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Is it time we took Christ out of Christmass ??

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Posted by: bro ron

with the hustle and bustle of the season!the stress of the season!if this time of the year is really not correct concerning the birth of our Lord Jesus,and we celebrate what was started out has a pagen festivity and the early catholic church just changed it up a little and made a holy day out of it.why dont we seperate Christ from Christmass ?? i mean how many places use x-mass(i know the x is greek and means Christ) but most folks dont know that . and having santa clause (st.nick) who we lie about once a year and make children believ in a st.. can know all and be every where in one night are we making an idol??? 1st. i love christmass i have so many fine memories of thsi holiday of years past but is'nt time the true "church" decide that Christmass and Christ have nothing in common and lets seperate and have x-mass and during the year(when sheperds are truly in the field watching the flock) have Christ birthday??? POST!!! this is just for discussion only please i dont mean to make mad! and i know the possibility of this ever happening at all but is it something we need to think about???? please Your thoughts


Posted by: bro ron

please forgive the typo's in my post i got in a hurry but i hope you see what im saying


Posted by: akabezalel

Ron... This board will support CHRISTmas as long as there is such a holiday!

It does not matter if it started as a pagan holy day... for that matter the word Holiday comes from pagan roots as well...

What MATTERS is that those of us who KNOW Jesus Christ have a chance to share Him with those who do not!

What MATTERS is that we have a day that EVERYONE acknowledges as a High Holy Day even if they do not know Jesus, once a year they have a chance to hear about Him.

If we change it to another day then no one will acknowledge that day as a Holiday, not even 99% of the Christians, sort of like Americans not paying any attention to Canada's Thanks Giving Day in October but expecting Canadians to know all about our own day of Thanks in November.

If we find we cannot worship Christ Jesus in the midst of any kind of pagan ritual then we really need to look at ourselves and make sure we really do seek to worship Him and have an intimate relationship with Jesus, when we are in love there is nothing that happens around us that can stop us from adoring the person that has caught our heart.

It does not matter if it started out pagan.

What MATTERS is how WE celebrate the season.

I don't really think God cares about Santa Clause, mistletoe, Christmas trees or any of the other trappings of the day.

I think God DOES care about how we choose to honor, praise and worship Him and His Son in our hearts and lives during the High Holy Days of the Christ-mas season.

Do we hold ourselves apart in disdain of what people who are not saved are doing?

Or do we join in the love and try to reach those same unsaved people for Jesus by sharing the Word of Love that He brought down to earth for us as a babe?

By sharing the love that He BOUGHT for us with His Blood as an adult?

Look at the Holiday Season as the old Roman Circus, now look at us as the Christians in the arena waiting for death, now THERE was a pagan ritual!

Yet amid all the roar of the pagan crowds, facing death in horrible ways the Christians still praised and worshiped God and met death with peace and joy!

OK, we don't face death yet in most of the world so why would we flinch just because of the current day circus of the holiday season?

We should meet this with even more Joy and Peace and Worship and Praise and give Honor where it is due... to God for His provision and plan to bring us into a Family for Him once again and to Jesus for coming to redeem us for His Father!

Change the Christmas Holy Day? I don't think so.

Change our attitude and hearts to think differently and reach out with the Love of God for the Lost during this time? Yeah... I think so.

Don't waste this perfect opportunity just because you are stuck on it being pagan in origin.


Posted by: Laureen

Quote:
Originally Posted by akabezalel
Ron... This board will support CHRISTmas as long as there is such a holiday!

It does not matter if it started as a pagan holy day... for that matter the word Holiday comes from pagan roots as well...

What MATTERS is that those of us who KNOW Jesus Christ have a chance to share Him with those who do not!

What MATTERS is that we have a day that EVERYONE acknowledges as a High Holy Day even if they do not know Jesus, once a year they have a chance to hear about Him.

If we change it to another day then no one will acknowledge that day as a Holiday, not even 99% of the Christians, sort of like Americans not paying any attention to Canada's Thanks Giving Day in October but expecting Canadians to know all about our own day of Thanks in November.

If we find we cannot worship Christ Jesus in the midst of any kind of pagan ritual then we really need to look at ourselves and make sure we really do seek to worship Him and have an intimate relationship with Jesus, when we are in love there is nothing that happens around us that can stop us from adoring the person that has caught our heart.

It does not matter if it started out pagan.

What MATTERS is how WE celebrate the season.

I don't really think God cares about Santa Clause, mistletoe, Christmas trees or any of the other trappings of the day.

I think God DOES care about how we choose to honor, praise and worship Him and His Son in our hearts and lives during the High Holy Days of the Christ-mas season.

Do we hold ourselves apart in disdain of what people who are not saved are doing?

Or do we join in the love and try to reach those same unsaved people for Jesus by sharing the Word of Love that He brought down to earth for us as a babe?

By sharing the love that He BOUGHT for us with His Blood as an adult?

Look at the Holiday Season as the old Roman Circus, now look at us as the Christians in the arena waiting for death, now THERE was a pagan ritual!

Yet amid all the roar of the pagan crowds, facing death in horrible ways the Christians still praised and worshiped God and met death with peace and joy!

OK, we don't face death yet in most of the world so why would we flinch just because of the current day circus of the holiday season?

We should meet this with even more Joy and Peace and Worship and Praise and give Honor where it is due... to God for His provision and plan to bring us into a Family for Him once again and to Jesus for coming to redeem us for His Father!

Change the Christmas Holy Day? I don't think so.

Change our attitude and hearts to think differently and reach out with the Love of God for the Lost during this time? Yeah... I think so.

Don't waste this perfect opportunity just because you are stuck on it being pagan in origin.

Dear Akabezalel;
THANK YOU!!! For your post. I am so disturbed when people want to take the CHRIST out of CHRISTmas! It is such a relief to know that there are people who feel the same as I do, and want to think of the day as special--a special time to take a moment to give thanks and to worship our Precious Savior and to share him with those who are lost. It is really sad to me that sometimes people get so caught up in whether something is a pagan holiday or not and lose sight of what is really most important. I think you said it 100% correct. THANK YOU!

Have a happy Thanksgiving Holiday!


Posted by: MarkSentMe

Jesus is the reason for the season!

If we let the secular, commercial, consumer-driven society to remove Jesus from Christmas, then they have won! It's bad enough that kids think Easter is all about chocolate bunnies and eggs. As Christians we need to make sure that Christ is the center of every day. We need to start with our own families. Our daily lives are our witness. Some stores are having their employees say "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings" instead of Merry Christmas. Maybe it's best that I don't work in retail this time of year. My attitude is that if someone is shopping between Thanksgiving and Christmas and has an armload of wrapping paper, chances are they're not celebrating Ramadan. I would give a hearty Merry Christmas or happy Hannukah. But the blase` canned "Season's Greeting"...nope.
This year I stood outside, handing out candy for Halloween and playing praise and worship songs. Most of the people were very positive and had nice things to say about the music being played. My neighbor came over and handed out candy and danced too! I ran out of candy and had a brainstorm for next year- I will buy some teen-targeted Bible tracts, tape a piece of candy to them and hand that out for Halloween.


Posted by: eagle4him

I really enjoy the Christmas season. We don't need a special day to buy presents for each other--we should do it more often.

Some people don't like pagan holidays--that is their conviction.

Some people don't like Easter--that is their conviction.

Some people like the traditional wedding ceremony--that too is a ceremony with pagan roots. So what?

As long as we remember who Jesus is and what He did for us--now that is important!

I am trying not to argue with other Christians any more. I enjoy learning about the Bible, and our faith which we share.

I hope and pray that this time of year would be a blessing to all. Regardless of what we call it or how we enjoy the fellowship.


Posted by: GA5966

I love Christmas and never write the x in front I always put a cross there if I need to write it in a hurry. My children and I only celebrate a few holidays which are patrotic or celebrating our faith. We even acknowledge Jesus as the center of our celebration I wrote on our windows "Happy Birthday Jesus! and Merry Christmas from the Bucks" Well, I know how politically incorrect that was but quite honestly I will continue to say "Merry Christmas" even if I upset someone. We have so much fun talking about Christ Birth during this time of the year. I would never want it to change.


Posted by: Street Preacher

Why spend time taking Jesus out of Christmas, there is enough of people doing that, So why dont you put some big effort in Putting him in your life 365 days and it will be Christmas all year. Let your Light Shine.


Posted by: bro ron

please re-read my post ! i keep Christ 1st. always.but is Christmas with all the stress and fairy tales really the right way to celebrate Christ's birth and why do we need to share Him with santa clause???? dear brothers and sisters i ask and by asking i recieve a truthfull response and i thank You this is one question i have had to answer to one i was witnessing too and i answered that God know's the intent in my heart and i was wanting to search if my answer was correct...


Posted by: GODS Grace

Hello Brother Ron,
Just got home from visiting family in Canton, TX. the leaves changing made for a pleasant drive.
My brother brought up this subject during our Thanksgiving celebrations. Seems my brother is studying with Seventh Day Advent.

So, I'm glad you asked the question. It will be helpful in the future.

For Christmas we visit my husband's family who are Episcopal.
As a family tradition we attend a "Christ" mass. We are not Episcopal and I don't even know how to spell it (sorry), but the mass is always wonderful and includes a candle lighting service.

I wondered if churches in east Texas have mass on Christmas?
Blessings!!!...GOD'S Grace


Posted by: MarkSentMe

My friend sent me this e-mail:

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Remember My Birthday???? !!!!!!!!

As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there
is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will
be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there
are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the
world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.

It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think
me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago.
At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for
them but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration.
Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know
the meaning of the celebration.

I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner
table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and
chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many
beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't
invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an
invitation.

The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside,
they closed the door in my face.... and I wanted to be with them and share
their table.

In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all seem to
close their doors to me.

Since I was not invited, I decided to enter the party without making any
noise! . I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were
some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They
were having a great time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red
wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling **-**-**! He seemed
drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying: "Santa
Claus, Santa Claus"... as if the party were in his honor!

At 12 midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms
waiting for someone to hug me and.... do you know.... no one hugged me.

Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with
great expectation.

When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me.

What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did
not get one? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and
quietly left.

Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts,
the parties and nobody remembers me. I would like this Christmas that you
allow me to enter into your life.

I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years
ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you.
Today, I only want that you believe this with all you heart.

I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their
party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever
imagined, a spectacular party.

I'm still making the final arrangements. Today I am sending out many
invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish
to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with
golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will
be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invitation will be left
outside.

Do you know how you can answer this invitation? It is by extending it to
others whom you care for...

I'll be waiting for all of you to attend my party this year...


See you soon.... I love you!

~ Jesus


Posted by: bro ron

"'amen""""""""" amen""""""""""""""""""""""""amen""""""""""""" THIS IS WHAT IM THINKING yes we have christmas,,but no Christ is in it !!!!!!!!!!!!!


Posted by: MarkSentMe

I just read some ridiculous debate on AOL about whether it is a Christmas tree or a "Holiday" tree. 97% of the respondants said Christmas tree, 3% said "Holiday" tree. Christmas is the holiday where you put up a tree. Jews don't decorate a Hanukkah bush, Kwanzaa celebrants don't have a Kwanzaa tree, they may opt for a Christmas tree. I highly doubt Muslims are decorating a tree. But just in case I'm wrong, my daughter has created a holiday that encompasses all:

HAPPY Chris'mahanakwanzaadan



Posted by: bro ron

you know,, it makes since


Posted by: GA5966

Brother Ron,
I understand your questioning the way that those around us celebrate Christmas. I love the Invitation Mark posted. It is true I watch others forget the meaning every year. But see that gives us the chance to remind everyone to remember the true meaning. We read lots of Christmas Stories some include the Jolly old fat man in a red suit but I have nixed him for the most part my children know where their gifts come from and we don't do the "Santa is watching you thing". If anything is said about behavior it is a year long "Jesus sees you, how would he feel about your actions". We go to the church and celebrate our love for Christ. I have even made the gifts and such as reminders of the true meaning. Ask my children what christmas means or why we exchange presents they will end up telling you of the Christ Child's Birth and that he is our saviour and so we celebrate his Birth on Christmas and his resurrection on Easter. My daughter even has me bake a birthday cake for Jesus and we enjoy singing "Happy Birthday to you to him" He is very much alive and well and the center of our celebration and he is always present as we carry him with us daily and most especially on Christmas. The Nativity is a central part of my decorations and we talk of how Jesus loves us Snow much. It is sad that the hustle and bustle of the season has taken over the wonder of it. But we have to keep Christmas in our heart and mind all year long anyway. Bobbie


Posted by: akabezalel

If you have no Christ in your Christmas whose fault is that?

Not the worlds, not mine, not your nieghbors, not even Satan is at fault in this one.

The fault stands firmly in you.


Posted by: GA5966

Amen and Amen to that Carol.


Posted by: Christian Commando

The main thing to keep in mind is holding a reference of the holiday day, to the borth of Christ, or any other holiday used for referencing Christ as such.

Yes, much of holiday following is commercialized, but this is not to b used to end it or stop a holiday mean't for rememberance of the Trinity or it's members.

God Bless!! Instead, let's strive to revive the true reason for each one as such.


Posted by: bro ron

i keep Christ in Christmas and every single day of my life !! why did we allow 'santa clause in to spoil the day and cause so much commercial and mental stress?? would Christ recognize the celebration of His birthday? i think not ! why not truly have a day just for Christ's birth ""only"" and during a time that would be closer to the truth( shepherds were not in the fields on dec.25 in israel) ""please i ask with love to seek a foundation to answer one who know's not God ,and when i witness this time of year these are questions that have come in to the conversation please i mean no disrespect or to cause truoble just a thought process on this matter .


Posted by: akabezalel

Can you say "LAZY"? It is easier to go with the flow than against the current.

Christians enjoy the rush and fuss as much as those who do not believe, why should they fight it?

You cannot answer for everyone, you can only answer for yourself.

Most 'Christians' today cannot be bothered with their witness on a day to day basis and many have lost their salvation without knowing it.

As one friend told me when I invited her to a seminar on how to witness to people... "That is just not my thing right now"... excuse me??? The 'great commission' is not the 'great suggestion'!!!

Others use 'not the right time of year' and other excuses to hide depression or anger at God. What makes them think that changing the day will change anything?

I said it in my first post and I will say it now... I don't think God cares about what happens around Christmas!... as long as it is not sin and His son is glorified and lifted up before man, not as a symbol only but as a living, breathing God who loves His Bride and the Lost EQUALLY.

It is not the Birth of Jesus that redeemed us in the first place!!!

His death and ressurection is what bought our Salvation NOT His birth.

1Co 2:2 For I decided not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ, and Him having been crucified.

Rom 6:1-11 What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Let it not be! We who died to sin, how shall we still live in it? Or are you ignorant that all who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, so also we should walk in newness of life. For if we have been joined together in the likeness of His death, so also shall we be in the resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be nullified, so that we no longer serve sin. For the one that died has been justified from sin. But if we died with Christ, we believe that also we shall live with Him, knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death no longer lords it over Him. For in that He died, He died to sin once for all; but in that He lives, He lives to God. So also you count yourselves to be truly dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God is only concerned with how we act during this time of feasting and celebrating, He does not want us to waste such an opportunity to show His Love and bring others to Him in Salvation.
==============================

Col 2:9-23 Because in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead [or, Deity] bodily, and you* have been made full [or, have been completed] in Him, who is the Head of every rule and authority, in whom you* also were circumcised with a circumcision done without human hands, by the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried together with Him in baptism [or, immersion], in which you* also were raised together [with Him] through faith in the supernatural working of God, the One having raised Him from the dead. And _you*_, being dead in your* transgressions and the uncircumcision of your* flesh, He made you* alive together with Him, having forgiven you* all transgressions, having blotted out [or, canceled] the handwritten record of debts in the ordinances against us, which was contrary to us, and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross; having disarmed the rulers and the authorities, He publicly disgraced them, having triumphed over them by it [i.e. the cross]. Therefore, stop letting anyone judge you* in eating or in drinking or with regard to a feast or of a new moon [festival] or of Sabbaths, which are a shadow of the coming [things], but the body [is] of Christ. Stop letting anyone decide against you* [fig., judge you* as not being worthy], delighting in [false] humility and religious worship of the angels, basing his authority on [things] he has not seen, being conceited without cause by the mind of his flesh, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, by means of the joints and ligaments being supplied and being knit together, grows [with] the growth of God. Since you* died with Christ from the rudimentary elements [or, basic teachings] of the world, why as living in the world are you* submitting to regulations? "You* yourselves should not handle nor should you* taste nor should you* touch," which [things] are all for corruption with the using, according to the commandments and teachings of people, [cp. Isaiah 29:13] which are indeed having a reputation of wisdom in self-imposed religion and [false] humility and severe discipline [or, non-indulgence] of [the] body, [but which are] not of any value against indulgence of the flesh.


Posted by: JeriRose12

Here is what the Lord told me to do this year: Spend time with Him! We get so busy planning for that one day, by the time it gets here, we hardly remember Jesus has anything to do with it! I am not going to watch a bunch of hokey (mostly about Santa) Christmas movies. I am keeping Christmas activities at a minimum. I am keeping CHRIST activities at a maximum.

I need to put CHRIST in EVERY day, not just in that one day every year. Yes, it's a chance to share about Jesus with others, but I should be sharing Jesus with others EVERY day. Rather than getting irate that they took Jesus out of Christmas, maybe I should realize that He isn't in their lives at all, so why would He be in their Christmas? Perhaps, if I put Christ in EVERY day, others would be drawn to the Jesus in me, and they would put Christ in their lives, and, thus, in their Christmas.

Christmas is just the symptom of a problem in the body of Christ -- we do not prioritize the Lord. We have time for everything but Him (I know that I certainly do!). We talk ABOUT Him, plan stuff to do FOR Him, SAY that what we are doing is for Him.... but do we actually ever just quit all the acitivity and spend time WITH Him? It's not about the gala performance or party.... It's about a humble heart that simply loves Him and wants to spend time with Him. I wish we could dispense with the gift giving, big dinner, Christmas Eve Service, etc. People act like I'm being a Scrooge when I say I want to stay home on Christmas. Well, I am doing it, so rather than celebrating the birth of Jesus, I am actually spending time WITH Jesus! If Jesus is the reason for the season, why do we barely acknowledge Him during this time? We are most likely too busy to pray much, too busy to spend time praising Him, too busy to spend time reading His Word, too busy to spend time WITH Him.

I gave Jesus a present this year: ME! My family was discussing (at length) the big family dinner (as if that was the whole purpose of Christmas), and I just slipped up to my room and lay down and talked to Jesus about this and that until I fell asleep. I suddenly realized that I needed to pull back from all the hoopla I don't like and do the thing I say we should. Not just SAY I will do it, but actually do it: Spend time with the Lord! It was a beautiful time, and I did it again tonight. And that is what I plan to do every day up until Christmas (and beyond), give Jesus a chunk of my time, where I spend time with Him.

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday, Jesus!

~JeriRose~
Finding HIM 365 days a year!


Posted by: bro ron


T'was The Night Before Christmas, Not a Sign of Baby Jesus

T'was the night before Christmas
and all through the town
Not a sign of Baby Jesus
was anywhere to be found.

The people were all busy
with Christmas time chores
Like decorating, and baking,
and shopping in stores.

No one sang "Away in a manger,
no crib for a bed".
Instead, they sang of Santa
dressed-up in bright red.

Mama watched Martha Stewart,
Pap drank beer from a tap.
As hour upon hour
the presents they'd wrap.

When what from the TV
did they suddenly hear?
'Cept an ad..which told
of a big sale at Sears.

So away to the mall
they flew like a flash
Buying things on credit
and others with cash!

And, as they made their way home
From their trip to the mall,
Did they think about Jesus?
oh, no... not at all.

Their lives were so busy
with their Christmas time things
No time to remember
Christ Jesus the King.

There were presents to wrap
and cookies to bake.
How could they stop and remember
whi died for their sake?

To pray to the Savior
they had no time to stop.
Because they needed more time
to "Shop til they dropped!"

On Wal-Mart! On K-Mart!
On Target! On Penney's!
On Hallmark! On Zales!
A quick lunch at Denny's

From the big store downtown
to the stores at the mall
They would dash away, dash away,
and visit them all!

And up on the roof,
there arose such a clatter
As grandpa hung icicle lights
up on his brand new step ladder.

He hung lights that would flash.
He hung lights that would twirl.
Yet, he never once prayed to Jesus...
Light of the World.

Christ's eyes...how they twinkle!
Christ's Spirit...how merry!
Christ's love...how enormous!
All our burdens...He'll carry!

So instead of being busy,
overworked, and uptight
Let's put Christ back in
Christmas and enjoy
some good nights....... (( author unknown))


Posted by: MarkSentMe

Ta-da! AMEN!


Posted by: ALynn

Bro Ron,

I do understand your question... the movement away from Christ is disheartening. Yet, it is the beauty of this holiday, that is loved by believers and nonbelievers alike that makes it a unique opportunity to share in Christ.... The pull of Christmas, the pure joy of it is testament to the joy of Christ, and the beauty of our faith. Let them watch through the windows and seek entry. It's one of the best tools we have. At the same time, yes there are pagan undertone to certain aspects of the holiday... but those aspects were adopted by the church in order to make conversion and cultural change easier for people. It was with love and respect that early Christians attempted to create a holiday that celebrated Christ instead of the winter solstice... the people could not give up their mid-winter festivities, so they decided it was best to make Christ the very center of the celebration. Just as with contemporary Christian music we can reach the youth (and myself) and with Christian cartoons, we can call children into the arms of Jesus!
Merry Christmas,
Interesting Thread.
Lynn