Author	Thread: Are we heathens for celebrating Christmas?
dljrn04 View Profile History	Are we heathens for celebrating Christmas? Posted : 7 Dec, 2012 12:12 PM Jeremiah 10: 2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not In light of this scripture is celebrating Christmas wrong? Post Reply
View Profile History	Are we heathens for celebrating Christmas? Posted : 7 Dec, 2012 10:16 PM It's not wrong to celebrate God's gift of a saviour. Having said that, we know Christ almost certainly wasn't born in December, and the date (and some of the practices) are pagan in origin, so we're effectively trying to dress up a pagan festival as being Christian - the proof is a heathen world happy to keep the tree and everything else in Christmas whilst denying Christ Himself! Personally, if I were to celebrate the birth of Christ (and it's not mandated we should - the only one we are commanded is communion), I'd pick a day much closer to when it was likely to have been, and more importantly, one with no connection to pagan festivals whatsoever. Ditto for easter. Post Reply
dljrn04 View Profile History	Are we heathens for celebrating Christmas? Posted : 8 Dec, 2012 04:39 AM Thank you Post Reply
DontHitThatMark View Profile History	Are we heathens for celebrating Christmas? Posted : 8 Dec, 2012 06:04 PM I think the problem with Christmas is similar to the problem with eating meat offered to idols, or with observing feasts of the old covenant. If your own conscience is clear, to your own master you stand or fall. The only thing we need to worry about is whether our own conscience is clear before God, and that we follow him in all things and not the world. It's possible to observe Christmas without being part of the world, just like with birthdays, there is nothing inherently evil about either of them, although one could observe them in a evil way, or in a way that is not "edifying", or that makes another stumble. I think that any involvement "Santa", or other figures, have in a holiday is kind of questionable though, especially concerning children, I would consider that causing another person to stumble. If anything is a fable, it's Santa, and making/letting your child believe he is real is kind of unhealthy, especially for a christian. I have an Aunt that was so crushed when she found out Santa was not real, that she even abandoned God because she considered that another "fable" or "trick". That's an extreme case, but I just don't see any healthy reason for allowing literal belief of pagan fables into anything. Placement of the day is also pretty questionable and is indicative of the compromise with paganism that took place in the early church, but I don't think it's that important. Romans 14 1Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 4Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.5One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 7For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. 9For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. 1 Corinthians 10 23All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. 24Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. 25Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: 26For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. 27If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 28But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: 29Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? 30For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?31Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. 1 Corinthians 8 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. :peace::peace: Post Reply
Philipian View Profile History	Are we heathens for celebrating Christmas? Posted : 9 Dec, 2012 04:24 AM @dljrn04, for all Christ did for humanity, it the world chose to pick out 25th of December (thought we know its highly uncertain it was 25th) to celebrate in any way, so let it be. Galatians 4:9-10 (King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)) - " But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? [10] Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years." To the man born again, the emphasis is not on the festivity,celebrity of the day or even the celebration of the day. Its about THE PERSON OF JESUS WHO DIED FOR ME AND YOU. To me, its Christ and Him Crucified that mattered. Its not the celebration of the day or time or month of the person....Its CELEBRATION of the PERSON of JESUS who died for me! Post Reply
View Profile History	Are we heathens for celebrating Christmas? Posted : 10 Dec, 2012 05:09 AM Have you notticed that Christmas is becoming darker. The movies are becoming darker. The world steals everything innocent. I watched this movie last night for the first time where santa gives the responsibility of christmas to his daughter and she is the one who saves christmas. This santa is a self absorbed, emotionally defeated man and needs a woman to rescue him and christmas. Like the superhero's they are becoming darker in their costumes and essence. Our world is growing darker and darker as the love of many wax cold. We are the light of the world let our lights so shine forth. Post Reply
Philipian View Profile History	Are we heathens for celebrating Christmas? Posted : 10 Dec, 2012 07:19 AM To me for a long time running and coming now. I have learn to put priority where it belong. That should be for everyman born of the Spirit 1 Cor 15:19 (New Living Translation (�2007)) - And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied (miserable according to King James Version) than anyone in the world... It follows that if our hope and joy is hung on Christmas and any other physical thing, then we had acquire some characteristics of hopelessness! The celebration of Xmas should not becloud the Celebration of Jesus and Him Crucified from our views! Post Reply
View Profile History	Are we heathens for celebrating Christmas? Posted : 10 Dec, 2012 04:36 PM http://cbcg.org/franklin/PM/Christmas-Greatest-Story-Never-Told.pdf xo Post Reply