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

[Benadam]

anyone got a favourite christmas carol?

I like Joy to the World

Little drummer boy

 

[Benadam]

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

Was Paul mixing the Pagan religion with Christ when he told the worshippers of the pagan unknown god that they are already worshipping the God he came to reveal to them? Truth belongs to Christ and Paul loved it wherever it was found. There were some who converted and for them there is no mixing there is just Jesus conquering. What they once celebrated is no more because they celebrate Jesus on that day. The pagan gods of old that were once the focus of these holidays are long forgotten....how many people remember them??? How many remember Jesus on those days? I would advise anyone who thinks these days belong to pagan gods to stop thinking that. Quit trying to give back to pagans what Jesus has won.

 

[Blik]

Was Paul mixing the Pagan religion with Christ when he told the worshippers of the pagan unknown god that they are already worshipping the God he came to reveal to them? Truth belongs to Christ and Paul loved it wherever it was found. There were some who converted and for them there is no mixing there is just Jesus conquering. What they once celebrated is no more because they celebrate Jesus on that day. The pagan gods of old that were once the focus of these holidays are long forgotten....how many people remember them??? How many remember Jesus on those days? I would advise anyone who thinks these days belong to pagan gods to stop thinking that. Quit trying to give back to pagans what Jesus has won.

This post doesn't make sense to me because it speaks of the way to be a pagan is to believe in the idols of old.

I am living in an assisted living facility, and most of my caregivers are living with absolutely no awareness that they were created by the Lord who is in control of the world they live in. They know nothing of either idols or God. What are they if they are not pagans?

 

[UCA4J]

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)

West of Australia ? You mean east of, correct ?

 

[UCA4J]

Was Paul mixing the Pagan religion with Christ when he told the worshippers of the pagan unknown god that they are already worshipping the God he came to reveal to them? Truth belongs to Christ and Paul loved it wherever it was found. There were some who converted and for them there is no mixing there is just Jesus conquering. What they once celebrated is no more because they celebrate Jesus on that day. The pagan gods of old that were once the focus of these holidays are long forgotten....how many people remember them??? How many remember Jesus on those days? I would advise anyone who thinks these days belong to pagan gods to stop thinking that. Quit trying to give back to pagans what Jesus has won.

can you name one public holiday, that a Christian person invented, that everyone has followed ?

 

[JaumeJ]

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?

The deeds or works of the saints make up their garments. We are not to mix the material works of this age as being worthy to be counted with the works given us by the Holy Spirit.

 

[Benadam]

This post doesn't make sense to me because it speaks of the way to be a pagan is to believe in the idols of old.

I am living in an assisted living facility, and most of my caregivers are living with absolutely no awareness that they were created by the Lord who is in control of the world they live in. They know nothing of either idols or God. What are they if they are not pagans?

Pagan is a loose term attached to religion of indigenous peoples. The religion of the people of any country or land. The people of western culture for the most part are dechristianized.

More than likely their beliefs and values are founded on Christian morals but distorted by the ism's of today.

They aren't believing a myth story common among them of a noble founding experience held in memory by it's retelling.

 

[Benadam]

can you name one public holiday, that a Christian person invented, that everyone has followed ?

A Holy Day isn't invented by anyone. Holy days happen and are remembered if they are Christian. Myth points Truth Happens!

 

[Lanolin]

West of Australia ? You mean east of, correct ?

hhha yea east just playing with you
if it was west I would be in the indian ocean
Im glad you know geography. But there is actually a christmas island. and an easter island.

 

[Lanolin]

A Holy Day isn't invented by anyone. Holy days happen and are remembered if they are Christian. Myth points Truth Happens!

st valentines day

well, not everyone celebrates this, but it was named after a saint called Valentine who encouraged christian couples to marry (I think they were not allowed for some reason back in the day)
People dont get the day off work though, I think maybe they should?

Mothers day lots of peoole celebrate because we all came from mothers. I was born on mothers day. I am the gift lol

 

[Benadam]

st valentines day

well, not everyone celebrates this, but it was named after a saint called Valentine who encouraged christian couples to marry (I think they were not allowed for some reason back in the day)
People dont get the day off work though, I think maybe they should?

Mothers day lots of peoole celebrate because we all came from mothers. I was born on mothers day. I am the gift lol

Amen!

 

[CS1]

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 goodwill and things of the Lord?

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

it is sad that Christians need to look outside the bible to make up a pagan solstice day. That word I have never heard in all my years in a Church service honoring The Birth of Christ. Only an atheist, a legalist, and those who hate the season because they have issues domestically. Like divorced , broke, and angry. Those who have to interject a false narrative about the birth of Christ instead of looking at the good it has done. They are haters. the self-right approach to cover up the hate they really have an error in seeking to discredit by using pagan holidays lol.

 

[Scribe]

So, what we have discovered so far? The celebration of Christmas evolved. Whether there was an attempt to come together and celebrate a Christian Theme festival to drown out the pagan noise around them or the idea of celebrating the birth of Jesus seemed like a good idea from the start.

I am leaning toward the Gospels coverage of the birth of Christ and it's meaning was naturally celebrated by the receiving audiences as the gospel writings were made well known. Picking that day might have been partially due to calculation theories and partially because they wanted to provide an alternative to the pagan festivals going on around them.

However, regardless of the history, the idea of celebrating the birth of Christ and preaching about what it means is an opportunity to evangelize and that in itself is in line with the Biblical concept of using it as a reason to preach Jesus. So let love reign and tell everyone you know about Why Jesus was born and how it applies to them if they will repent of their sins and ask Jesus to make them born again this season.

This is a great time of the year to make Christmas theme displays and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Stand on a street corner and pass out Christmas gifts (gospel tracts and candy) or something. People are much friendlier and will take your gifts this time of year.

 

[CS1]

So, what we have discovered so far? The celebration of Christmas evolved. Whether there was an attempt to come together and celebrate a Christian Theme festival to drown out the pagan noise around them or the idea of celebrating the birth of Jesus seemed like a good idea from the start.

I am leaning toward the Gospels coverage of the birth of Christ and it's meaning was naturally celebrated by the receiving audiences as the gospel writings were made well known. Picking that day might have been partially due to calculation theories and partially because they wanted to provide an alternative to the pagan festivals going on around them.

However, regardless of the history, the idea of celebrating the birth of Christ and preaching about what it means is an opportunity to evangelize and that in itself is in line with the Biblical concept of using it as a reason to preach Jesus. So let love reign and tell everyone you know about Why Jesus was born and how it applies to them if they will repent of their sins and ask Jesus to make them born again this season.

these types even attack those recorded in the Gospels who brought gifts to the Lord. I find it very telling those who have a read to see an error instead of the fulfillment of the word of God and call themselves Christians.

 

[Scribe]

these types even attack those recorded in the Gospels who brought gifts to the Lord. I find it very telling those who have a read to see an error instead of the fulfillment of the word of God and call themselves Christians.

You mentioned haters, and that is one of the reasons. There is also the "hiders".
Hiders will spend an enormous amount of time on a Christmas pagan campaign but very little time on heart issues that really matter.
A hider will attend a dead formal church because they know that they will not be confronted about their carnal lifestyle. Nor will they hear preaching that makes them demands a change.

 

[UCA4J]

A Holy Day isn't invented by anyone. Holy days happen and are remembered if they are Christian. Myth points Truth Happens!

You didn't name one, so, I guess Christians don't need public holidays.

 

[UCA4J]

it is sad that Christians need to look outside the bible to make up a pagan solstice day. That word I have never heard in all my years in a Church service honoring The Birth of Christ. Only an atheist, a legalist, and those who hate the season because they have issues domestically. Like divorced , broke, and angry. Those who have to interject a false narrative about the birth of Christ instead of looking at the good it has done. They are haters. the self-right approach to cover up the hate they really have an error in seeking to discredit by using pagan holidays lol.

Why does Jesus need a gimmick to celebrate His birth ? Do all us have to explain our own existence ? The word "Christmas" is not even in the Bible.

 

[UCA4J]

hhha yea east just playing with you
if it was west I would be in the indian ocean
Im glad you know geography. But there is actually a christmas island. and an easter island.

well, yes I do know a bit of geography, and, NZ is two hours east of Australia.

 

[CS1]

Why does Jesus need a gimmick to celebrate His birth? Do all we have to explain our own existence ? The word "Christmas" is not even in the Bible.

only to you, it's a gimmick. Christ-mass is a word created TO BRING RELEVANCE to the birth of Christ which is in the word of God. I guess you have an issue with the word Trinity. is it a gimmick to celebrate your birthday? FYI, the acknowledgment of the birth of Christ is the is foundational truth and is the fulfillment of the very word of God which you have an issue with apparently. God said Foretold of HIS coming in Genesis, the prophet Isaiah, and Micah. But that is a gimmick? Church history and the word of God show differntly

 

[Scribe]