Is Christmas in the bible? This is a question that we should all ask ourselves, if we celebrate Christmas with the Bible in mind.
Too many times things are assumed within Christianity…
Outside of that, is the keeping of the Commandments and the reading of the scriptures. These are the things that we are told to do when we actually read the scriptures.
The scriptures give us clear warning against the traditions of men, and holding them above the Commandments of the most high.
Colossians 2:8
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
I will be discussing this assumed celebration of Christmas, and whether it is commanded. I’ll also answer questions such as, where the Twelve Days of Christmas came from? And Where the real origin of the Christmas celebration came from.
The answers may shock you, but this article is not meant to shock… My aim is to reveal the truth of the scriptures, so that we can all reach our goal of salvation.
What’s The Meaning Of The Word Christmas?
It’s important to understand the meaning of the word Christmas before we begin trying to prove Christmas as a legitimate biblical celebration.
To look at the words meaning it can be broken up into two parts:
“Christ”
“Mas(s)”
So we can see two words here that make up the word Christmas, “Christ” + “Mas”, Giving us Christmas.
So let’s look at the first part:
“Christ”, If you were thinking that this is the same Christ that we see in the scriptures you would be right. The word Christ originates from the Greek word Khrīstos (the origin of the word Christ), it is written as “Χριστός” when written in Greek.
The second part of the word Christmas is:
“Mas”, so what is the Mas in christmas meaning…
Mass comes from the Latin from Middle Latin missa. Its original meaning has been thought to mean a “sending” or “dismissal“.
The Latin term missa came into use in the 6th century the general consensus is that it has been derived from the “Latin Ite, missa est” which literally means “Go; the dismissal is made”.
That being said when we put the two words together we get “Christmas”. So the term Christmas could literally mean Christ goes or Christ is dismissed.
This is quite ironic considering that Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ. But when we do further research, we understand that the mass has come to be synonymous with the Eucharist which is the taking of the wine and bread within the Catholic Church and the numerous other denominations that follow this practice.
What’s The Christmas And The Eucharist Connection?
The Eucharist is the bread and wine, it also has other names such as the holy communion,the mass, which is what we find in Christ”mas”, the Lord’s supper, divine liturgy.
The bread represents the body of the Messiah and the wine represents his blood symbolically. The scriptures do tell us that the Messiah became the Passover lamb, during the Passover celebration.
In Luke 22:18-20
18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
These are the scriptures the Catholic church used when they created the Eucharist tradition. On the surface this seems harmless. But when you look deeper into the observance of Eucharist, we can clearly see that it doesn’t line up with the scriptures.
When we look at the Catechism of the catholic church 1366 above, it tells us that the actual Eucharist is a “sacrifice”.
The Passover only takes place once a year, but when we compare this to the Catholic churches tradition of the Eucharist which is the taking of the bread and wine seen in Luke 22:18-20, the Eucharist can be taken multiple times a year contrary to what the scriptures teach.
Furthemore, the Catechism of the catholic church 1367 above also says that the taking of the Eucharist is actually “propitiatory” (Saves us from sins or appeases the Most High).
This is clearly false, in Luke 22:19 we are told that we should eat the wine and bread to keep the Messiah in Remembrance. When we study the bible we know that this Remembrance is the keeping of the Commandments, and the things that the Most High commands us to do.
The eating of the wine and bread keep us in remembrance, they are not to be deified, or seen as some type of pathway to Salvation. This can only be achieved through the receiving of the Holy Spirit and good works.
The History Of Christmas And The Scriptures
Christmas is allegedly supposed to be the celebration of the Messiah’s birthday. This is alleged because the scriptures never tell us when the Messiah was born.
You may or may not know, but the term “Christmas” has not been around that long, which in it’s self makes Christmas a relatively new celebration.
Other names for this celebration are Noël, Nativity, Xmas and Yule. Yule is a germanic version of Christmas that has pagan origins, although today it has been christianized. Whatever the stories are, it’s our responsibility to follow the scriptures when it comes to events that claim to be inspired by scriptures.
When we look at the scripture in Maccabees, we see that 25th of Kislev (November – December time) as a day that the pagan Greeks destroyed the temple in Israel.
This lead to the Maccabean revolt, and the institution of the Hanukkah celebration to re-dedicate the temple, after the Israelite’s lead by Judas Maccabees kicked the Greeks out of the temple.
This just shows that the 25th of December was always more than just a date selected by pagans to worship their pagan Gods. What we should be celebrating at this time is Hanukkah, which is now on the 25th of (Kislev, 9th Hebrew month) December, a perfect and logical substitute.
Today Christmas celebration has become a time for Pagans and Christians to worship together, contrary to what the scriptures say i.e. that we should not be unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14).
2 Corinthians 6:14
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
It can confidently be said that sharing a day to worship the Most High (Christmas) where many of the traditions surrounding it have no connection to the Most High’s commands, is definitely a case of being “unequally yoked”.
Is The Christmas Tree Biblical?
The scriptures show us that pagan celebrations that were similar to Christmas have always existed, especially the one that involves putting up a Christmas tree and decorating it…
You can see what is said in the book of Jeremiah below:
In Jeremiah 10:1-5
1 Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
2 Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
Here we are told of a pagan celebration that took place in biblical times over 1000 years ago. It was also ‘decked with silver and gold‘ decorations back then.
The scriptures go on to say that Israel were not to be afraid of this tree. Today we can relate this fear to peer pressure and the fear of feeling like out…
How many times have you heard people say they’re just doing Christmas for the kids? Surely it makes more sense to tell your children the truth. We should also remember that we have the whole of a childs life to reward them with gifts, not just one day a year.
Is Santa Claus Biblical?
Who is Santa claus? This is the question that should be asked. Every year a guy with a white beard and a red suit is supposed to go through the chimneys of houses distributing gifts. This happens on Christmas eve and the presents are supposedly only given to good children…
As a child I was excited about the prospect of receiving gifts, like the millions of other children around the world are today, but what does any of this have to do with the bible?
Santa claus is known by other names such as Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, or just Santa.
St. Nicholas is the man that Santa Claus is based around, he was said to be a very generous man who donated to the poor generously. He was a Greek Christian Bishop who lived in the 4th century, his body can be found in Italy.
Even though St Nicholas day is on the 6th of December, over time the Christmas tradition of giving gifts was inspired by him, and incorporated into the Christmas tradition.
Doing good and giving are always good things, but it doesn’t mean that we should create our own celebrations to give honour to the Most High or his son.
The Messiah when he was on the earth told the Pharisees and Scribes, that they were guilty of the same things i.e. (Matthew 15:9) But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Clearly this is a tradition of men, giving is already taught within the scriptures. Creating a celebration around giving just because we feel like it, is unacceptable to the Most High. Especially when the celebration takes it core development from demeaning the temple in Israel, when we look back in history.
Conclusion – Is Christmas In The Bible?
Understanding the history behind Christmas should alarm any true believer. It’s very easy to get involved in Christmas festivities. Without doing the research it’s near impossible to understand that Christmas is not biblical.
If you’re somebody that wants the truth and wants to progress, it’s necessary to read the scriptures in order to increase your chances of salvation.
It’s clear that the 25th of December is a day that pagans originally used in order to celebrate their deities. Most of the time this was done during the winter solstice.
The only association that a true believer should have with the date 25th of December, is if they are celebrating the Hanukkah. This is the 8 day celebration inspired against the pagan practices that we see today, particularly the December 25th celebration Christmas, and the traditions that come with it.
So it’s clear with all the evidence that Christmas is clearly not biblical. That being said its time to make a decision…
Shalom! And share this with somebody that needs it…