I find it disturbing, the amount of people who ignorantly call Christmas a "pagan holiday".
Here's the biblical truth. In Corinthians 1:8-13, God says this:
8 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
Above, we see Paul addressing people scolding others because they eat meat sacrificed to idols. This is the exact same argument as scolding people for celebrating holidays that are supposedly pagan. It's as close as an analogy as you'll ever find. In both cases, you have someone wagging their finger at someone else for partaking in something that is supposedly dedicated to paganism.
To summarize, Paul is saying this:
There are no pagan gods. They're not real. "We know an idol is nothing". There are no other gods, only one God.
Paul then says feel free to chow down on that food sacrificed to idols, because we know idols aren't real and there are no pagan gods. It's ok, go ahead and do it.
But there's one caveat.
There are people who are completely ignorant of God's word. They don't realize pagan gods aren't real. They don't realize that meat sacrificed to idols is meaningless. When they see you eating the meat that is supposedly sacrificed to idols, it can be a stumbling block for them.
That's the only circumstance where you can't eat it.
Now bringing back the analogy to holidays such as Christmas or Easter, there are people who know God's word and there are fools who believe pagan gods are real. There are people who can take any holiday and make it a holiday in which God is exalted, and there are fools who scold anyone who would consider celebrating it.
And the ridiculous part is that Christians already revere Christmas and Easter, not as being pagan, but as being Christ-centered. If the analogy were 1 to 1 equal, December 25 and Easter could be openly advertised as pagan holidays and its still ok to celebrate them -- but instead they are already widely seen as being Christ-centered holidays. This makes the disparaging of these holidays extra ridiculous.
God says you can eat meat sacrificed to idols as long as you're giving Him the glory (and not surrounded by weak-minded fools who are ignorant of the bible). Certainly, you can also celebrate holidays that are widely seen as a celebration of God and Jesus.
One last thing -- to those who just can't wait to type in the comment section how much you hate celebrating Christmas, it's also American culture. Right now there are groups dedicated to stripping America of all culture. You don't like Christmas, and neither does the blue-haired TDS Karens. Ask yourself why your goals are so seamlessly aligning with the far left.
I'm not anti Christian
I just think Paul is the wolf in sheep's clothing Jesus himself warned us about.
it's pretty consistent
You have given zero evidence to counter Gods own approval of Paul. If Paul was indeed a wolf in sheep’s clothing then he did a terrible job of destroying the gospel by being the vehicle that carried it beyond the Jewish people. God’s appointment of Paul is evident in his accomplishments. Providing yet more proof that he spoke the truth about his encounter with the Risen Lord. There is no reason to despise or doubt Paul. Saul was a different life and his sins were thrown as far as east is from the west. Paul like it or not is core to the story of Christianity pivotal necessary and a beautiful expression of the incredible power of God to transform and appoint. You can dislike him many do and did then but throwing mud and sowing discord and doubt on the gentiles gateway into the messiah’s promise reeks of hatred of Christianity. It took each discipline and apostle to do that early work each playing their part. Paul was accepted by them and his ministry bore great fruit. You shall know them by their fruit. Feel free to believe what you will. Don’t be surprised when I or another call you on the carpet for it. There are far too many young and new believers to allow rampant conjecture that seems to have no purpose beyond causing doubt to go unnoticed or addressed.
new believers should be studying Jesus, not Paul
Agreed. Baby’s wander however and need safeguards from touching hot things that can burn them.
like a false prophet?
that's exactly my point, glad you came around