What does the Bible say about Christmas?
- La respuesta que da la Biblia
The Bible does not reveal the date Jesus was born, nor does it say that we should celebrate that event. A well-known reference work states: "The celebration of Christmas is not a divine mandate, nor does it have its origin in the New Testament" (Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, by John McClintock and James Strong).
Reviewing the history of Christmas makes it clear that this celebration has its roots in pagan rites. The Bible shows that if we worship God in a way that he does not approve, we actually offend Him (Exodus 32: 5-7).
History of Christmas customs
- Celebration of the birth of Jesus
The first Christians did not celebrate the birthday of Christ because "they considered these festivities [...] as relics of pagan practices" (Our daily things).
- December 25
There is no proof that Jesus was born on that date. Apparently, the leaders of the Church chose a date that coincided with the time of the pagan celebrations of the winter solstice.
- Gifts, banquets and parties.
"Saturnalia, Roman festivals that were celebrated in mid-December, in many ways set the model for Christmas fun. They took, for example, the banquets, the giving of gifts and the lighting of candles. "(The Encyclopedia Americana.) In this regard, the Dictionary of Church History recognizes:" The merrymaking and the exchange of gifts have origin in the Roman festival of Saturnalia (December 17-24) ". In addition, the Encyclopædia Britannica says that during Saturnalia all work was suspended.
- Christmas lights.
According to The Encyclopedia of Religion, European families decorated their homes "with lights and perennial leaves of all kinds" to celebrate the winter solstice and to protect themselves from evil spirits. And the Church's History Dictionary states: "The green bushes and the lights come from the Calendas of January (1 in., The new year) in association with the sun."
- Ornaments made with holly and mistletoe.
The druids attributed magical powers to the mistletoe in particular. Holly leaves were worshiped as a promise of the Sun's return. "
- Christmas tree.
"The cult of trees was common among Europeans and survived the conversion of these to Christianity." One of the practices derived from this is "placing a Christmas tree at the entrance or inside the house during the party in the winter.
