Christians That don't "do" Christmas?

Do you Remember?
Chestnuts roasting by an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose (Frankly if there Was a guy gnawing on my nose, I'd be a tad freaked out!) ....Santa Claus is coming to town, he  knows if you've been bad or good so be good for goodness sake....Sleigh bells ring are you listening, in the lane snow is glistening....walking in a winter wonderland...Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse, stockings were hung by the chimney with care (Well we never actually had a chimney, We stuck them onto the wall or whatever worked). Does any of this stuff sound familiar?

I, Along with thousands, maybe millions of fellow humans, grew up with many warm fuzzy memories focused around one of the biggest holidays of the year, the one they call Christmas. There was a time when I really believed in Santa Claus. I remember circling "Stuff" In the Sears wishbook, listening with all my might for sleigh bells on our roof, even sneaking and peeking around the corner of my bedroom, so sure that I would see him. He even munched on the cookies and drank the milk that we would leave him.

Hidden in Plain Sight

Then there was the day of grave disappointment. I believe my little sister and I were playing hide and seek, when lo and behold I saw beneath my parents bed, a pile of unwrapped presents. Because greed was  the spirit of the season, for me anyway, I pretended to believe In Santa Claus for at least another year or two. Fearing that disclosing my discovery, would mean less presents for me. No, I didn't tell my sister, couldn't do that to her. But looking back, I realize that Christmas, aside from the family get-togethers, feasting and exchanging presents, the driving force for me through childhood, was the spirit of greed. It was a time I looked forward to year after year, all because of what I might get. I don't actually recollect anything to do with the birth of Jesus Christ. Perhaps "Away in a Manger" was heard on our Christmas albums, but the "Christ" part of This apparent Christian Holiday, Christmas, was definitely not the focus in our family at that time.

Growing Up...Still No Questions Asked
Most of us just grew up accepting Holidays and as such as it is. Often we don't ask any questions about why we do what we do, or asking what it all really means. That was me, just following along with everyone else. That carried on into adult hood and even into the first 15 or 20 years of my Christian walk. Never really asking questions about, why we do what we do. After all to not participate in these celebrations,  means letting down people you love. They may think that you don't care about them. Guilt can be a driving force, that we allow in our lives, even when we know God might be telling us to do something contrary to what we believe God wants us to do. Scripture has many passages that He must come before any person in our lives, including ourselves.

[Eph 4:22-24 NLT] 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God--truly righteous and holy.

[Mat 10:32-39 NLT] 32 "Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. 34 "Don't imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. 35 'I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 Your enemies will be right in your own household!' 37 "If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. 38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. 39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

Well, the questions began, in fact,  we were presented with the real origins and meanings, and that woke us up to asking questions about what we had disregarded. after a lot of research, we painstakingly and cautiously, concluded that we just couldn't treat Christmas as a Christian holiday anymore. It took a few years to go all the way.
Even now, we struggle but are sure of our choices. At first, we treated it as a Cultural event instead and justified enjoying the worldly traditions. At times, no doubt, we struggled with just giving in and conforming to the season making it "Christian," but we just couldn't do it, convicted repeatedly to refrain. For sure it would be easier to stay in the pool, but we believe we have been advised to get out. That is our opinion and we don't expect anyone to agree. We may even be wrong, but we will stick with what we believe as of now.
Are we saying that those who do Christmas, are doing something wrong? No. What you choose to celebrate and hold dear to your heart, is between you and God. We hope and pray that sharing our journey though,  can help someone  else who wants to ask the questions weighing on their heart, to ask, or help those who may want to know why we, no longer "do" Christmas.

How Did We Get To This Decision?
First Of All The Birth Of Christ does fulfill Bible Prophecy:
[Isa 9:6-7 KJV] 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
[Isa 11:1-10 KJV] 1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. 6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. 7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. 9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. 10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
[Psa 72:11-14, 17-18 KJV] 11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. 12 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and [him] that hath no helper. 13 He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. 14 He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight. ... 17 His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and [men] shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. 18 Blessed [be] the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.
[Isa 33:5-6 KJV] 5 The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness. 6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, [and] strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD [is] his treasure.
[Jhn 1:14 KJV] 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
[Mat 2:1-2, 8-14 KJV] 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. ... 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found [him], bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. 13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
[Mat 1:20-25 KJV] 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
[2Co 9:15 KJV] 15  Thanks [be] unto God for his unspeakable gift.
[Jas 1:17 KJV] 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning

Prove All Things
If you want, there are some great videos below, that have helped us in our research of the truth behind what December 25th is all about presently and historically.  When we didn't know any different, then we didn't know any better. However, we therefore feel that because of what we have learned, we are now accountable to choose what we will do or not do with the information.
It is important for us to base decisions on Scripture and the truth about history as well as looking into things like the present. Such as asking, what is celebrated on December 25th before Christ's birth and still goes on today? As well as asking what is the truth? Is it really Jesus' birthday? Is it biblical to celebrate His birth annually?

[1Th 5:21-23 KJV] 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The New Testament, Is very clear about celebrating the Lord's supper. We are not told what day, For how often, But it's clear that is meant  be to be apart of our Christian walk- To do in remembrance until Jesus Christ returns.

[Eph 5:10-17 KJV] 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them]. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord [is].

What's really important To Craig and I, Is making sure that we watch our life and doctrine closely, as the Bible tells us to. Heck, I even struggle with the annual celebration Of birthdays in general, whether it is biblical are not?  Clearly it is all a personal choice between God and us. Unless you were going against your conscience, if for you it feels wrong, then it is wrong.

What is Christmas really?
Countless non-believers, wouldn't give up Christmas for anything, right?  Why is it that the majority of Christmas "Celebrators" don't even believe in Jesus Christ? Yet it is a national holiday, no matter what they believe. And why, even among Christians, are so many of us "doing" Christmas the same as non-believers. Yes, we may add church attendance, carol singing, and maybe a children's nativity play, or some sort of performance, and some Christ Focused Christmas cards and decorations. But a part from that, most of us are equally participating in the worldly aspects. Interesting fact is, the earliest Christians, the New Testament church did not celebrate "Christmas" or Christ's birthday annually. (Research it) It wasn't instituted until the 4th century by the creator of the Roman Catholic religion, Emperor Constantine, for a variety of non-Biblical reasons, combining akey pagan celebrations and birthdays.
A side note: Did you know the halo you see on old artistic images, originate from the sun god worshippers. 
Did you know that occultists use the tactic called "Double Speak?" That mean they say something one way, but they really mean something else.

It seems that Christmas is a cultural event/tradition, rather than a true Christian holiday Or Celebration. Of course we can Christianize any special day we want to,  making it whatever we want, "doing" it however we want. But we're talking about how the majority of people view and celebrate  Christmas. Bottom line is it truly Christian?

Based on the research that we've done so far, There is no longer any doubt That officially Christmas was instituted by the Roman Catholic Church in the 4th century AD. When you do your research, If you so choose to, You will see that the December 25 origins had to do with Pagan festivals. But I'll leave it at that for now.

So if it is a Roman Catholic Holiday, That makes it a religious holiday. But if it was a religious holiday truly, Then why around the world, is it a national, Statutory holiday For everyone- Including anyone who isn't Roman Catholic Or even Christian for that matter?

Our conclusion Is that Christmas is a cultural Event. If you look up Holidays Around the world. You will find A plethora Of Religious Days important to Religions like Islam, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism,  Taoism, Paganism, Wicca, Druidism,  and many more. And yet none of those days are set aside as national statutory holidays for all, except for those countries with heavy concentrations of the specific religion,  that adhere to those belief systems. Just something to think about. You don't find many in North America celebrating Ramadan, Beltane or Vesak. We know clearly they are not something we  believe in, so we don't "do" it. Makes sense.

But in our opinion, when it comes to Christmas, clearly it is a custom or tradition that is "done" by non-believers, the Catholic church, and some believers. It is packed more with non-Biblical traditions and customs than Biblical ones. Watch the videos  below if you want to know more.
Actually, the early New Testament church did not celebrate the birth of Christ annually- the actual event was celebrated.... Yes the Angels Told the shepherds, With great joy...

[Luke 2:8-21 NLT] 8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others--the armies of heaven--praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased." 15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. 21 Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.

If you really want to know the history of Christmas, Here are some great Sermons and Documentaries that help us understand the real meaning and history of December 25. These videos explain  things better than we can...

Watch...

From Round Saturn's Eye Channel

Saturnalia Christmas Nimrod Tammuz Saturn Worship

Pastor Jason Cooley-God Hates Pagan Worship

When Was Jesus Really Born?

Caryl Mastriciana: Origins Of Christmas Traditions

Doc Marquis' - What is Christma Really

It doesn't mean there aren't Bible ordained celebrations.
God's Word is clear about special celebrations or days.
[Rom 14:5-12, 14, 16-17, 21-23 KJV] 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day [alike]. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth [it] unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard [it]. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. 10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written, [As] I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. ... 14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that [there is] nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him [it is] unclean. ... 16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. ... 21 [It is] good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor [any thing] whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. 22 Hast thou faith? have [it] to thyself before God. Happy [is] he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of faith: for whatsoever [is] not of faith is sin.

[Col 2:16-19 NLT] 16 So don't let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. 17 For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality. 18 Don't let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud, 19 and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.

[Gal 4:7-10, 16 NLT] 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. 8 Before you Gentiles knew God, you were slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist. 9 So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world? 10 You are trying to earn favor with God by observing certain days or months or seasons or years. ... 16 Have I now become your enemy because I am telling you the truth?

The Lord's Supper:
 [1Co 11:23-29, 33 NLT] 23 For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread 24 and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me." 25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant between God and his people--an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it." 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord's death until he comes again. 27 So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. 29 For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God's judgment upon yourself. ... 33 So, my dear brothers and sisters, when you gather for the Lord's Supper, wait for each other.

Remember....Rejoice In The Lord Always
[Phl 4:4 KJV] 4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: [and] again I say, Rejoice.

Celebrate Christ always. Day by day, moment by moment, He lives in us and blesses us richly, moment by moment.

A Great Video Series Covering Genesis To Present Called: Know Your Enemy  ( watch from part 1 on through to part 77)