Christmas - Delightful or Dangerous?
This was the cover, or feature, article of the December 15, 1984 Watchtower. The organisation still insists that christmas is not for "true" christians, for these reasons:
1. It is not the actual birth date of christ – rather it is the date of the festival of Saturnalia
2. Christ did not tell us to celebrate his birth
3. Its customs are of pagan origins
4. The Deception of Santa, elves, reindeer etc
5. Excesses in eating and drinking, and the financial "burden" of gift giving
Lets look at these objections to christmas, one at a time.
1. It is not the actual birth date of christ rather it is the date of a pagan festival
Do you know the old cliché about the half full glass of water? A pessimist says its half empty and an optimist says its half full. The fact that various pagan festivals have been held at the same time of year as christmas can be viewed in a similar way.
To the WatchTower, it’s offensive to hold a celebration of Christs birth on the day of a pagan festival.
However many don’t see it that way. To them its not important what others, at some ancient point in history, once did on the same calandar date. What is important to them is what they do on that day, not what anyone else does, or did, once upon a time.
Consider Thursday, yes the day of the week. It is named after the viking God Thor – god of wars and warriors. Now what could be more offensive to christ than holding a christian meeting such as the congregation book study or the Theocratic Ministry School on the day named after a false god of war? Or for that matter holding a WatchTower meeting on a Sunday – the day of the week commemorating a sun god.
Of course, I’m being facious when I say it is offensive to Christ, but I’m sure you see my point.
Celebrating or remembering christs birth on the day of a pagan festival is no more offensive to God than going to a "christian meeting" on a day that commemorates a false god.
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2. Christ did not tell us to celebrate his birth
That is not strictly true, is it? The fact is, it is not recorded in the Bible whether or not christ wanted his followers to celebrate his birthday.
Is this then, a valid reason why not to celebrate it? No. Did anyone actually celebrate his birth? Yes, read for yourself Luke Chapter 2 verses 8-14. Now, why would angels celebrate and sing at christs birth if it was offensive to God? And why would they do so publicly, if not to show people that this was an occasion to be remembered and celebrated? Could this not be a way of showing us that it is proper to celebrate christs birth?
Christ didn't instruct his followers to celebrate or commemorate his birth, but then he didn't tell us to fill out monthly field service reports, or insist we all give talks on the "theocratic ministry school" either did he?
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3. Its customs are of pagan origins
Christmas trees, mistletoe, candles, carols and gift giving rituals – all of these christmas traditions are of pagan or non christian origin.
Again the WatchTower views these things as offensive to God because of their pagan origins.
But just because people at some time in history used these things to ward off evil spirits or encourage the spring to return doesn’t mean that we use them for the same purpose at christmas time today.
The trees, decorations and nativity scenes are icons and symbols. There were various icons and symbols used in Jehovahs temple in Jerusalem too. Just as the jews did not worship the icons and symbols in the temple, people today who choose to decorate their homes in typical christmas fashion do not worship these decorations used at christmas.
There are many traditions that have pagan origins that even Jehovah's Witnesses follow, such as using wedding rings, but are their origins what is important?
Consider what happened when the jews were instructed to annihilate a city. They were often, though not always, allowed to take "spoils of war" such as silver and gold utensils, jewellery, ornaments, and clothing and sometimes a cut of the spoils was even given to the temple (Numbers 31:27).
No doubt many of these items were once used, by the original owners, in pagan festivities.
But their origins did not matter, what mattered was how the jews used them. The same is true today.
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4. Deceptions at christmas
‘God is a spirit and those worshipping him must worship with spirit and truth’- John 4:24 NWT.
"Through the pages of the Bible, Jehovah has made it clear that he hates all forms of deception (Psalm 5:6) In view of this, is it not ironic that so many features associated with Christmas smack of falsehood?" The WatchTower – December 15, 1997, page 6
"When a child learns that he has been deceived about believing that Santa is a real person, does it not undermine his trust in his parents?" The WatchTower – December 15, 1997, page 7
These quotes show the WatchTower views the stories of christmas, such as Santa, as deceptions that interfere with the parent-child relationship.
If the objection to christmas is that deception is involved, then the simple solution is to choose not to deceive our children about Santa or any other part of christmas they may ask us about.
Banning christmas because some parents "deceive" their children for a time, is tantamount to "throwing the baby out with the bath water".
In any case, most parents explain the truth about Santa to their children when they think it appropriate, possibly by the time the child is ten years old. It is difficult to see how this could cause any lasting difficulties in their relationship with their children.
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5. Excesses in eating and drinking, immorality, financial burdens and stress
The Watchtower likes to point out the many excesses that some people get up to at this time of year. Drunkenness, over-eating, immorality – on top of the "financial burden" of gift giving.
The fact that some cannot restrain themselves (or make no attempt too) when celebrating christmas is not a valid reason to cancel christmas for everyone, including those who choose to celebrate the event in a more moderate fashion.
Otherwise, the society would have to ban alcohol, food and sex because some people cannot or will not control themselves.
The society's arguments against christmas do not stand up to scrutiny.
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