct understanding of this passage? - Jim

Q/A: I’m reading your opinions about the origin of the Christmas tree.  I don’t agree with it.  What does Nimrod’s birthday have to do with Christ?  Christmas itself, I truly believe, is pagan. If we are light, what does the light have with the darkness?  I hope you write back.  I truly believe that Christmas is pagan.  I think that by teaching these teachings you will hurt a lot of people. - Karen

Q/A: Are there any biblical scriptural explanations about why we use eggs for Easter? - David

Q/A: You believe that it is ok to celebrate Christmas and Easter and knowing the pagan origins.  These holidays were not instituted in the early church.  It came about after the death of Christ.  Why didn’t Jesus instruct the disciples to keep these days?  We as Christians are to participate in Holy Communion in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, correct?  We as true followers of Christ are to take a stand for truth in God’s Word, not be followers of man.  Indeed, they are pagan holidays and should not be observed. -  Denise

Q/A: I’m writing to ask you if you have an approximate date when Jesus was born?  I was told a few years ago that He was not born on the 24^th or 25^th of December, but actually sometime in the early fall.  Is this true? - Heidi

Q/A: Are you telling me that Easter is not pagan in origin? I think you know better than that, now, don’t you? - Thomas

Q/A: I have been trying to find a copy of the Ralph Woodrow book, Babylon Mystery Religion. In my search I found your answer about Christmas and Easter and at the end you mentioned that you could send his two books to the person that asked that question. I was wondering if you are still able to do that? I have found that most places cannot get the book as it is out of print. If you do still have copies, could you please let me know how much it is and how to order it? After reading your response, I am also interested in his other books. - Paul

Q/A: I’ve wrestled with Christmas and Easter. I believe that the focus of these days is not wrong, although I don’t observe them because I don’t feel comfortable doing so - Christmas is the memorial of Jesus being born the savior of the world; Easter, that he has risen, and brought redemption through his ultimate act of love. We should acknowledge this ever day, not twice a year. My question is – in God’s kingdom, do you think he will impart these days as commemoration or let people decide for themselves what to keep as observance. You’ve stated before that the Bible makes no claim that we must keep these days as an act of salvation, or keep other holy days as a part of salvation. - Ken

Q/A: What is the true origin of the Christmas Tree? It’s purpose and meaning? Was the Christmas tree an apostolic Teaching? - Julio

Q/A: My question has to do with Christmas and Christmas trees...Based on scripture references, I decided that the tree was part of idol worship. However, every year I struggle with the whole Christmas thing. Please help me. I am really struggling within myself and I believe my family are suffering because I don’t understand God’s ways and will concerning this. I am confused. I feel like I am in some type of bondage when all I desire to do is worship God to please Him. - Juanda

Q/A: We all know that the Old Testament is before Jesus Christ. In Jeremiah 10:2-5 (KJV), "Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the ways of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. They deck it with silver and gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be born, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good." This sounds like a Christmas tree. Question is: Are we wrong to do this? Have we adopted a heathen or pagan custom? - Thomas

Q/A: What is the truth about Easter? Where did this custom come from? - Aubrey

Q/A: I have a friend who is a Christian. She asked me why she should not celebrate Halloween. I know it is not of God, but I need to be able to show her from a Bible prospective. - Iva

Q/A:  I was listening to talk radio tonight and they were mentioning nativity scenes not being allowed in a public place here by the country. My question to you is what are the scriptures that show Jesus was born in the autumn? - Leland

Q/A:  .....Why do churches today celebrate days and feasts that are no where commanded in the Bible and are as well derived from pagan sources, yet forsake the ones that God himself commanded (note: Calling them HIS days and not only the Jews’ days). When the Israelites came into the land of Canaan, did God tell them to dwell with the Cananites and just use the Canannite religion (with a few minor changes as it done today) to worship God? No! He told them to destroy the Canannites and have nothing to do with their religion! The Sabbath is a commandment, plain and simple (and Sunday, when it is examined closely, was not the resurrection day of Christ). Please write back the scriptures that tell the Christians today to observe Christmas, Easter, Sunday, etc.. because if they are not of God, then they are of man, and Jesus himself told us that if we substitute man’s traditions for God’s doctrines, then we are worshipping him in vain (Mark 7:6-9). - Ryan

Q/A: Which day is the Sabbath (correct)? Should we celebrate Easter and Christmas? When was Jesus born? - Tom

Q/A: After reading the Herbert Armstrong’s books on Christmas and Easter many years ago, I did my own research on the two main "holy" days for Christians. To this day, after over 15 years, I am still not able to just put aside the findings of that research. I suffer through many anguished fights with my wife over how we will "celebrate" both of those holidays.........  I partake in both the Christmas and Easter productions at my Assembly of God fellowship. Still, I truly and sincerely believe both of these holidays to be pagan in origin, re-named for the convenience of the Roman church. The traditions and practices are very much rooted in paganism. Please share your opinion on how I might deal with these feelings. - Louis

Q/A: .....Did you know that early Christians did not celebrate the birth of Jesus? The celebration was pagan. What is a pagan? The Webster dictionary says it is ‘one who worshipped the gods of ancient Greece and Rome’. In the Bible, Exodus 20:3 says: ‘You may worship no other god than me.’ Jesus did not want us to worship him nor make him a king. All he wanted was us to worship God. (Matthew 4:10). Would Jesus approve of all the worshipful devotion that is directed to him, not his Father? If God wanted us to celebrate his Son’s birth, wouldn’t he have given us his exact date of birth? ..... - Diana

Q/A: Recently I attended a Bible class. It was very inspiring except for one statement that was made by the teacher. He said that Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week (Sunday). I find this very contradictory to Bible teaching. I find it (based on what the good Book says) impossible for Jesus to be crucified on a Friday and raised from the dead on Sunday. Jesus said that he would be in his grave for three days and three nights, and he has stated that there are 24 hours in a day. Can you shed more light on this issue? Also – are there any of your booklets that explain this? If such a booklet exists, can I have it mailed to me?- Tyrone

Q/A: ...How does one justify keeping Easter and not Passover, when one is commanded and one is no where in the Bible... Easter does not only have pagan roots, but it also is based on faulty reasoning that Christ was raised on Sunday. Keeping this day is contrary to the first commandment. Sunday was originally set aside to worship a Roman god.... - Ryan

Q/A: My wife is a non-denominational Christian, while I am a Roman Catholic-Christian.  Every now and then we get into an argument about the celebration of holidays, in particular Easter and Christmas.  She says that you should not celebrate these days as religious holidays: 1.  because we should celebrate these miracles every day and, 2.  because we are not told to do so in the Bible.  However, she and her family do participate in Christmas and Easter activities “just for fun”.  They have Christmas trees and Easter egg hunts and the like. My argument is that there is nothing wrong with the celebration of these days so long as you use the celebration as a means of spiritual grounding or meditation, but that salvation is not conditional on the celebration of these days.... - Joel

Q/A: 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

Q/A: If nations will be keeping the Feast of Tabernacles after the attack of Jerusalem (see Zechariah 14), why shouldn’t we be keeping these Feasts now? - Andrew

Q/A: I have read many of your answers on the Sabbath and the Old Testament Law. While I agree that keeping the Sabbath does not make you any more saved than if you didn’t, I have lately come to see the Sabbath and Holy Days as a beautiful reminder of God’s plan for us and why Christ had to die for us.  I get the impression that you think observing these days are completely useless, but I happen to disagree.  There are many instances in the New Testament where the apostles refer to fellowshipping on the Sabbath (for both Jews and Gentiles) and keeping the holy days with a renewed outlook for the edification of believers.  Also, the apostle Paul said that we should observe events, laws, etc. according to our conscience and not let our views become a stumbling block for others who are weak in the faith (those who believe that they still have to keep the law). Do you advocate abandoning the holy days and Sabbath as a time for fellowship simply because they are not necessary for salvation? - Caroline

Q/A: I have questions concerning the annual holy days kept by ancient Israel.  When studying the practices of Israel I noted that they kept daily, weekly, monthly and annual sacrifices.  The sacrifices were the main focus of these events.  My question is: were the annual holy days actually the annual sacrifices mentioned in Hebrews 10:1-5?  In Hebrews 13:10-13, the scripture seems to state that new covenant people have an altar, which is Christ, and that those who keep holy day sacrifices have no right to eat.  Considering these statements, do those who keep the days of annual sacrifices deny the sacrifice of Christ?  Galatians 4:10 and 5:1 seem to indicate this.  Circumcision was the outward sign of acceptance to keep all the old covenant law.  Paul did not seem pleased that the Galatians were keeping days, months, seasons and years, as this was the pattern of the old sacrificial system of the Jews.  It seems the Galatians may have been infected by a false gospel as mentioned in Galatians 1:6-9.  Acts 21:21 is said to have been a false accusation against Paul but after studying the matter, perhaps it could be considered a true one. - Coni