Should Christians celebrate Christmas?

[church mouse guy]

Should Christians celebrate Christmas? Creation Ministries International in Canada presents a weekly television magazine program that recently was broadcast under the title Is Christmas based on pagan traditions?

They discuss such topics as the date of December 25, the real St. Nicholas, the giving of gifts, and the Christmas tree.

 

[JonShaff]

Interesting Article:

Spurgeon: Santa or Scrooge? And 5 Thoughts for Your Christmas Day

 

[JonShaff]

I think Scripture speaks of this situation...

Romans 14
5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

However, we are called to provoke one another to love and good works. So, it is imperative to encourage our brothers and sisters to not align our behavior with the covetous behavior of secular society.

And to address the Video...while the things discussed may or may not have root in pagan tradition, they have nothing to do with the Lord Jesus Christ, nor His Gospel. So, i know we are called to redeem the time because the days are evil. If someone feels like they spend December doing fruitful things for the Lord, great! If December is all about covetousness, gluttony, materialism, etc etc, then i'm not sure if that is redeeming the time.

 

[church mouse guy]

Interesting Article:

Spurgeon: Santa or Scrooge? And 5 Thoughts for Your Christmas Day

Thank you!

Spurgeon probably did not know the origins of the use of the 25th of December. Creation.com disagrees with him about what the word mass means on the day of the name. You know, I don't care how people celebrate Christmas. It is not forbidden by Scripture so therefore it is permissible. Most of the United States shuts down so I am thankful for a day of rest and quiet. Almost everyone in the country is contacted somehow during the season and many forgotten people who have no family get a little nicer meal or a small gift or a visit from someone. I personally enjoy Southern Gospel Christmas music as well as Classical Christmas music (Handel, etc.) so that is what I myself most look forward to every year.

"Christ Mass?
Some critics object to the derivation of the word, making a connection to the Roman Catholic Mass. In reality, the word ‘mass’ in both cases derives from the Latin missa, which originally meant ‘dismissal’, but in the Christian world, took on the meaning of ‘sent out on a mission’. So the Christ Mass is the celebration of God the Father sending God the Son on a specific mission to man, in becoming one of us."

https://creation.com/celebrating-christmas

Much of the program is written in this article.

 

[JonShaff]

Thank you!

Spurgeon probably did not know the origins of the use of the 25th of December. Creation.com disagrees with him about what the word mass means on the day of the name. You know, I don't care how people celebrate Christmas. It is not forbidden by Scripture so therefore it is permissible. Most of the United States shuts down so I am thankful for a day of rest and quiet. Almost everyone in the country is contacted somehow during the season and many forgotten people who have no family get a little nicer meal or a small gift or a visit from someone. I personally enjoy Southern Gospel Christmas music as well as Classical Christmas music (Handel, etc.) so that is what I myself most look forward to every year.

"Christ Mass?
Some critics object to the derivation of the word, making a connection to the Roman Catholic Mass. In reality, the word ‘mass’ in both cases derives from the Latin missa, which originally meant ‘dismissal’, but in the Christian world, took on the meaning of ‘sent out on a mission’. So the Christ Mass is the celebration of God the Father sending God the Son on a specific mission to man, in becoming one of us."

Celebrating Christmas - creation.com

Much of the program is written in this article.

I'm in much agreement with you. Hey, i get 2 days off paid, so i praise the Lord for all things.

As far as "Christ's Mass" is concerned, more specifically, "mass", i disagree with CMI on this. The etymology, particularly the usage, has been (in the Latin) to describe their Liturgical Practice for the Eucharist. Even the term eucharist simply means to give thanks, however, they use to to mean a present sacrifice of Christ and for the transubstantiation.

 

[OfLivingWaters]

Should Christians celebrate Christmas? Creation Ministries International in Canada presents a weekly television magazine program that recently was broadcast under the title Is Christmas based on pagan traditions?

They discuss such topics as the date of December 25, the real St. Nicholas, the giving of gifts, and the Christmas tree.

People have no commonsense. Who cares what date is designated, everyday is Christmas in the heart and life of a Christian CHRIST'S MASS. You people gag at a gnat yet swallow a camel.
Christmas was never a pagan celebration, the decorating of trees was. As for dates it is what you put into any day that makes it either pagan or Truth!
Taking away from pagans what clearly should be given to Christ is good. satan usurped God in the minds of men, Christ is simply taking all praise and giving it to whom it belongs.Decorating a tree for the One true King and God is no longer pagan because it is given to Christ, in whom the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form. All things are put under His feet and even heaven and EARTH proclaim the glory of His name. It is befitting that the Word by whom everything in creation has come forth by, have creation glorify Him.

 

[OfLivingWaters]

While I am at it , I will address Easter here too.
Easter (English and German) is the masculine form of Eostre who was a pagan goddess of the east and meant( rising dawn). Christ is a man not a woman and he is called the rising sun in scripture and rising dawn. All that has happened here is edification as to who is the Rising sun , Dawn of the east is, (Christ).

Again all GLORY, ALL TITLES claimed for Himself to whom all glory belongs. That is why the resurrection is celebrated in spring as was the false goddess feast of the East. With Christ the true rising sun is glorified. Christ has taken back all that which Lucifer (satan) has caused to be usurped in men's minds. Happy Easter, masculine because God is, and is not female, EDIFICATION! Glory to God in the Highest.
The LORD Exalts the Humble Psalm113:2-4

…2Blessed be the name of the LORD both now and forevermore. 3From the rising(east) to the setting of the sun(west), the name of the LORD is praised. 4The LORD is exalted over all the nations, His glory above the heavens.…
He is truly the Rising Son! King not only of the east, but north , south and west!

Happy Easter = happy rising Son ,God of the east. He did rise, get it. God is the best at play on Words!

If you do not want to say this don't, but leave people alone who do for Christ knows He is the Rising Sun of their hearts who profess this. Commonsense has left the building along with essential books of salvation for the many Protestants who strain at gnats and swallow camels.

MERRY CHRISTMAS with trees , decorations and song to exalt our love for the NEW BORN KING!, to whom all glory belongs

The day of the birth of the soul in Christ is Christmas, that happens everyday on planet earth, which too should shout and praise glory to its Creator.Happy Easter, the Rising star of the East Jesus from the middle east he came and has rested upon the hearts of men from one side of the heavens to the other, resting also in the hearts of the west.

Come find rest from tormenting people .... people of commonsense, come, and find rest , for the Lord's yoke is easy and His burden light. Find rest from those who do not speak from the light . Who see all given to the RIGHTFUL KING as blight! Why don't you jezebel denominational sects, go find some REAL DRAGONS TO SLAY! Instead you attack sincere brothers and sisters in Christ because you lack commonsense!

 

[Revmitchell]

So in Luke 1:8-23 Zechariah was serving in the Temple during his rotation. He would have had a two weeks time in the Temple itself and then 3 weeks of admin. It was after this he went home and John was conceived. His time in the Temple would likely have been at the end of July, beginning of August which would have put him home in September.

Five months Elizabeth new she was pregnant and then in the sixth month Mary received the announcement and conceived Christ. This would have put Christ's conception in March and His birth some time in December.

 

[JonC]

Some Christians observe Wednesday as an evening of worship.

 

[OfLivingWaters]

I worship everyday. The sabbath was made for man not man for the sabbath. I rest from work but never from good work in Christ.

 

[OfLivingWaters]

So in Luke 1:8-23 Zechariah was serving in the Temple during his rotation. He would have had a two weeks time in the Temple itself and then 3 weeks of admin. It was after this he went home and John was conceived. His time in the Temple would likely have been at the end of July, beginning of August which would have put him home in September.

Five months Elizabeth new she was pregnant and then in the sixth month Mary received the announcement and conceived Christ. This would have put Christ's conception in March and His birth some time in December.

I do not think it matters the day we celebrate. It is all good to me. Everyday is,when He is a part of it. But to what you say, I have heard that Christ would have been born when the sheep were having their lambs which would have been between March and may in Israel. I don't know. But in winter in Bethlehem the shepherds would not have been out in the fields according to an article I read. I 'll have to try and find it.

 

[Adonia]

Leaving out all the Christmas trees and presents, Christmas is a day set aside to recognize the coming of the Savior, and like it or not it is something that has been around a long time. So is there a problem with setting some arbitrary date for the birth of Our Lord? Not in my book.

It is a great story, two people going to a particular town for a census, one a Virgin who is pregnant with the Messiah long foretold in the OT, a star leading three wise men carrying gifts to the anointed one who was born in a stable, the subsequent rise of a man who never had any money or important position in the world, but instead had an impact on this planet far more than just about anyone else who ever lived here. It's a wonderful and great story and gives us a break from the ordinary and mundane lives that we actually lead.

 

[JonC]

I worship everyday. The sabbath was made for man not man for the sabbath. I rest from work but never from good work in Christ.

But you wouldn't attend a "Wednesday service" or a "Wednesday night service".

 

[Revmitchell]

I do not think it matters the day we celebrate. It is all good to me. Everyday is,when He is a part of it. But to what you say, I have heard that Christ would have been born when the sheep were having their lambs which would have been between March and may in Israel. I don't know. But in winter in Bethlehem the shepherds would not have been out in the fields according to an article I read. I 'll have to try and find it.

Zechariah was of the division of priests called "Abijah" which places him in the Temple last week of July-first week of August. You only have to follow Luke 1 and see that Christ was born in December. Speculating about weather they would be out in the winter is not scripture and does no good.

 

[Revmitchell]

I do not think it matters the day we celebrate. It is all good to me. Everyday is,when He is a part of it. But to what you say, I have heard that Christ would have been born when the sheep were having their lambs which would have been between March and may in Israel. I don't know. But in winter in Bethlehem the shepherds would not have been out in the fields according to an article I read. I 'll have to try and find it.

Zechariah was of the division of priests called "Abijah" which places him in the Temple last week of July-first week of August. You only have to follow Luke 1 and see that Christ was born in December. Speculating about weather they would be out in the winter is not scripture and does no good. It matters because what scripture says matters.

 

[OfLivingWaters]

But you wouldn't attend a "Wednesday service" or a "Wednesday night service".

I never said that. I was simply just stating something.

 

[OfLivingWaters]

Zechariah was of the division of priests called "Abijah" which places him in the Temple last week of July-first week of August. You only have to follow Luke 1 and see that Christ was born in December. Speculating about weather they would be out in the winter is not scripture and does no good.

I actually never gave it any deep thought. I simply accept the story and know I am better off for my Lord coming. My statements concerning yours, I am not married to. I was just throwing spaghetti on the wall. If you understand concerning the timing , by all means educate me.
What you state here has no biblical support either. Abijah (“Yahweh Is My Father”), There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah; and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth…. Once when he [Zechariah] was serving before God while his division was on duty… (Luke 1:5, 8)

During the Second Temple period, the twenty-four priestly divisions served in the temple at Jerusalem in a rotation system. A list of priestly divisions can be found in 1 Chronicles 24:7-18, which is usually dated by scholars to the fifth century B.C.E. There is no mention there, however, of any fixed order of service. Only in post-biblical traditions is it mentioned that the priestly divisions served according to a weekly rotation system.

The priests themselves lived not only in Jerusalem but also in other settlements in the land of Israel. When it was “time for the division to go up [to Jerusalem]” (Mishnah, Ta’anit 4:2), the priests left their homes, went up to Jerusalem for a week, and afterwards returned to their homes in Judea or Galilee.

There was a weekly rotation. This was throughout the year. Will you please show me where it states in the bible that Zechariah was doing this in July and August. He very well could have based on the rotation of priestly duties. But I may have missed the part where he was doing it when you say proves Christ was born in December. As I said I do not care when he was born, but since it is important to you that I understand this, please , by all means lead the way.

 

[OfLivingWaters]

Zechariah was of the division of priests called "Abijah" which places him in the Temple last week of July-first week of August. You only have to follow Luke 1 and see that Christ was born in December. Speculating about weather they would be out in the winter is not scripture and does no good.

Actually I was not speculating I said I read an article which did. But thanks for the edification I guess. Please lead the way!

 

[Walter]

Gotta love those Lutherans!!! lol

 

[OfLivingWaters]

Gotta love those Lutherans!!! lol

SOOOO, FUNNY!