Crushed at Christmas
I’ll never forget the young man’s crushed, confused expression and slumped posture as an older ministry veteran berated him right after he’d said with a smile, “I’ll miss being home for Christmas.”
This young man was serving as a volunteer in a foreign country away from his home in the USA and had been sharing about the joy he had each year: the laughter, the gifts, being with his family and relatives, and the church service they would attend. Yet before he could even finish reminiscing on holiday traditions he would be missing that year, the older man in ministry suddenly launched into a full-blown assault on the holiday of Christmas. *Ronald’s tone was sharp as he rattled off a litany of reasons why celebrating Christmas was akin to participating in pagan rituals.
As I saw this young man’s spirit wither, anger started to build within me. I had worked with him and knew he was serious about wanting to serve the Lord. He was excited to spend three months in this foreign country where he had never been.
Ronald’s tirade soon turned to a feigned disbelief that any Christian would celebrate Christmas. He even claimed to know the exact day Jesus was born (though there is no definitive scriptural proof of such).
The young man offered no rebuttal; he looked scared and confused when only minutes earlier he had been smiling and joyful. I could not keep silent. Knowing that Ronald was a father of two children, I asked him, “Ronald, your children are young, aren’t they?”
Ronald, seemingly caught off-guard that I had interrupted his Christmas bash, responded, “What?”
Then, looking a bit irritated as he processed my question, answered, “Yes, they are young. Why?”
“Well,” I started, “They were here two-and-a-half hours ago and told me your wife was visiting friends until late. Do you know where they are, considering it’s 11:00 p.m.?”
“Umm… no,” Ron responded. “I don’t know where they are, but I know they’re okay.”
After a moment, I responded, “Here we are in a large city with no shortage of crime. Your children – who are quite young – are not with you because you are here, not at home. Your wife is also out. Now, I know you love your children very much and I am not trying to come off as accusatory. However, I’d like to point out that some people might question if you were being responsible for the welfare and safety of your children right now, considering you don’t know their whereabouts.”
I tried my best to communicate with humility as I continued: “Ronald, you may think it is very wrong to celebrate Christmas. But our brother, here, considers it a wonderful occasion – a time to be with his family, thanking God for the birth of our Lord. They love being together that day, celebrating with a nice meal and gifts. Today, you have let him –and all of us – know you are very much against this. Yet, there may be some things you do – or choose not to do – that others may strongly disagree with as well.”
“So…” I continued, looking Ronald in the eye as I concluded, “In a similar manner, while you may disagree with his choice, our friend here is doing nothing wrong in celebrating the birth of our Savior. I think it’s important that all of us check our vision for ‘planks.’ I know personally, I am prone to seeing what I perceive as faults in others, while ignoring my own.”
Perhaps you, yourself, know a “Ronald.” Or perhaps you can relate to Ronald! It is no secret there are some people with very strong opinions about Christmas – the date, itself – and whether to celebrate it, or how to observe it (if at all). There are also many differing opinions on the day and time of the birth of our Messiah.
However, I am quite convinced the Scriptures tell us when He was born. In Paul’s letter to the Galatians we read “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons and daughters” (Galatians 4:4-5).[1]
As the Scripture passage above states, it was at the exact right time in history…in the right place…that the right person was born. And this man would ultimately fulfill His divine mission so that we now have the right to become children of God through faith in Him – whether Jewish or Gentile. Now, isn’t this what is most important?
There are many varying opinions and convictions within the body of Messiah on the Sabbath, food and drink, the feasts of the LORD, the spiritual gifts, and how we worship.2 I certainly have my own beliefs and convictions on many of these subjects, as informed by the Scriptures. But regardless of our opinions, how we express these beliefs and convictions should be done in a way in which our LORD is glorified.
If those who are mature in their faith feel the need to correct someone, it should be done with an intention of building up or returning the person to the path they may have strayed from. We indeed must take strong stands against false and divisive teachings or practices, but there are also times when our opinions are best left unsaid. There are times we need to lift up others before our Heavenly Father, rather than tearing down a fellow believer or confusing not-yet-believing friends, as they witness us devouring one another over non-essential matters.
So I would like to encourage you as we enter a new year: rather than crushing someone over their thoughts on Christmas, or on any other matter where sincere believers may differ, let’s try find some common ground – the shared love we have for our Messiah and the wonderful gift of salvation available through faith in Him.
Written by Jeff, Life in Messiah staff
As we move into a new year, what is one relationship or area of conviction where God might be calling you to choose grace over being “right”?
In what ways can strong convictions be expressed without becoming spiritually domineering or dismissive of others?
Christmas may be over, but if you are interested in learning more about the Jewish essence of Christmas, HERE is a great podcast recorded by LIFE’s Executive Director and Global Ambassador.
Endnotes:
[1] See also: John 1:11-13. [Scripture quotes are from NASB.]
[2] See Romans chapter 14, Colossians 2:16-17.