Liberty Baptist Church
  • Meet the Staff
  • About Liberty
    • What We Believe
    • Our Story
  • Ministries
    • Liberty Kids
    • Impact Student Ministry
    • Men's Ministry
    • Women's Ministry
    • The Community: College (18-25)
    • Forerunners (55+)
    • Lifeline Counseling
  • Connect
    • Membership
    • Small Groups
    • Midweek at Liberty
    • Common Grounds
    • Serve
    • Liberty Newsletter
  • GIVE
  • Watch/Listen/Read
    • Sermons
    • Blogs
    • Liberty Through the Word 2021
    • TrueLife.org
  • Prayer
  • Missions
  • Meet the Staff
  • About Liberty
    • What We Believe
    • Our Story
  • Ministries
    • Liberty Kids
    • Impact Student Ministry
    • Men's Ministry
    • Women's Ministry
    • The Community: College (18-25)
    • Forerunners (55+)
    • Lifeline Counseling
  • Connect
    • Membership
    • Small Groups
    • Midweek at Liberty
    • Common Grounds
    • Serve
    • Liberty Newsletter
  • GIVE
  • Watch/Listen/Read
    • Sermons
    • Blogs
    • Liberty Through the Word 2021
    • TrueLife.org
  • Prayer
  • Missions

Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?

7/12/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
​This is a question I am often asked during the Christmas season.  I read Dr. John MacArthur's  short article today and want to share it with all those who read the BishirBlog. Hope it helps to answer someones questions and if someone asks you the question it will help you to answer them with a short, concise and biblical answer!
 
Scripture doesn't specifically command believers to celebrate Christmas--there are no prescribed "Holy Days" the church must observe. In fact, Christmas was not observed as a holiday until well after the biblical era. It wasn't until the mid-fifth century that Christmas received any official recognition.

We believe celebrating Christmas is not a question of right or wrong since Romans 14:5-6 provides us with the liberty to decide whether or not to observe special days:

One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks (Rom. 14: 5-6).
According to these verses, a Christian can rightfully set aside any day--including Christmas--as a day for the Lord. We believe Christmas affords believers with a great opportunity to exalt Jesus Christ.

First, the Christmas season reminds us of the great truths of the Incarnation. Remembering important truths about Christ and the gospel is a prevalent New Testament theme (1 Corinthians 11:25; 2 Peter 1:12-15; 2 Thessalonians 2:5). Truth needs repetition because we so easily forget it. So we should celebrate Christmas to remember the birth of Christ and to marvel over the mystery of the Incarnation.

Christmas can also be a time for reverent worship. The shepherds glorified and praised God for the birth of Jesus the Messiah. They rejoiced when the angels proclaimed that in Bethlehem was born a Savior, Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11). The babe laid in the manger that day is our Savior, the "Lord of lords and King of kings" (Matthew 1:21; Revelation 17:14).

Finally, people tend to be more open to the gospel during the Christmas holidays. We should take advantage of that openness to witness to them of the saving grace of God through Jesus Christ. Christmas is chiefly about the promised Messiah who came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). The holiday provides us with a wonderful opportunity to share this truth.

Although our society has muddied the message of Christmas through consumerism, myths and empty traditions, we should not let these distract us from appreciating the real meaning of Christmas. Let us take advantage of this opportunity to remember Him, worship Him and faithfully witness of Him.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Author

    Terry has been the Senior Pastor of Liberty for 30 years. He and his wife, Karen, have 4 children, 11 grandchildren, and 1 spoiled dog named Cooper.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Picture
​Liberty Baptist Church  |  765.384.7004  |  office@libertyfamily.org
517 Church St.  P.O. Box 289  Sweetser, IN 46987  |  United States
© 
Liberty Baptist Church