Nama : Rahma Alfiyani

Nim : A320210046

Class : Essay Writing B

Lecturer : Titis Setyabudi, S.S., M.A

Christmas culture

Christmas is a special day because on that day, Jesus was born into the world as a human.
We can understand Christmas as the birthday of Jesus Christ. Generally, when children celebrate
a birthday, they will receive lots of gifts, toys, or new clothes from their family and loved ones.

But on his birthday, Jesus himself gave mankind a special gift, a promise of salvation, joy
and eternal peace from God. And Jesus gave it to everyone in the world. Because without the
Christmas event, humans are very tied to sin. Not only the sins we commit every day, but also
the original sin of Adam and Eve who were the first humans created by God.

Some of the customs we adopt on Christmas Day actually make sense. As always, the
“exchange of gifts” is done because God has given us the greatest gift, His Holy Son. The three
kings of the East also offered gifts to Jesus.

CHRISTMAS PROS AND CONS

I. Anti-Christmas say:

THERE IS NO COMMAND TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTHDAY OF CHRIST. .

Their rationale stems from the fact that

1. The apostles and first-century Christians did not celebrate Christmas; no Christmas at that
time.

2.“THERE IS NOT A WORD OF GOD OR WITH A REPRESENTATION WHERE GOD

COMMANDED US TO REMEMBER THE BIRTH OF OUR GOD. There is not a single word
in the entire New Testament, nor in the entire Bible, that says we should celebrate Christmas.
Christians in the first century, under the teachings of Peter, Paul and other apostles, never
celebrated Christmas. Paul never celebrated Christmas. Peter never celebrated Christmas. John
never celebrated Christmas. Truly – NO CHRISTMAS – at that time! There is no AUTHORITY
to celebrate it.”
II.WHY CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS TOO?

1. Actually, without even explaining, the 'facts speak for themselves' that Christmas doesn't
happen on December 25th.

The fact today that many people have already celebrated Christmas in early December, and there
are people who still celebrate Christmas in January and even February, has shown to anyone who
has not blinded himself, that Christ was not born on December 25, and that we do not know the
date of his birth.

But if that is not enough, then in celebrating it, we can explain it to the congregation and
especially the Sunday School children, that it is actually not the actual date of birth, and thus we
are not lying to people.

2. We may often hear about ancient people who did not know the date of his own birth, and
therefore his family created a date of birth for him, and celebrates it every year on that date. Is
this a lie? Why does the family keep celebrating that person's birthday when they don't know the
actual date? I think it's because of their love for that person that they want to show special love to
that person at least once a year. It's not too different from Christmas! What matters is not the
time of Christ's birth, but the fact that He was born for us. We want to repay His love at least
once a year, by celebrating His birthday, on a day of our own choosing

III. WHAT IS CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION?

1 Christmas is useful for preaching the gospel.

Many people who have never been to church want to go to church on Christmas, and this is an
opportunity for us to share the gospel with them. In my outreach books there are my Christmas
sermons, and if you can see, all of my Christmas sermons are sermons that contain the preaching
of the gospel. Even in non-evangelical churches, at Christmas celebrations there are evangelical
Christmas carols, and evangelical readings of verses, so the gospel is still preached at Christmas.

2.To remind the congregation of God's love.

This can refresh the faith of Christians, and return them to their original love for God.

3.For a means of fellowship, and bring the congregation closer to one another.

I'm not anti-Christmas party (as long as it's not too outrageous / too fancy), because I think it can
strengthen the fellowship between congregations. In the Old Testament there were also parties
ordained by God, so why in the New Testament we are not allowed to have a party if it is really
useful?