Name: Karen
Question: Are all the traditional holidays celebrated in the U.S. considered pagan? Is it wrong to celebrate thanksgiving and/or Christmas?
Answer: Karen, thank you for the question.
There is nothing wrong with celebrating non-religious holidays. I think we all enjoy those extra days off work, and who can argue with a properly cooked turkey?
All right, let’s talk about Christmas.
The Conception Of Jesus
Contrary to popular belief, Jesus was not born on December 25th. Rather, He was conceived on that day, which fulfilled Isaiah 7:14.
However, do not lose sight of the fact, that on December 25th, Jesus came to live with mankind on earth. At that moment, Jesus was in Mary’s womb.
The actual birth of Jesus took place on September 29th. You can learn more about the truth birthdate of Jesus by studying the “course of Abia” and reading some of these links.
- Related: Is December 25th Jesus’ Birthday?
Put Christ In Christmas
Since Jesus was not born on December 25th, some Christians tend to chalk Christmas up to a pagan holiday, due to “santa claus,” “tree decorating,” and “gift-giving.” Hey, it’s certainly true, Christmas has become materialistic and commercialized, all when the day was supposed to be about Jesus.
I mean, what happened to the Christ in Christmas?
Ohh, and don’t even get me started on “Xmas.”
People have X’d Jesus out of His own day!
At the same time, do not let everyone spoil the special day for you! It is the one time of year when people actually think about Jesus. You can still celebrate, just do it your own way, without the trees and exorbitant gift-giving.
Speaking of trees, did God ever say to put up a tree to honor His Son?
Of course not, and that is where we separate ourselves, by how we celebrate Christmas.
The Customs Of The People Are Vain
Please turn your Bible with me to,
Jeremiah 10:1
Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel.
Anytime we see “LORD” in all upper case, it is specifically referencing our Father’s name, Jehovah (YHVH). Read closely, God is going to tell us something very important.
Jeremiah 10:2
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.
God is specifically telling us not to imitate or perform heathen practices.
Unfortunately, this is how easter crept into Christianity. Long ago, in an attempt to increase the size of the congregation, church leaders accepted heathens along with their “ways” into the church.
The idea was to convert them, but who exactly was converted?
Let’s continue in Jeremiah, to see what God wants us to understand.
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Jeremiah 10:3
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.
What do the heathen do?
They go into the forest and cut down a tree…
Then what…
Jeremiah 10:4
They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
Folks, that is what we call “Christmas tree” decorating.
The people cut down a tree, and then they fasten it, so it stands up straight and does not move. Then they decorate the tree with silver and gold, that is the traditional way. This is a heathen practice that was brought into the church and became acceptable to Christians.
There is just one problem…
God said, “Learn not the way of the heathen.”
Hey, nowhere in the Bible did God say to cut down a tree to remember Jesus.
So where did this tradition originate then?
I think we just found out.
We have more to discuss.
The People Worship Jesus Vain
Listen to the words of Jesus Christ.
Mark 7:7
Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Jesus called it, we do it, and God warned us against it.
In vain we worship our Lord and Savior, accepting and teaching the doctrines of men, instead of the Doctrines of God. Now some may say, it’s okay to stand up a tree and give loads of gifts to each other, but that is not what God said.
God Is Symbolic Of A Fir Tree
In an attempt to try and make the Christmas tree acceptable, some explain God is symbolic of a fir tree, so that makes the Christmas tree okay, (Hosea 14:8). Now, God did compare Himself to a fir tree, as it is evergreen and symbolically everlasting.
However, this is man justifying their “ways.” God never, not once said to decorate a tree to honor and remember Jesus Christ. Man did that, and many will try to justify their trees so they do not have to change their “ways.”
You read the Scripture, God said do not cut down a tree and decorate it.
While Christmas has become commercialized, this does not mean we cannot have a nice dinner with our family, enjoy each other’s company, and remember our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.