the Apostle says,... “let no one act as your judge in regard to . . .”
He is saying don’t let anyone tell you these things are ‘requirements’ for fellowship with God.... They were only shadows of the person and work of Christ,.... He has not only come and fulfilled those shadows, but He is ‘totally sufficient’.
Colossians 2:16 and 17.... in no way forbids believers from commemorating something such as the birth of Christ if it is done out of love, devotion, and the joy the season gives when used as a way of focusing on the Savior and not as a religious duty...... The issue is not the observance date or time, but the reason, the attitudes and the spirit in which it is done.
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
The bold section of verse 17 is Paul verifying that the feasts are shadows of things yet to come. However, that wasn't the reason of this message here. Paul is telling the Colossians not to follow the made up rules of man - this is exactly what the Messiah taught the disciples to do. Yeshua even set out to break the rules of the Pharisees (e.g., healing on Sabbath, Wine out of holy water, etc.) intentionally. One reason was to bring attention to the very specific command of the Almighty: not to add to or take away from HIS commandments, and to let everyone know they were wrong to do so.