Continue with Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Christmas?

* Jesus commanded that we commemorate his death, not his birth. -Luke 22:19, 20. 

* Jesus' apostles and early disciples did not celebrate Christmas. The New Catholic Encyclopedia says that  "the Nativity feast was instituted no earlier than 243 [C.E.]," more than a century after the last of the apostles died. 

* There is no proof that Jesus was born on December 25; his birth date is not recorded in the Bible.

* We believe that Christmas is not approved by God because it is rooted in pagan customs and rites.  -2 Corinthians 6:17. 

Why Make Christmas an Issue? 

Many still celebrate Christmas despite knowing about it pagan roots and lack of support from the Bible.  Such persons would ask: Why should Christians take such an unpopular stance? Why make it an issue?

The Bible encourages us to think for ourselves, to use our "power of reason."  (Romans 12:1, 2) It teaches us to value the truth.  (John 4:23, 24)  So while we are interested in how others view us, we adhere to Bible principles even if it means that we become unpopular.

Although we choose not to celebrate Christmas ourselves, we respect each person's right to decide for himself in this matter.  We do not interfere in the Christmas celebration of others.  

Next time: WHAT IS TRUE SUCCESS?

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