How much of Christmas is Biblical?

Christmas Bible
Picture of Lindsay Rowe
Lindsay Rowe
Colonel Lindsay Rowe is an officer/pastor within The Salvation Army. He holds a BA honours degree in religious studies from Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he was awarded the university medal for academic excellence in religious studies, and a master of divinity in educational ministries from Tyndale University College and Seminary in Toronto. In his free moments, Lindsay loves reading and jogging.

The world is busy preparing for a holiday called Christmas. We receive gifts we would not ordinarily receive. We will enjoy time off work and school. Many will receive a Christmas bonus; all because Jesus had a birthday.

Many will receive a Christmas bonus; all because Jesus had a birthday. Share on X

I invite you to revisit five traditions and customs of Christmas with me this year.

1. Gift Giving

gift-givingSome say this practice has its roots in the gifts offered by the Three Wise Men. But if that were true, would it not be Jesus who receives the gifts? It gets rather confusing when we call it His birthday, but we get the gifts. It is more likely that gift giving has its roots in the Roman festival of Saturnalia since one of the common customs of the Romans at this time was the giving of gifts to one another. The most common gifts were little idols reflecting the image of one of the Roman gods as well as candles and green wreaths.

2. Mistletoe

mistletoeThe custom of hanging mistletoe has its roots in the Druids of England and their worship of demonic and cultic powers. Apparently their worship included the gathering of sacred mistletoe for sacrifices. These sacrifices were made in the month of December and were geared towards friendship and peace. The priests would cut the mistletoe with their golden sickles and pass them around to the people. Following a sacrifice of two white oxen, the people took the mistletoe and hung it in their homes. If you met someone under the mistletoe you were to embrace immediately.

3. The Nativity Scene

5-piece-nativity-setThe manger scene was made popular by St. Francis in the thirteenth century. As you read the text you realize that the Wise Men “came into the house” not the stable. This means that the scene of the Wise Men around the manger is really not biblical. Most early Christian writers place the nativity during the winter solstice but many modern students will place it between the end of July and the end of October. The date was finally fixed by the Roman Church in the 4th century although there is sufficient reason to doubt that it actually happened at that time.

4. ST. NICHOLAS/SANTA CLAUS AND THE HANGING OF STOCKINGS

Father Christmas, as he is sometimes known in most parts of the world does appear to be based on a real person. St Nicholas was a white-bearded bishop of Asia Minor (Myrna, in modern-day Turkey) who was believed to come back to life on December 6. The Dutch called him St. Nicholas Sinterklass, hence his most popular name, Santa Claus. It was said that St. Nicholas was very shy and wanted to help the poor without calling attention to himself. One day he climbed the roof of a house and dropped a purse of money down the chimney. The purse landed in a stocking that a little girl had hung out to dry by the fire.

Santas

5. CHRISTMAS CARDS

christmas_cardsIn 1846 a young man by the name of Sir Henry Cole, who owned his own art shop, created the concept of cards as a way of making money. The first known Christmas cards featured pictures of drinking scenes. Today most cards feature religious scenes or secular displays featuring Santa Claus.

How biblical are these traditions and customs of Christmas? Not very! How does the Bible influence your Christmas?

How does the Bible influence your Christmas? Share on X

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Code of Conduct for all Mission Partners of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda

1. Purpose
To provide mission partners with guidelines regarding their expected behaviour while undertaking work on behalf of TSA. The code of conduct states TSA’s commitment to operating in an ethical and legal manner that aligns with TSA’s mission, vision, values and Orders and Regulations. The code of conduct serves as a foundational standard for other conduct-related operating policies.

2. Basic Principles
All mission partners are expected to behave in ways that are aligned with TSA’s mission and values.

2.1. Mission Statement:
The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

2.2. Vision Statement
We are an innovative partner, mobilized to share hope wherever there is hardship, building communities that are just and know the love of Jesus.

2.3. Core Values:
Hope: We give hope through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Service: We reach out to support others without discrimination.
Dignity: We respect and value each other, recognizing everyone’s worth.
Stewardship: We responsibly manage the resources entrusted to us.

3. Conduct Expectations
The code of conduct provides guidelines for mission partner conduct. The code of conduct cannot cover every possible situation; mission partners are responsible for considering each issue in the context of TSA’s mission and values, recognizing that individual conduct may be understood as a reflection of TSA’s values, image, integrity and public trust. If a mission partner is unsure of a situation and needs guidance about their conduct or has concerns about the conduct of another person, they should speak with their supervisor or HR/officer personnel representative.

Mission partners will:
3.1. Comply with TSA policies and procedures.
3.2. Follow all applicable laws and at no time participate in, or assist others to participate in, any illegal, criminal or unethical activities.
3.3. Conduct themselves at all times with honesty, integrity and transparency.
3.4. Perform their defined duties to the best of their ability.
3.5. Treat others, including other mission partners, funders, clients and the public, with respect, dignity, fairness and courtesy.
3.6. Promote and support a work environment that is inclusive of all people and respects their unique abilities, strengths and differences.
3.7. Identify actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest and disclose them to their supervisor to help minimize or eliminate the impact of such conflicts, which could influence or appear to influence their judgment and actions. Refer to GV 01.003 Conflict of Interest policy for additional direction and requirements.
3.8. Collect, use and disclose confidential information only in accordance with TSA policy and applicable privacy laws. Ensure all records, documents and communications are accurate and that privacy is maintained as required by GV
01.009 Privacy.
3.9. Conduct all business, service and ministry activities in a responsible manner, consistent with TSA’s values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship.
3.10. Always strive to create and maintain the highest health, safety, wellness and environmental standards in all facilities and work areas.
3.11. Take every reasonable precaution to protect the safety of oneself and others and report accidents (however minor) and near-misses (accidents that almost happened), risky behaviours, and instances where equipment and/or building
deficiencies could compromise the safety of a workplace.
3.12. Use information technology, including internet and email, in a professional and appropriate manner, in accordance with TSA policy (IT 02.001 Computers and Information Technology Acceptable Use).
3.13. Ensure they are fit to work and able to perform assigned duties as required by their job description safely, satisfactorily and in compliance with HR 10.002 Substance Impairment in the Workplace.

TSA expects mission partners will not:
3.14. Act in a discriminatory, harassing or violent way toward others.
3.15. Use their position in order to gain an advantage over or exploit the vulnerability of others.
3.16. Destroy or take for personal use any items belonging to or safeguarded by TSA without prior written approval.
3.17. Solicit (money or goods) from clients, donors, vendors, contractors or any person in a position to benefit from their association with TSA. Mission partners will adhere to the requirements of HR 04.002 Gifts, Speaking Fees, and Testimonials policy.
3.18. Give the appearance that they are speaking on behalf of TSA when not authorized to do so or engage in any activity that would negatively impact TSA’s reputation, brand or public image, including the use of personal social media
accounts.
3.19. Initiate contact with the media or respond to their inquiries, and instead will refer all media inquiries to their supervisor, their public relations representative or TSA’s communications department.
3.20. Use, abuse or misuse paid time, TSA resources or the equipment assigned to them.
3.21. Misuse their authority, abuse power, act irresponsibly, retaliate against someone who reports misconduct or exclude others from workplace events.

4. Officers: Orders and Regulations
In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the code of conduct and Orders and Regulations, the latter shall take precedence.

5. Violation of the Code
If a mission partner believes the law, the code of conduct or TSA’s policies may have been violated or are about to be violated, they should inform their supervisor or report their concern through the Whistleblower hotline (see GV 01.008 Whistleblower policy).

Violation of the code of conduct is a serious matter and could result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.