Pst Olumide Akinrinlola

Celebration of Christmas is not traceable to any portion of the Bible and as such, it’s obvious that Christmas celebration is not biblical.

People across the world celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December, thinking and believing it is the day of birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. But this is far from the truth.

Jesus Christ was not born on the 25th of December and His birth couldn’t have fallen into the Month of December. Jesus Christ was born in the country of Israel and Bible recorded that he was born at a time the shepherds were abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” (Luke 2:8)

The Bible says at a time the shepherds were “abiding in the field,” which revealed that our “Lord Jesus Christ” was born during the summer period in Israel and not during the winter (which is rainy season). Shepherd couldn’t have abided in the field during winter and keep watch over their flocks in the open field even at night.

Don’t forget that in Israel, Winter starts in October-November and ends in March while
April-May is regarded as Spring and June to September is the summer period. So, Jesus was not even born in the month of December and unfortunately, His true date of birth remain a mystery as God did not reveal to anyone neither does the scripture capture His exact date of birth. Though, Christ was born during the reign of King Herod which is not December period. By biblical account, Christ was born between June -September.

But since December 25th was not the date of birth of Jesus Christ, where did this festival associated with the birth of Jesus Christ on 25th of December emanated from?

The popular answer I got from many big pastors is that the celebration of Jesus birthday on the 25th of December is being used to replace an old pagan customs, (Idol worshiping) which falls on same date, to honour Jesus Christ and abolish the old pagan custom?

But has anything really changed from the old practice? Can we actually use Christmas to honour God?

The truth is, nothing has really changed from the old practice of the then pagan customs? The green tree popular called the Christmas tree originated from the Babylonians and the Egyptians practice which symbolises the rise of the ancient god of the Babylonians called Nimrod.

Even the book of Jeremiah 10:2 -5 speaks against the said Christmas tree. That scripture says : “Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.”

Historical account has also revealed that the yule log, the red colour, and the use of the wreath, etc, are traceable to the pagan custom of decorating buildings and places of idol worship at the feast. History also confirmed that exchange of gifts during Christmas was the sole practice of the pagans under the then old region which till date has been imitated by the Christians. Some people give out gifts during Christmas in expectation that people will also bring them gifts.

Majority of Christians don’t do sacrificial giving as commanded by God on ordinary days. Many people wait till Christmas day to give out gifts in expectations of receiving back. I do not condemn “giving” cos it is a command by God that we should give. But my point is, to give sacrificially is different from the exchange of gifts during Christmas. Giving out on Christmas with the notion and expectation that the recipient will bring back something is not biblical. The truth is, it is only God that rewards a giver.

Please don’t get me wrong on this, Christmas may not have a biblical backup as I said, but I do not condemn people for celebrating it. There’s nothing wrong in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ at a chosen date. Your heart and purpose of the celebration are all that matters. As much as we do the birthday ceremony of our children and we don’t see it as the tradition of men, we can take a date to celebrate Jesus birthday. After all, it is not everything we do rightly or wrongly that may have a biblical backup.

But I am of the view that we need to depart from the ways and manners Christmas is being celebrated today which is the same with the Pagan’s custom and tradition of men in the old religion. Our mode of celebration of Christmas today does not honour God. God sees it as an abomination.

The Bible says: “ Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying. These people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15: 7-9).

Also the book of Mark 7: 7-9 says: “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.”

It is too obvious Christmas is not a command of God—it is the tradition of men. The irony of the whole thing is that people who are celebrating Christmas today don’t obey or follow God’s commandment. Jesus Commanded us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. How many of us celebrating Christmas today has obeyed this commandment? Love your neighbour as thyself, have you obeyed this? Thou shall not steal, fornicate or commit adultery, are part of God’s commandment, how many people keep to this commandments?

Ironically, on the day of Christmas like this, people commit grievous sins, they drink themselves to stupor, fornicate, covet their neighbour’s wife and all sort of unrighteous practice, are being perpetrated today which they claim as the birthday of our Messiah, Jesus Christ.

It is sad that many people trade in immorality and live a life of worldliness from January to December. Despite celebrating in the name of the Messiah, it won’t stop people from going to hell if anything happens to them and they die.

All that matters in this life is our salvation. Heaven bears witness this message gets to you.

Please repent!

Pastor Olumide Akinrinlola is an end time preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the convener of Jesus Christ Is Coming Soon