UNTANGLED: Christmas Traditions • Pathway Church Shorewood • 11/30/2025

Devotional

Day 1: Don't let others judge your festival observance.

Evaluate traditions by their purpose, not by other people's opinions; the Bible warns against letting others act as your judge about food, drink, or festival days, so hold your convictions lightly while rooted in Scripture and love for Christ. Choose practices that honor God and do them as unto the Lord, resisting fear or legalism when others try to dictate conscience. This frees the family to celebrate with conviction and charity rather than defensiveness. [16:21]

Colossians 2:16 (ESV)
Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.

Reflection: Think of one holiday tradition you or someone in your family feels judged about; what is one specific way you can honor Christ in that practice so you no longer feel condemned by others?

Day 2: Observe days and practices for the Lord.

Whether one observes a day or abstains, the motive matters most: observe it to the Lord with thanksgiving, not to please culture or to prove piety to others. When choosing whether to celebrate or refrain, make the deciding question, "Does this draw my heart and my family's heart to Christ?" and then act with conviction. This gives clarity and peace in family rhythms during the season. [12:26]

Romans 14:6 (ESV)
Whoever observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. Whoever eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while whoever abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.

Reflection: Name one holiday practice you currently do (or avoid) out of habit or pressure; what are two concrete changes you can make so that practice is clearly done "in honor of the Lord" this year?

Day 3: Remember and number your days with gratitude.

Birthdays and milestones are not banned by Scripture; they are opportunities to count God’s mercies and to teach children to number their days with wisdom rather than pride. Use annual remembrances (like Psalm 90) to cultivate gratitude, humility, and a habit of thanking God for life, parents, and growth. Let celebrations point to God’s faithfulness, not self-centeredness or superstition. [08:46]

Psalm 90:10–12 (ESV)
The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who knows the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Reflection: For the next birthday you will celebrate in your home, choose one specific way (a prayer, a Scripture reading, a family testimony) to explicitly thank God and teach your children why this life is a gift; what will you do and when?

Day 4: God condemns idolatry, not ordinary decorated trees.

Jeremiah condemns making wood into an idol to be worshiped, not the simple use of trees or greenery as symbols; decorations become sinful only if they replace worship of the true God. Evaluate the meaning you give symbols—evergreens, candles, wreaths—and keep their purpose evangelical and Christ-centered rather than superstitious or idolatrous. If a tradition distracts, repurpose it to point back to the gospel. [21:05]

Jeremiah 10:3–4 (ESV)
For the customs of the peoples are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. They decorate it with silver and with gold; they fix it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move.

Reflection: Look at one decoration or practice in your home that you love; how could you explain its gospel meaning to a child so that it points away from superstition and toward Christ? Name one sentence you will use to teach that truth this season.

Day 5: Jesus' presence affirms participation in noble festivals.

Jesus was present at Jewish cultural gatherings (the Feast of Dedication) and did not rebuke participation in a people-shaped festival, showing that Christians can enter cultural celebrations when the purpose honors God. The question is not "Is this cultural?" but "Does this point to Christ or distract from Him?" Let traditions be redeemed and reformed by the gospel rather than abandoned in fear of origins. Keep Christ intentionally central in story and practice. [11:22]

John 20:22–23 (ESV)
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Reflection: Choose one cultural Christmas practice your family debates (Santa, trees, gift rituals); how can you reclaim or retell that practice this year so it teaches about Christ rather than obscures Him? Be specific about one sentence or ritual you'll add to make that shift.

Sermon Summary

I set out today to untangle the truth from tradition so we can enjoy the season without fear, superstition, or confusion. The birth of Jesus is too precious to let half-truths and internet myths overshadow it. We asked honest questions: Should Christians celebrate Christmas? Are birthdays or man-made holidays suspect? What about December 25, evergreen trees, and Santa? By walking through Scripture and history, the aim was to strengthen confidence in God’s Word and free consciences to celebrate with clarity.

Scripture records birthdays descriptively, not prescriptively, and it repeatedly commands God’s people to remember His mighty works with recurring festivals. Jesus Himself participated in Hanukkah, a non-biblical feast, which shows the issue is not whether a day exists, but why and how we observe it. Romans 14 teaches us to do what we do “unto the Lord,” with gratitude, faith, and charity toward those who differ. This principle steers us away from legalism and panic, and into worship-filled freedom.

We also addressed the claim that Christmas is just a baptized pagan festival. The early church’s choice of December 25 was tied to a Jewish idea about conception and death dates, not solar deities. Mithras has no evidence for a 12/25 feast; Saturnalia ended on the 23rd; Sol Invictus overlaps on paper but not in origin. Overlapping customs like feasting and gift-giving are universal to festivals and don’t define our worship. Colossians 2 reminds us not to let others judge us by days.

Evergreens and trees? Jeremiah 10 condemns idol-making, not house decorating. The Christmas tree’s roots trace to the “paradise tree” used in Christian teaching plays about Adam and Eve, adorned with apples, wafers, and lights to point to Christ—the Light who comes because of our fall. Symbols are tools; what they proclaim matters most. If creation testifies to God, we can repurpose what others misused and direct it toward the Redeemer.

We then told the real story of St. Nicholas and how later folklore and commercialism muddied the waters. The problem isn’t generosity; it’s when the mall disciples our desires. The solution to abuse is not abandonment but reformation—repentance, re-centering, and practical intentionality: anchor in Scripture, evaluate traditions by purpose, shun fear-mongering, be fully convinced, and put Christ at the center on purpose. In our home, we read the nativity before gifts and chose never to lie to our kids about the supernatural. The wonder we guard is Emmanuel—God with us. That’s worth celebrating every year.

Key Takeaways

1. Untangle tradition with Scripture’s clarity. Tradition can be helpful, but when it is confused with Scripture, it breeds either pride or panic. Learn to distinguish descriptive from prescriptive texts so you don’t build rules God never wrote. Clarity steadies your conscience and keeps worship focused on Jesus, not rumors. [05:04]
2. Celebrate days as unto the Lord. Freedom requires purpose. Whether you celebrate or abstain, do so in faith, with thanksgiving, and for God’s glory—not for trend, pressure, or fear. Jesus’ presence at Hanukkah and Paul’s counsel in Romans 14 both point to motive and meaning over mere dates. [12:26]
3. Christmas isn’t repackaged paganism. Historical claims about Mithras, Sol Invictus, or Saturnalia don’t bear up under scrutiny. Shared human customs (feasting, gifts) don’t equal shared worship; allegiance defines a festival’s meaning. Don’t let bad history or loud influencers steal your joy or your witness. [19:41]
4. Redeem symbols to point to Christ. The “paradise tree” taught the gospel long before modern trees filled our living rooms. Jeremiah condemns idols, not decorations; the question is what our symbols proclaim. Let beauty become catechesis—apples, wafers, and lights rehearsing our fall, our need, and our Savior. [27:28]
5. Reform your celebration, don’t abandon it. Commercialism is real, but the answer is repentance and re-centering, not retreat. Curate your calendar, liturgies, and conversations so Jesus stands at the center. Read the nativity, practice honest wonder with your kids, and let your giving preach the Gift. [38:59]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Handouts and devotionals
[01:28] - Untangling truth from tradition
[03:33] - Why clarity about Christmas matters
[05:34] - Are holidays and birthdays biblical?
[07:04] - Descriptive vs. prescriptive texts
[10:32] - Jesus at Hanukkah
[13:22] - Why December 25 was chosen
[17:01] - Debunking pagan-holiday claims
[20:36] - Evergreens and Jeremiah 10
[25:15] - The Paradise Tree’s Christian roots
[31:56] - The real St. Nicholas
[37:31] - Commercialism vs Christ-centered giving
[41:29] - Practical steps to untangle Christmas
[45:25] - God with us: the heart

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

- Romans 14:5–6 — - Colossians 2:16 - Jeremiah 10:2–4

Observation Questions

Read Romans 14:5–6. What motives does the passage name for observing a day or not observing it, and how do those motives change the way the day is practiced? [12:26]
Read Jeremiah 10:2–4. What specific behavior is Jeremiah condemning in these verses — the act of using a tree, or something else? How does the wording shape that conclusion? [21:05]
The Bible records two birthday episodes (Pharaoh’s in Genesis 40 and Herod’s in Matthew 14). How does the sermon use those examples to distinguish descriptive from prescriptive passages, and what difference does that distinction make? [06:21]
Read Colossians 2:16. What does this verse say about judging others concerning festivals, and what limits (if any) does it place on how Christians should think about days? [16:21]

Interpretation Questions

How should a believer weigh historical origin (for example, the reasons early Christians chose December 25) against the present meaning a Christian community gives to a festival? [13:22]
If Jeremiah 10 condemns making idols rather than decorating a house, what criteria should be used to decide whether a symbol (a tree, wreath, candle) is being used idolatrously or devotionally? [21:47]
Romans 14 says whoever observes the day does so for the Lord. How should that principle shape conversations and decisions between church members who disagree about celebrating a particular holiday? [12:26]
Colossians 2:16 warns against being judged over food or festivals. Does this free Christians from all concern about how they mark holy days, or does it presuppose a responsible theology of worship and witness? [16:21]

Application Questions

Which of my holiday practices clearly point to Christ, and which ones tend to point away (to consumerism, stress, or self)? What is one concrete change I will make this season so a specific practice points more clearly to the gospel? [40:43]
When I hear claims that Christmas (or another holiday) is “just pagan,” what steps will I take to protect my confidence in Scripture instead of reacting in fear—what trustworthy sources or Bible passages will I check first? [05:04]
How will I decide to celebrate or abstain “as unto the Lord” this year? Name one day or tradition I will intentionally observe and one I will intentionally decline, and explain briefly why. [12:26]
Do any of the symbols in my home (tree, lights, wreaths, candles) need a gospel re-framing so they teach rather than distract? What short family conversation or ritual will I use to explain their Christian meaning? [27:28]
If I have children or younger people in my circle, what will I say about Santa and other make‑believe traditions so I preserve trust in supernatural gospel claims? Write a short, honest way you will explain it. [42:39]
Where has commercialism crept into my holiday planning (overspending, frantic schedules, priority drift)? What is one practical step (budget cap, a day without shopping, a charitable gift in place of one present) I will implement this season to repent and re-center on worship and generosity? [38:59]
Which new or renewed practice will I start this year to keep Christ central (for example: read the nativity before presents, give as a family, volunteer once during the season)? Name the practice and when you will begin it. [41:29]

Sermon Clips

So, this is some strong evidence that participating in at least noble-purposed holidays is not wrong. So, the real issue is not if we celebrate, but more it's about why and how we celebrate. Essentially, if you choose to observe a day, do it as unto the Lord, not as unto man. And if you choose not to celebrate it, that's okay, too. Just do that as unto the Lord. In all that we do, do it as unto the Lord. [00:11:50] (36 seconds) #CelebrateUntoTheLord

But the consensus among biblical scholars and theological resources agree that this passage is not condemning trees in the house. It's condemning the way they were using the tree. They weren't condemning the decorating of the tree. They were condemning the making the tree an idol and worshiping it, carving the tree into an image to be worshiped. It's not condemning the modern Christmas tree. But if you are at home and you are bowing down and singing to your tree as if it is some sort of God, then yeah, this verse would apply. [00:21:47] (40 seconds) #NoTreeIdolatry

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