Editorial

Christmas

The Editor in imagination Interviews Ellen G. White on the Subject of Christmas

MRS. WHITE, practically the entire Christian world celebrates December 25 as the birthday of Jesus. Isn't this sufficient evidence for believing that this date is the actual birthday of our Lord?

". . . There is no certainty that we are keeping the veritable day of our Saviour's birth. History gives us no certain assurance of this. The Bible does not give us the precise time. Had the Lord deemed this knowledge essential to our salvation, He would have spoken through His prophets and apostles, that we might know all about the matter. But the silence of the Scriptures upon this point evidences to us that it is hidden from us for the wisest purposes."  1

What do you think those "wisest purposes" are?

"In His wisdom the Lord concealed the place where He buried Moses. God buried him, and God resurrected him and took him to heaven. This secrecy was to prevent idolatry. . . . For the very same purpose He has concealed the precise day of Christ's birth, that the day should not receive the honor that should be given to Christ as the Redeemer of the world one to be received, to be trusted, to be relied on as He who could save to the uttermost all who come unto Him." 2

Should we as Adventists ignore Christ mas time entirely?

". . . You will find it a difficult matter to pass over this period without giving it some attention. It can be made to serve a very good purpose." 3

Would you explain just what you mean?

"The youth should be treated very carefully. They should not be left on Christmas to find their own amusement in vanity and pleasure seeking, in amusements which will be detrimental to their spirituality. Parents can control this matter by turning the minds and the offerings of their children to God and His cause and the salvation of souls." 4

Are you saying that the only gifts we should give on Christmas should be to the church?

"It is pleasant to receive a gift, however small, from those we love. It is an assurance that we are not forgotten, and seems to bind us to them a little closer. ... It is right to bestow upon one another tokens of love and remembrance if we do not in this forget God, our best friend." 5

May I ask, do you have any suggestions as to the kind of gifts we should give to one another?

"I would recommend such books as will be an aid in understanding the word of God or that will increase our love for its precepts. Provide something to be read during these long winter evenings."6

Our Book and Bible House brethren will love to hear that! Frankly, I think what you have suggested is far more beneficial than watching the majority of TV programs. Only one problem with your answer and that is that books are quite expensive!

"The many trifles usually spent on candies and useless toys may be treasured up with which to buy these volumes...." 7

What about other presents besides books? "There are many things which can be devised with taste and cost far less than the unnecessary presents that are so frequently bestowed upon our children and relatives, and thus courtesy can be shown and happiness brought into the home.

"You can teach your children a lesson while you explain to them the reason why you have made a change in the value of their presents, telling them that you are convinced that you have hitherto considered their pleasure more than the glory of God." 8

Many of our friends and loved ones have so much, it is difficult to know what to get them for Christmas. Do you have any counsel for us on this point?

"You that have means, who have been in the habit of making donations to your relatives and friends until you are at a loss to know what to invent that will be new and interesting to them, seek to put your ingenuity to the test,, as well as your influence, to see how much means you may gather to advance the work of the Lord. Let your skill and your capacities be employed' to make the coming Christ mas one of intense interest, paying your addresses to the God of heaven in willing, grateful offerings. Follow no longer the world's customs. Make a break here, and see if this Christmas cannot show thousands of dollars flowing into the treasury, that God's store house may not be empty. You may not be recompensed on earth, but you will be rewarded in the future life, and that abundantly. Let those who have so long planned for self now begin to plan for the cause of God, and you will certainly have in creased wisdom. Let the conscience be enlightened, and the love of truth and of Christ take the place of idolatrous thoughts and love of self."9

Should Christmas and other holidays be used exclusively for our own families?

"When you have a holiday, make it a pleasant and happy day for your children, and make it also a pleasant day for the poor and the afflicted." 10

"Clothing and other useful articles may be given to the worthy poor, and thus a work may be done for the Master." 11

Mrs. White, have you ever gotten any letters asking whether it is a sin or riot to use Christmas trees?

"Letters of inquiry have come to us asking, Shall we have a Christmas tree? Will it not be like the world? We answer, You can make it like the world if you have a disposition to do so, or you can make it as unlike the world as possible. There is no particular sin in selecting a fragrant ever green and placing it in our churches, but the sin lies in the motive which prompts to action and the use which is made of the gifts placed upon the tree.

"The tree may be as tall and its branches as wide as shall best suit the occasion; but let its boughs be laden with the golden and silver fruit of your beneficence, and present this to Him as your Christmas gift. Let your donations be sanctified by prayer." 12

But won't this bring a spirit of levity into our services?

"In no case should mere amusement be the object of these gatherings. While there may be some who will turn these occasions into seasons of careless levity, and whose minds will not receive the divine impress, to other minds and characters these seasons will be highly beneficial. I am fully satisfied that innocent substitutes can be devised for many gatherings that demoralize." 13

Do you have a final word for us?

"Will you not arise, my Christian brethren and sisters, and gird yourselves for duty in the fear of God, so arranging this matter that it shall not be dry and uninteresting, but full of innocent enjoyment that shall bear the signet of Heaven? I know the poorer class will respond to these suggestions. The most wealthy should also show an interest and bestow their gifts and offerings proportionate to the means with which God has entrusted them. Let there be recorded in the heavenly books such a Christmas as has never yet been seen be cause of the donations which shall be given _ or the sustaining of the work of God and i the up-building of His kingdom."14

I want to express my appreciation to you for these practical answers.

 


 

REFERENCES

1. The Adventist Home, p. 477.

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid., p. 478.

4. Ibid.

5. Ibid., pp. 478, 479.

6. Ibid., p. 479.

7. Ibid.

8. Ibid., p. 481.

9. Review and Herald, Dec. 9, 1884, p. 770.

10. Counsels on Stewardship, p. 297.

11. Messages to Young People, p. 311.

12. The Adventist Home, p. 482.

13. Ibid., pp. 482, 483.

14. Ibid., p. 483.


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December 1970

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