Christmas in July?

An Honest Perspective on a Man-Made Tradition

As July is closing and another new month is approaching, I’ve been reflecting on the saying “Christmas in July”. I see “Christmas in July” as a marketing strategy that signifies the halfway point to the Christmas holiday in December. In July, people can expect to see various items on sale (for instance, Amazon’s Prime Days are in July) and Hallmark announces re-runs of holiday films and may introduce new holiday-themed films. Christmas in July is an attempt to get people in the “Christmas spirit”, or as others may say, the “Holiday spirit”, and to at least prepare people for the holiday season that arrives 5 months later.

It is natural for people to experience an emotional high at the thought of Christmas and everything that surrounds the holiday season. In all of this anticipation, I still wonder, is Jesus truly the reason for the season? Sometimes I struggle with this question because various data sources consistently show that about 90% of Americans celebrate Christmas, religiously or culturally. 

This large percentage makes me question: how could it be that this holiday purely centers on the Messiah alone? If it was, then why do churches loudly tout: “Keep Christ in Christmas”? Shouldn’t it be obvious who the observance is for? Many may say Christmas is a Christian holiday. Yet Christmas means the Mass of Christ and was designated by the Catholic Church. Is Catholicism and Christianity synonymous? 

These are some of my questions and healthy suspicions about Christmas. If you’re reading this article and have had questions about Christmas as well, you’re not alone and you may be on to something. 

I will mention this upfront: This series is not for those who hold celebrating Christmas near and dear to their hearts. This series is for those who have ever questioned the true meaning or origin of Christmas and are willing to take a hard look at this tradition. I want to let those readers know that their questions are valid, they should test all things, and the answers you may find will likely lead you to more questions. More questions about other holidays and traditions and even questions about your faith. 

I encourage you to not be afraid of questions. How else can you know that your faith stands true unless it is tested? It’s healthy to question the traditions of man even if you’ve followed them your whole life. If you find yourself being defensive while reading along in this series and exploring your questions that may arise, I urge you to lead more into your curiosity than off of what you’ve known to believe as factual. Keep in mind that facts will endure the difficult questions. 

Here is my honest perspective on this man-made holiday and I will go more in-depth through the series: 

1. Christmas is not a holiday that honors Yah in the manner Christians acclaim. 

2. Christmas is widely accepted and revered by Christians because an emotional high overshadows its pagan practices.

In the next article on this topic, I will talk more about how the holiday relates more to Nimrod, a Babylonian pagan deity, than it does to Yeshua the Messiah.

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I will state my intention at the end of each article in this series and will begin here: Although I choose to refrain from celebrating this holiday, I have no authority to tell readers to do the same. I am sharing information for individual study. If readers are questioning this holiday, I would encourage them to pray to Yah on the matter and seek it out for themselves. I pray that my experience, journey, and the resources I share are helping readers in some way. All glory to Yah. Shalom (Peace, Wholeness, Well-Being).