Christmas/Easter - is the whole tradition Christian? (church, believe, rituals)

[renriq02]

Christmas/Easter - is the whole tradition Christian?

[little elmer]

Christmas Question

I can't YouTube from work, but there's a series of videos on the origin of Christmas - it'll make you sick.

[StirringWaters]

I don't celebrate Christmas with my kids based on its roots.

God knows my heart at all times...including Christmas.

Romans 14:10-13a

[Morale Officer]

It's whatever you want it to be

[Saintmarks]

Christmas is one of the best times for Christians to have a witness. The vast majority of Americans celebrate Christmas and an opportunity to explain Emmanuel, God with us, God come to earth to save us, the whole reason behind the season is one of my favorite aspects of this season.

Some Christians want to so separate themselves in outward forms of holiness that they make themselves no earthly good. Of course there are a lot of misconceptions about Christmas. That is where we have an opportunity to witness. The real story is not so romantic, but it is power and glory come to earth. A true telling of Christmas must end with the Easter story, because Jesus came and was born in the lowliest of places, to be the least among us to go to the cross to die for us.

I really don't care if you don't give presents, or do the lights and tree and all that because it isn't "scriptural." However, doing so and eschewing the cultural aspects of Christmas to strive for an outward holiness is missing the point. I believe God would have us use this time when non Christians hearts are open to the message perhaps more than any other time of year to spread his love and his message. Being so "holy" that you don't celebrate Christmas diminishes your witness, imo.

Be in the world but not of it. Enjoy all the trimmings that go with Christmas, but worship the Lord for who he is, don't make an idol out of the secondary things and you will be OK. Go a step further and use this season to speak to someone about the meaning of Christmas and how this Jesus that was born is still alive, and is still birthed in lowly, dirty places, the stable of men's hearts.

[renriq02]

that is really interesting

Originally Posted by little elmer

Christmas Question

I can't YouTube from work, but there's a series of videos on the origin of Christmas - it'll make you sick.

[Gretchen_SDCA]

Originally Posted by renriq02

Christmas/Easter - is the whole tradition Christian?

While I admittedly have not researched this fully, I am pretty confident that you would find many non-Christian roots in Christmas or Easter. I have read articles about it. In fact, it seems like religions often adopt from others and even recycle concepts/ideas. So, my best guess is that the whole tradition is not Christian, although Christianity may have added some unique variations on the theme.

Also, Christmas and Easter have cultural significance quite separate from the religious aspect. Traditions have developed and it has been embraced by a larger community than just the Christmas community. As an atheist, I love Christmas in particular - I enjoy the idea of family getting together, exchanging modest gifts, decorations, and I LOVE going to a beautiful church or cathedral for a carol service. Even though I don't believe in the supernatural aspects of it at all, I enjoy the ambience and atmosphere and the opportunity to reflect on the year.

[Theliberalvoice]

NOPE!!

It is Pagan and the Christians STOLE it from the Wiccans. So in fact when you celebrate "Christmas" or "Easter", you celebrate Wiccan holidays.

[Gretchen_SDCA]

Originally Posted by Theliberalvoice

NOPE!!

It is Pagan and the Christians STOLE it from the Wiccans. So in fact when you celebrate "Christmas" or "Easter", you celebrate Wiccan holidays.

I don't really care too much who coined it - I think it is important culturally, and I enjoy those times tremendously.

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by Theliberalvoice

NOPE!!

It is Pagan and the Christians STOLE it from the Wiccans. So in fact when you celebrate "Christmas" or "Easter", you celebrate Wiccan holidays.

When did a Wiccan virgin conceive and bear forth God in the flesh? That's a new one on me.

When did a Wiccan die on a cross and rise forth from the grave leaving my sins and your sins buried so we don't have to carry the penalty for them anymore? Again, something I never heard before.

Now the Easter Bunny and Easter Eggs do have their root in fertility rites that have been rituals of many pagan religions connected with spring and a new planting/mating season. As most cultures throughout history prior to the last hundred years or so were primarily agrarian, this is to be expected. Baal worship in the Old Testament centered around fertility rites, thus the temple prostitutes and such and why Baal worship was clearly prohibited for the Israelites. New Testament writers also dealt with Greek temple worship that played to these themes as well.

Sorry, Wicca doesn't have the corner on this practice or invent it. It's been around as long as man as been around.