The Bible does not give the date of Jesusโ birth, nor does it say that we should celebrate his birthday. As McClintock and Strongโs Cyclopedia states: โThe observance of Christmas is not of divine appointment, nor is it of NT [New Testament] origin.โ
Instead, an examination of the history of Christmas exposes its roots in pagan religious rites. The Bible shows that we offend God if we try to worship him in a way that he does not approve of.โExodus 32:5-7.
History of Christmas customs
Celebrating Jesusโ birthday: โThe early Christians did not celebrate [Jesusโ] birth because they considered the celebration of anyoneโs birth to be a pagan custom.โโThe World Book Encyclopedia.
December 25: There is no proof that Jesus was born on that date. Church leaders likely chose this date to coincide with pagan festivals held on or around the winter solstice.
Gift-giving, feasting, partying: The Encyclopedia Americana says: โSaturnalia, a Roman feast celebrated in mid-December, provided the model for many of the merry-making customs of Christmas. From this celebration, for example, were derived the elaborate feasting, the giving of gifts, and the burning of candles.โ The Encyclopรฆdia Britannica notes that โall work and business were suspendedโ during Saturnalia.
Christmas lights: According to The Encyclopedia of Religion, Europeans decorated their homes โwith lights and evergreens of all kindsโ to celebrate the winter solstice and to combat evil spirits.
Mistletoe, holly: โThe Druids ascribed magical properties to the mistletoe in particular. The evergreen holly was worshiped as a promise of the sunโs return.โโThe Encyclopedia Americana.
Christmas tree: โTree worship, common among the pagan Europeans, survived after their conversion to Christianity.โ One of the ways in which tree worship survived is in the custom of โplacing a Yule tree at an entrance or inside the house in the midwinter holidays.โโEncyclopรฆdia Britannica.