Celebrating Chrismas and other Holidays

[Druidus]

The origins of something do not invalidate the belief in it.

Emu, I find one of your stories hard to believe. There is little evidence that Pagans sacrificed children.

However, I'd also like to add a Christian lore for the origins of the Christmas tree (true or false, I don't know). As Mary, Joseph and Jesus were fleeing Herod's wrath, they found themselves in a forest, with soldiers nearby. They needed a place to hide, but all the branches of the trees were too high. Until they found a tree quite similar to a Christmas tree. The branches pulled apart and allowed them in, then closed, shutting out light. The soldiers passed on, and could not find them.

I'm gonna say it's false (evergreens in that part of the world), but still, who knows.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

When I lived in Spain Late 50's. There was no Christmas holiday as such,
Just Christmas Day, Church services, and a Lunch of Lamb. No presents or other festivities. Presents were given to celebrate "Kings" The gifts given to Jesus (I forget the Date).

This seems a much more Christian way of doing Things

Terry

_________________________________________
Blessed are the pure of heart, they shall behold their God.

 

[jeffrey]

Like I said, It's what's in your heart that counts. If you wish it to be something other then what I celebrate it for, what ever floats your boat. Invalidate it all you wish. That's your choice. And if God objected to Christians celebrating the birth of Jesus on the day we do, I'm sure if would have let someone know by now. Good enough for the Pope, It's good enough for me!

 

[ThisShouldMakeSense]

Like I said, It's what's in your heart that counts. If you wish it to be something other then what I celebrate it for, what ever floats your boat. Invalidate it all you wish. That's your choice. And if God objected to Christians celebrating the birth of Jesus on the day we do, I'm sure if would have let someone know by now. Good enough for the Pope, It's good enough for me!

He has let us know. Jesus said that the day of ones death is better than the day of ones birth. (but not in a horrible way. he meant that we haven't made a name for ourselves when we are born.)
he also told his followers to remember his death, with the last supper. he never said to remember his birth, yet more emphasis is placed on that if you think about it...

 

[James the Persian]

He has let us know. Jesus said that the day of ones death is better than the day of ones birth. (but not in a horrible way. he meant that we haven't made a name for ourselves when we are born.)
he also told his followers to remember his death, with the last supper. he never said to remember his birth, yet more emphasis is placed on that if you think about it...

In the west, yes, but not in the east. In Orthodox countries Pascha (Easter) is a far, far more important feast than Christmas and is preceded by a very long and strict fast. We also still fast every Wednesday and Friday in commemoration of Christ's betrayal and Crucifixion respectively. His birth is celebrated, true, but it's really quite minor in comparison.

James

 

[jeffrey]

He has let us know. Jesus said that the day of ones death is better than the day of ones birth. (but not in a horrible way. he meant that we haven't made a name for ourselves when we are born.)
he also told his followers to remember his death, with the last supper. he never said to remember his birth, yet more emphasis is placed on that if you think about it...

Being Catholic, we celebrate the last supper every Sunday. Christmas, once a year. And I do not recall Jesus ever saying "Do not celebrate my birth." Do you honestly believe that Jesus would object to people celebrating his birth by getting together with family, giving gifts and showing love to one another? Did not Jesus preach of showing love?

 

[jeffrey]

In the west, yes, but not in the east. In Orthodox countries Pascha (Easter) is a far, far more important feast than Christmas and is preceded by a very long and strict fast. We also still fast every Wednesday and Friday in commemoration of Christ's betrayal and Crucifixion respectively. His birth is celebrated, true, but it's really quite minor in comparison.

James

Very good points. I to believe that Faster should be more important.

 

[may]

May, I believe they where worshiping baal. Not God. And like I will repeat again, It's What's in your heart that counts.

yes thats right
"In their hearts they turned back to Egypt, saying to Aaron, ‘Make gods for us to go ahead of us. . . . ’ So they made a calf in those days and brought up a sacrifice to the idol and began to enjoy themselves in the works of their hands."—Ac 7:39-41 but if you read Exodus 32; 4-5 it saysthat they made it into a festival of Jehovah and that was false even thou they said it wasto Jehovah

 

[Lycan]

I feel it was wrong of christianity to use pagan tradition simply to convert pagans. It, to me, leaves christianity lacking because if it had to do this then obviously it could not gain converts on it's own merit, which says alot. I do believe that those traditions carry meanings with them regardless of the "heart" of the preformer. I do not feel it is justifiable for christians to practice these traditions because of this.

 

[may]

Being Catholic, we celebrate the last supper every Sunday. Christmas, once a year. And I do not recall Jesus ever saying "Do not celebrate my birth." Do you honestly believe that Jesus would object to people celebrating his birth by getting together with family, giving gifts and showing love to one another? Did not Jesus preach of showing love?

There is nothing wrong getting togeather or gift giving, but a person can do that anytime out of love, why pick a false religious day to do it . i would rather stay clear of false religiousfestivals to avoid offending my God did not revelation tell us to get out of Babylon the great(the world empire of false religion)
And I heard another voice out of heaven say: "Get out of her, my people, if YOU do not want to share with her in her sins, and if YOU do not want to receive part of her plagues.it is my belief that to be a part of false religion will be our down fall. another interesting thought is that the early christians did not celebrate their birthdays
Not surprisingly then, we read in The World Book Encyclopedia: "The early Christians did not celebrate His [Christ’s] birth because they considered the celebration of anyone’s birth to be a pagan custom."—Volume 3, page 416.

 

[anders]

My problem is more like how much and in what ways can I partake in celebrations of supposedly Christian holidays and ceremonies.

Easter is for eating. Not much of a problem. It has lost in significance, because nowadays we can buy eggs any time of the year.

Christmas is for family reunions. My mother's great-grandchildren get gifts; us in between enjoy giving gifts any time of the year. The most important thing about Christmas, besides the lavish food, is watching the Disney movie cuts.

Some people go to graves of relatives on All Souls', but my view is that I remember deceased relatives and other people any time I want. I'm not bound by a calendar to do it.

I never ever even was a great fan of the extremely "heathen" St. John's Night celebrations in Sweden and its traditional practices.

 

[ThisShouldMakeSense]

another interesting thought is that the early christians did not celebrate their birthdays
Not surprisingly then, we read in The World Book Encyclopedia: "The early Christians did not celebrate His [Christ’s] birth because they considered the celebration of anyone’s birth to be a pagan custom."—Volume 3, page 416.


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Thanks May, i was gunna say that!

 

[jeffrey]

And sacrificing animals which the Pagan Religion adopted was originally Christian. My point is this. If you feel uncomfortable with celebrating Christmas, then by all means don't. Or do it just for the kids. Myself, I don't have a problem with it. But That's me. I thank Jesus and God on that day. If It's a sin, guess what? I'm forgiven!

 

[Lycan]

And sacrificing animals which the Pagan Religion adopted was originally Christian.

Pagan religions that included animal sacrifice were around long before christianity....

 

[jeffrey]

Pagan religions that included animal sacrifice were around long before christianity....

Start another thread and we can debate which Religion is older, but by doing that here will stray from what this thread is about.

 

[Ronald]

And sacrificing animals which the Pagan Religion adopted was originally Christian. My point is this. If you feel uncomfortable with celebrating Christmas, then by all means don't. Or do it just for the kids. Myself, I don't have a problem with it. But That's me. I thank Jesus and God on that day. If It's a sin, guess what? I'm forgiven!

I love it!!!!!!!
Another RCC Christian who is forgiven for all his sins, past, present and future!
Enter the World of Deception. Intentional sin, there was no covering for that sin.
Bring on the sinful events, I'm saved, I can bathe in sin and it will not cause me to stink.
Just remember I'm forgiven!!! LOL It is time for your confessional!

 

[jeffrey]

I love it!!!!!!!
Another RCC Christian who is forgiven for all his sins, past, present and future!
Enter the World of Deception. Intentional sin, there was no covering for that sin.
Bring on the sinful events, I'm saved, I can bathe in sin and it will not cause me to stink.
Just remember I'm forgiven!!! LOL It is time for your confessional!

WOW! Another Christian basher! What a suprise! Who would have thought? What's that make? About 50? What amazes me about this forum is how many people go around claiming they are tired of the why Christians bash them, when in fact, they are the ones doing the bashing. People that claim the Bible is nothing more then a fairy tale, But spend more time quoting it in one day then a tv evangelist does in an entire month's of Sundays. Could you imagine if we ran down other religions the why you do ours, the names we would be called? Does that not make some of you hypocrites? Just a thought. Now excuse me while I go put on my flame proof suit on

 

[Malus 12:9]

What amazes me about this forum is how many people go around claiming they are tired of the why Christians bash them, when in fact, they are the ones doing the bashing.

If I recall correclty, Ronald is a Christian.

Both flaming and religious bashing are not tolerated here.

 

[Melody]

I am doing the frubal stomp here because I so want to frubal you, Jgallandt, for your posts in this thread and it won't let me!

I agree with you completely! The Bible makes it clear that God knows what is in our hearts and we will be judged accordingly. God knows that when I put up a Christmas tree it has nothing to do with worshipping the tree. When we go to church on Christmas day, we are worshipping Him...not a golden idol. When we give presents, it is out of joy and love. It's fun to do, gives pleasure to the other person, and is harmless.

 

[R506]

My wife used to work for a couple that were atheists. They would celebrate Christmas just like everyone else, tree, gifts, decorations, etc. In fact it was their favorite holiday (holy day). I just don't believe Christmas for most has anything to do with Christ. I personally avoid it.........