The Celebration of Christmas

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Is it possible for Christians to honestly celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25th?

Of course it is!

Christmas was never about paganism to my parents, to me or my kids. But many followers of William Branham love to throw a wet blanket on Christmas.

When we raise our children with the emphasis on Christ and family, then traditions set forth by that family are founded on love and wrapped up in fellowship. Many families have adopted traditions created by other families of yesteryear and some families create their own traditions. Grace is knowing we can celebrate family traditions founded on love while not worrying about how others in the past may have had a different focus.

Forgiveness lavished with grace erases the memories of what previous people did on the same days and gives us mercy as we seek to walk forward in Christ with our families.

Many message churches teach that Christmas is a pagan tradition that should be squelched, ignored and certainly not celebrated. But the Bible teaches that no other Christian is allowed to judge another with respect to the celebration of feasts or holy days.

Legalism kills the spiritual benefit of Christmas and destroys the wonderful Christ-honoring family times that occur as we celebrate the incarnation together, partake in special family meals, and commune with one another during the holiday time.

The origins of Christmas

We know what the origins of December 25th are. But we also know what the origins of the days of the week are too (and we still use a calendar).

We don’t worship pagan gods, sit around an Asherah pole (more on that later), or eat raw meat from strangled animals.

There’s no need to attempt to sway people into thinking they are doing something as horrid as that. Yet, even if they were, they would be considered the modern day heathens who Christ died to save. Because of the knowledge of Christ, we can celebrate our traditions with our families and not worry about the condemnation that legalism spreads.

There is no condemnation to those in Christ.

The argument from the Old Testament fails because I am a Christian; therefore, I am not under the law. Galatians 3:19 states, “Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made…” The law was in effect until Christ fulfilled it. Now, we are not under the law, but under grace (Romans 6:14).

Second, even if things like Santa, Rudolph, trees, etc., are wrong (which I’m not claiming they are good or bad, but if they detract from Christ then I’m not in favor of them), it doesn’t follow that every single Christian celebrates Christmas in that way.

We never taught our kids to believe in Santa or any of that other stuff.

So am I not allowed to tell God “Thank You” on December 25th?

The Bible could really not be any clearer on this subject. Christians have the freedom to set aside a day (or multiple days) to celebrate the birth of Christ or for any other reason they may want to praise God.

The Bible and Christmas

Bible verses that support Christmas

There are a number of Bible verses that support scripture. As mentioned above, the whole issue of law versus grace should prevent legalism about Christmas.

Colossians 2:16

So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths...

I don't think that needs any clarification (although it will not dissuade those that really do want to rain on your parade).

Romans 14

Paul discusses Christians who criticize someone for observing religious celebrations:

Receive aone who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things...

Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

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. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks...

But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

In other words, if I want to celebrate the birth of Christ, I have the freedom to do that on any day I want, including December 25th.

You have the freedom not to celebrate Christ’s birth on that day, or any other day. Whichever one you do, let it be according to your own conscience and celebrate (or don’t celebrate) “to the Lord.” If you feel conviction that you should not do it, then God bless you, don’t do it, and serve the Lord, BUT DO NOT JUDGE a fellow believer for celebrating on that day. Remember that Paul asked, “Who are you to judge another’s servant?”

Zechariah 14:20

In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD...

So does this mean that "Jingle Bells" is a scriptural song?

Bible verses used to kill Christmas

Jeremiah 10

Jeremiah 10:3-6 states:

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 axe.

They deck it with silver and with 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 borne, because they cannot go.

Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil,

Neither also is it in them to do good.

Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD;

Thou art great, and thy name is great in might.

Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain...

It is obvious that Jeremiah was not speaking of a Christmas tree as this was over 600 years before the birth of Christ. So what pagan rituals was Jeremiah referring to?

Asherah appears in the OT both as the name of a Canaanite goddess and of her wooden cult-symbol. She functioned as consort of the chief god, El, and mother of the gods. The KJV mistakenly translates the name of Asherah as "grove". Asherim were the wooden poles that were used in the worship of Asherah.

It is quite clear, however, from a number of OT references that the Asherim were manmade objects; verbs used in connection with them include “make” (ʿāśâ, 1 Kgs 14:15; 16:33; 2 Kgs 17:16; 21:3, 7; 2 Chr 33:3), “build” (bānâ, 1 Kgs 14:23), and “erect” (nāṣab, 2 Kgs 17:10), which are inappropriate for living trees.

Jeremiah 17:2 speaks of “their Asherim beside every luxuriant tree,” which would be odd if the Asherim were themselves actual trees. This makes it impossible to suppose that the Asherim were living trees.

Deut 16:21 states that “You shall not plant any tree as an Asherah beside the altar of the Lord your God, which you shall make.” However, the word ʿēṣ can mean “wood” as well as “tree” so it seems that this also refers to something other than a living tree. Since all the other references to the Asherah in the OT (including other references in Deutoronomy) indicate that it is a manmade object, it is more natural to suppose that this is the meaning of ʿēṣ here.

The Asherah cult object does not appear to have been an image of her, since the Asherim are frequently mentioned alongside pĕsı̂lı̂m “graven images” (an expression including images of wood) as distinct objects (see Deut 7:5; 12:3; 2 Chr 33:19; 34:3, 4, 7; Mic 5:12–13—Eng 5:13–14). The most likely view is that the Asherah was a wooden pole symbolizing the goddess Asherah.

Jeremiah 2:26-27 states:

As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets, Saying to a stock (ʿēṣ), Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned †their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.

"Stock" here refers to a dead piece of wood, an Asherah pole.

Isaiah 44:14–19 also deals with this issue in a very similar way:

He cuts down cedars for himself,

And takes the cypress and the oak;

He 1secures it for himself among the trees of the forest.

He plants a pine, and the rain nourishes it.

Then it shall be for a man to burn,

For he will take some of it and warm himself;

Yes, he kindles it and bakes bread;

Indeed he makes a god and worships it;

He makes it a carved image, and falls down to it.

He burns half of it in the fire;

With this half he eats meat;

He roasts a roast, and is satisfied.

He even warms himself and says, “Ah! I am warm,

I have seen the fire.”

And the rest of it he makes into a god,

His carved image.

He falls down before it and worships it,

Prays to it and says,

“Deliver me, for you are my god!”

They do not know nor understand;

For lHe has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see,

And their hearts, so that they cannot munderstand.

And no one nconsiders in his heart,

Nor is there knowledge nor understanding to say,

“I have burned half of it in the fire,

Yes, I have also baked bread on its coals;

I have roasted meat and eaten it;

And shall I make the rest of it an abomination?

Shall I fall down before a block of wood?”

As a result of the above, it is clear that Jeremiah 10 is not referring to a Christmas tree.

William Branham and Christmas

How William Branham celebrated Christmas

From conversations with members of the Branham family, we understand that William Branham had a Christmas tree in his home every year, right up to his death. In fact, they were mildly embarassed with the last Christmas tree that he purchased in Tucson, as it was apparently a small artificial wind-up metallic tree that played a popular Christmas song as it turned on its base.

So based on his actions, one would think that William Branham was in favour of celebrating Christmas.

What William Branham said about Christmas

Unfortunately, like with so many things, William Branham was confused on this issue. While celebrating Christmas with his family and giving presents to the kids, he sometimes railed against it over the pulpit.

And today, that memorial of His birthday, what do they do? They get some tree, cut it down, make a Christmas tree, for the kiddies. But they think... That's all right; I'm not kicking against that. But the thing of it is, they put more on the Christmas tree than they do for Christ.

My, how I can't understand where a rabbit has anything to do with the resurrection (See? No, sir.), or how a Christmas tree has anything to do with the birth of Christ. It's pagan, friends. We've got off the path somewhere. That's right. But now a real born again man or woman realizes, because there's life within you, tells you that that's wrong. Is that right?

And then I want to take this time to express to each and every one of you, how grateful I am to you for your Christmas cards and gifts, and things that was received at our house. I certainly thank you with all my heart. It certainly did us good this morning when... I got a little boy, small enough yet to kind of want a Christmas tree, and we had it in the room. And this morning, go under there, I found several gifts from my church here, and my friends from around different places, that had come in, laying under the tree.

Christmas is no more a worship; it's a celebration: drinking, gambling, carousing, just pagan to the limit. And it's not... And I wanted to... Maybe after Christmas I'll speak again on Christmas (You see?), so that it won't deprive the little... But you can't tell that to little children like that. They see little fellows on Christmas night getting Christmas presents and things like that; they don't understand it. See? They just--they're too little. And we've got to remember them, that they are--that they have things in common. We've got to bring ourself down to remember them little fellows...

And then I want to take this time to express to each and every one of you, how grateful I am to you for your Christmas cards and gifts, and things that was received at our house. I certainly thank you with all my heart. It certainly did us good this morning when... I got a little boy, small enough yet to kind of want a Christmas tree, and we had it in the room. And this morning, go under there, I found several gifts from my church here, and my friends from around different places, that had come in, laying under the tree. And I don't have words to express to you what I, how I appreciate every one of them. And may the God of heaven bless you richly is my prayer. And now...

God bless each one of you. I want to say again for the nice Christmas presents that each one give me. The church give me a new suit, oh, how I appreciate it. And I got two new suits for Christmas. My brother, the little church down in Macon, Georgia, down there, Brother Palmer, sent me a new suit. And the Tabernacle give me a new suit, and there's so many nice things give in, and--and Christmas gifts in the line of money. Which, the division of income tax tells me that if it's a Christmas present and wrote "Christmas present" or a "Birthday present," anything, you can accept it; otherwise that I have to... It--it goes into the work, which is all right. And I sure thank each and every one of you, wife and I, and the children, and all of us express our gratitude to each, every one of you, so nice. We wish we could go back and give each one of you a present back, but you just can't do that, you know, you just... My, I--I couldn't do that. I wish I could, but I--I just couldn't.

Why, they started buying Christmas present months ago, and what is it but a heathen trait. There's nothing about it godly. Oh, they try to say, "Give gifts, to the wise men." That's just a--a oasis for a devil's excuse. You want to give something, it's your life to Christ. Don't give to one another; give it to Him. That's what He died for. That's His purpose of coming. See?

But I think the church has got a little present here for the little kiddies after while. I was just looking it over back there. Oh, you'll want to stay after Sunday school; just hold on (See?), 'cause I think they've got some presents back there for the little fellows, to give out this morning. And well, now, you little fellows remember, while we're doing this... I want to make this clear. It's not Santa Claus, 'cause that's a story that someday you'll learn that's nothing to it. But it's from Jesus Christ, the Truth of all Truth this is, the Son of God. And we're giving you this little present this morning because it's letting you know that one time God gave the greatest present could ever be give to the human race: His Son. And we have a poor way of expressing it. And there's nothing we can give to compare with that, but just as mortals, one to another, we do that.

And the people has turned into buying whiskey, and--and gambling, and fashions. And a--a man that... a merchant that can sell his goods through Christmas time can live the rest of the year, almost. See? It's such a great holiday, commercial. And poor little kids on the street; their parents are not able to--to visit them with a--a present, like from Santa Claus, and they walk down the street, and their little dirty hands and their little red eyes. I--I just hate to see it come along. It ought to be a solemn day of worship to God, instead of a heartache and a headache and the things that's done. There's nothing to Christ about that. But we're right in the midst of all this now.

And now, you say, "Well, the rest of them's all Santa Claus and going on like they do; why, we just might as well do it." No, sir! No, this is not a pagan celebration to us, this is a sacred hour. If there had been no Christmas, there would been no resurrection. If there been no Christmas: there'd been no love, there'd been no peace, there'd been no hereafter for the believer; if there'd been no Christmas.

External References

• The Homespun Life - How Legalism Almost Killed Our Christmas
• Christmas Misconceptions: Legalism or Liberty?

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