In the month of December, 2015 the Elm Street church of Christ will meet on the 2nd, 6th, 9th, 13th, 16th, 20th, 23rd, 27th, and 30th. What about the 25th? The 25th falls on a Friday, a day we do not normally meet, for we gather on Sundays as we have authorized examples (cf. Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2), and on Wednesdays as the men of the congregation have deemed it a convenient time to gather and study God’s word, which we also have authority for in scripture. What about Jesus’ birthday?

Jesus’ birth is recorded in scripture and has great significance due to the fulfillment of prophecy, and Jesus entering the flesh to fulfill God’s will in the scheme of redemption (cf. Matthew 1:21-23; Philippians 2:5-8; Hebrews 2:14-18). However, upon the establishment of the church in Acts 2, the disciples were recorded as having “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). Singing was also observed for it was commanded in the apostles’ doctrine (cf. Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). The Lord’s Supper (“the breaking of bread”) is the only observance of an event in Christ’s life commanded, and is to be done “often…till He comes” (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:26), just as the 1st century Christians practiced every first day of the week (cf. Acts 20:7).

It is far from harmless to observe special religious holidays not authorized by our God. Jesus said, “in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9). Vain worship is that which God has not commanded. Where is the scriptural authority for the observance of Christmas and Easter? Such does not exist. “These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion…but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh” (Colossians 2:23).

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