Why is Christmas celebrated by some Protestants?

[Usbek_de_Perse]

Some Protestants have Christmas parties.

But I thought they avoid the celebration because it’s not in the Bible, it’s a Catholic tradition and of Pagan origin.

You need to meet more Protestants. Talk to them. They are fine people and they believe much of what you believe.

Most Protestants celebrate Christmas. Certainly the primary Protestants (those whose break is directly from Rome like the Lutherans and the Anglicans do.

You may be surprised to learn that the Christian year is observed by all the mainline Protestants I know of. I grew up in the Methodist church and they had the same liturgical colors as Catholics, Anglicans and Lutherans – minus the pink–can’t have pink, can we . For most Christian groups, the year begins with the First Sunday in Advent. Of course, the Protestants do not have saints days and we Anglicans have our own days for a number of common saints, and a number of our own great people (whom we observe with a special day but do not call saints).

But I digress. Christmas is Christmas. We love it for the birth of our Savior. Like Catholics, we recognize that He was not born (in all likelihood) on December 25, but we observe that day.

 

[GEddie]

If I remember from my early Lutheran days, the Lutheran church recognizes Advent and Christmas as 2 distinct time periods, and the Christmas season lasts 12 days (from December 25th to January 5th).

Correction taken!

ICXC NIKA.

 

[Tommy999]

Some Protestants have Christmas parties.

But I thought they avoid the celebration because it’s not in the Bible, it’s a Catholic tradition and of Pagan origin.

Christmas (Christ’s birth) is definitely in the Bible and is the source of hope for all of mankind, along with His death on the cross for the sins of the world. Christ’s birth may not have been exactly on Dec 25, but since the exact date was not documented, it’s as good a time as any to celebrate it, in my view.

Christmas parties at secular work places like mine are more inclined to be a company-sanctioned break to socialize, have a nice meal, and play silly games like, “Who has the ugliest Christmas Sweater?”, or “Dirty Santa” in which goofy gifts are drawn and traded for better ones, etc. In other words, it’s a fun time but does not center around Christ’s birth at all, so such parties should not be confused with celebrating Christ’s birth.

The only “pagan origin” related to Christmas that you may be referring to is that some claim that the Catholic Church co-opted the winter solstice date that was popular among pagan religions in Europe and replaced it with Christmas around the same date.

In other words, some claim they replaced a popular pagan celebration with a Christian-themed holy day to gain the acceptance of the pagan masses and help make their transition to Christianity easier. That is what my sister, who was a Jehovah’s Witness for a time, told me when she was a JW.

I still celebrate Christmas on the current date and see no problem with it. I attended Christmas Eve service at my church. It was very worshipful and was mostly done by candlelight, which was very nice and added something special to the whole atmosphere.

 

[Peter_J]

Originally Posted by 808Catholic
If you don’t celebrate the Holy Eucharist, it may be difficult to find joy in anything.

Yes, considering that there are just as many Old Testament references to Jews experiencing joy in Catholic bibles as there are in Anglican bibles. (I’m tempted to suggest that even modern day Jews and people in other religions can experience joy, but I’m afraid other posters might be thinking I’ve been drinking. Kidding. )

 

[Peter_J]

You need to meet more Protestants. Talk to them. They are fine people and they believe much of what you believe.

I’m not going to defend what souldiver posted (I’ll assume he/she can do that for himself/herself), but I would point out that you seem to be assuming that he/she is Roman Catholic, when in fact his/her profile says “Religion: None (Atheist)”.

 

[Wannano]

I’m not going to defend what souldiver posted (I’ll assume he/she can do that for himself/herself), but I would point out that you seem to be assuming that he/she is Roman Catholic, when in fact his/her profile says “Religion: None (Atheist)”.

An atheist whose post includes a scripture verse no less…

 

[Nelka]

Which protestants?

Jon

I know some.

 

[Sy_Noe]

I have many SDA friends who celebrate Christmas.

Rita

I had an SDA friend who did as well. She graduated from SDA schools. Her children attended an SDA school. They worshiped on Sat. Sometimes I think maybe we just have a tendency too often of painting others with a broad brush.

 

[808Catholic]

That’s a very odd thing to say. Could you elaborate on what you mean please?

True joy originates with the love of God; the same God Who sent His Only Son and was Incarnated in Christ Jesus. The same Christ who is the Bread of Life. So, if you don’t believe in the Real Presence, any joy you have is derived from something else.

 

[SAVINGRACE]

True joy originates with the love of God; the same God Who sent His Only Son and was Incarnated in Christ Jesus. The same Christ who is the Bread of Life. So, if you don’t believe in the Real Presence, any joy you have is derived from something else.

Care to elaborate on what that “something else” is?

 

[Peter_J]

True joy originates with the love of God; the same God Who sent His Only Son and was Incarnated in Christ Jesus. The same Christ who is the Bread of Life. So, if you don’t believe in the Real Presence, any joy you have is derived from something else.

Someone who believes in God Who sent His Only Son, etc, but does not believe Christ is present in the Eucharist (in the catholic sense, not the Evangelical sense) would not be considered to believe in the Real Presense.

 

[ComplineSanFran]

True joy originates with the love of God; the same God Who sent His Only Son and was Incarnated in Christ Jesus. The same Christ who is the Bread of Life. So, if you don’t believe in the Real Presence, any joy you have is derived from something else.

Sorry, but I am still scratching my head over this one.

 

[808Catholic]

Care to elaborate on what that “something else” is?

Some people believe that joy comes from reading a good book, sipping coffee with a friend, watching their favorite TV show but it doesn’t. Those are distractions we place in our lives if they do not point to God. Read a book and consider how it brings you closer to God or His Word. Have coffee with a friend and make your time count by bringing God to your friend. If God isn’t at the center of our lives, we are just idolaters.

 

[poker10]

Some people believe that joy comes from reading a good book, sipping coffee with a friend, watching their favorite TV show but it doesn’t. Those are distractions we place in our lives if they do not point to God. Read a book and consider how it brings you closer to God or His Word. Have coffee with a friend and make your time count by bringing God to your friend. If God isn’t at the center of our lives, we are just idolaters.

There’s no joy in spending time with friends? Don’t think God would agree.

 

[808Catholic]

I may be missing your point: where in Church doctrine cites the origin of joy? Or do you dispute the Real Presence? Not sure of your point.

 

[808Catholic]

There’s no joy in spending time with friends? Don’t think God would agree.

What if your friends don’t believe in God and are trying to dissuade you of your faith? Friends who do drugs and want you to do drugs? Friends who like to get drunk at bars?

 

[808Catholic]

Someone who believes in God Who sent His Only Son, etc, but does not believe Christ is present in the Eucharist (in the catholic sense, not the Evangelical sense) would not be considered to believe in the Real Presense.

The Real Presence started with God Incarnate the very first Christmas: God-man. It’s not the priest who “puts” Christ into the host: God incarnates every single time in the Holy Eucharist. God comes to us, incarnates for us! Let no one separate what God has put together…

 

[spedteacherita]

You need to meet more Protestants. Talk to them. They are fine people and they believe much of what you believe.

Most Protestants celebrate Christmas. Certainly the primary Protestants (those whose break is directly from Rome like the Lutherans and the Anglicans do.

You may be surprised to learn that the Christian year is observed by all the mainline Protestants I know of. I grew up in the Methodist church and they had the same liturgical colors as Catholics, Anglicans and Lutherans – minus the pink–can’t have pink, can we . For most Christian groups, the year begins with the First Sunday in Advent. Of course, the Protestants do not have saints days and we Anglicans have our own days for a number of common saints, and a number of our own great people (whom we observe with a special day but do not call saints).

But I digress. ** Christmas is Christmas. We love it for the birth of our Savior. ** Like Catholics, we recognize that He was not born (in all likelihood) on December 25, but we observe that day.

 

[QuestLove]

Some Protestants have Christmas parties.

But I thought they avoid the celebration because it’s not in the Bible, it’s a Catholic tradition and of Pagan origin.

Most Protestants or non-catholic christians actually celebrate christmas. I am only aware of a few groups that do not celebrate it.
In fact, all over the world most christians celebrate the birth of Jesus around this season (although there are a few groups who use a different date).
The celebrations and traditions may vary widely in many cases but it is a beauty to see how different people and groups celebrate christmas. Of course, some of the traditions have nothing to do with christianity but it adds to the festivity of the season. For example, I enjoy seeing santa and christmas trees with all the lights around this time of the year although it is not a part of my tradition.

As to the question, why do we celebrate christmas?
Would there be christianity without the birth of Christ? seems like it’s something worth celebrating

 

[spedteacherita]

Some people believe that joy comes from reading a good book, sipping coffee with a friend, watching their favorite TV show but it doesn’t. Those are distractions we place in our lives if they do not point to God. Read a book and consider how it brings you closer to God or His Word. Have coffee with a friend and make your time count by bringing God to your friend. If God isn’t at the center of our lives, we are just idolaters.

Can’t Christians who don’t believe that the Eucharist is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ have joy from hearing the Word of God and knowing that Christ became incarnate for the sake of all of us? I know many Christians who are joyful in their walk with Jesus as they cling to His suffering and dying on the cross for us and are waiting in joyful anticipation for His coming back as He promised.

Blessings and peace!

Rita