Leviticus 23:32 It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.

We are not celebrating the Sabbath here but there are no words in the bible telling us to celebrate the birth of Christ. I include this verse for one simple reason that is attended to in this verse; if you are going to take a day to call holy, then there should also be an affliction of the soul. Without it that day should not be considered Holy. If we can agree on that, then we can press on.

Nothing about Christmas traditions are commandments related to any of the sacraments of the church, they are not scriptural. Since tradition has seen fit to call this a holy day, then let us attend to the affliction of the soul.  In order to understand how this applies perhaps the lyrics to a silly old song might demonstrate some practical evidence.

“Has your shewing gum lost its flavour on the bedpost over night?” Lonnie Donegan – 1959

I attended a small church back home. There weren’t enough children to put on “the pagent”. You know, the one where the kids dress up like angels and shepherds, wise men, Joseph and Mary. It wasn’t part of my personal experience. I never got that memory installed into my soul, it has no attachment. (hint bedpost) I know that sounds like a bad pun but in many ways that is exactly how traditions are formed in the minds of young people and last for years for many people.

If we attach ourselves to different churches over the years the traditions of celebration might not be those of your youth. “We don’t” is found in church traditions just as much as “we do” is expressed. If you rely on your church to express your afflicted soul in Christmas tradition, then I would ask you to reexamine your relationship with the Lord and ask yourself exactly what do you think you are doing.

My home Christmas was a secular as it gets. There was nothing Christ like about it. Over the years it stopped being about me. Then it stopped being about the kids. Now it is all about the grandkids. My children are now the parents and married to people with their own set of traditions, or not. It is not my call any more when the stage is set for this holy day. The one thing I have to attend to in this is not to allow my afflicted soul to insist on anything in favor of providing a loving and peaceful experience for everyone.

Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Returning once again to the original purpose for the birth of Christ, we once again look to His people who are saved from their sins. Who are these people? Are they perhaps as it is written here in Acts 11:26 those of us who carry the family name, Christian? I would hope so for my salvation is bound in being one of His people.

I ended yesterday’s devotional with a rather pointed question. What do you make of all this? It is more important to focus on what you make of Christmas, its traditions, its celebration, in context of who you are as a Christian. The world will celebrate Christmas, their holiday as they see fit and nothing will change that. But really, what do you make of it? Isn’t that what really counts?

I say this because as with my relating birthday celebrations yesterday, it is a personal relationship response. Your relationship with your Lord should be the only consideration about if and how you celebrate His birth. There is no written documentation of celebrating the birth of Christ for about 400 years after His death. His death however seems to have been celebrated every year, again because of another holy day, Passover.

I am not saying what to do about this or any Christmas. If you are called by His name, a Christian, then as a family member, perhaps your true heart feelings on these matters is a reflection upon you relationship with the Lord. I think that is important. It is for me anyway.

Christian traditions might be a good place to go next.