Why should we celebrate Christmas?

[le bel]

The roots of Christmas are anything but Godly. The roots are pagan, thanks to the Church of Rome for mixing the beliefs of Christianity with paganism. Much of the early church had nothing to do with the holiday.

We choose to honor and give thanks to Christ and celebrate it in a faith based manner.

I know some who celebrate his birth in the spring, so it's not tied to Christmas. They are honoring Christ, so it really doesn't matter which day of the year it is. There's nothing super special about Dec 25th, just the day the Catholic Church decided to have the birth of Christ commemorated in reverence to the Sun god, Baalberith, winter solstice and the like.

I do love the family and togetherness of Christmas and the hymns.

 

[TexasSky]

Actually, you have that backwards.
Christians moved the birth of Christ celebration to December 25th because they wanted to take attention off of the Roman celebrations that were dedicated to saturn. This happened around 354 AD. Prior to that Christians celebrated Christ's birth on January 6.

 

[le bel]

The celebration of Christmas is a mixture of pagan Babylon's "mystery" idolatry in its purest form, imported through Pergamos (Rev. 2:13) into Rome, and there incorporated into her pagan religious ritual, and from thence introduced into the world by the Roman Catholic Church as a commemoration of Christ's birth.

In the Encyclopedia Brittanica, 9th Edition, Vol. 5; page 611 -- we read . . .

"Christmas Day, -- There is however difficulty in accepting this (December 25th) as the date of the Nativity, December being the height of the rainy season when neither flocks nor shepherds could have been at night in the fields of Bethlehem. By the fifth century, however, whether from influence of some tradition or from the desire to supplant heathen festivals of the period of the year such as Saturnalia, the 25th of December had been generally agreed upon.

 

[Johnv]

Originally posted by Ron Arndt:
The older I get, I realize that Christmas is not Christian at all, but just a day the commercial stores advertise to gain more money from consumers.

That's because people voluntarily spend a lot of money during this time of year. That is by no means the fault of commercial stores. They're responding to the consumer.

In fact, most people who have bad spending habits this time of year also have bad spending habits the rest of the year. So to be selective on the issue of overspending this time of year is, frankly, to be ignorant of the issue.

The stores could care less about Jesus and his being born. As a matter of fact Jesus is not even mentioned in commercials on TV.

Stores also typically don't care about which President's birthday it is, or what day the Declaration of Independence was signed, or what the pilgrims ate, or what Martin Luther King did (if they did, they wouldn't have their annual white sales around the MLK weekend). In fact, I can't remember the last time our fallen soldiers were mentioned by stores on Memorial Day.

And to all of that, I ask, so what? Stores don't dictate these things to me. Neither do they dictate Christmas customs to me.

Often families who make below the average pay scale cannot afford lavish gifts... Many folks go into credit card debt as well.

If they are spending outside their means, that is their own fault, not the stores'.

Christmas is for those who have money.

In the retail world, any even that attracts retail consumers is for those who have money. Again, I ask, so what?

Take for example all those new X box video game systems for kids plus the games that go with it.

That's the best example youo can come up with? What about the millions of us who didn't' buy one, and won't be buying one, whether it's at this time of the year, or any other (I'm a playstation man, myself).

There is nothing CHRIST-mas about Christmas.They should call it "stores get rich day".

I submit that the reason there is nothing of Christ in Christmas is because of your inward attitide. For me, Christ is alive and well this time of year, as well as the rest of the year. I'm perfectly able to balance the secular traditions of this time of year and fully remember Christ's birth. Just because you can't, I should not be penalized.

 

[le bel]

The research I did in the past suggests Baalberith and its pagan beliefs have a lot of ties to Dec 22nd-25th. It was a very indepth read.

There are many gods born to virgins within pagan beliefs, Christianity was just mixed in and it fits well to some.

Many different cultures celebrated the "sun god's" birthday on December 25th, as this day was set aside for Horus, Baal, Mithra etc.
In 274 A.D. the Roman Emperor Aurelian dedicated Dec. 25 to the sun.
The following are the characteristics of the "sun" of God:
The sun is the "Light of the World."
The sun is "the image that shine unto them"- Hence 2Cor 4:4.
The sun "cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him."
The sun is from "the beginning to the end".
The sun is their Lord which comes as a "Thief in the Night"
which causes the end where; "the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up." (2 Peter 3:10)
The sun wears a crown of thorns or a halo.
The sun "walks on water."
The suns "eyes are like fire".
The sun is "a consuming fire".
The sun "brings fire down from heaven".
The sun helps to make seeds grow
The sun's "followers" or "disciples" are the 12 months and the 12 signs of the Zodiac, through which the sun passes.
The sun is "crucified," which represents it's passing through the equinoxes, the vernal equinox being Easter, at which time it is then resurrected.
Dec 25th is the winter solstice and birth of the sun.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Dec 20,21,or 22 is the winter solstice.

We choose to celebrate Dec 25th as the birth of the Son.

Let every man be fully convinced in his own mind. If you regard the day, regard it to the Lord. If you don't regard the day, regard it not to the Lord.

 

[Johnv]

Originally posted by C4K:
Let every man be fully convinced in his own mind. If you regard the day, regard it to the Lord. If you don't regard the day, regard it not to the Lord.

Amen, preach it!!!

 

[le bel]

Originally posted by C4K:
Let every man be fully convinced in his own mind. If you regard the day, regard it to the Lord. If you don't regard the day, regard it not to the Lord.

I like that!

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

I wish I could take credit for it

.

 

[Pete Richert]

We are not commanded to observe Christmas in the Bible. If you wish to celebrate Christ's birth on that day (or any day) be my guest. If you don't wish to observe it, good for you. If you have money and want to give gifts, do so. If you have no money, don't buy gifts. My family will put up a Christmas tree and exachange gifts to friends and family members and will celebrate Jesus. But we will also celebrate Jesus the other 364 days and strive to be generous with gifts to friends and strangers year round. There is no reason we need to get all upset EVERY YEAR about whether this Holiday is Christian or not.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him Colossians 4:4

and as C4K already wisely qouted

One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. Romans 14:5-6

 

[HankD]

There is no reason we need to get all upset EVERY YEAR about whether this Holiday is Christian or not.

Amen. We don't get upset that the names of the days of the week are not Christian but named after false gods.

Sunday : Day of the Sun.
Monday : Day of the Moon.
Tuesday : Zeus Day.
Wednesday : Woden's Day
Thursday : Thor's Day
Friday : Frieden's Day
Saturday : Saturn's Day

HankD

 

[Ed Edwards]

The Dividing of Time into
AD = Anno Dommini (Year of the Lord) and
BC = Before Christ
shows that Jesus was born on 25 Dec 0001BC.

Check Luke 2:21 (HCSB):
When the eight days were completed for
His circumcision, He was named JESUS - the
name given by the angel before He was conceived.

The events of Luke 2:22-39 were performed that
selfsame day: 1 January 0001AD.

Starting the count with '1' as many non-nerds do
(computer nerds start counting with '0'):

25 Dec 0001BC - day 1
26 Dec 0001BC - day 2
27 Dec 0001BC - day 3
28 Dec 0001BC - day 4
29 Dec 0001BC - day 5
30 Dec 0001BC - day 6
31 Dec 0001BC - day 7
01 Jan 0001AD - day 8

The Dividing of Time into
AD = Anno Dommini (Year of the Lord) and
BC = Before Christ
shows that Jesus was born on 25 Dec 0001BC.

So my house and I will be celebrating The Birth of
Our Blessed Lord and Savior: Messiah Yeshua (Hebrew)
Jesus (17th-21st Century English) Iesus (16th Century English)

BTW#1: there being no YEAR ZERO, the First
Millinnium started on 01 Jan 0001AD and the last day
was 31 Dec 1000AD.
The second Millinnium started on 01 Jan 1001AD
and the last day was 31 Dec 2000AD.
The third Millinnium started on 01 Jan 1 2001AD
and the last day will be 31 Dec 3000AD.
So you guys who celebrated the dawning of the
Third Millinnium on 1 Jan 2000 were a year early

BTW#2: In the 21st Century (which started 1 Jan 2001 also
but will end 31 dec 2100AD) we capatilize the pronouns
referring to our Triune God: "Jesus, He is God".
We capatilize such pronouns even if they are NOT the first
word in a sentence. This capatalization of pronouns is
a mark of honor to our Truine God and all that He stands for.

 

[Hope of Glory]

We celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Jesus around September 27th when it actually happened.

December 25th is one of the times that it could not have happened.

Celebrate it whenever you want, but celebrate for the right reasons.

We just find it easier to celebrate it when it actually happened and enjoy the post-Pagan season sales after Christmas.

 

[Joman]

Christ asked us to remember his death not his birth. He didn't mentioned anything about his birth, but lot of time the bible teach us to remember his death .

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Christ never forbade us to remember His birth in addition to His death. We also celebrate His glorious resurrection.

If you regard the day, regard it to the Lord. If you do not regard the day, regard it not to the Lord.

I am amazed at the things we can find to judge each other over and fight over. When we do this, whether we "regard the day" or not, we are not doing it to the Lord.

 

[Watchman]

Yes, I agree, if you regard the day, regard the day. If you regard not the day, regard not the day.
But I am a critic of it and I look at it from the opposite perspective: He never said anything about keeping His birthday either.
All too many traditions, including the date, is of pagan origin and has nothing to do with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Sorry Ed, I must strongly disagree, Hope of Glory
is about right.

 

[HankD]

All too many traditions, including the date, is of pagan origin and has nothing to do with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Where does one draw the line Bro Watchman and how does one know where to draw that line? do we always say "the Lord's day" or do we sometimes say "Sunday" worship or "Wednesday" (Woden's day) prayer meeting?

These names which are of pagan origin and are meant to honor these gods.

The Scriptural principle is to use cardinal numbers, The first day, the second day, the seventh day, etc.

How about the money in our wallet and purses which have images associated with pagan deities all over them.

Why stop at the paganization of "Christmas"?
Why not apply the purging principle "across the board" in all that we do and say?

Each brother/sister draws their own line before the Lord.

I appreciate your graciousness.

HankD

 

[David Singleton]

I dont know about others, but Christmas is what you make it! In my house we celebrate the birth of Christ. He has a place set at the table, we have cake and ice cream, we sing happy birthday, and then we read the story from the Gospels. We share a few gifts and the rule is that the gifts must be home made or an item of value (clothing, a good book, christian music, a new Bible etc.) Christmas is commercial only if we let it be commercial. May God bless you all this Christmas and may the true meaning of Christmas be in your hearts.

 

[Hope of Glory]

David, I agree with you. However, think about how easy it is for Christians to cross over into worshipping mammon or self during this period of time.

 

[Ed Edwards]

Watchman: //Sorry Ed, I must strongly disagree, Hope of Glory
is about right.//

Nothing to be sorry about. Variance of opinion is expected
in debate threads. Also expected in debate threads is a rational
for why you disagree. I gave a Bible rational for the 25 Dec
birth of Jesus; nobody gave any rational for the HOPE OF GLORY
date of 27 Sept. (BTW, it was 25 Sept, not 27, in other words
my birthday )

One reason why it could not be 25 Dec is the Weather reason.
My USA Today predicts for Friday, 2 Dec 2005 the weather in
Jerusalem will be hi/lo:72/54. Great weather for keeping sheep
outside, not to hot in the day, not too cool at night.
(the time to go in is when your are still cold in a three
sheep night

)

Oh, BTW, I was concieved on 25 Dec 1942 in a sleazy motel
outside Fort Carson, Colorado.(My Dad said so and my Mother
didn't deny it).

Watchman: //Yes, I agree, if you regard the day, regard the day.
If you regard not the day, regard not the day.//

Yes, I agree also. I also thank God for my lean Turkey meat.
But were I Vegan, I'd bless the Tufu.

Have a very very merry merry Christmas!!!