The New Testament teaches that Christians are to "contend earnestly" (NKJV) or "fight hard" (NJB) for the faith given once for all of God's saintly people (Jude 3). Was Christmas part of the original faith? Did early Christians observe Jesus' birthday? Did the custom of gift giving come from the 'three wise men' or from pagan observances? Did Tertullian of Alexandria warn that Greco-Romans who professed Christianity were compromising with the heathen by participating in idolatrous observances such as Saturnalia in the winter? Does 1 Timothy 6:1 apply for pagan holidays? What about 2 Corinthians 6:15-17? What about the 12 days of Yuletide? Was it possible that the census of Luke 2 was performed in the winter or the shepherds out in the field with their flocks then? What does impossible mean? What days were observed by original early Christians? Are they mentioned anywhere in the Bible? When was December 25th adopted? Was that at all related to Emperor Constantine, Mithraism, and the Sol Deus Invictus? What about Santa Claus and lying to children? What about the use of trees in worship? Was it right for people to incorporate non-biblical traditions that the pagans used? Should Rome have compromised or urged separation from heathen practices for its converts? Jesus said, "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24)--does Christmas observance do that? Dr. Thiel addresses these matters and more in this sermon.
A written article of related interest is available titled "What Does the Roman Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days?" URL: https://cogwriter.com/christmas.htm
