Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
November 13, 2022

Should We Observe Christmas as a Religious Holiday?
by Bryan Gibson
To help us in answering this question, let’s begin by looking at a very important Biblical principle. This principle is found in Matthew 21:23-27. The chief priests and elders confronted Jesus and asked Him, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” In response to their question, Jesus asked them a very revealing question, “The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?” What this question shows is that every religious teaching or practice must come from one of two sources: heaven or men. But what if it should come from men? Is there any problem with that? YES, according to Jesus in Matthew 15:9: “And in vain they worship me, teaching as doctrine the commandments of men.” It is indeed a serious thing to teach or practice anything which has its origin with man (see also Colossians 2:22; Titus 1:14). Now, what about the practice of observing Christmas as a religious holiday, that is, celebrating it as the birth of Jesus? Is this practice from heaven or from men?
If this practice comes from God, we should expect something to be said about it in the Bible. But when we look carefully throughout the Bible, frankly, we cannot find a word about Christmas. Nowhere is there a command to celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25. We have no examples of it being done. In fact, the Bible says nothing about exactly when Jesus was born. With nothing in God’s word about this practice, we must conclude it comes from man. That being the case, we simply cannot turn his birth into a religious observance. Study and preach about His miraculous birth? Yes! Praise God for it? Yes! Sing about it? Yes! But none of these activities have to be “seasonal”—we can do these year around (along with other aspects of His life and teaching).
It does seem a bit ironic, though, in looking at the celebration of Christmas, that the birth of Christ receives almost more attention than the death of Christ. The birth of Christ was a wonderful event (and we’ll have more to say about its significance in next week’s article), but the focus of the gospel message is the death of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:2; 15:3-4). In fact, the death of Christ is something God does teach us to observe. We do this every first day of the week when we eat the Lord’s Supper (see Matthew 26:26-28; Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 10:16-21; 11:17-34). This practice clearly comes from heaven, or from God. However, we cannot say the same about the observance of Christmas as the birth of Christ.
“For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Revelation 22:18-19).
“Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 1:9).
Sentence Sermons
A soft answer can break a hard heart (Proverbs 15:1).
Don’t try to raise your reputation by lowering others (Philippians 2:3-4).
“What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? (Mark 8:36).
Does the obligation to honor your father and mother (Ephesians 6:2) end when it gets really hard?
Many people have too much to live on and too little to live for (Luke 12:15-21; 1 Timothy 6:6-12).
Beware of your spiritual condition when the most pleasing part of the service is the closing song and closing prayer.

Contact Information
	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Classes………...9 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Worship/Bible Study..5 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.