This document discusses the origins and biblical basis of Christmas traditions. It argues that: 1) Jesus' birth is mentioned in the Bible but there is no command to celebrate it, and the Bible's focus is on the cross, not the manger. 2) Christmas traditions such as decorated trees and gift giving originated from pagan winter solstice festivals, not from the Bible. 3) Celebrating Christmas cannot truly honor Christ since it is a man-made tradition not founded or authorized in scripture. 4) While individuals can choose to observe days to the Lord, the church has no authority to add holidays beyond what is commanded in the Bible.

2. Unwrap the Truth Found In the Bible
•We can unwrap the truth about celebrating
Jesus birthday in the Bible.
•Jesus birth is mentioned (Luke 2), but there is
no command to celebrate it. The Bible’s big
focus is not the manger but rather the cross!
•The scriptures thoroughly equip us for every
good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17) if it’s not in the
scriptures then it’s not a good work. Col. 3:17
•No one today knows the exact day or month
of Jesus b-day, most certainly not in winter
though. Lk. 2:8; S.of.S 2:11

3. •Many true Christians understand that a
Christmas holiday is not from God.
•The religious world basically hates us for
this knowledge – we’re not like them.
•Fact is we celebrate the Joy of Jesus’
blessings every week not just a few times
a year. Eph. 1:3; Acts 2:42; 20:7

4. Where Did the Dec. 25th Celebration Start?
•It is of Pagan origin! (Not from the Bible)
•The first evidence of the feast is from Egypt. Pagan
customs centering around the January calends [the
pagan calendar] gravitated to Christ-mas.”
(Catholic Encyclopedia, 1911 ed.)
• They (Roman Catholics) copied it from the pagan
Roman sun-god, …following Saturnalia, was the
Brumalia festival (birth of sun god) on Dec. 25th
(New Shaff-Herzog Ency. of Religious Knowledge)
•Christmas was first celebrated in the 3rd century in
Rome 354, and Constantinople in 379, and Antioch
in 388 (Gospel of Luke Commentary, Norval
Geldenhuys, p. 102).

5. What About the Christmas Tree?
•The modern Christmas tree originated in
Germany. But the Germans got it from the
Romans, who got it from the Babylonians and the
Egyptians. “An old Babylonish fable told of an
evergreen tree which sprang out of a dead tree
stump. The old stump symbolized the dead
Nimrod, the new evergreen tree symbolized that
Nimrod had come to life again in Tammuz!
Among the Druids the oak was sacred, among
the Egyptians it was the palm, and in Rome it
was the fir, which was decorated with red berries
during the Saturnalia! (cf. Ezek. 8:14-16)

6. What About the Christmas Tree?
•Jeremiah 10:2-5, 11, 23
• It originated from a form of tree
worship/idolatry: God directly refers to it
as “the way of the heathen.” Likewise,
He commands His people to “learn not
the way of the heathen,” calling these
customs “vain” (empty).

7. A Look at Other Christmas Customs
In the Roman world, the Saturnalia (Dec.17) was a
time of merrymaking and exchanging of gifts.
December 25 was also regarded as the birthdate of
the Iranian mystery god Mithra, the Sun of
Righteousness. On the Roman New Year (Jan.1),
houses were decorated with greenery and lights,
and gifts were given to children and the poor.
To these observances were added the German and
Celtic Yule rites when the Teutonic tribes penetrated
into Gaul, Britain and central Europe. Food and good
fellowship, the Yule log and Yule cakes, greenery
and fir trees, gifts and greetings all commemorated
different aspects of this festive season.

8. Can Christ Be Honored By Christmas?
•Is it a doctrine of man? Mt.15:8-9
•The World Book Encyclopedia: “Bishop Liberious
of Rome In 354 A.D. ordered that December 25th
be adopted as the birth date of Christ.”
•If so, then it’s vain and Christ is not truly
honored. Jn. 4:24; Col. 3:17
•Some reject the commandment of God for
their man-made traditions. Mark 7:9
•Some say, “It has more meaning since we
remember Him so infrequently”. …i.e. Christmas,
Easter, Communion sparingly

9. We Should Always Celebrate the
Joy of Jesus!
•Can one (individual) choose to observe a day
to the Lord? Yes! Romans 14:1-6
•But we must remember it cannot be doubtful
(sinful) i.e., violate God’s will. Rom. 14:1
•The church cannot celebrate Christmas, there
is no authority to add holidays. 1 Cor. 4:6
•Make sure that you are in the world but not of
the world. Jn. 17:14; 2 Cor. 6:16-18

10. Let’s Unwrap the Truth in
Everything that We Do!
•God really wants us to buy the Truth
and sell it not, also wisdom, instruction
and understanding. Prov. 23:23
•This is good for us to do always!
“…That we may live soberly, righteously
and godly in the present age, looking
for the blessed hope and glorious
appearing of our great God and Savior
Jesus Christ. Titus 2:12-13