My Christmas Likes
My favorite movies to watch with my family during the Christmas season star Dr. Seuss’ Grinch! I love sitting downstairs in the dark with only the glow of the Christmas tree lighting the room. I also enjoy having time off from work so I can focus on the people I love most. It’s a season when we come together to celebrate God becoming human and making His home among us. There’s a lot I enjoy about Christmas—but there are also a few things I don’t.
My Christmas Dislikes
I’ll be honest—I get annoyed when stores stock Christmas items the day after Halloween, or worse, in the middle of summer! I groan when a radio station starts playing Christmas music on November 1. And I really don’t like how commercialism often overshadows the true meaning of the holiday—knowing that about me, it’s no surprise that I’m a fan of the Grinch.
The One Thing That Makes Me the Most Grinchy
But those aren’t the only things that bother me during this “most wonderful time of the year.” What frustrates me even more is seeing some believers tell other Christians not to celebrate Christmas at all. Some turn these personal convictions into hard-and-fast rules they expect every follower of Christ to obey. You’ll see this view in memes, online videos, and in groups like the Seventh-day Adventists and the Hebrew Roots Movement.
While there are many personal reasons someone might avoid Christmas, most objections fall into two main arguments:
- It’s wrong to celebrate because it’s a man-made holiday.
- It’s wrong to celebrate Christmas because it has pagan roots.
Where We’re Going Next
Because this topic stirs strong opinions among believers, I want to slow down and ask the only question that really matters: What does Scripture say?
Does the Bible actually forbid celebrating Christmas because it’s a man-made holiday—or because of supposed pagan ties? If Scripture clearly tells us to abstain, then our love for God should lead us to obey. But if it doesn’t, then let’s freely celebrate the incarnation with Jesus at the center of every song, symbol, and tradition we enjoy this time of year.
As Paul wrote, “In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable.” (Romans 14:5). That’s what we’ll seek to do—let Scripture, not sentiment, settle the matter.
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