Jonah: I’ve been thinking about how we, as Christians, should approach the celebration of Christmas. I genuinely believe it’s wrong to celebrate it because nowhere in the Bible are we commanded to celebrate Jesus’ birth. It’s His death and resurrection that are of importance. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 says, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”

Carl: I understand where you’re coming from, but I see it differently. While the Bible doesn’t explicitly command us to celebrate Jesus’ birth, it does highlight its significance. Take Luke 2:10-11 for example, “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.'” Celebrating Christmas can be a way for us to remember and express joy for this divine intervention.

Jonah: The Bible, in Jeremiah 10:2-4, warns against customs of the pagans, like cutting trees and decorating them. ” This is what the Lord says: Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them. For the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter.” Isn’t the Christmas tree a direct violation of this?

Carl: Context is crucial. Jeremiah was speaking against the idolatry of the people who were literally carving and creating idols from wood, then decorating them. The Christmas tree, in most Christian homes, is not an object of worship but a decoration. It’s essential to distinguish between using something decoratively and worshiping it.

Jonah: I get your point about the heart’s intention, Carl. But consider this: when people look at how Christians celebrate Christmas today, they often see a mirrored reflection of how the rest of the world celebrates it – with gifts, parties, and trees. Shouldn’t we, as believers, be distinct from the world? As stated in 2 Corinthians 6:17: “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord.”

Carl: I understand that perspective, Jonah. And I absolutely agree that we should be distinct. However, being distinct doesn’t necessarily mean avoiding cultural celebrations. It can also mean infusing them with genuine Christian values. When we gather for Christmas, we can use it as an opportunity to share the Gospel, to show love to our neighbours, and to help those in need. It’s an excellent time for outreach and reflection on Christ’s humility in coming to earth.

Jonah: I see what you’re saying. But look at Santa Claus – a dominant figure during Christmas. He’s a diversion from the true meaning of Christmas, leading children and even adults to focus on materialism rather than Christ’s birth.

Carl: Santa Claus is indeed a tricky subject. While the modern portrayal has commercial undertones, the origin of Santa Claus or St. Nicholas is rooted in Christian charity. He was a bishop known for his generosity, especially towards the poor. Parents can use this story to teach children about the virtues of giving, kindness, and the love of Christ. But I agree, the overemphasis on Santa and presents can overshadow the true meaning. It’s up to individual families to decide how to approach it, ensuring Christ remains at the centre.

Jonah: Even the name “Christmas” has been replaced with terms like “Xmas” or “Happy Holidays.” It’s as if the world is trying to erase Christ from His own birthday.

Carl: While I share your sentiment about wanting to keep Christ in Christmas, it’s worth noting that “Xmas” isn’t necessarily a secular conspiracy. The “X” stands for the Greek letter “Chi,” which is the first letter of “Christ” in Greek. Historically, it’s been used as a shorthand for “Christ.” As for “Happy Holidays,” it’s often used to be inclusive since many other faiths have holidays around the same time. As Christians, our focus should be on spreading love and understanding. We can still share the message of Christ while respecting the diverse world we live in.

Jonah: But a lot of Christmas celebrations have pagan origins! It’s widely acknowledged that many Christmas traditions overlap with pagan festivals, most notably the Winter Solstice. Celebrated by various ancient cultures, the Winter Solstice was a festival that marked the longest night and shortest day of the year. The Romans, for instance, celebrated Saturnalia around this time, which involved gift-giving, feasting, and even a reversal of social roles. By integrating these pagan traditions, aren’t we diluting the purity of our Christian faith?Why should we, as Christians, partake in a celebration that has roots in paganism?

Carl: It’s true that some aspects of Christmas celebrations have been influenced by pagan traditions. However, Paul gives us insight in Romans 14:5-6, “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord.” So, even if December 25th has pagan origins, if we’re celebrating it to honour Jesus’ birth and are doing so sincerely to the Lord, it becomes a matter of personal conviction. Early Christians didn’t have a set date for celebrating Jesus’ birth. When they began to do so in Rome, it coincided with existing pagan festivals. Now, some historians argue that this was a strategic move to make Christianity more palatable to pagans. However, others believe that it was to offer a Christian alternative to these festivals. Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:22 said, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” Could it not be that early Christians, in their wisdom, adapted this approach to spread the message of Christ?

Jonah: Even if that was the intention, it’s hard to ignore the similarities. The Yule log from the Norse traditions, the greenery and lights, which are symbols of life amidst the death of winter – these all predate Christianity. The Druids, for instance, revered mistletoe and saw it as a symbol of life. Today, it’s a standard Christmas decoration. When we adopt these symbols, aren’t we implicitly giving credence to their pagan origins?

Carl: Throughout history, symbols and their meanings evolve. When Christians adopt a particular symbol, it doesn’t mean they’re endorsing its original meaning. Instead, they’re infusing it with a new, Christian meaning. For example, the evergreen tree, which symbolised eternal life in various pagan traditions, can be seen in Christianity as a symbol of eternal life through Christ. We’ve taken these symbols and given them a context that points to Jesus.

Jonah: But does the average Christian know this? If they’re setting up a Christmas tree or hanging mistletoe without understanding its Christian reinterpretation, aren’t they, in essence, perpetuating pagan practices unknowingly?

Carl: You bring up an important issue of education and awareness within the Christian community. It’s crucial for churches and families to teach the significance of these symbols from a Christian perspective. As 1 Peter 3:15 says, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” It’s our duty to understand and explain the traditions we uphold.

Jonah: We can’t deny that there’s been a merging of pagan and Christian elements in Christmas celebrations. While it may have started as a way to evangelise, today, it’s become a confusing amalgamation that detracts from the core message of Christ’s birth.

Carl: While some traditions have blended elements, the core message of Christmas for Christians remains the same: celebrating the birth of our Saviour. How we choose to do that, whether by embracing certain symbols or discarding them, should be a personal decision guided by prayer and understanding. The key is ensuring that Christ remains at the heart of our celebrations.

Jonah: There’s another major issue I’d like to address – the commercialisation of Christmas. It seems that every year, the Christmas season starts earlier, with stores displaying Christmas items right after Halloween or even before. The emphasis on buying the best gifts, catching the best sales, and the overall consumerism associated with the holiday greatly overshadows its religious significance. This isn’t what Christmas should be about. Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” When the primary focus becomes about gifts and shopping, aren’t we misplacing our ‘treasure’?

Carl: I share your concern about the excessive commercialisation of Christmas. It’s undeniable that in many parts of the world, the holiday has become a significant commercial event. However, we must remember that as individuals and families, we have the power to choose how we celebrate. Just because society emphasises shopping doesn’t mean we need to make it the centre of our celebrations. We can emphasise charity, love, fellowship, and reflection on the birth of Jesus.

Jonah: It’s not just about individual choices. The commercialisation affects the broader societal understanding of the holiday. Children grow up with a skewed vision of Christmas. For many, Santa Claus, gifts, and decorations become the central themes, with Jesus’ birth relegated to the background, if mentioned at all. How can we counteract such a dominant cultural narrative?

Carl: The societal shift is significant. But as believers, we can counteract this by being examples in our communities. By prioritising church events, nativity plays, carol singing, and other faith-centric activities, we can offer a counter-narrative. Furthermore, we can actively engage in charitable acts during this season, emphasising giving over receiving, as Acts 20:35 says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Jonah: I appreciate those suggestions, but I can’t help but think that we’re fighting an uphill battle. The media, advertisements, and even schools are pushing the commercial narrative so strongly. It’s becoming less of a religious holiday and more of a cultural and commercial event.

Carl: It’s indeed a challenge. But throughout history, Christianity has faced and overcome numerous challenges. While commercialism is a powerful force, the true message of Christmas is even more potent. We, as believers, have the Holy Spirit to guide us and our communities. We can leverage this season as an opportunity to share the genuine Gospel message, using the curiosity and goodwill that the holiday naturally brings about.

Jonah: It’s just disheartening to see a sacred event being overshadowed by materialism. I believe churches need to be more proactive, perhaps even radically so, in shifting the focus back to Christ.

Carl: And while it might feel overwhelming, every journey begins with a single step. If every Christian family took steps to emphasise the religious aspects of Christmas, the collective impact could be significant. The responsibility doesn’t just lie with the church institutions but with each one of us. Remember, light shines brightest in darkness. Even amidst commercialisation, the light of Christ can shine through our actions and traditions.

Our faith calls us to continuously seek wisdom and understanding. It’s vital for us, as Christians, to engage in these dialogues, always aiming to reflect God’s love and wisdom in our lives and the lives of those around us.