Posted on 12/09/2006 7:11:54 AM PST by DouglasKC
This is silly. What shall we do? Ignore Christmas, and Advent? He doesn't mention the Holy preparation in Advent.
True... we don't know the exact date of the birth of Christ, so we what, just forget it?
The meaning of God becoming man truly seems to be lost on the author.
Thank you for that scripture Diego. I had never noticed it before, but clearly wintertime in Judea wasn't a cakewalk.
Although Hannukah (feast of dedication) is not a God created holy day, it is mentioned in the bible in a fashion that is not condemned. If Christ were born in 4 BC then I would also bet that he was conceived during the feast of dedication. But still that's a far cry from observing Christmas with it's problematic pagan origins, customs and practices.
It's a little late, but I hope you enjoyed a wonderful feast of tabernacles this year!
On the contrary. The author, as do I, celebrate the biblical feast days created by Jesus Christ and observed by him when he became a man. These feast days teach wonderful truths about our Lord and saviour. Passover observes his sacrificial death, the feast of unleavened bread pictures him leading us out of sin, Pentecost pictures the formation of his church, the feast of trumpets pictures his second coming, the day of atonement pictures his binding and putting away of Satan, the feast of tabernacles pictures his millennial rule and the last great day pictures the general resurrection he presides over.
These days that Jesus Christ created are there for a reason.
What does tabernacle taste like? Please don't tell me, "like chikin'".
Isaiah 55:13 records: "Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off".
The fir and the myrtle trees are evergreens, which literally means everliving or everlasting or never dying because they were evergreen all year round, especially during the time when everything else was dead in the dead of winter. And those red berries at Christmas time --- several kinds of evergreen myrtle trees have them. Not everything is what it appears on the face of it.
While I obviously don't agree with the Judaeo-chr*stian syncretism of the author I nevertheless applaud him for his stand based on the Word of G-d. This time of year the liberals' war on chr*stmas tends to completely obscure the issue as to whether the observance of that holiday is pleasing to G-d. This time of year Fundamentalist Protestants tend to return to the Catholic womb, forgetting all about the hostility of the Catholic Church toward them (and toward Biblical inerrancy). Sentimentalism and liberal hostility by themselves cause Fundamentalist Protestants to switch dance partners during this time of year.
For the record, I do not believe in political correctness or multiculturalism. I regard the notion that the majority religion must be suppressed while minority religions must be openly celebrated is hypocritical in the extreme and smacks of patronization as well. Furthermore, the liberal "multicultural" assault on chr*stmas completely ignores the issue of what G-d has to say about the matter. Quite frankly, I believe chr*stmas should not be celebrated--not because it is "politically incorrect" but because it is forbidden by G-d. But then, I believe all false religions and their holidays should be abandoned in favor of the One True G-d.
We should not base our beliefs on positions on what the liberals are doing.
Because something is mentioned in the bible doesn't mean that it's automatically sanctioned to be part of religious worship of God. The problem with evergreens at Christmas IS that they were used in the same fashion in pagan origins.
King Tut never saw a Christmas tree, but he would have understood the tradition which traces back long before the first Christmas, says David Robson, Extension Educator, Horticulture with the Springfield Extension Center.
The Egyptians were part of a long line of cultures that treasured and worshipped evergreens. When the winter solstice arrive, they brought green date palm leaves into their homes to symbolize life's triumph over death.
The Romans celebrated the winter solstice with a fest called Saturnalia in honor of Saturnus, the god of agriculture. They decorated their houses with greens and lights and exchanged gifts. They gave coins for prosperity, pastries for happiness, and lamps to light one's journey through life.
Centuries ago in Great Britain, woods priests called Druids used evergreens during mysterious winter solstice rituals. The Druids used holly and mistletoe as symbols of eternal life, and place evergreen branches over doors to keep away evil spirits.
The fact that traditional Christianity later used these same symbols and practices doesn't make it okay.
What would Jesus do? What did Jesus do? The practice of using evergreens in worship was ancient? Do we ever read where Jesus commanded his disciples to go and collect evergreens and use them in worship toward God? No, and the thought to me is ludicrous.
Rom 1:25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Doesn't this about sum up Christmas? We have the truth of God exchanged for the lie of Santa. We have those who don't know God practicing the same things as those who profess to worship God.
Ba HumBug!
The heathen recognize the truth of the evergreen that God put into it --- something that is everliving all year long. Even the coming of the Son of God to man during the darkest days of the winter solstice at Christmas is one of those truths found in nature.
The Jews celebrated Channukah during Jesus' ministry and you never heard him complain about it. He even went to Jerusalem and walked amidst the Temple during the celebration in John 10.
While the Santa stuff is a bit much, the redeeming value of Christmas tradition far outweighs anything else about it.
Even if they did, God still condemns their practices and certainly doesn't want his followers to do the same.
2Ki 17:9 And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.
2Ki 17:10 And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree:
2Ki 17:11 And there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the heathen whom the LORD carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger:
2Ki 17:12 For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing.
How different in practice is the red highlighted scene above from a nativity scene under a Christmas tree? Or presents under Christmas trees?
Isa 57:5 Inflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clefts of the rocks?
Eze 6:13 Then shall ye know that I am the LORD, when their slain men shall be among their idols round about their altars, upon every high hill, in all the tops of the mountains, and under every green tree, and under every thick oak, the place where they did offer sweet savor to all their idols.
Putting things, offerings, gifts, under trees, to honor "gods". It's the same today. Most people are just unaware that they're emulating those very same pagan practices that God condemns.
You're right, he didn't object to it. Hanukkah for Jews is kind of like Thanksgiving for Americans. There's nothing wrong with it because it's origins were in thankfulness to the true God. I personally don't celebrate it because I'm not Jewish.
Joh 10:22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
Joh 10:23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.
BTW, many commentators say that the reason he was on "Solomon's Porch" was that the weather was too inclement for his normal methods of preaching...which of course is another argument against sheep and shepherds being out in the fields.
****Centuries ago in Great Britain, woods priests called Druids used evergreens during mysterious winter solstice rituals. ***
But, Wait! There are some who believe the Druids were part of the Ten Lost Tribes and claim druid beliefs are really Hebrew beliefs. does that make it OK with you?
Do you realize that Christmas celebrations grew out of Channukah celebrations? that the early Jewish Christians recognized the connection between Channukah and the angel's visit to Mary? Do you consider the eight candle menorah also an idol --- a pagan idol? Is there anything at Christmastime that is not pagan to you?
Do you have trees in your yard? You better cut them down and clear your land? Is planting a tree a pagan practice of putting up an idol? Are all of those millions of evergreen trees that Jews planted throughout the land of Israel pagan idols? Your position needs some rethinking.
The "groves" that idolatrous Israel was worshipping in those days were groves of trees that had their branches cut off and everything green removed --- they were symbols of the dead not the living. It was the same with the Druids. They carved up the natural groves of natural trees --- something entirely different from taking natural rocks and making an altar or natural branches and making tents with them or appreciating natural things. It was the engraving by the hand of man that made those things verboten.
Isaiah 55:13 records: "Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off". The fir and the myrtle trees are evergreens, which literally means everliving or everlasting or never dying because they were evergreen all year round, especially during the time when everything else was dead in the dead of winter. And those red berries at Christmas time --- several kinds of evergreen myrtle trees have them. Not everything is what it appears on the face of it.
Because something is mentioned in the bible doesn't mean that it's automatically sanctioned to be part of religious worship of God. The problem with evergreens at Christmas IS that they were used in the same fashion in pagan origins.
Evergeens are not used in Christian worship.
They are decoration ... just like other types of plants are used indoors in other seasons (other than winter).
Most christians worship God together in their christian gatherings ... where evergreens are not even present.
Someone who worships a tree ... is rightly called an idolator.
Merely having greenery in your home doesn't cut it.
Romans 1:25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Doesn't this about sum up Christmas? We have the truth of God exchanged for the lie of Santa. We have those who don't know God practicing the same things as those who profess to worship God.
This would only sum up Christmas ... for those who worship the created, ... rather than the Creator.
And those that do this ... do it year-round, not just at Christmas.
The truth is that there are idolators ... but that those which worship the true and living God above all ... who live their lives in relationship with Him ... simply aren't among those.
Paul was speaking of idolatry in the cited scripture.
Paul also speaks that ... christians should realize ... that practice does not make belief ... but, rather, ... belief makes practice.
Paul warns us not to judge our brethren ... because of issues of practice.Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.Christianity is about a real relationship ... with a real God ... Who was really born into human history.
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
That chrisitans would celebrate this fact ... should come as no surprise.
It really exposes a lot of CINO (Christians in Name Only) for what they are.
Oh, baby....if I was Jewish, they'd show respect...and if I was Muslim...they'd make sure not to offend me!
But when they find out that I don't celebrate Xmas for most of the reasons in the posted article, WOW! I've received nasty "joke" cards, scorn, ridicule, etc. instead of respecting my choice to not observe a 'christianized' pagan holy day.
Now mind you, if I was going around playing wet blanket and preaching to everyone then I'd deserve the scorn, but I don't, I just mostly stay silent or partake politely on the edges of celebrations.
It is the CINOs that really get nasty about it!
If Truth is light, then the opposite might also be true.
There are few times of the year where more lies and fables are told that supplant the truth of God's Word. Xmas may be the most spiritually dark times of the entire year.
But it does get CINO to act for two weeks the way they should act all year long!
Some interesting information there. I have another reason for not celebrating it in the future however. I went out shopping this weekend and found a lack of Christ or "Christmas" anywhere I went, surley store clerks and bad attitudes displayed by those I wished a Merry Christmas to.
This used to be a fun time of year, but no more.
Guess I'll be another Grinch in the future, no Christ, no Christmas. End of story.
Sept 11, 3 BC. It was the Day of Trumpets.
As I recall, somewhere around 6:30 am.
The Magi's followed Jupiter in its helical rising. They noticed the series of planetary conjunctions, like the one this last weekend, that foretold the coming of the new King.
And I believe that they were following the teachings of Daniel when he was in captivity and rose to a prominent position among the 'wise men' due to his ability to listen to God and interpret dreams.
Seems that God used Daniel and the magi to help preserve the Christ from being nurdered as a young child at the hands of Herod.
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