Nativity Scenes and the Second Commandment

[Dale-c]

Here's a question I have for you guys: Do we really need the nativity scene to celebrate Christmas meaningfully?

My vote is no.

Another question: do we need the Christmas holiday to worship God meaningfully?
I say no to that as well.

IF you want to, fine. But there is no need for a crusade to "save" Christmas.

 

[menageriekeeper]

Lots of things are inherently religious, it doesn't make them holy.

A nativity scene is a representation of a holy event, but the scene itself is not holy.

WHat is this supposed to mean? That idolatry is ok now?

That perhaps with the coming of Christ and the Holy Spirit, we now have a fuller understanding the nature of God and are unlikely to mistake a picture/sculpture as being God.

 

[TCGreek]

My vote is no.

Another question: do we need the Christmas holiday to worship God meaningfully?
I say no to that as well.

IF you want to, fine. But there is no need for a crusade to "save" Christmas.

I see your concern to preserve pure worship to God. But how is the Christmas celebration not achieving that end?

 

[Dale-c]

That perhaps with the coming of Christ and the Holy Spirit, we now have a fuller understanding the nature of God and are unlikely to mistake a picture/sculpture as being God.

We will have to disagree on that one.
At any rate, we all agree that tomorrow is Sunday (it is already here in Indiana) And that is the Lord's day, so I had better go to bed.
God bless all of you as you study His word and may we all come to a more full understanding of His truth.

 

[DHK]

My vote is no.

Another question: do we need the Christmas holiday to worship God meaningfully?
I say no to that as well.

IF you want to, fine. But there is no need for a crusade to "save" Christmas.

I agree whole-heartedly. I use this time to be with my family, and also to witness to those in my extended family that are not yet saved.

 

[TCGreek]

I agree whole-heartedly. I use this time to be with my family, and also to witness to those in my extended family that are not yet saved.

What do you do when a family member says, "Merry Christmas"?

 

[DHK]

What do you do when a family member says, "Merry Christmas"?

I am polite enought to say "Merry Christmas" back to them.
There is no need to unnecessarily offend people. I fully realize the etymology of the word, and therefore disagree with it on that basis. On the other hand, we don't always define a word strictly by its etymology, and realizing that I treat the expression simply as a seasonal greeting.

 

[TCGreek]

I am polite enought to say "Merry Christmas" back to them.
There is no need to unnecessarily offend people. I fully realize the etymology of the word, and therefore disagree with it on that basis. On the other hand, we don't always define a word strictly by its etymology, and realizing that I treat the expression simply as a seasonal greeting.

Then your use of the expression "Merry Christmas," would be different. Wouldn't it?

 

[DHK]

Then your use of the expression "Merry Christmas," would be different. Wouldn't it?

Yes it would. It would be the secular greeting, not the religious one.

The greetings and farewells "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Christmas" are traditionally used in North America, the United Kingdom, and Ireland beginning a few weeks prior to the Christmas holiday on December 25 of every year. "Merry" dominates in North America; "Happy" in the United Kingdom and Ireland. (See "History" for more on this.)
The phrase is often proffered when it is known that the receiver is a Christian or celebrates Christmas. In the beginning of the 21st century, as Christians in increasingly multi-cultural societies continue becoming more sensitive to and respectful of non-Christians and non-Christian faiths, the phrase has become somewhat less ubiquitous than it was in the 20th century. (However, the commercialization of the actual holiday continues unabated.) The nonreligious sometimes use the greeting as well, however in this case its meaning focuses more on the secular aspects of Christmas, rather than the Nativity of Jesus.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Holidays

 

[TCGreek]

Yes it would. It would be the secular greeting, not the religious one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Holidays

I got you. So Rom 14:5, 6 Would be a misapplication when applied to Christmas? "One person considers one day to be above another day. Someone else considers every day to be the same. Each one must be fully convinced in his own mind. Whoever observes the day, observe it to the Lord."

 

[Dale-c]

I got you. So Rom 14:5, 6 Would be a misapplication when applied to Christmas? "One person considers one day to be above another day. Someone else considers every day to be the same. Each one must be fully convinced in his own mind. Whoever observes the day, observe it to the Lord."

Ah, but we do observe it to the Lord! The same way we would observe New year's day to the Lord.

 

[Dale-c]

I am polite enought to say "Merry Christmas" back to them.
There is no need to unnecessarily offend people. I fully realize the etymology of the word, and therefore disagree with it on that basis. On the other hand, we don't always define a word strictly by its etymology, and realizing that I treat the expression simply as a seasonal greeting.

I do the same.

 

[menageriekeeper]

The same way we would observe New year's day to the Lord.

Mmmm, I don't observe New Year's day as a religious holiday, per se. New Year's is more secular for us. It does not have the deep meaning of Christmas and though we are always thankful for God's blessing (in this case the blessing of a New Year) we are also aware that no man is guarenteed the morrow.

As far as thankgiving for the past year, well we've already celebrated that, at Thanksgiving!

I have to go with TC Greek's scripture here: One man esteems a day above another, let each decide for himself. Oh wait, it's that whole priesthood of the believer thingy again!

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

I did not break any commandment since I neither made the nativity scene, nor do I worship it...

 

[PastorSBC1303]

Dale and SBC,

Here's a question I have for you guys: Do we really need the nativity scene to celebrate Christmas meaningfully?

Of course not. However, saying it is not needed and comparing it to idol worship are completely different things.

I could really care less if anyone ever has a nativity scene. But to call it idol worship crosses the line IMO.

 

[TCGreek]

Of course not. However, saying it is not needed and comparing it to idol worship are completely different things.

I could really care less if anyone ever has a nativity scene. But to call it idol worship crosses the line IMO.

I really don't care for the Nativity scene either, but I withhold my judgment.

 

[Dale-c]

I did not break any commandment since I neither made the nativity scene, nor do I worship it...

That is about the same as saying that you didn't kill anyone, you paid someone else to do it.

 

[Deacon]

One of my family's favorite Christmas tree ornaments is a small hand-made nativity scene crafted by one of my kids when they were young.

...but that's not why it's so highly prized.

At some point during storage, another child-made ornament, a small marshmellow snowman, melted right over the spot of the baby Jesus.

What a frosty salvation we hold.

Rob

 

[Dale-c]

Mmmm, I don't observe New Year's day as a religious holiday, per se.

That's my point!

 

[rbell]

That is about the same as saying that you didn't kill anyone, you paid someone else to do it.

Oh, good grief.