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Christmas
gmik:
Wow Marlene beautiful story! Thank you for sharing.
Great thoughts from all of you.
Eileen, that part about your husband driving would bother me too. Wouldn't the family understand? Have a quiet Eve at home??
Families are hard to deal w/ at times. We put up a tree and eat. We give our grown kids money to help them out, and like Dennis, I do get gifts for the grandkids :D
We NEVER celebrated Christs birth at Christmas. It was an American tradition, and Santa Claus was pretend. Thats how my kids grew up. We were to celebrate Jesus' life EVERY day.
It is not remotely a christian (babylonian) holiday. We eat and see family. Period. We do not exchange gifts w/ anyone outside our immediate family. Jerry and I haven't given gifts to each other ever. Well, except this: Hey, you got me these new jeans for Christmas. Oh, I did? OK.
Eileen, don't worry in Oct about Dec. Trust God. You have been given lots of advice here-seek the Lord's counsel too. It will all be OK. You will see ;)
Love ya,
gena
(Will keep you in prayer!)
PS Wow. Dennis, I have never seen you post so much! I like it :)
musicman:
Christmass? What's that? Just another day to me. In fact, on December 25 I just grudgingly go to visit family members and sit around gloating to myself about how much I know about this pagan holiday. It hurts my insides to not scream out "pagan holiday", winter solstice" "you indoctrinated traditionalists", ha ha ha. After spending those hours, arrogantly laughing to myself about how I have not gotten sucked into the hype, I finish stuffing my face, collect my many presents and head home. Christmas? Who needs it?
But I do need that 56 inch plasma TV, so Merry Christmas everbody!!
cjwood:
--- Quote from: musicman on October 19, 2008, 11:01:38 PM ---Christmass? What's that? Just another day to me. In fact, on December 25 I just grudgingly go to visit family members and sit around gloating to myself about how much I know about this pagan holiday. It hurts my insides to not scream out "pagan holiday", winter solstice" "you indoctrinated traditionalists", ha ha ha. After spending those hours, arrogantly laughing to myself about how I have not gotten sucked into the hype, I finish stuffing my face, collect my many presents and head home. Christmas? Who needs it?
But I do need that 56 inch plasma TV, so Merry Christmas everbody!!
--- End quote ---
i was wondering when the tv was going to come into your story. i know you wouldn't miss your football on christmas. your so silly.
indianabob:
Just one additional comment for Eileen and Marlene, from Indiana Bob
All good comments, friendly, reasonable, even a little corrective in love.
The main consideration for me is to be sure that I'm pleasing God.
And as has already been said, flavor every action, every decision with LOVE.
To Eileen, please do not worry about how you handle it this year or next year or even the third year. Gently let your family know that you are learning some new things and let it go at that. Our God is very patient and ALL knowing. You do not have to prove anything to God and I'm convinced that we shouldn't even try. Let it come naturally.
The main thing for those who are new to Bible Truths and to the forum is to LISTEN to the teaching of God's spirit in your heart, in your mind, in the things you read in scripture and in the breeze blowing in the trees. Just relax and accept that you are a beloved child of God that God is working with on an individual basis. God is touching you gently and will guide you at a pace that will benefit you in the best way. Just let His spirit flow over you and enjoy it for a year or two. You and I do not have to measure up to some standard that we set for ourselves. When God is ready for you to perform a task for Him then HE will tell you. You do not have to straighten things out for Him or meet a certain standard. When the time is right you will know it and you will respond with joyful obedience and love toward our Lord and comforter Jesus.
It is just like falling in love for the first time. You're like a tender, young teen ager in God's heart and His son and our Lord will smile and appreciate any little, simple thing that you do or say. He can even make an honest mistake turn out fine.
Relax, enjoy, God loves you.
Bob
OBrenda:
Eileen,
I do understand your need to sort this all out now, if your family is similar to mine they start shopping & planning now. You just want to avoid being trapped in the expectations of the years past. In sorting through this youself, Bob gave excellent advice, give it time before you run in and make big changes.
Here's why.....Our Beloved Sage Music Man gave you the answer, we may be trading one idol for another idol.
Sort out what you cherish about it, and what is carnal. We are complicated creatures, some times our motives are not as impartial as we think. Our righteousness comes not from doing or not doing Christmas.
The only righteousness/light that comes, is from Christ through you to be seen by them.
On this subject, many have had an experience of feeling betrayed when finding the truth about Santa Clause.
Oddly enough, my reaction was my Love & Respect for my parents increased to know they gave to me without taking any credit for it! That deepened my understanding of giving without reward.
I'm sorting through this with you,
Brenda
:)
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