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Letters ON THE CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS Dear E. H. May 18, 1991 ...You ask what underlying Biblical principles I would use to defend the observance of Christmas. I use Esther 9:19-32, and the institution of the Feast of Purim. First, in verse 19, the "Jews of the villages" made the 14th day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and "of sending portions one to another." And, second, in verses 20 and 21, Mordecai "sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces ...to establish this among them ...." I. The people of God had NO BIBLICAL PRECEDENCE to establish this feast. In all Scripture, the Lord had not told them to do it: they simply wanted to do it. II. Therefore, THE PEOPLE OF GOD HAVE A RIGHT TO SET ASIDE CERTAIN DAYS to remember the Lord—if they choose to. III. IT IS A GOOD THING, AND NOT A SINFUL THING TO REMEMBER THE TIMES OF GOD'S DELIVERANCES; and was there ever a greater deliverance than when the Son of God lay down His life to deliver men from sin? Yet, this work of Christ began, as far as mankind is concerned, with the incarnation. Not all the saints of God have been so opposed to the celebration of Christmas. Count Zinzendorf, who distinguished himself as the protector of the Moravians, the descendants of John Huss, named the Moravian settlement at the forks of the Delaware River on Christmas Eve, and called it "Bethlehem" (Pennsylvania). Thomas Cranmer is correct when he said, "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity." Friendship and fellowship are priced too high when there is no allowance for the difference of opinion. Must go. "May God Smile On You"—Bach. Dear M. J. June 28, 1991 Thank you for the letter of June. I appreciated it along with your thoughts. I was very surprised to see the response we received to our article on Christmas. We heard more from that article than over any other article in memory. Not even our exposition of Proverbs 16:4 caused that much of a stir. Our mail was equally divided. Some cursed us, and even cancelled their subscription, while others blessed us among whom was Dr. N. B. M. Just this week, we received a letter from Ohio that read, "...It was refreshing to read a word in support of Christmas observance. Good Christians are eliminating the blessed carols as if they were as evil as the Roman Catholic Mass. How sad." That expresses my thoughts entirely. ... Robert Baker in his book A Summary of Christian History published by Broadman, in 1959, points out that the celebration of Easter has been set apart from the time of the apostles, and the birth of Jesus, as well as His baptism, was celebrated in January (pp. 49,71). I am in whole-hearted agreement with your assessment as to how the children of this world think of Christ. Amen! But, believers do not worship a human God fashioned after their own liking, but have expressed some of the most lofty anthems to Christ that are extant. Incidentally, we sing them year round. Dear D. B. May 14, 1991 "Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it..." (Romans 14:4-6a). The day I received your letter separating fellowship from me, I awoke in the early morning hours on account of my concern for you. Here is a man, it seems, who is more righteous than the Lord—a man who feels it to be both a righteous thing, and a good thing to separate fellowship from one when the Lord Jesus Christ has not done so. I was saddened—to throw away a brother on account of the observance of a day is un-Biblical. I am not an amillennialist, although it seems you feel this gives added reason to cast me aside. ...In order to have your friendship and fellowship must I be an amillennialist, and agree with your views to a "T"? Then, the price of friendship and fellowship is too great. I have never made such demands upon anyone, nor will I. I am no one's lackey. I will not be put in bondage to slavishly follow anyone. Since I must give account to my Lord, I will, I must reserve the right as a Christian to private judgment using the Word of God as my guide. I ask you to re-think your rashness; and if you admit to intemperate haste in this matter, I will gladly consider it a dead issue between us. P. S. The reason "Silent Night" has been approved by born-again Christians although it was written by a Roman Catholic is because Jesus is spoken of 11 times, with only 1 reference to Mary.
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