The celebration of Christmas is a widespread tradition in many Christian denominations. However, the Church of Christ has a distinct stance on the celebration of religious holidays, including Christmas. This article delves into the reasons behind the Church of Christ’s position on Christmas, exploring the theological, historical, and scriptural perspectives that shape this viewpoint.
Understanding the Church of Christ
The Church of Christ is a branch of the Restoration Movement, which emerged in the early 19th century in the United States. The movement sought to restore the practices and teachings of the early Christian church as described in the New Testament. Members of the Church of Christ believe in adhering strictly to the Bible as their sole guide for faith and practice, rejecting creeds, denominational hierarchies, and human traditions not explicitly authorized by scripture.
One of the foundational principles of the Church of Christ is the idea of “speaking where the Bible speaks and being silent where the Bible is silent.” This commitment to biblical authority leads the Church of Christ to be cautious about practices that are not explicitly commanded in the New Testament. This approach significantly influences their perspective on the celebration of Christmas.
The Biblical Perspective on Christmas
The Church of Christ’s stance on Christmas is rooted in the fact that the Bible does not provide a specific command to celebrate the birth of Christ as a religious holiday. The New Testament does record the birth of Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, but there is no directive in these accounts or elsewhere in the New Testament for believers to observe a special day in honor of Christ’s birth.
Additionally, there is no mention of early Christians celebrating Christmas in the New Testament. The apostles and the first-century church did not observe such a holiday, which leads many in the Church of Christ to conclude that Christmas is not a biblically mandated practice. For members of the Church of Christ, the lack of biblical support for the celebration of Christmas means that it is not an essential part of Christian worship or practice.
Historical Development of Christmas
The celebration of Christmas as a religious holiday did not emerge until several centuries after the time of the apostles. The earliest known observance of Christmas on December 25th dates back to the fourth century. The decision to celebrate Christmas on this date is often attributed to efforts by the early church to Christianize pagan festivals that were celebrated around the same time, such as the Roman festival of Saturnalia and the celebration of the winter solstice.
The association of Christmas with non-Christian traditions is another reason why some members of the Church of Christ are hesitant to embrace the holiday. They are concerned that the origins of Christmas are tied to pagan practices rather than purely Christian worship, which raises questions about whether the holiday is appropriate for Christians to observe.
Moreover, the Church of Christ emphasizes the importance of worshiping God “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). This means that worship practices should be based on biblical truth rather than human traditions or cultural influences. For many in the Church of Christ, the celebration of Christmas, with its blend of biblical and non-biblical elements, does not align with this principle of worship.
Theological Concerns
The theological concerns regarding Christmas within the Church of Christ also stem from the broader principle of sola scriptura, which means that the Bible alone is the authority for Christian faith and practice. The Church of Christ believes that adding practices not found in the New Testament introduces human traditions that can potentially obscure the purity of Christian worship. The absence of a biblical command to celebrate Christmas is seen as significant because it implies that the observance of the holiday is not a matter of divine mandate.
In the Church of Christ, worship is seen as a sacred activity that should be guided solely by God’s Word. They often point to passages like Colossians 3:17, which states, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” For members of the Church of Christ, this means that everything done in worship, including religious holidays, should be explicitly authorized by the Bible. Since the New Testament does not authorize the celebration of Christmas, many in the Church of Christ choose not to observe it as a religious holiday.
Diverse Perspectives Within the Church of Christ
It is important to note that not all congregations within the Church of Christ hold the same view on Christmas. There is diversity in how members approach the holiday, and individual congregations may differ in their practices. Some members of the Church of Christ may choose to celebrate Christmas as a cultural or family tradition, while others abstain from any observance of the holiday.
For those who do celebrate Christmas, it is often done in a way that separates the religious significance from the secular aspects of the holiday. They may view Christmas as a time to spend with family, exchange gifts, and engage in charitable activities, but without attaching religious importance to the day. These members might argue that while the Bible does not command the celebration of Christmas, it also does not explicitly forbid it, allowing for individual freedom of choice in how to approach the holiday.
On the other hand, more conservative congregations within the Church of Christ may take a stricter stance, avoiding any form of Christmas celebration altogether. They believe that even participating in secular aspects of the holiday could be seen as endorsing a tradition that has no biblical foundation. These members might instead focus on celebrating Christ’s birth and life through regular worship and reflection, rather than setting aside a specific day like Christmas.
Christmas and Christian Worship
One of the key concerns for the Church of Christ when it comes to Christmas is the potential for the holiday to overshadow other aspects of Christian worship. There is a fear that placing too much emphasis on Christmas could detract from the ongoing, year-round focus on Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. Members of the Church of Christ are encouraged to remember and honor Jesus’ birth, life, and sacrifice every day, not just on a single holiday.
In this context, some in the Church of Christ view the weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper as a more biblically grounded way to remember and honor Christ. The Lord’s Supper, also known as communion, is a central part of worship in the Church of Christ and is observed every Sunday. It serves as a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection, which are seen as the core elements of the Christian faith. For many members, this weekly observance takes precedence over any annual holiday, including Christmas.
Practical Implications
The practical implications of the Church of Christ’s stance on Christmas vary depending on the individual congregation and its members. Some congregations may not have any special services or events related to Christmas, choosing instead to continue their regular worship practices. Others may allow for some recognition of the holiday, such as singing Christmas hymns or acknowledging the birth of Christ in sermons, while still maintaining a focus on biblical principles.
In families within the Church of Christ, the decision to celebrate Christmas often comes down to personal conviction. Parents may choose to participate in cultural traditions like decorating a Christmas tree or exchanging gifts, while also teaching their children about the biblical reasons for their decisions. Some families may opt to downplay the holiday altogether, focusing instead on the spiritual lessons that can be drawn from the life of Christ throughout the year.
Conclusion
The Church of Christ’s approach to Christmas is shaped by a commitment to biblical authority, a cautious attitude toward human traditions, and a desire to worship God in spirit and truth. While the Bible does record the birth of Christ, it does not command Christians to celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. This absence of biblical instruction leads many in the Church of Christ to refrain from observing Christmas in a religious sense, viewing it as a human tradition rather than a divinely mandated practice.