Should Christians celebrate Christmas?
By carradee
@carradee (91)
United States
December 4, 2006 11:27am CST
Should Christians celebrate Christmas?
My family stopped celebrating it some years ago. Sure, you can say that it's all about Christ's birth, but for how many people is that actually the focus? Most people find it a time of commercialism, of Santa Claws and reindeer, of gift getting more than giving.
Looking pretty and putting on a good show for the neighbors also contributes to the selfish tone of the holiday.
We're not ordered in the Bible to celebrate Christmas. (Anyone who can correct me on this, please post a Scripture reference.) The early Christians only started celebrating it because its date was the most drunken Roman holiday—no one would notice the Christians missing.
So little of Christmas is about Christ's birth, and even in the midst of it remembering Christ's birth is a struggle, so why give the temptation place to sprout? Why celebrate it?
Should Christians even celebrate it?
1 person likes this
8 responses
@BunGirl (2638)
• United States
7 Dec 06
I agree that the Bible doesn't specifically tell us to celebrate Christmas, but it doesn't tell us not to either. I celebrate Christmas as the true meaning of the holiday. I give gifts to my family as a way of remembering the gift God gave to mankind in a stable in Bethlehem all those years ago. I decorate my house, but not with Santas. Most of all I try my best to remind other folks that the reason we celebrate is not a jolly fat man in a red suit, but a sweet baby boy in a manger and the freedom he would bring to us later on the cross.
So, do I think Christians MUST celebrate Christmas? no. Do I think they should? Only if they remember what they are really celebrating.
1 person likes this
@dnatureofdtrain (5273)
• Janesville, Wisconsin
6 Dec 06
If Christians want to, sure...
If you and your family are alright not celebrating Christmas there is no law saying you have too... Nothing is wrong with that.
Commercialism stinks, but they do that around every big holiday, and every big event, and anything that is popular...
No, one knows for sure when Christ's birth was, but there was Saturn's day a big G-d that was safe to celebrate during his day, without persecution, so celebration Saturnalia, Yule, or Christmas, is fine.
I personally rather keep the Christmas Spirit with me all year around. Loving, Caring, Sharing, and living each day to is fullest, and best. Not just one day of the year...
So there is nothing wrong with holidays and people who want to celebrate, and anything popular will have its fair share of problems or commercialism... don't let that bother you. Christmas I like because people who are Non Christian and Christian gather together for holiday fun.
- DNatureofDTrain
1 person likes this
@carradee (91)
• United States
6 Dec 06
Thank you very much for that thorough and thoughtful response. ^_^
I didn't remember whose holiday it was, so thank you for that information, and my family agrees about the year-round "Christmas spirit." This year, we're actually going to have some fellow non-celebrators over so we're not sitting alone at home all day.
-'Dee
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@fairly4458 (842)
• United States
4 Dec 06
Anyone can celebrate anything they want...at least in most civilized countries. In the US you can celebrate or not as you wish, that is the beauty of living in the US & why other countires hate us, because they feel they have to control what others do. It is sad.
1 person likes this
@honeybfly83 (1021)
• United States
4 Dec 06
It is up to each person/family if they want to celebrate Christmas. You dont have to celebrate Christmas just like everyone else does. If you are wanting to celebrate and focus on the real reason of Christmas then Start your own traditions and center them around the real meaning of Christmas.
1 person likes this
@carradee (91)
• United States
6 Dec 06
But that fails to address the "should." Sure, the "should" is determined by everyone/family. The problem with independent traditions, though, are their persistence; they, too, face the danger of becoming rote events rather than meaningful actions, as does anything meaningful that we do.
-'Dee
1 person likes this
@carradee (91)
• United States
6 Dec 06
Holidays aren't what make the world exciting—at least not for me. And I beg to differ that "we would have no holidays." I'm not asking about holidays in general but specifically Christmas, here. Other holidays are their own discussions.
-'Dee
1 person likes this
@ifekoya (6)
• United States
7 Dec 06
Many people have commercialized Christmas but what they have forgotten is that Jesus is the reason for Christmas. God have is only begotten son and that was the biggest gift that has ever been given. In return we must give. The biggest gift that people can give is there life to God. But gifts don't only have to be materialistic but can be of your self.
@masterdvrsgirl (62)
• United States
7 Dec 06
It's really not a question if Christians should celebrate its more should You personally celebrate. If you don't feel the need to thats fine.
I know there are tons of people out there that only see the gifts and whats in it for them, but there are tons of people out there that know what its really all about and still do all the gifts too. It is possible to combine the true meaning and the commercialism.
