Christmas Thoughts

The message was brought by Rev. Eddie Foster on Dec 8, 2024.

Romans 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

I’ve heard lots of comments about Christmas and things that go with it over the years, so I’m going to speak on them today.  First, should we celebrate Christ’s birth on December 25 when we really don’t know when he was born?  If I was choosing a date, it would probably be late spring into fall. I doubt shepherds would have been out in the field at night in the winter. But we don’t know. Historically we have moved many birthdays to Monday or Friday to give workers a long weekend.  We’ve done it for Martin Luther King and President’s Day in February. Doing so does not change the fact that they were born. The most important thing is not the date but that we remember them. It’s the same with the birth of Jesus. The main thing isn’t gifts or parties. It’s about God’s Son coming to earth.

Second, is it all right to give gifts. I’d like to remind us all that giving is better than receiving. There is a blessing in giving. In the book of Esther 9:22 we see the Jews were giving gifts in celebration of what had happened to them.  As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. In Nehemiah 8:10 They did it. We just sent shoeboxes to kids who won’t get anything. I don’t think there is anything wrong with giving gifts.

Thirdly, some people think it’s wrong to have a Christmas tree. They base it on Jeremiah 10:1-4. If that’s all you read you may think that’s what it is talking about. Reading the whole passage you see it’s not talking about Christmas trees. The heathen were cutting down trees and decorating them and then worshipping that tree.  It was an idol. We don’t worship Christmas trees.  In verse 5 we read this: 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. The trees could do nothing. Someone had to carry them because they can’t walk. They can do no evil or good. They can’t do a thing. It was only an idol–a god to them who could do nothing. That’s what idols are. The Christmas tree has distinctive Christian origins. As people trusted Christ they used the evergreen tree as decoration during the Christmas feast to symbolize that Jesus Christ has always been and always will be. He is risen and alive forevermore. Let your tree remind you that Jesus lives!

Fourthly, is it wrong to talk about Santa?  Yes and no. If we teach children there really is a Santa Claus, is it wrong? It’s a lie to believe that someone can do all society teaches that he can do and never mention Jesus, we are not being truthful.  But in fact there was a man named Nicholas who was instilled with a life of faith. He was even imprisoned for it, but there are numerous stories of his giving to the poor. It’s said he donned a disguise so he could freely give. There are more churches named Nicholas after a generous, unselfish man named St. Nicholas. He is the real Santa.

Fifthly, is XMAS instead of Christmas wrong? Those who say so don’t want “Christ” taken out of Christ-mas. They say using “X” does so.  Original languages used X to stand for Christ. The intent was Christmas. But for us, it is best to use the word spelled out:  Christmas.  Always remember there is no Christmas without Christ.

Sixthly, should we celebrate it because it was first observed by Catholics as Christ mass.  It used to also be a pagan celebration. Because of these things, should we not observe it? You can make bad out of anything.  It is not wrong to set aside a day to celebrate the birth of our Lord. These are some answers for us. You can make evil or good of anything.

I thank God for Christmas, but let’s always remember to keep Jesus first in how we celebrate.