Mini Study: Ready to Give a Defense Bible Study - The truth about two “Christian” holidays
E ach December, hundreds of millions around the world prepare for the holiday season by decorating trees, hanging lights, exchanging gifts, singing carols, partying and waiting for a ball to drop. But few ever stop to ask why they do these things, or what the Bible says about them. Are these customs truly Christian or do they come from somewhere else entirely? Let’s take a closer look — historically and biblically — to discover the surprising truth! 1. Was Jesus Christ really born in December? Luke 2:6–8, Song of Solomon 2:11 and Ezra 10:9,13. Shepherds were still living outdoors, keeping watch over their flocks — something not done in the cold, rainy winters of Judea. Historians agree that Jesus was not born in December. Indications show that Christ was born in the fall. The exact date is unknown, and nowhere does Scripture command us to celebrate His birth. 2. Did the early apostles or Church celebrate Christ’s birthday? 1 Corinthians 11:24–26 and Ecclesiastes 7:1. The early Church commemorated His death, not His birth. Nowhere in the New Testament do we find His disciples observing a birthday celebration for Christ or anyone else. 3. If Christmas wasn’t observed by the early Church, where did the holiday come from?
The Encyclopaedia Britannica explains that “Christmas customs are an evolution from times that long antedate the Christian period a descent from seasonal, pagan, re- ligious and national practices.” December 25 was cho- sen centuries later — the date of Rome’s festival of the birth of the sun god (Sol Invictus). Worship of the sun god traces its origins much earlier in history in Mesopotamia with Nimrod and Semaramis. Through her mysteries her dead husband was said to have been miraculously conceived by Semiramis and to have returned in the form of Horus (Semiramis’ illegit- imate son). It was the birthday of the unconquered sun! (Gieseler’s Ecclesiastical History, vol. ii, p. 42). 4. Does the Bible describe people decorating trees long before Christ was born? Jeremiah 10:2–5. The prophet Jeremiah describes the cutting, decorat- ing, and displaying of trees as a heathen custom. God commanded His people, “Do not learn the way of the Gentiles.” Yet this same ancient practice survives today in the form of the modern Christmas tree. This is one of the proofs that Christ was never “in” Christmas! 5. What about giving and receiving gifts? Doesn’t that honor Christ? Matthew 2:1–11. The wise men were not exchanging gifts among them- selves. They brought gifts to honor a King, following an ancient Eastern custom of presenting tribute to roy-
Depiction of New Year’s celebrations and its predecessor, the feast honoring Janus
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