Is it wrong to put up a Christmas tree, hand out gifts on Christmas day or making use of a Father Christmas for your kids? These are all questions Christians debate about every year when it comes to the end of the year, which sometimes end up in big arguments.
Let’s start with the exchange of gifts on Christmas Day. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with doing this, as this is a symbol of love and an acknowledgement of something great. We give each other gifts on birthdays and the birth of Christ and His birthday is no different. Did the wise men not give gifts to Jesus at His birth (Matt 2:11)? I also feel that it depends on what you focus on. Do you focus on the gifts you give or get, or do you focus on the reason behind the gift? Your focus and reason should always be Jesus!
Now let’s talk about Christmas trees and decorations. In my opinion, there is also nothing wrong with this, but it depends on why you are doing it. First of all, I would suggest not calling it a Christmas tree, but only a tree, as the tree itself has nothing to do with Christmas or with Christ.
So where does the use of a tree come from? The romans use to decorate trees in and outside their homes as a celebration of the start of summer and were accompanied by a summer festival, but this had nothing to do with Christmas, and this happened in June, not December.
The first use of a Christmas tree was in the 16th century and were done by the German protestant Christians. The use of the Christmas tree originated from this tradition and is today used by millions of Christians from around the world.
What does the Bible say about decorating trees over Christmas? There is no mention of the use of trees over Christmas in the Bible. Jerimiah 10:1-16 however talks about tree felling and the decoration thereof, and that it was against the law. The reason why Jerimiah declared this as against the law was because of the reason behind them doing it.
The people used the decorated trees as idols and then worshiped these trees. A similar text to this one is in Isaiah 44 where Isaiah talks about the foolish people who cut down trees, burn a part of it for cooking purposes and then using the rest of the tree to decorate and worship it as a god.
It is important to ask yourself the question what the reason is behind using a tree during Christmas? If it is not used for worship, making the tree and the gifts under the tree more important than celebration the birth of Christ, then I see no wrong in doing it. 1 Cor 10:31 says: Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Now let’s talk about Father Christmas. Father Christmas is a fictitious character that originated from the well-known Christian man, Saint Nicholas of Myra, who lived in the 4th century. Saint Nicholas parents left him a huge inheritance who then decided to share this with the poor. He became a priest at a young age and was known as someone with compassion and generosity.
He also had a reputation of giving gifts to people anonymously, throwing bags with money inside the windows of homes and sometimes even through their chimneys, so that people won’t see him. He did this wearing a red costume. Saint Nicholas died in the year 340 and the date of his death became a yearly festival.
The question now is whether playing this game of Father Christmas is wrong. I feel that every parent should make this decision themselves, but in principle I don’t think it is wrong. Once again, why do we do it, and when we do it, do we also make sure that the Children know that it has nothing to do with the birth of Jesus Christ or Christmas as such? It is important to make sure our kids know the real meaning of Christmas, tell them who this Father Christmas is and that he has nothing to do with Christmas and the birth of our Saviour.
I furthermore suggest we refrain from calling him father Christmas, because Saint Nicholas was not the Father of Christ and if we understand the meaning of the word Christmas and call him Father Christmas, then we are telling our kids that Saint Nicholas was God, which we all know he is not.
I also feel telling our children lies is not good, so why not just tell them the truth about Saint Nicholas of Myra and call him Santa and not Father Christmas. In the modern era we live in, lying has become part of our lives and so many people say it is fine to say a small lie now and then. My friends in Christ, a lie is a lie, there is no such thing as a small lie. 1 Pet 3:10 says: He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.
Now let’s talks about the date. So many people fight over the fact that we celebrate the birth of Christ in December, which is so unnecessary. Yes, His birth was not in December, but why does this matter since nobody knows for sure. We choose to celebrate the birth and existence of Christ on the 25th of December, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. If you feel to rather celebrate it in October, then that is also fine.
Many also believe that it is completely wrong to celebrate the birth of Christ. Why? Did those present at His birth not celebrate it? Look, if you feel you don’t want to celebrate the birth of Christ, then don’t, as there is also nothing wrong with that, but let us not attack those who do wish to do it, since there is nothing wrong with celebrating our Saviour.
I would like to close this article with the true meaning of Christmas. John 3:16 sums it all up: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. The celebration of Christmas is a celebration of LIFE and LOVE. The true story about Christmas is a story of God who became one of us through His Son Jesus Christ.
Why did God do this? Because He loved us so much and wanted to bring the world a Saviour through whom we can be forgiven for our sins. Why does God love us so much? Because He IS love (1 John 4:8). Why do we celebrate the birth of Jesus? We celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus out of gratitude for what God has given us as the biggest Christmas gift ever, Jesus Christ.
Merry Christmas!
Jaco van As