p. 4 | Christmas and Its Evils by I. A. CRANE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 17, 1914

Christmas and Its Evils

By I. A. CRANE

I. A. CRANE

The festival celebrated on December 25 is not what it purports to be. It comes to us claiming to be the birthday of our Saviour, and that its office is to add to the honor of his name. It, however, has no authority to substantiate such a claim. The most favorable authorities leave the matter in grave doubt as to whether the Lord was born at this time of year, while others declare plainly that it absolutely could not be the time. This being the height of the cold, rainy season, precludes the idea that shepherds would abide by night in the field with their flocks, as was the case at the birth of Christ. See Luke 2: 8.

God does not require the observance of Christ's birthday, else he would have fixed the time beyond conjecture. The very indefiniteness of the Scriptures on this subject shows that without doubt the omission of anything giving a clue as to the exact time has been intentional.

Why attempt to commemorate what God has left unrecorded? Strange perversity which impels people to observe what God has not required, and to ignore that which he has plainly commanded! Christmas masquerades under an assumed

name; and true to its deceptive name, its observance, purporting to be for the honor of Christ, is in reality calculated to obscure his name and mission by mingling it with ancient heathen customs. The pomp and glare and pleasure of its observance captivate the innocent mind of the child. From his first Christmas, when the lowly birth in Bethlehem is suggested, the child's mind is immediately filled with Christmas festivities and thoughts of Santa Claus.

At this season of the year many children receive their first lesson in deception from those whose truthfulness they have never before questioned. And because papa and mamma have told them things about Christmas and Santa Claus which are not true, their ideas of truth become confused and modified. Later, when they hear more of the Bible story of the fall, the cross, and the world to come, they are unprepared to believe that the Bible means what it says.

How dare you, Christian parent, run the risk of lessening your child's tendency to believe the simple Bible truth? It was without doubt the pomp and pleasantry of heathen festivals that proved Satan's most powerful agent in seducing Israel into sin. It is none the less true that when modern Israel make Sunday and Christmas days of visiting and cessation of ordinary labor, they expose themselves and their families to continued temptation from which God would gladly shield them. Christmas is in reality nothing less than the ancient Saturnalia or Yule feast, masquerading under a Christian name. It was then the great annual festival for sun worship, as was Sunday the weekly. Can we receive good from respecting it? In answer please read Lev. 18: 30; 20: 23.

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