@Duran
While it is true that the Bible does not explicitly prescribe the celebration of Jesus’ birth, the absence of a command does not imply prohibition. The Bible permits all practices that glorify God, provided they do not contradict His teachings. Celebrating Christ’s birth, like observing Easter, honors His role in salvation history. The centrality of His incarnation is affirmed in Scripture (e.g., John 1:14), and its commemoration aligns with Christian principles.
The Jewish calendar’s lunar-solar system differs from the Gregorian calendar, making direct date alignment impractical. Christianity does not mandate adherence to the Jewish calendar for its celebrations. The choice of December 25 for Christmas reflects the use of the local Roman calendar rather than the Jewish one, emphasizing inculturation without compromising theological truth.
You asked why Christians celebrate on December 25. Early Christians chose this date for several reasons, including its symbolism with the winter solstice, representing Christ as the “Light of the World” (John 8:12). This choice does not stem from a "worldly" origin but reflects theological meaning.
Your concern that Kislev 25 does not always fall on December 25 misunderstands Christian practice. Christmas is not tied to Kislev 25. It is based on the Roman calendar, separate from Jewish calendrical cycles. Similarly, Easter is determined using the Gregorian system, independent of the precise Jewish Nisan 14 date.
The Quartodeciman controversy (2nd–4th centuries) exemplifies why strict adherence to the Jewish calendar was rejected by the Church. Quartodecimans insisted on celebrating Easter on Nisan 14 regardless of the day of the week, in alignment with Jewish Passover. However, the Church affirmed that Christian holidays are celebrated in light of the Resurrection, not bound by the old covenant’s calendar (Colossians 2:16-17). This distinction underscores Christian freedom to determine dates that reflect theological meaning.
Quartodecimanism was deemed heretical because it clung to Judaic customs, undermining the new covenant established by Christ. The same principle applies to your argument about Christmas: Christianity is not obligated to follow the Jewish calendar, nor is it restricted from selecting dates that resonate with its faith.
Tradition plays a vital role in the life of the Church. While Scripture is foundational, not all Christian practices are explicitly detailed in the Bible. The Church has always recognized that certain elements of worship and celebration develop through tradition under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:15).
The accusation that Christmas or other celebrations are "worldly" misrepresents their theological significance. Christians celebrate December 25 not because of cultural conformity but as an expression of faith in the Incarnation. The Church “baptized” cultural customs (like festivals or symbols) to redirect them to Christ, a process of inculturation rather than syncretism.
The New World Translation translates John 17:16 as "they are no part of the world," which implies absolute separation from societal customs. However, the Greek text indicates that Christians are "not of the world," meaning their values are distinct, not that they reject all cultural practices. The NWT’s rendering distorts the passage to support Jehovah's Witnesses' separatist ideology.
This misinterpretation serves to enforce rigid boundaries against practices like celebrating birthdays or holidays, despite the lack of explicit biblical prohibition. It imposes unnecessary legalism rather than reflecting the gospel's freedom.
In conclusion, celebrating Christmas on December 25 is neither unbiblical nor inherently “worldly.” It honors Christ’s incarnation, an essential event in salvation history. The date’s theological symbolism and historical development reflect Christian freedom in worship. Misunderstanding or distorting this practice fails to grasp the inclusive and transformative nature of Christian tradition.
