Plantation SDA Church
Deeper Episode 10: Should/Could a Genuine Christian Celebrate Christmas?
Join us as Pastor Joseph Salajan continues our new Series Deeper. Deep study into the book of Matthew
Locations & Times
Plantation SDA Church
400 NW 118th Ave, Plantation, FL 33325, USA
Wednesday 7:30 PM
Deeper Theme: What should be the attitude of a genuine Christian toward the Christmas celebration?
What we know…
• 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)
• 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)
Could we draw the conclusion we shouldn’t have anything to do with this celebration?
• 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
• 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 any holyday that is not ordained by God in the Bible?
• 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?
• 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?
How do we deal with the “pagan” aspects of Christmas?
• 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.
• 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.
Your Take-Away
• Reflection on the incarnation – the Greatest Gift!
• Proclamation of God’s love through Jesus Christ our Savior (words and acts of grace)
• Reflection on the incarnation – the Greatest Gift!
• Proclamation of God’s love through Jesus Christ our Savior (words and acts of grace)