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I think it's very sad that the birth of our Savior does not remind you of God's love
Christmas is not supposed to be about trees, lights and shopping, but Jesus. If this is all Christmas is to people no wonder they don't like it. Everyday we should show our appreciation and love to God, not just December 25.
Oh, don't get me wrong. The birth of our savior DOES remind me of God's love. December 25th, Christmas day, does not. Since the customs associated with Christmas came before the advent of Christ-Mass, it is very difficult for me to think of Christ when I see them. What does Santa have to do with Christ? Or as my little son asked me last year:
'Why do people give each other gifts if it is supposed to be Jesus' birthday'?
It does not. But the bible is not the only book we have that explains the activities of the early Christians. We use the bible as our principal guide...and supplement it with research when questions arise.
Because they are symbols of those acts...and I believe God still views them as such. After all, the scriptures cited show that he 'does not change'.
THis quote is from a book called 'The Road to Civilization'
In an effort to gain pagan converts the Roman Catholic clergy in the fourth century after Christ took in this pagan Saturnalia on December 25 and sponsored it as the “mass of Christ” or “Christ-mass.” The feast of Saturn, the Saturnalia, was a winter festival which lasted a week beginning on the twenty-fifth day of December, and was celebrated with dancing, the exchanging of gifts, and the burning of candles. The Saturnalia was later taken over by the Christians as their Christmas, and given a new significance.”
Who gave these people the right to 'give it a new significance'? If God did, then when? When did he state in the bible that we could change pagan celebrations to our liking? The only thing I have to go on is the aforementioned reaction he had when the nation of Israel did that very thing. And he wasnt happy.
Jesus gave the Roman Catholic Church the right. Read Matthew 16:13-19.
Jesus gave the Roman Catholic Church the right. Read Matthew 16:13-19.
I don't see anything about the Roman Catholic church in the verses or the permission to adapt the practices of Saturnalia to Christianity??? If the Catholic Church feels that those verses give them those liberties, they have taken that permission and run with it! heh heh
Oh, don't get me wrong. The birth of our savior DOES remind me of God's love. December 25th, Christmas day, does not. Since the customs associated with Christmas came before the advent of Christ-Mass, it is very difficult for me to think of Christ when I see them. What does Santa have to do with Christ? Or as my little son asked me last year:
'Why do people give each other gifts if it is supposed to be Jesus' birthday'?
'Out of the mouths of babes...'
In many ways Christians took over pagan holidays and dedicated them to the rememberance of Christ. Look at Paul when he preached to the Romans in the most holy hall where they had all the statues of their gods. He picked one that said to the unknown god and declared this on to be the one true God and the rest to be lesser gods. Sant Clause is supposed to be a modern representation of Saint Nicholis who lowered baskets of candy down chimneys for children. The idea of giving gifts to one another goes along with Christ saying "whatever you do for one of these you do for me" speaking of the homeless and disenfrachised. It also goes along with the idea of showing love "it is better to give than recieve". It is a process of teaching charity for all which has been lost in this greedy world of "you dont love me because you gave me a crappy gift."
In many ways Christians took over pagan holidays and dedicated them to the rememberance of Christ. Look at Paul when he preached to the Romans in the most holy hall where they had all the statues of their gods. He picked one that said to the unknown god and declared this on to be the one true God and the rest to be lesser gods. Sant Clause is supposed to be a modern representation of Saint Nicholis who lowered baskets of candy down chimneys for children. The idea of giving gifts to one another goes along with Christ saying "whatever you do for one of these you do for me" speaking of the homeless and disenfrachised. It also goes along with the idea of showing love "it is better to give than recieve". It is a process of teaching charity for all which has been lost in this greedy world of "you dont love me because you gave me a crappy gift."
In many ways Christians took over pagan holidays and dedicated them to the rememberance of Christ. Look at Paul when he preached to the Romans in the most holy hall where they had all the statues of their gods. He picked one that said to the unknown god and declared this on to be the one true God and the rest to be lesser gods. Sant Clause is supposed to be a modern representation of Saint Nicholis who lowered baskets of candy down chimneys for children. The idea of giving gifts to one another goes along with Christ saying "whatever you do for one of these you do for me" speaking of the homeless and disenfrachised. It also goes along with the idea of showing love "it is better to give than recieve". It is a process of teaching charity for all which has been lost in this greedy world of "you dont love me because you gave me a crappy gift."
Those comments on Paul are excellent! Actually, that whole post is great!
I don't see anything about the Roman Catholic church in the verses or the permission to adapt the practices of Saturnalia to Christianity??? If the Catholic Church feels that those verses give them those liberties, they have taken that permission and run with it! heh heh
Matthew 16:19 - And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Jesus gave the keys (authority) of heaven to Peter to permit and forbid. (loose and bind). It's pretty plain. But this is exactly why Sola Scriptura doesn't work. Because everyone's got an opinion.
It says nothing about Saturnia. The Bible also says in the last paragraph of John that not everything JESUS said or did was in the Bible. What the above verse does explain is that the Catholic Church was given the power of the authority with the power of the Holy Spirit and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. Thus any subsequent action would be with the help of the Holy Spirit and implemented by the AUTHORITY of Jesus's Church.
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Ha!...popcorn anybody?...
