Question:
If the world would keep Christ and religion out of it and it was a holiday of man and you bought your wife a gift at that time of year, would it be wrong? I know that Christmas is pagan the way it is now, it is just for greed, a way for the merchants to get more money.
Answer:
Almost everyone today would probably agree that the holiday season is, as you say, motivated by greed. There is little if any thought of the meaning that is supposed to be associated with the season.
However, aside from the merchandising, you raise an interesting proposition: If Christ and religion were kept out of Christmas and it were just a regular holiday, would it be proper for a Christian to observe the day in some small way?
We have no specific guidelines on many matters, but we do have one general principle given by the apostle Paul: “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). The question to ask ourselves is, can we celebrate December 25th to the glory of God? Will God be honored by the observance? Is there anything about excessive spending and partying that can possibly be to His glory? The Lord told the ancient nation of Israel, “I am the Lord your God, which have separated you from other people….And you shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that you should be mine” (Lev. 20:24, 26). They were also commanded very clearly not to have anything to do with the gods of the pagan nations around them (Deut. 12:30; 13:6-7).
If Christ and religion were kept in Christmas, it would be paganism plus Christ—not a desirable combination.
And if Christ and religion were to be entirely removed from Christmas, what would be left but paganism?
And if Christ and religion and paganism were all removed from the day, what would remain to make it a holiday?
No, we can see nothing that can justify the Christian’s taking any part in recognizing or celebrating Christmas. As far as giving your wife a gift is concerned, there are more than 300 other days in the year which have no pagan association. Why not choose one—or more—of them for the purpose?