Is Christmas really even about Christ? (Or is "Xmas" Correct?)

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Reborn

Senior Member
Nov 16, 2014
4,087
216
63
#1
Tis the season...to go broke, and gain a little weight, I guess?
Not to rain (or blizzard) on anyone's parade, but is it really a day celebrating the Birth of our Lord and Savior??? Now, I know I'm not the first to ask this? ( I too am guilty--because I myself am a sucker for those corny ABC Family Christmas movies) I know everyone is about to get into the "spirit" of Christmas here in a week or so--and who bashes Christmas--really,...come on? But why do we defend, and defend and defend, (with so many nonbelievers) a holiday that we all deep down know to have some pagan roots to it? Yes the word Christ is in it-but when people put that "X" in Xmas, aren't they really doing Him a favor by excluding Him from such materialistic, greed driven rituals? Would Christ REALLY be upset, by us excluding His name (while slyly taking the most precious gift of God -His Birth) and turning it into a corporate saturated, materialistic, gimme feast?! I'm no Scrooge, having a 7 year old daughter, I see and bask in her joy when she equates my love for her by the amount of gifts I put under the tree, so I am just as guilty. -Breath- But I never ever defend it as God's day-because it's not. Anything drenched in that many worldly things can not be from or about Jesus. I'm going to guess if you are on this forum, you follow Christ...and agree that the Bible never mentions Santa on the side of a Coke bottle anywhere in the NT? (I know the origins of Santa BTW)
So... lets call just relax, go to the WalMart Black Friday Sale and call this holiday what is has become about: Stuff.
Merry Material Stuff Day.
Thoughts I might be missing on this subject??
 
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Tintin

Guest
#2
There are plenty of threads on this topic. Please do a Search before creating another one. Christmas in and of itself isn't evil. The way I see it, every day belongs to God, even Christmas day. Just focus on Jesus, enjoy your friends and family and good food, presents if you do that sort of thing. Thank God for sending His Son to earth to redeem us. You don't have to buy into all of the commercialism nonsense. Don't fall into the trap of making the Enemy out to be bigger than God.
 

Reborn

Senior Member
Nov 16, 2014
4,087
216
63
#3
There are plenty of threads on this topic. Please do a Search before creating another one. Christmas in and of itself isn't evil. The way I see it, every day belongs to God, even Christmas day. Just focus on Jesus, enjoy your friends and family and good food, presents if you do that sort of thing. Thank God for sending His Son to earth to redeem us. You don't have to buy into all of the commercialism nonsense. Don't fall into the trap of making the Enemy out to be bigger than God.
Promise-I will,if you will my man? It's impossible to read through the massive amounts of threads and posts on here, I think you are well aware of that? It's about opinions, as it's apparent you have a ton of them yourself? That's why I requested you as a friend, because keeping quiet helps no one my friend. Quick note: you've posted the same comments on the same exact stuff that everyone has already said...on my posts alone? Proof we can't and don't read everything before we post. Be well.

P.S. If there are so many posts on this subject why haven't you been convinced that the holiday IS not about Jesus, nor should we claim it is...or defend it? Food for thought Brother.
 
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Tintin

Guest
#4
I do conduct a Search before I create a thread. You don't have to read every post or even every thread, just look at the thread titles to see if they're relevant. I too don't think it's good to keep quiet. I'm sorry my tone has been antagonistic at times, that's not my intention. I'm a bit confused by this: I haven't posted the same comments on the exact same topics across the forums. The gist of the posts is more or less the same though. I haven't been convinced that Christmas/Easter - any of that, is the Enemy's playground because I've read many articles on the topic, from various learned Christian authors. I've critically thought things through (there's a lot of misinformation and poor scholarship on the Christmas and Easter are evil side), have taken my beliefs to God and haven't had the Holy Spirit personally convict me of having such beliefs. I have no qualms against you, brother.
 
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Dan58

Senior Member
Nov 13, 2013
1,991
337
83
#5

IMO, Christmas (December 25th) is not the correct day of Christ birth. He was likely born around Sept 28th, 4 BC.

Xmas is a day where people kill a tree, kill a turkey, and celebrate. They have a big meal (gluttony), they knock each other over in crowded stores to get what they want (materialism), and they wait in anticipation of getting everything they want (selfishness). These 3 traits have little to do with Jesus or his birth. To me, Xmas is just an end of the year Santa Claus day for kids, and News Years is for adults. I guess there's nothing wrong with picking a day to celebrate the birth of our Lord, but the commercialization of Dec 25th kind of minimizes what the day should represent, which is not massive credit card debt :)
 

Nautilus

Senior Member
Jun 29, 2012
6,488
53
48
#6
Christmas is what you make it. If you focus only on the material then thats what you will get. If you focus on celebrating the gift of His Son that God gave, well you'll probably end up being rewarded in a completely different way.
 
S

Susanna

Guest
#7
Salesmen will always find a way of making money on Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, 4th of July, Remembrance day etc. Point is, there's no way avoiding it. This is a salesman's raison d'être. And I think it should be like that, because that is what our society is founded on. We could of course ban what some is referring to as ungodly materialism, but where would that leave us? I can think of a few countries, but I'd rather not be mentioning them and God is not playing any part in those countries Constitutions...if theyve got any at all.
 
A

AbbeyJoy

Guest
#8
Christmas is about giving. God gave us a gift His name is Jesus, i know that Jesus wasn't born in December but the holiday representing giving to others and since God loves us so much He gave us Jesus
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
41,243
16,252
113
69
Tennessee
#9
So... lets call just relax, go to the WalMart Black Friday Sale and call this holiday what is has become about: Stuff.
Merry Material Stuff Day.
Thoughts I might be missing on this subject??
Missing - Merry Material Stuff, Gift Cards and Services
 
M

MadParrotWoman

Guest
#10
Christmas doesn't have to be about any of those things. We don't HAVE to over-eat, get into debt fight the crowds etc. We choose to take that route.

I am seriously trying. I never fight crowds these days, I buy 90% of my presents online and the others I get early. I try not to eat too much - just 2 days of indulgence and then back on the diet - it isn't good to over-eat if you are over 40 - you can get away with it when you are younger. I do tend to spend more than I would like but I don't and won't go into debt. Someone on the radio summed it up today: Christmas isn't about over-spending, it's about families together, having a nice meal, exchanging token gifts and remembering that when Jesus was born He brought light into a dark world.

So it doesn't matter about the pagan origins, the fact is that as Christians we can celebrate the light brought about by Jesus' birth during the darkest, shortest time of the year. Let's not darken this joyous event with doom and gloom. We are called to be different than the secular world. Christmas is the perfect time for Christians to be different.
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
#11
Christmas is what you make of it. I find pleasure in the ungodly of the world facing the holiday that proclaims that Christ was born a babe in the manger so long ago in Bethlehem. It opens many doors to testify of the saving grace of God. What other birth is known all the world over?

The world making money is not going to rob me of the joy of celebrating the birth of my Savior.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 

Reborn

Senior Member
Nov 16, 2014
4,087
216
63
#12
The world making money is not going to rob me of the joy of celebrating the birth of my Savior.

For the cause of Christ
Roger[/QUOTE]


I agree ....and I do that 365 days a year, not on just the day the rest of the world does. God Bless.
 

Reborn

Senior Member
Nov 16, 2014
4,087
216
63
#13
Christmas doesn't have to be about any of those things. We don't HAVE to over-eat, get into debt fight the crowds etc. We choose to take that route.

I am seriously trying. I never fight crowds these days, I buy 90% of my presents online and the others I get early. I try not to eat too much - just 2 days of indulgence and then back on the diet - it isn't good to over-eat if you are over 40 - you can get away with it when you are younger. I do tend to spend more than I would like but I don't and won't go into debt. Someone on the radio summed it up today: Christmas isn't about over-spending, it's about families together, having a nice meal, exchanging token gifts and remembering that when Jesus was born He brought light into a dark world.

So it doesn't matter about the pagan origins, the fact is that as Christians we can celebrate the light brought about by Jesus' birth during the darkest, shortest time of the year. Let's not darken this joyous event with doom and gloom. We are called to be different than the secular world. Christmas is the perfect time for Christians to be different.

In my original post, I said I am guilty of all the trappings of the worldly celebration of it. I really dig Christmas movies. Still, doesn't mean that it is right or I am. It's hard not to, when everyone you love enjoys it. Be well.
 

Angela53510

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2011
11,780
2,937
113
#14
My goodness! Christmas bashing threads already and it is still November?

My thought, besides searching for this topic before you post (upper right hand corner FYI) is to wait until we are all in the mood. Feeling warm and cozy, with the tree decorated, the lights up, the presents wrapped, the goodies baked, the turkey cooking - no wait - that is Christmas Day!

At least wait until December, anyway! Over commercialization means debating this topic at the wrong time of year, too!

(Oh yes, I love Christmas with all the trimmings! My whole family, kids, spouses and grandkids are getting together this year. I can hardly wait to be together with the people I love the most. I also pray God will use Christmas to bring my children back to Christ!)
 

KohenMatt

Senior Member
Jun 28, 2013
4,011
212
63
#15
Tis the season...to go broke, and gain a little weight, I guess?
Not to rain (or blizzard) on anyone's parade, but is it really a day celebrating the Birth of our Lord and Savior??? Now, I know I'm not the first to ask this? ( I too am guilty--because I myself am a sucker for those corny ABC Family Christmas movies) I know everyone is about to get into the "spirit" of Christmas here in a week or so--and who bashes Christmas--really,...come on? But why do we defend, and defend and defend, (with so many nonbelievers) a holiday that we all deep down know to have some pagan roots to it? Yes the word Christ is in it-but when people put that "X" in Xmas, aren't they really doing Him a favor by excluding Him from such materialistic, greed driven rituals? Would Christ REALLY be upset, by us excluding His name (while slyly taking the most precious gift of God -His Birth) and turning it into a corporate saturated, materialistic, gimme feast?! I'm no Scrooge, having a 7 year old daughter, I see and bask in her joy when she equates my love for her by the amount of gifts I put under the tree, so I am just as guilty. -Breath- But I never ever defend it as God's day-because it's not. Anything drenched in that many worldly things can not be from or about Jesus. I'm going to guess if you are on this forum, you follow Christ...and agree that the Bible never mentions Santa on the side of a Coke bottle anywhere in the NT? (I know the origins of Santa BTW)
So... lets call just relax, go to the WalMart Black Friday Sale and call this holiday what is has become about: Stuff.
Merry Material Stuff Day.
Thoughts I might be missing on this subject??
A lot of good stuff in here. Not to mention that Jesus wasn't even born on christmas. So why do we celebrate it when we do?
Man's traditions.
 

Agricola

Senior Member
Dec 10, 2012
2,638
88
48
#16
So Satan and the world corrupt the official Birthday of Jesus, no prizes for guessing that! Where is the rule to say you have to buy tons of gifts, put decorations up and gorge yourself to near death?
 
Feb 16, 2014
903
2
0
#17
Honestly, I prefer new threads over revived dead threads in which half the people who participated aren't even active anymore.

Anyway, onto the topic!

Technically speaking, Christmas refers to the celebration of Jesus's birth. But, many non-Christians also celebrate Christmas as a means of celebrating life and giving. Even though many pagan and Christian rituals have been adopted, Christmas is about whatever it is you make it about. This is why many people set up nativity scenes, because to them Christmas is in part about Jesus and his birth.

There are people who use Xmas as a way of removing "Christ" out of Christmas. These people do not understand what Xmas actually means.

Xmas is not the removal of Christ from Christmas, it is an abbreviation. In Greek, Christ is spelled as "Χριστός". The first character that resembles an "X" (pronounced ex) is actually Chi, a letter in the Greek alphabet. But, because it looks like an English "X", it's what we use and how we pronounce it.
 
Feb 16, 2014
903
2
0
#18
Also, Christmas is a time for families to come together. We pig out on food because that's what families tend to do! Think about it, how many times does your extended family come together and NOT celebrate with food?

Christmas doesn't have to be about Jesus and only Jesus. It can celebrate Jesus while also celebrating togetherness, especially during the coldest and darkest days of the year. Is this wrong?

People want to bash Christmas for being too secular or worldly, but as I said in my previous post, Christmas is what you make of it. If you want to use Christmas to celebrate Jesus, go to your local church. If you don't mind celebrating other things such as giving and togetherness, go to your in-laws house and unwrap presents with family.
 
V

VioletReigns

Guest
#19
There are people who use Xmas as a way of removing "Christ" out of Christmas. These people do not understand what Xmas actually means.

Xmas is not the removal of Christ from Christmas, it is an abbreviation. In Greek, Christ is spelled as "Χριστός". The first character that resembles an "X" (pronounced ex) is actually Chi, a letter in the Greek alphabet. But, because it looks like an English "X", it's what we use and how we pronounce it.
Yes, I have been aware of this as well. I don't have an issue with it for that reason.

Personally, I take the holiday in stride. I am glad that the day reminds non-Christians of Jesus' birth but as for traditions, I really don't take part in any. I like the music and the holiday movies and the blinking lights and glittery decorations. But that's because I like shiny things all year round. :D Oooohhhh!!! LIGHTS!

However, I don't decorate my home or put up a tree or anything. I did make a deal of it when my kids were little but we celebrated it as Jesus' birthday. We had a tree and some decorations. But we didn't proclaim Santa was real although my kids sat on his lap at the mall. They just thought Santa was a fantasy character like Spiderman or Care Bears. We mostly visited folks and celebrated family & friends. We gave out homemade things like bread, cookies, arts & crafts, etc. I honestly did not want my kids caught up in the commercialism.
 
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PerfectTommy

Guest
#20
If you want to celebrate Christmas, knock yourself out. There's nothing wrong with having some fun and indulging a little bit.

Outside of passing around a few gifts, dinner, eggnog, and charities and toy drives, I personally don't go all ga-ga over it. I certainly don't fool with putting up a tree, or decorations, or any of that stuff because I am extraordinarily lazy--that stuff has to come down too, you know. Besides, I usually work on Christmas anyway. My girlfriend is in law enforcement and always works Christmas. We just celebrate whenever we can... usually on the day before or after, with minimal fanfare.

As one poster on here already mentioned, there's really no right or wrong day to celebrate Jesus as He deserves to be praised every day (Psalm 113:3).

As far as the pagan hoopla surrounding Christmas, it's a load of bunk.

Yeah, Jesus wasn't born on December 25th but actually during Sukkot/Tabernacles, which would be around September-October (John 1:14). However, it's cool to celebrate His birth on December 25th because that's when the wise men (Gentiles) first discovered Him 75 days later. If I were a Messianic Jew, I would celebrate His birth on Sukkot.

As for Christmas decorations like trees and such, a bunch of Scrooges take Jeremiah 10:2-6--which has nothing to do with Christmas trees (which didn't even exist back then) but rather wooden idols--out of context in a vain attempt to spoil everyone's fun. They conveniently overlook Scripture where the children of Israel are commanded to cut trees from palm, myrtle, willow or citron trees (lulav and etrog) and dwell in temporary huts made out of those tree branches (Leviticus 23:40).

Sukka huts and Jewish decorations used during Sukkot, bear a striking resemblance to Christian Nativity Scenes. The tree branches are also reminiscent of our Christmas trees. They are used for decoration and often shaped into wreaths. Jews also use red pomegranates as decorations which tree ornaments--originally all red and round--are simple representations of.
sukkah-big.gif
sukkot_2004_1.jpg

So the idea that the Christmas' origins are pagan is pure nonsense. It's a bunch of baloney invented by ignorant kooks who don't even know the roots of their own faith.
 
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