The question of whether Christians should celebrate Christmas has long been a topic of debate. While Christmas is widely recognized as a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, some Christians question the observance of this holiday, feeling it may not align with Biblical teachings. This article explores 27 scriptures that some Christians use to argue against celebrating Christmas. The focus will be on understanding the context of these scriptures, and why they might raise concerns regarding the celebration of this holiday.
The Historical and Religious Context of Christmas
Christmas as we know it today evolved over centuries, blending pagan customs, secular traditions, and Christian symbolism. The Bible does not mention the specific day of Jesus’ birth, nor does it command believers to celebrate it. The origins of Christmas celebrations are linked to ancient winter festivals, which were later incorporated into Christian observance. Some Christians, therefore, feel that the modern-day Christmas, with its commercial and pagan associations, is inconsistent with Biblical principles.
This article will present 27 scriptures that are often cited by those who believe that the Bible does not endorse the celebration of Christmas, or that certain aspects of the holiday should be reconsidered. These verses emphasize themes like idolatry, traditions of men, and the importance of focusing on Christ rather than external celebrations.
1. Jeremiah 10:2-4 (KJV)
“Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way 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 axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.”
This passage is often referenced by Christians who argue against the practice of decorating Christmas trees, as it describes a pagan ritual that mirrors the modern-day custom of bringing a tree into one’s home and adorning it.
2. Exodus 23:13 (KJV)
“And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.”
This scripture warns against the influence of other religious traditions, which some believe Christmas, with its secular and pagan roots, might represent.
3. Colossians 2:8 (KJV)
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
This verse encourages Christians to be wary of traditions that are not grounded in Christ, which can include holiday customs that have little to do with Biblical teachings.
4. Matthew 15:9 (KJV)
“But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
This scripture speaks to the danger of placing human traditions above the commandments of God, a concern often raised regarding the commercialization and secularization of Christmas.
5. Romans 14:5 (KJV)
“One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”
This verse highlights that Christians are free to make their own decisions about holidays, but it can also be seen as a reminder to avoid elevating any day above others, which some believe Christmas tends to do.
6. 1 John 5:21 (KJV)
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”
The modern celebration of Christmas often involves idolizing certain aspects of the holiday, such as material gifts, Santa Claus, and secular traditions, which could be seen as a form of idolatry.
7. Deuteronomy 12:30-32 (KJV)
“Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God: for every abomination to the Lord, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.”
This passage warns against adopting the practices of other nations or religions, suggesting that some of Christmas’ non-Christian elements could be spiritually harmful.
8. Mark 7:7 (KJV)
“Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
Again, this scripture points to the idea that when worship is based on human tradition rather than God’s word, it becomes vain or empty. Some argue that Christmas traditions do not have a Biblical foundation and are rooted in man-made customs.
9. Galatians 4:10-11 (KJV)
“Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.”
This passage addresses the issue of elevating certain days or times above others, which some Christians view as a caution against celebrating Christmas as a sacred event.
10. Hosea 2:11 (KJV)
“I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts.”
God, in this scripture, speaks of ceasing festivals and celebrations that are not in line with His will. This can be interpreted as a warning against the worldly nature of certain celebrations, including Christmas.
11. Isaiah 55:2 (KJV)
“Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not?”
Some critics of Christmas argue that the financial burden associated with the holiday, including the buying of gifts and excessive spending, contradicts the Biblical teaching to avoid materialism.
12. Amos 5:21-23 (KJV)
“I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.”
God condemns feasts and rituals that are done in vain or for the wrong reasons. Some use this verse to argue that Christmas, with its focus on celebration over reverence, may not be pleasing to God.
13. 2 Corinthians 6:17 (KJV)
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”
This verse encourages Christians to separate themselves from practices that are considered “unclean,” which some associate with secular or non-Christian elements of Christmas.
14. John 4:24 (KJV)
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
This verse emphasizes that true worship of God is in spirit and truth, rather than through external celebrations or rituals, which may be the focus of the Christmas holiday.
15. Leviticus 18:3 (KJV)
“After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances.”
This verse cautions against adopting the customs of other nations, which some see as a parallel to the adoption of secular or pagan traditions in Christmas.
16. Ezekiel 8:14-16 (KJV)
“Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the Lord’s house which was toward the north; and behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz. Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these. And he brought me into the inner court of the Lord’s house, and behold at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the Lord, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.”
This passage condemns the worship of false gods and rituals associated with paganism. The “weeping for Tammuz” can be likened to the worship practices that predate Christmas, including the winter solstice celebrations.
17. Revelation 18:4 (KJV)
“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”
This scripture calls Christians to separate themselves from worldly systems, which can be seen as a call to avoid unbiblical customs like Christmas.
18. Titus 1:14 (KJV)
“Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.”
This verse speaks against following man-made traditions that deviate from the truth, including those that might be linked to Christmas.
19. 1 Peter 1:18 (KJV)
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers.”
Christians are reminded not to place value on earthly traditions like those associated with Christmas, but instead to focus on Christ’s sacrifice.
20. 1 Corinthians 10:20-21 (KJV)
“But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.”
This passage warns against associating with idolatry, which some believe is present in certain Christmas customs.
21. Isaiah 2:6 (KJV)
“Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers.”
This scripture points to the dangers of adopting practices from outside God’s people, which can be seen as a warning about embracing non-Christian aspects of Christmas.
22. Psalm 81:9 (KJV)
“There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.”
Christians are called to avoid worshipping false gods, which could include the celebration of holidays with pagan origins.
23. Micah 5:13 (KJV)
“Thy graven images also will I cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee; and thou shalt no more worship the work of thine hands.”
This verse speaks to the rejection of idol worship, which some associate with Christmas practices.
24. Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV)
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
This scripture emphasizes that outward actions or celebrations are not enough; true worship comes from following God’s will, not worldly traditions.
25. Luke 4:8 (KJV)
“And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
This verse reinforces that worship is for God alone, suggesting that holiday celebrations should not overshadow devotion to Christ.
26. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (KJV)
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
This verse encourages Christians to carefully evaluate all traditions and practices, which may lead some to question the appropriateness of celebrating Christmas.
27. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (KJV)
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God.”
This passage stresses the need to avoid association with practices that are incompatible with the teachings of Christ, which can apply to the non-Christian origins of Christmas traditions.
Conclusion
While the Bible does not directly address Christmas celebrations, these scriptures present a case for questioning whether certain aspects of the holiday are consistent with Biblical teachings. For those who choose not to celebrate Christmas, these verses serve as a reminder to focus on worshipping God in spirit and truth, avoiding idolatry, and discerning which traditions align with Scripture. The decision whether to celebrate Christmas is ultimately a personal one, and it is important for Christians to reflect on these teachings and make choices that are in line with their faith and understanding of God’s will.
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