The question isn’t whether it’s right or wrong for Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus—or anyone else in the Bible, for that matter! I’m not a Jehovah’s Witness, after all. And many Christians don’t even care about this issue and simply say, “That’s not why my family and I celebrate Christmas!”
But the deeper question—whether Christmas is truly Christian (i.e., whether it is biblical and completely free of pagan influence)—remains a serious one for the church.
It is clear from both the New Testament and historical evidence that Jesus was not born during the winter solstice. He never was “the reason for the season.”
Ultimately, the issue comes down to how much Christians are willing to participate in a religious holiday that bears the name of the one they call Teacher, Lord, and Savior, yet has very little to do with the religion he founded.
The truth is, we would do well to heed the apostolic warning and command:
“Do not participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them, for it is shameful even to speak of the things done by them in secret. But everything that is exposed by the light becomes visible, and everything that is made visible can become light. That is why it says, “Wake up, you who are asleep, and arise from the dead, and the Messiah will shine on you.” So watch carefully how you conduct yourselves, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but become wise by understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Eph. 5:11-17)
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