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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Is Christmas and 25th Dec. biblical? | Bible general Archive 3 | kalos | 181107 | ||
Should Christians Celebrate Christmas? 'Someone may argue against Christmas that it is a non-biblical holiday and since Christmas is not celebrated in the Bible, we should not celebrate it, either. First of all, the birth of Christ is biblical, so you cannot make a case by calling Christmas non-biblical, but I suppose you can say that Christmas is extra-biblical. That is, there is nothing in the Bible against it, and there are things in the holiday that are based on the Bible, but there is no command to celebrate the birth of Christ, so it is an extra-biblical holiday. 'Here is how I approach this argument: Jesus Himself celebrated* an extra-biblical holiday that corresponds to Christmas. People are usually surprised to find this out. Yes, Jesus celebrated Hanukkah, and Hanukkah is not in the Old Testament. 'Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. (John 10:22-23) 'There is no Old Testament Feast of Dedication. There are several feasts mentioned in the Bible, but not Dedication. What feast is Dedication? That is Hanukkah. Hanukkah is a celebration of the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. It also commemorates the miracle of oil that burned for 8 days. This event took place after the last Old Testament prophet had written the scriptures. The scriptures were closed before this event, and thus, this Feast is extra-biblical. And Jesus was in the temple area where the feast was celebrated. He participated in Hanukkah. 'Today, Christmas is celebrated next to Hanukkah. So the question you can propose to your brother who refuses to celebrate Christmas is this: If Jesus celebrated a holiday that was not in the Bible, why can’t you enjoy Christmas as well and give gifts just as the Jews today give many gifts during Hanukkah?' (Source: Unknown. I did not write it. Someone emailed this to me without citing the source.) ____________________ *Jesus Himself celebrated. When the author says Jesus CELEBRATED Hanukkah, I believe it would be more accurate to say that he PARTICIPATED in it. We know there are those who say we shouldn't even participate in Christmas. If I were a person whose intent was not to participate in Christmas at all, I would not be present at any church meeting that celebrated it. However, I am not such a person. --Kalos |
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2 | Is Christmas and 25th Dec. biblical? | Bible general Archive 3 | Aspiring Overseer | 181132 | ||
Kalos, Your assertion is quite interesting and made me ponder this new insight with respect to the Apostle Paul's wanderings through Athens in Acts 17:23. Maybe Paul's reason for being there was not to take advantage of an opportunity to teach Gentiles, but to actually do some sight-seeing among their objects of pagan worship? On further consideration, however, I think it is more reasonable to believe Jesus, as well as, Paul, went to where they could preach to the greatest number seeking to serve God. It would be a stretch to assert either one desired to promote pagan observances. AO |
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3 | Is Christmas and 25th Dec. biblical? | Bible general Archive 3 | kalos | 181140 | ||
Where did I say that Jesus "desired to promote pagan observances"? To claim that was my point, now that, my friend, is a stretch. As far as I'm concerned Christmas is a non-issue. 1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters...4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. Romans 14:1, 4-6a NIV |
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