A Christian’s Perspective on Christmas

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is GIVEN (John 3:16); and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

And Micah 5:2 says, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.”

And Zechariah 9:9 says, “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

And Psalm 2:6 says, “I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain.”

And Hebrews 1:5 says, “For to which of the angels did God ever say: ‘You are My Son; today I have become Your Father’? Or again: ‘I will be His Father, and He will be My Son’?”

Christmas means many things to many people, but to the Jews, it means nothing. All of those verses above (and more) were written as prophecy (or fulfillment of prophecy, Heb. 1:5) to the Jewish people (nation) BY Jews about their hoped-for and expected Messiah. Even the book of Hebrews found in the “New” Testament after Philemon and before James, although written (I believe) by the Apostle Paul was NOT written TO Gentiles. Read the title of the book (letter) again! ...To The Hebrews!!!

I will add though, to temper my conviction, that the entire Bible was written for our (everybody’s) learning; Rom. 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Cor. 10:11. But doctrine in the Bible is dispensational! For example, we today are not obligated to keep the ten commandments to obtain salvation; but we today are in the dispensation of Grace, extended to ALL ...not just Gentile, and not just Jew.

Read the verses above again... s l o w l y, and understand them before continuing on. His government, His rule, His Kingship is NOT over the Church! Jesus is not my King... I am a son of God, a fellow HEIR with Jesus (Rom. 8:17), my life is heavenly in Christ, (Eph. 2:6). I (we) rule WITH Him, (1 Cor. 6:2-3)! This is only for saints in the Body of Christ, the true Church, not for religious Jews (or anyone) in the world.

The event spoken of above and throughout scripture has taken on another meaning for the Gentile Church today, the Body of Christ, the Bride. Sadly, it has also taken on a very perverse meaning by the world (satan’s domain). The birth of Jesus does not happen annually, and a fat man does not fly through the air with reindeer. We do not worship a “baby” Jesus... although some do engage in that perverse idolatry. Our Savior is NOT still on the cross, as some insist on displaying Him.

When I was “young” and in the “church” of my heritage (Italian), there was a life-size crucifix in that “church.” Life-size means a 6+ foot statue of a man nailed to a gigantic cross that was pulled down from wherever they kept it, laid on the steps to the altar on Good Friday only, and we (all the “faithful”) had to kiss its feet. Ponder that pagan aberrance for a minute. But that’s another story.

So what is, or should be, the Christian’s perspective about the Christmas holiday? ...Whatever you want it to be within the will and word of the Holy God. God has blessed anything and everything for us... IF we receive it with thanksgiving, 1 Tim. 4:5; Col. 2:16; Rom. 14:14; 1 Cor. 6:12. But, like meat offered to idols... don’t eat it if you KNOW it’s wrong, 1 Cor. 10:28; 1 Cor. 8:9-13. In other words, if someone were to invite you to their church to worship the baby Jesus, or the virgin Mary, or a statue of Jesus on Christmas day... don’t go, for conscience's sake. And contrarywise, if a fellow believer were to say to you, “Your dogma on not celebrating Christmas offends me” ...then give him/her a gift with ribbon and a bow.

Christmas to a Christian is a national holiday. It is a day commemorating the birth of Jesus. For the world it’s like Columbus day... some celebrate it, some don’t. It’s NOT a religious holiday! A secure Christian enjoys the festivities and family times, but NOT in a way that offends God’ word, or His will, or the Savior Jesus the Christ.

"You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine." Titus 2:1

"May mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance." Jude 1:2