"So would it be fair to say that we shouldn't have Christmas trees because they're basically asherah poles?" a Christian friend recently asked me.
I think the jury is out on that one, along with the status of hot cross buns that feature in our next "religious" season.
So while I don't desire to delve into the possible origins of such things at this time, it does beg the question of what the godly attitude should be towards the observance of Christma
s and other festivals celebrated by the world and church alike.
Let me begin by saying that I believe that we should definitely celebrate the birth of Christ, or as I was reminded recently by another blog, the very incarnation of God into human form. We need ample opportunity to tell the Biblical narrative surrounding the virgin birth to our children and others, while reaffirming the truth of the doctrines of the Incarnation (God becoming Man), the Divinity of Christ (Jesus being God), the virgin birth of Lord Jesus & the world's need for the Messiah, in an era that is more hostile than ever towards these truths.
The issue with Christmas and other "holy" days is simply the extent to which the world's dictates are heeded by Christian believers. For instance, we celebrate Christmas by exchanging gifts, singing carols and spending time with family...and so does everyone else. At the Passover season that commemorates the crucifixion, death & resurrection of Christ, we may similarly be drawn into mythic tales of rabbits, chocolate gifts and even using the definitely pagan name for the season that the world does. Outside of certain parts of Europe, the Ascencion goes uncelebrated in the nations of the world and the nation of the church, while Pentecost may receive a passing mention in certain denominational circles without any fanfare at all.
This post is not designed to rebuke people for not celebrated the Ascencion of Christ and the baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, since you and I are free to observe as few or as many days as holy to the Lord as we wish to an extent. The question is, given that we mostly celebrate the same things the world does in often similar ways, are we rendering service to our God or to them?
If we feast or fast to observe the birth of the Saviour and the Incarnation of God, we need not be bound by the demands of acquiring copious gifts out of obligation rather than joy (see how much many in the world resent Christmas because they have to chase "hard to get" presents), decorative traditions or even the date declared sacred by men: Dec 25. We are free to observe these things if it is with the right attitude towards God and to be at peace with our family, but we ought not to be chained to them.
But whether you celebrate Christmas, the Resurrection or any other "holy" day, make sure the eusebeian attitude is working and don't ignorantly follow the worlds traditions or be conformed to its patterns.
I think the jury is out on that one, along with the status of hot cross buns that feature in our next "religious" season.
So while I don't desire to delve into the possible origins of such things at this time, it does beg the question of what the godly attitude should be towards the observance of Christma
s and other festivals celebrated by the world and church alike.Let me begin by saying that I believe that we should definitely celebrate the birth of Christ, or as I was reminded recently by another blog, the very incarnation of God into human form. We need ample opportunity to tell the Biblical narrative surrounding the virgin birth to our children and others, while reaffirming the truth of the doctrines of the Incarnation (God becoming Man), the Divinity of Christ (Jesus being God), the virgin birth of Lord Jesus & the world's need for the Messiah, in an era that is more hostile than ever towards these truths.
The issue with Christmas and other "holy" days is simply the extent to which the world's dictates are heeded by Christian believers. For instance, we celebrate Christmas by exchanging gifts, singing carols and spending time with family...and so does everyone else. At the Passover season that commemorates the crucifixion, death & resurrection of Christ, we may similarly be drawn into mythic tales of rabbits, chocolate gifts and even using the definitely pagan name for the season that the world does. Outside of certain parts of Europe, the Ascencion goes uncelebrated in the nations of the world and the nation of the church, while Pentecost may receive a passing mention in certain denominational circles without any fanfare at all.
This post is not designed to rebuke people for not celebrated the Ascencion of Christ and the baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, since you and I are free to observe as few or as many days as holy to the Lord as we wish to an extent. The question is, given that we mostly celebrate the same things the world does in often similar ways, are we rendering service to our God or to them?
If we feast or fast to observe the birth of the Saviour and the Incarnation of God, we need not be bound by the demands of acquiring copious gifts out of obligation rather than joy (see how much many in the world resent Christmas because they have to chase "hard to get" presents), decorative traditions or even the date declared sacred by men: Dec 25. We are free to observe these things if it is with the right attitude towards God and to be at peace with our family, but we ought not to be chained to them.
But whether you celebrate Christmas, the Resurrection or any other "holy" day, make sure the eusebeian attitude is working and don't ignorantly follow the worlds traditions or be conformed to its patterns.
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