The recent statement by the General Superintendent of the Deeper
Christian Life Ministry, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, that Christmas is idolatrous has
attracted widespread reactions. Pastor Kumuyi was quoted in the Punch newspaper
of December 13, 2013, as saying:
“We don’t celebrate Christmas. It actually came from
idolatrous background. That is why you don’t hear us sing what they call
Christmas carol. Never! ... When you find anybody coming in, or any leader,
trying to introduce the idolatry of mystery Babylon that they call Christmas,
and you want to bring all the Christmas carol saying that is the day that Jesus
was born, and you don’t find that in the Acts of the Apostles or in the early
church, then you don’t find that in the church either. If you don’t know
that before, now you know.”
*Ugochukwu Ejinkeonye |
These are indeed weighty, unsettling
words on a widely cherished festival. The reactions they immediately stirred
were, therefore, to be expected. However, it was a very courageous assertion by
Pastor Kumuyi and I would love to pitch my tent with those who insist that he
is right, and that those attacking him are either doing so out of sheer lack of
adequate information on the matter or, worse, unwittingly betraying their
reluctance to let go of a cherished idol.