William Bradford, the Governor of Massachusetts Colony, banned the celebration of Christmas in any festive way. This law was active there for twenty-two years. Here is a transcript of the law, in fact.
“For preventing disorders, arising in several places within this jurisdiction by reason of some still observing such festivals as were superstitiously kept in other communities, to the great dishonor of God and offense of others: it is therefore ordered by this court and the authority thereof that whosoever shall be found observing any such day as Christmas or the like, either by forbearing of labor, feasting, or any other way, upon any such account as aforesaid, every such person so offending shall pay for every such offence five shilling as a fine to the county.”
From the records of the General Court,
Massachusetts Bay Colony
May 11, 1659
Massachusetts Bay Colony
May 11, 1659
What does this mean? Well that anyone who celebrated Christmas was breaking the law. No one stopped working, no one feasted with family, nor was any form of celebration allowed, including decorations. No trees, no wreaths, no celebration whatsoever.
Why would a Christian Church (the Puritans) ban the celebration of Christmas? What does this imply? Well they felt that some people were celebrating the holiday poorly, and therefore they banned it for everyone. If they didn't celebrate it the same way they 'leaders' did, they were not allowed to celebrate it at all.
The flaw in this plan is the fact that they were trying to produce actions of a contrite heart without changing the heart of the person. We cannot make rules to save people or to change their hearts. If it worked that way then Christ would not have had to die. (Galatians 2:21) We cannot save others by making them look like Christians. They must truly become Christians to be saved.
So not decorating or avoiding celebrating in order to "fix" other people does not work. "But what about the history of some of our decorations?" I also hear people ask, "Are they not of evil origin?" By this people mean that things like the Christmas tree, wreath, and various other decorations. Again let us see what Paul says about things like this. Paul talks about things that others use for evil but we use to glorify God in I Corinthians chapter 8. He is specifically talking about the problem of things that were sacrificed to idols, but the same idea applies. Just because one person uses it for evil does not mean we need to avoid it. If we decorate for Christmas to celebrate the birth of the Saviour of mankind, that is wonderful. If we are not decorating because God convicts us, that is also wonderful. But do not expect every other person to follow our convictions.
As for those who wish to not celebrate Christmas at all (like the Puritans), the Bible has this to say.
ROMANS 14:6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.
Here Paul tells us again that it is not what we do but why we do it that matters. He tells us that both ways can honor God if done for the right reason. But both things can also dishonor God if done for the wrong reason. Remember it is the heart that matters, not merely the actions. (Matt. 15:11)
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