Devotionals

Celebrating Christmas II

Lewis Howellby Lewis Howell
As we saw previously, there are some who discourage celebrating Christmas by trying to tie it to paganism. They assert Christmas as unjustified because it is a man-made holiday, and base this claim on the Bible not instructing us to remember Christ’s birth. This is easily debunked because the Jews had holy days that were man-made, events never instructed of God yet never condemned by God either. The example we saw last week is the Feast of Purim, a holiday that Jesus participated, along with all others. The feast of dedication is known as Hanukkah, a man-made celebration that Jesus participated in.

“And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem” (John 2:13)

“After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.” (John 5:1)

“And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.” (John 10:22-23)

We understand that celebrating Christmas can be worldly, it can be sinful, but it can also be very biblical. To celebrate in a godly fashion, we must look to the Word of God while staying focused on the purpose of Christ’s birth. In Leviticus 23, God gives explicit instructions on how the Jews were to celebrate their feasts. These instructions can guide us on how to honorable celebrate Christmas.

Focusing on Nehemiah 8, we see how the Jews biblically and honorably celebrated with all their heart. In this chapter, we see similarities to our Christmas celebrations today. In context, the Jews went into Babylonian captivity around 600 BC. The Medes and Persians overthrew the Babylonians and allowed the Jews to return home. The third group returned in 445 BC, led by Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. It was at this time that the Word of God was opened for the first time in years. The hearts of God’s people were overwhelmed with joy, worship and celebration.

How can we apply Nehemiah 8 to celebrating Christmas:

  • Worshiping in church (8:1-6,16)
  • According to the Bible (8:7-9,13,16)
  • Feasting (8:10,12)
  • Giving gifts (8:10,12)
  • Making the day holy (8:11)
  • Camping (18:14,16)
  • Proclaiming (18:15)
  • Fetching pine trees (8:15)
  • Decorating the outside of our houses (8:15-16)
  • Saying, “MERRY CHRISTMAS” (8:12,17)
  • Reading the Christmas story (8:18)
We will see in Luke 2 next week that Christmas Day was a magnificent event, celebrated on earth and in Heaven. Despite the title of a famous Christmas carol, Christmas was far from a “Silent Night.” That cool wintry eve, the heavens literally exploded with a supernatural display of joy and excitement at the revealing of the Living Word of God, similarly as the Jews celebrated at the revealing of the Word of God in Nehemiah 8 after years of captivity!

This year let’s celebrate Christmas with great fanfare, with all our hearts and the greatest divine joy.

Lewis Howell

Lewis Howell

I am an Independent, Fundamental Baptist, missionary, pastor, soul winner, fisher of men, conservative, old fashioned, non Charismatic, Textus Receptus, King James, dispensational, pre millennial, pre tribulation, servant of Almighty God, called to serve Him as my Savior in New Zealand.

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