Not Allowing Kids to Get Gifts at Christmas - - It's Wrong

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unclefester

Guest
#61
#61
tdrew777 said:
Thanks for your wonderful perspective, U. Fester! You do what you have purposed in your heart - it is beautiful! No one has convinced me to bring the tradition of buying piles of presents to our country - I'll do the beautiful thing on my heart. But you did not answer my question - do you do the lightbulb thing on holidays?
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My biggest contention with the OP's post was the statement that it was his nephew's pastor/church that convinced him that it was wrong to exchange gifts at Christmas. I find that a stretch and an unnecessary one at that. If I understood you correctly, you asked "what am I missing" ? I can't speak for you. But as far as the two girls, aged 9 and 7 are concerned, they're missing (or will miss) something that they've previously experienced as a fun and special morning during the Christmas holiday season. Will they survive it ? Sure they will. But is it "necessary" remains the question that needs to be answered. We've done the lights thingy in the past. Not quite so much now that the girls are all grown up. Maybe a few lights these days here and there for a little sparkle. But nothing too extravagant. I can't help but wonder if it takes the focus off of Christ to prepare our traditionally favourite foods during the Christmas holiday season too ? None of us could argue that it's necessary. And why think about Christmas meat pies and turkey when we can be thinking about Jesus ? I'm being facetious of course (and not directing at you), but I'm simply stretching for the cause of making a point. How far does one want to go to assure themselves that they're "doing the right thing" during the Christmas season ? For me, Christmas is a special time during the bleak and cold winter months. And pretty much for the children. Too rigid a stance on this matter almost reeks of legalism. Again ... that's just my opinion. Off to work again.
 
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tdrew777

Guest
#62
#62
Not CHRISTMAS lights. The bulb-in-the-mouth light.
 
U

unclefester

Guest
#64
#64
tdrew777 said:
Not CHRISTMAS lights. The bulb-in-the-mouth light.
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Lol ... you remember that, huh ? Now what kind of guy would call himself "unclefester" ? :cool:
 
Hizikyah

Hizikyah

Senior Member
#65
Aug 25, 2013
11,634
372
0
#65
"O mithras tree, O mithras tree!"

 
zone

zone

Senior Member
#66
Jun 13, 2010
27,214
164
63
#66
Graybeard said:
I hate Christmas time......shops start pushing their agenda from early as October.....pressure from all sides to get into dept.....alcohol flowing instead of milk and honey.....kids with huge expectations and envy what others get.....phony smiles from phony people......drunk maniacs on the roads.......besides, if someone wishes me happy birthday when it isn't my birthday I always correct them by informing them that it is not my birthday!...don't you?..or do you just let the lie continue?
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i assume the people you are describing are lost souls for whom Jesus died?
i don't care much for shopping (not the food markets) at any time of year, for the same reason - stores too crowded; loud music blaring; cheap and useless items on the shelves.
but inevitably, if i stay calm and watch the people - there is someone somewhere who needs a hand.
especially this time of year.

i like to see the look on little kids faces when their Dad gives them a quarter to to drop into the Salvation Army bucket.
i've donned the SA red cap and rang the bell a few years myself. you'd be surprised what people give - that others never notice.
fifty dollar bills in that bucket more often than the coins.

even the poorest give their few coins.

of course there are always those who will use the entrance farthest away from the bucket....to avoid even making eye contact.
 
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overcomer2

Guest
#67
#67
We do not practice Christmas or Easter. I have been on both sides of the mountain on this one. I grew up being a part of this holiday. I am not sorry we don't celebrate it. I give gifts at anytime of the year. I allow my children to receive gifts any day of the year. I learned some things about this day that penetrated my soul. As I believe the Lord is very close to returning I believe he was purging me(family) from all lies told about him and any unclean thing in my life. I don't think my children feel abused at all. Discussing it with them they have always just received the order of the house, never making us feel guilty or any such thing.
 
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Tintin

Guest
#68
#68
overcomer2 said:
We do not practice Christmas or Easter. I have been on both sides of the mountain on this one. I grew up being a part of this holiday. I am not sorry we don't celebrate it. I give gifts at anytime of the year. I allow my children to receive gifts any day of the year. I learned some things about this day that penetrated my soul. As I believe the Lord is very close to returning I believe he was purging me(family) from all lies told about him and any unclean thing in my life. I don't think my children feel abused at all. Discussing it with them they have always just received the order of the house, never making us feel guilty or any such thing.
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So Jesus birth and death and resurrection aren't celebrated in your household?
 
O

overcomer2

Guest
#69
#69
I believe Holidays are for the world, feasts are for Saints and a foretaste of things to come. I do partake of Passover vs. Easter. I believe the 7 feasts are a timeline so to speak. A way to measure time. We are grateful for his birth. However, the holiday of Christmas isn't his birth. Christmas was a combined effort on Constintine's part to bring together 2 groups of people.(there is more but I'm sure you are aware of this already.) So to answer your question yes, we do just not like the world.
 
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tdrew777

Guest
#70
#70
Gal 4:9-11 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? You observe days and months and seasons and years! I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.
 
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tdrew777

Guest
#71
#71
Rom 14: 4-6a Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord.
 
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Tintin

Guest
#72
#72
overcomer2 said:
I believe Holidays are for the world, feasts are for Saints and a foretaste of things to come. I do partake of Passover vs. Easter. I believe the 7 feasts are a timeline so to speak. A way to measure time. We are grateful for his birth. However, the holiday of Christmas isn't his birth. Christmas was a combined effort on Constintine's part to bring together 2 groups of people.(there is more but I'm sure you are aware of this already.) So to answer your question yes, we do just not like the world.
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You do not like the world? Look here, creation is fallen but there are new mercies everyday. There are snippets of the New Heaven and Earth here on Earth. Sounds to me like you're Jewish. Yes, I'm well aware that Christmas Day has more pagan or a least secular origins but as with any holiday, we can reclaim and redeem it for Christ. I think that's more important than being scared of everything. It's a slippery slope to Gnosticism.
 
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overcomer2

Guest
#73
#73
good scripture the part I like best "weak and worthless elementary principles of the WORLD" The world does not honor the feasts. The observe the seasons of the year like Christmas. Now, that I know God I see his ways are not my ways and can be taught his righteousness. How I like to share it... If the Lord has not convicted you from celebrating Christmas and he has me then we both know what we need to do.
 
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overcomer2

Guest
#74
#74
Tintin said:
You do not like the world? Look here, creation is fallen but there are new mercies everyday. There are snippets of the New Heaven and Earth here on Earth. Sounds to me like you're Jewish. Yes, I'm well aware that Christmas Day has more pagan or a least secular origins but as with any holiday, we can reclaim and redeem it for Christ. I think that's more important than being scared of everything. It's a slippery slope to Gnosticism.
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Well, okay, I've certainly been called worse. Bless you.
 
zone

zone

Senior Member
#75
Jun 13, 2010
27,214
164
63
#75
overcomer2 said:
We do not practice Christmas or Easter. I have been on both sides of the mountain on this one. I grew up being a part of this holiday. I am not sorry we don't celebrate it. I give gifts at anytime of the year. I allow my children to receive gifts any day of the year. I learned some things about this day that penetrated my soul. As I believe the Lord is very close to returning I believe he was purging me(family) from all lies told about him and any unclean thing in my life. I don't think my children feel abused at all. Discussing it with them they have always just received the order of the house, never making us feel guilty or any such thing.
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well then, you know when the Lord was actually born, right? we can know.
now count back 9 months - and you have conception Dec 25-ish.

God dwelt with us from the conception of Emmanuel. did not John leap in the womb?

so personally i could care less about ancient ignorant pagans who worshipped dumb idols.

Christ is King over all things.
 
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overcomer2

Guest
#76
#76
zone said:
well then, you know when the Lord was actually born, right? we can know.
now count back 9 months - and you have conception Dec 25-ish.

God dwelt with us from the conception of Emmanuel. did not John leap in the womb?

so personally i could care less about ancient ignorant pagans who worshipped dumb idols.

Christ is King over all things.
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sorry we just don't agree.
 
W

woka

Guest
#77
#77
One year we allowed our children to receive three gift, as Jesus received 3 gifts, and one had to be one they wanted to give to someone else. So we choose two gifts and they choose one to give to a less fortunate person.

My children has normally been spoilt rotten on Christmas and every other time actually, not a good thing. If I could do it differently I would of. I grew up in a house with parents who never had as a child so they went overboard with us when we were kids. My dad comes from the U.K but every year we had to have turkey and trifle in the sweltering South Africa weather, my mom would cook for days, and then stand the whole day feeding everyone, by the middle of the afternoon she was exhausted and spent the rest of the day in bed sleeping, it was terrible.

When my hubby and I decided to do the three gift thing after year's of loads of gifts my family thought we were off of our heads and were really depriving them, year's later my father now tells me that I need to stop giving to the kids, because they will never learn to get for themselves, so which is it???????
 
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Tintin

Guest
#78
#78
overcomer2 said:
Well, okay, I've certainly been called worse. Bless you.
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I wouldn't consider it an insult to be called Jewish but I guess I was mistaken. My apologies.
 
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overcomer2

Guest
#79
#79
I was looking for this scripture: the Lord does ask us to remember his death.
[h=3]Luke 22:19[/h]
[SUP]19 [/SUP]And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
 
T

Tintin

Guest
#80
#80
Yes, that's Holy Communion. It's a common practice in churches and has been ever since Jesus first broke the bread and passed the wine at the Last Supper just over two thousand years ago.
 
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