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Christmas or Xmas
Truth101:
Hi, all.
I was just wondering if Ray has a study paper on Christmas? I stopped celibrating Christmas quite a few years ago as I really saw nothing concerning it having to do with Christ at all.
I never realler even questioned it even after coming to Rays site. It had already seemed to be a dead issue with me. That is until I had a little baby boy that is now 3 and loves Christmas (of course :).
I just wanted to get anyones thoughts on where they stand on it and how they have handled the situation with any children you might have.
Any reply is much appreciated.
In His name, Dave
Craig:
We celebrate it as a holiday. We're off work. The kids get some gifts, we spend allot of time with family, and we get fatter. :)
If I had my choice, I would like the day off, but could leave the rest of it. I just smile and celebrate with everyone else though that's not were my heart is.
Craig
Chris R:
It is a nice holiday, and it most cases folks seem to be a tad bit nicer for the seasons sake.
I suppose we can take all the kindness life can give us, there is plenty of contrast to go around
Merry Christmas
Chris R
Alberta_Guy:
I agree with Graig. My heart is not into Christmas at all anymore. In fact for me it is almost as if a heavy weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I see little if anything that glorifies God during this time. What I do see is stressed out people spending beyond their means on more and more "stuff", often going deeper in debt. Who has the most beautiful lights on the block, the prettiest tree etc. And of course there is always the touching story of some unselfish persons giving that makes the local news, touches our heart and gives the illusion that we are a caring society. Yup, after spending 2,000 dollars on a new Prada purse many people will drop 5 dollars in the salvation army cup. Really Christlike :P . Don't forget about putting our best suit and fur coat on and heading off to a majestic cathedral to praise God. But we're in a hurry because we have to spend time with sick Auntie Gertrude, and be sure to be nice to her kids, its Christmas. Of course the rest of the year she is ignored like the plague ;)...Speaking of children what do they learn? Well they are told lies about a Santa Claus and taught from an early age how to covet of course! Is it any surprise that kids often have trouble believing in God after all this. And last but not least could someone please tell me how you would feel if it was your birthday and no one had a gift for you. Instead they all exchanged gifts with each other. I mean really, whats that all about. I think for those of us who are followers of Jesus have the same spirit in us whether its Dec. 25th or July 25th. We should keep fast a Christlike character throughout the year and not just wear that face for one day. Babylon looks so silly when you have left her and are looking back in.
God bless.
Frank
Kat:
Hi Truth101,
Here all I could find that Ray says about this.
http://bible-truths.com/lake16-C.html ---------------------------
CHRISTMAS:
Most religious festivals of the world have something to do with sex or fertility. The Christian Holy Days are no different. They ARE in fact, little more than these same pagan festivals with Christian orientations. Christmas, for example IS the pagan Roman Saturnalia or sometimes called "The Festival of Lights." But even the Saturnalia predates the founding of Rome by centuries. This same festival can be traced to Babylon, and yes, you guessed it, to Egypt and their winter celebration of lights.
December 25 is near the winter solstice. It is the time when the sun after having been at the lowest point in the heavens, beings to rise over the world with renewed vigor and power. It was the time of heathen festivities in worship of the sun. The vernal equinox is the point where the sun crosses the celestial equator, about March 20, making day and night of equal length everywhere. This was the time of pagan spring festivals.
The day of December 25 acquired a new significance under the rule of Emperor Aurelian. He proclaimed this day as "Dies Natalis Invicti Solis," or the Birthday of the Unconquered Sun. This was because of a strange Eastern religion, Mithraism, whose god Mithras was identified with the Unconquered Sun. During the Saturnalia work of every kind ceased. Schools were closed.
The Roman Saturnalia was boisterous. But whatever the behavior of some Romans, others were simply merry. They ate big dinners, visited their friends, etc. The halls of the Romans were decked with boughs of laurel and of green trees, with lighted candles and with lamps--for the hovering spirits of darkness were afraid of light. Bonfires were lit in high places to strengthen the reviving sun in his course. Candles and green wreaths were given as presents, the streets were crowded with noisy processions of men and women carrying lighted tapers, and public places were decked with flowers and shrubs. The practice of giving and receiving presents was almost as common then as it is now at Christmas. Our present day "Christmas spirit" is actually the spirit of this old Roman festival.
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,2759.0.html -------
Dear Shannon:
Of course everyone says they want the truth and they want it straight until you give it to them. Hopefully, you are different.
Yes, Christimas and all of its accoutrements and paraphania (evergreen tree, orbs, eggs, mistletoe, presents, winter solstice, yule logs, fires, drinking, etc.) are also pagan. But then again virtually all who shun this day with great horror think nothing of having a traditional wedding with the same pagan acoutrements (vale, something old, something new; something borrowed, something blue, rings, rice, honeymoon, bells, wedding cake, etc.). Then of course at least some of them have their boys in the Boy Scouts with all their pagan accoutrements (left-handed locking little finger hand shake, spirit of scouting, the insignia--fleur-de-lis, etc). Did I mention that it was the pagans who whore shoes before the Christians. The Scriptures tell us that we should "Be ye not righteous over much" (Ecc. 7:16). And Paul said: "To the pure all things are pure." I just don't get all bent out of shape over these things. I personally do not get caught up in the "spirit" of any of these things, but neither do I condemn those who do. These are things that each of us must decide in their own way. However, for what it is worth: Dumping Christmas for Hannukah seems to me like jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
God be with you,
Ray
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,2855.0.html ------
Dear mommateeh:
Understand that if there never was a Roman Saturnalia pagan fest in mid-winter, there would not be a Christmas, or an X-mas, or a day of exchanging gifts and kissing under the mistletoe, drinking eggnog and booze, putting eggs [orbs] on evergreen trees, etc., etc., etc. What people do with such days (Easter of also pagan) is up to them. I do not condemn anyone for keeping Christmas or Easter. Of course your friends and relatives will hate yhou if you don't partake of these customs. It's hard to obey Jesus until you begin to see the value in doing so. I know that people have a good time and enjoy the Christmas Season. They also enjoyed it when it was called the Saturnalie in pagan Rome. But on the other hand, your are right, people get all spiritually bent out of shape over Christmas, and become much much holier-than-thou because they have a little knowledge. I get Christmas presents. I accept them. I thank the givers, and enjoy the gifts. Didn't Jesus "eat and socialize with SINNERS in their own homes?" Try not to destroy your family over this Season of the year. Life is not always easy.
God be with you,
Ray
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