AboutBrenda Martin Expertise I have been one of Jehovah`s Witneses now for over 30 years, in those years I have brought up 4 children, teaching each of them the bible.Being one of Jehovah`s Witnesses has helped me cope with my Epilepsy and bring up a daughter with learning difficulties.I have conducted bible studies with people from nearly every denomination i.e. Muslim. Having used the bible all these years to answer peoples questions, I feel I am qualified to give any answer regarding Jehovah`s Witnesses and the bible.
Experience My experience has been one of attending bible lectures 5 times a week,taking part in these lectures in front of an audience and being with thousands of J.W. at conventions where I have seen the bible at work in peoples lives.It is truly a miracle when you see thousands of people meeting together and not one policeman needed, and not even a piece of litter in sight.It is like another world.
Question Why do JWs not believe in Christmas? It is interesting to note that the Watchtower Society, at one time, actually encouraged its followers to celebrate Christmas.
The WT founder, Charles T. Russell acknowledged that December 25th wasn't actually the date of Christ's birth, but felt that it really didn't matter. Consider the following quotes from Russell himself:
"Christmas Day, in celebration of our dear Redeemer's birth, has for centuries been celebrated on Dec. 25; and although it is now well known that this date is in error...nevertheless, since the Lord has given no instructions whatever upon this subject, and since it is proper to do good deeds and think good thoughts upon any day, it cannot be improper, ...for us to remember in a social way our dear Redeemer's birth at this time."(Zion's WT, Dec. 15, 1898-pg.370). Russell also added this 10 years later: "It matters not particularly that Dec. 25 is not the anniversary of our Lord's birth, according to the Scriptural account; that really He was born about September 25, nine months later. One day, as well as another, will serve us to commemorate our Savior's birth in the flesh, as a gift of God's love to a condemned and dying world."(Zion's WT, Dec. 15, 1908-pg.379).
So in looking at this information, and the beliefs of the founder of JWs, why do they now act as if it is a Pagan holiday.
I feel this way about it (below) and would like your opinion on it and the above statements by Mr. Russell.
Just read Psalms 118:24. This says it all, Jehovah made all days, not the pagans. Christ was born and his birth was rejoiced. It may not have been on the exact day, but people did rejoice in his birth. In Luke 2:13-14, even the angels rejoiced. In Matt 2:9-11, the three wise men rejoiced. While there is no direct command TO celebrate the birth of Christ, there is also no command NOT TO celebrate it. When, we as Christians celebrate anything, as long as we keep Christ at the center of it, what is wrong with it? We are not being Pagans... JWs argue that we should celebrate Jesus' death and not his birth, based on scripture. The problem with that is that an argument from silence is no argument. Actually, when the Scriptures are silent on a matter, then it is to be left up to an individual's conscience. Unfortunately, from what I can see, JWs do not have this option. The members of the WTB&TS have been, for a lack of better words, Brainwashed. I'm not sure how else to put it.
In closing, honesty would compel me to acknowledge that the Christmas Holiday season has become too commercialized, and is often marked more by the greed of merchants, and the mad rush to get that final present, than the spiritual meaning it should have in our lives. This is wherein the problem lies, not with celebrating his birth. We would do much better to bring Christ back into it. If we do that, then there is no Scriptural reason why Christian people cannot enjoy the fellowship of family, the joy of giving, and celebrating the birth of our wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I look forward to you comments on this topic.
Thanks,
Todd
Answer HI Todd you said--"THE WATCHTOWER SOCIETY, AT ONE TIME, ACTUALLY ENCOURAGED ITS FOLLOWERS TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS."
Yes that’s true and here is why--Jehovah leads his people progressively in the truth. Having created the human mind, Jehovah knows that too little spiritual “food” will not sustain it properly, but too much at one time may be more than humans can absorb. At John 16:12 Jesus said to his faithful apostles: “I have many things yet to say to you, but you are not able to bear them at present.” To illustrate: When a person emerges from a long period of confinement in a dark room, it is best if he is exposed to light gradually. Too much light too soon can be shocking, perhaps even damaging. Similar is the need for progressive enlightenment with God’s truths. It corresponds with what the wise man says: “The road the righteous travel is like the sunrise, getting brighter and brighter until daylight has come.”—Prov. 4:18, Today’s English Version.
WHY DO THEY NOW ACT AS IF IT IS A PAGAN HOLIDAY.
Because progressive enlightenment in the scriptures has taught them it is, but not only Jehovah’s Witnesses say it is “pagan” –
In recent years, many Spanish journalists and encyclopedias have commented on the pagan origins of traditional Christmas festivities, as well as their commercial overtones—I quote
“The Enciclopedia de la Religión Católica frankly states: “The reason that the Roman Church decided to assign this date to the festival seems to be its tendency to replace pagan festivals with Christian ones. . . . We know that in Rome at that time, the pagans consecrated December 25 as the celebration of natalis invicti,”
The Paganism in Our Christianity states: “It was a definite Christian policy to take over the pagan festivals endeared to the people by tradition, and to give them a Christian significance.”
U.S. Catholic states: “It is impossible to separate Christmas from its pagan origins.”
It is a well established fact that Christmas is of pagan origin, even children’s “Ladybird books” teach the truth about Christmas.
CHRIST WAS BORN AND HIS BIRTH WAS REJOICED, THE ANGELS REJOICED, THREE WISE MEN ETC.
Yes that’s true, however did they rejoice every year after his birth on that date, in other words, celebrate his birthday, lets see—
“The notion of a birthday festival was far from the ideas of the Christians of this period in general.”—The History of the Christian Religion and Church, During the Three First Centuries (New York, 1848), Augustus Neander (translated by Henry John Rose), p. 190.
“The later Hebrews looked on the celebration of birthdays as a part of idolatrous worship, a view which would be abundantly confirmed by what they saw of the common observances associated with these days.”—The Imperial Bible-Dictionary (London, 1874), edited by Patrick Fairbairn, Vol. I, p. 225.
So yes there was rejoicing over Jesus birth, but his birthday was not celebrated.
WHEN, WE AS CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE ANYTHING, AS LONG AS WE KEEP CHRIST AT THE CENTER OF IT, WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT?
The bible tells us God’s view on the matter-- Compare Exodus 32:4-10. Notice that the Israelites adopted an Egyptian religious practice but gave it a new name, “a festival to Jehovah.” But Jehovah severely punished them for this.
Illustration: Suppose a crowd come to a gentleman’s home saying they are there to celebrate his birthday. He does not favor the celebration of birthdays. He does not like to see people overeat or get drunk or engage in loose conduct. But some of them do all those things, and they bring presents for everyone there except him! On top of all that, they pick the birthday of one of the man’s enemies as the date for the celebration. How would the man feel? Would you want to be a party to it? This is exactly what is being done by Christmas celebrations.
