Celebrating Holidays? 😇
Q: I currently believe it is wrong to celebrate Christian holidays because I was told they are Pagan. Is there anything good about celebrating them, if so, in what way?
A: I think it is important to work through this, and not just take other's views on it without actually doing good research on it. I do hope you will put aside emotion, negativity and be open like a Berean to look into this matter rationally and with spiritual understanding.
Holidays typically fall in the tertiary realm. If you do not know what that is... There's essential issues (which one must believe to be a biblical Christian), there's secondary beliefs (theyre doctrinal, such as baptism or end times), and tertiary (some overlap with secondary... and these are just not as important). Disagreeing on Secondary beliefs can prevent us from joining a church that holds secondary views we disagree with, but won't prevent us from calling each other brethren; think John MacArthur & Sproul, or Spurgeon and Wesley. or Charles Wesley and Whitfield who had disagreements in what Scripture says...and fun fact, that is where this quote came from: "Let's agree to disagree". But tertiary beliefs can have to do with ones maturity in faith. These areas usually are dealt with as you mature.
Tertiary beliefs might sound confusing at first. They are other beliefs that have serious impact or do not matter in the long run as they usually do not have eternal importance. But some areas are important so while holding certian opposing views on a tertiary matter we could have dinner together (just like with an unsaved person who holds that view as well), but we wouldn't attend the same church [if that church holds opposing views], meet up to fellowship together in a religious setting or hang out, because of it [whether it is a cultural issue or not]...unless one party changes their view (as they grow on their own in the spiritual understandings thru deeper study of Scripture). But more mature ones might feel some of it doesnt matter and we could still be polite when we encounter each other. Personally on a subject like Holidays, as long as the person isnt judgmental or condemning of me but sees freedom in Christ and conscience and we align on other things I would likely still interact with them, but others would cut them out of their association claiming they are incorrectly judging a holiday and freedom in Christ.
*Essential doctrines (a denial of core basics, represents the denial of biblical Christianity itself),
* Secondary doctrines (upon which Bible-believing Christians may disagree, and they create significant boundaries between believers, whether between individuals, or by distinct congregations or denominations, but not affect fellowship as believers), and
*Tertiary doctrines (upon which Christians may disagree, but would prevent fellowship together [you wouldnt attend or be a member at a church that teaches or embraces a teaching; such as racist divisive CRT, or LGBT affirmations etc... or you have a weak faith/ maturity level and bash & push away anyone who doesnt hold your views; "all holidays are pagan". The latter could be a secondary view if you do not hold anomosity towards those who celebrate holidays]. So you can see based on factors how it could be a secondary or tertiary matter).
Looking at the matter:
With that said.... Scripture tells us:
Romans 14:5 - One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.
Colossians 2:16-17 - Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in food or in drink or on the keeping of a festival or of a new moon or of a Sabbath, for these are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
So, I do celebrate holidays. Christmas, Resurrection day, and other holidays that point to Christ. I also celebrate Reformation day and National Evangelism day because it falls on Halloween which also allows me to share the Gospel; whether at a Fall Harvest event at church, or sharing the gospel with people in the world who come to our door.
I even lightly celebrate St Patricks and Valentines day, because I can find ways to share the Gospel on that day.
I celebrate birthdays, anniversaries as I do baptisms and thanksgiving, because it is a day to be thankful and grateful to God, and point others to him.
I will take every opportunity God has given us to share truth, Christianity and the Gospel, and be thankful we live in a country where these exist so we have annual regular opportunities to do so esp when a entire nation or region of the world celebrates it too.
We dont need to be a recluse and allow Satan to win on those days. All days belong to God.
If our focus on that day is on Christ then it is a good thing.
Many eventually learn this as they grow in the faith. Just as those new believers in Israel were afraid to eat meat sacrificed to idols or other concerns weak believers had until they matured in the faith and studied Scriptures, and were freed from legalism or fear. This is how it was both with new believers and those who didnt know Scripture well enough yet. But as one grows in the knowledge of Scripture they are freed from things that hold them back, because they grasped a better understanding on it.
It is possible you or others fall into that category, or were simply under false teachers who preach legalism, and others who are in cults or are unsaved in the church who cause problems intentionally online and in conversations having endless debates to sew discord and deception (who should be avoided), but you can come to know the truth which frees you if you investigate it.
This is similarly like how there are different denominations and why. It is related. But sadly specific denominations stagnate and dont grow because they are not open to studying a matter in Scripture to be a Berean, and then upon 📖💡 moving to a more biblical church, to one that now aligns with their new belief - because they grew in biblical understanding.
It is ok if you are or until today were in that believe against these holidays and celebrations, but you have to remember the above verses, understand that you are to love the brethren even if they celebrate these things, not be judgmental or self righteous about it. Those who celebrate them are free in Christ to do so and also are using it to glorify God.
Don't be closed but Grow in your understanding...
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You can look into the reasons Christians celebrate the holidays, and learn more about our behavior towards others, rightly handling disagreements, having a right mindset and understanding Love a bit better.
We should be glad God brought this information to us today because it was meant for us to get educated on the matter, and possibly embrace it too. We should be open to change and growth and that can be a blessing to us in the long run.
God bless
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