2. The History of Christmas
Sacred History
Secular History
Bible Authority

3. The History of Christmas
Sacred History
Everything the Bible says about Christmas:
Nothing
Disciples did not observe
Holy Spirit did not reveal
Apostles did not command

4. The History of Christmas
Sacred History
Christmas is extra-biblical in origin
“Neither Christmas (… Christ + Mass)
nor the actual celebration
of the anniversary of the birth of Christ
is recorded in the Bible”
- Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible

5. The History of Christmas
Sacred History
Christmas is extra-biblical in origin
“Christmas was not among
the earliest festivals of the Church”
- Catholic Encyclopedia

6. The History of Christmas
Secular History
Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia
Earliest known reference to date
of Christ’s birth is around 200 AD
End of 4th century special services adopted
Originally a religious celebration…
Gradual addition of practices of nations
“The assimilation of such practices generally represented efforts by Christians to transform or absorb otherwise pagan practices”

7. The History of Christmas
Secular History
Why Dec. 25 for Christ’s birth?
Two dates: Jan. 6 & Dec. 25 (Zondervan)
Assigned to every month (Catholic Enc.)
“the Gospels give no help…” (Catholic Enc.)

8. The History of Christmas
Secular History
Why Dec. 25 for Christ’s birth?
“The date was chosen to counter
pagan festivities connected with
the winter solstice;
since 274, under the emperor Aurelian, Rome had celebrated
the feast of the ‘Invincible Sun’
on December 25”
- Grolier Encyclopedia

9. The History of Christmas
Secular History
Why Dec. 25 for Christ’s birth?
“The well-known solar feast…
of Natalis Invicti,
celebrated on 25 December,
has strong claim on the responsibility for our December date”
- Catholic Encyclopedia

10. The History of Christmas
Secular History
Other things associated with Christmas
Tree: pagan, Anglo-Saxon (history.com)
Gifts: Feast of Saturnalia (Zondervan)
Yule Log: Norse festival (thehistoryofchristmas.com)

11. The History of Christmas
Secular History
Pagan connection traditionally condemned (history.com)
“as late as the 1840s Christmas trees
were seen as pagan symbols
and not accepted by most Americans”

12. The History of Christmas
Secular History
Pagan connection traditionally condemned (history.com)
“Oliver Cromwell preached against ‘heathen traditions’ of Christmas carols, decorated trees,…”

13. The History of Christmas
Secular History
Pagan connection traditionally condemned (history.com)
“In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts enacted a law making any observance
of December 25 (other than a church service)
a penal offense.”

14. The History of Christmas
Bible Authority
Warned about adding to or taking from
The Law, Deut. 4:2
Not to right or left, Josh. 1:7
Punishment, Rev. 22:18, 19
Wisdom, Prov. 30:6
Example, 1 Kgs. 12:25-33

15. The History of Christmas
Bible Authority
Must have divine authority, Mt. 21:23-27
Direct statement, Acts 2:38
Approved example, Acts 20:7
Necessary inference, Acts 15:7-11
No authority for the church
to have a religious celebration of Christmas

16. The History of Christmas
Bible Authority
Individual liberty, Rom. 14:5
Birthdays
Patriotic Days (4th of July)
Days of rest/reflection (Thanksgiving)
Days of respect (Mother’s Day)
Days for family (Easter, Christmas)