Christmas-A Christian Holiday? (tradition, hell, salvation, pray)

[aiangel_writer]

I don't know, maybe it's just me.

But, I feel the birth of Christ is very important. It was first prophized in the OT as there to be a Savior. Then His birth is recorded. To be recorded and put in the Bible makes me believe it is a very important thing.

This is the birth of our Savior, and the events that happened around that birth are important.

To celebrate the birth of my Savior means a great deal to me, personally. It gives me hope, I have a belief on this Savior, I know I will someday meet Him, I can teach mychildren about Him, my faith in Him is because of the very birth that was recorded.

I don't believe this comes from Satan.

It was the greatest gift God could give us because we would not have a death and resurrection if not for the birth.

[mzjamiedawn]

Originally Posted by aiangel_writer

I don't know, maybe it's just me.

But, I feel the birth of Christ is very important. It was first prophized in the OT as there to be a Savior. Then His birth is recorded. To be recorded and put in the Bible makes me believe it is a very important thing.

This is the birth of our Savior, and the events that happened around that birth are important.

To celebrate the birth of my Savior means a great deal to me, personally. It gives me hope, I have a belief on this Savior, I know I will someday meet Him, I can teach mychildren about Him, my faith in Him is because of the very birth that was recorded.

I don't believe this comes from Satan.

It was the greatest gift God could give us because we would not have a death and resurrection if not for the birth.

Obviously I believe His birth is important also, otherwise there would be no sacrifice. But I do believe if God had wanted us to celebrate it, especially on a specific day, He would have told us when Jesus was born, and how to celebrate, as He did with His death.

I don't believe your desire wanting to remember His birth is from Satan either, and if it makes you feel good, great. There are those out there that believe that Dec. 25th is the actual birthday of Christ and think we are wrong if we don't celebrate it...they just have been taught that way, and that's one problem I have with celebrating Christmas as a religious holiday.

That, and the nativity scene is just so wrong. It does not match scripture.

But as I said before, if Christmas gets others to think about Christ, then Amen!

[alicenevada]

The birth of Christ is VERY important but the fact still remains that he never instructed for us to celebrate it, since he came to earth to die. Yes, the events surrounding his birth are VERY important as well, but the early Christians did not celebrate birthdays. The main reason for this was that the surrounding nations put much emphasis on 'self' and therefore celebrating your birth was considered fostering an unholy attitude.

No, the birth of Christ DOES NOT come from Satan. You misread my post. I said the star has no proof of divine origin. But that does not mean Christ himself was not of divine origin. Indeed he was. Without his birth and subsequent death, none of us would have hope. And on that we agree.

I strongly feel that love for Christ will move you to do what is right. My own decisions and yours may not mesh, but I don't feel God ever judges adversely if someone truly feels they are doing good. Only He can read hearts, after all.

[MysticPhD]

Originally Posted by mzjamiedawn

I don't believe your desire wanting to remember His birth is from Satan either, and if it makes you feel good, great. . . .
But as I said before, if Christmas gets others to think about Christ, then Amen!

This is what it means to judge by the fruits . . . nothing that brings souls to Christ can possibly be of Satan, period!

[alicenevada]

Originally Posted by MysticPhD

This is what it means to judge by the fruits . . . nothing that brings souls to Christ can possibly be of Satan, period!

Not if a person is truly coming to Christ...but far too many people only honor Christ on this day, December 25th, a day that was formerly reserved for worshipping false Gods and whose traditions have little or nothing to do with Jesus himself. And crowding out Christ with other 'seasonal' distractions, abiding by his teachings only when it is 'traditional' to do so-these things definitely speak of Satan's influence.

[bigthirsty]

Originally Posted by alicenevada

Well, there's plenty of scriptural basis for going to the bathroom so that I'll do freely...

I take it you do believe in Santa Claus and if so, I have no problem w/ your justifying him to your children.

I see him every year.. in malls..

you should get out more.

[MysticPhD]

Originally Posted by alicenevada

Not if a person is truly coming to Christ...but far too many people only honor Christ on this day, December 25th, a day that was formerly reserved for worshipping false Gods and whose traditions have little or nothing to do with Jesus himself. And crowding out Christ with other 'seasonal' distractions, abiding by his teachings only when it is 'traditional' to do so-these things definitely speak of Satan's influence.

How is it that you know the hearts of others and can judge this? . . . that is for God to do . . . not you. I do not believe anything that is a positive expression of love for Jesus Christ could possibly be of Satan, period.

[Towhee]

If anyone knows to do right and does not do it, to him it is sin.
I think the reverse of that would be: if anyone knows what is wrong and still does it, to him it is sin.

Doing things as a 'Christian' observance, that are not according to the word of God, is an example of doing as you will , not as God wills.

You can spend umpteen dollars every year to decorate your house and yard, but please do not say it is to celebrate Christ's birth! Although I have dear friends who do such things...I can only think of the 'lusts'...of the eye, of the flesh, and the pride of life.

If you really think it is His birthday, give Him gifts. You can do that by helping the truely needy; the really poor; the down hearted; those in mourning; those with serius illnesses, etc.

[alicenevada]

Originally Posted by MysticPhD

How is it that you know the hearts of others and can judge this? . . . that is for God to do . . . not you. I do not believe anything that is a positive expression of love for Jesus Christ could possibly be of Satan, period.

I would never presume to judge the hearts of others. I am basing that comment on actual conversations I've had with others. People have told me on many occasions that they only go to church at Christmas, that they only think of Christ at that time. I would not consider those people as having 'come to know Christ', would you?

And as far as a positive expression of love for Christ, how does Santa Claus fit into that expression? Yule logs? Lighted Trees? Presents for one another (not for Christ)? These are all things that are of pagan origin. Since there is no 'sharing of light with darkness', how could I conscientiously take part in these things and still claim to love Christ? That is how I view it. I'm not asking you to view it the same but you can't claim that such a view is wrong...simply different than your own.

[alicenevada]

Originally Posted by bigthirsty

I see him every year.. in malls..

you should get out more.

So that guy that is in Fred Claus? That's HIM? Man, he was really good in Sideways. I like the beard though.