Should We Celebrate Christ’s Birth In December?

The Christmas season is here. While most Christians won’t be so much interested in the legend of Santa Claus and what he brings. Many still question if they should celebrate the holiday season at all.

The reasons behind the questions relate to the origins of Christmas and what it may really represent. What should be the Christian’s response? And are we sinning if we do some of the usual routines of this time period?

Was Jesus Really Born in December?

The argument about if Christ was really born in December can take on numerous angles. There are some who don’t believe He is God and just sees Christmas as another holiday. Many decide to celebrate it as time off from work and even label it Xmas, replacing the man who it represents with an “X.”

Then there are some who believe Jesus is God but know that Christmas is not when He was really born. Most people who’ve studied a bit know this to be true. In fact, the Bible itself gives clues to this fact.

Luke 2:8-20 relates how there were shepherds in the field receiving a Word from angels about Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. They later went to praise Him and visit Him in the manger. Some relate that the time of year in December would have been a difficult time for them to be out in the field because of the weather.

The wise men or magi described in Matthew’s account (Chapter 2:1-12) have made scientists and astronomers query the time period of Jesus’ birth. Most have ruled out that it could have been a supernova or comet that was being denoted by Matthew.

Therefore it was more than likely an entire sky of stars or conjunction happening at the time of Jesus’ birth. The three closest heavenly movements to this around the same time period were:
– an alignment of Jupiter, Saturn, the moon, and the sun in the constellation of Aries on April 17, 6 B.C.
– the meeting of Jupiter, Venus, and the star Regulus in the constellation of Leo on June 17, 2 B.C.
– Another conjunction occurred in 6 B.C., between Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars in the constellation of Pisces.

The first one around the rising of the constellation of Aries is the one most astronomers believe could describe it because of the term “star of the east” or “en te anatole” in Greek. And the terminology of the movement of the star to rest near the region after the wise men set out. This “Star of Bethlehem” or “Star of Wonder” still has many in awe as to what it really represents.

Of course, none of those time periods are in the last month of December.

History of Christmas And Christian Celebrations

What we note from Biblical text is that the Resurrection of God was always celebrated by the apostles. It appears from numerous texts that the first day of the week, Sunday, or “The Lord’s Day” is a day 1st century Christians used to assemble (Example: Romans 6:14, Romans 14:1-4, Acts 20:6-7, Colossians 2:13-17, Revelation 1:10).

Therefore many Christians worship on Sundays. Indeed many Christians also go through the sacraments of Baptism and Communion as the apostles did in the first century. 

What we’re unsure of are the actual dates of Jesus’ birth and the dates of His passion and death. We are also unsure if the first-century apostles celebrated these.

However, during the transformation of the Roman Empire under Emperor Constantine, and accompanied by his mother’s guidance, many of the pagan holidays at the time were transferred to religious celebrations in relation to Jesus.

So the Easter period became symbolic of the Jewish Passover taken over from Judaism. The dates for this were argued and not quite exact because the Julian (Roman) calendar is not the same as the Jewish calendar.

The early Christians based on historians from after the 4th-century AD also started to celebrate Christmas. And the end of year pagan Saturnalia celebrating the winter solstice was replaced by the Christmas season. In fact, by 380 AD Rome replaced Mithraism with Christianity as the main religion in the Empire.



Prophets Concerned About Pagan Worship

Nowadays the symbology of Christmas is used quite a bit. We have stars and bright lights in our Christmas trees. We use wreaths and Christmas ball decorations. We eat traditional foods such as ham, turkey, sorrel, eggnog, Christmas (fruit) cake, and pudding. We go to church and sing and have Christmas plays. Some do caroling. Some have scenes with manger and wise men. And there is a specific joy and happiness and family get-together for the season.

Some point out how the Christmas tree is a pagan symbol used by some in older earth worship.

Leviticus 23 points out the different appointed Jewish festivals is still done by many who are Jewish. Leviticus 23:40-41 has a fascinating phrase about celebration using trees and palms for the Day Of Atonement.

“On the first day, you are to take branches from luxuriant trees—from palms, willows, and other leafy trees—and rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. 41Celebrate this as a festival to the Lord for seven days each year. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come; celebrate it in the seventh month”

However, it is in the seventh month! Can we be going against God’s ordinances?

And lights and celebratory bright ornaments which are a representation to Christians of the light of God and the Star of Bethlehem are seen by some as pagan worship of the sun, moon, and stars.

Paul’s Testimony About Days Of The Year

However, the early apostles give us some guidance on things in relation to worship. Their first letter in relation to fellowships and community stated that those in the Gentile world should stay away from sexual immorality, and eat foods that have been sacrificed to idols (Acts 15:23-29).

In addition, the missionary Apostle Paul in Colossians 2:16-17 states:
“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration, or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”

He later states in his epistle to the church in Corinth that everything we do should be to the glory of God. Even the things that we consume.

1 Corinthians 10:30-31 mentions that:
“If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Now, are Christians sacrificing their Christmas food to idols or celebrating Saturn in Christmas? Of course not. Is the festival time of Christmas a method to worship a different god than Christ? Of course not.

It is simply symbolic and a way to continue the Christian tradition. It can even become a great teaching point for younger generations about Christ’s birth, what advent means and why Jesus coming to earth was important.

The Beauty & Spirit of Christmas

One cannot deny that during Christmas there is a lot more of the feeling and expression of what life should really entail. Most people are happier, there is a spirit of giving and many of the tenets of the faith are displayed.

In fact, maybe we should try to ensure this spirit of Christmas is how we should approach our lives every day.

In every season and in all circumstances remember to glorify God.

Christmas is such a joyous time. Let’s remember to be loving and remember the reason for the season.

Let Christ’s beauty be seen in you not only during Christmas but everywhere, anyhow, and at any time!

Selah….