Is Christmas a Hoax? A mass dilusion of spiritual deception? An elaborate scheme of manipulation? A religious fable? If so, where does that leave Christians today?
In moments of reflection, many Christians have asked this question. I have. Because times of doubt are common in the Christian faith. And a favorite tool of our adversary.
Some people suggest that if the Christmas story isn’t true, the Christian lifestyle still presents a meaningful, moral framework for life. And therefore, worth following. But the Apostle Paul rejects that idea.
And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. (ESV, 1 Corinthians 15:14, 19)
In other words, if the birth of Jesus Christ two thousand years ago is simply a feel good story with a moral lesson, a Santa Claus inspired holiday celebration, and a menu of new Hallmark movies, Christians should be pitied. Because we follow a lie. A worthless faith. And the hope of eternal redemption is a grave illusion.
Therefore, I am all in on Jesus Christ and celebrating the meaning of his birth. And hold on to three reminders for Christmas hope.
Is Christmas a hoax? Christmas is faith in a historical event
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (ESV, Hebrews 11:6)
The birth of Jesus Christ is a historical event. It was prophesied 700 years before it occurred and the historical facts surrounding it are undisputed. The Christian faith supplies the “why.”
It’s because humanity is relationally separated from God because of sin. And we cannot fix or save ourselves. So Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to live a perfect life and die as a sacrifice for those sins. Those who believe in Jesus and confess him as savior and lord are forgiven of their sins and granted eternal life in heaven.
Still, it requires faith. Either you believe or don’t. Furthermore, Jesus shouldn’t be considered simply a good man or moral teacher. Because he claimed to be God. So if he wasn’t, he was something else. Since history factually records Jesus’ birth it can’t be dismissed as a fairy tale. But your response to those events involves faith.
Is Christmas a hoax? The Word of God is Absolute truth
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (ESV, 2 Timothy 3:16)
God’s Word is absolute truth. A solid foundation to build your life on. And a common point of reference for everyone. Otherwise it’s your truth versus my truth and how do we ever agree on anything? Because eventually our truths will collide and then what? The truth backed by the biggest gun wins?
Without absolute truth life is a potpourri of human opinion riding a cultural tide that pulls you into a choppy sea of confusion. With nothing to hold you fast.
The absolute truth of Scripture anchors my beliefs. And provides sure footing that informs my faith. Its message is consistent and reliable for purposeful living. And while I must still exercise faith, it is not blind but based on evidence. And offers an eternal future.
Is Christmas a hoax? A Community of Faithful Followers Offers Assurance
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. (ESV, Hebrews 11:1-3)
Rather than ask, “How can so many people be deceived?” I ask, “How can so many people be wrong?” And, “why would anyone suffer or die for a something that isn’t true?”
In addition, I gather weekly with a local body of fellow believers. Broken and imperfect. Yet, positive and uplifting. A community driven by love and seasoned with grace that gives and receives assurance. Furthermore, we are unified by worship. Bonded in the fellowship of God’s Spirit in mutual encouragement and support. In short, doing life together.
And Christmas brings it all together with joy and hope.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (ESV, Luke 2:11)
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview. This blog is originally published here.
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Hello Chip!
The BIGGEST LIE throughout the churches today is the Good Friday lie! The celebration of Christmas is just another one piled on top.
Most Christians have been indoctrinated over many years to accept Good Friday (the paradox) to refer to Christ’s death on the cross and His burial – yet Christ Himself said exactly how long He (His spirit and soul) would be in the “heart of the Earth:
“For as Jonas [Jonah] was THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS [or 72 hours ] in the whale’s belly; SO SHALL THE SON OF MAN [i.e. “Jesus”] be THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:40)
Therefore, this 72 hour period from the Sunday morning resurrection places Christ’s death on our Wednesday at 3pm – according to the Jewish Calendar. Friday at 3pm is only 36 hours.
“And about THE NINTH HOUR [after sunrise – or approx. 6am] Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?…50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.” (Matthew 27:46, 50)
My concern here is that if Christians prefer to embrace the Good Friday LIE rather than the Wednesday crucifixion TRUTH, does this affect their Salvation – if we use Satan’s Garden of Eden lie that had Adam and Eve rejected from God’s presence forever? Is God a “respecter of persons” or not in these matters?
Any comments you have would be appreciated, Chip.
Alan
Alan,
Great question and thanks for your comment. Just to preface, I’ve consulted some sources including a friend who teaches theology. Here’s what he had to say:
This is a common question in response to Jesus’ claim in Matthew 12:40, “For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
The “Wednesday” argument is common too. The issue is that we approach biblical interpretation mainly with a historicist toolbox. We definitely want to affirm Scripture’s perfection, truthfulness, and inerrancy. At the same time, we cannot equate the interpretive task with reconstruction of the history “behind-the-text.” This is essentially what’s happening in this instance. We hear Jesus make a statement about 3 days/3 nights, and then when he rises on the first day of the week (Sunday), we don’t see how it adds up in terms of a true historical account. I don’t want to dismiss the importance of asking this question, but sometimes we can get lost on “doing the math” and miss the point of the biblical text.
In the first place, it’s important to recognize that Jesus’ statement is in response to the scribes and Pharisees who are asking him for a “sign.” He tells them that no sign will be given except the sign of the prophet Jonah (Matt 12:39; Jonah 1:17). In that light, Jonah’s 3 days/3 nights in the belly of the great fish signifies Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection. Said differently, the point is not what counts for a full day, to be precise, but rather the “three-ness” of Christ’s death-resurrection is signified by Jonah’s time in the fish. Still, Jewish tradition allows for “parts” of a day/night to count as a “day.” This is similar to our custom of speaking such as, let’s say I was repairing a plumbing leak under the sink, and I started working on it 11am and finished at 3pm. I might remark to someone, “I spent the whole day working on that sink!.”
This emphasis can be seen in how the “three days” functions in the rest of Matthew (as well as the other Gospels). In the prediction of his cross-resurrection, Jesus speaks only of “three days” in Matthew 26:61 (cf. Matt 27:40). Notably, the only mention of “three nights” occurs when he’s referencing the “sign” of Jonah.
I think it’s telling that on Saturday, the chief priests and Pharisees became anxious because they remembered that while he was alive, Jesus said, “After three days I will rise” (Matt 27:63). Pilate answered their request to send soldiers to secure the tomb until “the third day” (Matt 27:64; i.e., Sunday) lest his disciples sneak in to steal the body. The next day, of course, Matthew’s Gospel goes on to recount the amazing event confirming that what Jesus prophesied was true and fulfilled: He rose on the third day, and the guards at the tomb could do nothing to prevent it. Nor was his body stolen by his disciples (Matthew 28).
The rest of the NT’s apostolic witness confers with the Fourfold Gospel’s testimony, namely, that for Jesus to be raised on Sunday (the first day of the week) was for him to be raised on “the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor 15:3-4).
I appreciated my friend’s thoughts and hope they help you.
Chip