It's ridiculous to say that Christians shouldn't celebrate Christmas. What does it matter if Romans worshipped the sun on this day? Does that mean WE are worshipping the sun by getting together with family and giving gifts to each other and remembering Christ's birth? Of course not. Is it wrong to thank God more than usual for the Resurrection around Easter time, just because Easter is "pagan"? Of course not. How absurd.
But please don't get the idea that we should be scrooges and bah, humbug away the days our loved ones hold important, we should always be a light and not a burden to those around us. I will take the opportunity again this year to witness to my family and friends how every minute of every day belongs to Him, as I do the other days of the year.
Hi Iris,
A year ago I asked Ray about celebrating Christmas. I was new to Bible-Truths.com and was asking Ray all sorts of questions because I was desperately seeking "truth" and only wanted to associate with those who were worshipping God in truth. I am retyping Ray's answer to my question:
"As for Christmas, well, it's the feast of the Roman Saturnalia, and as such is not something that Believers should be actively participating in. However, if a wife or husband insists on keeping Christmas for the kids sake, I certainly wouldn't break up a marriage over it. Paul taught us that: "Unto the pure all things are pure." Let the world do their thing, and remember that we are not to be "OF this world" even though we must still live IN it."
His answer satisfied me because I had done my own research on the origins of Christmas, as well as Easter, i.e. pagan. I no longer decorate or participate in the gift giving aspects of Christmas. I'm blessed that my family respects my decision, this includes my only child who is now 23 years old. This does not mean that there has not been some subtle persecution surrounding this issue. I still stiffen when I have to defend my beliefs.
I do not rule out spending time with famiily and love ones during this time of year because that is when most people have time off from their jobs. Whatever we do, we must do it through the spirit of love.
I hope this is of some help to you.
May the Lord's peace and grace be with you,
Rene'
SO WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
What does God think of the religion and wisdom and customs of Egypt?
It means that virtually everything about Christendom—from its name ‘Church,’ to the architecture of their buildings, to the origin of their holy days and doctrines, is all straight out of heathenism,
of which God Almighty declares:
"LEARN NOT THE WAY OF THE HEATHEN… inquire NOT after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? Even so WILL I DO LIKEWISE" (Jer. 10:2 & Deut. 12:30).
. We are told to separate ourselves from the world
The physical world sometimes reflects the spiritual. If someone has a fancy car, goes to clubs and loves to dress in rich clothing—this physical reflects whats in the inside of this person.
Love,
Madeline
I think this Christmas thread, or thanksgiving or easter, or birthdays, or, or, or.............. is getting away from what we should be concerned about.
Romans 14 should be studied.
Rom 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
Now, if you don't want to celebrate a holiday or other festive occasion, then by all means don't. If you wish to celebrate then by all means do. It is between you and God, I for one won't tell you what you should do, I think the verse in Romans speaks volumes. If I tell you I don't celebrate Christmas or any other holiday it may be a stumbling block to some brothers/sisters, if I tell you I do celebrate holidays it may be a stumbling block to others.
If what we do outwardly is of our own strength of spirit rather than God working in us, what have we accomplished?
The great thing about this forum is, I believe, that all here are seeking the same goals and prize, and I hope we are not viewed as judgemental, legalistic, etc.
We must let Christ work through US, not...US... through Christ, because if we do that then we my as well spit in the wind.
Merry Christmas! :D ;)
Craig
Hello,
The meaning of Christmas, today, is the birthdate of Jesus, regardless of it's origen, the average person believes this day to be the day that Christ was born. God has allowed this day to be a day when a large portion of humanity comes together to celebrate His being.
While I agree that "God has allowed" this day (Christmas) to be what it is, I don't believe that a very large portion of humanity meditates on the significance of the birth, life & death of our Lord, nor does much of humanity contemplate what His Spirit is accomplishing now.
What I do see is crass commercialism which merchandises away most of what many claim this day represents, greed, envy, resentment and many lusts are encouraged even as many charitable functions do works in helping the less fortunate among us, why is it more important to feed a hungry person on December 25 rather than June 19th? or August 11th?
Please excuse my ignorance, in reading the posts it left me wondering about these things. I was hoping that one of you would share with me your personal feelings. I am not talking about doctrine, history supports that Christmas has it's roots in paganism, but truly what is it that you are feeling on this day??
My own personal feelings are that I enjoy seeing friends and family (as I do most days) but the pressure to follow traditions that often give people a sense of anxiety especially in regard to buying, decorating, giving, etc. can be overwhelming to those who feel they are not "measuring up" to some TV commercial that is propagating the ultimate retail bonanza.
My own feelings are that Thanksgiving is a more "spiritual" day for many since this day carries very little baggage or expectations other than gathering with family to share a meal together thankfully for all that has been provided for us and our families and friends. But again this is something that I do way more than one day a year, it is becoming a constant state of mind even if the gathering is not an every day occurance.
What do you do on Christmas, what are your thoughts???
Is the food ready? What time does the game come on? ;D
Just kidding (sort of), I tend to go with the flow, if anyone wants to discuss the life and ministry of Jesus all the better.
Do you feel that you are glorifying the Lord in some way or that by seperating youself there is some type of spiritual reward??
I personally do not seperate myself but I can understand those who do, the bigger question is what example do we set or how consistantly are we there for family, friends and neighbors the other 364 days a year? How often do we contemplate the significance of Jesus Christ in our life during Christmas or any other day?
Do you feel that family that chooses to participate in traditional Christmas activities are benefiting from your decision not participate?? Do you feel society as a whole benefits in some type of way?? Is it just so repulsive for you to know the origen behind the day, the only way you can have peace is to seperate yourself??
As I alluded to previously I feel that if we are consistant in how we live our lives day to day, a kind or encouraging word, a helping hand, a sympathetic ear and a willingness to share the source of our joy when presented with the opportunity (no matter the calander date) then we are definitely benefitting those who are in our circle of friends, neighbors and family.
My intent is not to offend, I would like to have a deeper understanding of what you are feeling and what motivates you to isolate yourself from friends and family on Christmas day? I know that this must be difficult for you so there must be many reasons for your choice that I have never thought about.
I hope this has helped in your understanding.
I have always viewed Christmas as a great day to share truth. The world is starving, there is a famine of the true word.
As there is the other 364 days (365 in leap year) ;)
19Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. (Only or especially on December 25? Or every day?)
God bless,
Kennymac
His Peace and Wisdom to you,
Joe
Hi Gena,
Well thanks for the confidence,
I think I just have the time to do the hunting.
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.
All of this pagan nonsense found in the Christian Church came out of Rome and Greece and Egypt. The worship of sex and fertility pictured by symbols of sex and reproduction and fertility was a major part of pagan religion, and Egypt was the origin of many of these pagan practices. Did God reveal His truth to the Egyptians and expect Moses to learn the truths of God from the Egyptians? Moses learned all the pagan customs of Egypt, but he did not pass so much as one of them onto Israel. All that Moses taught Israel CAME FROM GOD.
SO WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
What does God think of the religion and wisdom and customs of Egypt?
It means that virtually everything about Christendom—from its name ‘Church,’ to the architecture of their buildings, to the origin of their holy days and doctrines, is all straight out of heathenism,
of which God Almighty declares:
"LEARN NOT THE WAY OF THE HEATHEN… inquire NOT after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? Even so WILL I DO LIKEWISE" (Jer. 10:2 & Deut. 12:30).
All Christian doctrines that are not out of paganism are nonetheless, unscriptural.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Hope this will help you Iris.
mercy, peace, and love
Kat