Is it not written within the pages of the sacred text, “all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8)? Knowing this, I stand amazed that Christmas, a holiday traditionally based on Christ’s birthday, is actually based upon and has become the catalyst for a plethora of diverse lies. These lies all begin with the simple idea that “Jesus is the reason for the season.”

For some, it would be unthinkable to imagine the fact that the Bible does not even mention the holiday of Christmas, because Christ has been associated with Christmas for so long. Yet, the Bible makes no mention of the holiday. Not once! First century Christians never celebrated Christ’s birth as an annual holiday.

Rather, they celebrated His death, burial and resurrection by partaking the Lord’s Supper on each first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:17ff). Thus, Jesus is not the reason for a season of activity as is commonly proclaimed. Would it not be far more accurate to say Jesus is the reason we can have life? Should not Jesus be celebrated daily, not annually?

Furthermore, many actually believe that Christ’s birthday fell on December 25^th, the day chosen for observing Christmas. However, this little detail cannot be proven from scriptures or from history. As a matter of fact it would seem, based upon the scriptures, that Christ was born during a warmer time of year and not winter as is traditionally accepted. The shepherds who heard the angels’ proclamation would not have been staying in the fields during winter nights, rather they would have had their flocks in the folds (cf. Luke 2:8ff). Thus the very day chosen for the holiday is merely a tradition of men—it is not based upon a commandment or upon inspiration from God (cf. Matt. 15:9).

Additionally, children are often in holiday pageants that depict three wise men visiting Jesus at His birthing place in the manger. Herein exists two more lies. First, the Bible does not say that there were three wise men. It simply says that there were three kinds of gifts (cf. Matt. 2:1-12). There could have been any number of wise men, three is merely assumed. Second, the Bible does not say they visited Jesus at the manger where He was born. When the wise men arrived, Matthew tells us they had come into the “house” (Matt. 2:11). The star had been in the sky for some time already (vs. 2, 7) and was not necessarily over the manger, but “stood over where the young Child was” (v. 9). Thus, children are being taught false details about Christ’s birth and many adults have accepted these things as truth, when they are in fact lies.

Besides these very serious spiritual issues, by which the word of God is being perverted, there are many lies associated with the secular aspect of Christmas. For example, Santa Claus and all the fantastic stories about him are being taught to children as fact. Sure, children eventually grow out these beliefs. Nevertheless, is it acceptable for adults, some of whom are Christians, to tell lies to their children? Surely not. You see, the rationalization is that it is harmless to let children believe in Santa Claus. Is it really harmless to teach your children to tell a little lie? Is it harmless to let them believe something that is not the truth? Is this merely pretending? Some rationalize that the story of Santa Claus is a necessary part of childhood or that a child’s Christmas would be diminished by not believing in Santa Claus. My children have always known the truth about Santa, as well as every other aspect of the holiday, and it has not diminished their holiday one bit. Don’t let movies like Miracle On 34^th Street convince you it is acceptable to lie to your children. Remember the Lord’s promise for “all liars” (Rev. 21:8).

Another group of lies surrounding the holidays is often associated with gift giving. People lie when they say they like a gift when they do not. If one does not want to hurt another’s feelings, would it not be more appropriate to simply say “thank you,” or to just express appreciation? Such is not a lie. In addition, parents will lie to their children about the source of a gift—in an attempt to keep the Santa story in circulation. It is a lie. Some folks lie about why they were not able to obtain an important gift (e.g., the store sold out, etc.). Such is shameful. Some lie about the prices of gifts as well. Another shame. Why does such a seemingly harmless holiday and custom have to become the catalyst for so many bold-faced lies?

Must Christians manifest an Ebenezer Scrooge attitude toward the secular holiday? Is the holiday inherently wrong? Some may ask, is it unscriptural to celebrate the day as a secular holiday? There is authority to celebrate days (Rom. 14:5-6). Is it unscriptural to celebrate it as Jesus’ birthday (a spiritual holiday)? Yes—because we lack authority for the practice (Col. 3:17) and we do not abide in the doctrine of Christ by so doing (2 John 9). Regarding lies, Christians must always be careful to speak only the truth—whether it is about what the Bible teaches, or rather, does not teach about Christmas, or about the secular aspects of Christmas. Lies will condemn us (Rev. 21:8), but the truth saves (John 8:31-32).