*** w94 12/15 p. 3 What Does Christmas Mean to You? ***
SURPRISING as it may seem, of more than 1,000 people surveyed in Britain, only 6 percent considered Christmas to be primarily a religious occasion. In contrast, 48 percent thought of Christmas predominantly as a time to be with their family. Indeed, many maintain that it is a special time for children.
For christmas other rules are valid
*** g89 7/8 p. 30 From Our Readers ***
But for many, Christmas is celebrated by fraternizing in church with friends. Is this wrong?
E. L. L., Brazil
No doubt many endeavor to celebrate the supposed date of Jesus’ birth in a dignified way. Nevertheless, the article gave clear evidence that (1) Jesus never authorized any such celebration, (2) Jesus’ birth must have taken place in September/October (not December), and (3) many of the customs associated with Christmas are clearly of pagan origin. So the issue confronting those desiring to please God in their worship is, not how such a celebration might be carried on, but whether Christmas in any form has God’s approval.