The Reason For The Season? December 25, 2011

The Reason For The Season? It is not Jesus. – Jesus never commanded us to observe a special day for his birth (Matt. 28:18-20). – He called religious people hypocrites who “draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:8-9).

The Reason For The Season? It is not the Apostles. – These inspired men never taught Christians to observe the birth of Christ (John 16:13). – Whatever they bound on earth was binding in heaven (Matt. 16:18; 18:18). – Paul taught the same thing everywhere and in every church (I Corinthians 4:17). – Early Christians continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine; so must we (Acts 2:42).

The Reason For The Season? It is not the New Testament Churches. – The churches in the NT never had special services celebrating the Savior’s birth. – Local churches were instructed to observe Jesus’ death, not His birth (I Cor. 11:23-29). – Local churches commanded to abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9; 2 Peter 1:3). – Any who preached a different gospel was to be accursed (Galatians 1:6-9).

The Reason For The Season? The Roman Catholic Church. – Colliers Encyclopedia tells us that Lyberius, the Bishop of Rome, whom the Catholics regard as one of the early Popes, ordered in 354 A.D. that “December 25th be observed as the birthday of Christ.” – “Christmas” literally means “Christ’s mass” or the “mass of Christ.” On December 25th, even until this day, the Catholics hold a special Mass for Christ.

The Reason For The Season? The Roman Catholic Church – The mass in Catholicism is a literal repetition of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. “Bread” and “Fruit of the Vine” are symbolic of Christ’s Body and Blood (Matthew 26:26-28). The Bible teaches that Jesus was sacrificed once for all (Hebrews 7:23, 27; 9:24-28). – Authority for teaching/practice of RCC? I Peter 4:11; I Corinthians 4:6; Rev. 22:18-19 – Reason the RCC chose this day?

The Reason For The Season? Paganism. – Also from Colliers Encyclopedia we read: December 25th had formerly been used by the Romans as a feast day for their Sun-God, Mithra. The Roman Saturnalia (riotous festival of Saturn) also came at this time. The indications are that the church in this way grasped an opportunity to turn the people away from a purely pagan observance of the winter solstice to a day of adoration of Christ the Lord.

The Reason For The Season? Materialism? – Consumer spending during the Holiday Season is one indicator of strength/weakness of economy. – “Black Friday” – busiest shopping day of the year. – Consider the warnings of Christ and apostles: Matthew 6:24 Mark 4:18-19 Luke 12:15 Colossians 3:5

The Reason For The Season? Give gifts. – To those we love and to those in need. Galatians 6:10; I John 3:17-18; I Timothy 6:18; Hebrews 13:16; Acts 20:35 Gather with family and friends. – To be with family and loved ones we do not see too often. Psalm 127:3-5; Ephesians 6:1-3

The Reason For The Season? The reason is not Jesus! The Reason is the Roman Catholic Church! To Substitute the Pagan Observance of the Winter Solstice! Christians must Beware of Materialism! Generous and Giving Spirit is Good! Spending Time with Family/Friends is Good!

Conclusion: Christians must be careful not to attach any religious significance to Christmas. If we so desire, there is liberty to do non- religious activities on or around Christmas. However, to observe Christmas so as to commemorate the birth of Christ, is done so without any Bible authority!