THE OBSERVATION OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, THE DUTY OF ALL

1 Timothy 1:15 (KJV), “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”

In the 1700’s, the celebration of Christmas by evangelicals was still controversial.  It was banned by law in parts of the United States (the day was associated with merriment by some, and by others it was inextricably connected to the Catholic Mass).  Puritans tended to avoid it simply because of the mas part of Christmas, and History seemed to be moving away from the notion of a Christian Christmas.

But George Whitefield would not allow that.  “It is a Christian duty,” he would say, “to celebrate Christmas.”  He preached a sermon on the topic, designed to warn and persuade.  He warns against carousing, and persuades the evangelical world to embrace December as a season to remember Christ.

Below are some excerpts from the sermon, they are the gist of His argument–that Christians have a duty to celebrate Christmas: 

The celebration of the birth of Christ hath been esteemed a duty by most who profess Christianity.  When we consider the condescension and love of the Lord Jesus Christ, in submitting to be born of a virgin, a poor sinful creature; and especially as He knew how He was to be treated in this world; that He was to be despised, scoffed at, and at last to die a painful, shameful, and ignominious death; that He should be treated as though He was the off-scouring of all mankind; used, not like the son of man, and, therefore, not at all like the Son of God; the consideration of these things should make us to admire the love of the Lord Jesus Christ.

O amazing condescension of the Lord Jesus Christ, to stoop to such low and poor things for our sake.  What love is this, what great and wonderful love was here, that the Son of God should come into our world in so mean a condition, to deliver us from the sin and misery in which we were involved by our fall in our first parents!  And as all that proceeded from the springs must be muddy, because the fountain was so, the Lord Jesus Christ came to take our natures upon Him, to die a shameful, a painful, and an accursed death for our sakes.

Surely this calls for some return of thanks on our part to our dear Redeemer, for this love and kindness to our souls.  What, shall we not remember the birth of our Jesus?  Shall we yearly celebrate the birth of our temporal king, and shall that of the King of Kings be quite forgotten?  Shall that only, which ought to be had chiefly in remembrance, be quite forgotten?  God forbid!  No, my dear brethren, let us celebrate and keep this festival of our church, with joy in our hearts: let the birth of a Redeemer, which redeemed us from sin, from wrath, from death, from hell, be always remembered; may this Savior’s love never be forgotten!

But may we sing forth all His love and glory as long as life shall last here, and through an endless eternity in the world above!  May we chant forth the wonders of redeeming love, and the riches of free grace, amidst angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, without intermission, for ever and ever!  And as, my brethren, the time for keeping this festival is approaching, let us consider our duty in the true observation thereof, of the right way for the glory of God, and the good of immortal souls, to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ; an event which ought to be had in eternal remembrance.

Therefore, inquire strictly into your end and design in spending your time; see, my brethren, whether it proceeds from a true love to your Redeemer, or whether there is not some worldly pleasure or advantage at the bottom: if there is, our end is not right; but if it proceed entirely from love to Him that died, and gave Himself for us, our actions will be a proof thereof; then our time will be spent, not in the polite pleasures of life, but according to the doctrine and commands of the blessed Jesus; then our conversation will be in heaven; and O that this might be found to be the end of each of you, who now hear me; then we should truly observe this festival, and have a true regard to the occasion thereof, that of Christ’s coming to redeem the souls of those which were lost.

Did Jesus come into the world to save us from death, and shall we spend no part of our time in conversing about our dear Jesus; shall we pay no regard to the birth of Him, who came to redeem us from the worst of slavery, from that of sin, and the devil; and shall this Jesus not only be born on our account, but likewise die in our stead, and yet shall we be unmindful of Him? 

Shall we spend our time in those things which are offensive to Him?  Shall we not rather do all we can to promote His glory, and act according to His command?  O my dear brethren, be found in the ways of God; O be not so ungrateful to Him who has been so kind to you!   What could the Lord Jesus Christ have done for you more than He has?  Then do not abuse His mercy, but let your time be spent in thinking and talking of the love of Jesus, who was incarnate for us, who was born of a woman, and made under the law, to redeem us from the wrath to come.