Im sure youve seen postings on some threads in this group about whether or not we in our fellowship should celebrate Christmas. Wes McAdams, a preacher, author and blogger posted something that we might want to kick around on this Christmas Eve on why those kind of arguments are counterproductive: Here are several other reasons our arguing about Christmas is counterproductive: 1. We become hypocritical. I’ve always found it interesting that some people avoid using the word, “Christmas” because it indicates a celebration of Christ’s birthday and the Catholic “Mass” from which the celebration originated. Alternatively, they insist on using the word “holiday.” But it shouldn’t be hard to see the irony in that. The etymology of the word “holiday” is “holy day,” meaning a day set apart by God or for God. Furthermore, some point out the pagan traditions that have been incorporated into the traditional Christmas celebration (i.e. trees, gifts, ornaments, etc.). They insist that these celebrations are wrong because they have pagan origins. However, these same folks are usually not consistent with all of the other things in our culture that have pagan origins. For example, “Thursday” means “Thor’s Day,” an obvious reference to the mythological god, Thor. But I don’t know anyone who claims it is wrong to use the word, “Thursday.” Biblically, consider the meat that first-century Christians bought in the marketplace. It might have been sacrificed to an idol at one time, but it had lost that significance when it was put on the table of a Christian home. Paul taught that Christians were not honoring an idol by simply eating meat that had once been sacrificed to an idol (1 Corinthians 10:23-30). The meat had lost the pagan significance. I am no more worshiping a pagan idol by having a Christmas tree in my home than I am honoring Thor by calling the fifth day of the week, “Thursday.” 2. We stir up unnecessary strife. The New Testament has nothing positive to say about these kinds of arguments. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers” (2 Timothy 2:14). Over the years, I have heard many heated debates about this issue and I’ve never seen anything good come of it. That’s not to say we shouldn’t teach people the truth. We should. But unless we can teach people the truth with gentleness, patience, kindness, forbearance, and love, then we don’t have the Spirit of God in us (Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 4:1-3) and it is us who needs to be taught. 3. We de-emphasize Jesus. Growing up, it was ok to talk about Jesus any day of the year. But for some reason, I felt very odd talking about Jesus on Christmas. That was a Jesus-free day. In my effort to show people I was not denominational, I dismissed my Lord. How very sad. While some groups are having extra worship services, others cancel their regular worship services and Bible studies. While some people are talking about Jesus more, others are talking about Jesus less. In an effort to avoid being seen as celebrating “Christmas,” we sometimes fail to celebrate Christ. Jesus is the reason for the season. Jesus is the reason for every season. Jesus is the reason for everything. I regret that I ever de-emphasized Christ. I should have been rejoicing that many people were thinking about the King of kings. Instead, I was so preoccupied with being anti-denominational that I forgot to be Christian. Truth in Love There is nothing wrong with discussing the true story of Jesus’ birth, but there is something wrong with fighting and arguing about it. Let’s talk about Jesus more, not less. And let’s be more loving, more kind, and more patient.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 23:49:51 +0000