The Reason for Celebrations

Full Episode Transcript

Brother Richie Juatco: Celebrations are special occasions that mark meaningful moments, honor important milestones, or remember significant events. They are often filled with joy, gratitude, and hope, bringing people together to reflect on what matters most. While people celebrate for many different reasons—birthdays, achievements, holidays, or personal milestones—the celebrations recorded in the Bible all share a common purpose.

Stay with us. This is what we’ll be studying today, here on The Message. 

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The Reason for Celebrations

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The Message

Brother Richie: Hi. Thanks for joining us. I’m Brother Richie Juatco. 

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Brother Mark Vasquez

Minister of the Gospel

Brother Richie Juatco

Minister of the Gospel

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Is Jesus God or Man?

Brother Mark Vasquez: And I’m Brother Mark Vazquez. 

Today, many holidays and festivities are observed around the world. Although they may bring families and communities together in a joyful atmosphere, they are not always rooted in the purpose that God has established for His people. The Bible teaches that God’s people should be thoughtful about the reasons behind their celebrations. This is why for us in the Church Of Christ, we are careful to celebrate for the right reason.

So let’s ask, what does the Bible say about celebrating? What is the correct reason to celebrate, and what is the common purpose of celebrations among God’s people? Let’s ask that question, Brother Richie. 

Brother Richie: You know, Brother Mark, those are all good questions. So let’s find out what the Bible teaches to get our answers. We’ll read here in what’s recorded in the Book of Psalms. We’ll read Psalm, 145, verse 7 and then 6. It says, 

They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. They tell of the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great deeds. 

[Psalm 145:7 & 6 New International Version]

Brother Richie: Now the one speaking in these verses is King David, and he is mentioning to God the reason His people are celebrating. 

Brother Mark: What were they celebrating? 

Brother Richie: Well, we read, “They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.” So the goodness and righteousness of God is what His people celebrate.

Brother Mark: How do God’s people celebrate? Well, King David did mention, “They tell of the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great deeds.” Therefore, the purpose of their celebration is to praise God for His goodness and to thank Him for His great works towards them. The celebration of God’s people is a form of worship and praise to God, to express their gratitude and thanks.

Brother Mark: So, what are some ways that the people of God celebrate to praise and thank Him? 

Brother Richie: Let’s turn to an example. We’ll read here, we’ll stay here in the Book of Psalms. We’ll read Psalm, 149, verse 3 to 4. It says, 

Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp. For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation. 

[Psalm 149:3-4 New International Version]

Brother Richie: Here we see what God’s people include in their celebration and praise to Him. We read, “Let them praise his name with dancing.” So there are times when dancing, for the sake of praising God, is included in the celebrations. Now what else? We read, “make music to him.”

Brother Mark: And that’s why, very often, in special worship services to celebrate God’s goodness, special songs or hymns are prepared and performed by God’s people.

Brother Richie: And how does God feel when His people celebrate Him? Well, we did read, “the LORD takes delight in his people.” Therefore, if the celebrations, conducted by God’s people, are for the purpose of thanking and praising Him, then God is pleased and glorified. 

Brother Mark: But Brother Richie, what if someone were to say they just have their own celebration by themselves? What is it we should understand? What occasions should God’s people be praising or thanking Him? What is the instruction for God’s people today in the Christian era?

Brother Richie: So let’s read now from the New Testament because the prior verses we read was from the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament. Let’s read that instruction continuing today. We’ll read here in 1 Thessalonians, chapter 5, the verse is 18. Here it says, 

in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

[1 Thessalonians 5:18 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: The Bible clearly teaches us, “in everything give thanks.” Therefore, in everything that we do, in every plan that we make, in every occasion we celebrate, it should be to give thanks to God. If we celebrate a birthday, it should be to thank God for another year. If it’s a graduation, it should be to thank God for guidance, knowledge, and wisdom. 

Brother Mark: Yes, and if it’s to celebrate a promotion, it should be to also thank God for the added material blessing. If it is a wedding celebration, it should be to thank God for blessing the couple together.

Brother Richie: That’s right. If it is to celebrate an anniversary, it should be to thank God for the continuous protection and guidance for yet another year. 

Brother Mark: So why is it that God’s people do this? Why do God’s people thank Him for everything? 

Brother Richie: Well, we did read that, “for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” So for us in the Church Of Christ, this is the purpose of every celebration we participate in. The common theme running through the celebration in the Bible is remembering God’s work and responding with worship, gratitude, and praise. 

Brother Mark: But, Brother Richie, there might be some who are thinking, some might be thinking, “Why should I be thanking God for what I accomplished?” What’s our response or the response of the Bible? 

Brother Richie: That’s true. Now many, those that are watching, might be thinking, “Well, if I put in the hard work to achieve something great, then I should be celebrated, and the celebration should be in a way that makes me happy.” So, Brother Mark, for those that might think that, how is it that we can better understand the biblical teaching that, in everything, we should be thanking God? 

Brother Richie: Let’s read what the Bible says, so that it can be more clear for us. Let’s read that here in the Book of 1 Chronicles. We’ll read 1 Chronicles, we’ll read 29, we’ll read 11 up to verse 13,

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, And You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all. “Now therefore, our God, We thank You And praise Your glorious name.

[1 Chronicles 29:11-13 New King James Version

Brother Mark: These verses clarify why we should praise and thank God for everything.

Brother Richie: Now, Brother Mark, based on what you read, what is in God’s control and His prerogative to give people? 

Brother Mark: We read here, it says, “Yours, O LORD, is… greatness… power… glory… victory.”  So everything to be successful belongs to the Lord God. In fact, we read that God owns “all that is in heaven and in earth.”

Brother Richie: Well, Brother Mark, what if the argument is, “Well, the victory and success that I received, it came from my own blood, sweat, and tears?” 

Brother Mark: Of course, it’s commendable for one to use his own strength and the tools that are available, but then one must also understand from whom did the strength come from? Who supplied the blood, sweat, and tears? The Bible proclaims of God, “In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all.” Whether people believe it or not, we came from the Creator and He is the One in control of our victory and our success.

Brother Richie: Because of this, how do true servants of God celebrate great success? 

Brother Mark: We read here in these verses, “Now therefore, our God, We thank You And praise Your glorious name.” Because God owns everything and everything good comes from Him—He should always be the purpose of our celebrations. 

Brother Richie: Thank you for that, Brother Mark. Now, what if the line of reasoning is this? Some might think, “Okay, it’s already a given that God is the owner of everything, but what’s the harm in celebrating our own accomplishments without including God?” How does the Bible respond to those that might have that mindset? 

Brother Mark: Well, let’s turn to Jeremiah 9:23 for that answer. This is what the Bible says, if anyone had that kind of mindset,

Yahweh says this: “Wise men should not boast about their being wise, strong men should not boast about their being strong; and rich people should not boast about their being rich. 

[Jeremiah 9:23 Translation for Translators]

Brother Mark: Here, the Lord God Himself gives a clear instruction for anyone wanting to celebrate their own achievements or their own qualities. And what did God say? He said, “Wise men should not boast about their being wise, strong men should not boast about their being strong; and rich people should not boast about their being rich.” God made clear that people should not do that.

Brother Richie: So, Brother Mark, what then is a reason to boast about? 

Brother Mark: Well, let’s continue reading in the next verse, in verse 24. 

Instead, those who want to boast should boast about their knowing me and about understanding that I am Yahweh, that I am kind and just and righteous, that I faithfully love people, and that I am delighted with [people who act] that way.

[Jeremiah 9:24 Translation for Translators]

Brother Mark: Here, God teaches the reason to boast, be proud, or to celebrate. He said, “those who want to boast should boast.” But what’s the reason to boast? The Bible said here, “boast about their knowing me and about understanding that I am Yahweh,” or the Lord.

Brother Richie: Now, what should we understand about the Lord God? 

Brother Mark: He said here about Himself, He said, “I am kind and just and righteous.” And what else? He said, “I faithfully love people.”

Brother Richie: Brother Mark, which people does God love and is happy with? 

Brother Mark: Well, He said here, “I am delighted with [people who act] that way.” So again, we’re taught that knowing and understanding the Lord God is the right reason to boast, to be proud, to celebrate. 

Brother Richie: Thank you. Now, if we have that proper mindset, if that understanding—it really is the purpose of every celebration—then the manner of celebrating will also be guided with the noble or holy intention of making God happy.

Brother Mark: And since that is the case, why do members of the Church Of Christ not celebrate popular holidays like Christmas, Easter, and Halloween? Since the word “holiday” derives from the words holy day or religious celebration or festival, Brother Richie, should we also celebrate Easter, Halloween, and Christmas?

Brother Richie: You know, Brother Mark, I know why you’re asking those questions, because we get asked those questions all the time. 

Brother Mark: Very frequently, yes. 

Brother Richie: And to answer those questions the right way, we need to help people understand who are being celebrated and praised in those occasions. Now, we cannot read anything in the Bible because those occasions are not written in the Bible. 

Brother Mark: Yes, since we cannot read that in the Holy Scriptures. Instead, let’s read credible references that teach about those holidays. 

Brother Richie: Okay, so let’s start with Easter. Let’s first learn about the term Easter. Where did it come from? So we’re going to use as a reference the New Catholic Encyclopedia. We’ll read a quote from what is written in page six. And it says, 

[Source: New Catholic Encyclopedia Vol 5 page 6. Nihil Obstat: John P. Whalen, M.A.,S.T.D.,Censor Deputatos.  Imprimatur: Patrick A. O’Boyle, D.D., Archbishop pf Washington. Palatine, Illinois, USA: Jack Heraty and Associates, Inc., 1967]

Since Bede the Venerable (De ratione temporum 1:5) the origin of the term for the feast of Christ’s Resurrection has been popularly considered to be from the Anglo-Saxon Eastre, a goddess of spring.

Brother Richie: Here we learn that the term Easter is from the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring, Eastre. And Eastre is also known by the Babylonians and others as Ishtar and other similar names. So the origin does not lead to our Creator, the Lord God, but rather a pagan goddess. 

Brother Mark: But maybe the origin of the name is the only thing that’s pagan. How about the traditions and the customs of Easter that are widely celebrated by many people? 

Brother Richie: Well, since it is a Catholic custom, we can read from one of the references, just a Catholic dictionary. We’ll actually go under one of their customs here. Under Easter, Easter eggs. This is what we can read. Here it says, 

[Source: Catholic Dictionary Page 169 Nihil obstat: Arthur Scanlan, Imprimatur: Patrick Cardinal Hayes, Archbishop of New York]

Easter Eggs may possibly be a “baptized” pagan custom, since they are an obvious symbol of fertility. In many places it is still the practice to paint the eggs and bring them to church in decorated baskets for a blessing before or after Mass. Chocolate eggs and such-like fooleries are a degeneration of no significance.

Brother Richie: So, based on the Catholic dictionary, because the popular customs of Easter are a baptized pagan custom, that are a degeneration of no significance, we here inside the Church Of Christ do not celebrate or participate in Easter. 

So Brother Mark, how about the popular seasonal holiday called Halloween? 

Brother Mark: Halloween. That’s widely celebrated by many people. But since there’s no mention of it in the Bible, let’s learn about it from the Book, The Facts on Halloween. We’ll read on pages 5-6 and also 10-11,

[Source: The Facts On Halloween, by The John Ankerberg Show, 1996]

… Halloween took the place of a special day celebrated by the ancient Druids, who were the learned or priestly class of the Celtic religion … These Celtic people lived in northern France and the British Isles. They engaged in occult arts, worshiped nature, and gave it supernatural, animistic qualities … The Celts worshiped the Sun God (Belenus) especially on Beltane, May 1, and they worshiped another god, apparently the Lord of Death or the Lord of the Dead, on Samhain [pronounced “SOW-in”], October 31. … “In the Middle Ages the Catholic Church attempted to oppose the paganism involved in the Samhain [pronounced “SOW-in”] festival by making November 1 All Saint’s Day and November 2 All Soul’s Day… “In 835 Pope Gregory IV transferred this feast of All Saints to November 1 and extended it to include all the saints. So November 1, All Saint’s Day, the day after Halloween (Hallow’s Eve or All Saint’s Eve), became a day dedicated by the Catholic Church to the Virgin Mary and the saints.

Brother Mark: So here we learn that “Halloween took the place of a special day celebrated by the ancient Druids.” Who are the ancient Druids? They were the priestly class of the Celtic religion. 

Brother Richie: Brother Mark, what day did Halloween take the place of? 

Brother Mark: A day called “Samhain, October 31.” And what was special about Samhain? Well, it was when “they worshipped… the Lord of Death or the Lord of the Dead.” So again, the origin does not lead to our Creator, the Lord God, but rather another pagan god. 

Brother Richie: So Brother Mark, just like the question that you asked me, I’m going to ask you the same thing. Maybe it’s just the origin that came from pagan beliefs. How about the other beliefs or customs of Halloween that are being celebrated and participated in? 

Brother Mark: The practices that they’re doing for Halloween. 

Brother Richie: That’s right.

Brother Mark: Let’s continue reading. We’ll keep reading on page 11,

[Source: The Facts On Halloween, by The John Ankerberg Show, 1996]

Eventually, November 2 became All Soul’s Day as a special day to pray for the dead. … 

Reminiscent of the ancient Druids, the Catholic Church still teaches that the living may, through various acts, alleviate the sufferings of the dead. They may pray for the souls being tormented in purgatory and ease their pains through specific or sacrificial acts such as penance, partaking of the Sacraments, mortification, using the Rosary, and good deeds like almsgiving.” (Ibid.) 

Brother Mark: Here we learn that “the Catholic Church still teaches that the living may… alleviate the sufferings of the dead.”

Brother Richie: Brother Mark, where did they get that teaching, because that is the opposite teaching of what is actually written in the Bible. 

Brother Mark: We read, according to their book, reminiscent of the ancient Druids. So since this is not a biblical teaching, but a pagan belief, we here inside the Church Of Christ, we do not celebrate or participate in Halloween.

Brother Richie: That’s right, Brother Mark. Now let’s learn about the popular holiday at the end of the calendar year, Christmas. Many people regard Christmas as their favorite holiday because it brings people together and fills them with joy and gratitude.

Brother Mark: But since Christmas or any of its customs that are performed today are also not taught in the Bible, where did it come from? 

Brother Richie: So again, because it’s not in the Bible, we have to use a reference of where it’s taught, who is teaching that. So we’re going to learn from what’s written in the book entitled, Words of Life. This is the quote from page 423,

[Source: Words Of Life, page 423]

The Roman Catholic Church chose December 25 as the day for the Feast of the Nativity in order to give Christian meaning to existing pagan rituals. For example, the Church replaced festivities honoring the birth of Mithra, the god of light, with festivities to commemorate the birth of Jesus, whom the Bible calls the light of the world. The Catholic Church hoped to draw pagans in to its religion by allowing them to continue their revelry while simultaneously honoring the birthday of Jesus.

Brother Richie: So here we are able to learn that “The Roman Catholic Church chose December 25 as the day for the Feast of the Nativity.” Now we need to point out that December 25 is not the birthday of Jesus Christ, as many have been taught, but rather a date that the Catholic Church chose.

Brother Mark: That’s very interesting, Brother Richie. Why did they choose that date for the Feast of the Nativity? 

Brother Richie: Well, we were able to learn “in order to give Christian meaning to existing pagan rituals.” Now what pagan ritual or festivities did Christmas replace or originate from? We read, “festivities honoring the birth of Mithra, the god of light.” Once again, the origin of this holiday does not lead to our Creator, the Lord God, but rather another pagan God.

Brother Mark: Some people might be thinking, “Well, it’s just the date. It’s just the origin.” But is it merely the date and intention of honoring the birth of a god that has pagan origins? How about the other customs that are also associated with the Christmas celebration? 

Brother Richie: So let’s get another reference to learn from. We’ll read the World Book Encyclopedia. We’ll read what is recorded on page 512,

[Source: The World Book Encyclopedia, page 512]

The ancient Romans held year-end celebrations to honor Saturn, their harvest god; and Mithras, the god of light. Various peoples in northern Europe held festivals in mid-December to celebrate the end of the harvest season. As part of all these celebrations, the people prepared special foods, decorated their homes with greenery, and joined in singing and gift giving. These customs gradually became part of the Christmas celebrations.

Brother Richie: So this reference supports what we already learned, that “The ancient Romans held year-end celebrations to honor Saturn, their harvest god; and Mithras, the god of light.” 

Brother Mark: So how is it that the ancient Romans, who, by the way, were pagans, how did they celebrate then? 

Brother Richie: Well, as we learned, “As part of… these celebrations, the people prepared special foods, decorated their homes with greenery, and joined in singing and gift giving.” Now these customs sound familiar. Why is that? Well, we learned these customs gradually became part of the Christmas celebration. So because this celebration and its customs are not biblical teachings, we here inside the Church Of Christ do not celebrate or participate in Christmas.

Brother Mark: Brother Richie, some of our friends joining us, they might be thinking,
So what if these holidays or these celebrations and their customs originated from pagans? What’s the harm in adapting, combining these beliefs and practices, and just making it our own?” 

Brother Richie: Well, as members of the Church Of Christ, we are very careful that every belief, practice, and teaching that we accept and follow is based on what is actually written in the Bible. We do this to protect our relationship with God, our Creator. 

Therefore, in that question that you asked, Brother Mark, what’s the harm? Well, the harm in adapting or combining beliefs and practices from anyone to make it our own, the harm would be ruining our relationship with our God. 

Brother Mark: And we don’t want that. We don’t want to ruin our relationship with the Lord God.

So we also want to be clear that we are particularly careful not to adapt any customs from pagans specifically. 

Brother Richie: Why is that, Brother Mark? Why is it that you bring that up? That although we don’t want to adapt or adopt any practices, customs, or beliefs from anyone, pagans specifically, we don’t want to do that. 

Brother Mark: Let’s read what the danger is here, in the book of Ephesians, we’ll read 4 and the verse is 17,

Therefore I say this — indeed, in union with the Lord I insist on it: do not live any longer as the pagans live, with their sterile ways of thinking.

[Ephesians 4:17 Complete Jewish Bible]

Brother Mark: Here the Bible makes clear God’s prohibition through Apostle Paul. What is prohibited? We read, “do not live any longer as the pagans live.” 

Brother Richie: Now, Brother Mark, is that prohibition merely the personal opinion of Apostle Paul?

Brother Mark: No, he clarified, “I say this — indeed, in union with the Lord.” Why does the Lord not want us to follow the customs or the ways of pagans? He’s guiding us not to follow “their sterile ways of thinking.” It should be clear that pagans or paganism is a religion that worships many gods. 

Brother Richie: That’s right. And many holidays today are celebrated not to praise or thank the God of the Bible, but to praise or celebrate various false gods. And this is the reason why we do not participate in any events associated with those types of holidays or celebrations. 

Here in the Church Of Christ, our celebrations have the same purpose of those written in the Bible. It is to thank and praise God. And with this proper mindset, the manner of celebrating will also be guided with the noble or holy intention of making God happy. 

Brother Mark: For those not yet of the same faith, but keeping an open mind, we invite and encourage you to come visit a congregation near you. Or if you want, ask us a question now by clicking the link in the description and inquire how to listen to the basic teachings of the Bible. 

Brother Richie: And if you’re already going through those lessons, or wherever you are in your spiritual journey, make sure that your journey does not stop here. 

Keep watching and growing with us and stay constantly tuned in to The Message. 

On behalf of all of us here at The Message, we are very grateful for you joining us in this episode. But before we conclude, please join us for a short prayer.

Brother Mark:  Our loving Father in Heaven, You are Almighty, and You are so great. It is in Your hand to make one successful here in this life, and we remember that You are the one who is kind and You’re the one who blessed us with any accomplishment that we have in this life. And even though we remember the hard work that we might have given or maybe any sacrifices that have been made, at the end of the day, You were the one who helped us and You’re the one who deserves all praise and all glory.

So any celebration, dear Father, we remember that it is You who deserves all praise. You are the One who deserves all honor. So please accept the praises of Your people, for being so kind unto all of us.

And please also protect our hearts so that we will not fall into any kind of false belief. There are some who celebrate in false ways. Others are superficial in the way that they praise You. So, dear Father, may it be that our purpose is always true, that we always remember You in everything that we do. 

Our Lord and our Savior, Jesus Christ, we also remember You and how kind You are to us. Please, Lord Jesus, also accept our praise and our worship to Your name. Please continue to mediate on our behalf and help us so that we will continue to praise You and our Father in Heaven. 

Loving Father in Heaven, it is our faith that You will continue to bless our hearts and our minds to remember You in everything that we do. May You bless our friends that are also joining us in this study and may they too also make the decision to praise and worship Your highest name inside of the Church Of Christ.

Thank you for listening to our prayer. We have confidence You will continue to be with Your people. 

We pray these things in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen. 

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