Hashkama: The Christmas Bash [UPDATE]
Christmas bashing is a historical habit. The reason for the season is under attack as the root of Christmas is questioned once again – whether it be Christian or pagan; and for some, even the term ‘Christian’ is pagan.
There are arguments from many, various angles put forward for dropping the word and season of ‘Christmas’ from our vocabulary and calendar. Fear was the driving-force behind big-businesses’ decision to cancel the Christmas bash last year, or at least to scale it down drastically. It was a result of the increment in fear of the Omicron ‘scariant’. Further to that, European officials were advised not to use terms such as ‘Christmas’, ‘gay’, ‘lesbian’ and other words that might seem offensive to people of different cultures, religions and sexual orientations in their speeches. This edict is stated in the ‘Handbook for Inclusive Communication’ published by the unelected European Commission (the executive branch of the European Union). Instead, they want to use the phrase ‘holiday season’. Having been shamed, and charged with imposing “the Newspeak of single thought: a wrong and dangerous drift, which more and more often leads to the extremism of cancel culture”, they back-tracked somewhat. The EU now urges people to use Happy Holidays, not Happy Christmas. Another attack on Christmas was that made by the UK’s Civil servants. They blocked the word ‘Christmas’ from efforts to avert a winter Covid crisis, as they feared it would offend minority religions. The move sparked a row over ‘wokeism’ in the Civil Service – which has been disparagingly nicknamed ‘The Blob’ by critics. Covid was a politicised weapon to remove freedoms, so that the herd mentality could be increased as we have seen outworking in China in various news reports during November 2022. Travel bans came into being once again, along with lone-ranger mask wearing. Jesus, the One who came to set us free is an offence to some, and a stumbling block to others (1 Peter 2:8). No doubt the attack on the word ‘Christmas’ will eventually lead to an all-out attack on the person of Christ, and all those who worship Him (John 15:18). They want us all dancing to their ‘hokey-wokey’, not celebrating the advent of the Saviour of the world.
Religious arguments
It is argued that Jesus’ birthday wasn’t celebrated in the Bible, and that we are not instructed to celebrate His birth, only to remember His death. I wonder, did someone forget to mention to the angels, the shepherds, and the star-gazing guys from the East that eventually showed up, that they shouldn’t be making a fuss about the birth of the Saviour, the King of the Jews? Scripture reveals that the Jews were the first humans to celebrate the birth of Yeshua/Jesus (Luke 2:8-20).
“God never told us to remember Jesus’ birth, only His death”, is put forward as a reason for ditching the season, and, “Jesus wasn’t born in December anyway”. Out of interest, official celebrations to mark the British Sovereigns’ birthday have often been held on a day other than the actual birthday. King Edward VII, for example, was born on 9th November, but his official birthday was marked throughout his reign in May or June. Queen Elizabeth celebrated two birthdays each year: her actual birthday on 21st April differed from her official birthday on (usually) the second Saturday in June. What has that got to do with anything? If an earthly sovereign can have differing birthday celebration dates, surely the King of the Jews, King of Kings, King of the Universe, King of Creation can too!
God didn’t tell us to celebrate Jesus’ birthday
God never told the Jews to celebrate Purim (“The Jews took it upon themselves to establish the custom” – Esther 9:27) or Hanukkah, but they do it anyway; and they have a jolly good family time doing so. Though these festivals are not on the scale of Christmas, I imagine someone profits commercially and financially, selling goods, food, presents etc. You see the religious and non-religious Jews all celebrating these festivals with great gusto, even though God never instructed them to do so. Interestingly, though Scripture doesn’t tell them to, many Christians celebrate these same festivals, and some do so while complaining about celebrating the birth of Messiah because God didn’t tell us to do that!
Commercialism
Commercialism has largely won over Christmas, and it is no wonder. The Lord hates the lukewarm (Revelation 3:16), and some Christians are lukewarm about Christmas. Through the centuries the Church has declared Christmas to be Christian, then pagan, then Christian again; now it appears to be considered pagan once more. The world sees through us and seeks to make Christmas its own. We condemn the commercialism, but are Christians the culprits in this drama? Because Christmas is submerged in tinsel, and bellies filled with beer and turkey, the Church is on the verge of going cold turkey. The Church is waving the white flag of surrender. It is easier to capitulate than to proclaim Christ, and to expound to a lost world the reason why Jesus is “a child born, and a Son given”.
Although Christmas has been dumped before, the situation in the 21st Century is very different. In the past, the West was not infiltrated with a gaggle of world religions as it is today. The void created by relinquishing Christmas will be avidly filled by foreign gods. Diwali and the Hindu Festival of Lights would step in, no problem; perhaps Islam would fill the void. We now have the Woke religion pushing to replace Christianity. Jesus made it clear, if you cast out evil, you could end up with something much worse, unless the evil spirit you cast out is replaced with something better (Matthew 12:43-45; Luke 11:24-26). By simply abandoning Christmas, which modern-day religion claims is evil, because you believe it to be evil, you could leave society and the Church open to great deception.
What a difference a day makes! Praise God – Spread the Word
Look at what the shepherds did in Luke 2:16; there was a great company of the heavenly host that appeared with the messenger angel, and they were all praising God. What was that all about if it wasn’t the birth of Jesus? The shepherds went to check out the message they had been given by the angel, and found it to be true. So, they hurried off to spread the word – there was nothing lukewarm about those guys. They spread the word about the child with zeal, and all who heard their message were amazed. Then the shepherds returned “glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told” (Luke 2:20). That’s how to celebrate Christmas! The presents and family time together, the Christmas trees and lights are family fun; not idol worship. Christmas is about Christ – a child born – a Son given – God with us. If believers would shake of their denominational baggage for that one day at least, and unleash themselves on the world’s cities, towns, and villages, doing and speaking as those humble shepherds did, it could be a day that would change the lives of many, forever!
Christmas is Pagan
It wasn’t so many years ago that the Church’s mantra was to put Christ back into Christmas. Now the message is – Take Christ out of Christmas! Christmas is a pagan festival! So, rather than celebrate Christmas they celebrate the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Some argue that Purim and Hanukkah are in the bible therefore they are biblical. Murder, adultery, infanticide and much more besides are in the bible; does that mean they are biblical too? Some of Hanukkah is built on legend, not fact. The legend of the oil for instance, isn’t mentioned until much later, in the Talmud. The Bible does say that Jesus was seen in the Temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade at the Festival of Hanukkah (Dedication in some versions) (John 10:22-23). Solomon’s Colonnade or Portico was also known as the Women’s Court. This is the first mention of Hanukkah in the Bible (An explanation given is that the holiday commemorates an event that occurred during the inter-Testament period), but there is no mention of Jesus actually celebrating the festival. People simply assume that He did; perhaps because it fits their theology. Some teachers say that, Jesus being a Jew and in the vicinity of the Temple, means that He would have attended the festival. If Jesus was attending a festival not commanded by God in the Bible, is it so wrong for Christians to celebrate Christmas and ‘a child born, and a son given’? God doesn’t condemn the Jews for celebrating something He didn’t command, so why do we condemn those who celebrate Christmas? The Bible tells us that Jesus was in the vicinity of the Temple, but He might have been there to teach the truth, using Hanukkah to point to Himself as the Light of the world. Later on, in Athens, Paul was to use the belief system and culture of the people to speak about the altar of the unknown God – ‘Agnostos Theos’. Paul removed the “un” and declared the ‘known’ God; he used it to speak of the God who made everything, the Lord of heaven and earth. (Acts 17:22-31).
Jesus spoke about Himself as being the Light of the world, but He made no reference to the Hanukkah menorah or the oil. Why not? He surely would have had it not been legend, and had it not been invented until after His time on earth. He might even have reproved those that celebrated Hanukkah and who gloried in the legend of the oil, but failed to recognise Him. To the Pharisees who were questioning the validity of His testimony, He declared Himself to be “the Light of the world” (John 8:12; 9:5). God said, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3), and the people walking in darkness have seen a great light (Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 4:16). As we have seen, Jesus didn’t mention the legend of the oil, the lamp burning, or the festival to identify Himself. Some Messianic believers and Christians today suggest that the Hanukkah festival speaks of Jesus; but God sending His Son is not legend and is not based on legend; it is prophecy fulfilled (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23).
Complaining that Christmas is pagan, while claiming that the legend of the oil and lamp burning is about Jesus is most peculiar. In our quest to return to the roots of the faith, we should take care not to lose touch with reality (I have included a link to a YouTube video on this subject, by a Messianic Jew that you might find interesting. It runs for just over twenty-two minutes[i]). Hanukkah is about the rededication of the Temple under the Maccabees (166-164 BC). When Jesus spoke of the Temple as His disciples were admiring the work of Herod’s hands, He responded with, “Do you see all these things? Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down” (Matthew 24:2; Mark 13:2). Jesus focussed His disciples on the temple that He would raise up by His hand (John 2:19).
The Sadducees
Remember, the Maccabees were designated as the Hasmoneans in rabbinic literature, and in Josephus. The name is derived from ‘Hashman’, the great-great grandfather of Judas Maccabee. The Sadducees evolved from the Hasmoneans. They were a sect that emerged as a major force after the Hasmonean rebellion, and were in existence in Jesus’ day. They were closely associated with the Jerusalem Temple and with the ruling council (Sanhedrin). The Pharisees and the Sadducees were the two major factions in Judaism at that time. The Sadducees were involved in the Temple and its priesthood, while the views of the Pharisees prevailed among the common people. Although the Temple was the centre of Jewish religious and spiritual life, the Sadducees were in control. Considering their background, the Sadducees were possibly the main group to celebrate Hanukkah. Almost all priests were Sadducees, with Caiaphas, a Sadducean and High Priest who loved the Temple but had no love for Jesus. He took a leading part in the trial and condemnation of Jesus, as well as a leading role in the persecution of the Early Church, even to presiding over the trial of Peter and John. It was in his court or palace that the chief priests (Sadducees) and Pharisees, who together constituted the Sanhedrin, assembled “in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill Him” (Matthew 26:3f.; John 11:49). Caiaphas was to point to a way out of their dilemma (Matthew 26:5; cf. John 11:49f; 18:14). As indicated in John 11:51f., the death of Jesus would indeed prove a blessing not only for Israel, but for all the children of God; but not in the manner which the cold-blooded Caiaphas intended. We see something of this same spirit in our courts today, where trumped-up charges are made and false witnesses provided. The Sadducees cooperated with the Roman empire, whereas the Pharisees were fierce opponents of the Roman government
God has come in the flesh
Christians that celebrate Christmas are celebrating that God has come in the flesh – “This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God” (1 John 4:2). Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born to Mary – a Supernatural conception followed by a natural birth into this world. Mary was a virgin who was with Child by the Holy Spirit. The child within her was born like any other child is born into the world – except He had a much larger audience, and He was worshipped as God. We celebrate Emmanuel “God with us”. Christians can take hold of Christmas, using it to preach Christ. It is an opportunity, so why not make use of it while it is still day? (John 9:4).
“The 25th December was the first day you could measure with the naked eye that the daylight was longer – So the light was overcoming darkness. I think it’s a marvellous thing. The first day we see that light is overcoming darkness is the day that we celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus – Light overcoming darkness. Jesus Himself said, ‘I am the Light of the world. He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of life.’” – Messianic believer, Lance Lambert
The Light of the World
It is interesting that while gentile believers are rejecting Christmas, various Rabbis and Messianic believers and leaders claim that Christmas is Jewish[ii]. One rabbi points to a time of darkness in Israel’s past, and when God spoke through the prophet Isaiah. He said that Christmas is the day when most of the world celebrates the birth of the Messiah of Israel who became the Saviour of the world. He points out what the prophet Isaiah said in 9:2-6 that, “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; upon those living in the land that lies in the shadow of death, light has dawned. For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; dominion will rest on his shoulders, and he will be given the name Pele-Yo‘etz El Gibbor Avi-‘Ad Sar-Shalom.”[iii] Christmas, according to the Messianic leader, is the most important of all the Jewish holidays because it’s a day when all the world celebrates the Messiah of Israel. This Messianic prophecy was spoken by the Jewish prophet, Isaiah, to the Jewish people about the Jewish Messiah. The Jews in turn were to share the Good News with the whole world – and they did, and will do so again. Another interesting Messianic is Rabbi Chajim Jedidjah, a Jewish believer born in 1854 in Galicia. He taught that Jewish believers should celebrate Christmas. He claimed that Jewish believers historically did celebrate Christmas; they just didn’t do it on December 25th.
Many Christmas songs were composed by Jewish immigrants to the USA; Isadore Beilin (Irving Berlin) in 1942 wrote “White Christmas.” This led to a burst of “hundreds of songs about the birth of the Jewish Messiah;” many of which were written by Jews. Christmas is to the Jew first, but is also to the Gentiles. The Jews in the main have not yet recognised their Messiah, and so do not recognise Christmas; but those living among the nations celebrate Christmas as a national and cultural holiday. They do the decorations and the exchanging of presents and have a wonderful time. The leader and Rabbi asked for prayer for his people: “Pray that my people, who hear the beautiful songs of Christmas, will open their hearts to realize that they can celebrate the birth of Messiah with the billions of Christians who already do. Then, Christmas will truly become a Jewish holiday, shared with many Christians. Just imagine the joy when Jews and Gentiles gather to worship the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, in the last days.” He said, “We Messianic Jews see that happening now.” So why don’t we Christians see and recognise this?
Blessings and shalom
Malcolm [10.12.2022]
[i] https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WR8b-qhY2CA
[ii] https://godtv.com/christmas-is-a-jewish-holiday/
[iii] Wonder of a Counsellor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace. (CJB)
