holidays – La Vista Church of Christ

Should churches have a Mother’s Day event?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 11 May 2025 23:35:49 +0000

Question:

Should churches have a Mother's Day event?

Answer:

Why? Where do you find God requiring churches to create special events around secular holidays? After all, Mother's Day in the United States started in 1908 and became an officially recognized day in 1914. It is easy to get caught up in seeing the "good" and forget that God determines what His churches do.

If I choose to remember my mother on a particular day of the year, that is my business, but I cannot create a special day for the church to remember mothers because God did not authorize it.

Response:

Thank you for the information. It is true that God does not require churches to celebrate Mother’s Day.

Happy Appearance Day

Jeffrey Hamilton — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 16:44:31 +0000

by Terry Wane Benton

I am glad many people were at church on what the world (not God) has termed “Easter”. I am glad that people, who normally have very little spiritual commitment, let themselves get exposed to spiritual things at any time.

Some have been convinced that this day, once a year, is very special to God. But, while “the first day of the week” (every week has one) is noted and noteworthy as a regular time Christians ought to celebrate together Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 16:1-2), why isn’t the next Sunday just as important since it was a day Jesus confirmed His resurrection was real by making appearances several Sundays in a row to His disciples?

Should we make it a special holy day as well? The Day of Pentecost was also on a Sunday, when the Spirit demonstrated and empowered the Apostles. Will we have as many people coming to the assembly on the following Sundays? If not, why not?

There are two things I am getting at:

Nothing was more “holy” about the resurrection Sunday than the following Sundays of Jesus’ appearances and Pentecost Sunday. They are all equally important. Don’t let the world teach you that once-a-year is most important, and mix secular, pagan, and biblical things into a man-invented “holy” day.
Be just as zealous to remember Jesus daily, personally, and every Sunday with His people. His people will meet every Sunday to commune with Him in the kingdom. Be sure you are in the kingdom, communing with Him and His people. Do this assembling every first day of the week (Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 16:1-2).

Is it wrong to have an Easter egg hunt after services?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sat, 27 May 2023 19:08:08 +0000

Question:

Hello,

I was reading one of the articles on your website about Easter. I am a member of the church and studying what has been taking place in a previous congregation I've attended. There was an Easter egg hunt directly after the service. Is that wrong or not since the activity occurred after the service?

Answer:

I'm assuming this church advertised that they would have an egg hunt after services. Thus, they used entertainment as a draw to get people to attend their worship services. "Jesus answered them and said, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal'" (John 6:27-28). Games and amusement are not wrong as a part of the home, but they are not a part of why people should come to worship God. "If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that you will not come together for judgment" (I Corinthians 11:34).

Response:

I appreciate your biblical response. I’m still learning and growing; I wanted to ensure I had the correct understanding.

Is it wrong to observe All Souls Day?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 20:07:04 +0000

Question:

Good day, brother Jeff.

I want to know what are your thoughts about the observation of All Saints Day or All Souls Day that is done by many brethren here in the Philippines.

One elderly lady asked me about this, and I promised to give her an answer by the time we meet. She asked:

Is it okay for Christians to observe the November 1 and 2 holiday?

Personally, it doesn't bother me since I see it as a secular holiday (even though it is tied to Catholicism which concerns some Christians. They feel it is yoking them to this man-made observation). For me, people set aside a day to remember their departed loved ones, and I see no problem with this. Or should I?

Is it okay to "talk to the dead"?

I have seen Christians visiting the graves of their departed and having a conversation with them. I know they are not ignorant of the fact that it's only bones there -- that once the soul departed from the physical body, there's nothing there. It's all dust and the dead can't hear or know whatever is happening in this life. Yet Christians who observe this holiday often talk to the grave as if they can hear them. They give news as to what is happening in their lives.

Brother Jeff, if you were to answer these questions, what will your answers be?

Answer:

"Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind" (Romans 14:4-5).

As a required observance, it would be wrong because God did not impose a day to remember the dead. However, if an individual wishes to use a day to remember his loved ones and to thank God for allowing them to have been in his life, then there is nothing wrong with a person doing so.

There were times when I am having difficulties sorting out a problem that I might have a quiet conversation with my dad. Now, in my adult life, I never had an opportunity to live close to my parents and making long distant calls in the past was expensive, but the "conversation" helped me organize my thoughts. My dad wasn't dead (he still lives) but it was a form of role playing to solve a problem. I suspect that for some talking out life's events helps them organize their thoughts and sort out their grief. As long as they understand that the person isn't really there, he can't hear them, and he can't change things in their lives, then nothing is particularly wrong. See Can we talk with those who have died?

However, care needs to be taken regarding those who observe us. Others might not understand that the dead are gone and that we are not expecting anything to result from our verbalized thoughts. It is what others might do because they observe what we are doing that must be considered. Though talking about food offered to idols, Paul makes a point that can have similar application. "But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ" (I Corinthians 8:9-12).

Response:

I now understand. Thank you so much, brother Jeffrey.

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” " (Isaiah 52:7).

May God bless you more in what you do.

Are these points about Easter true?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 16:00:16 +0000

Question:

Is this true?

Origin of Easter:

Origin of word, "Easter": Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring: "Eostre"

In her honor sacrifices were offered at the vernal equinox or spring

By 8th century church leaders applied "Eostre" to Christ's resurrection

In Acts 12:4, "Passover" in mistranslated "Easter" is in some Bibles

Origin of symbols of Easter:

Easter Egg:

Eggs represented new life that returns to nature about Easter

Ancient Egyptians & Persians dyed eggs in spring colors & gave to friends

Eggs symbolize the now life found in the resurrected Christ

Easter bunny: In ancient Egypt, rabbits, like eggs symbolized new life

Answer:

A monk named Bede, wrote around 700 A.D.:

"Eostur-monath has a name which is now translated Paschal month, and which was once called after a goddess of theirs named Eostre, in whose honour feasts were celebrated in that month. Now they designate that Paschal season by her name, calling the joys of the new rite by the time-honoured name of the old observance."

The existence of such a goddess is a bit obscure. "Eosturmonath may simply mean 'the month of opening', appropriate for a time of opening buds" [Adrian Bott, "The modern myth of the Easter bunny," The Guardian, 23 April 2011]. So whether the name came from the name of a spring month or the name of a now unknown spring goddess is debated. What remains is that name became attached to Christians' celebration of Jesus' resurrection in the spring.

Of more interest is why Christians decided to start an annual celebration of Jesus' resurrection. What history tells us is that in the second century, Christians started wanting festivals similar to what the Jews had. "The New Testament contains no traces of annual festivals; but so early as the second century we meet with the general observance of Easter and Pentecost, founded on the Jewish Passover and feasts of harvest" [Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Third Period, AD 311-590, The Church Year]. Only early on it was called "Pascha" in Greek, which is the Greek word for "Passover." Initially, it was held at the same time as the Jewish Passover, but in A.D. 325, the Council of Nicaea set the date to the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox. In other words, the entire holiday was started because people were not content to simply do as God directed.

Easter eggs were a borrowed tradition from medieval traditions in Europe. "Decorated eggs had been part of the Easter festival at least since medieval times, given the obvious symbolism of new life. A vast amount of folklore surrounds Easter eggs, and in a number of Eastern European countries, the process of decorating them is extremely elaborate" [Katie Morrow, "Why Easter is called Easter, and other little-known facts about the holiday," 29 March 2021]. "Decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates back to at least the 13th century, according to some sources. One explanation for this custom is that eggs were formerly a forbidden food during the Lenten season, so people would paint and decorate them to mark the end of the period of penance and fasting, then eat them on Easter as a celebration" ["Easter Symbols and Traditions," History.com, 24 March 2021]. Where the medieval Europeans picked up their practice is more debated, but decorating eggs has been around for a long time.

The Easter bunny dates back to a 17th-century German tradition. "According to some sources, the Easter bunny first arrived in America in the 1700s with German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania and transported their tradition of an egg-laying hare called “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws.” Their children made nests in which this creature could lay its colored eggs. Eventually, the custom spread across the U.S." ["Easter Symbols and Traditions," History.com, 24 March 2021]. Again, where the German's got their tradition is debated, but it is not hard to see why rabbits are associated with the spring season.

Regardless of the origins, the traditions may be fun for children, but they have nothing to do with New Testament Christiainity.

Some Thoughts on Christmas

Jeffrey Hamilton — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 03:16:00 +0000

by Darrell Hamilton

I actually don't believe that God intended for us to celebrate the birth of Christ, so I am one of those who purposely separates any religious aspects from Christmas -- which is actually quite easy to do. I see Christmas as a holiday that is dedicated to some good virtues. Just like Thanksgiving in the U.S. is dedicated to the virtue of being thankful; I see Christmas as being dedicated to giving, sharing, and joy. I just don't include the birth of Jesus in it.

The quickest thing that I can tell you about Christmas and the Bible is that Christmas is never mentioned. There is no instruction or even a hint of instruction for us to memorialize the birth of Jesus. There is certainly nothing about exchanging gifts, Christmas trees, lights, candles, yule logs, Santa Claus (or any of his other dozen names), nativity scenes, or anything like them.

The best explanation I heard about the introduction of Christmas into the Christian culture was the Catholic church used it to convince some pagan cultures to get rid of their Winter solstice festivals and start worshipping Jesus instead. The Catholics allowed each group to essentially keep their practices -- just as long as they could come up with a way to make it work for Jesus. One group had the yule log and another group a decorated tree. Nearly everything was acceptable as long as you claimed you were not worshipping the return of the sun and were instead worshipping the coming of the Son.

The modern practice, of course, is such an odd mixture of various flavors of paganism that it is impossible to claim that anything is exactly as it was when it started. I don't think that it matters. Currently, I see some denominations trying to push a campaign of "put Christ back into Christmas", but they are really fighting a losing battle. Jesus was never really in Christmas. Even the things that seem closest to actually being related to the birth of Christ are wrong. Take the nativity scene for example. It looks the most religious of anything that has something to do with Jesus. However, the characters are mixed up. There are always three wise men -- the Bible says there were three kinds of gifts, but it does not say that there were only three wise men. The shepherds and the wise men are together at the manger and yet there is no indication in the Bible that the wise men got anywhere near Bethlehem while the shepherds were still on the scene. In fact, since Joseph and Mary make the sacrifice of a poor man at the consecration of Jesus (see Luke 2:21-24 and then Leviticus 12:1,8) that would argue that they had not yet gotten any of the gold that was given by the wise men. If Joseph had the means to offer the gift of the wealthy, he would have done so because it would have been required. So, most likely the shepherds came before the presentation in the temple (as recorded in Luke 2) and the wise men showed up afterward (as recorded in Matthew 2). And there is the problem with the manger itself. The word in Greek means an animal stall and not the eating trough. Yet, most people think Jesus was born in an eating trough. One last big problem is the day itself. It is wintertime in Israel near the winter solstice. Shepherds are not out in the field at night during the winter. The Romans were not so dumb as to require a census at the start of the winter -- they could have lost hundreds of people to exposure. The empire was huge. The census would have extended up into areas that had snow. To require people to relocate for a census would have induced food shortages and people freezing to death. That was not their method of controlling the population.

Of course, over time, people add other things to the scene that are never mentioned in the Bible at all, like the little drummer boy. In the end, we are left with a scene that is supposed to explain the truth about Jesus, but instead, it has become a scene that misrepresents the story. Seems like an odd way to honor the author of truth.

On top of that, the whole season is crazy. Jesus did not have a place to call his own (Matthew 8:20) and yet people will spend themselves in poverty trying to give the most lavish gifts to their friends and family. They will fight people for the latest material possession -- all in the name of having the best Christmas ever. It is like they are worshipping at the altar of greed (which is idolatry -- see Ephesians 5:5) and then go around "blessing people" for their contribution to piety. It is a very mixed-up season. It seems to me that it accomplishes way too much that ultimately dishonors the one that is claimed to be the reason for the day in the first place.

I find it much easier to leave Jesus out of it; honor Jesus the way that Jesus asked to be honored, and help promote at least some of the godly virtues that this world certainly needs more of. So, in the spirit of the virtues of the season, I wish you a Merry Christmas.

Is it sinful to listen to a song against Christmas?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 01:25:00 +0000

Question:

Is it sinful to listen to a song against Christmas? The song does not speak against the true meaning of Christmas (the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ) and rather speaks against Christmas traditions, such as eggnog, Christmas trees, gift-giving, etc. The song also uses some bad language. It also claims Christmas is a horrible time of the year. I don't like the lyrics, but the song is so catchy in rhythm. If this offends the Lord, I wish to no longer listen to it, but I'm not sure.

Please help.

Answer:

The value of a song is in its message. Catchy rhythms and tunes only make it easier for us to retain its message. But when a song's message is bad, it doesn't matter how catchy the tune is, it is still bad. If anything it is worse because it means its bad message stays with you. Therefore, a song with bad language is not good to listen to because the foul language keeps repeating in your head. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Ephesians 4:29).

That being said, Christmas is not found in the Bible. It is a man-made holiday with many man-made traditions. See Holiday Observances. Any disrespect against man-made holidays disrespects the people who follow them, but it cannot be seen as a disrespect of God because God did not create the holiday.

Is it wrong to want to smash pumpkins in protest of Halloween?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 02:00:00 +0000

Question:

This one was really on my mind, and I was reminded of a Bible verse: "Be angry and sin not." I'm not sure where it came from, but I remember hearing it from another brother.

The thing is that I see all these costumes. You have the girl costumes which are skimpy and you have the gory costumes for boys. It sickens me, Jeff! The thing that I hate the most is the witch thing. If only people knew what real witches and Satanists do! They sacrifice people, Jeff, and the world refuses to believe it! I stormed out of the store only to see a barrage of pumpkins and little girls talking about what they were going to wear.

OK, either I'm starting to see more from God's perspective or things are getting more perverse. Jeff, I honestly wanted to take a hammer and destroy the pumpkins and designs. Forgive me, but is this wrong?

Answer:

The verse you were trying to remember says, ""Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil" (Ephesians 4:25-26). James says something similar: "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God" (James 1:19-20).

Yes, it is wrong to destroy pumpkins because it does nothing to alleviate the problem. Destroying pumpkins belonging to other people, which can be used to make some wonderful pies, doesn't do a thing for inappropriate dress or behavior. You can't force people to do what is right, you have to convince them that certain behaviors are wrong and there is a right way to behave. And you have to set the proper example.

Remember what Paul said, "And why not say, "Let us do evil that good may come"? -- as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just" (Romans 3:8). Destruction of other people's property is wrong. It doesn't matter if you imagine good coming from it or not, it remains wrong.

"For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe" (I Corinthians 1:21).

It may be slower, but it is more effective and lasts longer.

Should churches observe Advent?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 02:32:00 +0000

Question:

Thought’s on Advent: Christ coming into the world, anticipating his second coming.

Obviously preaching and teaching about Christ coming into the world and preaching and teaching about the fact that Christ will return again can be scheduled anytime during the year but for those who make Advent a November through December tradition, what are your thoughts?

And I’m not asking you to view the question from the Catholic point of view, I am asking because some churches of Christ and Christian churches now observe Advent.

Answer:

To make it a tradition of something not found in the Bible is the key to understanding. We should not bind anything on the church that cannot be found in some way in the Bible and given authorization by God.

To bind churches with the requirement that they must talk about Advent and observe it would be wrong.

But at the same time, one should not neglect the need to talk about these events, as there are a lot of misconceptions and during the end of the year they are asked most often. We need to be ready in season and out of season when such questions are asked (II Timothy 4:1-5). When it is asked Christians should be prepared to answer any question pertaining to the subject of his coming and to rightly divide the truth (II Timothy 2:15). If Christians are well versed in these subjects then it would be fine to preach it any time of the year, even if it happens to fall in the season when denominations focus on the topic. Then when false doctrine rears its head, we can respond by saying, "Let's open up our Bibles and look at what God has said."

I might not celebrate Advent, but I do realize even though it is wrong to make it a mandate for the church to celebrate it, it still has created an opportunity for Christians to tell the gospel because of man's sin in creating a false Holy Days. We should take advantage of the situation if asked or if someone makes a statement. I do the same with Lent. I do not practice it because it is man-made but at the same time, if other people’s practices cause an opportunity to arise to talk about God, I won’t neglect to answer it with God’s truth. Even with man-made practices, God can make things work to His advantage and for us (Romans 8:28). It does not mean He approves of the practice, but can still bring about good results and get His will done no matter what man does, just as Christ dying on the cross resulted in good.

If someone asks you about what Advent means, say we celebrate Christ's: life, death, resurrection all 365 days of the year, remembering His death with the Lord's supper. But Lord's Supper also points to his return and spending eternity with him (Matthew 26:27-29). As Christians, we give thanks every day that he came into the world to save us, and every day we look forward to his coming.

Peace, Love, Prayer
Alan Feaster

Do the churches of Christ observe Palms Sunday?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 02:41:00 +0000

Question:

Do the churches of Christ observe Palms Sunday?

Answer:

Christians observe every Sunday in the worship of the Lord, but there is no teaching in the Bible to observe one Sunday differently from all other Sundays. Palms Sunday is a term used to refer to the day of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, but it is not mentioned in the Bible as a special day of worship. You won't find instructions in the New Testament for its existence or how worship on that day is supposed to be different from the other Sundays.

Response:

Thank you!