I flat out refuse to give my POV on this topic. Well, I use to but today, I'm coming right out and saying it, I don't see any Biblical reason to celebrate it. On the flip side, I see absolutely no Biblical mandate forbidding it. in fact, other than Matthew and Luke's few chapters on His birth, some OT Messianic prophecies, very little is spoken about His birth. Could it be that because all God chose to tell us is how Christ was brought into this world and why? His childhood and early years were probably the Father preparing Him for His purpose. We know His birth, the magi saw Him at 2, then we don't hear about Him again until the age of 12 and after that, when He begins to fulfill God's plan and began His ministry. Of course He'd never be so prideful as to command us to set aside a day to celebrate His birthday. It was ordained by God but it was not His sole purpose. It was the first step, that's all.
December 25th is most likely not His birthday. Now, I've seen some people who puts up trees so perfect and beautiful that the whole celebration is centered on the tree. I feel that is very wrong. I've also noticed the churches that do not allow it are very self-righteous, holier-than-thou and act superior to the churches that do celebrate it. I see pride rear its ugly head by both POVs.
Personally, if we treated people like we do at Christmas every single day of the year, this world would be a much better place. BTW, that is TSO's message in their concerts. If you want to celebrate and acknowledge His birth, it's not a sin. If you don't, that isn't either. I decorated a little, put out memories but I center it all on Christ. Without His birth, there would be no salvation.
This is the best article I've read on this very nasty subject and I hope everyone reads it because I see each and every one of us negatively whichever side we're on. Maybe God doesn't care. Does He tell us to not celebrate our kids birthdays? Nope. What about our wedding anniversary? Nope. I don't hear any arguing on celebrating these and there's probably tons of sin in celebrating many of our holidays. We sure tend to drink a lot. We're rude, spend money we don't have, greed is rampant, road rage, fighting over saving $2 on a shirt and how many people die each year because we have no self-control. Center your life on Christ and then enjoy our liberty and freedom we have in Him! God bless.
The part above is written by me, Brenda Alexander and if for any reason you want to use it, it is yours! You do NOT need to ask my permission.
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Answer: The debate about whether or not Christians should celebrate Christmas has been raging for centuries. There are equally sincere and committed Christians on both sides of the issue, each with multiple reasons why or why not Christmas should be celebrated in Christian homes. But what does the Bible say? Does the Bible give clear direction as to whether Christmas is a holiday to be celebrated by Christians?
First, let’s look at the reasons why some Christians do not celebrate Christmas. One argument against Christmas is that the traditions surrounding the holiday have origins in paganism. Searching for reliable information on this topic is difficult because the origins of many of our traditions are so obscure that sources often contradict one another. Bells, candles, holly, and yuletide/yule decorations are mentioned in the history of pagan worship, but the use of such in one’s home certainly does not indicate a return to paganism. While there are definitely pagan roots to some traditions, there are many more traditions associated with the true meaning of Christmas—the birth of the Savior of the world in Bethlehem. Bells are played to ring out the joyous news, candles are lit to remind us that Christ is the Light of the world (John 1:4-9), a star is placed on the top of a Christmas tree to remember the Star of Bethlehem, and gifts are exchanged to remind us of the gifts of the Magi to Jesus, the greatest gift of God to mankind.
Another argument against Christmas, especially having a Christmas tree, is that the Bible forbids bringing trees into our homes and decorating them. The passage often cited is Jeremiah 10:1-16, but this passage refers to cutting down trees, chiseling the wood to make an idol, and then decorating the idol with silver and gold for the purpose of bowing down before it to worship it (see also Isaiah 44:9-18). The passage in Jeremiah cannot be taken out of its context and used to make a legitimate argument against Christmas trees.
Christians who choose to ignore Christmas point to the fact that the Bible doesn’t give us the date of Christ’s birth, which is certainly true. December 25 may not be even close to the time Jesus was born, and arguments on both sides are legion, some relating to climate in Israel, the practices of shepherds in winter, and the dates of Roman census-taking. None of these points are without a certain amount of conjecture, which brings us back to the fact that the Bible doesn’t tell us when Jesus was born. Some see this as proof positive that God didn’t want us to celebrate the birth, while others see the Bible’s silence on the issue as tacit approval.
Some Christians say that since the world celebrates Christmas—although it is becoming more and more politically correct to refer to it as “the holidays”—Christians should avoid it. But that is the same argument made by false religions that deny Christ altogether, as well as cults such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses who deny His deity. Those Christians who do celebrate Christmas often see the occasion as an opportunity to proclaim Christ as “the reason for the season” among the nations and to those trapped in false religions.
As we have seen, there is no legitimate scriptural reason not to celebrate Christmas. At the same time, there is no biblical mandate to celebrate it, either. In the end, of course, whether or not to celebrate Christmas is a personal decision. Whatever Christians decide to do regarding Christmas, their views should not be used as a club with which to beat down or denigrate those with opposing views, nor should either view be used as a badge of honor inducing pride over celebrating or not celebrating. As in all things, we seek wisdom from Him who gives it liberally to all who ask (James 1:5) and accept one another in Christian love and grace, regardless of our views on Christmas.
Friday, December 22, 2017
5 SIGNS OF A THRIVING SPIRITUAL LIFE - JAMES 4:1-10
A great teaching by "The Beat" on how to have a thriving Spiritual life and if we are lacking, how to build it up through Christ Jesus. I really enjoy his videos and although I don't know his statement of faith, I have yet to find unBiblical teachings. So subscribe to his channel and be blessed! We are not to remain babes in Christ.
SHABBOT SHALOM!
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