Do Santa, Christmas Trees etc. Bother You?

[Father Heathen]

People do celebrate those festivals. I'm tired of people acting like modern Paganism and polytheism doesn't exist.

I know, but I meant more in a mainstream sense; most don't know the origin or meaning of these traditions despite partaking in them.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

I recall when I was a Christian and even as a kid, I never really liked or understood the whole Santa thing. I found it a bit odd and thought it took away from the religious meaning of the holiday by way of overshadowing it. Things like Christmas trees also bothered me and I recall mentioning that to one of our Jewish users on here when I was a Christian.
Are there any Christians here who are also bothered by this? Do you think it's too childish or otherwise takes from the message/meaning?

Since 'Santa is more like the god of Christmas' it is No wonder it can't be understood in the light of genuine 'wheat' Christianity.
There was No 1st century Christmas, neither Jesus nor his apostles celebrated birthdays.
The so-called Christmas (Christ's mass) comes from non-Christian origin such as the Saturnalia.
Remember: Jesus knew MANY would come ' in his name ' but prove false - Matthew 7:21-23
There is No Christmas in Scripture. It is a man-made holiday falsely using Jesus' name.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

I know, but I meant more in a mainstream sense; most don't know the origin or meaning of these traditions despite partaking in them.

Since false clergy foster false teachings then it is No wonder that most don't know or care about any origin or meaning behind such man-made traditions.
Even though Jesus taught to beware of the customs of men at Matthew 15:9.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

And Jehovah is an anagram of "Ahh - Jove."

By Jove, I find more like the word Hallelujah ! of Jehovah.
"Jah" is the shortened form for Jehovah.
Praise Jah - Psalms 150.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

That's actually untrue. I looked into this, and there were areas of the church that celebrated on December 25 decades before the Sol Invictus thing. Secondly, December 25 was finally chosen by the church as a whole because it is nine months after the feast of the Annunciation, when Jesus' conception is celebrated, and not because of any pagan holiday. Thirdly, no one celebrates Sol Invictus anymore. What you have is the Feast of the Nativity, a Christian holy day, which is why I as a Jew don't celebrate it.

Jesus was 33 1/2 years old when he was put to death in the Jewish Spring month of Nisan.
Thus, Jesus would have turned 34 in the Fall or the Autumn of the year, No December day to celebrate his: birth.
Conception would also have nothing to do with Jesus becoming Messiah which was on the day of his: baptism.
Jesus warned against man-made tradition outside of Scripture - Matthew 15:9

 

[URAVIP2ME]

I think it depends much on how and what is done. But, for me Christmas trees, Santa and commercial Christmas is disturbing, all though I like to give presents.

.... and I think we agree presents can be given at any time.
When a friend's kid's sister was turning 5, one night after her bed time the family set up, decorated and filled up the living room with ' starting school presents '.
Presents including a desk besides gift-wrapped school supplies, etc. When she woke up in the morning and saw all the starting to-go-to school gifts her face lit up and she was told, " it's all yours !" and at that she ran into the living room to happily enjoy everything.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

Christians who are living their religion every day shouldn't be bothered by this one day that helps everyone (even non-Christians) focus on Christian principles. Who cares if they add a fat guy and a tree.

When I was little I remember my uncle saying when the soldiers brought Christmas to Japan they introduced Christianity there.
What they really introduced was " Christendom " ( so-called Christian but mostly in name only )
Mostly Christmas with its focus on 'gift exchanging' , or as my aunt said a commercial holiday to help keep the economy going.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Nope. I like the holiday traditions, minus the consumerist crap that is killing it. Santa is fun, real or not. I always knew it was my mom, same with the Tooth Fairy, but that doesn't make it any less meaningful. It would be sad to lose such things.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

The whole idea of Christmas kind of bothers me as a Christian because I think it inherited to much from Saturnalia and pagan traditions. However, I don't really care and I'm not the kind of person to judge others for partaking of it. No I don't believe people are worshiping the devil if they celebrate Christmas. Really a lot of people genuinely want to celebrate Jesus' birth.
Actually, when I consider that people like to do good deeds at Christmas time then I think it's a good holiday. I suspect that the whole "Christmas spirit" people feel every year is just made by themselves and people around them being nice for a change. I think we could have that positive energy all year if people would try it.

But what does Jesus genuinely want ____________
Jesus taught that it is Scripture that is religious truth - John 17:17
What is outside of Scripture ( such as a man-made celebration in Jesus' name ) would be religious-myth keeping.

I recall back in the '60's the so-called 'Christmas spirit ' got a couple into $300.00 worth of debt for their 2 small children.
( $300.00 was a large amount of debt at that time especially for a couple that did Not own anything )
They did Not have a house, and maybe still an un-paid for car on top of the debt.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

Christmas tree can be used as a vehicle to teach the meaning of Christmas. The day, though there is much to do as to whether it was the day, can also be used as a teaching tool. Today's Santa Clause, I don't like but you still can use it as a tool if Saint Nicholas points to Jesus.

Huh, a teaching tool telling children that Santa brings gifts.
To me that would be teaching children it is fine to tell lies.
In Scripture a lie is either on purpose or not, deliberate or not, intentional or not.....

 

[74x12]

But what does Jesus genuinely want ____________
Jesus taught that it is Scripture that is religious truth - John 17:17
What is outside of Scripture ( such as a man-made celebration in Jesus' name ) would be religious-myth keeping.

I recall back in the '60's the so-called 'Christmas spirit ' got a couple into $300.00 worth of debt for their 2 small children.
( $300.00 was a large amount of debt at that time especially for a couple that did Not own anything )
They did Not have a house, and maybe still an un-paid for car on top of the debt.

Well, I mean like food drives, giving to the poor. Stuff like that.

 

[Kenny]

Huh, a teaching tool telling children that Santa brings gifts.
To me that would be teaching children it is fine to tell lies.
In Scripture a lie is either on purpose or not, deliberate or not, intentional or not.....

No... I didn't say that...

I never lied to my children and don't plan to lie that there is a Santa Clause that will come down to a chimney.

And I didn't say "Santa", I said St Nicholas which can point to Jesus.

 

[Father Heathen]

Since false clergy foster false teachings then it is No wonder that most don't know or care about any origin or meaning behind such man-made traditions.
Even though Jesus taught to beware of the customs of men at Matthew 15:9.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

Well, I mean like food drives, giving to the poor. Stuff like that.

Sure, Jesus stressed that we should broaden out, widen out, in showing practical love in being a neighborly good Samaritan.
But anyone, Christian or non-Christian can be a good Samaritan.
Jesus was stressing helping on a one-on-one basis as needed.
Jesus stressed ' spiritual food 'drives', so to speak, over litreal food, that was the theme of his work - Luke 4:43.
...and the instruction Jesus gave for us to do at Matthew 24:14; Acts of the Apostles 1:8 was spiritual in nature.
Physical food, etc. does Not give us everlasting life. Jesus stressed working for the ' food' that does Not perish.
Working by telling others about what Jesus, as king of God's kingdom, will accomplish for us during his thousand-year reign over Earth.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

No... I didn't say that...
I never lied to my children and don't plan to lie that there is a Santa Clause that will come down to a chimney.
And I didn't say "Santa", I said St Nicholas which can point to Jesus.

I find No St. Nicholas in the Bible.
In Scripture I find God knows and chooses who are to be saints or holy ones ( Daniel 7:18 )

 

[74x12]

Sure, Jesus stressed that we should broaden out, widen out, in showing practical love in being a neighborly good Samaritan.
But anyone, Christian or non-Christian can be a good Samaritan.
Jesus was stressing helping on a one-on-one basis as needed.
Jesus stressed ' spiritual food 'drives', so to speak, over litreal food, that was the theme of his work - Luke 4:43.
...and the instruction Jesus gave for us to do at Matthew 24:14; Acts of the Apostles 1:8 was spiritual in nature.
Physical food, etc. does Not give us everlasting life. Jesus stressed working for the ' food' that does Not perish.
Working by telling others about what Jesus, as king of God's kingdom, will accomplish for us during his thousand-year reign over Earth.

My point is that people do this for Christmas whatever else you think of that holiday.

Literal food drives are spiritual food drives because showing mercy to others is spiritual fruit. It's a sign of true faith as James points out in James 2:16-18.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

My point is that people do this for Christmas whatever else you think of that holiday.
Literal food drives are spiritual food drives because showing mercy to others is spiritual fruit. It's a sign of true faith as James points out in James 2:16-18.

Jesus fed people literal fish and bread, but stressed we are to work for the food that does Not perish.
Being a good Samaritan does Not necessarily equate to being a good Christian.
A non-Christian can have a literal food drives but Not a spiritual one as Jesus sent out people - Luke 10th chapter.
Non-Christians do Not do the work Jesus did - Luke 4:43
Non-Christians do Not follow Jesus instructions of Matthew 24:13-14; 28:18-20; Acts 1:8;
I find at James speaking about 'spiritual brothers and sisters' who might be lacking, Not food drives for the general public.
Yes, we should show our 'spiritual works ' as Jesus instructed at Matthew 24:14 to tell others about God's kingdom coming (Daniel 2:44)

 

[74x12]

Being a good Samaritan does Not necessarily equate to being a good Christian.

But it's part of it.

A non-Christian can have a literal food drives but Not a spiritual one as Jesus sent out people - Luke 10th chapter.

God says what a man sows he'll also reap. So whoever people are when they do something good that's good in God's eyes and society in general agrees. The general fruit of Christmas as compared with other holidays is pretty good. I'm impressed when I see people doing good to others at Christmas time.

I find at James speaking about 'spiritual brothers and sisters' who might be lacking, Not food drives for the general public.

Galatians 6:10

 

[Deeje]

Can you pick the fault in these three nativity scenes?
If one is more correct...which one would it be?

 

[Hockeycowboy]

Do origins of traditions matter?
How does God view it?

Matthew 15:9...
1 Corinthians 10:20-22