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 holidayFamily 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 8:4-11A 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 10:25-32A 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 14:1-5A 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 21:17-26Many 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.
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