Christmas - Sermons, Bible Studies, Articles, and Essays

Excusing Paganism in Christmas

Commentary by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The annual celebration of Christmas is widely embraced across the world by people of various beliefs, marked by glitzy lights, special foods, carols, parties, and gift-giving. However, there is a sense of oversaturation with the festive cheer and its trappings, leading to a desire for the season to end. Many customs and traditions

A Sanitary Christmas

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Christmas is only days away following the winter solstice, which used to coincide with it. However, due to calendar inexactitude, the solstice has shifted forward over centuries. Some celebrate Christmas in the heat of summer for different reasons. Christmas-keeping Christians have been defending the holiday against atheists, agnos

Christmas Contradictions

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Christmas is a bundle of contradictions, inanities, and outright lies. Most people are aware that Jesus could not have been born around the winter solstice. In the early fourth century, the Catholic Church combined the Roman winter solstice festival, the Saturnalia, with a celebration of Jesus' birth to help new converts adjust to

The Conundrum of Christmas Cheer

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Christmas, often marked by greetings of seasonal cheer, reveals a stark contradiction as December emerges as the most depressing time of the year for many. Despite the overdone jollity, the holiday season is filled with angst, frustration, and disappointment, leading to negative emotions that many struggle to handle. The central fo

Does Jeremiah Describe a Christmas Tree in Jeremiah 10:2-5?

Bible Questions & Answers

The practice of using a Christmas tree, as we know it today, mirrors the carved idols described in Jeremiah's writings. This custom, linked to the signs of heaven much like the winter solstice, reflects a pagan origin despite modern unawareness of this connection. The scriptures in Jeremiah, primarily prophetic and relevant to our

The Crazy in Christmas

CGG Weekly by Ronny H. Graham

Many years ago, the subject of Christmas arose in conversations, revealing astonishment from others when I shared that I do not celebrate it. Neighbors, upon presenting Christmas gifts, were stunned to learn of our stance, questioning our belief in God when they noticed the absence of a Christmas tree and decorations in our home. T

Cogitations on Christmas

Article by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Christmas is a bundle of contradictions, inanities, and outright lies, a fact that many people are aware of yet often ignore. The celebration, commonly associated with December 25, is not the true date of Jesus Christ's birth, as He could not have been born around the winter solstice. In the early fourth century, the celebration wa

Reasons for Not Celebrating Christmas

CGG Weekly by John Reiss

Christmas, as observed on December 25, does not align with the actual birth date of Jesus Christ. Clues in the Bible suggest His birth occurred in the second half of September, around the fall holy days, based on calculations related to John the Baptist's birth in late March. The Bible does not specify the exact day of His birth, a

The Plain Truth About Christmas

Herbert W. Armstrong Booklet

Where did we get Christmas? It is a custom that has come to the world from the Roman Catholic Church, not from the Bible or the original apostles who were personally instructed by Christ. Historical authorities, such as the Catholic Encyclopedia of 1911, reveal that Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church, with

What's Wrong With Christmas?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Many people are well aware of the tainted origin and history of Christmas, yet this holiday flourishes in the materialistic Western world, spreading its revelry globally. Despite widespread information on the Internet, in magazines, newspapers, and newscasts revealing its non-Christian background, Christmas remains a quagmire of de

So You Plan to Keep Christmas Now?

Article by Mike Ford

Here in America, Christmas is observed with dazzling lights, greenery, and jolly Santas on every corner, presenting a beautiful and enticing surface of harmless entertainment. However, the customs of using evergreens, such as putting up a Christmas tree, tacking a wreath on the door, or hanging mistletoe, carry deeper significance

Christmas, Syncretism, and Presumption

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Christmas, as a widely celebrated holiday, reveals a striking contradiction in its observance across the globe. Despite claims of Judeo-Christian roots, the festival is nowhere mentioned in the Bible, except for the story of Jesus' birth in the book of Luke. Its origins are acknowledged as pagan by some clergy, yet they often dismi

Christmas and Sun Worship

Sermonette by Mike Ford

Next Wednesday is Christmas, a day often viewed through a religious lens, yet its roots trace back to pagan festivals. Over the years, I have addressed Christmas from various perspectives, and today I approach this holiday from a unique angle, focusing on its historical connections to sun worship. A common thread running through ma

The Names of Christmas

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The celebration of Christmas is marked by a variety of terms and traditions that carry deep historical and cultural significance. Words like Yule, Yuletide, Noël, the Nativity, Advent, and the Feast of the Incarnation are commonly used during this season. Among these, Yule and Yuletide are derived from the Old English word géol, re

The Rea$on for the Season

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

This time of solstice celebrations brings an ironic humor amidst the weariness for those called out of worldly paganism. The American Family Association launched a boycott against Target stores due to the absence of the word Christmas in their marketing, noting that this year marked a significant elimination of such references by m

Celebrating a Lie

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The celebration of Christmas on December 25 is marked by widespread participation, yet it lacks a foundation in biblical instruction. There is no directive in either Testament to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ with an annual celebration. Instead, Jesus Himself emphasizes remembering His death rather than His birth. The date

Spirit and Truth

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Christmas in America has become a battleground, revealing the pagan origins of this esteemed tradition. The timing and trappings of this celebration, centered on December 25th, long predate Christianity and are tied to sun-worship across many millennia. These pagan roots are so well-documented that it raises the question of why Chr

A Search For Christmas Truth?

Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh

Rejecting the Sabbath or embracing Christmas requires rejecting fundamental biblical truths. If we do not do what Christ did, we cannot claim to follow Christ.

When Was Jesus Born?

Article by John O. Reid

We are approaching the time of year when the world celebrates the supposed birth of Jesus Christ. Anywhere we go, Christmas cheer is inescapable. For most of us in the church of God, this is a season we struggle through, as we do not celebrate Christmas, often standing out in a crowd. This difference piques the curiosity of some, w

'Tis the Season: Help for Our Young People

Article by Staff

Members of God's church do not celebrate Christmas or New Year's Day due to the absence of a biblical command to do so and the divine command to avoid pagan practices, which these holidays embody in abundance. The Christmas season presents challenges for God's people, becoming both easier and harder each year as society and adverti

Syncretismas!

Article by Martin G. Collins

Christmas, as a Christian holiday, is surrounded by falsehoods and deceptions that obscure its true meaning in relation to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Elements such as evergreen trees, Yule logs, holly wreaths, mistletoe, and Santa Claus bear no connection to our spiritual bond with Him. This holiday, flourishing in the mater

Insinuating the Savior Into Paganism

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Bobby's condition declined noticeably after Christmas, when his parents gave him a gun as a gift, disturbingly the same one his brother Stuart had used to commit suicide. This thoughtless act by his parents, showing no regard for whether the gift was fitting or well-received, mirrors a broader issue of self-centeredness. Similarly,

Pagan Holidays

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

This present world system has attempted to change God's Sabbath and holy days, syncretizing them into corrupt worship and establishing their own counterfeit holidays. Though the Bible makes no direct references to Christmas, the origins of such pagan holidays are mentioned as being abominations to God. It matters that most of this

Dating Christ's Birth

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

While a minority of Christians insist that December 25 is the actual date of the Nativity, most people realize that proof for this early winter date is quite scanty.

Presumption and Divine Justice (Part One)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Orthodoxy in virtually every aspect of life has been discarded, indicating how perverse human nature is in its determination to rebel against God.

What Is This 'Advent'?

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

'Advent' can refer both to Christ's first coming as a human being or to His second coming in overwhelming power and glory to establish the Kingdom of God on earth.

Offering Profane Fire

Sermonette by Craig Sablich

God's laws against pagan practices and strange worship, do not just mean worship of other gods, but worship in a way that seems to be right in our own hearts.

For the Love of the Truth

Sermonette by Ryan McClure

Christ has never been in man's holidays, which are built on lies, and which teach children they cannot trust the veracity of their own parents.

Hearing and Understanding the Truth

Sermonette by Cody Ford

Even though many know the pagan origins of Christmas, they continue to follow it, thinking the good outweighs any of the downsides of its origins.

True Worship of God

Sermonette by Craig Sablich

Any practice that does not give its loyalty to the Creator and is not devoted to His truth is nothing more than a method of worship created by men.

Truth-Based Worship Vs Spiritual Confusion

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

God never accepts worship that comes from human reasoning and the traditions of man. The starting point for worship must always be God and His revelation.

Satan's Pagan Holy Days

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Kim Myers

New Years, Christmas, Easter, Halloween and birthdays all originate in paganism. Satan entices many into accepting these pagan practices through emotional appeals.

Sincerity Without Truth Is Worthless

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

It is dangerous to judge something on the basis of apparent 'sincerity,' which is often the opposite of godly sincerity. Godly sincerity is paired with the truth.

A Son Is Given

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The names of God reveal His character and attributes, and so also with Jesus. The reasons for Jesus Christ's incarnation are revealed in His names.

Appointments

Sermon by Clyde Finklea

God established the weekly Sabbath on the seventh day of Creation; He established His Holy Days (moedim) on the fourth day. These are His appointments.

Does Paul Condemn Observing God's Holy Days?

'Ready Answer' by Earl L. Henn

Galatians 4:9-10 is a favorite crutch of those who claim Christians no longer need to observe God's holy days. However, Paul's meaning is quite different.

Nicolaitanism Today

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The end-time church is warned against Nicolaitanism, for it exists today. The Scriptures, plus some first century history, reveal who the Nicolaitans are.

Truth (Part 1)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

If we are going to search for truth, we should not be seeking it in the philosophies of men, but rather in the fullness of truth found in God's revelation.

The Second Commandment (1997)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Many fail to perceive the difference between the first and second commandments. The second commandment defines the way we are to worship the true God.

More on Tolerance

CGG Weekly by John W. Ritenbaugh

Many are guided by a multicultural value system that posits that all values, regardless of their source, are equal and should be tolerated. But God has one way.

Who Were the Wise Men?

Article by Staff

The Feast of Epiphany, observed on January 6, commemorates the visit of the wise men, known as magi, to the infant Jesus at Bethlehem. These wise men knew in advance who they would visit and that their purpose was to worship Him. It is highly unlikely that heathen, idolatrous astrologers would travel great distances to honor the so