OK, so you think we shouldn't celebrate Christmas because there is nothing in Scripture that mentions the Apostles celebrating it? If that's the case, where in Scriptures do we read of the Apostles commemorating Jesus's Death and Resurrection? Yes, they preach Christ Crucified and Risen, but did they have any celebrations surrounding it? If not, then are our celebrations of Easter also 'extra Scriptural'?
Christmas commemorates the Birth of our Redeemer. The Apostles probably never thought about celebrating Jesus's Birth; they were too intent on distributing His Message to the world. After the Gospel writers included the story of Jesus's birth, those who read it began to consider celebrating it, so that naturally WOULD have been well after His Death, and not included in the Scriptures.
Because I want to live not by bread alone, but by every Word of God - since the tradition of Christmas is not found anywhere in Scripture (but has deep roots in paganism) - I do not observe the tradition.
If that's the case, where in Scriptures do we read of the Apostles commemorating Jesus's Death and Resurrection?
You read of the commemoration, and Jesus' admonition to commemorate His death at the Passover - because Jesus had to LITERALLY become mankind's Passover sacrifice.
I Corinthians 11:23-26 gives Christians specific instructions and understanding of the Passover pointing to Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul explains why proclaiming the Lord's DEATH is the only biblical instruction of commemoration regarding Jesus.
but did they have any celebrations surrounding it? If not, then are our celebrations of Easter also 'extra Scriptural'?
Yes. Easter is a tradition grafted into the church almost 3 centuries after Jesus' Resurrection. There is no record of commemoration in the New Testament of a feast or commemoration of the Resurrection until around the 300's A.D.
Up until then, the Christian church commemorated the Lord's Death at Passover - until the Roman church at the council of Nicea outlawed the practice and adopted Easter to replace it. That's historical fact.
Christmas commemorates the Birth of our Redeemer.
So declared the church some 3 centuries after the Ascension of Jesus, with no evidence or record or mention of His mother, father, or disciples ever commemorating it, much less WHEN.
The Apostles probably never thought about celebrating Jesus's Birth; they were too intent on distributing His Message to the world. After the Gospel writers included the story of Jesus's birth, those who read it began to consider celebrating it, so that naturally WOULD have been well after His Death, and not included in the Scriptures.
Your logical progression serves you well if you never knew or understood the history of how the tradition was grafted into the church and the faith. I marvel however at the lack of understanding of WHY the account of Jesus' birth was included in the Gospels.
It was NOT for the purpose of commemorating a birthday. Certainly scripture gives no indication that ANY messenger of God, including Noah, Abraham or Moses had dates given in which Israel commemorated their births.
The account of Jesus' birth is NECESSARY to illustrate that He is the Messiah, just as much as the account of His death is. The difference is that Paul tells us to proclaim Jesus' death, but there is NO biblical evidence or admonition to proclaim His birth. That is simply a man-made construct due the combining of pagan traditions that replaced the god that was worshipped with Jesus, while the traditions itself remained unchanged.
I therefore do not observe those traditions. I recall God's absolute anger at Ancient Israel whenever His people combined the worship God laid out in scripture, with the traditions of the Canaanite nations that surrounded them. I believe God is the same yesterday, today and forever and does not change. In fact I believe Jesus WAS the God of the Old Testament that spoke to Moses and the patriarchs band laid down the Law and the Commandments (John 1:1-3. 14)