Are We To Celebrate Christ’s Birth?

Robert Meredith

Is there Bible authority to celebrate Jesus’ birthday?  The Holy Spirit says that one must have authority for everything that he does in the name of religion.  The Spirit had the Apostle Paul to write, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17).  To do something “in the name of the Lord” means to do it by His authority.  Therefore, if Jesus has not given authority, it cannot be done.  The Bible teaches by direct command, approved example and necessary inference.  Nowhere in the bible is there a command to observe His birth, or an example of the early church setting aside a day to honor His birth, or an implication that the New Testament church did so.  Therefore, there is no biblical authority to do so.

  Yes, His birth is important!  The Old Testament foretold of His birth.  In Micah 5:2 one is told that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, and Isaiah 7:14 informs man that Jesus’ birth would be miraculous in that He would be born of a virgin.  If it were not for His birth, He could not have

died for our sins.  Mankind would still be without hope.  Yes, His birth is very important and lessons need to be taught on the virgin birth of Christ.  Old Testament prophecies concerning His birth, His mission, and His kingdom help to strengthen one’s faith (Romans 10:17; 15:4).

  The world, not God, has set aside December 25th as the Lord’s birthday.  No one really knows when Jesus was born.  One can know it was not in the month of December.  First, shepherds would not have had their sheep out in the fields at that time of the year (Luke 2:8).  Second, it has been figured by some the time in which Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father who was a priest, would have been serving in the temple.  The Levitical priesthood was divided into courses by David (2 Chronicles 35:1-4).   It was figured when Zechariah’s particular course would have been serving (Luke 1:5); then if one adds nine months for the birth of John and then six months (Luke 1:26-27) for the birth of Jesus, then most likely Jesus was born in April or October.  (Each course served in the temple area two times a year, six months apart plus the major Jewish holy days.)  But even if Jesus were born in December, God has not instructed man to honor that day.

  Why is it that man wants to honor His birth, which God has not commanded; and yet refuses to honor His death each Sunday by the memorial of the Lord’s Supper, which God has commanded?  In Acts 20:7 one can read that the church partook of this authorized memorial every first day of the week, yet, today, many only want to observe it once a year or maybe quarterly.

  The Apostle Paul gave a warning to the Christians of Galatia because they were observing special days in a religious manner which God had not authorized under the New Testament (Galatians 4:10-11).  Religiously it is wrong to observe a special day for Christ’s birth.  If God had said to do so then it would be wrong not to observe His birth.  However, God put the emphasis on His Son’s death and Christians observe it every Sunday (Acts 20:7; Matthew 26:26-29), not just as the world does on “Easter.”

  Is it wrong to get together with friends and family during the holiday season?  No!  Christians can certainly get together and have good family moments.  It is fine to exchange gifts during this time of year.  But, it is neither His birthday, nor should a Christian observe it as a holy day.  “Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.  I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain” (Galatians 4:10-11).