1. Free As Sons
   
2. Does "Go Ye" Mean "Go Me?"
   
3. Are We Really Born Again?
   
4. The Sacrifices of Cain and Abel
   
5. Silence Says Something
   
6. Body Language
   
7. Repentance Before Faith
   
8. I Wonder
   
9. Can I Know?
   
10. Ultimate Logical Conclusions
    
11. Errors in Peter's Sermon
    
12. Did Timothy Need Admonition?
    
13. Jesus' Youth Sermon For Adults
    
14. Why Didn't Paul Reform?
    
15. Christmas
    
16. Let The Unmarried Marry
    
17. A Dialect of Division
    
18. Our Traditions
    
19. Adding Our Safeguards
    
20. According To The Pattern
    
21. A Creed In The Deed
    
22. Samuel Did Not Know The Lord!
    
23. Response From Our Readers
    
24. Cries Of A Troubled Church
    
25. Sharing Without Fellowship
    
26. I Joined A Church
    
27. Open Membership
    
28. Another Last Will And Testament
    
29. Sad Thoughts About Church Growth
    
30. My Four Retirement Homes
    
31. Hook's Points: A Potpourri
    

CHRISTMAS

Since our hope is built upon the belief that the Word became flesh by means of his birth, it seems incredible that we could possibly ignore the extensive celebration of that event by millions of our believing neighbors during the Christmas season. While others are accelerating their religious activities in remembering Jesus' birth, often we have been known to launch a month­long campaign against increased attention to his birth during December lest others might think that we are observing Christmas.

In many cases, the disclaimer is made that we do not observe Christmas as a religious holiday, but then we sing songs about his birth, and the preacher reviews the exciting details of his advent. Some choose greeting cards that wish a happy holiday season for their friends but dare not wish them a merry Christmas or even express any spiritual message. We find ourselves in a very inconsistent situation of enjoying the Christmas holidays just like everyone else while declaring that we should keep Christ out of Christmas. What place may, or should, we give to Christmas? A detailed discussion of the subject would require too much space, but a concise one may be beneficial. So, let us review some facts relating to it.

1. THE ORIGINS. Of course, the facts from which traditional Christmas has developed are in the Bible. The beautiful drama concerning Mary and Joseph, Elizabeth and Zachariah, Anna, Simeon, the shepherds, Bethlehem, the manger, and the Wise Men is preserved by the Spirit in the Gospels. God wanted us to know about and appreciate this happening of everlasting significance.

The church of the early centuries began to have a mass in veneration of the infant Jesus. Thus, the name Christmas developed from Christ's Mass.

The Romans, as well as pagans universally, worshipped the sun as a god, known by such names as Sin, Re, Sol, Apollo, Helios, Mithra, Mazda, and Elagabel. The birthday of the sun­god was thought to be after the winter solstice, December 21, the day of the least sunlight and the rebirth of light, as it were. As Christianity swept the Roman Empire, rather than erasing all pagan concepts, it adapted many of them by giving them Christian meanings.

Jesus took the place of the sun­god: so, the special day of worship to Jesus became Sunday. The orb of the sun became his halo and the supposed birthday was given to Jesus. It must be noted, however, that Jesus was not born in I A. D. and we have no information concerning the month of his birth. In the Seventh Century, the Roman calendar was adjusted to reckon from the birth of Jesus using the calculations of a monk named Dionysius. It is generally agreed that he miscalculated by as much as four to seven years: hence, Jesus was born possibly in 7­4 B.C. The wafer of the communion depicting the body of Jesus as the Host, round like the sun, was, and still is, kept at the altar in the monstrance with its sunburst design. Holly and mistletoe were sacred to the sun­god.

Notice the crescent above Mary's head in sacred art, and you are reminded that she was given the second place of prominence, that of the moon­god. The day of the moon­god is Monday (Moonday).

2. CHRISTMAS AS IT IS. Whether we approve of it in its current state or not, Christmas is a part of our cultural heritage which is no more likely to go away than football or the celebration of New Year's Day. Some give much favorable attention to Christ through worship, music, and drama, making it strictly a religious observance. To others it is a sort of potpourri of religious and secular traditions and practices such as family reunions, gifts under a lighted tree, and expressions of praise. Perhaps, to most of us it is only a secular holiday growing out of our religious heritage. Having all the elements of a good drama, it becomes little more than a Hollywood production promoting commercialism and greed, employing the elements of faith, good will, and nostalgia to sell goods. This emphasis has become rather sickening.

3. HOLY DAYS. There are no holy days. Or, how are they profaned if they are holy? It is common for those who cry out against giving religious significance to Christmas and Easter to consider Sunday as a holy day. That is due to legalistic concepts through which a person thinks to be righteous by the keeping of days and rituals.

God came to hate the very observances that he had previously specified when his people were seeking to be justified by observing them instead of being righteous in heart (Isa. 1:14­17). Paul spoke out against the observance of days, months, seasons, and years (Gal. 4: 11) when the Galatians were seeking justification through them. Many among us have developed the same legalistic dependence on attending all services on Sunday.

Paul, however, in Romans 14:5­6, puts observance of days in the realm of indifference. He explains, "One man esteems one day as better than another, while another man esteems all days alike. Let everyone be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord." Notice that this observance was in honor of the Lord, not to receive justification. Both Paul and Judean disciples kept Jewish rituals of the Law of Moses as religious exercises and observances (Acts 21:1 7f). However, they did not perform those rituals for justification, else they would have fallen from grace by efforts to be saved by keeping the law (Gal. 5:4). To honor God and to teach and edify others by celebrations of the birth and resurrection of Jesus violates no spiritual principle and has much to commend it.

4. PROGRAMS OF SPECIAL EMPHASIS. The contention is made that we should teach about, and remember, Jesus' birth and resurrection at all times rather than at special seasons. If it is meant, "rather than only at special seasons," we will all agree, but no one proposes that. Evangelism is to be carried on constantly "in season, out of season," yet no one objects to having special evangelistic campaigns. What is the difference in principle? Teachers should be trained constantly, but we have special, concentrated teacher training workshops. We should worship at all times, but we have special gatherings in which we worship also. Our responsibility to give regularly does not keep us from having special fund raising drives to build buildings or even to meet the budget. Surely, no one can be consistent at all times in all things, but let's make a try for it! And let's master it before we condemn others.

5. ORIGINAL MEANINGS AND CURRENT USAGE. Are we embracing paganism and erroneous religion when we accept anything about Christmas which came from those backgrounds? We must judge by current meanings instead of original meanings, for they change with time and usage. In general usage today, Christmas does not mean Christ's Mass; Sunday is not the day of the sun­god; Monday does not refer to the moon­god's day; a holiday is not a holy day; good-bye does not mean God be with you; Corpus Christi does not refer to the body of Christ; San Antonio is not associated with Saint Anthony; Hallowe'en parties have nothing to do with a holy evening; to mention Pope John Paul does not indicate that he is our father; holly and mistletoe have no religious connotation; we are not referring to Saint Nicholas when we speak of Santa Claus; Christmas participation is not to observe a Catholic holy day; carols are not sung in veneration of the infant Jesus; our handshake is no longer to demonstrate that we have no weapon in our hand; and the burning of candles and decorative lights is not to encourage the dying sun toward rebirth at the winter solstice.

6. SANTA CLAUS. In the polytheism of the Roman Empire, there were patron gods to be appeased or implored concerning various specific areas of life and need. For example, there was Mars, the god of war; Venus was the goddess of love; and Neptune was goddess of the sea. In Christianizing paganism and the paganizing of Christianity, the patron gods were replaced by patron saints. As an example, Saint Jude is the patron saint of hopeless cases, to be implored in cases of despair.

Nicholas was a bishop of the Fourth Century who was especially kind to widows and children. His example of giving inspired others to follow his example after his death. In time, he was canonized and given the feast day of December 6. Saint Nicholas came to be a sort of unofficial, fictional patron saint of Christmas, and his name evolved into its present pronunciation of Santa Claus. Clement Moore, in "The Night Before Christmas," gave us the fictional concept of his appearance, the red garb looking back to the red robes of the Catholic bishop.

Is it a matter of dishonesty with our children to go along with the matter of Santa Claus? As they grow older, will their disillusionment bring about distrust? Does it become a sin?

Some answer affirmatively to all these questions. Their sincerity is appreciated; however, misdirected sincerity breeds fanaticism.

Do we feel compelled to explain to our children that the Incredible Hulk is a deception, that the Flintstones are a hoax; that there is no such thing as a bionic woman, or that the tooth under the pillow really does not turn into a coin? At the proper age most children come to realize that these are in the world of make­believe. They enjoy them that way.

If your child has a problem in distinguishing between fantasy and realism, then explain that Santa Claus is a story book character like the Saturday morning cartoons on television. That won't spoil all the fun. If your child asks skeptical questions about any fictional character, by all means it should be explained that it is an imaginary character.

Even the inspired writers of the Scriptures employ fictional characters in parable and symbolism as though they were real. Piety is much better when it flows from a balanced perspective.

7. IN DEFENSE OF CHRISTMAS. Christmas is very much a part of our culture. Shall we seek to erase it? In protesting the religious emphasis centered about the alleged birth date of Jesus, many disciples have been crusading to "keep Christ out of Christmas." And their crusade, along with other humanistic factors, is becoming quite effective, for Christmas is becoming increasingly secular. Religious sentiment in the songs of Christmas is being heard less. "Santa Claus is coming to town" is replacing "Joy to the world, the Lord is come!"

I regret this change because we are losing something. Something is better than nothing. Secularism is nothing.

The acclaim given to Jesus throughout the world at Christmas is a great testimony toward creating faith. A Jewish lady admitted to me, "I almost believe in Jesus. The thing that brings me to this admission is the great significance given to Christmas. It must be based upon some truth." The faith of our children may be reinforced as much by our society at Christmas as it is in Bible classes. Shall we silence that testimony, or should we not be wise enough to make the best use of it?

Our public schools have been neutralized from being of any moral or spiritual help to our society. This has not been accomplished altogether by the humanists. The jealous sectarian criticism of anything promoted in schools relating to the Bible and spiritual expression has been responsible. True, we could not expect the public schools to instruct and support religion unerringly, but was not something better than nothing? Now it is nothing.

We would have a terrible world and an uncultivated field to work if our own little group were the only ones promoting Christianity. The teachings of all groups have not met scriptural ideals, but their teaching is better than nothing.

So, let us not seek to nullify all Christian influence that falls short of our expectations. Instead of trying to secularize Christmas, let us join in helping to make it a positive, faith­building testimony and determine to build on the faith that the Christmas emphasis nurtures in others. Secularism is nothing; let us build upon the something before it vanishes.

8. THE SONGS OF CHRISTMAS. Beautiful music, some festive and some sacred, brings hallowed visions before us at this season. As we go about our affairs with ears subconsciously attuned to this music, our thoughts begin to recall home and loved ones and friends and happy gatherings. A feeling of awe drifts through our minds as we think of the night when God's Gift to man came and what his coming means to us. What a dark night this world would be without him!

It is touching music. Stop and listen. It preaches sermons with penetrating power. True, like some sermons, some of it is too loud and is forced upon the ear. But some of it can still the soul like the quietness of Bethlehem's sleepy night. Through song we share the thrill of joyful angels as they proclaim God's incarnation to an unsuspecting world. Listen to those messengers of the gospel.

The good news brings happiness to man. It is the good news of God's love. We share that love. Love is in sharing. The traditional Santa Claus gives romance to sharing. Is money wasted on gifts? Hardly, if they are love gifts. God gives above our needs to show abundance of love. So do men.

May both the festive and the quiet songs of Christmas fill your soul.