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L
I celebrate it because it's tradition, and because I enjoy having a specific date to celebrate Christ's birth. It makes him more relateable to me. While I should worship Christ all year round, I don't think that has a thing to do with his birth, so I honestly see no problem with only having one day to celebrate his birthday. I mean, I don't celebrate my birthday year round, so why celebrate Christ's year round? It'd get old fast. It's easier to just have to celebrate his birthday two days of the year and then go back to the norm of worshipping him instead of his birthday.
As for tradition, I will be the first to admit I am 100% human, and humans are creatures of habit. Traditions are habits, and I'm one of the sort who does not like giving up my traditions. I'm all for creating new traditions(like celebrating Chanukah this year), but I don't want to give up old traditions if they're good traditions that have no detrimental impact on my life whatsoever. Why give up a good tradition just because some people seem to be making it a bad tradition? I'm not one of the people who has commercialized it and bought into stuff like Santa, so why should I be penalized?
As for tradition, I will be the first to admit I am 100% human, and humans are creatures of habit. Traditions are habits, and I'm one of the sort who does not like giving up my traditions. I'm all for creating new traditions(like celebrating Chanukah this year), but I don't want to give up old traditions if they're good traditions that have no detrimental impact on my life whatsoever. Why give up a good tradition just because some people seem to be making it a bad tradition? I'm not one of the people who has commercialized it and bought into stuff like Santa, so why should I be penalized?
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Yes, it is the celebration of our Savior's birth...for us Christians anyway. For the rest of the world, its just a holiday, an excuse to decorate, commercialism, tradition, etc. We must also remember that Christmas is pointless without good friday and easter though. And as far as giving presents, i think most people do that just because it is expected and there will be trouble if they dont buy a bunch of useless junk for ungrateful people. I think that many kids get so much stuff for Christmas that every time they get a present, theyre just like 'eh, thats nice' and toss it aside for another. It seems that everyone insists on teaching their childern how to be greedy, insensitive, ungrateful, arrogant, etc. Thats how the world works i guess. Im a proponent of giving gifts at any time, not just at Christmas or birthdays. When a gift is given unexpectedly, it is usually more thoughtful and the recipient is usually more appreciative for it.
*steps down from soapbox*
alright, that was a little trip down a rabbit trail, but you dont mind, do you?
*steps down from soapbox*
alright, that was a little trip down a rabbit trail, but you dont mind, do you?
S
The Bible does in fact record the birth of Jesus. The incarnation is a major doctrine. It was in his flesh that Jesus shed his blood to atone for our sins.
He was worshiped a babe. He was blessed with gifts.
There could be any number of reasons why the date of Dec. 25th is used, but it really doesnt matter.
It is not something sanctioned as a part of Christian worship for the church, but given Romans 14 individuals can observe a day as they choose.
He was worshiped a babe. He was blessed with gifts.
There could be any number of reasons why the date of Dec. 25th is used, but it really doesnt matter.
It is not something sanctioned as a part of Christian worship for the church, but given Romans 14 individuals can observe a day as they choose.
G
Hello, well for me we celebrate christmass for we comemorate chirst our Lord and savior.,for christmass is all about Jesus. Through this we may know our strenght and weakness that for all these year we been here theres only one reason why? That God is Love, we here to know how life was and how wonderful that he has done for us, for life is a gift..(^.^)
grace
grace
I suppose since it was bumped...you don't see any Christian ideals in Thanksgiving? Personally I don't see anything "wrong" with Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving (in context of scripture) is a great thing to focus on.
Besides, the origins aren't as dubious as the ones blending paganism so I have no qualms or any real convictions about it. It's true that it mostly ends up being just another family day but you can at least give a little blurb (if people are open to it) about what Thanksgiving (the word itself) means and then go around the table and say something you are thankful for. It's pretty open ended. Akin to Father's day/Mother's day or even one's Bday.
Even the cookie cutter presentation with cornucopias and pilgrims isn't a terrible life lesson if taught correctly. It's a good opportunity to bring up deeper racial issues between Native Americans and white settlers at the time.
Who knows whether the Plymouth rock story (or was it Jamestown?) is true or not, you don't even have to present it as such but you can present the folklore as well as the history and make a DIY holiday out of it.
Considerably different from the others...it doesn't even fall on a recognized day just a rolling thursday like Jewish holidays. Granted I'm not sure if "every" Jewish holiday changes dates every year but at least some do.
Edit: I at least knew that some changed but apparently they don't in the Hebrew calendar (which is interesting). "seems" almost impossible to live that way without living in Jerusalem and even then, idk.
@ChristianTonyB
Besides, the origins aren't as dubious as the ones blending paganism so I have no qualms or any real convictions about it. It's true that it mostly ends up being just another family day but you can at least give a little blurb (if people are open to it) about what Thanksgiving (the word itself) means and then go around the table and say something you are thankful for. It's pretty open ended. Akin to Father's day/Mother's day or even one's Bday.
Even the cookie cutter presentation with cornucopias and pilgrims isn't a terrible life lesson if taught correctly. It's a good opportunity to bring up deeper racial issues between Native Americans and white settlers at the time.
Who knows whether the Plymouth rock story (or was it Jamestown?) is true or not, you don't even have to present it as such but you can present the folklore as well as the history and make a DIY holiday out of it.
Considerably different from the others...it doesn't even fall on a recognized day just a rolling thursday like Jewish holidays. Granted I'm not sure if "every" Jewish holiday changes dates every year but at least some do.
Edit: I at least knew that some changed but apparently they don't in the Hebrew calendar (which is interesting). "seems" almost impossible to live that way without living in Jerusalem and even then, idk.
@ChristianTonyB
That is pretty strange, all the 2009 threads are wayyyy back for me.
Did you see the second post I made? I'm not 100% on Thanksgiving but I like the open-endedness.
There are people that use holidays for different purposes and I don't knock them for that. Trunk or treat or I've even seen "hallowed by thy name" festivals for 10/31. Same thing with using Easter as an outreach day or likewise Xmas. I don't see anything wrong with people doing that if that is on their heart to repurpose these days. If parents think it's alright to do easter egg hunts at church and it brings in people that don't often go to church and is a way to strike up conversation and possibly open a door? Sure.
It is interesting that people are drawn to church during these days specifically to me. I have my personal opinions though and I have yet to share them fully and I don't think I can quite yet. It's "too" personal and they definitely do affect me so I prefer to just ignore it for now...publicly at least. I'm not unaware of the background of these "holidays"...I just don't know for sure if it's really appropriate to illustrate. The verse about being ignorant of of evil and not speaking about the things done in secret comes to mind.
Ephesians 5:12 + Romans 16:19
Part of me has a desire to do so but I am uncertain of that part of me so I defer/default to those verses. OOthers have illustrated enough and I have done so in private for some but so long as parents aren't engaging in pagan practices wilfully and in the spirit of rebellion and seek the Lord when they feel convictions in an area I think God will work it out in their hearts. Work out your own salvation kind of thing possibly?
Half an answer I suppose and maybe that's just an excuse for me not to "tell the world" but it's very close to my heart and while I hope it's not simply fear that holds me back (and it is indeed wisdom) I'm held back regardless.
Did you see the second post I made? I'm not 100% on Thanksgiving but I like the open-endedness.
There are people that use holidays for different purposes and I don't knock them for that. Trunk or treat or I've even seen "hallowed by thy name" festivals for 10/31. Same thing with using Easter as an outreach day or likewise Xmas. I don't see anything wrong with people doing that if that is on their heart to repurpose these days. If parents think it's alright to do easter egg hunts at church and it brings in people that don't often go to church and is a way to strike up conversation and possibly open a door? Sure.
It is interesting that people are drawn to church during these days specifically to me. I have my personal opinions though and I have yet to share them fully and I don't think I can quite yet. It's "too" personal and they definitely do affect me so I prefer to just ignore it for now...publicly at least. I'm not unaware of the background of these "holidays"...I just don't know for sure if it's really appropriate to illustrate. The verse about being ignorant of of evil and not speaking about the things done in secret comes to mind.
Ephesians 5:12 + Romans 16:19
Part of me has a desire to do so but I am uncertain of that part of me so I defer/default to those verses. OOthers have illustrated enough and I have done so in private for some but so long as parents aren't engaging in pagan practices wilfully and in the spirit of rebellion and seek the Lord when they feel convictions in an area I think God will work it out in their hearts. Work out your own salvation kind of thing possibly?
Half an answer I suppose and maybe that's just an excuse for me not to "tell the world" but it's very close to my heart and while I hope it's not simply fear that holds me back (and it is indeed wisdom) I'm held back regardless.
Alas, I was cut off by the edit window but there is a reason why children like egg hunts. It's fun. I presume it's also cute for the parents to observe.
But it's hunting/finding itself that is fun and I don't see a "need" to use eggs or give any sort of nod in that direction at all really. Children love hide & seek also. There's nothing solely special about egg hunts except the design of plastic eggs (which is exceptional). I'm sure the weather doesn't hurt either lol. Granted there is also dyeing and the baskets themselves but I digress.
There are other ways to unlock/cultivate a child's love for hunting/finding things that doesn't limit it to just one day a year and it'd be great if people recognized that or if it became a little more mainstream. Scavenger hunts have a lot of potential. The prizes/candy/money can easily be interjected along with other things.
I did orienteering scavenger hunts when I was in BSA (that I only just recalled) that teaches you skills at the same time.
Even hunts with riddles to the next location is a great tool for older age groups...definitely can be used in a Christian context easily.
There are lots of reasons why people like these holidays and understanding the psychology behind it can go a long way to moving away from them as well as unbridling what is unnecessarily restricted to certain days. It takes the "magic" out of it and makes it less "special" but I don't think that was God's intended design in the first place.
But it's hunting/finding itself that is fun and I don't see a "need" to use eggs or give any sort of nod in that direction at all really. Children love hide & seek also. There's nothing solely special about egg hunts except the design of plastic eggs (which is exceptional). I'm sure the weather doesn't hurt either lol. Granted there is also dyeing and the baskets themselves but I digress.
There are other ways to unlock/cultivate a child's love for hunting/finding things that doesn't limit it to just one day a year and it'd be great if people recognized that or if it became a little more mainstream. Scavenger hunts have a lot of potential. The prizes/candy/money can easily be interjected along with other things.
I did orienteering scavenger hunts when I was in BSA (that I only just recalled) that teaches you skills at the same time.
Even hunts with riddles to the next location is a great tool for older age groups...definitely can be used in a Christian context easily.
There are lots of reasons why people like these holidays and understanding the psychology behind it can go a long way to moving away from them as well as unbridling what is unnecessarily restricted to certain days. It takes the "magic" out of it and makes it less "special" but I don't think that was God's intended design in the first place.
C
I think it's a given that Halloween is as near as occultish that an observance can get.
My personal Christian perspective is, that no matter how nice it is to meet up with family, and particularly if they are Christian, the observance of those 'feasts' is somewhat redundant.
We Christians are always aware of the Lord's existence, right? And an acknowledgement of His birth is inherent in that awareness.
The same with Easter...we are aware daily that it is through His suffering, death and resurrection, we live.
And even in thanks giving, we are daily reminded of His kindness and provision which we receive through His mercy and grace, and we thank Him for it, daily.
It seems to me therefore, that these observances are superfluous to a practising Christian.
It could be argued that someone around the periphery of Christianity might be turned fully to the Lord through observing Christmas, Easter or Thanksgiving, but I've never known of it happening in my circle of aquaintences. Indeed, in my upbringing in a strict Catholic environment, the observances of these feasts taught me nothing, except that they were a great time to get presents, and have a pigout.
So, out of my concern for the honour of Jesus, as well as concern for my flesh and blood's welfare and for fear that their participation in these feasts misled them to believe that it made them Christian, I decided some 38 years ago to turn down offers by family to attend their Christmas and Easter get togethers. I explained the reason why I felt I couldn't. They were hurt, disappointed, and nonplussed, and now they leave me out of their plans. Sadly, this hasn't made any impact on their thoughts about Christianity, at least not as yet.
But I felt I had to draw a line for them and me. We still get on very well together, I haven't been ostracised, and I don't feel I've been whacked by God for doing what I have done.
But it's each to their own, everyone has to adjudge what God expects of them in this matter....but for me, answering the OP's question, I can't see a need to observe Christmas, and I don't think the Lord requires me to observe it...
My personal Christian perspective is, that no matter how nice it is to meet up with family, and particularly if they are Christian, the observance of those 'feasts' is somewhat redundant.
We Christians are always aware of the Lord's existence, right? And an acknowledgement of His birth is inherent in that awareness.
The same with Easter...we are aware daily that it is through His suffering, death and resurrection, we live.
And even in thanks giving, we are daily reminded of His kindness and provision which we receive through His mercy and grace, and we thank Him for it, daily.
It seems to me therefore, that these observances are superfluous to a practising Christian.
It could be argued that someone around the periphery of Christianity might be turned fully to the Lord through observing Christmas, Easter or Thanksgiving, but I've never known of it happening in my circle of aquaintences. Indeed, in my upbringing in a strict Catholic environment, the observances of these feasts taught me nothing, except that they were a great time to get presents, and have a pigout.
So, out of my concern for the honour of Jesus, as well as concern for my flesh and blood's welfare and for fear that their participation in these feasts misled them to believe that it made them Christian, I decided some 38 years ago to turn down offers by family to attend their Christmas and Easter get togethers. I explained the reason why I felt I couldn't. They were hurt, disappointed, and nonplussed, and now they leave me out of their plans. Sadly, this hasn't made any impact on their thoughts about Christianity, at least not as yet.
But I felt I had to draw a line for them and me. We still get on very well together, I haven't been ostracised, and I don't feel I've been whacked by God for doing what I have done.
But it's each to their own, everyone has to adjudge what God expects of them in this matter....but for me, answering the OP's question, I can't see a need to observe Christmas, and I don't think the Lord requires me to observe it...
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