One of the questions that arises amongst Christians at this time of year is whether it is appropriate to celebrate Christmas. After all, the origins of Christmas celebrations are not to be found in the Bible. And aren’t the Scriptures supposed to be our final authority on all matters, including public worship.

If this is a question you have been considering, I think something I read last week from one of Charles Spurgeon’s sermons may be helpful:

“We have no superstitious regard for times and seasons. Certainly we do not believe in the present ecclesiastical arrangement called Christmas.

First, because we do not believe in the mass at all, but abhor it, whether it be sung in Latin or in English; and secondly, because we find no Scriptural warrant whatever for observing any day as the birthday of the Savior; and consequently, its observance is a superstition, because not of divine authority.

Superstition has fixed most positively the day of our Savior’s birth, although there is no possibility of discovering when it occurred. … It was not till the middle of the third century that any part of the church celebrated the nativity of our Lord; and it was not till very long after the Western church had set the example, that the Eastern adopted it.

Because the day is not known, therefore superstition has fixed it; while, since the day of the death of our Saviour might be determined with much certainty, therefore superstition shifts the date of its observance every year. Where is the method in the madness of the superstitious?

Probably the fact is that the “holy” days were arranged to fit in with the heathen festivals. We venture to assert, that if there be any day in the year, of which we may be pretty sure that it was not the day on which the Savior was born, it is the twenty-fifth of December.

Nevertheless since, the current of men’s thoughts is led this way just now, and I see no evil in the current itself, I shall launch the bark of our discourse upon that stream, and make use of the fact, which I shall neither justify nor condemn, by endeavoring to lead your thoughts in the same direction.

Since it is lawful, and even laudable, to meditate upon the incarnation of the Lord upon any day in the year, it cannot be in the power of other men’s superstitions to render such a meditation improper for to-day.

Regarding not the day, let us, nevertheless, give God thanks for the gift of His dear Son.”

Spurgeon spoke these words 145 years ago on 24th December 1871 and they still have counsel for us today. We may know that there are many problems with the holiday known as Christmas. Yet, I don’t believe our Lord would hinder us from celebrating the birth of our Lord at this time of year as opposed to another time of year.

So with that in mind, I hope that you make the most of opportunities you may have to share the good news with others during this season.

And if you haven’t trusted in Jesus Christ as your Saviour, why not do so this Christmas, and enjoy the greatest gift given to humans.