Does Christmas have anything to do with Christ?

[MikeSavage]

Yes, I have a Christmas tree in the house, but it has nothing at all to do with me. It's there because my wife wanted it there. I helped decorate it because my wife wanted me to help decorate it. But I really couldn't care less if it was there or not. I put lights on the house too, but not because I think putting lights on the house is how one should celebrate the birth of Christ. I put lights on the house because my wife wanted lights on the house. We put presents under the tree too, but not because I want to put presents under the tree. My wife wants the presents under the tree. I couldn't care any less for what Christmas has become to so many people. For me, the only meaningful thing about Christmas is Christ.

Take it or leave it, but here is some information regarding Christmas:

The Bible’s answer
The Bible does not give the date of Jesus’ birth, nor does it say that we should celebrate his birthday. As McClintock and Strong’s Cyclopedia states: “The observance of Christmas is not of divine appointment, nor is it of NT [New Testament] origin.”

Instead, an examination of the history of Christmas exposes its roots in pagan religious rites. The Bible shows that we offend God if we try to worship him in a way that he does not approve of.—Exodus 32:5-7.

History of Christmas customs

1. Celebrating Jesus’ birthday: “The early Christians did not celebrate [Jesus’] birth because they considered the celebration of anyone’s birth to be a pagan custom.”—The World Book Encyclopedia.
   
   
2. December 25: There is no proof that Jesus was born on that date. Church leaders likely chose this date to coincide with pagan festivals held on or around the winter solstice.
   
   
3. Gift-giving, feasting, partying: The Encyclopedia Americana says: “Saturnalia, a Roman feast celebrated in mid-December, provided the model for many of the merry-making customs of Christmas. From this celebration, for example, were derived the elaborate feasting, the giving of gifts, and the burning of candles.” The Encyclopædia Britannica notes that “all work and business were suspended” during Saturnalia.
   
   
4. Christmas lights: According to The Encyclopedia of Religion, Europeans decorated their homes “with lights and evergreens of all kinds” to celebrate the winter solstice and to combat evil spirits.
   
   
5. Mistletoe, holly: “The Druids ascribed magical properties to the mistletoe in particular. The evergreen holly was worshiped as a promise of the sun’s return.”—The Encyclopedia Americana.
   
   
6. Christmas tree: “Tree worship, common among the pagan Europeans, survived after their conversion to Christianity.” One of the ways in which tree worship survived is in the custom of “placing a Yule tree at an entrance or inside the house in the midwinter holidays.”—Encyclopædia Britannica.
   

 

[MikeSavage]

Is it possible to hear Christmas and not think about Christ? Only if you never heard of Jesus Christ.

Around the world, nearly two billion people celebrate Christmas each December 25, while at least 200 million others celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ on January 7. However, there are also millions who choose not to celebrate Christmas at all. Why?

For one thing, they may belong to a religion that is not part of Christendom. They may be of the Jewish, Hindu, or Shinto faith, to name a few. Others, such as atheists, agnostics, freethinkers, or secular humanists, view the Christmas story as a myth.

Surprisingly, though, a sizable number of people who believe in Jesus reject the Yuletide traditions. Why? They point to at least four reasons.

First, they do not believe that Jesus was born in either December or January. The Bible does not give a specific date. It simply states: “There were also in that same country shepherds living out of doors and keeping watches in the night over their flocks. And suddenly Jehovah’s angel stood by them, and . . . the angel said to them: ‘. . . There was born to you today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”—Luke 2:8-11.

Facts point to Jesus’ birth at approximately the beginning of October when shepherds with their flocks would still spend the night in the fields. The countryside around Bethlehem experiences the coldest weather during the months of December and January. Hence, to keep them warm at night, flocks are herded into protective shelters.

A second reason: The only event Jesus specifically instructed his followers to commemorate was his death, not his birth, and this was to be done as a simple communion meal. (Luke 22:19, 20) Note, too, that the Gospels of Mark and John are silent about Jesus’ birth.

The only event Jesus specifically instructed his followers to commemorate was his death, not his birth

A third reason: There is no historical evidence that the early Christians celebrated the birth of the Christ. But they did memorialize his death. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) It was not until more than 300 years after Jesus’ birth that Christendom officially began to observe Christmas on December 25. Interestingly, in the mid-17th century, an act of parliament banned Christmas celebrations in England. In the United States, the Massachusetts General Court did the same. Why? The book The Battle for Christmas, says: “There is no biblical or historical reason to place the birth of Jesus on December 25.” It adds that to the Puritans, “Christmas was nothing but a pagan festival covered with a Christian veneer.”

That brings us to a fourth reason: The unsavory origin of the celebration itself. The roots of Christmas can be traced back to pagan Rome with its mixture of festivals for honoring the agricultural god Saturn and the sun god Sol Invictus, or Mithra. Anthropologists Christian Rätsch and Claudia Müller-Ebeling, coauthors of the book Pagan Christmas, write: “Like many pre-Christian customs and beliefs, the old feast commemorating the yearly return of the sun was rededicated to the birth of Christ.”

In view of the foregoing, can you see why true Christians do not celebrate Christmas?

 

[McBell]

Yes, I have a Christmas tree in the house, but it has nothing at all to do with me. It's there because my wife wanted it there. I helped decorate it because my wife wanted me to help decorate it. But I really couldn't care less if it was there or not. I put lights on the house too, but not because I think putting lights on the house is how one should celebrate the birth of Christ. I put lights on the house because my wife wanted lights on the house. We put presents under the tree too, but not because I want to put presents under the tree. My wife wants the presents under the tree. I couldn't care any less for what Christmas has become to so many people. For me, the only meaningful thing about Christmas is Christ.

It is amazing what we find ourselves doing for others, isn't it?

 

[McBell]

Around the world, nearly two billion people celebrate Christmas each December 25, while at least 200 million others celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ on January 7. However, there are also millions who choose not to celebrate Christmas at all. Why?

For one thing, they may belong to a religion that is not part of Christendom. They may be of the Jewish, Hindu, or Shinto faith, to name a few. Others, such as atheists, agnostics, freethinkers, or secular humanists, view the Christmas story as a myth.

Surprisingly, though, a sizable number of people who believe in Jesus reject the Yuletide traditions. Why? They point to at least four reasons.

First, they do not believe that Jesus was born in either December or January. The Bible does not give a specific date. It simply states: “There were also in that same country shepherds living out of doors and keeping watches in the night over their flocks. And suddenly Jehovah’s angel stood by them, and . . . the angel said to them: ‘. . . There was born to you today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”—Luke 2:8-11.

Facts point to Jesus’ birth at approximately the beginning of October when shepherds with their flocks would still spend the night in the fields. The countryside around Bethlehem experiences the coldest weather during the months of December and January. Hence, to keep them warm at night, flocks are herded into protective shelters.

A second reason: The only event Jesus specifically instructed his followers to commemorate was his death, not his birth, and this was to be done as a simple communion meal. (Luke 22:19, 20) Note, too, that the Gospels of Mark and John are silent about Jesus’ birth.

The only event Jesus specifically instructed his followers to commemorate was his death, not his birth

A third reason: There is no historical evidence that the early Christians celebrated the birth of the Christ. But they did memorialize his death. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) It was not until more than 300 years after Jesus’ birth that Christendom officially began to observe Christmas on December 25. Interestingly, in the mid-17th century, an act of parliament banned Christmas celebrations in England. In the United States, the Massachusetts General Court did the same. Why? The book The Battle for Christmas, says: “There is no biblical or historical reason to place the birth of Jesus on December 25.” It adds that to the Puritans, “Christmas was nothing but a pagan festival covered with a Christian veneer.”

That brings us to a fourth reason: The unsavory origin of the celebration itself. The roots of Christmas can be traced back to pagan Rome with its mixture of festivals for honoring the agricultural god Saturn and the sun god Sol Invictus, or Mithra. Anthropologists Christian Rätsch and Claudia Müller-Ebeling, coauthors of the book Pagan Christmas, write: “Like many pre-Christian customs and beliefs, the old feast commemorating the yearly return of the sun was rededicated to the birth of Christ.”

In view of the foregoing, can you see why true Christians do not celebrate Christmas?

Your forgot to present your source:

Why Do Some People Not Celebrate Christmas? | Q & A​

 

[savagewind]

Your forgot to present your source:

Why Do Some People Not Celebrate Christmas? | Q & A​

You took the words right off the tips of my fingers. Haha LOL

Who said that? Haha

 

[McBell]

Take it or leave it, but here is some information regarding Christmas:

The Bible’s answer
The Bible does not give the date of Jesus’ birth, nor does it say that we should celebrate his birthday. As McClintock and Strong’s Cyclopedia states: “The observance of Christmas is not of divine appointment, nor is it of NT [New Testament] origin.”

Instead, an examination of the history of Christmas exposes its roots in pagan religious rites. The Bible shows that we offend God if we try to worship him in a way that he does not approve of.—Exodus 32:5-7.

History of Christmas customs

1. Celebrating Jesus’ birthday: “The early Christians did not celebrate [Jesus’] birth because they considered the celebration of anyone’s birth to be a pagan custom.”—The World Book Encyclopedia.
   
   
2. December 25: There is no proof that Jesus was born on that date. Church leaders likely chose this date to coincide with pagan festivals held on or around the winter solstice.
   
   
3. Gift-giving, feasting, partying: The Encyclopedia Americana says: “Saturnalia, a Roman feast celebrated in mid-December, provided the model for many of the merry-making customs of Christmas. From this celebration, for example, were derived the elaborate feasting, the giving of gifts, and the burning of candles.” The Encyclopædia Britannica notes that “all work and business were suspended” during Saturnalia.
   
   
4. Christmas lights: According to The Encyclopedia of Religion, Europeans decorated their homes “with lights and evergreens of all kinds” to celebrate the winter solstice and to combat evil spirits.
   
   
5. Mistletoe, holly: “The Druids ascribed magical properties to the mistletoe in particular. The evergreen holly was worshiped as a promise of the sun’s return.”—The Encyclopedia Americana.
   
   
6. Christmas tree: “Tree worship, common among the pagan Europeans, survived after their conversion to Christianity.” One of the ways in which tree worship survived is in the custom of “placing a Yule tree at an entrance or inside the house in the midwinter holidays.”—Encyclopædia Britannica.

You forgot to reference your source:

What Does the Bible Say About Christmas? | Bible Questions​

 

[Sonofason]

Take it or leave it, but here is some information regarding Christmas:

The Bible’s answer
The Bible does not give the date of Jesus’ birth, nor does it say that we should celebrate his birthday. As McClintock and Strong’s Cyclopedia states: “The observance of Christmas is not of divine appointment, nor is it of NT [New Testament] origin.”

Instead, an examination of the history of Christmas exposes its roots in pagan religious rites. The Bible shows that we offend God if we try to worship him in a way that he does not approve of.—Exodus 32:5-7.

History of Christmas customs

1. Celebrating Jesus’ birthday: “The early Christians did not celebrate [Jesus’] birth because they considered the celebration of anyone’s birth to be a pagan custom.”—The World Book Encyclopedia.
   
   
2. December 25: There is no proof that Jesus was born on that date. Church leaders likely chose this date to coincide with pagan festivals held on or around the winter solstice.
   
   
3. Gift-giving, feasting, partying: The Encyclopedia Americana says: “Saturnalia, a Roman feast celebrated in mid-December, provided the model for many of the merry-making customs of Christmas. From this celebration, for example, were derived the elaborate feasting, the giving of gifts, and the burning of candles.” The Encyclopædia Britannica notes that “all work and business were suspended” during Saturnalia.
   
   
4. Christmas lights: According to The Encyclopedia of Religion, Europeans decorated their homes “with lights and evergreens of all kinds” to celebrate the winter solstice and to combat evil spirits.
   
   
5. Mistletoe, holly: “The Druids ascribed magical properties to the mistletoe in particular. The evergreen holly was worshiped as a promise of the sun’s return.”—The Encyclopedia Americana.
   
   
6. Christmas tree: “Tree worship, common among the pagan Europeans, survived after their conversion to Christianity.” One of the ways in which tree worship survived is in the custom of “placing a Yule tree at an entrance or inside the house in the midwinter holidays.”—Encyclopædia Britannica.

I really don't care if you or anyone else considers the observance of Christmas to be a divine appointment. Nor do I care if Christmas is a Biblical concept. I celebrate the birth of Christ on Christmas. There is no divine observance for celebrating my daughters' birthdays, yet I celebrate their births as well. My observance of Christ's birth is not pagan. It's simply a celebration of the birth of my savior. I don't care what early Christians celebrate. I don't care when Jesus was actually born. I don't care about gift giving. I don't care about Christmas trees, and nativity scenes. I don't care about Mistletoe, and holly. I don't care about evergreens and winter solstices. I don't care about combating evil spirits. I don't care about pagan Europeans, and I don't care about Yule trees. I celebrate Jesus' birth, because I do, and that's it. I don't need approval. I don't need consensus. I celebrate Christ, and He knows it.

 

[Sonofason]

It is amazing what we find ourselves doing for others, isn't it?

Yes, it is indeed. But I don't mind, it makes her happy. And I have found it to be in my best interest when my wife is happy.

 

[MikeSavage]

I really don't care if you or anyone else considers the observance of Christmas to be a divine appointment. Nor do I care if Christmas is a Biblical concept. I celebrate the birth of Christ on Christmas. There is no divine observance for celebrating my daughters' birthdays, yet I celebrate their births as well. My observance of Christ's birth is not pagan. It's simply a celebration of the birth of my savior. I don't care what early Christians celebrate. I don't care when Jesus was actually born. I don't care about gift giving. I don't care about Christmas trees, and nativity scenes. I don't care about Mistletoe, and holly. I don't care about evergreens and winter solstices. I don't care about combating evil spirits. I don't care about pagan Europeans, and I don't care about Yule trees. I celebrate Jesus' birth, because I do, and that's it. I don't need approval. I don't need consensus. I celebrate Christ, and He knows it.

I didn't ask for a snotty response, in fact I said "take it or leave it". I don't care what you don't care about either. Why do you find it necessary to tell me? I don't care.

 

[savagewind]

I didn't ask for a snotty response, in fact I said "take it or leave it". I don't care what you don't care about either. Why do you find it necessary to tell me? I don't care.

Funny. Other people can read posts. I liked it.

 

[Sonofason]

I didn't ask for a snotty response, in fact I said "take it or leave it". I don't care what you don't care about either. Why do you find it necessary to tell me? I don't care.

I'm sorry to inform you that my answer was not intended to be snotty. It was my honest response. Take it or leave it.

 

[savagewind]

I'm sorry to inform you that my answer was not intended to be snotty. It was my honest response. Take it or leave it.

I don't think it was snotty. Wasn't it the opposite of "having or showing a superior or conceited attitude" ie "snotty"?

 

[Sonofason]

I don't think it was snotty. Wasn't it the opposite of "having or showing a superior or conceited attitude" ie "snotty"?

Thanks. Christmas has become a lot of things to a lot of people, but Christmas to me is just a celebration of the birth and existence of someone that is dear to me.

 

[Desert Snake]

Well, personally I don't decorate and such, but I do like the imagry, symbolism.
//
It's funny how the information of 'yule' and how it relates to Xmas is subjective in nature. I know people who don't celebrate "Yule", never did, )different ethnic background), how is 'yule' being celebrated then? It isn't. Just another wacky criticism study of 'Xianity' and it's customs.

 

[Dirty Penguin]

Thanks. Christmas has become a lot of things to a lot of people, but Christmas to me is just a celebration of the birth and existence of someone that is dear to me.

I think we can all respect that...and we should...but how you celebrate or perceive Christmas has little to do with the factual pagan history of Christmas. Christmas, like many other Christian rituals, customs and holidays, has it's roots in paganism. I'm not saying this as a slam against Christianity but those are the facts. Your religion isn't alone in this. This is true for many others as well....we just so happen to be discussing the connection of the day to your Yeshua.....

 

[Sonofason]

I think we can all respect that...and we should...but how you celebrate or perceive Christmas has little to do with the factual pagan history of Christmas. Christmas, like many other Christian rituals, customs and holidays, has it's roots in paganism. I'm not saying this as a slam against Christianity but those are the facts. Your religion isn't alone in this. This is true for many others as well....we just so happen to be discussing the connection of the day to your Yeshua.....

Sorry, I make no such connection. But of course everyone else is free to make what ever associations they like to make with Christmas. But I won't accept them as valid associations.

 

[Dirty Penguin]

Sorry, I make no such connection. But of course everyone else is free to make what ever associations they like to make with Christmas. But I won't accept them as valid associations.

I know you don't...but they are the roots of the holiday along with numerous other traditions. The meaning of Christmas may very well be completely different than the origins of Christmas. The meaning is different to every believer but the origins are a historical fact.

 

[Dirty Penguin]

Well, personally I don't decorate and such, but I do like the imagry, symbolism.
//
It's funny how the information of 'yule' and how it relates to Xmas is subjective in nature. I know people who don't celebrate "Yule", never did, )different ethnic background), how is 'yule' being celebrated then? It isn't. Just another wacky criticism study of 'Xianity' and it's customs.

Reynolds Nature Preserve - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


or this here....

or this here....

[/QUOTE]

And let's not forget the countless PC screensavers or youtube video of the crackling Yule fireplace. They exist for a reason.

 

[Sonofason]

I know you don't...but they are the roots of the holiday along with numerous other traditions. The meaning of Christmas may very well be completely different than the origins of Christmas. The meaning is different to every believer but the origins are a historical fact.

Sorry, for me, Christmas has no such roots. And that's a fact.

 

[Dirty Penguin]

Sorry, for me, Christmas has no such roots. And that's a fact.

When talking about Christmas and other holidays...you actually do. See, I think you misunderstood my last post. We can clearly see that the "meaning" of the holiday is quite different than the "origin(s)" of the holiday. Now...it's fine if "YOU" want to deny the history of the holiday but that doesn't make them any less true....