What is wrong with Christmas?

Outside of love for others and that it does get people to think of Jesus everything is wrong with Christmas.

However IMO if you are not going to think the truth about Jesus then think better to think of secular things and save the thoughts of God and Son for worshipping in truth.

Christmas is nowhere near the actual birth date of Jesus but is the time of when the wise men came baring gifts ...... a time period known today as Hanukah.

Try searching "when was Jesus really born" and there is enough there to realize that Jesus was born during the feast of Tabernacles that was very late September or the first 2-3 days in October.

So I just say Happy Holidays and whenever I hear or see an opening to talk about Jesus I do

Doug

You sound like you need a Christmas tie with Jesus riding on a reindeer into Jerusalem. I share your grief as most on the index will probably agree. It seems to get more and more difficult year after year hearing alternating carols of pure fiction being joined with those praising the glory of Christ. The truth is we don't live compartmentalized lives. Only the world does that. That is why this season comes as such a mixed blessing. Do we really need a season to celebrate Christ whom we already celebrate daily. Isn't that a bit like saving your worship for Sunday at the neglect of the other six days God has made? I do understand Easter but I don't neglect other days because of it. if one wishes to consider a day above another then let them do so but it is most curious to observe when the season is gone so is the atmosphere. Shouldn't that not change?

People can say the season is about giving but from whom do they receive? Shall we place in competition the gift of God with that from lego and poly pocket? The retailers are certainly more concerned with Christ being honored as they make themselves available for an earlier celebration every year. At this rate Christmas will soon start in the summer. Does anyone feel uncomfortable with the fact that we are celebrating an event as one with a majority of people that could care less what happens the day after Christmas? Yes this was not something the early church practiced. Yes this infuses many pagan rituals and symbols. Yes this is in no way comes close to the estimated day of birth. Yes for the most part in America we have large retailers heralding the reason for the season.

All of this is greatly disturbing but I have found even in my extendend family this to be a very delicate topic. Isn't it amazing that tradition is such a difficult force to contend with. It is strangling the church. Should we be surprised that it can hold such a power during this season. We deal with traditions in the church that seem almost unbreakable. Horrific evangelism. Holiness that is resigned to God only. Discernment that is non existent and everyone is a prodigal! It will be interesting to see how the remnant that is being called out will respond to these issues. I don't see compromise in their upcoming vocabulary but for those who do it would seem that it will be accompanied by a mixture of joy and grief. Grief at the great compromise and joy where it can be found when not concentrating on the compromise.

There is another consideration and that is benevolence? What do people learn from placing such an emphasis on a one time a year event. To give to the needy in the season but not out of season. What is being taught to those doing the giving. That they may feel better about themselves for the month? What of the 11 following? What of those who are in need? Does the fountain of love only flow in December?

The living nativity may soon eclipse the needed testimonies of the saints as those in the church find it easier to to play a part rather than be one. We all must walk in love knowing that the world is ignorant to the truth. It is just so sad to see so many join themselves to the Christ part of what is being elevated and taking what serves them with no knowledge of the rest. I know this is in ignorance but how can we sit by and watch those walking toward a cliff and say nothing. They are sold into the belief that they are recipients of a gift that lasts forever and so they rest in it. Should we go with the flow and affirm what the world has led them to believe? We must desire to tell how God has changed our lives. We know the truth of Christ is only being told in part and joined to an assumption that results in death for many. This season presents one of the greatest opportunities to show love but will we be willing to rock the boat during a season with everyone more content then they will be the rest of the year?

I have not done chistmas for 24 years. My kids dont care and dont even realy get what the big deal is.The LORD is a life giving spirit now, not a baby.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Bah Humbug :)

Just as a side note, no where in the Bible does it say to celebrate Jesus birth, only his death and resurrection.

Edited

@Lucash, it also doesn't speak specifically about celebrating birthdays in general, but we celebrate those, don't we? It doesn't talk about the Trinity, but it is true, correct?

@Sola, who is talking about santa?

Celebrating Christmas is a heart issue. If your heart is wrong, it will be wrong with or without celebrating Christmas. Heart issue folks. To make it anything more then that is the same as to eat meat sacrificed to idols. In other words, its not a big deal.

Well happy Hanukah. Celebrating Jewish holidays will teach you a lot about the bible.

@Miccah, what do you mean the Bible doesn't talk about the Trinity? It's written all over the place.
I agree with you on birthdays. I kind of tend to take the stance of "Get me whatever you want." It's not that big of a deal to me, just as long as I spend it with my wife and son I am happy.
Christmas is a heart issue. People who go berzerk (spending money, lines at the mall for santa clause, etc.) on Christmas definitely have a heart issue. It is not in the right place if you emphasize the wrong things (the wrong things being things of the world).

"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." Romans 14:6

I believe this verse is an accurate description of those believers who celebrate Christmas and also of those who don't. One regards the day unto the Lord, one regards not the day unto the Lord!

"Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days]" Colossians 2:16

Most American Christians know nothing but Christmas being a celebration of the birth of Christ, therefore they celebrate it with all their might. There is nothing wrong with celebrating the birth of our Savior as long as its not done in a materialistic greedy ungodly way. It is a great time to gather with family and to share the gospel with them. Personally it is hard for me to witness to my unsaved family, but Christmas is such a blessing for me to read the Christmas story and share the gospel with them. It just makes it a little easier, and I thank God for that.

Guys, I thought this topic was settled in THIS thread,

https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?mode=viewtopic&topic_id=36265&forum=35&start=50&viewmode=flat&order=1

Happy Kwanza!!!!!

Well happy Hanukah. Celebrating Jewish holidays will teach you a lot about the bible.

Actually, Hanukah is not a Biblical Holiday. It is not like the feasts. It is a bit like Americans celebrating a pivotal battle during the revolutionary war in which God intervened in a miraculous way.

I am reminded of some of the old hymns, Watts I believe but I could be mistaken, in which the tunes to bar songs were well known and easily played. So the hymns were simply the bar songs with new lyric. It is a bit the same. Christmas is to me and always will be about the birth of Christ. I simply rejoice in the season and don't worry about all the rest. It is just a non-issue. I am not even sure it is worth the discussion.

I like to think of "What is right about Christmas?"

Maybe you have heard this before.

C is for the Christ child born upon this day,
H for herald angels in the night,
R is for our redeemer,
I means Israel,
S is for the star that shone so bright.
T is for three wise men, they who traveled far,
M is for the manger where He lay.
A is for all He stands for.
S means shepherds came.

That's why there's a Christmas day!

Christmas is a season in the year when it is easier to share Christ with others. Many seem to be more open to the Gospel at this time.

Though not sure, it may be that the Romanized Christmas was actually intended to celebrate Jesus conception?

This would make much more sense as to the 'why' that day, and not merely the mixing of paganism into Roman Catholicism and her offspring.

Thinking now, this would also mean that Miriam concieved right about the time she visited Elizabeth. . .which might explain why John lept in Elizabeth's womb?

Just wondering,

Hi Greg

That is an interesting perspective and would fit right in with the nine months time of an expected mature pregnancy....... thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Blessings

Doug

@Lucash.

I should have explained better. The Bible does not say "Trinity", but the trinity itself is spoken in the Bible. I agree.

Blessings!

What does "kwanza" mean?

@fromtheold
I searched the net and came up with this:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_meaning_of_the_Swahili_word_'Kwanzaa'

Apparently, it is a Swahili word (a language of Africa) that means "first fruits". It comes from two separate words. The first is kwanza which means "first", and the second is kuzaa which means "to give birth". I do not speak Swahili, but I do often trust the results from "wiki answers" web links.

That being said, I was a little surpised to see it come from Swahili origin. My wife and I are called to be missionaries in Africa, and this is the language of the people group we are called to serve! I am excited to learn the language and work for the Lord.