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

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
B

Blackpowderduelist

Guest
Oh I forgot, you're a Calvinist; humor isn't funny.
 
Nov 15, 2020
1,897
362
83
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
I think the poster above is sad for some reason.
I dont know why? Nobody ever celebrated their birthday maybe and he's taking it out on others who celebrate the birth of Christ.

It is a joyous occasion which is why the circumstances of His birth was recorded in the Bible. Mary even sang a song upon conception 9 months earlier about it.

I dont think its wrong to be excited about the birth of the saviour of Mankind.
Pffft I'm not taking it out on other people who celebrate Jesus birthday.
 
B

Blackpowderduelist

Guest
Oh, do I have the wrong Martin Luther ?
Clearly. Because it doesn't matter what the man wrote, or of what those close to him wrote. What matters is the narrative created about him 500 years later. Now to be fair it is the telephone game of the rumors of those who didn't know him directly that occured over those years. You know that's the correct take.
 
Nov 15, 2020
1,897
362
83
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Clearly. Because it doesn't matter what the man wrote, or of what those close to him wrote. What matters is the narrative created about him 500 years later. Now to be fair it is the telephone game of the rumors of those who didn't know him directly that occured over those years. You know that's the correct take.
is Martin Luther and MLK related ? And that of the reformation, same bloke ?
 

safswan

Active member
Jan 19, 2019
151
46
28
Christ conquered these common holidays. For generations they point to Jesus and the world is reminded that Christ is Lord.
A voice that seeks to.poiint these days at the myths and gods Jesus conquered is heard from the mouths of the defeated gods and the deceived.

These holy days belong to Jesus and how His adversaries want them reminding the world of them instead.

How would someone who wishes to spread the Gospel be tricked into dechristianizing the land? Just this way.
Jeremiah 10:
1Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
2Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

Mattthew 15:
3But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
 

safswan

Active member
Jan 19, 2019
151
46
28
hmm. Odd that so many more people look at Him o those days.
Isaiah 5:
20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
 

safswan

Active member
Jan 19, 2019
151
46
28
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

The testimony of several is clear:

"As early as A.D 245,the Church father Origen was proclaiming it heathenish to celebrate Christ's birthday as if He were merely a
temporal ruler when His spiritual nature should be the main concern."(The Christmas Almanac,Gerard and Patricia Del Re)


"The Fathers of the 2nd and 3rd centuries,such as Clement of Alexandria,Origen and Epiphanius,contended that Christmas was a copy of a pagan celebration" (Encyclopedia Britannica,15th edition)


"Christians of Armenia and Syria accused the Christians of Rome of sun worship for celebrating Christmas on December 25th...Pope Leo the Great in the fifth century tried to remove certain practices at Christmas which He considered in no way different from sun worship."(Celebrations:The Complete Book of American Holidays,Robert Myers)


The practices were called,pagan,heathenish,sun worship.From whence did these come?They are nowhere supported by the word of God nor practiced by the people of God.

HOW VARIOUS GROUPS AND PERSONS VIEWED CHRISTMAS IN THE PAST:


MAYFIELD, Ky. (BP) -- Baptists of the South and the faith community of Southern Baptists after 1845 originally did not attach much significance to Christmas. The holiday is not recognized as a special day of worship in any of the historic Baptist confessions, allusions to it are rare in Baptist history volumes before the 1880s, and the holiday possessed an association with worldliness and even paganism in the minds of many Baptist ministers. Such opinions can still be found among some Baptists today who voice, "The New Testament does not command us to celebrate a festival commemorating the nativity."(“Southern Baptists have not always embraced Christmas”, by Stephen Douglas Wilson,Baptist Press.)



Historically, prior to the twentieth century, Christmas (much less Advent) was little discussed within Baptist congregations. Baptist historians have rarely addressed the manner in which Baptists viewed or observed the Christmas season. Leon McBeth’s The Baptist Heritage is one of few Baptist surveys (of any time period) to reference Christmas.Noting that Baptists of the eighteenth century viewed Christmas “as worldly and popish” (a view reflective of sixteenth century Puritanism), McBeth quotes Samuel Jones, a Baptist student at Isaac’s Eaton Hopewell Academy (the first Baptist educational institution in America) who wrote the following diary entry on December 25, 1757: “Christmas Day! But our school goes on as usual. The only difference was that we had two big turkeys for dinner. Mr. E(aton) told us that he did not observe Christmas as he was certain that our Savior was not born on the twenty-fifth or any other day in December.” (McBeth, 250) As for Jones, he personally believed that there was no harm in “celebrating some day in commemoration of such a great event.” (Hywel M. Davies, Transatlantic Brethren: Rev. Samuel Jones, 1735-1814, and His Friends, Baptists in Wales, Pennsylvania and Beyond. Cranbury, N.J.: Associated University Presses, 1985, p. 82).(“Baptists and Christmas”,by Bruce T. Gourley, Baptist Studies Bulletin December 2010.)



"A broad element of English Christianity still considered Christmas celebration a pagan blasphemy. The Puritans, Baptists, Quakers, Presbyterians, Calvinists and other denominations brought this opposition to early New England and strong opposition to the holiday lasted in America until the middle of the 18th century."(USA TODAY article about Christmas,23,Dec.1983)


"I hold it to be one of the greatest absurdities under heaven to think that there is any religion in keeping of Christmas" (Spurgeon,taken from The New Park Street Pulpit and was originally preached on Sunday morning, December 23, 1855).


"When it can be proved that the observance of Christmas, Whitsuntide, and other Popish festivals was ever instituted by a divine statute, we also will attend to them, but not till then. It is as much our duty to reject the traditions of men, as to observe the ordinances of the Lord. We ask concerning every rite and rubric, 'Is this a law of the God of Jacob?' and if it be not clearly so, it is of no authority with us, who walk in Christian liberty." (Spurgeon, David on Psalm 81:4)


If the practice did not originate in the apostolic church and was so much disputed in later years ;then what is the origin of this practice?
 
B

Blackpowderduelist

Guest
is Martin Luther and MLK related ? And that of the reformation, same bloke ?
No. Mlk was named for the great reformer but was of no lineage.
Martin Luther was german.
 
Aug 14, 2019
1,374
307
83
Jeremiah 10:
1Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
2Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

Mattthew 15:
3But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
The Scriptures you quote require your bias, otherwise they are empty accusations.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,067
4,349
113
The testimony of several is clear:

"As early as A.D 245,the Church father Origen was proclaiming it heathenish to celebrate Christ's birthday as if He were merely a
temporal ruler when His spiritual nature should be the main concern."(The Christmas Almanac,Gerard and Patricia Del Re)


"The Fathers of the 2nd and 3rd centuries,such as Clement of Alexandria,Origen and Epiphanius,contended that Christmas was a copy of a pagan celebration" (Encyclopedia Britannica,15th edition)


"Christians of Armenia and Syria accused the Christians of Rome of sun worship for celebrating Christmas on December 25th...Pope Leo the Great in the fifth century tried to remove certain practices at Christmas which He considered in no way different from sun worship."(Celebrations:The Complete Book of American Holidays,Robert Myers)


The practices were called,pagan,heathenish,sun worship.From whence did these come?They are nowhere supported by the word of God nor practiced by the people of God.

HOW VARIOUS GROUPS AND PERSONS VIEWED CHRISTMAS IN THE PAST:


MAYFIELD, Ky. (BP) -- Baptists of the South and the faith community of Southern Baptists after 1845 originally did not attach much significance to Christmas. The holiday is not recognized as a special day of worship in any of the historic Baptist confessions, allusions to it are rare in Baptist history volumes before the 1880s, and the holiday possessed an association with worldliness and even paganism in the minds of many Baptist ministers. Such opinions can still be found among some Baptists today who voice, "The New Testament does not command us to celebrate a festival commemorating the nativity."(“Southern Baptists have not always embraced Christmas”, by Stephen Douglas Wilson,Baptist Press.)



Historically, prior to the twentieth century, Christmas (much less Advent) was little discussed within Baptist congregations. Baptist historians have rarely addressed the manner in which Baptists viewed or observed the Christmas season. Leon McBeth’s The Baptist Heritage is one of few Baptist surveys (of any time period) to reference Christmas.Noting that Baptists of the eighteenth century viewed Christmas “as worldly and popish” (a view reflective of sixteenth century Puritanism), McBeth quotes Samuel Jones, a Baptist student at Isaac’s Eaton Hopewell Academy (the first Baptist educational institution in America) who wrote the following diary entry on December 25, 1757: “Christmas Day! But our school goes on as usual. The only difference was that we had two big turkeys for dinner. Mr. E(aton) told us that he did not observe Christmas as he was certain that our Savior was not born on the twenty-fifth or any other day in December.” (McBeth, 250) As for Jones, he personally believed that there was no harm in “celebrating some day in commemoration of such a great event.” (Hywel M. Davies, Transatlantic Brethren: Rev. Samuel Jones, 1735-1814, and His Friends, Baptists in Wales, Pennsylvania and Beyond. Cranbury, N.J.: Associated University Presses, 1985, p. 82).(“Baptists and Christmas”,by Bruce T. Gourley, Baptist Studies Bulletin December 2010.)



"A broad element of English Christianity still considered Christmas celebration a pagan blasphemy. The Puritans, Baptists, Quakers, Presbyterians, Calvinists and other denominations brought this opposition to early New England and strong opposition to the holiday lasted in America until the middle of the 18th century."(USA TODAY article about Christmas,23,Dec.1983)


"I hold it to be one of the greatest absurdities under heaven to think that there is any religion in keeping of Christmas" (Spurgeon,taken from The New Park Street Pulpit and was originally preached on Sunday morning, December 23, 1855).


"When it can be proved that the observance of Christmas, Whitsuntide, and other Popish festivals was ever instituted by a divine statute, we also will attend to them, but not till then. It is as much our duty to reject the traditions of men, as to observe the ordinances of the Lord. We ask concerning every rite and rubric, 'Is this a law of the God of Jacob?' and if it be not clearly so, it is of no authority with us, who walk in Christian liberty." (Spurgeon, David on Psalm 81:4)


If the practice did not originate in the apostolic church and was so much disputed in later years ;then what is the origin of this practice?
the only issue you have is with the gospel account which the church has quoted year after year found in Matthew and Luke chapter 2.

Spurgeon was also anti-catholic, that being said every Protestant and reformer celebrated the birth of Christ. If one is going to use a church father of 250 AD -350AD and will not address the Matthew chapter 2 context is absurd. the idea that the church is honoring a pagan day that is promoted by " Christians " who interject it into this day when the historical context of the church has been honoring the Advent season in orthodox Christianity. Only atheist, a legalist, and those who had terrible experiences in their own life want to rain on everyone else time.
 
Nov 15, 2020
1,897
362
83
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
the only issue you have is with the gospel account which the church has quoted year after year found in Matthew and Luke chapter 2.

Spurgeon was also anti-catholic, that being said every Protestant and reformer celebrated the birth of Christ. If one is going to use a church father of 250 AD -350AD and will not address the Matthew chapter 2 context is absurd. the idea that the church is honoring a pagan day that is promoted by " Christians " who interject it into this day when the historical context of the church has been honoring the Advent season in orthodox Christianity. Only atheist, a legalist, and those who had terrible experiences in their own life want to rain on everyone else time.
ok, CS1, can you answer this for me. Will you look up and read the pdf by Scott Johnson should a Christian celebrate xmas. ?
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,067
4,349
113
ok, CS1, can you answer this for me. Will you look up and read the pdf by Scott Johnson should a Christian celebrate xmas. ?

you do know that the term " Xmas" is very common with those who are atheists? EX-mass means take Christ out of it. I don't celebrate " Xmas" I put Christ back into the Mass. Just like every reformer tried to do was bring the RCC back to Christ alone for salvation. I will give a look at Scott Johnson hold on ...... OK did as I thought he had a conspiracy theory attack on Christmas using garbage I would never expose my children to demons & devils riding goats. WOW, I found that in the Biblical account in Matthews chapter 2. IF you look for the devil and want him to be everywhere he can be there for you. BUT if you proclaim Christ as the Church has historically you will find HIM too. Just another Youtube buffoon.