𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 "𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐧"

Dear Pagan Observer, I hear your concern for holiness. That's great! Scripture calls us to guard our worship and never mix idols with devotion to YHWH. On that point, we stand together.

Where your conclusion overreaches is in assuming that historical parallels equal biblical prohibition. Scripture addresses intent and worship, not reused cultural forms. Paul faced the same issue and answered it plainly: “An idol is nothing in the world” and ordinary practices are not sinful unless they become acts of devotion to false gods (1 Corinthians 8:4 NKJV). The same meat once offered to idols was morally neutral when received with thanksgiving (1 Corinthians 10:25–30 NKJV). Origins alone do not define present obedience. Worship intent does.

Jeremiah 10 is about cutting a tree into an idol, shaping it, bowing before it, and calling it a god. It does not describe decorative evergreens used in homes without worship. No one bows to Christmas trees or prays to wreaths. Scripture condemns idolatry. It does not forbid neutral cultural customs that are not acts of worship. If it did, Gentile believers could no longer use weekdays named for pagan gods or speak languages shaped by pagan history. Paul never required that kind of cultural purging. He called believers to avoid participation in idol worship itself, not every practice that ever touched pagan soil.

Santa traditions, stockings, gift giving, lights, music, and decorations have no worship component in Christian homes. They function as storytelling, celebration, and family custom. None require devotion, prayer, offerings, or invocation of other gods. Scripture defines idolatry as directed worship and allegiance. Without that element, the charge of abomination collapses biblically.

December 25 also does not possess spiritual power. “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind” (Romans 14:5 NKJV). Paul places the observance of days safely into conscience territory, not Torah command. The danger is not the date. The danger is judging the body over disputable matters (Romans 14:10 NKJV).

You are right that YHWH gave appointed times. They are beautiful and vital. But God never taught that honoring man-made memorial days equals rejecting His feasts. Those two are not mutually exclusive. Scripture records voluntary remembrance days within Israel’s story without condemnation. What matters is whether they replace obedience to God or become idols themselves.

Torah pursuancy must remain rooted in Scripture, not historical absolutism. Holiness does not grow from blanket condemnation of fellow believers. Holiness grows from faith expressed in obedience and love. “The goal of the commandment is love from a pure heart” (1 Timothy 1:5 NKJV).

Some believers should not celebrate Christmas. That is a sincere conviction I respect. But Scripture does not authorize calling the practice itself an abomination or accusing the faithful of idolatry. Paul’s warning still stands: “Why do you judge your brother?” (Romans 14:10 NKJV).

We walk one Torah with different consciences inside the body of Messiah. Unity does not require sameness. It requires charity, truth, and humility.

If we’re guarding holiness, we must guard it without wounding the family of God. That too is obedience.

B"H!

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.