Is Christmas Being Celebrated as God Intended?

Introduction

When it comes to questions about what God might intend for any subject, including holiday celebrations like Christmas, the responses are often based on personal religious views, leading to much discussion and little concrete evidence. The primary question here is whether Christmas is being celebrated in the way God intended.

Exploring God's Intentions

From a purely evidential standpoint, there is no verifiable proof of a god or gods; therefore, no clear indication of their preferences regarding holiday celebrations. Christians, in particular, are often advised to follow the teachings of Christ, who never explicitly asked for his birth to be celebrated on December 25, and was, in fact, likely not born in that month.

Origins of Christmas

Christmas has its roots in pre-Christian festivals such as Saturnalia, an ancient Roman festival of light and the winter solstice. These pagan origins have led some Christians to question whether the holiday honors Jesus’ teachings and intentions.

Christians and the True Spirit of Christmas

For those who do believe in Christ, Christmas should be a time for worship and thanksgiving for the gifts of His Son, Jesus Christ, who came to save the world. Visiting a Christmas Eve service can be a meaningful way to celebrate, provided one approaches the holiday with the right mindset.

Positive Aspects vs. Spiritual Conflict

While many aspects of Christmas such as family gatherings and gift giving are positive, they do not necessarily reflect the core message of the holiday. The birth and teachings of Jesus are the true reason for Christmas. However, if one is filled with anger, hate, xenophobia, sexism, racism, or lacks empathy, then they are in a state of spiritual conflict.

God’s teachings stress the importance of love, kindness, and compassion. Therefore, celebrating Christmas in a way that is commercially driven, prioritizing receiving gifts over giving, might be seen as misguided. For some, attending a church service on Christmas Eve might be the only time they connect spiritually during the year.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the way Christmas is celebrated depends on individual perspectives and intentions. For true Christians, the focus should be on honoring the true reason for the holiday and living according to Christ's teachings. The commercial aspects of Christmas should not overshadow the spiritual message of love, forgiveness, and compassion.