Can Christians Celebrate Christmas?

The whole world is preparing for a holiday season, with winter approaching for the northern hemisphere and summer for the southern.

However we need to be aware that the celebration season has one more reason. They call it Christmas and celebrate the birth of the LORD Jesus.

Many Christians still follow December 25th as the birthday of Jesus. Least known that this day was the shortest day in Winter and termed as Winter solstice in pagan religion.

Now comes a question, so when was Christ Jesus born?

Bible clearly indicates 2 facts as to why Christ Jesus birth was not in winter, i.e., December 25th.

1. A census was ordered which will mean the people have to travel to their hometowns. This would not have been possible during winters.

2. Shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks. During winter it is too cold in Judea with rains. Shepherds would keep their flocks inside covered pen.

These 2 facts defeats the idea of Christmas being celebrated during winters.

For long historians have scrambled to get to the actual date of birth of Jesus. Some say it's March, some September and some Early November.

Let us leave this debate to the historians and remember to celebrate Jesus everyday in our lives. He is the reason for our salvation and our eternal life. Let us also remember what Paul said about keeping special days.

Romans 14 5-6 (NIV)

One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

Galatians 4:8-11

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces ? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.

Colossians 2:16
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days

Woah.... three different references to confuse the Christians.

This is the problem with us. We don't see how and why Paul wrote to the Churches. Rather than taking them contextual, we tend to take literal meanings.

In Romans the context being, the church and the society were judgmental. They should be taught not to judge but to give thanks to LORD in everything.

In Galatians, the church was following a Pagan festival, just like many Christians celebrate winter solstice. He had to rebuke them.

In Colossians The society was judgmental on the church for not observing the festival. (Some translations say not respecting)

In all these, we Christians must be aware that we can not be blind to the fact that the Christmas is observed as a festival and step out to abstain. Rather we should utilise the occasion to evangelism and spreading of Gospel. Rather than spending tons of cash in feasts and decorations, invest in evangelicals and feed the poor.

In all these acts, remember it is our first endeavour to keep the Holy Spirit, who lives in us, happy.

May the Spirit of Lord lead you further.