Christmas?

[davidoffinland]

From Finland.

What does Calvin and Calvinists say about christmas? Pagan? Non-regligious or religious observance?

In Him, david.

 

[AndOne]

They didn't celebrate it - period. One of the big reasons the Puritans were so despised in England - they refused to celebrate Christmas.

Amongst Calvinists in our day and age I'd say its safe to say most celebrate it. One of those things that just went by the wayside I suppose...

 

[HiredGoon]

In short, and to over generalize, the Reformed Christians of the past were against observing such "holy days" as Christmas, etc. In my experience I've seen very conservative Reformed Christians today be very anti-Christmas, a few observe it as a purely secular holiday and not religious. Amongst the moderates today they generally observe Christmas as a mixture of secular and religious holidays, but don't make much of a deal about it in church (no speacial Christmas worship service). But, of course there's always exceptions.

 

[heymikey80]

From Finland.

What does Calvin and Calvinists say about christmas? Pagan? Non-regligious or religious observance?

In Him, david.

It's not a holy day instituted by God, there's nothing that would be understood as such in Scripture.

Calvin had taught over the nativity during this time, but the idea of it being a special celebration was decidedly Roman to them, and so the celebration was suppressed. Puritans in England did the same, and ultimately lost control of the Reformation in England for being so overly-oppressive in attacking a beloved celebration.

It's practiced in the US, even by historically Calvinistic churches. The southern Presbyterian church (PCA) that trained me was formed in 1808, and it has massive decorations for Christmas, a Christmas Eve service, a Christmas Day service, Christmas programs, on & on.

Theologically it would have to fall under the auspices of thanksgiving or solemn assembly. That is, it's not some obligatory time of worship, but a seasonal time of celebration for what God has done in giving us His Son.

 

[edie19]

I'm with HiredGoon on this one.

We celebrate Christmas in my home. Along the same line, I don't know anyone who decorates for any holiday (Christmas included) to the extent that my pastor's wife does - her rooms look like they come out of a "Christmas decorating how to" book.

However, my church does not follow the "church" calendar or lectionary. While we might add a couple of the traditional Christmas songs in December (i.e. Oh Come All Ye Faithful or O Holy Night) we don't light Advent candles, we don't specifically read or teach from Matthew or Luke re: Christ's birth, and we don't incorporate Christmas pageants into our worship service. We do have a Christmas Eve service, we often go caroling, we provide Christmas dinners to the needy (we do that at other times of the year too).

As an aside - same goes for Easter. We consider every Lord's Day to be in recognition of Christ's resurrection.

edie

 

[5SolasinKY]

Same here, both concerning Christmas and Easter.

One other reason being that there are people of several differing opinions in the congregation, and since the Bible does not command the celebration, we respect the consciences of others here whichever position they take. If they celebrate (at home) it is considered a freedom. If they do not it is considered a freedom. We recognize it minimally at church (a few Christmas hymns) since there is no reason to avoid them. We cannot bind consciences where God does not.
I celebrate it because I am the only reformed believer in my family, and so the family celebrates and I do not cause conflict on it. I consider it a witnessing opportunity. I have Mormons, Roman Catholics, liberals, pseudo-Christians, etc. in my family and we are not together often.