by Ken Chumbley (deceased)
Recently, while traveling in my car, it was announced that they were presenting three carols
performed by the choir of King’s College, Cambridge, England. What caught my attention were
the titles of two of the carols. The first, “See Amid the Winters Snows,” and the second, “While
Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night.” As I pondered this, I wondered why people would
sing carols that convey conflicting messages. What good shepherds in Palestine are out in winter
snows, keeping watch over their sheep when they should have them safely in the sheepfolds? Other
carols mention snow, such as “In The Bleak Mid- Winter.” Where do people get the idea that the
birth of Jesus came in December? Certainly not from the Bible! Scripture clearly teaches that the
shepherds were abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks (Luke 2:8-12). However,
when we see pictures on television from Bethlehem over the “Christmas season,” the city is often
covered with snow, and the weather conditions such that no self-respecting shepherd, who was
genuinely concerned about his sheep, would have them out in the fields and not in the fold.
Again, around this time of year, we see “Nativity Scenes” that show not only the shepherds
around the manger where the newborn baby Jesus lay but also wise men, three in number. Where
do people get the idea of three wise men? Three types of gifts were indeed brought—gold,
frankincense, and myrrh but nothing is said about the number of wise men (Mat. 2:1-12). Also, the
passage clearly indicates that they did not go to the stable behind the inn, as did the shepherds, but
they went into the “house” where the “young child” was with Mary, His mother. When the wise
men (however many there were) arrived on the scene, Jesus was no longer in the “manger” and no
longer a babe but a “young child.” Why do you think Herod ordered the death of all the children
in Bethlehem and the surrounding area two years of age and younger in accordance with the time
that he had inquired of the wise men (2:16)?
Where did these ideas and traditions come from? They come from Roman Catholicism—
“Christ Mass.” Further, Roman Catholicism brought into the “Christ Mass” pagan traditions
concerning the winter solstice festivities. These traditions are of men and have no Biblical basis.
What happens when men incorporate traditions of men into their worship activities? Jesus tells us,
“But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (15:9). Does
this mean that, as families, we cannot enjoy this holiday time? No. However, it does mean that
they have no place in the worship of the church. The Bible does not give us a date to celebrate the
birth of Christ. However, we should always keep His birth in mind, for He came into this world
to be our Savior (Luke 2:11). Without His birth, there could not have been His death on the cross,
His burial, His resurrection, and His ascension to the Father’s right hand to reign on David’s
throne, and to be our Savior. Enjoying a time of celebration and giving of gifts, etc., as a family is
fine, provided we do not show by our activities that we are celebrating the birth of Christ.
—The Beacon, Dec. 4, 2023
Editor’s Note: The above article identifies just a few of the many Catholic traditions
which are in conflict with the Bible. If we wish to have God’s approval, we need to be sure that
we are practicing in worship only that which he has authorized, (Col. 3:17). This can be done by
paying respectful attention to God’s word, rather than following man-made traditions. —RCV
