Being the Christmas season, it is not uncommon to see signs in people’s yards proclaiming that “Jesus is the reason for the season.” To the majority of the religious world, Christmas is recognized as being the birth of Christ. Come springtime, the majority of the religious world recognizes Easter as being Christ’s resurrection. With so much religious focus around these holidays, we may begin to wonder, “What should I be doing,” or “How should I be celebrating?”
The history of Christmas and Easter as religious holidays does not find its origin in Scripture but in later history. Christmas was not recognized as a religious celebration of Christ’s birth until the 3rd century.[1] Concerning Easter, there was no celebrated holiday of Jesus’ resurrection until sometime in the 2nd century.[2] When we look to God’s inspired word, what we find is that there is record of Christ’s miraculous birth (Matt. 1:18ff; Lk. 2:1ff, NKJV), but there is no record of a commemoration or holiday stemming from His birth. We also learn from Scripture that Jesus did rise from the dead (Matt. 28:6; Mk. 16:6; Lk. 24:6; Jn. 20:1ff; 1 Cor. 15). Within His resurrection, we do find that God has given command concerning a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. This celebration, while it is a joyous thing, is at the same time a commemoration wherein we are to keep the body and blood of our Lord in mind (Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 11:23-26). Jesus’ resurrection is to be observed not every spring, but every Sunday (Acts 20:7).
When we look to Scripture, we do not find Christmas or Easter (the KJV translates the Jewish feast of “Passover” as “Easter” in Acts 12:4, but this is not speaking to how many celebrate Easter religiously today). This being the case, how then should we approach these days? As with all things, approach such days with love (1 Cor. 13). Many celebrate these days religiously based on their tradition. Even in the early days of Christianity, many continued to observe certain feast days or food limitations based on their previous traditions. Concerning such matters, Paul says we are not to let anyone judge us for not observing such days (Col. 2:16). At the same time, Paul says we are not to be harsh or critical of those who might hold to such traditions (Rom. 14:5ff). May we always treat others in a loving, merciful manner – Just as Christ has treated us. We may not celebrate the day religiously, but what a blessing it is to know that many place a greater emphasis on Christ these times of year. If we maintain the love of Christ and continue to magnify Him in our lives, who knows what opportunities for evangelism we might have? As more of our neighbors are focused on Christ, let’s not turn them away; let’s do our part to show them Jesus more clearly.
[1] Hans J. Hillerbrand, “Christmas,” Encyclopaedia Britannica, December 5, 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas.
[2] Hans J. Hillerbrand, “Easter,” Encyclopaedia Britannica, November 27, 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Easter-holiday.
By: Preston McElyea