Christmas Traditions vs. Truth

Christmas has many traditions associated with it. Unfortunately, there are religious ideas about the holiday without Biblical foundations. One reason for that is certain Christmas carols. For example, “The Little Drummer Boy” sings “I am a poor boy, too.” Jesus temporarily gave up heavenly riches but that doesn’t mean He was born poor. His stepfather Joseph had the resources to travel to Bethlehem and would’ve spent money on lodging if there was room for them at the inn. Meanwhile, a group of wise men brought treasures to the Messiah.

Speaking of which, most people assume there were three wise men as in the song “We Three Kings of Orient Are.” Matthew chapter 2 doesn’t mention the exact number of wise men but refers to three types of gifts they had: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Notice these gifts were presented to a “young Child”…not a baby. Verse 11 also mentions them coming “into the house”…not before a manger. Therefore, the wise men didn’t see Jesus at the same time as the shepherds as depicted in nativity scenes.

Another popular Christmas carol “Away in a Manger” contains the lyric “But little Lord Jesus no crying He makes.” Recently it occurred to me there is no Scriptural proof of that. I can’t imagine any baby not crying at all especially when he is hungry and needs his diaper changed.

This article isn’t intended to dampen your holiday but inspire you to study the Scriptures more for yourself. It’s important for believers to be Biblically correct when ministering to others especially regarding the reason for the season.

Have a Merry Christmas!

“Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” - 1 Timothy 4:13

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