And I will celebrate Christ on Christmas Day, too. Thank you for the conversation. I appreciate the dialogue.
Why I Don't Do Christmas
- Thread starter SueJLove
- Start date
And I will celebrate Christ on Christmas Day, too. Thank you for the conversation. I appreciate the dialogue.
I fear you think I am critiquing whatever way you choose to acknowledge Christ. You started a thread, "why I don't do Christmas". I don't fault you on your rationale except in one area only: In my lexicon, Christmas is a "high, holy day" that is to be observed, with special effort, by all believers. It is a chance to show the world that we reflect thanks to God for His great gift - a chance to reflect the Love we hold for God as the Love He has given to us - and to show our unity as we reflect our love of our fellowman. Should we do this daily? Absolutely. None-the-less, this day is chosen as special/a reminder that we reflect God's glory.
And that is where we disagree. Love you, though. Look forward to more times of fellowship together.
I'm a relatively new nana (of 3 years) so the holidays have a newness
about them again. My children grew up knowing Santa was not real,
and the gifts given by their father were a token to honor the Heavenly
Father who gave the real gift, His Son.
I appreciate this thread, because so much exists to draw our little ones
away from the simple truth of God's love. Prayer has gripped my heart
this year, for the time I get to spend with my little ones. And pieces are
coming together for a special day. My grandchildren are all 3 yo and under,
so though they can't understand deep aspects of the incarnation, I'm trusting
the Holy Spirit to woo them and influence their little hearts (as He did with
me when I was their age... because of Christmas celebration that focused on
it's true meaning).
A children's song has filled my heart for this season, and I started a
thread to feature it's timeless message. (Maybe others will be inspired
(as I am) to allow the Holy Spirit to influence their little ones toward Him.)
http://www.christianforumsite.com/threads/christmas-at-nanas.40868/
about them again. My children grew up knowing Santa was not real,
and the gifts given by their father were a token to honor the Heavenly
Father who gave the real gift, His Son.
I appreciate this thread, because so much exists to draw our little ones
away from the simple truth of God's love. Prayer has gripped my heart
this year, for the time I get to spend with my little ones. And pieces are
coming together for a special day. My grandchildren are all 3 yo and under,
so though they can't understand deep aspects of the incarnation, I'm trusting
the Holy Spirit to woo them and influence their little hearts (as He did with
me when I was their age... because of Christmas celebration that focused on
it's true meaning).
A children's song has filled my heart for this season, and I started a
thread to feature it's timeless message. (Maybe others will be inspired
(as I am) to allow the Holy Spirit to influence their little ones toward Him.)
http://www.christianforumsite.com/threads/christmas-at-nanas.40868/
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This is the malady of much of Christmas celebration. But, I think, as we are lead by the HolySue said:
Spirit in what to teach our children, they can know the true meaning of Christmas and be
influenced for God in our celebration. For instance, if we taught our children that the 'baby'
Jesus was not like any other baby who will ever live... He is God, in a human body. And He
came to be the friend we all need.
And Santa? Should never be brought into play... so there is no confusion as to what's important
about Christmas.
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"God-centeredness" as well as other ideas like "Freedom in Christ" have for too long been used to excuse behavior that the Bible condemns, rather than point Christians to what these ideas truly mean - a surrendered life to the will of God which is free from the bondage of sin - and you should stop this at once. If the church eats, drinks, dresses, walks, talks, worships, and sins no differently than the unchurched, then what cause is there for anyone to "come out from among (the wicked) and be ye separate?
"All things are pure" and "all things are lawful" have absolutely nothing to do with what God has condemned. It has to do with what unconverted religionists have wrongly condemned as well as the intelligent, thoughtful, expedient practice of what God approves.
While Legalism leads to despair, License will unavoidably lead to unification with the end time One World Religious system of which the Pope seeks to be the Universal leader of all faiths, Pagan and otherwise, while the call is made for the condemnation of those who choose the God-ordained exclusivity of what is to be His true church, not some Ecumenical invention:
[As reported in the Associated Press, with the Tibetan god-man, the Dalai Lama, sitting at his right side, this October in Rome the Pope (John Paul II) presided at a special council of some 200 religious leaders of various faiths, sects, and cults. The (Roman) Pontiff told the assembled Buddhist monks, Zoroastrian priests, Catholic cardinals, Hindu gurus, American Indian shamen, Jewish rabbis, and ecumenical clergy that all must join in condemning the CHRISTIAN FUNDAMENTALISTS who "abuse speech" and whose efforts at converting others "incite hatred and violence."]
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Thank you all for your comments. Since I celebrated Christmas probably 60 years of my life (I will turn 65 in a few weeks), I can empathize with many of your feelings with regard to this holiday. I have many good memories mixed with some bad ones, too, of my many Christmas celebrations.
Yet, the Lord was talking with me about this for several years before my husband and I made a united decision to cease the celebration. I had to obey my Lord in following what his word teaches with regard to these matters, as I spelled out in the OP.
And I believe he wanted me to share these thoughts with you in hopes it might give cause for reflection and we might all reevaluate what we do and why we do what we do in prayer with our Lord, inquiring of him as to whether or not this is how he wants us to celebrate his life.
To me, that is the bottom line, not whether or not we think what we are doing is right, but whether or not he approves of our celebrations and whether or not he is pleased with them. I hope you will take what has been shared here to the Lord in prayer and that you will open your hearts to hear from him whatever he would like to say to you in this matter.
Yet, the Lord was talking with me about this for several years before my husband and I made a united decision to cease the celebration. I had to obey my Lord in following what his word teaches with regard to these matters, as I spelled out in the OP.
And I believe he wanted me to share these thoughts with you in hopes it might give cause for reflection and we might all reevaluate what we do and why we do what we do in prayer with our Lord, inquiring of him as to whether or not this is how he wants us to celebrate his life.
To me, that is the bottom line, not whether or not we think what we are doing is right, but whether or not he approves of our celebrations and whether or not he is pleased with them. I hope you will take what has been shared here to the Lord in prayer and that you will open your hearts to hear from him whatever he would like to say to you in this matter.
Luk 2:13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
Luk 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
Luk 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
Y'know in many places around the world, each Christmas period there are many many fine God honoring Christians who give of themselves to bring together those who have no family or no friends to share in a time of thanksgiving God-ward for the coming of the Christ Child.
There is much preparation involved: there is food to be organized and gathered from charitable enterprises such as Charcoal Chicken shops, Ice cream manufacturers, Bakeries, Fresh fruit and vegetable merchants cordial and soft drink suppliers, clothing and toys are also donated and collected.
The invitations go out, the acceptances are gathered and collated. The toys and clothing are sorted and gift wrapped, then on Christmas morning, the food is prepared, the tables are set in place and the placings are set. Then a band of people set out in mini buses to gather together all those who will come and transport them to the place that has been prepared for them to gather together as one huge family. Some of these precious people are infirm, have major mobility issues and some require two people to give of themselves to aid them in coming Then a team of volunteers serve these people their Christmas luncheon, distribute gifts as appropriate, the message of Christmas and the gospel of Christ Jesus is proclaimed to those who otherwise would have nothing...no family, not community...no joy.
Some, I know have also raced around to spend time with their own immediate family, their parents, their parents in law while still serving in this community enterprise.
That Sue has been my Christmas for several years and also of many others.
I care nothing for those who just say " Bah Humbug" to the celebration of Christmas, for the sharing of the joy and of the goodwill of the Lord toward us.
My prayer for you Sue is that you will see and follow that guiding star to the simplicity of the manger and find the peace that that Child has to offer.
Luk 2:14. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
Luk 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
Luk 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
Y'know in many places around the world, each Christmas period there are many many fine God honoring Christians who give of themselves to bring together those who have no family or no friends to share in a time of thanksgiving God-ward for the coming of the Christ Child.
There is much preparation involved: there is food to be organized and gathered from charitable enterprises such as Charcoal Chicken shops, Ice cream manufacturers, Bakeries, Fresh fruit and vegetable merchants cordial and soft drink suppliers, clothing and toys are also donated and collected.
The invitations go out, the acceptances are gathered and collated. The toys and clothing are sorted and gift wrapped, then on Christmas morning, the food is prepared, the tables are set in place and the placings are set. Then a band of people set out in mini buses to gather together all those who will come and transport them to the place that has been prepared for them to gather together as one huge family. Some of these precious people are infirm, have major mobility issues and some require two people to give of themselves to aid them in coming Then a team of volunteers serve these people their Christmas luncheon, distribute gifts as appropriate, the message of Christmas and the gospel of Christ Jesus is proclaimed to those who otherwise would have nothing...no family, not community...no joy.
Some, I know have also raced around to spend time with their own immediate family, their parents, their parents in law while still serving in this community enterprise.
That Sue has been my Christmas for several years and also of many others.
I care nothing for those who just say " Bah Humbug" to the celebration of Christmas, for the sharing of the joy and of the goodwill of the Lord toward us.
My prayer for you Sue is that you will see and follow that guiding star to the simplicity of the manger and find the peace that that Child has to offer.
Luk 2:14. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
Calvin, I found that as a young child, nearly 60 years ago. I have been a follower of Jesus Christ ever since, and I know very well the peace that can only be found through a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as my only Lord and Master.
Sometimes some loose sight of the path.
Jas 1:27. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Christmas can be a time to stop and check that we are still on the right path.
The Lord will not say "this" today having said "that" yesterday...His word is never a contradiction of itself.
The Lord did not say Celebrate the birth of Jesus...no, He did not say DO NOT celebrate either.
It is true that the priests of Zoroaster came at some time after the birth of Jesus (maybe as late as 2 years) They came because they were summoned and it might be no small coincidence that their costly gifts came just before the flight to Egypt, which had to be funded somehow.
Jas 1:27. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Christmas can be a time to stop and check that we are still on the right path.
The Lord will not say "this" today having said "that" yesterday...His word is never a contradiction of itself.
The Lord did not say Celebrate the birth of Jesus...no, He did not say DO NOT celebrate either.
It is true that the priests of Zoroaster came at some time after the birth of Jesus (maybe as late as 2 years) They came because they were summoned and it might be no small coincidence that their costly gifts came just before the flight to Egypt, which had to be funded somehow.
Has Christmas become way too worldly? No argument. I also have no problem with people celebrating Christ's birth with or without the worldy ways. I am saying just don't throw the baby out with the straw. We have the opportunity each Christmas to show Christ's message to our families, neighbors, friends and strangers. I only take issue with the title of the thread "I don't do Christmas" and would be better to say I don't do wordly Christmas.
Off topic in a sense and yet not.
As early as January 3 we will see hot cross buns in the local supermarkets. I detest that there is a move to bury Easter in commercialism and to try to destroy the relevance of the message. But I an not going to stop celebrating the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord just because of Satan's money hungry stooges. Christ's love is greater than Satan's hate.
As early as January 3 we will see hot cross buns in the local supermarkets. I detest that there is a move to bury Easter in commercialism and to try to destroy the relevance of the message. But I an not going to stop celebrating the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord just because of Satan's money hungry stooges. Christ's love is greater than Satan's hate.