Now that Christmas is over...

[Rudimental]

Now that Christmas is over...

Uhhm Hi Rickyz me, I don't know where you're from but here on Earths, Christmas starts 12 days before the 25th and is never officially over until 12 days after.

Christmas is NOT over lol

[elf3]

HA!!! Victory is mine!!! Christmas tree is put away, not to be seen or heard from for another year!!!! Living room is back to status quo....... *Does happy dance!!!

I might be close to this in march. The lights... Shoot up all year.

[RickyZ]

Noooo.... I won't take part anymore in this kind of Thread...

I really only started it as a joke... go figure!

[RickyZ]

Uhhm Hi Rickyz me, I don't know where you're from but here on Earths, Christmas starts 12 days before the 25th and is never officially over until 12 days after.

Christmas is NOT over lol

In my particular part of earth I've heard of the 12 days of Christmas but 1 was all we could really handle

[didymos]

Pagan's have more fun and enjoy life.

... and that's exactly the reason why christians took over christmas.

[AgeofKnowledge]

Except that they didn't. Christmas is a continuation of the Eastern and Western festival of the nativity that historians trace back to the year 200 AD (though it could be older).

Christmas began as the gradual Christian reinterpretation of Passover in terms of Jesus’ Passion from at least the second century and possibly the first. Its observance could even be implied in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 5:7–8: “Our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the festival…”); it was certainly a distinctively Christian feast by the mid-second century C.E., when the apocryphal text known as the Epistle to the Apostles has Jesus instruct his disciples to “make commemoration of [his] death, that is, the Passover.”

So it's no surprise that you can go celebrate the 'Festival of the Nativity' at Christian churches today around the world and yes, they still call it that.

As for December 25th, read 'How December 25 Became Christmas' by Dr. Andrew McGowan published by Biblical Archaeology: How December 25 Became Christmas – Biblical Archaeology Society

As Dr. McGowan explains, the celebration of the birth of Christ derives from the early Christian festival of the Nativity NOT from pagan traditions. That said, he doesn't eliminate the possibility that December 25th was a politicization of the festival of the nativity under Constantine.

Also, the false assertion that Festivus, Saturnalia, Yule, the Solstice, and other pagan celebrations greatly influenced our Christmas Holiday needs correction.

Take the Christmas tree. The custom of the Christmas tree developed in early MODERN Germany (where it is today called Weihnachtsbaum or Christbaum or "Tannenbaum") with predecessors that can be traced to the 16th and possibly 15th century, in which devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. It acquired popularity beyond Germany during the second half of the 19th century, at first among the upper classes. It's NOT a carry over from ancient Greco-Roman paganism.

The modern figure of Santa Claus is derived from the historical Dutch figure of Sinterklaas (15 March 270 AD – 6 December 343 AD), whose name is a dialectal pronunciation of Saint Nicholas, the historical Greek Catholic bishop and gift-giver of Myra. However, it is true that the personality of Santa was then modified by influences from pre-Christian Germanic and Alpine traditions as well as Dutch and Nordic folklore and the British character Father Christmas over time and are all now fully merged with Santa Claus but the figure began as a wholly Christian character.

And obviously, singing is not pagan in nature and origin. Visit the Psalms. The first specifically Christmas hymns for Christians that we know of appear in fourth century Rome. Latin hymns such as Veni redemptor gentium, written by Ambrose, Archbishop of Milan, were austere statements of the theological doctrine of the Incarnation in opposition to Arianism. Corde natus ex Parentis (Of the Father's love begotten) by the Spanish poet Prudentius (d. 413 AD) is still sung in some churches today.

Etc...

... and that's exactly the reason why christians took over christmas.

[Hizikyah]

The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church, Revised Edition, by Zondervan Publishing:

CHRISTIAN YEAR, THE. The early Christians who were mainly Jews were used not only to keeping one day in the week as separate but also to marking the year with certain religious festivals, notably Passover, Tabernacles, and Pentecost. From early times Christians kept a commemoration of Christ’s resurrection. This was held at Passover time and was finally fixed on the Sunday following Passover. Pentecost was then celebrated at the appropriate time; the fifty days between the two were days of joy and rejoicing. The choice of 25 December (in the East, 6 January) for the birth of Christ is almost certainly because that day was the great pagan day of honor to the sun, and in Rome in the fourth century it was transformed into a Christian festival. CHRISTMAS. The English name for the Feast of the Nativity of Christ kept on 25 December by the Western Church. There is no evidence of a Feast of the Nativity before the fourth century, except possibly among the Basilidians. Theearliestmentionof25 December is in the Philocalian Calendar, compiledin354, which cites its observance in Rome in 336. It would not appear to have been celebrated in Antioch until approximately 375. By380 it was being observed in Constantinople, and by 430 in Alexandria. It was still unknown in Jerusalem early in the fifth century__it was not until the sixth century that the Nativity was finally detached from 6 January and celebrated on 25 December. By the middle of the fifth century it was being gradually observed throughout East and West. The Armenians still observe 6 January, the closely related Feast of the Epiphany, as Christmas Day. There is no authoritative historical evidence as to the day or month of Christ’s birth in Jerusalem. 25 December was the date of a Roman pagan festival inaugurated in 274 as the birth day of the unconquered sun which at the winter solstice begins again to show an increase in light. Sometime before 336 the Church in Rome, unable to stamp out this pagan festival, spiritualized it as the Feast of the Nativity of the Sun of Righteousness. Christmas in the Eastern Church celebrates the birth of Christ together with the visit of the shepherds and the adoration o fthe wise men. In the Western Church the adoration of the Magi is attached to Epiphany on 6 January. In the Roman Catholic Church three masses are usually said to symbolize the birth of Christ eternally in the bosom of the Father, from the womb of Mary and mystically in the soul of the faithful. The traditional customs associated with Christmas have been derived from several sources. The merrymaking and the exchange of presents find their origin in the Roman Saturnalia festival (17-24 December), and the greenery and lights come from the Kalends of January (1 January, the Roman New Year) with its solar associations. The Germano-Celtic Yule rites introduced the tradition of feasting and fellowship. In the USA (and in England during the Commonwealth) Christian celebrations were at first suppressed by the Puritans, who objected to their pagan origins. Since the nineteenth century the celebration of Christmas has become increasingly popular.

[Mitspa]

Are some confused about the fact that we now hold Christmas as a time of celebration of the birth and purpose of Christ coming into the world? How ever it started...don't matter anymore than if your church building use to be a bar. If your not getting drunk there and your sincerely worshipping God, then something bad had been turned to something good. A holiday is nothing more than what you make it in your faith...Paul told folks they could eat food that had been offered to idols because it had no power over them as long as they ate with clear conscience and before the Lord. It was just food...a day is just a day and any day is holy if we live it in faith before God.

[didymos]

Except that they didn't. Christmas is a continuation of the Eastern and Western festival of the nativity that historians trace back to the year 200 AD (though it could be older).

Christmas began as the gradual Christian reinterpretation of Passover in terms of Jesus’ Passion from at least the second century and possibly the first. Its observance could even be implied in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 5:7–8: “Our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the festival…”); it was certainly a distinctively Christian feast by the mid-second century C.E., when the apocryphal text known as the Epistle to the Apostles has Jesus instruct his disciples to “make commemoration of [his] death, that is, the Passover.”

So it's no surprise that you can go celebrate the 'Festival of the Nativity' at Christian churches today around the world and yes, they still call it that.

As for December 25th, read 'How December 25 Became Christmas' by Dr. Andrew McGowan published by Biblical Archaeology: How December 25 Became Christmas – Biblical Archaeology Society

As Dr. McGowan explains, the celebration of the birth of Christ derives from the early Christian festival of the Nativity NOT from pagan traditions. That said, he doesn't eliminate the possibility that December 25th was a politicization of the festival of the nativity under Constantine.

Also, the false assertion that Festivus, Saturnalia, Yule, the Solstice, and other pagan celebrations greatly influenced our Christmas Holiday needs correction.

Take the Christmas tree. The custom of the Christmas tree developed in early MODERN Germany (where it is today called Weihnachtsbaum or Christbaum or "Tannenbaum") with predecessors that can be traced to the 16th and possibly 15th century, in which devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. It acquired popularity beyond Germany during the second half of the 19th century, at first among the upper classes. It's NOT a carry over from ancient Greco-Roman paganism.

The modern figure of Santa Claus is derived from the historical Dutch figure of Sinterklaas (15 March 270 AD – 6 December 343 AD), whose name is a dialectal pronunciation of Saint Nicholas, the historical Greek Catholic bishop and gift-giver of Myra. However, it is true that the personality of Santa was then modified by influences from pre-Christian Germanic and Alpine traditions as well as Dutch and Nordic folklore and the British character Father Christmas over time and are all now fully merged with Santa Claus but the figure began as a wholly Christian character.

And obviously, singing is not pagan in nature and origin. Visit the Psalms. The first specifically Christmas hymns for Christians that we know of appear in fourth century Rome. Latin hymns such as Veni redemptor gentium, written by Ambrose, Archbishop of Milan, were austere statements of the theological doctrine of the Incarnation in opposition to Arianism. Corde natus ex Parentis (Of the Father's love begotten) by the Spanish poet Prudentius (d. 413 AD) is still sung in some churches today.

Etc...

It was a JOKE... hellooooo?

[Hizikyah]

Are some confused about the fact that we now hold Christmas as a time of celebration of the birth and purpose of Christ coming into the world? How ever it started...don't matter anymore than if your church building use to be a bar. If your not getting drunk there and your sincerely worshipping God, then something bad had been turned to something good. A holiday is nothing more than what you make it in your faith...Paul told folks they could eat food that had been offered to idols because it had no power over them as long as they ate with clear conscience and before the Lord. It was just food...a day is just a day and any day is holy if we live it in faith before God.

Dec 31 is what you make of it I agree.

What Im failing to illustrate or others are failing to understand is that how could we support a day that leads many to error. May not be error and drunkeness in our household, family, etc, bu others that do not know Him, how can we promote "holidays" that are for the destruction of the people.... For the vast majority a NYE party is a pit. Millions getting drunk, killed, fighting, etc etc etc.... and I am accounted as evil among believers because this hurts my heart....

[psychomom]

Dec 31 is what you make of it I agree.

What Im failing to illustrate or others are failing to understand is that how could we support a day that leads many to error. May not be error and drunkeness in our household, family, etc, bu others that do not know Him, how can we promote "holidays" that are for the destruction of the people.... For the vast majority a NYE party is a pit. Millions getting drunk, killed, fighting, etc etc etc.... and I am accounted as evil among believers because this hurts my heart....

oh, honey. i get where you're coming from.
(AND you're doing a really good job with the narration biz... )

but truthfully, fallen humans don't really need a reason to sin.
it's done because we're sinners.

i mean, we'd have to condemn people who enjoy saint patty's day
and frankly, just a saturday night...
(not that i personally participate in what's typically done on either...)

i think what people are saying is we have a Redeemer!
and He's already begun making all things new. ♥

now, sweetie...make a nice smoothie and take a breath, okay?
can't control the world...whether or not believers 'support' sin,
it's gonna happen. God will take care of all that stuff...
we just worry about ourselves.

[Mitspa]

Dec 31 is what you make of it I agree.

What Im failing to illustrate or others are failing to understand is that how could we support a day that leads many to error. May not be error and drunkeness in our household, family, etc, bu others that do not know Him, how can we promote "holidays" that are for the destruction of the people.... For the vast majority a NYE party is a pit. Millions getting drunk, killed, fighting, etc etc etc.... and I am accounted as evil among believers because this hurts my heart....

Who is telling these people to act like heathens? Or who is approving that type of behavior? But telling them a certain day is sin when its not the issue only causes confusion and pushes them away from knowing Christ, and learning to live a life of faith...free from a bunch of legalistic religion....They don't want that nonsense! But in their heart many of them know they need Christ...but they don't want a bunch of religious bondage that God never intended for them to begin with.

[Born_Again]

I'll take a smoothie!!! I haven't had a smoothie in so long!!! I could use a "chill" moment amongst the holiday stress

[Hizikyah]

oh, honey. i get where you're coming from.
(AND you're doing a really good job with the narration biz... )

but truthfully, fallen humans don't really need a reason to sin.
it's done because we're sinners.

i mean, we'd have to condemn people who enjoy saint patty's day
and frankly, just a saturday night...
(not that i personally participate in what's typically done on either...)

i think what people are saying is we have a Redeemer!
and He's already begun making all things new. ♥

now, sweetie...make a nice smoothie and take a breath, okay?
can't control the world...whether or not believers 'support' sin,
it's gonna happen. God will take care of all that stuff...
we just worry about ourselves.

Gentle words in a time of great error, and please hear me out.

Colossians 2:8, "Beware that no one leads you away like a prize because of philosophy or empty, false statements, according to the traditions of men, after the elements of the world, and not after the Messiah!"

To each may choose their own way, I am not there to force any. However that does not mean I would sit idly by and allow lies to go unchecked.

I could never knowingly or willingly practice pagan rituals to Yah, nor could I sit by why others do and not say anything. With that same seriousness, I have never and will never claim to know another persons fate. However, we are supposed to be able to know the difference between right and wrong. People have lot their compass on judgement. One can judge that, "stealing is a sin" one can not judge the said thief is or is not going to the kingdom, for only One can judge that.

John 7:24, "Do not judge according to appearances, but judge righteous judgment!"

This is the exact reason why the Israylites were punished, they did not put a difference between right and wrong.

Ezekiyl 22:25-26, "There is a conspiracy of her prophets in her midst, like a roaring lion ravening the prey: they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in the midst of her. Her priests have violated My Law, and have profaned My holy things; they have put no difference between the holy and profane, they have not taught the difference between the unclean and the clean; they have shut their eyes to the keeping of My Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them."

He changes not

Deuteronomy 12:30-31, “Be careful not to be ensnared into following them by asking about their gods, saying: How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do the same. You must not worship Yahweh your Father in their way..."

[passinthru]

Honestly, Jan 31 NYE is 100% of pagan origin, it is from the Babylonian calendar, im not judging any who do but I am saying why stick up for NYE Jan 31 if it brings NOTHING righteous and is 100% pagan origin?

My God is far more powerfull than any man made holiday ,time or season and I feel you worship the same God. This is a good thing. If we get too wrapped up in Holidays and get all freaked out over the bad and evil in them we can miss the whole point of how Good God is and possibly a chance to tell others of what Jesus did for them no matter where they are or what they are doing. Don't intend to just sound like another critic but giving too much credence to bad can allow good to take a back seat. When that happens who wins?

[Born_Again]

My God is far more powerfull than any man made holiday ,time or season and I feel you worship the same God. This is a good thing. If we get too wrapped up in Holidays and get all freaked out over the bad and evil in them we can miss the whole point of how Good God is and possibly a chance to tell others of what Jesus did for them no matter where they are or what they are doing. Don't intend to just sound like another critic but giving too much credence to bad can allow good to take a back seat. When that happens who wins?

AMEN. All too true!!!

[Blain]

Let me be the first to take a cheap shot at that heathen pagan CUPID!

I am wondering if any man made celebration of days is not pagan or evil like say birthday celebrations or 4th of july fathers day mothers day who knows? I am sure there is always something someone can have ill feelings against no matter what it is

[passinthru]

Who is telling these people to act like heathens? Or who is approving that type of behavior? But telling them a certain day is sin when its not the issue only causes confusion and pushes them away from knowing Christ, and learning to live a life of faith...free from a bunch of legalistic religion....They don't want that nonsense! But in their heart many of them know they need Christ...but they don't want a bunch of religious bondage that God never intended for them to begin with.

AMEN!! I tis good to grow in the word no doubt but knowledge alone does not equate to wisdom from our master. Many are well versed in the word of God much more than others no doubt. My prayer is that we all can be as one IN HIM and GO YE in a way that will honor God so he can speak through us to a lost and dying world IN LOVE. Too many focus on the sin and not the sinner to the point that the sinner wants no part of what they are trying (with good intentions) to say. This is a trick of the enemy and/or the old nature within us and can even lead or be birthed by pride. Jesus had the right approach (duh lol)....How about we study how he dealt with those who he came in contact with. He knew all but he said " I do nothing except the father tells me". Love the sinner and hate the sin? Sounds good but allowing the hate for sin to overcome the message of forgiveness and eternal life through the cross of Jesus Christ is a huge deterrant that isn't coming from God.

[psychomom]

Gentle words in a time of great error, and please hear me out.

Colossians 2:8, "Beware that no one leads you away like a prize because of philosophy or empty, false statements, according to the traditions of men, after the elements of the world, and not after the Messiah!"

To each may choose their own way, I am not there to force any. However that does not mean I would sit idly by and allow lies to go unchecked.

I could never knowingly or willingly practice pagan rituals to Yah, nor could I sit by why others do and not say anything. With that same seriousness, I have never and will never claim to know another persons fate. However, we are supposed to be able to know the difference between right and wrong. People have lot their compass on judgement. One can judge that, "stealing is a sin" one can not judge the said thief is or is not going to the kingdom, for only One can judge that.

John 7:24, "Do not judge according to appearances, but judge righteous judgment!"

This is the exact reason why the Israylites were punished, they did not put a difference between right and wrong.

Ezekiyl 22:25-26, "There is a conspiracy of her prophets in her midst, like a roaring lion ravening the prey: they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in the midst of her. Her priests have violated My Law, and have profaned My holy things; they have put no difference between the holy and profane, they have not taught the difference between the unclean and the clean; they have shut their eyes to the keeping of My Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them."

He changes not

Deuteronomy 12:30-31, “Be careful not to be ensnared into following them by asking about their gods, saying: How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do the same. You must not worship Yahweh your Father in their way..."

'k...let's try it this way...

as God's people, we do not participate in worldly things.
i wouldn't go to Times Square on NYE...unless it was to save someone's life...
(right...that seems to be what you're saying? and wholeheartedly i agree!)

however, we have zero control over what actual worldly people (the unsaved) do...right?
i think ancient Israel's problem was they were participating...right?
(i seriously mean, isn't all that right?)

so, we live in the Light of what we've been given, and trust the Lord
to use it for His glory and purposes.
we lift up Christ in word and deed, and trust God to draw whomever He will.

just gotta say, though...i know real Christians who have gone into ungodly
places and situations to preach the Gospel, and God has used it, so...
who am i to say what my brothers and sisters should do...
they're not my servants, y'know?

idk why i always feel the need to ask this, but, does that make sense?

[Hizikyah]

My God is far more powerfull than any man made holiday ,time or season and I feel you worship the same God. This is a good thing. If we get too wrapped up in Holidays and get all freaked out over the bad and evil in them we can miss the whole point of how Good God is and possibly a chance to tell others of what Jesus did for them no matter where they are or what they are doing. Don't intend to just sound like another critic but giving too much credence to bad can allow good to take a back seat. When that happens who wins?

Well I had a hard time finding peolpe that wanted to talk about Jesus on Dec 25th, not being dramatic, being serious. And you are right the focus should be on Yah and not stupid pagan rituals,,, that is why im say, hey, what are these trees doing here? lol Jesus trees? We can say this or that, I can get worked up about how its pagan another can get worked up because they enjoy it and see no issue. But forget both sides. Do these days promote the Savior? I mean really? I know I know, its what you make it. Step back from that for a sec, not so much me me me, but look at the world.... DO you love those that are astray? Are these days leading them toward or away? Especially NYE drunken bah fests, I know I know "its what you make it " Bit again, what about all those who dont know Him? WhatI make it is ME. What about the lost souls? Not me me me, but what about those being lied to and misled by satan? These days, from a world perspective, do not focus on Him, so how can we claim it leads people to Him? and the most important question IMO, that it seems is not being asked is; What does the Creator think? Is that relevant? I mean does that make sense? What He wants?