Christmas: Does It Matter? – Brian Orchard vision.org

Most never question the traditions they keep. For many, their personal enjoyment of a holiday is all the convincing needed in whether they partake in a day or not. Is that enough? For example, are the neatly wrapped and packaged traditions of Christmas, that are enjoyed and loved by so many, enough to embrace a day that’s pagan customs are at odds with the person it’s touted to celebrate?

Tradition can be helpful for those that want a relationship with God. Paul encourages us to stand fast to those traditions, but he also said to “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men”. (2 Thes. 2:15) Throughout the Bible, for those that ascribe their lives to its teachings, is a warning to not worship God with traditions created by men. We are to worship God as he lays out and not add to, nor take away from it.

The pious veneer of Christmas does not nullify the ancient pagan traditions that have been around well before the birth of Christ. Nor was the specific day of his birth spelled out in scripture. But God does desire ‘true worshipers to worship Him in spirit and truth’ (John 4:23)