One person decides that one day is holier than another. Another person decides that all days are the same. Every person must make his own decision. When people observe a special day, they observe it to honor the Lord. When people eat all kinds of foods, they honor the Lord as they eat, since they give thanks to God. Vegetarians also honor the Lord when they eat, and they, too, give thanks to God. It’s clear that we don’t live to honor ourselves, and we don’t die to honor ourselves. If we live, we honor the Lord, and if we die, we honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
Romans 14:5-8 GW
Do you observe holy days? Or do you celebrate holidays? Or does every day belong to the Lord?
People have been celebrating Christmas since at least 336 AD after Emperor Constantine made Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire. Pope Julius made December 25th the official date in 529 AD.
Christmas, in its current form, is an amalgamation of various pagan and secular traditions from different countries thrown on top of a rememberance that Jesus was born, although more likely in September according to the Gregorian calendar. Of course the Jews use the Hebrew calendar and celebrate Hanukkah, and Jesus was an observant Jew.
So if you’re following Jesus, what should you do? Does tradition hold the same weight as Scripture? There are some folks that hold to that train of thought. I would say that’s the product of religious thinking instead of faith.
Ultimately, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or your birthday, that’s between you and God. There’s no Biblical mandate that believers need to observe any special days or eat certain foods, nor does it forbid it. We are under grace not the Law. As long as you’re giving thanks to God and acting in faith, you’re okay.
The apostle Paul clearly addresses this issue in his letter to the Romans. There’s a difference between description and prescription. The historical accounts in the Bible describe what happened. The commandments of Christ prescribe what we are to do as New Covenant believers. We get in trouble when we confuse the two.
Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, or communion, also known as eucharist, as a sign of rememberance to be observed whenever we gather. I read nowhere in Scripture where He says, “Remember My birthday and cut down a tree and put it in your house.”
That just isn’t in the Bible. I looked. I read the whole thing. Not one mention of it. I’m not trying to take your Christmas away, I’m just trying to open your eyes and maybe wake you up a little bit from your slumber. Satan has hypnotized the world and they know not what they do. If you’re not conscious of your decisions, who’s in control?
Jesus wants us to remember His sacrifice. It’s important that He did come as a man and fulfill all the Messianic prophecies. That’s why we should daily put on the metaphorical helmet of salvation and guard our minds from doubt and unbelief. Stand strong in the faith. Remember what the Lord has done for us.
Did you know that the Puritans banned Christmas but eventually conceded because it was too popular to stop? The same thing happened with alcohol during Prohibition. America has a rich history of extremism in government. What we’re seeing now is nothing new. It’s a failure to recognize human nature.
People are gonna do what they want. Trying to control other people is a waste of time. Walk your walk, talk your talk and encourage people to walk with the Lord. If they don’t want to, you can’t make them. Remember the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition? Using force isn’t the Way of Jesus.
Institutions want to control people to protect the institution and those who profit from running them. Jesus sets the captives free. We are no longer bound by religion. Love is what guides us, not rules and regulations.
All that to say, here in America, many believers, pagans and atheists alike observe Christmas. The government even recognizes it. Whatever happened to the separation of church and state? Only when it’s convenient for them I guess.
I hope I didn’t spoil the holiday for you, but it’s good to know the history of why we do what we do. Don’t blindly follow the herd. Educate yourself. Make your own decisions. It’s between you and God. You answer to Jesus alone on judgment day. Try not to make anyone else stumble because of your liberty. That would be a sin to honor yourself over others.
I have come to the conclusion that all days are the same. They all belong to the Lord and we belong to the Lord. Therefore, every day we should put the Lord first in all things. Whatever you decide to do today, do it unto the Lord. And spread love, joy and peace, today and everyday.
So let’s pursue those things which bring peace and which are good for each other. Don’t ruin God’s work because of what you eat. All food is acceptable, but it’s wrong for a person to eat something if it causes someone else to have doubts. The right thing to do is to avoid eating meat, drinking wine, or doing anything else that causes another Christian to have doubts. So whatever you believe about these things, keep it between yourself and God. The person who does what he knows is right shouldn’t feel guilty. He is blessed. But if a person has doubts and still eats, he is condemned because he didn’t act in faith. Anything that is not done in faith is sin.
Romans 14:19-23 GW
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