Did the Church institute Dec 25th to replace Pagan Festivals with a Christian Theme?

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Lanolin

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Dec 15, 2018
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according to the website, I only have to look west and see it. 😀
we can see it from southern hemisphere. My dad is a little obssessed with the planets aligning and is constantly going on about it, hes an amateur astronomer. I learned the star of Bethlehem may have been a conjunction of heavenly bodies.
 

Lanolin

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Dec 15, 2018
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anyone got a favourite christmas carol?

I like Joy to the World
 

Lanolin

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The Lord Hasnt Instructed His Followeres To Celebrate His Crucifixion, Or Flagellation Of Ones Self To Blood Either

Wikipedia: Crucifixion in the Philippines is a devotional practice held every Good Friday, and is part of the local observance of Holy Week. Devotees or penitents called magdarame in Kapampangan are willingly crucified in imitation of Jesus Christ's suffering and death, while related practices include carrying wooden crosses, crawling on rough pavement, and self-flagellation. Penitents consider these acts to be mortification of the flesh, and undertake these to ask forgiveness for sins, to fulfil a panatà (Filipino, "vow"), or to express gratitude for favours granted. In the most famous case, Ruben Enaje drives four-inch nails into both hands and feet and then he is lifted on a wooden cross for around five minutes.[1]

Good Friday observances in Barangay San Pedro Cutud, in San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines.
other countries,, like america, make movies about Jesus instead and show it on the tv.
or broadway musicals, like Jesus Christ Superstar
 

Lanolin

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Dec 15, 2018
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personally I dont consider many secular songs about the holiday itself to be carols!
They need to be about Jesus to be carols or hymns

12 days of christmas is a lot to get through, and i dont know anyone that generous except for God, who is my true love
 
Nov 15, 2020
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Newcastle, NSW, Australia
The horizon would be where the blind spot ends and begins. From Point Barrow AK there's 80 days of 24 hour daylight and 67 days of darkness due to the horizon, curvature of the earth and bi-annual axis shift. That's what causes the equinox.
unfortunately, i missed it anyway.
by the time i saw able to see it, i was two hours slow.
oh well ..
 
Nov 15, 2020
1,897
362
83
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
we can see it from southern hemisphere. My dad is a little obssessed with the planets aligning and is constantly going on about it, hes an amateur astronomer. I learned the star of Bethlehem may have been a conjunction of heavenly bodies.
are you in Australia ?
 
S

Scribe

Guest
we can see it from southern hemisphere. My dad is a little obssessed with the planets aligning and is constantly going on about it, hes an amateur astronomer. I learned the star of Bethlehem may have been a conjunction of heavenly bodies.
I heard someone preaching on this and I think it was a divine miracle. How could a star lead them to a house? It had to be a phenomenon not explained by natural means. It moved and hovered over a house.
 

calibob

Sinner saved by grace
May 29, 2018
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Anaheim, Cali.
I heard someone preaching on this and I think it was a divine miracle. How could a star lead them to a house? It had to be a phenomenon not explained by natural means. It moved and hovered over a house.
It's a matter of perspective. They followed the signs that were in the western sky but they were led and their vision was enhanced by the Almighty and arrived just where he wanted them to.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
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born in the northern hemisphere. Was He born during summer or winter ?
He was actually born sometime between september and october
 
B

Blackpowderduelist

Guest
It is truly shameful that man would not follow the celebrations that God told us of, preferring to make up their own. But it is done, and God has used it for good. Everyone, Christian or not, is told of good will toward men, and there is more giving to others during this season.

If I could find a group that would decide to celebrate according to scripture and love that, I would gladly join them, Our world operates in the ways of the last days, we have to make the best of it.

I can't imagine a world without "Away in a manger" or "O'little town of Bethlehem". God truly works for good with those who love Him. We know it would have been better to follow the lord, but that was not done.
Because those were shadows of Christ to come, and the ones we celebrate now are of Christ having already come, and of his coming again.
 
B

Blackpowderduelist

Guest
We decorated for the first time this year. I haven't decorated for Christmas in my adult life, but this year we did. No tree but wreaths and evergreen bows. It was kind of fun. We did it today after church.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
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Im in new zealand. west of australia. southern hemisphere.

I was just going to add that orthodox churches actually celebrate Jesus birthday on January 6. not december 25. But that actually may have to do with Jesus baptism (when he was 30) as when you are baptised you are techinically 'born again' I suppose.

But then the accounts of Jesus birth in Luke dont seem to gel exactly with the account in Matthew.
They could have been operating on different calendars, though I ten to trust the early church leaders that were orthodox over the roman catholic ones. The western Roman catholic split came much much later than the eastern orthodox church, who kept the ancient traditions.

if you know some early church history, you can see the patterns. I think people tend to forget about the orthodox, who never identified with the popes. (popes were basically just religious emporors who 'converted' to christianity. But many actually didnt bear fruit of the holy spirit. Which is how you know someone is a christian)
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
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And back to the topic for discussion--the entire idea of Christmas is so part of our world I can't imagine living without it. Movies, family get togethers, our economy based on Christmas buying, our music, our literature. There are entire towns built around Christmas, it is part of us, now.

But what about the old command not to mix fabrics, isn't that a physical symbol of not mixing what God has created and God created His ways that are supposed to be separate from pagan ways. What about the commands not to copy the pagans? The Christmas we celebrate is a copy of the solstice celebration. What about the good that the lord has made of this celebration, promoting good will and things of the Lord?

I feel between a rock and a hard place, how about you?