Christmas | Honoring the Messiah’s Birth
As many Believers come to understand and recognize the Hebraic roots of their faith, they can also feel like a tug-of-war is taking place in their soul: Do you celebrate Christmas, even with all its pagan connections? How do we honor the Messiah’s birth?
It’s ultimately about heart posture and personal conviction. It’s important to remember that those who are pure in heart will see God, and those who seek Him will find Him (see Matthew 5:8, Jeremiah 29:13).
If you want to honor Jesus and celebrate Him on December 25th (as any day of the year), He will meet you there. But if you feel He’s asking you to remember Him in other ways during this season, that’s okay, too.
As in all things, it’s important to check our motivations and intentions. Whatever we decide, may we be careful not to judge others who choose differently, not compromise principles, and recognize preferences.
Honoring the Messiah’s Birth | 5 Points to Consider
1) Celebrating the Messiah’s birth is a personal decision. Many who have come to know their faith roots and understand what it means to be One New Man—Jew and Gentile coming together in Yeshua—still want to honor and celebrate the birth of the Lord.
Others cannot look past the pagan roots and ties to the Christmas holiday. With all that said, this is a decision we strongly encourage you to take to the Lord and follow Holy Spirit’s guidance.
2) Know this personal decision may develop over time. Many One New Man Believers choose not to celebrate Christmas after discovering the pagan traditions connected to the holiday. However, some aspects of Christmas do not have to be observed.
Rather than focusing on what Christmas traditions are rooted in paganism, consider focusing on what the Bible says about the Messiah’s birth. Choose to honor and celebrate these truths with your family (see the verses below regarding the Messiah’s birth).
3) See the two-fold expression of the One New Man. As a family, prayerfully consider both the Jewish and Gentile sides of the holiday. See the beauty in the event that the Messiah of Israel came to bring us–Jew and Gentile–into union with Himself and each other.
To that point, some see a painful irony in the cut Christmas tree–a tree without its roots! Consider a potted, smaller Christmas tree if this is an area of conviction. You can plant it outside with your family after the holiday. A rooted tree is another way to remember we have been grafted into the olive tree–One New Man in Messiah!
4) Use this time to connect with Jesus. We must recognize that we won’t escape every pagan nod in society. Cultural influences are everywhere. However, as a born-again Believer, you have hope knowing that you have access to God’s armor to battle it.
His blood covers you. You have access to His peace and can claim ultimate victory and freedom, fully experiencing it when you meet your Savior face-to-face.
5) Ask the Lord to weigh the intentions of your heart. How we choose to celebrate Christmas, as with every thought and decision, should be taken captive and made obedient to Christ. When we go through life without examining our motives, or more so, without asking the Spirit of God to reveal them, we step into dangerous territory.
Therefore, whatever you and your family decide to do, ask God to weigh your heart’s intentions and ensure that your motives are pure—not from a place of “spiritual superiority,” legalism, fear, or ties to things He wants to cleanse out of your life. Only He can make your intentions known.
7 Ways You and Your Family Can Honor the Messiah’s Birth
1) Remember Yeshua is the Light of the World
The winter months are dark and cold for anyone in the Northern Hemisphere. The dark hours start earlier and earlier with each passing day. This minimal light exposure can certainly impact our emotions and moods. Therefore, meditating on the Light of the World rather than the physical darkness outside can refocus your mind and open the door to experiencing more of Yeshua.
2) Give Gifts and Celebrate the Gift of Salvation
Gift-giving is a great opportunity to share the love of God with others. You can also pause and reflect on why you give gifts and ask the Lord to remind you of the gift of salvation purchased by the blood of Messiah.
3) Enjoy a Meal with Family and Friends and Celebrate the Messiah’s Birth and Life
This is a season to gather and fellowship. Enjoy this time. Use it to celebrate as a family and remember the Messiah’s miraculous birth. Cook, bake, eat, and celebrate the life you have because of Yeshua!
4) Watch Family Movies and Spend Time Together
These are times to create your own family traditions. Is there a favorite holiday movie your family loves? Watch it together. Do you have a family game you enjoy playing? Gather some snacks, get out some games, and enjoy the gift of time that the Lord has given you this season.
5) Host or Attend a Candlelight Service and Sing Songs
Many churches host candlelight services during the Christmas season. You can host one at home, too. Spend time in worship and sing songs such as O Holy Night, Joy to the World, and Silent Night. This creates a place and time to make Yeshua the center focus.
6) Consider Reaching Out to Your Local Community
There are many opportunities to pour into your local community during this season. Giving clothes and food is a way to bless those in need. Perhaps the Lord has laid a person or even a family on your heart. Ask Him how you can bless someone in your community during the Christmas season.
7) Focus on the Names of the Lord in December
Perhaps you’ve heard of or grew up observing “Advent” in this season. You can take each day leading up to Christmas to focus on who the Lord is and talk to your children and grandchildren about expecting His return. Check out our FREE download, Call on the Name of the Lord! 25 Names of Jesus. Discover 25 names and their meanings.
What the Bible Says About the Messiah’s Birth
Consider meditating on these verses as a way of honoring the Messiah’s birth this season…
- Isaiah 7:14
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”
- Isaiah 9:6
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
- Isaiah 11:1
“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.”
- Jeremiah 23:5
“‘Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.’”
- John 1:14
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
- John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
- Luke 1:35
“And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.’”
- Micah 5:2
“‘But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.’”
The Takeaway
How you celebrate and honor the Messiah’s birth in this season is a personal decision. You can use any time to connect with the Lord, and if you choose to observe parts of Christmas, this season is one more opportunity to connect. Allow Him to weigh the intentions of your heart. Any temptation to feel “spiritually superior” in your decision is dangerous and will give the enemy a foothold.
Recognize that cultural influences are everywhere. You cannot escape them here on earth, but you can have hope knowing you have God’s armor to battle it, Holy Spirit discernment to navigate it, and peace knowing your Savior will “keep you from falling and present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy” (Jude 24).
However we choose to honor the Messiah’s birth, may we do so from a place of adoration, with hearts that long to see and behold His glory!