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What people like you seem to be saying is that you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus and you cannot agree to celebrate His birth whenever you wish. Surely Jesus knows what is in your heart and what you intend to celebrate regardless what anyone else is or is not doing??? If you are NOT celebrating anything pagan but are celebrating Christ's birthday, why would Jesus object??? I guess I just don't get it. What is in your heart and your intentions determine what you are celebrating 100%, NOT ancient pagan practices or whatever anyone else is doing.
ultimately God sees the heart and it's intent---to do good or to do evil and honestly think (and hopefully God knows) most folks have no intent to do evil on Dec. 25. it is rather sad that so many who sincerely believe in Christ for whatever reason decide not to especially remember and celebrate a day (whenever it "really" happened) that apparently was so special that the "tidings of great joy" were proclaimed by an Angel from heaven of the birth of the Prince of Peace. however, IMHO WHEN you do this (don't like Dec. 25 for whatever reason, pick another day that works better for you) and HOW you do it (don't need lights, trees, gifts or anything of that nature) is ultimately irrelevant except that you as a Christian (however you choose to define that term) are aware that Christ really came into the world to show LOVE for all of us and that in gratitude for that particular event (and everything that came after) we should might some of that love to others on whatever day you think is appropriate---and every other day of our lives.
Last edited by georgeinbandonoregon; 12-19-2015 at 09:22 AM..
Reason: more info.
I have heard of some who do not, due to the incorporation of Pagan customs into Christianity.
I know that Jehovah's Witnesses do not, but many people do not believe them to be Christian.
Are there any denominations that do not celebrate Christmas, or are these mostly independent churches, and the beliefs of certain Pastors?
Just curious.
Yes. Typically joyless, self-important whack jobs. Hey, if they simply said, "We don't emphasize Christmas in our worship," and left it at that, no problem. But when these folks start mouthing off with ill-informed, baseless rants about paganism, comparing our celebration of Christ's birth to a Roman bacchanal, then excuse me if I get a little annoyed.
In the liturgical traditions, there is no doubt that Christ's birth is the absolute center of Christmas. Advent is considered a time of anticipation and reflection and there is an entire spiritual discipline and instruction to support it. So what if we drag pine trees into our dens and dress them up in shiny lights and baubles? So what if we give gifts? So what if we celebrate? These are petty carpings by those whose primary desire in faith is to not build God's kingdom on earth, but rather to seek out flaws in others to make themselves look better. Yet they never realize that they themselves are too smitten with their pedantry to understand the motivations of those they criticize. For, by celebrating, we are remembering God's priceless gift to a broken world. And it is a joyous, festive thing indeed.
Yes. Typically joyless, self-important whack jobs. Hey, if they simply said, "We don't emphasize Christmas in our worship," and left it at that, no problem. But when these folks start mouthing off with ill-informed, baseless rants about paganism, comparing our celebration of Christ's birth to a Roman bacchanal, then excuse me if I get a little annoyed.
In the liturgical traditions, there is no doubt that Christ's birth is the absolute center of Christmas. Advent is considered a time of anticipation and reflection and there is an entire spiritual discipline and instruction to support it. So what if we drag pine trees into our dens and dress them up in shiny lights and baubles? So what if we give gifts? So what if we celebrate? These are petty carpings by those whose primary desire in faith is to not build God's kingdom on earth, but rather to seek out flaws in others to make themselves look better. Yet they never realize that they themselves are too smitten with their pedantry to understand the motivations of those they criticize. For, by celebrating, we are remembering God's priceless gift to a broken world. And it is a joyous, festive thing indeed.
"the reason for the season" summed up quite nicely. in charity and love, let everyone celebrate (or not celebrate) the day and the season as they will----and extend the same grace and privilege to others to do (or not do) the same.
Last edited by georgeinbandonoregon; 12-19-2015 at 10:44 AM..
Reason: more info.
If the same people maintained the same disciplines over the precision of their faith ,I would have no argument.
But for the most part these do not rely on a relationship with God, as Jesus had provided via the Holy Spirit, but the dictates of their teachers in stead.
Jesus said ,"Except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the scribes and phrases , you will in no case enter the kingdom of heaven".
Jesus exposed the fact that scribes and phrases did things for a show to impress men, not God.
Jesus had not established writings during His ministry because He had provided the Holy Spirit to continue teaching in His place , revealed in many of the apostles writings 1John 2;20 ,,you have an unction from the Holy One, and need not that any man teach you.
This is the fulfillment of the promise In Jeremiah 31;31,32,33,34,
Point is , if the Holy Spirit is your teacher there is no quibbling over christmas or any other celebration . One's relationship with God is independent and obedient on a personal level .
What gifts that need to be dispensed are not set a side for a day but at any time God inspires this action.
It does no harm to celebrate Jesus arrival and mission to save man, and the fact the world is recognizing it for any other reason they wish is no problem either.
During Jesus ministry there were others sharing Jesus gospel ad the disciples were confused because these did not run around with them. Jesus did not object saying , they can't do us any harm, if their on our side . ( arleigh's revised )
God does not stop people from fallowing at a distance or even propagating false information , but at judgment day Jesus will decide those in which actually lived with in Jesus Lordship and those that did not.
The problem with faiths that don't celebrate Christmas is possibly associated with non biblically based
celebration and some believe the gift exchange, decorations and non Jesus festive activities are a carry over from the pagan festival of Saturnalia / winter solstice originally a crop agricultural/ sun god holiday. The celebration of Jesus birth ( actually in September) is non pagan and appropriate regardless of the lunar and planet astronomy studies showing ironically September 11 3 BC as Jesus birth. As for denominations that are Christian ie, Catholicism, Baptists, Assembly of God, Church of God, Apostolic/ Pentecostal, Church of Christ, Luthern, Methodists, Presbyterian and Mormons to mention a few are identifed now as having quirky dogmas or prophet like ephiany roots. Catholicism is all over the place with imagined dogma pulled out of a hat. Most believe they are the one true church which is baloney. I personally believed they are as our Baptist love to echo.........saved!! Not celebrating Cahristmas is not a damnible sin so if they choose to not partake who cares? We all should be celebrating the LORDS feasts ,but we are all victims of the Emperor Constantines slam dunking all that was hebrew and today's clueless church marches on without versed pastors who have unknowinging collaborated with Constantine to continue our perverted tainted walk without real roots.
ultimately God sees the heart and it's intent---to do good or to do evil and honestly think (and hopefully God knows) most folks have no intent to do evil on Dec. 25. it is rather sad that so many who sincerely believe in Christ for whatever reason decide not to especially remember and celebrate a day (whenever it "really" happened) that apparently was so special that the "tidings of great joy" were proclaimed by an Angel from heaven of the birth of the Prince of Peace. however, IMHO WHEN you do this (don't like Dec. 25 for whatever reason, pick another day that works better for you) and HOW you do it (don't need lights, trees, gifts or anything of that nature) is ultimately irrelevant except that you as a Christian (however you choose to define that term) are aware that Christ really came into the world to show LOVE for all of us and that in gratitude for that particular event (and everything that came after) we should might some of that love to others on whatever day you think is appropriate---and every other day of our lives.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cpg35223
Yes. Typically joyless, self-important whack jobs. Hey, if they simply said, "We don't emphasize Christmas in our worship," and left it at that, no problem. But when these folks start mouthing off with ill-informed, baseless rants about paganism, comparing our celebration of Christ's birth to a Roman bacchanal, then excuse me if I get a little annoyed.
In the liturgical traditions, there is no doubt that Christ's birth is the absolute center of Christmas. Advent is considered a time of anticipation and reflection and there is an entire spiritual discipline and instruction to support it. So what if we drag pine trees into our dens and dress them up in shiny lights and baubles? So what if we give gifts? So what if we celebrate? These are petty carpings by those whose primary desire in faith is to not build God's kingdom on earth, but rather to seek out flaws in others to make themselves look better. Yet they never realize that they themselves are too smitten with their pedantry to understand the motivations of those they criticize. For, by celebrating, we are remembering God's priceless gift to a broken world. And it is a joyous, festive thing indeed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by georgeinbandonoregon
"the reason for the season" summed up quite nicely. in charity and love, let everyone celebrate (or not celebrate) the day and the season as they will----and extend the same grace and privilege to others to do (or not do) the same.
Yes. Typically joyless, self-important whack jobs. Hey, if they simply said, "We don't emphasize Christmas in our worship," and left it at that, no problem. But when these folks start mouthing off with ill-informed, baseless rants about paganism, comparing our celebration of Christ's birth to a Roman bacchanal, then excuse me if I get a little annoyed.
In the liturgical traditions, there is no doubt that Christ's birth is the absolute center of Christmas. Advent is considered a time of anticipation and reflection and there is an entire spiritual discipline and instruction to support it. So what if we drag pine trees into our dens and dress them up in shiny lights and baubles? So what if we give gifts? So what if we celebrate? These are petty carpings by those whose primary desire in faith is to not build God's kingdom on earth, but rather to seek out flaws in others to make themselves look better. Yet they never realize that they themselves are too smitten with their pedantry to understand the motivations of those they criticize. For, by celebrating, we are remembering God's priceless gift to a broken world. And it is a joyous, festive thing indeed.
......., but at judgment day Jesus will decide those in which actually lived with in Jesus Lordship and those that did not.
And that soon coming ' judgement day ' Not for the dead, but for the living ' sheep and goats ' - Matthew 25:31-33 - when at the soon coming ' time of separation ' taking place on earth those Jesus judges as righteous - Matthew 35:37 - can remain alive on earth, and continue to live on earth, living right into the start of Jesus' millennium-long judgement day when Jesus, as Prince of Peace, will usher in global Peace on Earth among men of goodwill staring with the humble sheep-like ones.
ultimately God sees the heart and it's intent---to do good or to do evil and honestly think (and hopefully God knows) most folks have no intent to do evil on Dec. 25. it is rather sad that so many who sincerely believe in Christ for whatever reason decide not to especially remember and celebrate a day (whenever it "really" happened) that apparently was so special that the "tidings of great joy" were proclaimed by an Angel from heaven of the birth of the Prince of Peace. however, IMHO WHEN you do this (don't like Dec. 25 for whatever reason, pick another day that works better for you) and HOW you do it (don't need lights, trees, gifts or anything of that nature) is ultimately irrelevant except that you as a Christian (however you choose to define that term) are aware that Christ really came into the world to show LOVE for all of us and that in gratitude for that particular event (and everything that came after) we should might some of that love to others on whatever day you think is appropriate---and every other day of our lives.
Technically if you avoid Dec 25 and want to remember the birth of Christ, that is the Feast of Tabernacles, but Christians will say its for Jews or putting yourself under the law if you try to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
Sadly the church has been duped by RCC traditions that have been handed down and then taught as truth instead of traditions.
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