Daily Journal: 12 December

How We Should

Celebrate Christmas

At this time of year, we hear different opinions about whether Christians should celebrate Christmas.

Most Christians celebrate Christmas with the emphasis on celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, whether or not they choose to have a Christmas tree, give presents, have stockings or a manger full of gifts or have anything to do with Santa Claus.

Other Christians choose not to celebrate it in the same way, or celebrate it at all, refraining from possible pagan influences or commercialisation.

What does the bible point to about how we should celebrate Christmas or rather, why we should allow each other our different beliefs?

Romans 14:5-9 (NLT)

In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honour him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honour the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it’s to honour the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honour the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.

Whatever day we choose to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, or in whatever way, we should do so because our hearts want to honour Him. Our hearts give thanks to Him for the first gift God gave of His Son to all humanity, that we would have a way back into relationship forever with Him, rather than lose our souls forever without Him in an abyss that is unimaginable and consumed with evil.

God is love (1 John 4:8) and where there is no love, there is evil (James 3:16; 1 Corinthians 13:6).

The bible doesn’t insist we agree on everything as long as our differences don't contravene essential doctrines of the gospel. Rather, we should be fully convinced in our own mind, giving thanks to God and honouring God in what we do; either way, choosing to live and die belonging to Him. In so doing, part of honouring God is to honour each other despite disagreements, rather than allow them to be a tool of the enemy that brings division.

Are you reconciled and at peace in your heart with other believers, whether you agree with them or not?

Heavenly Father, I pray you give your body wisdom and unity of heart to endure with and encourage each other rather than allow differences to separate us. Help us to desire reconciliation rather than a need to be 'right'.