Christmas is a Christian Holy Day
I am puzzled by people who believe they can celebrate Christmas without celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. I can't help thinking how I'd feel if my family decided to celebrate my birthday while excluding me from the festivities, or if my husband informed me that the anniversary celebration of our marriage had nothing whatsoever to do with me.
Or what if people started saying that they wanted to have parades and picnics and fireworks on the 4th of July while denying that the celebration had anything to do with America winning our independence? After all, that was a long time ago. Some people don't even really believe it was all that important, anyway; and what if people from Great Britain got offended by the implication that we won a war against them?
Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a Christian holy day. Christmas is not synonymous with Winter Holiday. There are, as people love to point out, lots of holidays in the winter. Each of the others gets to be called by its actual name and be celebrated by those of the faith that it originates with, using the symbols they find meaningful. But increasingly, Christians are being told that because others want all the trappings of Christmas without the Source of the Joy Christmas brings to the world, we must give up all symbols representing the Christ Child. But a creche is a much more accurate representation of Christmas than a Frosty Snowman or a Santa Claus.
I understand why so many people love Christmas, because Christmas centers around "peace on earth, goodwill to men." This is what the angels proclaimed at the birth of Jesus Christ; He is the Source. Much good is done at Christmas in the Name of Jesus in honor of His birth. The hungry are fed, the poor are clothed, gifts are given to the needy, and to prisoners and their children, feasts are held and family is reunited. Many want to bask in the blessings of Christmas without acknowledging the Host, and they are not prevented. But is that any reason to hijack this Holy Day away from those who want to celebrate it for its original Reason? No other religious holiday has to contend with people trying to steal it away.
The Nativity celebrates the God of Creation becoming flesh and dwelling amongst us. Because of this great Gift, Christmas is filled with joy, hope, love and goodwill; but if you remove the Reason for all of those good things, you will be left with a hollow shell of greed, discontentment and over-indulgence. Christmas is first and foremost a religious, Christian, Holy Day. Without the birth of Jesus Christ, there simply is no Christmas.
Or what if people started saying that they wanted to have parades and picnics and fireworks on the 4th of July while denying that the celebration had anything to do with America winning our independence? After all, that was a long time ago. Some people don't even really believe it was all that important, anyway; and what if people from Great Britain got offended by the implication that we won a war against them?
Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a Christian holy day. Christmas is not synonymous with Winter Holiday. There are, as people love to point out, lots of holidays in the winter. Each of the others gets to be called by its actual name and be celebrated by those of the faith that it originates with, using the symbols they find meaningful. But increasingly, Christians are being told that because others want all the trappings of Christmas without the Source of the Joy Christmas brings to the world, we must give up all symbols representing the Christ Child. But a creche is a much more accurate representation of Christmas than a Frosty Snowman or a Santa Claus.
I understand why so many people love Christmas, because Christmas centers around "peace on earth, goodwill to men." This is what the angels proclaimed at the birth of Jesus Christ; He is the Source. Much good is done at Christmas in the Name of Jesus in honor of His birth. The hungry are fed, the poor are clothed, gifts are given to the needy, and to prisoners and their children, feasts are held and family is reunited. Many want to bask in the blessings of Christmas without acknowledging the Host, and they are not prevented. But is that any reason to hijack this Holy Day away from those who want to celebrate it for its original Reason? No other religious holiday has to contend with people trying to steal it away.
The Nativity celebrates the God of Creation becoming flesh and dwelling amongst us. Because of this great Gift, Christmas is filled with joy, hope, love and goodwill; but if you remove the Reason for all of those good things, you will be left with a hollow shell of greed, discontentment and over-indulgence. Christmas is first and foremost a religious, Christian, Holy Day. Without the birth of Jesus Christ, there simply is no Christmas.
Published by Tracie Walker
After homeschooling our three sons from K-12, I began doing more of the writing I love, with some success. The success I'm proudest of, though, is the more than 30 years of happy marriage I am enjoying with... View profile
Jesus Christ-The Anointed One-MessiahJesus Christ is not only the hope of the world, He was God-man in the flesh. Upon His resurrection from the dead He is God. all God and He is coming back soon after His church w...- The Top Ten New Year's Resolutions for a Follower of Jesus ChristHere are ten resolutions on how to be a better follower of Jesus Christ. Each entry has a brief description, followed by a bible verse and a prayer.
- The State of Texas Seized the Children of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Chris...This is about the seizure of the children and wives of the Church of Warren Jeffs the self-proclaimed prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
- Study the Old Testament and Increase Your Faith in Jesus ChristPlease don't ignore this wonderful book of scripture. Study it and it will increase your faith in Jesus Christ and help you to prepare for His return to earth.
The Blood of Jesus Christ: Don't Leave Home Without It!The Blood of Jesus Christ will heal your diseases, give you peace of mind and protect you from the devil. Just apply it daily, and watch the power work.
- Why Celebrate Christmas at Disney World
- If You Worship Santa Instead of Christ, Then Don't Call it Christmas
- Complete List of Roman Catholic Holy Days for 2009
- Origins of Christmas
- The History of Christmas in the United States
- Take Christ Out of Christmas? Early Christians Were in Favor of It
- How to Spend the Christmas Holiday Meaningfully
11 Comments
Post a CommentWell done! Also loved your article Five Ways to Make Your Restaurant Meal Healthy!!! Keep up the good work.
Wow, you make some outstanding points and this needed to be said.
You have a valid point as it has become very commercialized.
Tracie you are so very right. I love the truth in this perspective because it is so true. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Very excellent! No celebration, without the celebrity.
Merry Christmas
Amen! You are spot on. Merry Christmas and God’s blessings to you. ℳ.ℋ.
I'm not a Christian, but I felt your article was very well thought out. The first Christians borrowed the date of 25 December to celebrate the birth of Jesus from the Cult of Mithras, a mystery cult that was popular in Rome, since Mithras, was very similar in their mithos (i.e. Virgin birth, demi-god etc) But you're right in the sense that 25 December is celebrating the birth of Jesus, as it has gained popularity for that date. Still, let's not forget that other religions, who have their winter holidays around the same time.
So Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanzaa, And Happy Yuletide. Hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday Season.
You make excellent points, Tracie - it's true; how ridiculous to celebrate a birthday while ignoring the existence of the one whose birthday it is! And yet, that's how much of America celebrates (if they even celebrate Christmas at all anymore; now it's 'winter holiday' in these parts). Thank you for a reminder of the real reason we celebrate!
Hi - I popped by to read/comment on some of my favs and you are one! I'll be taking some grant writing courses beginning in January to help non-profits, so I won't be around too much - but I'll pop in from time to time.
About Christmas, God sent His Son to be born in a stable because we needed a "stable" environment on earth. He rested in a manger (which was truly a King-sized bed) and His death and resurrection are the greatest gifts ever given. I agree - without Christ there would be no Christmas. I love the Lord.
cheers :)