CHRISTMAS

Don't mean this to sound as blunt as it may, but....

There is no denying that many traditions and customs surrounding Christmas are derived from pre-Christian beliefs and practices; most notably from Germanic, Roman, and Celtic traditions. Even the time of year it's celebrated, around the Winter Solstice (the idea of light overtaking darkness and its symbolic ‘translation’ into Christianity), is pre-Christian.

As most know, many of our present-day customs and traditions, from the days of the week, to the candles you blow out on your birthday cake, have "pre-Christian" antecedents; but no one really seems to complain about those. Indeed, I’d be willing to bet that very few people are even remotely aware of half of them.

Here's the thing though, quite frankly, whether one wishes to acknowledge it or not, the “pagan-ness” has been effectively ‘bred out’ of Christmas and its traditions for well over 1,000 years now. They have, for all intents and purposes, become completely Christianized (though maybe not your particular idea or 'belief set' of what Christianity entails). Like other pre-Christian customs and traditions that have become part of our culture, it’s time to get over it.

Of course many people are keen to point out that “Christmas is not in the Bible” (well the Nativity is, but that’s another story), neither are a lot of things, but again, no one seems to have a problem with that.

I think one of the things that I have a bit of a concern with regarding Christmas is that for something held to be so profound; the Bible records two completely different birth narratives (though over time, both have become sort of intertwined into one Nativity story).

This too has probably been beaten to death in another thread somewhere, but I tend to think Jesus was born in Nazareth; not Bethlehem. I don't buy the whole census story. Roman taxation didn't work that way. I think there was only one known census in the ancient Middle East where people had to return to the city in which they lived in anticipation of a census - this happened in Egypt, but I don't recall the particulars.

The birth of Christ is a great thing but all the other fake stuff of it, the tree, the lights, Santa clause etc. No good.

Jeremiah 10:3-4
For the practices of the peoples are worthless;
they cut a tree out of the forest,
and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.
4 They adorn it with silver and gold;
they fasten it with hammer and nails
so it will not totter.

is this implying that the Christmas tree is to be not practiced?

Nope. It has Nothing to do with Christmas trees

is this implying that the Christmas tree is to be not practiced?

nope, it is implying of a nation who have false gods if one would read the full chapter instead of trying to attack the day that is historically seen as the birth of Christ. One would see the good and not the overly legalistic dogma of control. the chapter is talking about idolatry. We do not worship the Christmas tree lol that is a false narrative. We do not pray to the tree.

Jeremiah 10 NLT
Hear the word that the LORD speaks to you, O Israel!
2This is what the LORD says:
Do not act like the other nations,
who try to read their future in the stars.
Do not be afraid of their predictions,
even though other nations are terrified by them.
3Their ways are futile and foolish.
They cut down a tree, and a craftsman carves an idol.
4They decorate it with gold and silver
and then fasten it securely with hammer and nails
so it won’t fall over.
5Their gods are like
helpless scarecrows in a cucumber field!
They cannot speak,
and they need to be carried because they cannot walk.
Do not be afraid of such gods,
for they can neither harm you nor do you any good.”

I agree I don’t pray to a tree or worship it, I have no issues with honoring the birth of Christ once year.
though one day it will probably be gone also, surely someone will say it’s forced religion just like how prayer in school was banned in 1962.

what is a Christmas tree, it is a evergreen tree, the Bible has no issues with using evergreens for decorations God use them for beautifying His sanctuary.

I never really celebrated if after coming back to Christ in my late 30's as I saw it as a pagan ritual. But I had to soften my approach to the holiday and all its decorations when we fostered children in California. My wife pointed out that it wasn't fair to them for they had that custom. I became more tolerant.

Now, my adult children celebrate it in full style but I am still a little reluctant. Life is about balance. Like Paul said: "All things are legal, but not all things are expedient" (see 1 Cor. 10:23).

Give us your thoughts on anything Christmas. Here are some ideas:

Should we celebrate it?
Exchange gifts?
Decorate trees?
Should it be in December?
Wise men
Shepherds
Santa Claus
Etc...

a great thing

ok

In places where Winters are long and dreary, people would bring greenery into their homes to be cheery rather than dreary (a little poetry for ya, to keep it light hearted).

You're a poet
And don't realize that.

I’m sorry, did my reply offend you in some way??? Did I not emphasize the Birth of Christ to your approval? Because that was not my point, the other things that actually get promoted around Christmas time is my problem.

the other things that actually get promoted around Christmas time is my problem.

Not you.
Maybe I can fix it.
That's the part I was responding too.

You're a poet
And don't realize that.