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Is December 25 Valid for Christmas?

When the Lord Jesus has become your peace, remember, there is another thing: good will towards men. Do not try to keep Christmas without good will towards men. – Charles Spurgeon

Christmas can be as divisive as it is unifying. Good will is lost in argument, celebration spilled on the floor.

Christmas engages even Christians in unnecessary strife. The date of December 25 has become a diversion among Christians from simply celebrating Christ's birth.

Battles arise over the date of Jesus' birth, and the debateable notion of Christmas as a reclaiming of pagan festivals. 

Much ink has spilled around the pagan origins of Christmas day. Therefore, the December 25th celebration should no longer be honored, because its roots are pagan.

But is this correct?

And does it matter?

This strong stream of thought exists amongst many Christians. It appears to grow each Christmastide.

A counter reasoning to pagan origins of Christmas day is academically reported:

The now popular idea that Christians co-opted the pagan feast originates with Paul Ernst Jablonski (1693-1757), who opposed various supposed 'paganisations of Christianity'.

This same unhelpful debate gathers at Easter as well. It devalues both celebrations and creates needless distraction and then division. It is a fruit from the Tree of Knowledge.

The validity of either celebration is not found in its foundations (be they good or evil), but in their face.

The apostle Paul is clear:

the source of the knowledge of Christ does not weaken the reason of Christ, the value to make Christ known.

What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. (Philippians 1:18)

Christ is preached at Christmas from every piece of tinsel to every pulpit. This alone is what matters.

The validity of Christmas does not depend upon it source, but its truth. And in this we rejoice - Christ was born in a stable to become the savior of the world.

I truly believe that if we keep telling the Christmas story, singing the Christmas songs, and living the Christmas spirit, we can bring joy and happiness and peace to this world. ~ Norman Vincent Peale

Today's Soul Snippet:

'A week without The Word makes one very weak.' ~ Michael Cartwright

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Posted in Seasons, Christmas;