7. More people find salvation on Christmas and Easter than on any other specific days
Non-Jews are more likely to go to a congregation to celebrate Christmas than on other days. Many congregations take advantage of that and seek to reach those people with the Good News. One of my best friends and supporters came to faith on Christmas. I am certainly not going to condemn that. We do the same thing here in Israel on Hanukah and Passover. Last week, we had over 100 visitors for our Hanukah concert and party.
There is a Lutheran Church in Jaffa. They will have a Christmas Eve celebration next week, where they will sing Christmas carols—the Biblical ones. Over one hundred Israelis will come to see it out of curiosity. And they will seek to share Yeshua’s message in a tactful way by giving away books and DVDs about Yeshua.
Conclusion
My point here is simple and based on Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 10—where Paul teaches about freedom. So for those who love Christmas and celebrate it to the glory of God, great! But please do not judge me or my Messianic brothers and sisters for not celebrating.
In 2001, we moved back home to Richmond, Virginia. A man who has become a dear friend, quizzed me about why I didn’t (and don’t) celebrate Christmas when I first met him. He couldn’t wrap his head around the idea of someone in full-time ministry—a pastor even—who did not celebrate Christmas. How can you love Jesus and ignore Christmas?
Over the years, he has come to a better understanding. And while he certainly doesn’t judge me for not partaking, it doesn’t stop him from continuing to enjoy Christmas for all the right reasons.
With that, I would like to wish you a Happy Hanukah (that just ended), a Merry Christmas, and a Blessed New Year (that actually starts in the Spring 😉)
I am a gentile follower of Yeshua, aka Jesus, who has discovered that what I consider the biggest battle in any Judeo-Christian congegation is Religion- the pressure to substitute traditions and rituals for the Truth found in our Scriptures. Regarding Christmas, Luke chapter 2 says:
8Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11For there is born t…
I am a gentile who has been attending Messianic Congregations for 20 years; I grew up in a Christian home that celebrated Christmas, but I feel the same about Christmas as you do Rabbi Ron - I have no spiritual/emotional attachment to it - don't miss it, and I would much rather celebrate Chanukah (like Yeshua did) and the Moedim. I attend the family celebrations and take gifts in Chanukah wrapping :-) I am blessed and thankful my family supports my way of worshipping HaShem and His son - no judgment from them nor me towards them. Valuable commentary on this subject! Thank you!
HELP! What happened to Part 5?!?!