The following is revised & reprinted by request: from the Bulletin, 11/26/2023:
by Robert C. Veil, Jr.
This time of year we frequently get questions from Christians concerned about pleasing God.
They ask whether they should be observing holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and others. I
am glad they are asking, because this indicates an interest in pleasing God. It would be easier to
just go along with the world, and ignore what God wants as revealed in his word. But, for those
who seek to please Him, let’s take a few moments and review some clear Bible principles.
First, we need to reaffirm our commitment to saying and doing in religion only that which is
authorized by God. “And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him, (Col. 3:17). To say or do something “in the
name of” the Lord is to do it by his authority. That is, to be able to show from the Scriptures that
God has authorized such. If we cannot produce book, chapter and verse for what we are saying
and doing in our religious observances, how can we obey this clear verse? If you are relying on
what others are doing as your authority, perhaps it’s time to reconsider your practices, especially
around the holidays.
Second, God does not approve of religious observances which are not authorized by him.
The inspired apostle Paul rebuked the Galatians for exactly that: “Ye observe days, and months,
and seasons, and years. I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in
vain,” (Gal. 4:10-11). The holidays they were observing were not authorized because they were
part of the Mosaic dispensation, which had been taken out of the way, and was no longer in effect.
As Paul explained to the Corinthians, when a person turns to the Lord, the trappings of other
religious laws and regulations are taken away, (see 2 Cor. 3, esp. 14-18). This means that we cannot
look to the law of Moses, the law of the Catholic Church, or to the pagan traditions of prior ages
for our authority. We must look to the New Testament. This, of course, begs the question: Where
in the New Testament is the authority for a religious holiday in observance of the birth of Christ?
Or one to observe his death? The authority revealed in the New Testament for observance of the
death of Christ is the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week, (1 Cor. 11:23ff). When I transform
Christmas get-togethers or the exchanging of gifts into religious observances, I am worshiping
God in a manner which he has not authorized, (cf. Mt. 15:9).
Third, by using religious symbols at this time of year, such as religious Christmas cards,
nativity scenes and the like, I am contributing to the mistaken notion that God has authorized this
special holiday observance in worship. But he has not authorized it. He expects us to honor his
Son each and every day, and to observe the Lord’s Supper every Sunday, (Acts 20:7).
Fourth, there is nothing wrong with exchanging gifts, enjoying dinners with loved ones,
posting decorations, and holiday greetings. But when we direct these into spiritual themes, have
we not crossed into worshiping God in a manner He has not authorized? Are we not following the
wrong authority in religion? Do we suppose that God forgot to tell us He wants us to observe this
religious holiday?
Fifth, it’s possible to use this time of year as a special opportunity. Many people who
ordinarily do not give much thought or attention to spiritual matters, are being reminded of our
Lord. Because of pleasant experiences and warm memories, their hearts may be especially
receptive at this time of year. Can we not take advantage of these opportunities without blurring
the lines God himself has drawn for us?
Sixth, this is not the same issue as observing, birthdays, secular holidays, or civic
commemorations with no spiritual overtones. The Bible teaches that the non-religious observance
of such days is within one’s own discretion, as a matter of expediency or judgment, (see Rom. 14
& 1 Cor. 8, esp. vs. 8). But these passages do not apply to the religious holidays Paul addressed in
Galatians 4.
I hope these biblical reminders will help those who are sincerely trying to do the right
thing this time of year. And, after all, if we are trying to please God and be faithful Christians,
should we not desire to please him even during the holiday seasons?
