Deeper Theme: What should be the attitude of a genuine Christian toward the Christmas celebration?

• No biblical data supports December 25th as Jesus’ Birthday

• Biblical data seem to lead toward Jesus’ birthday in the Fall (September-October ➔ Fall Festivals – Tishri)

• Some historical data seem to be pointing to a pagan origin (Birthday of Sol Invictus)

• Christmas ← Criste-masse (middle Engl.) = Christ’s Mass

• (Christos = Meshiah = Anointed)

• Xmas ←Χριστός

• Two main concerns: pagan origins and practices (e.g. Christmas three) + materialism, consumerism, debauchery

• Can we celebrate Thanksgiving?

• Is the last Thursday of November in the Bible?

• Purim – Celebration of Deliverance (Esther ch. 9)

• Hanukkah

• John 10:22 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch.

• Why went Jesus to the temple? –Mission opportunity?

• 1 Corinthians 8:4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.

• …7 However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with

consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

• Duty ←➔ Liberty

• Ellen White:

• Letters of inquiry have come to us asking, Shall we have a Christmas tree? Will it not be like the world? We answer, You can make it like the world if you have a disposition to do so, or you can make it as unlike the world as possible. Adventist Home, 482.

• Reflection on the incarnation – the Greatest Gift!

• Proclamation of God’s love through Jesus Christ our Savior (words and acts of grace)