Superstitious regard for times and seasons?

(Spurgeon, "Joy Born at Bethlehem" December 24, 1871)

We have no superstitious regard for times and seasons.

Certainly we do not believe in the present ecclesiastical
arrangement called Christmas. First, because we do not
believe in the mass at all, but abhor it, whether it be
said or sung in Latin or in English. And, secondly, because
we find no Scriptural warrant whatever for observing any
day as the birthday of the Savior; and, consequently, its
observance is a superstition, because not of divine authority.

Superstition has fixed most positively the day of our Savior's
birth, although there is no possibility of discovering when it
occurred. Probably the fact is that the 'holy days' were
arranged to fit in with heathen festivals. We venture to
assert, that if there be any day in the year, of which we
may be pretty sure that it was not the day on which the
Savior was born, it is the twenty fifth of December.

There are those who, on December 25th, will pretend to
exhibit joy in the remembrance of our Savior's birth, but they
will not seek their pleasure in the Savior. Joy in Immanuel
would be a poor sort of mirth to them. In this country,
too often, if one were unaware of the name, one might
believe the Christmas festival to be a feast of Bacchus,
certainly not a commemoration of the Divine birth.

Since it is lawful, and even laudable, to meditate upon
the incarnation of the Lord upon any day in the year, it
cannot be in the power of other men's superstitions to
render such a meditation improper for today. Regarding
not the day, let us, nevertheless, give God thanks for
the gift of his dear Son.

Should Christians Observe Christmas?

by Don Fortner-

Without fail, at this time every year, I receive numerous
letters, pamphlets, and tracts denouncing the evils of
Christmas as a pagan religious holiday. I fully agree that
no believer should ever observe pagan religious holidays
like Christmas and Easter. We must never incorporate pagan
customs into the worship of our God.

We must not observe any religious holiday. We should attach no
spiritual, religious significance to any day. Yet, we do not
need to act like super-pious religious idiots over a day that
has absolutely no religious significance. I would never teach
a child that such a thing as Santa Claus exist, or that Christ
was born on Christmas day. But, as Paul said concerning idols,
Santa Claus is nothing and Christmas is nothing.

Did you know that every DAY of the week, every PLANET in the
universe, and many of the CARS we drive are named after pagan
gods? Yet, we still call Sunday Sunday, Mars Mars, and a Saturn
a Saturn. No one would ever dream of calling us pagans for
doing so. We worship our God on Sunday, and would laugh at
anyone who suggested that we observe the pagan Roman holiday
called “Sun’s Day” in doing so. If your car is a Saturn, use it
for the glory of God; and laugh at anyone who thinks that you
are worshipping the Roman god of agriculture by driving it.

We must not, and I trust do not, worship Christmas trees and
lights, or even attach spiritual significance to Christmas day.
However, I do suggest that we seize this opportunity afforded us
by Divine providence to tell people who Christ is, why he came
into this world, what he did, and how they may obtain his
salvation. It is no accident that once every year every human
being in the world is confronted with the fact that the Son of
God assumed human flesh and came into the world to save men.

Certainly, no one can think that it is wrong for believers,
during this season of the year, to express thanks and praise
to God for his unspeakable gift, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is
never wrong, but always right to think of him, speak of him,
and sing his praise. Rather than not singing Watts’ grand old
hymn, Joy To The World, we ought to sing it year round.

While I loathe the religiosity of this holiday season, the silly
plays, the idolatrous pictures and representations of Christ and
the angels of God, and pretense of spirituality by people who have
no interest in the glory of God, I am delighted for this season
of the year (for any season) that brings families together,
encourages kindness and good will, and promotes thoughtfulness
of and generosity to others. It is perfectly all right to exchange
gifts with and send cards to family and friends. (I cannot imagine
a reason for anyone objecting to that!) But I suggest that each of
us find a way to acknowledge and do something special for someone
from whom we expect nothing, maybe even from someone from whom we
expect abuse. “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said,
It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

By Arthur Pink

Christmas is coming! Quite so; but what is "Christmas"?
Does not the very term itself denote its source-- "Christ-mass."
Thus it is of Romish origin, brought over from Paganism.
But, says someone, Christmas is the time when we commemorate
the Savior's birth. It is? And who authorized such commemoration?
Certainly God did not. The Redeemer bade His disciples "remember"
Him in His death, but there is not a word in Scripture, from
Genesis to Revelation, which tells us to celebrate His birth...

Thanks so much, these were great.