Is it Wrong to celebrate Christmas?

A couple of hours and its Christmas! I didn't intend to do another blog for the remainder of the year however; I received a very interesting/disturbing mail about Christmas from a friend so I felt I needed to say a few things.

In summary her mail reads “our pastor told the Church that Christmas is idolatry and it’s a sin to celebrate it so now I’m confused as to whether to go with my pastor’s view or with what I know in my heart is true.”

Well, there are a lot of different religious views on Christmas which didn't start today and obviously won’t stop this year. That been said, I want to expressly say I’m not a theologian so whatever I say here is what I know in my heart is truth. Truth for me may not necessarily be truth for another.

Is it sin to celebrate Christmas from a Christian's point of view? My straight answer for this question is NO… Christmas is not mentioned in the Bible.  There is NO single verse or book commanding Christians to celebrate Jesus' birthday, or to observe ANY holiday for a fact however, celebration of Christmas or any other religious holiday is a matter of an individual’s personal choice.

It breaks my heart when I see the church divided over petty issues such as celebration of Christmas. That to a great degree misleads new believers. The central theme of the Bible is Jesus so if I decide to celebrate Jesus’ birth, what’s the fuss in that?

It is said that Christmas was once a pagan holiday from the Roman Empire which was celebrated in December 25^th in honor of Mithras-the god of light. Around AD 200 Christians started to talk about Jesus’ birthday. December 25th had become the accepted date but how the church arrived at December 25th is not clear.

Emperor Constantine, after having the vision of a cross in the sky around 312AD, decided to officially recognize 25^th as the celebration of Jesus’ birth and that helped Christmas gain prominence as an official holiday. I urge you to do a further study on December 25^th.

That said, Jesus was not born on December 25^th so for those who don’t know please note that no one honestly knows when Jesus was born. But this lack of knowledge does not diminish the value of celebrating His birth. We may not be sure about the date of Jesus’ birth but we are sure about his love for us.

There are many things that originated from pagans and pagan worships. A simple example is the days of the week.

The First Day: Sunday was named after the Sun god.
The second Day: Monday was named after the moon goddess.
The Third Day: Tuesday was named after the god Tyr.
The Fourth Day: Wednesday was named after the god Odin.
The Fifth Day: Thursday was named after the god Thor.
The Sixth Day: Friday was named after the goddess Frigga.
The Seventh Day: Saturday was named after the god Saturn.

Unless we are to conclude that celebrating Christ's arrival as God in the flesh is a bad thing, its celebration on what was once a pagan holiday is irrelevant. Christians who celebrate Christmas are not pagans. They honor Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

According to Hebrews 4:12-13, God judges us by the motives of our heart because that is where sin begins. He knows whether we’re focused on expressing our gratitude for the gift of His Son or indulging in pagan festivities. So as long as our hearts are right we’re not sinning if we celebrate Christmas.

Christmas like every other holiday can be celebrated in two ways… in honor to God or in the way of the world.  A true Christian observance of Christmas does not include drunkenness, fornication, carousing or any other conduct unworthy of saints.

Christ entrance into the world was a cause of great rejoicing and celebration, because it made possible human reconciliation to God. At his birth people who loved God rejoiced in praise, and even the angels sang for joy (Luke 1:46-2:38).

It is appropriate to celebrate the Lord's birthday for those who choose to do so. I personally celebrate Christmas because it is a very significant event in my salvation. If Christ wasn't born, lived and died, He wouldn't have reconciled us back to God.

Whether you choose to celebrate or choose not to celebrate Christmas, that’s fine. Just make sure in all you do, you’re seeking to honor Jesus Christ (Romans 14:5-6).

In conclusion,

"Who can add to Christmas?

The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. 
The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son.

The only requirement is to believe in Him. 
The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life."- Corrie Ten Boom

It is a wonderful thing to celebrate the birth of the Savior, God's gift to mankind. 

Just Sharing My Thought

Listen. Laugh. Smile. Relate. Share

Also see:

http://sureboy.blogspot.com/2012/12/if-christmas-means-anything-then-it.html

http://sureboy.blogspot.com/2013/12/its-just-around-corner.html

Grace and Peace ♥

It's Just Around the Corner

And it's just around the corner. I know what you’re probably thinking is “what is just around the corner.” Well, I'm referring to Christmas. A couple of days and ……..it’s Christmas!

Last year I wrote a piece “if Christmas means anything, then it must mean everything” that note was perhaps one of my best writing ever. See it here: http://sureboy.blogspot.com/2012/12/if-christmas-means-anything-then-it.html

For most people, Christmas is about fun, gifts, family time, new clothes, decorations etc. You may wonder what harm is in that? Well, nothing but if gifts, cloths and decorations are your only reason for Christmas then you've missed it big time.

Am I being too harsh? Maybe Yes, maybe No! Gifts are great (I love gifts). Decorations, trees, light, all those stuff are great too but do they form the core of Christmas? Its stomach turning not to know the truth about Christmas, it meaning and essence yet go about celebrating.

Our secular culture has influenced us so much so that many of us (believers) have lost the real essence of Christmas. Most people are deceived to think Christmas as just an ordinary celebration but NO! Christmas is like no other celebration. It is a spiritual celebration.

It’s not a Fall-festival, Halloween, Valentine, Yam festival or whatever celebrations there are. I believe if there is something Christians should celebrate; it’s Christmas (Christ’s birth) and Easter (Christ’s death and resurrection).  These two events form the core of our Christian faith.

When the day, songs, and activities are no longer about Christ, then the holiday cease from being worth celebrating. Jesus hasn't been welcomed into many of the houses people are decorating this season and that’s an anomaly.

Whose birthday is it again? Don't be more concerned about mistletoe than you are about the reason for the season. Jesus is the reason for the season so if you don’t know Jesus and have a personal relationship with Him then, who or what are you celebrating?

Dressing up, decorating your house, giving/receiving gifts and all the other ritual traditions of Christmas have no meaning if you don’t have Christ living in your heart.

In Christ Jesus there is restoration of life, healing from disease and pain, total forgiveness for our past and whatever hold of pain and suffering that might have us. In Christ Jesus there is healing for our hearts, hope in every situation, help in every situation, as the Holy Spirit is our helper.

What a blessing Christ Jesus is to us… If God did nothing else for us aside giving us Christ Jesus, trust me HE’s done enough.

I can't help but wonder how anyone could refuse the offer, the gift, and inheritance that they could have in Christ Jesus!

Well in conclusion, I want to say if you don’t know Jesus, please don’t allow this season roll by. I have tasted and I say without controversy that the LORD is good. This is the singular reason why I am very loud about my faith.

Christians, we are called to be righteous and set apart. To be in the world but not of it-- meaning don't do as the world does.  There is absolutely no reason why you should get into debt buying things you don't need in the name of Christmas.

Furthermore, you should have nothing to do with anything that doesn't honor God in this season and beyond. Abstain from all appearance of evil. -1 Thessalonians 5:22

We have a responsibility to make sure that our choices and actions don't become stumbling block and hinder people from getting to know Christ. I've been celebrating Christmas all my life and I can tell you we can have loads of fun without sinning.

Whatever you do, make sure you are honoring God. At the end of the day, the Christmas season is all about Him.

Season’s greetings everyone! Love you all, praying for you always…

Just Sharing My Thought

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I’m thankful for Two Thousand and Thirteen

The year is almost out… wow!  It’s unbelievable how the months rolled by. 2013 for me have been a magnificent year.  I’m grateful for the privilege to be alive and thankful for the countless blessings I have received throughout the year. God is good and He is all the time…

There are so many random things and people I need to be thankful for so in no particular order;

I am thankful for a rich, deep, meaningful relationship with God. I have never experienced God like I did this year and I am so thankful He loved me enough to sacrifice His son, purchasing my redemption, satisfying His wrath, and displaying His glory.

I’m thankful for having a family that loves and fears the LORD; a mother who lovingly brought me (Katherine, Mercy and Samuel) into this world and lovingly led us to the One who created this world. “As for me and my household, we will FOREVER serve the Lord.”

I’m thankful for the Bible. I read the Bible more this year than I ever had and trust me no other book come close. The Bible is God’s revealed word and I am so thankful for the privilege to teach, preach and write from this magnificent book.

I’m thankful for good books- knowledge is power, knowledge is priceless. I was able to read about thirteen books (excluding my Bible) this year and I must say there is an incredible amount of knowledge at our disposal. I wish more people take time (get off social media, put off their T.V) and read. Growth is impossible without knowledge.

I’m thankful for the company I work and the privileged position I hold there. I love being an accountant and I absolutely love my job. Shout-out to Tosin Adetunji, Mr. Ayoola Olajunju, Bolade Olatunji Adebimpe Adeleke and the entire finance staff.

I’m thankful for Sunny Okafor, Francisca Atie, Mary Achieng, Wahab Ajibola, Daniel Atie, Bolaji Blessing, Emmanuel Peter, Afolabi Olajide, Winifred Orji; a circle of individuals  who've enriched my life in many ways.

I’m thankful for those that have been a part of my life though they’re miles away from me. God bless you Ella Twum, Ebi Smart, Mary Achieng, Joshua Eze, Comfort Oliba, William Young and Toluwase Ayorinde.

I’m thankful for warm, caring friends who stood by me through good and tough times. You all are amazing. Some of you shared with me real extraordinary experiences and I salute your courage. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of your lives.

I’m thankful for great times, triumphs as well as challenges, frustrations, disappointments, sleepless-nights, heart-breaks, stress, all of which helped me improve and made me a better person.

I’m thankful for Twitter followers, Blog readers, Face Book friends and the whole social media community. Social media is amazing. I thank God I didn’t come in the 1950′s era but God put me in this age at this time.

I’m thankful for my church - Church of God Mission Int’l, All Nations for Christ Bible Institute and the precious souls that hold me accountable in my walk with the LORD. Following Jesus is the greatest decision I ever made.

There are many things that I have to give thanks for... but this one note isn’t enough to capture all however, I mustn't forget to mention that I’m thankful for you… you reading this. I’m thankful for the support that you give me, the likes, the comments, retweets, favorites, shares.... God bless you!

All of us have something to be thankful for. To say God hasn't been good to you is the highest form of ungratefulness. Just because God didn't do in your life what you saw HIM do in your neighbor’s life doesn't mean He isn't good.

One of the worst injustices that you can do to yourself is comparing yourself to others. God didn't create us the same. All of us are unique but different. Someone may appear to have it better than you but that doesn't mean their life is better than yours. Be grateful for your portion.

Psalm 105:6 tells us “Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD”. That literally means if you are alive, you have every reason to be thankful.

God appreciates our thanksgiving and gratitude. He doesn't need it but He wants it. He is already perfect and complete all in Himself. “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me. - Psalm 50:23

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name.” - Psalm 100:4

Life does test everybody of us at some point but no matter what you go through somebody, somewhere has it much worse than you do so be thankful. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” - Philippians 4:6

When we take time to give thanks for who GOD is and all HE does, it increases our awareness of HIS presence in all that we do and in all that we are. All that we are God made us… All that we have God gave us. “For in him we live and move and have our being” Acts 17:28

Be thankful and don't let any situation push you away from God rather; let every situation remind you of how much you need Him.

I don’t know about you but as for me, I trust God no matter what it looks like, seems like or sounds like. My hope firmly rests in His promises, guidance and provision. There's absolutely nothing that can move me or make me change my trust in Him. I'm firmly rooted.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

I’m thankful for two thousand and thirteen… are you thankful?

Just Sharing My Thought

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Grace and Peace ♥