Would Jesus approve of Christmas?

[T Alan]

And there will be tares among the wheat as well. Not all who attend church weekly offer genuine worship.

No doubt. My argument wasn't speaking to this.

Why object to those who sincerely worship at Christmas simply because others are secular?

I didn't. The point of my post was showing although "Most" say "Christmas" is a "celebration of Christ's birth" that if it were devoid of all the "goofy" stuff it wouldn't be "National Celebration" at all. To me it seems "proof" that it is about the "fun" and not truly about celebration of Christ birth.

Try this: tell your wife (pre supposing) you are going to celebrate her next birthday by having dinner with "another" woman. See how well that goes over. [smiles everyone]

 

[JonC]

. To me it seems "proof" that it is about the "fun" and not truly about celebration of Christ birth.
]

You are right that it is proof regarding some. You would be wrong to assume this applies to all who observe Christmas.

 

[T Alan]

You are right that it is proof regarding some. You would be wrong to assume this applies to all who observe Christmas.

Without a doubt not "every person" that observes the celebration of the birth of Christ but I "would" say ALL that celebrate "Christmas".

No so as to stick to the OP.

NO is my answer.

 

[righteousdude2]

NO is my answer.

That is as good an answer as any other! Thanks for your healthy contribution brother!

 

[JonC]

I believe that Jesus would approve of the way that some celebrate Christmas. I find it a great cause of celebration that in God’s redemptive plan He became man, that Jesus can sympathize with our weakness, that He can be a Mediator and a High Priest, and of course the ever present reality of “God with us”, Immanuel. There are so many doctrines and truths wrapped up in the Christian celebration of Christmas that I don’t believe Jesus would be blinded by antiquated definitions or worldly commercialism to the heart of those who are truly worshipping and celebrating salvation through Christmas observance. I don’t think He would agree with religious commercialism or secularization (whether in December or throughout the year).

 

[DHK]

If Jesus came, perhaps He would say:

[FONT=&quot]Mark 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.[/FONT]

 

[T Alan]

I believe that Jesus would approve of the way that some celebrate Christmas.

I agree. To think otherwise is (something I don't have a good word for). But I would say that number would be very,very low compared to those are simply celebrating a trumped up tradition. St. Nicholas is a true story and a good story and worthy of remembrance. What it has evolved into is sick.

I find it a great cause of celebration that in God’s redemptive plan He became man, that Jesus can sympathize with our weakness, that He can be a Mediator and a High Priest, and of course the ever present reality of “God with us”, Immanuel.

Would you share with us the exact way YOU (emphasis only) celebrate that redemptive plan?

There are so many doctrines and truths wrapped up in the Christian celebration of Christmas

What exactly does this look like apart from what is the common "commercialization"?

that I don’t believe Jesus would be blinded by antiquated definitions

=JonC;2171805]

What are the "antiquated definitions" you reference?

or worldly commercialism to the heart of those who are truly worshipping and celebrating salvation through Christmas observance.

Again "Christmas observance"; Is this meaning Santa, reindeer, North Pole etc...?
If so I refer you back to the "Wife's birthday and your celebrating it by having dinner with another woman" reference.

I don’t think He would agree with religious commercialism or secularization (whether in December or throughout the year).

Seems to contradict your consistent argument but, we surely agree.

 

[T Alan]

If Jesus came, perhaps He would say:

[FONT=&quot]Mark 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.[/FONT]

"Spot on" Sir!
I was saying to my wifey just last night, I can't see a lot of difference between the "Israelites" that were stuck on trying to keep the law of Moses/God (and the man invented ones) reluctance to "do it another way" and those "American Christians" who are are believing they are celebrating "the birth of Christ" by decorating their yard and house with elves, reindeer, nativity scene, etc.. and are unable to discern the truth about IT (emphasis)

 

[JonC]

Would you share with us the exact way YOU (emphasis only) celebrate that redemptive plan?

I was actually thinking about my church (the past two I've been a member of, anyway). But I suppose mine is no different, although I have no "exact way" I celebrate "that redemptive plan." What I like about Christmas is the focus on Christ's birth and the Incarnation within the redemptive plan and fellowship (both as a church and with family). So it is also a time of reflection. That's about it for me...I do like taking an evening to see Christmas lights.

What exactly does this look like apart from what is the common "commercialization"?

We may differ in definitions. I just don’t view commercialization as focusing on Jesus as the long awaited Christ, or God “tabernacling” among us.

What are the "antiquated definitions" you reference?

“Mass for Christ.” You seem to note it’s commercialization and secular celebration (Santa, etc) while others object to it being a “Mass.” Both assume a position that may or may not be true depending on the beliefs and actions of the celebrators.

Again "Christmas observance"; Is this meaning Santa, reindeer, North Pole etc...?
.

This is where we starting speaking past each other. You present “Christmas observance” as meaning Santa, reindeer, North Pole, etc. This is not what I was speaking of. While I am not opposed to those secular things, they are not what I mean by Christmas. That's why you think that my statement contradicted what I had already stated....I was not clear enough in my initial post.

 

[sag38]

Christians who have lights in their yard at Christmas are compared to apostate Israelites trying to keep the law. Good grief!! Most folks, I know who decorate their yard with lights aren't trying to prove anything to God or anyone else for that matter. They, including me, do so because it's pretty. I also enjoy putting up lights. In fact, I have three Christmas trees decorated in my yard (God forbid!!) There's no law that says they have to decorate. And, there's no law that says they don't have to. What's next? Are you going to say those who have have a plastic Santa on their roof are like Israelite Kings who sacrificed their children to Molech?

 

[robt.k.fall]

A better question,

since our Lord liveth and sits on the right hand of God the Father, is:

Does the Lord Jesus approve of Christmas?

 

[sag38]

I think this is a better question. Does the Lord approve of Christians who get their underwear in wads over peripheral matters?

 

[Salty]

since our Lord liveth and sits on the right hand of God the Father, is:

Does the Lord Jesus approve of Christmas?

Or we could ask: Does the Lord Jesus
DISAPPROVE of Christmas.

 

[JonC]

Also, there is a huge difference between saying "I don't celebrate Christmas because..." and saying "you shouldn't celebrate Christmas because...".

 

[Getting it Right]

Christmas

.......is not a pagan holiday. It once was, but it has been replaced by the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We decorate our front yard with the manger scene, our home with multi-colored lights. We don't celebrate those. We use them so that those passing through our neighborhood will notice WHO we are remembering. We observe neighborhood families and church groups dropping by to sing songs of praise in our front yard.

Children, grand- and great-grandchildren can drop by our home for Bible readings, hymns and prayers. The youngest receive Christian gifts. We say things like "Merry Christmas" and "Praise God from Whom ALL Blessings Flow." Someone in the family tells the Christmas story. The children sit in a circle on the floor of our huge family room.

We embrace when they arrive, embrace as they return to their homes. Yes, sometimes there are tears --- we may not be here for the next observance of our Savior's birth. We know where we are going, and each of our family members know that as well (although the newest may not fully comprehend what eternal life is all about, and from Whom we received this wonderful, miraculous, awesome, blessed Gift.)

"Silent Night" is our closing hymn. A family member leads in the closing prayer. raying:

Then we hug each one as they go out the front door, our Morkie barking loudly, "Please don't go."

:1_grouphug:

 

[DHK]

.......is not a pagan holiday. It once was, but it has been replaced by the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We decorate our front yard with the manger scene, our home with multi-colored lights. We don't celebrate those. We use them so that those passing through our neighborhood will notice WHO we are remembering. We observe neighborhood families and church groups dropping by to sing songs of praise in our front yard.

That is one of the main objections. It is the substitution of a pagan feast.
Example:
The Muslims fast one month of the year, during the month of Ramadan, and then they hold a feast afterward where they sacrifice a goat. The feast is "the breaking of the fast."
Therefore Christians should substitute their own fast. They should have their own feast. They should sacrifice their own goat or sheep, etc.
This, in essence, is what you are advocating. Take a pagan feast and substitute it with a Christian one so the Christians won't feel left out.

That is what happened. The pagans were feasting and making merry. Christians felt left out. Therefore a feast was instituted on that day to make everyone happy. Paganism was Christianized and Christianity was paganized. That has been the story of the RCC.

What did Jesus say about worship:
[FONT=&quot]John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.[/FONT]

 

[Getting it Right]

Replaced; done away with..........

It has been replaced by the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Underline "replaced," as in "done away with." No more pagan lies. Now it is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. One can dwell on and expand "pagan," or one can let it die. HE remains alive and well.

raying: