DECEMBER 25?

[Amazing-Grace]

Well I for one intend to celebrate Christmas this year as much as I possibly can.

The decorations, food, presents, queens speech, carol sevice, all that slaving over a hot stove
and I will do it with a heart full of gratitude for everything God has done for both me and
my elderly aunt who I look after. So mike you can keep all of your legalistic
ingratitude and put it where the sun don't shine.

Im weeping as I am typing this, why?

Well because last year my aunt nearly lost her life, she was admitted to hospital
mid October with kidney failure, lungs filling up with fluid, potassium levels so
high the doctor said he had never seen a living person with levels so high,
severe breathing difficulties. Scans also revealed two small strokes. Her body
bloated up as her heart could not get rid of the fluid in her body. Her heart beat
was all over the place.

I was told to go home, keep my phone on and the hospital would call me to let
me know when her heart stopped. Only it didn't!
But even then they pulled me to one side and three times asked for permission to put
do not resuscitate on her records. I kept refusing as I felt God had other plans but the
staff put DNR on her records any way. However I was right God did have other plans!

It took 12 weeks of medical attention and recovery to get her home first week in
January.

For me Christmas last year was a mix of the most awful Christmas ever but also one
of relief she was still alive.

We have no buses on Christmas Day, I managed to get a lift to see her, weighed
down with presents from friends and family. Christmas dinner for me was a bowl of
soup warmed up in the staff microwave, while watching my aunt tuck into the
"stuff" described as Christmas dinner the hospital served up.

Then a few hours later when she got overtired, I walked the 2.5 miles home in
the pouring rain taking her presents home - at least the ones not usable at hospital.

I spent Christmas Eve at home on my own thanking God for saving her life while
eating beans on toast.

The rest of that Christmas week and the New Year was along the same lines only
I spent the time at home cleaning up and making preparation for my aunt coming home.

So I make no apology whatsoever for saying that we intend to pull out all the stops this
year age make it as memorable as possible.

She still has various medical problems and i don't know how long she has, could be months or
years. But what is a important is that this year we will celebrate Christmas properly together,
and I intend to make this Christmas and any subsequent christmas's as good as possible.

But to anyone who would rather stick to their legalistic false values, I pity you as you
are missing out on the whole reason for the season, to celebrate the birth of Christ
together with family and friends and to share in the goodness and love we have in
Jesus.


By the way here is the testimony of the amazing gift of life God gave my aunt last
year when doctors told us there was no hope. This Christmas I have two
amazing gifts of life to celebrate.


http://christianchat.com/testimonies/126117-miraculous-healing-80-year-old.html

Amen sista, the thing is this; Christmas is becoming less and less about the birth of Christ and is slowly, by a secular society reverting back to it's pagan origins. Now if we as Christians allow Christ to be taken out of Christmas through this legalistic attitude it is just another nail in the coffin as we turn ourselves over to a secular way of thinking. Shouldn't we be fighting this rather than submitting to it? Is this what our God would want? I don't think so, I think it's more in line with the enemy's agenda.

 

[kaylagrl]

This song makes us want to fall on our knees before our Lord.

[video=youtube;MHdx77aAvkc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHdx77aAvkc[/video]

​Exactly! This has to be one of my all time favorite songs. And thank you for the rep. at least I believe it was you.

 

[CeileDe]

[video=youtube;_8uxCiJXFVs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8uxCiJXFVs[/video]

 

[blue_ladybug]

Well I can tell by your picture you don't look like Ackbar. You are somewhat more fluffy with fur and have a very sharp grin. Your ears are a bit pointier than his as well.

Oh my lanta.. ROFL... heeheeheehee

 

[JackBauerCTU]

I can't make anything evil that is good nor reversed. I'm not God. LOL haha The way we spend Christmas doesn't barely even glorify God nor have many biblical principals. I seriously doubt Jesus is sitting in heaven giddy and about to come unglued from his seat in anticipation to celebrate His next birthday. Shall we bake a cake or blow up some balloons? The origin of Christmas, what it looked like, was much similar to that of the pagan holiday. There are certain places in the world that still celebrate it in very pagan-istic way. As Sears and similar other big profitable stores began to add and commercialize this holiday the change began to look much different. Does this make it any better just because we've added more ornamental baby Jesus's an wise men and such as were in the stories of the bible. Not at all. All that scripture could be celebrated any time of the year as well. Jesus should be celebrated as the one that became flesh, fulfilled His purpose on earth, died and resurrected and ascended on high EVERYDAY.

 

[Yonah]

I would like to say that the celebration of this day is not pagan in and of itself, the gathering of friends and family to exchange gifts, the observance of what many think is the Saviors birth, these are not pagan, and in the hearts and minds of many Christians there is a sincere love for and worship of our Beloved Savior, however the truth is this and other days are not biblical in their origin, and further more our Savior was born not in the winter but in early fall, for me personally I choose not to observe any day that had origins based in paganism, no matter how good it may seem.

I want to be clear here and also say that I do not think that Christians doing so are any less a child of the king then I am, (each must be led by His Spirit in these matters), yes the truth is the father NEVER ordained or appointed this day, and each must seek to walk with and do those things that please him according to the light they have....

 

[pottersclay]

Dec 25th you are absolutely right mike, why celebrate it as the birth of Christ? Mike what date would you suggest?
And this Easter thing eggs, rabbits, in association with the resurrection why it's blasphemous.
Just because Israel added two More feast days to their calender why should we keep the ones we have.

To think that people would be more like minded in in these 2 big holidays and are more inclined to know and except the truth because of a atmosphere of glad tidings, gift giving, and the peace on earth thing is preposterous.
When we are given a day to bring Christian relevance , display scripture in public and point to God's son as the reason to take advantage of this is darn right satanic.
Let's get it right people, we know that the dates are wrong, let's throw this stupid tradition of men right off the calender. Why when Paul seen all the tributes to the god's and then the unknown God what did he do? He trashed the place told them they were wrong, told them what sinners they were, told them to repent and get it right there is only one God. Or did he?
Nicodemus coming to Jesus by night ask jesus can a man enter his mother's womb twice? Jesus replied " Nick that's the most stupidest thing I heard a man of your status say. You figure it out, you have the scrolls and temple access here , or did he.
Phillip looking at the impressive entourage and a man with a bible, turned and walked away saying "Lord it a false alarm he got a bible, no need to do anything here, or did he?
It's all perspective saints, Dec 25th is wrong, eggs and bunnies are wrong, but you as a son or daughter can take advantage to make it one of the most memorable moments in a person's life. The day they received Christ, the day the seed was planted, the day they heard the truth.
I believe Joseph said ...you ment it for evil....God ment it for good.

 

[disciplemike]

okay JackBauer, we know the Dec25Christmas is not Biblical. We understand it has pagan origins. We understand that God specifically said, DO NOT worship me like you see these pagan nations worship their gods.
But other than those few facts, what do you have?

 

[disciplemike]

In my opinion,
we can pray, and sing, and shout for joy all we want,
but we can't make a pagan holiday acceptable to God.

it just don't work that way.

 

[JackBauerCTU]

What else do you need? Seriously, do we just shack up with women today like the world because it is accepted or do we obey the sacrament of Marriage and make relationships holy? We make it Holy because God said to. So you've quoted what God has said and you've answered your own question.

 

[Miri]

In my opinion,
we can pray, and sing, and shout for joy all we want,
but we can't make a pagan holiday acceptable to God.

it just don't work that way.

You are entitled to your opinion, it's just a pity it's wrong!
Any time spent with God, celebrating what He has done, remembering
what He has done, rejoicing is good. To you it might be pagan but to me
and God it's a joyous day.



Psalm 150:1-6 NKJV
[1] Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament!
[2] Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
[3] Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp!
[4] Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments
and flutes! [5] Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals!
[6] Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!

 

[JackBauerCTU]

I didn't mean that in a mean way by the way. haha Just stating one truth, one command is goo enough for me. I don't murder because I'm told not do. Its simple for me. That is all I'm saying.

 

[JackBauerCTU]

Amen to that. It just doesn't work that way at all!

 

[CeileDe]

I can't make anything evil that is good nor reversed. I'm not God. LOL haha The way we spend Christmas doesn't barely even glorify God nor have many biblical principals. I seriously doubt Jesus is sitting in heaven giddy and about to come unglued from his seat in anticipation to celebrate His next birthday. Shall we bake a cake or blow up some balloons? The origin of Christmas, what it looked like, was much similar to that of the pagan holiday. There are certain places in the world that still celebrate it in very pagan-istic way. As Sears and similar other big profitable stores began to add and commercialize this holiday the change began to look much different. Does this make it any better just because we've added more ornamental baby Jesus's an wise men and such as were in the stories of the bible. Not at all. All that scripture could be celebrated any time of the year as well. Jesus should be celebrated as the one that became flesh, fulfilled His purpose on earth, died and resurrected and ascended on high EVERYDAY.

Stores commercialize everything. This is how they make money. If I was artistic in anyway I would probably make something for everyone. Well God never blessed me with an artistic talent so I depend on these stores to sell me things I need lol. I also don't hunt very often so for me to eat I really depend on stores to sell me food. These large stores know this so yes they commercialize everything to make a huge profit.

And yes there are countries who still keep to their traditions and some even worship pagan God's.

If you feel a tree or anything that is used for Christmas is an Idol then read this.

[h=2]Full Definition of idol[/h]

• [FONT=&quot]1: a representation or symbol of an object of worship; broadly : a false god
  
  Most sane Christians don't worship any objects at Christmas. We worship Jesus.

• [FONT=&quot]2a : a likeness of somethingb obsolete : pretender, impostor
  
  Well not sure if this part even can be described as anything at Christmas[/FONT]
  
• [FONT=&quot]3: a form or appearance visible but without substance <an enchanted phantom, a lifelessidol — P. B. Shelley>
  
  Well here again, nothing lifeless being worshiped. [/FONT]
  
• [FONT=&quot]4: an object of extreme devotion <a movie idol>; also : ideal 2
  
  So this is pretty much talking about lets say an actor like Brad Pitt etc... I don't think any Christians here are devoted to anything but Jesus. [/FONT]

[/FONT]

 

[CeileDe]

I didn't mean that in a mean way by the way. haha Just stating one truth, one command is goo enough for me. I don't murder because I'm told not do. Its simple for me. That is all I'm saying.

You've never hated anyone? Common

 

[kaylagrl]

I am pretty sure Aaron loved God, and in his heart, intended the golden calf for true worship..

Again, not a good idea.
We are suppose to learn from this, in my opinion.

The calf was an idol and was worshiped. A tree isn't.

 

[CeileDe]

I quoted last part here

Idol | Definition of Idol by Merriam-Webster

 

[Yonah]

Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.


What does this mean? spirit AND truth ? please understand that when we worship it involves way more then singing and having an emotional experience in a church, it how we live and who we are becoming, what we DO day to day as we present ourselves and all were are as a living sacrifice, it seems to me if we worship in truth as well then we should live and do according to it, (His word is truth).

 

[disciplemike]

take care that you be not ensnared to follow them, after they have been destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods?—that I also may do the same.’

Deuteronomy 12:30 (ESV2011, MBM)

 

[CeileDe]

take care that you be not ensnared to follow them, after they have been destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods?—that I also may do the same.’

Deuteronomy 12:30 (ESV2011, MBM)

No one is inquiring about anyone's Gods.

You are so drawn into self righteousness that you can't even see 6 inches in front of you. If you choose only to worship God on Saturday's then that is your issue. Don't be telling other Christians which days they can worship the Lord on.

1 Peter 3:15-16 (NLT)
[SUP]15 [/SUP] Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.
[SUP]16 [/SUP] But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.