For all the good that has been done on Christmas, I can’t see how anyone could object to it. For example, men of wealth would sometimes pay the debts of those in debtor’s prisons at Christmas time. Charitable giving always goes up during this time of year. Only a Scrooge would object to that.
"In America, the saying is that the minister follows the people, the people don't follow the minister," Restad said. "This was more of a sociological change than a religious one. The home and the marketplace had more sway than the church."
Humbug.
At one time, religious art and music were considered idolatrous. Holidays were considered Catholic inventions.
Today, Christmas is far from being a religious holiday. People who have never set foot in a church celebrate Christmas. Most people are caught up with the commercial side - spending money - and the desire to have a celebration in midwinter to break up the monotony of long winter nights. All that counts for them are the traditional Pagan aspects of the evergreen, the lights, the gifts and feasting.
I wonder if he celebrates his own birthday? Or those of his children, spouse or parents?
I sure hope not.
Consistency demands that he doesn't.
To celebrate one's own birthday and not the Savior's would be hypocrisy of the highest order.
Does he commemorate the death of Jesus? Yes?......no? If not, why not? If yes, why the death and not the birth?
No surprise. Oliver Cromwell banned the celebration of Christmas for a time in the UK.
So does the church that you also attend, also reject Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ?
**Christians like the United Church of God reject the holiday: **
I don’t see how they can call themselves Christians then>
Christmas is okay, but I could do without all the shopping, spending, wrapping, decorating, cooking, get-togethers, and stress.
A Christmas without all that stuff would be so refreshing, and might give us a chance to actually stop and think about the meaning of Christmas.
I still read some more conservative Presbyterian articles about rejecting Christmas.
The Reformed Presbyterian Church I used to attend did not really celebrate it much in church itself...no trees or advent candles etc., and basically only a Christmas sermon.
But, I know the pastor celebrated it. The house was very decorated, and he had myself and other college students over for a Christmas breakfast every year.
The church I attend now does celebrate it.
Before about 1850, Massachusetts actually banned Christmas....it really is a new holiday in terms of being so widely celebrated.
I celebrate it because of the birth of Christ, but I ALWAYS keep this in mind......it was the DEATH AND RESURRECTION that saved me.....NOT the birth.
Easter really gets the shaft, yet is is 200 times more important.
And, Christmas is about the only time of the year everyone gets to spend time together.
Yes, there is Thanksgiving, but you know what...it is only one day off, and many can’t travel. Christmas seems to allow a bit more flexibility since you often have 2 days off instead of one, though not always depending on your job. Journalists don’t even get Christmas off, nor my mom, who works at at hospital.
I would say celebrate just because of the family issue. Family is important, and it is not like we get many holidays where we can spend time together.
Colossians 2:13-23
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,
14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.
19 He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
20 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules:
21 "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"?
22 These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.
23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.