Honor God, Don't Keep Christmas

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Honor God, Don't Keep Christmas

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For several years after becoming aware of the pagan associations, I still thought it was okay to keep Christmas. My intentions were good. I wanted to honor Christ. But is having good intentions good enough?

After studying Scripture, I came to realize that celebrating a day rooted in ancient paganism, no matter how pure my intentions were, was an insult to God.

One of my favorite scriptures is Deuteronomy 12:32. “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it” (Deuteronomy 12:32).

Also consider two other scriptures. “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you” (Deuteronomy 4:2). “Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar” (Proverbs 30:6).

In Jeremiah, God tells us not to learn the customs of others. He calls them “worthless.” “Do not learn the ways of the nations…for the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.  They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter” (Jeremiah 10:1-4, New International Version).

Man made Christmas, not God.  Let’s honor God by not associating ourselves with Christmas.

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Comments

  • Darlene Lausted

    It is wonderful that you have come to the decision to not celebrate Christmas anymore, irini_limaj. Sabrina had some good advice on giving gift on the Sabbath instead. Make the Sabbaths and Holy Days special, and your kids won't even miss Christmas. My husband grew up never celebrating Christmas. When his friends asked him if he wished he celebrated Christmas and got all those gifts, he would answer no, he had the 8 day Feast of Tabernacle celebration where he always went somewhere with his family. That was much better than one day of gift receiving.

  • Augustine Barla

    It's a great eye opener. Now it depends on the priority where we give to, the word of God or the worldly traditions. Great message!

  • dziwczyna

    Children are very trusting, that is one of the reasons Christ tells us to be like little children. If you are honest with your children, and tell them the truth from the Bible, they will believe you. Many times children are so vocal, and firm in their beliefs, they will tell other children (and adults) that they are wrong!

    It is a big step to take, but your kids will be OK. Many of us were in the same boat as well either as parents or as growing up in the church.

  • irini_limaj

    Hi Sabrina Peabody,
    Until the morning I did not know what to do...they had a part in the play and it felt like they had a commitment and I couldn't just pull them out in the last minute. The thing is also they do not mention Santa at all in the play, it is all about Jesus's birth and I thought I should let them got this time...and they did. it was a nice play but I am not sure if it was very accurate...Anyway, I have not bought presents for them yet. My mother in law knowing that I don't celebrate Christmas anymore asked me about her presents for the kids too and I like your idea for giving them on a Sabath without mentioning Christmas at all , I mean they get gifts throughout the year so that should be ok. And you are right about Santa, I have told them from the beginning it is not real but my youngest one sometimes forgets since he hears about it so much during this time of the year...

  • Sabrina Peabody

    Hi irini-limaj,

    I see the party for your kids was today. I am sure that whatever you decided for your children you prayed about and asked God for direction. Concerning the gift-giving, it can be difficult because your children are probably expecting gifts. It may be good to find ways to give them gifts, say on the Sabbath and discuss God's laws and how it is important to follow Him above all else. I would definitely tell as soon as possible if you haven't already. I would also be upfront about Santa Claus because that is something children can easily prove is a lie.

  • Randy

    I believe that we don't have to... But why some pastors even make schedule for the Christmas midnight mass? They should be the 1st one to let people know about it.

  • irini_limaj

    this is my first year that I don't celebrate Christmas. I am having a hard time explaining it to the kids who are still at day care. And you know they celebrate it at day cares, they are having a party tomorrow and my kids have a part in the play...what do I do about this? and they don't understand why I am not buying them gifts...I am not sure how to approach this...

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