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The significance of celebrating Xmas?

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Posted by: Illuminate

Good Glorious day everyone~

I am a born again Christian and have been so for the last 5 months now. I have come a long way to get this far and I truly believe that I made the best decision of my life. As many of you know how I was lead to this awesome anointed.net website, I have been blessed ever since. Even when deeply hurt facing emotional poisoning, I managed to always reach out and seek God. I humbled myself day and night until finally God lead me to a wonderful church that opened my heart and mind, the Seventh Day Adventist church. Truly though, I believe that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit of God, therefore, we are the church for him. It is in us and through us that God created of his own image, so I am very blessed as we all are. Moreover, being that I am a born again, just a baby, I would like to know the true meaning of Xmas. I question if it is the celebration of Jesus Christ or another God? I don't want to break the 1st commandment, "Thou shalt not have any strange Gods before me." I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could spare a few minutes to clarify my confusement.

God bless everyone during these Glorious Holidays~

Illuminate

PS:
Xmas is approaching and I would like to share a special card with all my family members, relatives, friends etc...Due to this reason, I was wondering if there is a special verse, psalm, etc...anyone can please share so that I can include on this special holiday greeting card before sending them off....

Thank you....In Jesus Chirst name.....


Posted by: christythompson

Christmas means the ""Mass of Christ". Your church is part of a cult group and in their warmth draw needy folk in. Satan comes as an Angel of Light. There will be many false teachers, false leaders who will rise up in the end times. They believe in the teaching of Ellen White as much as the Bible. I would be concerned for that as well as the fact other christian churches do consider them a cult. Why is that? As you are seeking truth....seek another church ( maybe a Rhema) and see what they say.


Posted by: Sulten

First of all, I wanted to say that we're all in different points along the path in our comprehenion and learnings of doctrines as set forth in the scriptures and teaching of Jesus Christ. That's why it's so important that we drink from the living waters frequently and help each other and learn from each other. Jerry posted yesterday a most beautifully illustrated story of the true story of Christmas. It is titled "The Christmas Story by Matthew, Mark and Luke please pray by JG." Everyone should read it and reflect on it. It's the true story of what Christmas should commemorate.

Though we traditionally celebrate the birth of the Savior in December, we should always keep in mind as Christians and believers all year the Lord and his mission throughout the entire year. There is of course associated now with Christmas a great commercialization. We should get into the true spirit as much as we can throughout the holidays by reading and reflecting on the true story as JG wrote above as taken from the scriptures. Then we should demonstrate our love for the Savior by showing it to others not only with perhaps thoughtful gifts and messages, but always expressions of love and kindness. This is the true spirit of Christmas. That is the most important thing to remember throughout the celebration of the holidays.

There is of course a lot of history behind how the celebration of Christmas came about and being a pagan holiday. A lot of the symbols we use such as the Christmas tree are symbolic. But I believe the Lord is concerned not so much with our ornaments and festivities, as what is in the heart. A person may celebrate Christmas without a fleeting thought of the Savior or his mission. I think the true spirit of Christmas should be carried in our hearts year round.


Posted by: akabezalel

X-mas? That sounds like a bad video game or really bad Z movie!

Christ-mas is the time we set aside to honor the Virgin Birth of our Savior. Was he born in December? No, most likely he was born between Feb and May. One of the theories given for Christmas in December is that it was created in order to replace a pagan ritual of Satunalia.

At the time this was probably a good move because it gave those who believed in Jesus a chance to celebrate without the pagan orgie.

From this end of history people judge what the early church was trying to do without taking into consideration that we were not there! We have no idea what they were replacing or the motives behind the creation of Christmas.

It all depends on the focus YOU give to the Holiday. How do YOU celebrate?

Do you celebrate the incarnation of our Lord?

Do you give place to Him in your heart and life during this season or do you indulge heavily in the orgie of eating, Santa Claus or decorations?

There is nothing wrong with eating goodies!

There is nothing wrong with Santa Claus and Gift Giving!

There is nothing wrong with decorations!

It is how YOU choose to honor Jesus Christ during the Holy-Day season that makes Christ-mas important, relevant and personal.

Christ-mas is an heart issue.

For God So LOVED the World He Gave is Only Begotten Son! That Who Ever Believed in HIM would NOT Perish but have eternal LIFE. John 3:16


Posted by: Illuminate

Quote:
Originally Posted by christythompson
Christmas means the ""Mass of Christ". Your church is part of a cult group and in their warmth draw needy folk in. Satan comes as an Angel of Light. There will be many false teachers, false leaders who will rise up in the end times. They believe in the teaching of Ellen White as much as the Bible. I would be concerned for that as well as the fact other christian churches do consider them a cult. Why is that? As you are seeking truth....seek another church ( maybe a Rhema) and see what they say.



First and foremost,thank you for your time, attention and concern. However, I do not believe God has lead me to an occult church. I have come a long way and trust me, God has poured out his blessings and annointing upon me. There are no words to express the invigorating energy that I recieve late at night's during the a.m. hours, at church, while asleep lying down in bed. I feel an amazing peace, joy and love for God and His only begotten son, our Lord, as I never have felt before. Satan, an occult church, does not make a person feel these beautiful Godly emotions. The enemy of the world sends his evil spirits and negative emotions such as doubt, anger, spirit of offense, depressed, etc...Since the day I was baptized at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, I have felt utterly blessed and filled with joy over significant and even insignificant things. This my friend, are symptoms of God's Holy Spirit. God has a plan for me which is why He lead me to the Seventh Day Adventist Church. And most interestinly, He has lead my parents to the Spanish Adventist church months before. My dearest mother is a walking prayer warrior miracle. My mother has always walked in the Spirit with God. She is a great instrument of God. Furthermore, once the Holy Spirit of God manifests within His true child is able to detect what feels right and wrong. For example, I was invited to attend a Sacred Heart Catholic Church with a good friend of mine. And as I entered, sat and listened to the sermon, I felt a very uncomforable feeling inside of me. I sensed right away that God was uncomfortable and as I was invited to attend the Seventh Day Adventist Church, I felt an amazing peace within me for I know the Holy Spirit of God was very comfortable and showed me that it was okay to stay. I wish you could feel what I feel Christy and Dawn. It is the most beautiful feeling that I have ever experienced in my life. It is an unconditional peace and joy that I would like to share with others. Just last year I felt hopeless full of emotional poisoning but I kept humbling myself to seek God. My turn around life changing point began when I saw the profound movie, "The Passion of Christ." Then I realized it was Jesus Christ whom I needed to seek first in order to be okay with God, our awesom creator. Suddenly a mysterious opportunity knocks at my door. God works in His mysterious ways. He sent a message to my parent's physical mailing address, a flyer with information about the Armageddon by Pastor Mark Fox, which I completely am thankful to. Pastor Fox was presenting the Armageddon information. To make a long story short, all these events along with wanting to stop the hurt I was facing and forgetting about the past lead me to become a born again Christian at the Seventh Day Adventist Church when I was invited to do so. I now have a passion of pure peace, love and joy for God and His only begotten son, Our Lord.

With all due respect Christy, I didn't sense any emotions that I described in your response nor in akabezalel. as opposed to Sulten's. Sulten was quite informative and meticulously selective with encouraging words she/he conveyed. Nevertheless, thank you all.

In the name of Jesus Christ, I lift Christy, Dawn and Sulten to be continuesly filled by the Holy Spirit of God and to put a hedge of protection around their minds, hearts and spirits so there will be no weapon formed against them. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen...

God bless all,

Illuminate


Posted by: Rachel R

Dear Illuminate,

The folks I knew from your church were wonderful Christian people. I can't believe it is a cult.

And it is important to go to church were God leads you personally. He may put you in a place that seems strange to others, but it may be very important for you to be there. It might be for your benefit or theirs, or both. If you have peace and are learning then it is probably the right place for you.

As to Christmas, it is assuredly Jesus' birthday celebration! People can try to make it all kinds of other things, but it all comes down to Jesus.

As to why it is in December, I have always believed that God put it in the short and darkest days of winter (for those of us north of the equator anyway) when we needed it the most.

I grew up near Chicago, and it was at the bottom of winter, and just seem to make the winter easier. The lights and the singing and the joy brightened the season.

Wouldn't it be just like Jesus to move his birthday celebration to when people needed it the most?

This season, your first Christmas as a believer, watch a Choir perform the Messiah. See a Christmas play with children singing and a manger scene. Go caroling with a group to a hospital or nursing home. Give a gift to someone who is lonely or really in need.

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. I am sure that you will experience it as you never have before.

Don't let stress or worry or pressure steal your joy. Just relax and celebrate Jesus' birth.

The scripture message to your friends and family is so personal. Ask God what you should say. Get in the Word and search for it. You might want to start in Luke at the Christmas story. It is so satisfying to find just the right thing to say.

I wish you a truly Merry Christmas.

Rachel R


Posted by: Illuminate

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rachel R
Dear Illuminate,

The folks I knew from your church were wonderful Christian people. I can't believe it is a cult.

And it is important to go to church were God leads you personally. He may put you in a place that seems strange to others, but it may be very important for you to be there. It might be for your benefit or theirs, or both. If you have peace and are learning then it is probably the right place for you.

As to Christmas, it is assuredly Jesus' birthday celebration! People can try to make it all kinds of other things, but it all comes down to Jesus.

As to why it is in December, I have always believed that God put it in the short and darkest days of winter (for those of us north of the equator anyway) when we needed it the most.

I grew up near Chicago, and it was at the bottom of winter, and just seem to make the winter easier. The lights and the singing and the joy brightened the season.

Wouldn't it be just like Jesus to move his birthday celebration to when people needed it the most?

This season, your first Christmas as a believer, watch a Choir perform the Messiah. See a Christmas play with children singing and a manger scene. Go caroling with a group to a hospital or nursing home. Give a gift to someone who is lonely or really in need.

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. I am sure that you will experience it as you never have before.

Don't let stress or worry or pressure steal your joy. Just relax and celebrate Jesus' birth.

The scripture message to your friends and family is so personal. Ask God what you should say. Get in the Word and search for it. You might want to start in Luke at the Christmas story. It is so satisfying to find just the right thing to say.

I wish you a truly Merry Christmas.

Rachel R


Thank you Rachel~
For you are a very humble person to respond with a beautiful attitude. I will indeed celebrate Christmas very differently this year. I never really did enjoy this season due to being depressed most of the time but God has profoundly touched me in a very special joyful way. I have inner peace and joy that I just want to share with others. In regards to giving a gift to a lonely or more needy person. Well, I am going to organize a get together at my sister's place to package some donations of toys, food and children's clothing so that we are able to give them as gifts to the people across the boarder, Mexico. Many people that I know enjoy visiting Mexico to purchase and just for the entertainment of it but I feel now is the season to give back to the less fortunate. We reap what we sow and this is something I have always wanted to do, help others help themselves.

Thanks again Rachel and may your Christmas and New Year be filled with the Holy Spirit of God....Peace, joy and pure love.....

God bless always,

Illuminate


Posted by: ninababy73

Quote:
Originally Posted by Illuminate
Good Glorious day everyone~

I am a born again Christian and have been so for the last 5 months now. I have come a long way to get this far and I truly believe that I made the best decision of my life. As many of you know how I was lead to this awesome anointed.net website, I have been blessed ever since. Even when deeply hurt facing emotional poisoning, I managed to always reach out and seek God. I humbled myself day and night until finally God lead me to a wonderful church that opened my heart and mind, the Seventh Day Adventist church. Truly though, I believe that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit of God, therefore, we are the church for him. It is in us and through us that God created of his own image, so I am very blessed as we all are. Moreover, being that I am a born again, just a baby, I would like to know the true meaning of Xmas. I question if it is the celebration of Jesus Christ or another God? I don't want to break the 1st commandment, "Thou shalt not have any strange Gods before me." I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could spare a few minutes to clarify my confusement.

God bless everyone during these Glorious Holidays~

Illuminate

PS:
Xmas is approaching and I would like to share a special card with all my family members, relatives, friends etc...Due to this reason, I was wondering if there is a special verse, psalm, etc...anyone can please share so that I can include on this special holiday greeting card before sending them off....

Thank you....In Jesus Chirst name.....


Lorena,

I am so proud of the steps that you are making in your growth of our Lord and Savior. I remember having the priviledge of praying for you on many occasions and am just so truly blessed by how far you have come.

Christmas is the celebration of our Lord and Savior. So, as an older Christian, I want to just say to always make sure to use Christmas as opposed to that whole xmas stuff. To me, when one uses xmas, they are in essence taking Christ out of Christmas. Not saying you are doing or would do that, just seeing the whole xmas thing makes me cringe!

Anyway, I would suggest reading the bible chapter of Luke 1. It really spells out the whole conception of Christmas to me, and as someone who is younger in the faith I think that it will be most helpful in explaining the concept of Christmas.

As for ideas of how best to serve on Christmas, I think you have hit the nail of the head....to speak. I love the idea of getting boxes of stuff to give to people in Mexico who are less fortunate. What a wonderful display of Christmas.

As for a special bible verse, I would speak to God about that. But one of my favorite bible verses is taken from
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Be Blessed, Lorena and may you have a truly beautiful Christmas and New Years!


Posted by: Illuminate

Quote:
Originally Posted by ninababy73
Lorena,

I am so proud of the steps that you are making in your growth of our Lord and Savior. I remember having the priviledge of praying for you on many occasions and am just so truly blessed by how far you have come.

Christmas is the celebration of our Lord and Savior. So, as an older Christian, I want to just say to always make sure to use Christmas as opposed to that whole xmas stuff. To me, when one uses xmas, they are in essence taking Christ out of Christmas. Not saying you are doing or would do that, just seeing the whole xmas thing makes me cringe!

Anyway, I would suggest reading the bible chapter of Luke 1. It really spells out the whole conception of Christmas to me, and as someone who is younger in the faith I think that it will be most helpful in explaining the concept of Christmas.

As for ideas of how best to serve on Christmas, I think you have hit the nail of the head....to speak. I love the idea of getting boxes of stuff to give to people in Mexico who are less fortunate. What a wonderful display of Christmas.

As for a special bible verse, I would speak to God about that. But one of my favorite bible verses is taken from
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Be Blessed, Lorena and may you have a truly beautiful Christmas and New Years!


Yes, Nina I recall when you responded to my prayers quite some while back. I truly have come along way with the help of everyone here praying on my behalf, including youself, and by Jesus Christ's powerful and graceful name....God is and has been awesome to me in never letting me go....

you as well have a blessed wonderful Christmas and New year....

Illuminate