The claim that Christmas is pagan or of pagan origin does not hold up. I used to think it was pagan when I was a new Christian but I was willing to examine the facts and discovered it is not. Everyone should want the facts.
A lot of websites offer false beliefs about Christmas as being pagan or of pagan origins, but if one looks for valid historical sources for these beliefs, one will not find any. Such beliefs cannot be supported historically or factually. Cults promote such false beliefs, as do many non-Christians. This invalid information is taken to be true by misinformed Christians and non-Christians.
There need not be a commandment to observe Christmas for Christians to observe it. There is no commandment for many practices in churches or many things done by Christians. The angels celebrated the birth of Christ.
“And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
Luke 2:13, 14
Prior to and at the birth, some wonderful words were given by God to certain people such as Zacharias and Simeon about this momentous birth. Zacharias, father of John the Baptist, prophesied:
“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
For you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS;
To give to His people the knowledge of salvation
By the forgiveness of their sins,
Because of the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,
TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Luke 1:76-79
Before I was a Christian, God had drawn me to a church were I heard the passage below read at the end of some weekly meetings I attended. I did not know who was speaking nor what it meant, but the words captivated me and now that I do know the meaning, it is even richer to read this. Simeon had been waiting to see the prophesied Messiah, and had been told by God that his prayers would be answered. Simeon holds the infant Jesus and prophesies over him:
“Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,
According to Your word;
For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
Luke 2:25-32
The birth of Jesus altered the world, divided time into two eras (BC or bce and AD), and led to even the secular world acknowledging it.
Although links are given below on the possible Christian origin of Dec. 25th as a birth date for Jesus, we do not know the date and the date does not matter. But choosing this date to celebrate is not wrong just because it may be another date. If you choose not to observe Christmas, let it be for a good reason and not due to false information.
REFUTATIONS OF CHRISTMAS BEING PAGAN:
http://bit.ly/1ixfHNc
The myth of Dec. 25 based on a pagan holiday (the links above may also touch on this)
https://bit.ly/2KWaJbS
Christmas was never a pagan holiday
http://bit.ly/1T8nVah
The date of Dec. 25 as possible true date for the birth of Jesus
http://bit.ly/1NIFhMO
Pagan Christmas and Mythmas
https://bit.ly/2BLCqkS
Jesus vs. Mithra — YouTube
https://bit.ly/2St9R16
Jesus vs. Horus — YouTube
https://bit.ly/2rkjVOc
The Christmas Tree
http://bit.ly/1P08RcO
Jeremiah 10 and Christmas Trees
https://bit.ly/2EaKuhx
Nimrod and Christmas Trees debunked
http://asbereansdid.blogspot.com/2011/01/on-nimrod-and-christmas-trees-part-iii.html
Videos
Christmas is Pagan and Other Myths
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca_Yx3aMCiE
Is Christmas Really a Pagan Holiday?
http://bit.ly/1Jcop8m
Mike Winger’s video, “Is Christmas Pagan?”
https://bit.ly/2E0pTeN
Former Jehovah Witness Agustin Astacio explains how we got Dec. 25 and Jan. 6 (orthodox churches) as Christmas dates pf celebration based on dating in Scripture from Zechariah’s time in the temple, Elizabeth, and timing with Mary:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/healingxoutreach/2014/12/13/gus-astacio–are-christmas-innovations-paganistic-or-evangelistic
HISLOP, source for many false views, discredited in “Myths From Hislop: A Call to Examine Facts,” by Marcia Montenegro
http://bit.ly/1NyjCnW
Issue of cold weather and sheep in December
http://jimmyakin.com/2014/11/do-sheep-prove-that-jesus-wasnt-born-on-december-25th.html