Historical Posts
Christmas MythBusters!
(originally published in December 2012)
Now is the time of year when people all over our land pause to remember the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. There is not necessarily anything wrong with taking time out to focus on a particular event recorded in the Bible, but the Christmas holiday is one that tends to get blown way out of proportion. At the Madisonville church of Christ, you will find that we do not make any special observance of the Christmas holiday, as part of our spiritual lives. There is no Christmas tree in the building, or any special decorations. We do not have any special worship services, pageants, or cantatas. That is because we honor the Savior on the first day of every week, in accord with the practices of our brethren in the ancient church (Acts 20:7). We choose not to “buy in” to the myths that have been perpetuated about Christmas, and we want to encourage others to do the same. That is why, in the this week’s edition of the church bulletin, I want to “bust” a few popularly held myths about Christmas.
Jesus Was Not Born on December 25
It is amazing to me that, in this age of unlimited access to information, so many people still believe that the 25th day of December is the birthday of Jesus. The simple fact of the matter is that we have no idea which, of all the days on the calendar, is the day upon which the Christ was born. Evidence found in the accounts of the birth of John the baptizer and Jesus suggest that He was born in either February or August; with August being the most favorable time of the year. How did December 25 become associated with the Lord’s birth? Tradition! In the fourth century, the church in Rome began an annual tradition of a special worship service, or “mass” to commemorate the birth of Christ. It was held on December 25, because of that date’s proximity to the winter solstice, which was a major pagan holy day. The date sometimes bounced around the calendar, and the tradition was sometimes neglected, but December 25 was the date that stuck—and it’s still with us, today.
The Wise Men Visited Jesus on the Night He Was Born
An iconic image of Christmas is the baby Jesus lying in a feedbox (“manger”), surrounded by Mary, Joseph, some shepherds, and the three wise men (with a “little drummer boy” thrown in for good measure). But the Bible says that the wise men visited Jesus in a “house,” and that Jesus was, by that time, a “young child” (Mat. 2:11). Some scholars suggest that it might have been days, weeks, or even months after the birth of Jesus. If the star that guided these ancient astronomers appeared on the night in which the Lord was born, it would have been a very long time before they could have made the arduous trek from “the east” (Matthew 2:1-2). It should also be noted that the Bible does not specify the number of wise men who came to see Jesus. It is assumed that there were three, because that was the number of gifts they brought (Matthew 2:11). How did people get so mixed up about this part of the story? Ignorance. People just don’t know what the Bible says. That’s how the Christmas holiday got started, in the first place.
Christians Are Supposed to Celebrate Christmas
There is not a single passage, anywhere in the New Testament, which compels Christians to make an annual observance of the birth of Jesus Christ. There is no evidence that the ancient church ever practiced anything more or less than a weekly offering of worship, in which the life, death and resurrection of Christ was celebrated. In fact, it seems that ancient Christians were not compelled to observe any annual holy days (Colossians 2:16).
Please don’t misunderstand me. I am not arguing that Christians should not make any kind of an observance of the Christmas holiday. I like to deck my halls, exchange gifts and spend time with family, just like everyone else, on December 25. The Bible gives me the option to do things like that, if I so choose (Romans 14:5). So, I have no problem at all wishing everyone who reads this a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. I just do it with full knowledge of the facts—and I hope you will, too.
Content by Russell Kline
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Questions and Answers 2010-06-27
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I. Question One – “Is Christianity a religion or a relationship? Or both?”
“A lot of my friends have been saying that Christianity is just a relationship with God. I understand that you need to go through the steps of salvation to be saved but they think you just need to pray, read the Bible, etc. So what I’m really asking is, “Is Christianity a religion or a relationship? Or both?”
A. First, we need to stress that everyone is in a relationship with God whether they realize it or not.
1. Matthew 12:30. He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.
2. One is either with God or against God. There is no middle ground.
3. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15.
4. Jesus said…
a) John 8:24. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
b) Luke 13:3. I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
c) Matthew 10:32. “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
d) Mark 16:16. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
5. If we don’t believe or practice these things which Jesus commanded, do we love him? According to Jesus, we do not!
6. So is Christianity a relationship… I would say that it is a term that describes one’s relationship with God. If one is a Christian, then that one is in a RIGHT relationship with God.
B. Is Christianity a religion?
1. Religion – the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power.
2. In the Bible, the word for “religion” as applied to Christianity is threskeia.
a) This word focuses on the external aspect of one’s faith.
b) How one expresses his faith.
c) James 1:26-27. If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
3. So, yes, Christianity is a religion.
a) It is a belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power.
b) It is an outward expression of that belief in the way we behave.
II. Question Two – “Why did God make the earth?”
A. Wow! What a question!
B. The easiest answer is that God made the earth for us to live on! But I think the one who asked the question maybe wanted to know why God made Us.
C. Why did God make us?
1. Some things we can not know for sure.
2. We do know this. God is love. 1 John 4:8. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
a) Everything that God does issues forth from His love.
b) Therefore, I believe that God loved the idea of us.
c) God loved us before He created us.
d) Much like a man and a woman love the idea of having a child.
(1) Even before that child is conceived, they love the idea of it.
(2) Therefore, they decide to bring a child into existence.
e) Remember that God is described as our Father.
III. Question Three – “Why did God give us the Bible?”
A. God gave us the Bible as a guide. Psalm 119:105.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
B. We can’t read God’s mind, so he had to give us a book to tell us what He wants us to know. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10.
But as it is written: “ Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
C. The Bible gives us everything we need to be pleasing to God.
1. 2 Peter 1:3. As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.
2. 2 Timothy 3:16-17. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
IV. Question Four – “What constitutes worship?”
“Do we need to include the five acts that we do on Sunday for it to be true worship?”
A. The most basic definition of the word “worship” is “to show reverence and respect toward another.”
B. As the question states, God has authorized five ways in which we are to worship Him.
1. Singing. Ephesians 5:19.
2. Praying. 1 Thessalonians 5:21.
3. Bible Study. Acts 20:7.
4. The Lord’s Supper. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.
5. Giving as we have been prospered. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2.
C. By example, we know that Christians gathered together on the first day of the week to worship. Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:18; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2.
D. However, only two of the acts of worship are LIMITED to the first day of the week.
1. Those two are giving and the Lord’s Supper.
2. We have plenty of examples of singing, praying, and Bible study being performed at other times.
a) Acts 16:25. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
b) 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Pray without ceasing.
E. No, I do not believe that all five acts of worship must be present for one to be worshiping God.
1. On Wednesday evenings when we gather together, study, sing, and pray, we are worshiping God.
2. However, on the first day of the week, we need to have all five acts of worship present to be pleasing to God.
V. Question Five – “A wife is to keep silent in church but ask her husband. If a husband understands or tells her something that is not correct is she lost because of what her husband tells her?”
A. The relevant passage is 1 Corinthians 14:26-35.
How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.
1. This passage teaches that a woman is to keep completely silent in the assembly.
2. She is not to utter a sound.
3. This would mean that it would be wrong for a woman to sing.
4. Furthermore, what if a woman did not have a husband? She would have no one to ask her questions!
5. We must ask, “Does is passage apply to us today?”
B. I have never attended an assembly like the one mentioned in the above passage.
1. I have never attended an assembly when someone spoke in a language they had never studied.
2. I have never observed on in the process of receiving a revelation.
3. I have never been to a service where there had to be an interpreter present who had the gift of interpretation.
4. Three classes of people are told to keep silent in this passage:
a) One who spoke in another tongue if there was not interpreter present.
b) A prophet who is speaking must be silent when another receives a revelation.
c) Women must keep silent.
5. Silent – sigao. To keep silent. To hold one’s peace.
6. This was an assembly different from any we will come across today.
7. These women who were told to ask their husbands questions at home would have been asking prophets! There was no need for them to worry about getting bad information.
C. Today, women are not commanded to be completely silent but to learn in submission. 1 Timothy 2:11.
Let a woman learn in silence with all submission.
1. “Silence” – hesuchia. Quietness. Tranquility arising from within. Causing no disturbance to others. Meek.
2. Does not mean that they are not to utter a sound.
3. A woman is not forbidden to ask a question as long as she is not disrupting the service or taking control of the service in doing so.
4. Furthermore, a woman today has the Bible available to her. Not true for those to whom Paul was writing in 1 Corinthians 14.
VI. Question Six – “what verse specifically tells the wife to love her husband and what Greek word is used?”
“In the Father’s Day sermon you closed saying wives are to respect and love their husbands. Other than the general commands for Christians to agape one another, what verse specifically tells the wife to love her husband and what Greek word is used?”
A. The verse I was thinking of was Titus 2:3-4.
The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children…
B. The Greek word that is used is philandros.
1. Comes from the Greek word for love, phileo. Which means tender affection.
2. And from Andros which means man or husband (implied when “wife” is used in context).
VII. Question Seven – “Cursing is wrong. What about euphemisms?”
“Cursing is wrong. What about phrases that most of us use like, “Oh shoot,” “Son of a gun,” “Holy cow,” etc. How can these be ok when you are meaning the same thing just substituting another word?”
A. You have a good question.
B. These phrases are called “euphemisms.”
1. Euphemism – a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt.
2. If you look up the word “shoot” you will see that it is a euphemism for a certain four letter word that also starts with “sh.”
a) Now, the word “shoot” is not wrong when you are using it in any other way.
b) But if you are saying it as a substitute for that other “s” word, then it is wrong.
3. Look up “heck.”
4. Look up “son of a gun.”
5. “Golly”
6. “Darn”
7. “Freakin” (I won’t even say it.)
8. All of these words are merely substitutes for more harsh words.
C. As Christians, we ought to refrain from using euphemisms.
VIII. “Is it wrong for a Christian family to put up a nativity scene at Christmas?”
A. In my mind, the one thing that sets the church of Christ apart from false churches is it’s view of the authority of the Scriptures.
1. Colossians 3:17. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
2. We understand that we must have authority for those things we practice.
3. We understand that the silence of the Scriptures does not authorize.
B. The Bible nowhere authorizes Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus as a special holiday.
1. How can we claim to respect the authority of the Scriptures as a church but then promote a religious holiday that is not authorized?
2. This does not mean that we cannot celebrate Christmas as a simple national holiday.
3. But to attach religious significance to it is unauthorized.
C. Some claim to find authority in Romans 14:5-6.
One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it.
1. It seems a stretch to me to apply this passage to Christmas.
2. Nevertheless, some feel that this passage authorizes them to pick a day to celebrate Jesus’ birth as long as they don’t bind it on other people.
D. Is it wrong to set up a nativity scene?
1. At the very best, I believe it is very unwise.
2. At the worst, it could be sin for promoting an unscriptural holiday.
Content by Ralph Price
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Christianity is Not a Holiday Religion
Not a holiday religion
Today, December 25, the world will pause to remember, amidst the gifts, the greatest gift of all – Jesus Christ. He is what Paul called God’s unspeakable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15). I am always thankful when men are reminded of Jesus and what He means to humanity. At the same time, I am saddened to know that so much of the spirit of Christ will be forgotten when the season has passed. I know that is not what our Lord desires. His is not a holiday religion.
Aristides wrote of Christians (125 A.D.): “They walk in all humility and kindness, and falsehood is not found among them, and they love one another. They despise not the widow, and grieve not the orphan. He that hath, distributeth liberally to him that hath not. If they see a stranger, they bring him under their roof and rejoice over him as if he were their own brother: for they call themselves brethren, not after the flesh, but after the spirit of God: but when one of their poor passes away from the world, and any of them see him, then he provides for his burial according to his ability: and if they hear that any of their number is imprisoned or oppressed for the name of their Messiah, all of them provide for his needs, and if it is possible that he may be delivered, they deliver him. And if there is among them a man that is poor and needy, and they have not an abundance of necessaries, they fast two or three days that they may supply the needy with their necessary food.”
Has Jesus made an impact on you?
If Jesus has not made the kind of impact on our lives that causes us to be kind, considerate and caring the year round, He really hasn’t made an impact at all. Open your heart to the hurt of others. Be responsive to their needs. Give yourself. The love and compassion of Christ are as needed in July as they are in December. He cared; so must we!
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Isaiah 09:06-07 Christmas
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(The Celebration of Christmas)
Text: Isaiah 9:6-7
Introduction
1. “Christmas” is an annual holiday celebrated by many
a. Millions commemorate the birth of Jesus on this day
b. Many consider it as one of “the most holy” of religious holidays
c. For some, it marks one of the few times they attend church services
2. But were you aware that…?
a. Christians in the NT did not celebrate the birth of Jesus as an annual observance?
b. Most Protestant churches did not begin celebrating Christmas until the 19th century?
c. Most churches of Christ still do not have annual observances of Christ’s birth
3. This may prompt questions in the minds of some
a. How did the yearly observance of Jesus’ birth get started?
b. Should the Lord’s church involve herself in such a holiday?
c. How about observing certain elements of it as individuals?
Body
I. THE BIRTH OF JESUS
A. IN THE BIBLE
1. “The New Testament provides no clues in this regard.” – Encyclopedia Britannica
2. The NT simply states that it happened in the days of Caesar Augustus and while Quirinius was governing Syria – Luke 2:1-2
3. Most scholars place the year of Jesus’ birth between 4 – 6 B.C.
4. The actual year is uncertain, let alone the month and day
B. IN HISTORY
1. Sextus Julius Africanus popularized the idea that Jesus was born on December 25 in his Chronographiai, a reference book written in 221 AD. – Wikipedia, “Christmas”
a. Based on the assumption that Jesus died on March 25
b. Based on a Jewish belief that prophets died on the same date as their conception
c. Thus if Jesus was conceived on March 25, then He was born nine months later assuming a gestation period lasting exactly nine months
2. However, Orthodox churches celebrate the birth of Jesus on January 6th or 7th
3. The fact is that no really knows what day, month, or year Jesus was born
4. If we don’t know exactly when Jesus was born, then how did the annual celebrations of His birth begin?
II. THE CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS
A. IN THE BIBLE
1. There is no reference to Christians celebrating the birth of Jesus as an annual observance
2. The only event of Jesus’ life that was celebrated regularly was His death, done weekly in the observance of the Lord’s Supper – Acts 20:7
3. Paul expressed concern about observing days, months, and years – Galatians 4:9-10
4. The Bible does not support the idea of an annual celebration of the birth of Jesus
B. IN HISTORY
1. The identification of the birth date of Jesus did not at first inspire feasting or celebration – Wikipedia, “Christmas”
a. Tertullian does not mention it as a major feast day
b. In 245 A.D, Origen denounced the idea of celebrating Jesus’ birthday
c. The earliest reference to Christmas is in a calendar in 354 A.D.
d. Soon after it was introduced to Constantinople (379), Antioch (380), Alexandria (430)
2. Among Protestant churches, especially in the US – ibid.
a. During the Reformation, Protestants condemned Christmas as”trappings of popery” (Christmas literally means “the Mass of Christ”, or “mass on Christ’s day”)
b. England’s Puritan rulers banned it in 1647, it was reinstated in 1660
c. Puritans of New England disapproved of Christmas, it was outlawed from 1659 to 1681
d. Christmas fell out of favor in the US after the American Revolution, as it was considered an English custom
e. Interest in Christmas in America was revived through novels by Washington Irvin and by immigrants from Europe bringing their customs
f. Christmas was declared a U.S. federal holiday in 1870
g. The annual observance of the birth of Christ has been adopted only after great controversy among both Catholic and Protestant churches
3. So we don’t know when Jesus was born, and we do know that an annual observance of His birth did not begin for hundreds of years after the church began, what about today…?
III. SHOULD CHRISTMAS BE A WORK OF THE CHURCH?
A. PAUL GAVE WARNINGS REGARDING FEAST DAYS
1. He expressed his concern for the churches in Galatia – Galatians 4: 8-11
a. Not that their practice was wrong per se, only but he was concerned
b. From the context, his concern pertained to “why” they were doing these things
1) If they believed it was necessary to be saved, then Paul’s labor among them was in danger of being in vain
2) For seeking justification through the Law, religious feast days, etc., causes one to fall from grace and become estranged from Christ! – cf. Galatians 5:4
2. Paul admonished the Colossians not to let anyone “judge” them – Colossians 2:16-17
a. Some were seeking to bind the Law upon the Gentile believers – Acts 15:1,5
b. Gentile Christians were told not to let any one judge (condemn) them, for salvation is in Christ, not in the keeping of the religious feast days of the Law
3. Yet Paul himself was not averse to observing certain feast days apart from the church
a. He did not hesitate to keep Jewish customs when expedient 1 Corinthians 9:19-20
1) He had Timothy circumcised – Acts 16:1-3
2) He took a vow – Acts 18:18
3) He sought to keep a Jewish feast in Jerusalem – Acts 18:19-21
4) He participated in purification ceremonies, which included animal sacrifices – Acts 21:17-26; cf. Numbers 6:13-20
b. However, his teaching made clear:
1) It should be kept on an individual basis – cf. Romans 14:5-6
2) It should not be bound on others – cf. Galatians 2:3-5
3) It had nothing to do with our justification in Christ – Galatians 5:4-6
4. Where Paul drew the line was in making such matters church doctrine or practice, in which people would be compelled to participate in them
B. JESUS WARNED OF THE DANGER OF HUMAN TRADITIONS
1. He rebuked the scribes Pharisees for their use of traditions – Mark 7:1-13
a. They made their traditions necessary for all to observe – Mark 7:7
b. In keeping their traditions, they laid aside the commands of God – Mark 7:8-9
2. Traditions of men are wrong when they:
a. Become matters of doctrine or required practice, bound upon all
b. Displace the commands of God by the very keeping of the traditions
3. Feast days are therefore like traditions; in certain situations they can be matters of expediency, but they can become a stumbling block to others!
C. MAKING APPLICATION IN REGARDS TO CHRISTMAS
1. The Bible is silent regarding any observance of Christ’s birth
a. God and Jesus evidently did not deem it necessary for the church
b. Any observance is based upon human tradition, not God’s Word
2. As a human tradition, we must be very careful – cf. Mark 7:7-9
a. It cannot become a matter of doctrine, which is bound upon others
b. It cannot displace the keeping of God’s commandments (do those who come only on Easter believe that it renders the command in Hebrews 10:25 of none effect?)
3. An annual observance by the church is certainly unwise, if not wrong
a. It intertwines human traditions with God’s commands for His church
b. It forces people to observe what is a human tradition
4. On an individual basis, if one wishes to esteem one day above another:
a. It is between him and the Lord – Romans 14:5-6
b. Be careful not to condemn those who differ – Romans 14:4, 10-12
c. Be sensitive to the convictions of others – Romans 14:13-19
5. As for pagan elements that have become intertwined with the Christmas holiday
a. Perhaps this is best left on an individual basis
b. My own understanding is that we are free in Christ to change what may have been a religious practice at one time for personal use as expediency
1) E.g., using circumcision for hygienic purposes
2) E.g., exchanging gifts among friends and family
Conclusion
1. My view of Christmas is similar to how I view Thanksgiving
a. I know the idea of an annual observance is foreign to the Scriptures
b. As Christians we should give thanks and celebrate Christ’s birth year around
2. But seeking to “continue steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine” (Acts 2:42)
a. The Lord’s church should refrain from adding human traditions to its work and worship
b. Even so, I am grateful that at least once a year people think about Jesus’ birth
3. My prayer is that people will do more than think about His birth once a year
a. That we be thankful for His coming to this earth every day
b. That we will submit to His rule and be citizens of His kingdom foretold long ago:
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. – Isaiah 9:6-7
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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