I would like to offer a few thoughts on this topic.

My family and I celebrate Christmas but do so as a secular holiday. We do not do anything with christian symbols such as angels, mangers, Jesus, crosses, etc. Nor do we carol "religious songs".

We have Santa Clause, a Christmas tree, rudolf, Bing Crosby singing White Christmas and give and receive presents. Our children have been taught that the Bible does not authorize the celebrating of Jesus' birthday as a holiday and we have taken great care for them to know that attempts to place "Christ" in Christmas are of a denominational nature and not supported with scripture.

As a side note, we do the same thing for Easter at our home. It is time for the Easter Bunny. We teach our children that the first century Church knew nothing of these holidays and that we are not to bring Christ into them.

As for Halloween, we do not allow Ghosts, demons, withches and the like.

I also preach from the pulpit that "religious holidays" are of a man made origin and associating them with Christ should be avoided. Our congregation does not put up a tree, lights or things of that nature. We do not have Easter egg hunts in the parking lot nor do we host a haunted house.

Kindly,
Don

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Don Gelles,
Preacher, Church of Christ in Hyde Park
Austin, Texas
www.hydeparkcoc.org