• We have no command or authorization to celebrate the birthday of Jesus.
  • We have no evidence that Christians in the First Century celebrated the birthday of Jesus.
  • December 25 as a legal holiday
    • Family and friends eat, get together, give gifts, and put up decorations.
    • Some practice these things with religious significance.
    • Can a Christian practice these things without any religious significance?
  • I Corinthians 8:4-11
    • A Christian could eat meat that had been sacrificed to an idol if:
      • He knew the idol was nothing.
      • In eating he did not cause a weak brother to stumble.
    • A Christian can observe December 25 if:
      • He knows it is nothing; thus does not observe it as a service to God.
      • He does not cause a weak brother to stumble.
  • I Corinthians 10:25-32
    • A Christian can observe December 25 if:
      • He does not observe it as a service to God.
      • He is invited to a Christmas party and it is not said to be in service to God.
  • Romans 14:1-5
    • A Christian can observe December 25 if:
      • He does it as a lawful custom without any religious significance.
      • He does not cause a weak brother to stumble.
  • Acts 21:17-26
    • Many Jews circumcised their male children and kept the custom as a service to God.
      • Paul taught against this, but he never taught the Jews to forsake the customs as customs.
      • Paul observed the customs.
    • Many celebrate Christmas as a service to God.
      • I teach against this, but I do not teach that a Christian must give up the customs as customs.
      • A Christian can observe the customs.