Question #1:

Dear Dr. Arthur Belanger,

I am very interested about the sound biblical position on the celebration of Christmas. We know that Christ was not necessarily born in December (very unlikely that he was). Does the Bible  command a remembrance of Christ's birth?  

God Bless you.  C. Isberner, Aruba

Answer:  The birth of Christ... or the doctrine of the incarnation is significant and essential to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Should a Christian honor/celebrate the birth of Christ? Lets look at actual moments of people in the Bible who actually celebrated the birth/incarnation of Christ.

#1: There were the angels who joyfully sounded the birth of the Christ (Luke 2:8,15) -
#2: There were the shepherds who witnessed Heaven's delivery of the Son of God and announced to all who would listen (Luke 2:16,20)
#3: There was Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:25,37) -
#4: Of course, there was Mary and Joseph.

The birth/incarnation does not end with the four gospels. The apostle Paul opened his letter to the believers in Rome concerning the incarnation of Christ (Romans 1:3) and admits, the incarnation is the underlying reason for the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:4). Paul emphasized this conclusion with the church at Galatia (Gal.3:16). And again with Timothy (2 Tim.2:6,9). Note also Hebrews 2:16. The matter of celebrating the birth of Christ is obvious throughout the New Testament by virtue of teaching it's significance.

As to the manner of celebrating the incarnation of Christ depends on one's purpose for living. I think it is plainfuly obvious that a born-again believer can celebrate the birth of Christ without getting caught up with all the pagan influences. Celebrate the birth of Christ with gratitude that God sent His only begotten Son into this world to be born of a virgin. Don't let the devil hi-jack the true meaning of the birth of Christ from your life.

Every Born-again believer should celebrate the incarnation of Christ. For He was the virgin born Son of God. It is His incarnation that makes the Gospel the power of God unto salvation. For if Jesus was not the virgin born Son of God... then no one can be saved.    Use this time of the year to instruct others as to why you celebrate and honor the incarnation of Christ for the sake of the Gospel.

Sincerely, Dr. Arthur Belanger

Question #2:  What About being separate from the world & the scripture that said be not as the heathen, who chops down a tree and fastens?  From Massachusetts...

Answer:
Leaving the true meaning of the birth/incarnation of Christ out of the celebration of this essential moment when Christ was born would be to celebrate Christmas as a heathen. It should be noted that Jeremiah 10:2,4 reflects on the reason for decorating a tree. In this passage, God is condemning their reason/purpose for decorating the tree. Those of us who know Jesus Christ as our personal Savior would never or should never decorate a tree with the same purpose as outlined in Jeremiah. 10:2,4. The heathens purposed to honor themselves. The Christian honors the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians. 10:31).

The tree is really not the issue. The issue is your reason and purpose. If your reason and purpose is to honor yourself, then your Christmas celebration is equal to that of the heathen with or without a tree. Jeremiah 10:2,4 condemns the heathens efforts to establish themselves as gods (Gen 3:5). The heathens approach to Christmas is to gratify themselves. The Christian's approach to observing the birth of Christ is to glorify God. The decoration of a tree is not the issue. It is the declaration of one's purpose for observing the birth of Christ with or without the tree that really matters. Amen.

Sincerely, Dr. Arthur Belanger

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