Commentary
20th December 2023
Josh Lyons
Christmas is perhaps the most popular holiday in the world. People from a variety of perspectives and societies—from the devoutly religious who cry, “put Christ back in Christmas,” to famous atheists like Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris—participate in some form of Christmas celebrations. With Christmas rapidly approaching, let’s make what some may consider a strange comparison: Christmas versus Passover.
What does Passover have to do with Christmas? A brief look shows that these two...
Commentary
03rd January 2009
Ken Frank
Did you enjoy Christmas this year as much as last? Because of the worldwide economic downturn, many decided to spend less on gifts than in past years. Retailers certainly are not happy about this change. But many discovered that what really makes Christmas special to them is not the material gifts but the special time they spend with loved ones. Our consumer-driven Western culture has deceived us into thinking that the good life is only possible as we can buy it. Perhaps this recession will cause many to refocus on their loved ones with increased appreciation and devotion.
Commentary
19th December 2009, 25th December 2012, 08th December 2016, 20th December 2018, 17th December 2022
Wyatt Ciesielka
Most people dismiss the commercialism, the pagan influence, and the impossibility of a December 25 birth, and take comfort in slogans such as “Put Christ back in Christmas.” But how many professing Christians would feel comfortable celebrating Christmas if they understood that you cannot “put Christ back in Christmas” because Christmas is Satanic?
This is no new understanding—but the churches of the world hide or ignore this truth. The Catholic Encyclopedia reveals that “Christmas was not among...
Magazine Articles
2011 November-December
Richard F. Ames (1936-2024)
What does Christmas mean to you? Does observing Christmas bring you closer to God? Or are "Christmas" traditions obscuring the wonderful truth of Jesus Christ's real message?
Commentary
21st December 2017
Roger Meyer
Many people love the Christmas holiday, with its decorations, cookies, treats and parties. Some recognize that these trappings have nothing to do with the birth of Jesus Christ. In fact, most of the observance is a lie.
Dozens of Christmas stories and Hollywood movies about Christmas concern magic characters, magic trees, magic ornaments or magic stockings. Frosty the Snowman “comes to life” when a magic hat is placed on his head. The magical Santa Claus character has the supernatural power to...
Magazine Articles
2021 December
Gerald E. Weston
It’s that time of year again, and I am reminded of my atheist Uncle George. In our booklet Easter: The Untold Story, I mentioned a connection between Easter celebrations and his rejection of God. I also have an Uncle George story involving the Christmas holiday, now so near at hand.
One day, near the end of his life, my uncle brought up the subject of Christmas. Knowing that I was a Christian minister and assuming that I celebrated the most stereotypically “Christian” of all occasions...
Commentary
27th December 2012
Richard Franz
Did you go Christmas shopping this year? Did you spend money you have not yet earned on items that probably will not fill anyone’s needs, and will only temporarily satisfy a selfish envy or greed? Do you feel like Christmas is more about spending money than spending time with God and family?
Consumer counseling agencies anticipate a 25 percent increase in the number of people seeking help in January and February. Most of that traffic is driven to their doors by holiday bills that haunt...
Magazine Articles
2001 November-December
William Bowmer
A December "harvest festival"—Kwanzaa—is gaining popularity in the United States, though some criticize its historicity and substance. But how many realize that God Himself proclaimed a "harvest festival" and that the most widely observed December festival—Christmas—is no more biblical than Kwanzaa?
Magazine Articles
2010 November-December
Rod McNair
Every Christmas season, tidings of "Peace on Earth" are shared by hopeful believers. Yet the legacy of Christmas seems never to deliver on the hope. Will there ever be peace on Earth? God's Holy Days reveal the wonderful answer!
Magazine Articles
2006 March-April
Gary F. Ehman (1937–2021)
People spend and spend in the hope of having a joyous Christmas. But their big spending has year-round consequences. What does rampant consumer spending say about us and about our nations? Is there a better way?