Riff's Christian Journal

Galatians 4:9-11 KJV
But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? [10] Ye observe days, and months, and times(seasons), and years. [11] I am afraid for you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

For the first 300 years of Christianity Christmas was never celebrated. The reason being is that there was no recorded date for the birth of Jesus. In my opinion, God never wanted a specific date mentioned. Why? One word should be enough – idolatry.

Let us jump past all the reasons why December 25 was given as the date of Christ’s birth, for non are valid, and look at how Christmas is celebrated today. Without a doubt it has become nothing more than a money spending money pit. It is more about getting the newest, bigger and best gift possible, while the retailers rack in all the money they can in the shortest time possible.

Every year the Christmas buying season is started earlier with big sales from the beginning to get customers to spend their money sooner and often; credit cards maxed out, going into debt. Not to mention the sadness, loneliness and depression that comes onto many people during the Christmas season. Are these the kind of worldly activities in which we Christians should participate? Do you think Jesus would approve?

Christmas is more about Santa than it is about Jesus.

As for Christians, try taking December 25th, Christmas Day, away from us. Tell us that we can honor the birth of Jesus any time we want, but keep the celebration in our church. What an uprising that would cause.

If the birth of Jesus was the true focal point, and not the date, then it should not matter what the date was upon which we celebrate the birth of Jesus. We could celebrate the birth of Christ anytime we wanted. You see, when the date becomes so important that we Christians cannot let go of the date – that is idolatry.

Unfortunately, most Christians do not realize how idolatrous we have become.

To remember where Jesus was born, by whom He was born, and why He was born is important. The date Jesus was born is not important for the very reason of what Christmas has become.

However, Christmas is so ingrained into Christian theology that we would never let it go.

That is the problem. We need to rid ourselves of the specific December 25th date, or any date, in order to get rid of the bondage of idolatry that December 25th has become. Let the non-Christians have their Christmas. Participate if you want but remember that it is a secular holiday.

If God had wanted His children to celebrate a specific date for the birth of Jesus He would have made it quite clear what was that date – He did not and we Christians should not “DO” what God has “NOT” done. We Christians are not to focus on the date Christ was born but on Jesus, the one who was born on an unknown date.