Christmas

Christmas has no scriptural basis in the Old Testament or the New Testament. Most Christians and secular people however still celebrate Christmas. Two prominent Christian groups that were anti Christmas were the Puritans and the present day Jehovah’s Witnesses. In my anecdotal experience many liberal and reform Jews also celebrate Christmas, especially where one parent is not ethnically Jewish.

I identify as a Biblic Jew but come from a secular background. I grew up with celebrating Christmas. But for the last several years I have not overtly celebrated Christmas or expressly rejected it. Since I'm not close to most of my family there isn't much pressure to go one way or the other. My brother is also a Jehovah's Witness so Christmas has gradually become less important in my family anyways.

As a Biblic Jew, how should I approach Christmas? From reading the second commandment I think it's a violation:

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Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the fathers’ sin, to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commands.

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In practical terms how does one approach Christmas day without violating the second commandment? Buying a tree and decorating it is a pretty flagrant form of idolatry. Gift giving is a less obvious violation. Most people will likely be invited to corporate events or social gatherings by seculars with Christmas themes, which is more of a gray zone.

My personal approach is that I don't do decorations or buy anyone gifts. I can't avoid receiving gifts though I could throw them away. In social settings that are holiday themed I'm guilty of being present but I try not to celebrate the occasion.

I'm single and without children, so it's easy to avoid this stuff. But if I did have a family I know there would be an expectation in America to celebrate Christmas.

My understanding is that an idol is an object of worship.  As long as you don't worship trees, I think having a Christmas tree is fairly safe.  And I see no religious problem with gift giving.

I don't like Christmas for different reasons.  I see it as a celebration of materialism, which I don't like.  So I refuse to have anything to do with Christmas.

You can always get out of Christmas by saying that you are Jewish now.  Then they may ask about Hanukkah.  In fact Hanukkah has no basis in the Hebrew Bible either.  You can say that your form of Judaism, like the Karaites, doesn't celebrate Hanukkah.  This is what I do.