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The 25th of December...
From a sermon preached by Spurgeon on Dec. 24, 1871--
We have no superstitious regard for times and seasons. Certainly
we do not believe in the present ecclesiastical arrangement called
Christmas. First, because we do not believe in the mass at all, but
abhor it, whether it be sung in Latin or in English. Secondly,
because we find no Scriptural warrant whatever for observing any
day as the birthday of the Savior; and consequently, its observance
is a superstition, because not of divine authority. 'Superstition' has
fixed most positively the day of our Savior's birth, although there is
no possibility of discovering when it occurred. ... It was not till the
middle of the third century that any part of the Church celebrated
the nativity of our Lord; and it was not till very long after the
Western Church had set the example, that the Eastern adopted it.
... Probably the fact is that the "holy" days were arranged to fit in
with the heathen festivals. We venture to assert, that if there be any
day in the year, of which we may be pretty sure that it was not the
day on which the Savior was born, it is the 25th of December. ...
Regarding not the day, let us, nevertheless, give God thanks for the
gift of His dear Son.
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