Due to the importance of this topic, I have abandoned my one-word title rule. Also, because I don't know anyone bloggers who agree with me, I am going to tread carefully but I want my opinion to be heard. I want everyone who reads this to seriously think about why you celebrate Christmas. Please tell me-- I'd like to know, even if it's just "It's a tradition!"
I'm dividing this into 3 topics (I know, I know, English class is getting to me...): the origins of Christmas, what it means now, and how people view you if you do or don't celebrate Christmas. I am NOT a scholar on this topic. I don't really have time to read up on it right now, so I'm just sharing what I know off the top of my head.
Once upon there was a pagan holiday that had to do with the winter solstice. I'm not sure if it had anything to do with sun worship or not. Christians, obviously, did not celebrate this holiday. However, gradually becoming more worldly, they decided to do the same thing--have a holiday--at the same time, just doctor up the reason for it a little. They decided to celebrate Christ's birth, a wonderful thing in itself. (His birthday was really in October or November, I think.) So, they did many of the same things as the pagans but declared that it was for the Lord. They cut down trees and decorated them (there's a verse in Isaiah that says something about the pagans who cut down the tree and decorate them.) God did not want His people to participate in this form of idolatry. However, there were still some Christians who saw the sin in this new holiday. Some of them were the Puritans. When they arrived in America, they made it illegal to celebrate Christmas. It was also illegal to take off work that day. Eventually, though, even the descendants of the noble founders of our nation gave in to the very tempting sin and began celebrating Christmas too.
So what does Christmas mean today? Christmas is a hypocrite in many ways. It's supposed to be about Christ, but instead it's become about presents. Those who do choose to celebrate Christ through it don't realize that they are disobeying the very God they claim to honor. God says we are not to take on the customs of the nations when worshipping Him. There were drastic consequences for those who would dare to offer strange incense to the Lord or sacrifice their children to Him. It's a great thing to honor Christ and remember His birth. However, it's a sin to do it in a way that God proclaimed not to.
So what do people think if you celebrate Christmas? Nothing! They think you're normal. They say "Merry Christmas" and perhaps give you a present. If you tell them why you celebrate Christmas, they might think you are overly religious but sometimes appreciate the reminder of the "Reason for the Season" since they get caught up in all the worldly aspects of it so easily. So what happens if you
don't celebrate the holiday? You certainly get people's attention. "You're crazy! How do you ever get any presents? You
don't get any presents? Oh my goodness. Somebody hand me my smelling salts." (old lady). "Man, that stinks. Well, once you move to Purdue you don't have to do whatever your parents tell you any more." (dude who thinks he's so cool) "Oh, well, I guess you can't come to my Christmas party then. So why don't you celebrate it?" (friend) Once you have the attention, you can shine it on what really matters--God. Or I guess you can play the sympathy card ("I haven't gotten any presents since my birthday. Sniff, sniff. And I really need some new CDs too. You know, I really wouldn't be offended if you got me a present..."). That's not my line though.
So, if you actually waded through that lengthy post, you know why I don't celebrate Christmas. You also know why you shouldn't! I think everyone should take a good deep look at why they participate in this holiday.
