By Joseph Tkach
In the fall of 1995, the Worldwide Church of God published its new position on Christmas observance. In short, the church respects and affirms its members' personal choices on Christmas observance, encouraging all members to love one another as Jesus commanded, and not to condemn one another over use of days as Paul instructed. The church believes that Christians are free in Christ to avoid Christmas or to celebrate Christmas, always keeping in mind that whatsoever is not of faith is of sin (Romans 14:23). This change in the former position of the church, which condemned all celebration of the birth of Jesus, is based on what the church believes to be a clearer understanding of biblical teaching.
The church has always held the Scriptures in the highest regard. In Luke 2:10-11, an angel of God describes the birth of Jesus as "good tidings of great joy for all the people." Recognizing that it was appropriate for the angels to rejoice at the birth of Jesus (verses 13-14), the church believes it is certainly in keeping with the message of Scripture for its members to do so. The church has not, however, set any particular day aside for expressing thanks for Jesus' birth. Since most Christians set aside December 25 as a traditional date on which to do this, our members are free to choose this date as well.
Some members may also desire to meet together for a celebration of the birth of the Savior. Such a meeting would be entirely optional, of course. Members may choose to hold it in their own homes, or in some cases, pastors may arrange a meeting place for a praise and worship service of thanksgiving, with Bible teaching about the birth of Jesus and its meaning to all humanity.
Brethren, it is important that all our members respect one another's views on this subject and not judge one another, following the apostle Paul's instruction in Romans 14. Neither those who celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25, nor those who don't, are more righteous or more evil than the other. Many of our members avoid the Christmas celebration for conscience' sake because of the ancient pagan customs associated with it. There is no sin in their abstinence. Other members devote a December 25th celebration to worship and thanksgiving to God for sending his Son into the world for our salvation. There is also no sin in their celebration. We can all learn to say with Paul, "Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord.... Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God" (Romans 14:6, 10).
Love, not command, is what motivates many Christians to celebrate Christmas. They love their Savior and they love their families. Christmas provides an opportunity for them to express both. To harshly judge those who choose to practice their faith in this spirit of devotion conflicts with many New Testament principles.
Likewise, love motivates many Christians who choose not to celebrate Christmas. They also love their Savior and their families. Their discomfort with the Christmas celebration is based on their desire to avoid taking part in something that defiles their conscience.
Can we respect one another's views on this, and follow Jesus' command that we love one another? I believe we can.
The fact that non-Christians or even some Christians celebrate Christmas as a secular holiday or in a profane way is not a reason for all Christians to avoid Christmas. After all, some people get involved in ungodly conduct at the Feast of Tabernacles or attend it merely for a vacation. These are not reasons for all church members to avoid the festival. At the same time, the fact that many Christians set aside December 25 to celebrate the birth of Jesus does not mean that all Christians must do so. After all, there have been faithful Christians throughout the centuries who never celebrated Christmas.
The Worldwide Church of God no longer teaches that observing Christmas is a sin. The decision whether to observe Christmas, and if observing it, how to observe it, is a personal matter. Some Christians celebrate Christmas with traditional trappings, while some celebrate it without traditional trappings. Some avoid Christmas altogether. The church teaches that Christians who celebrate Christmas and those who do not should seek to honor Jesus Christ (Romans 14:5-6). If members choose to celebrate Christmas with their families, we encourage them to make Christ the center of their celebration.
May God grant us peace and unity as we live together in his grace and obedience.
Nov. 19, 1996, Worldwide News, page 12
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