The answer is simple, yet may offend some people. We don't believe Jesus Christ was born on December 25 -- and we find no command in the Bible to keep that day as a holiday, or even say "Merry Christmas."
We were surprised this year at how many radio ministries accepted the first part of that answer. Yet they held "Christmas services," anyway -- noting that day was traditionally set aside by the early church. But what did Jesus say about traditions?
....As it is written.... "They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men." You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men. - Mark 7:6-8
If we hold on too tightly to our traditions, we'll wind up dropping God's commands. Yes, even by celebrating Christmas.
There are certain days of the year when we do not play poker. We believe God commanded us to do other things on those days. For example....
There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the Lord. - Leviticus 23:3
The state poker championship where we live is coming up in late January -- but it will begin at 10:00 on a Saturday morning. That's the seventh-day Sabbath. So we will stay away, and we won't feel hurt by that. After all, we're the one doing things as God instructs.
Leviticus 23 goes on to list several annual "holy days" which occur during the year. You won't find Christmas among them.-- but if you keep them with prayers to God for a proper understanding, you can find celebrations of Jesus in them. (We can help provide that understanding if you're interested; please let us know.)
So we didn't celebrate Christmas -- but instead, we went to a place where people were even less likely to celebrate Christmas, and we talked about the things of Christ with them. At least one person was thrown off-guard by what we said, and didn't really have a response. But the day is coming when he'll have to say something....
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. - Philippians 2:10-11
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