Why it is wrong for a strong Christian to celebrate XMAS pub

[Paidion]

Christmas is a holiday that has many different origins, most of which are non-Christian, with a celebration of the birth of Christ being but one aspect, though an aspect which is emphasized by some Christians. Indeed I know one group of Christians that reject all other aspects of Christmas except the giving of gifts and the singing of Christmas carols (not the non-Christian Christmas songs such as "Here comes Santa Claus" or "Walking in a Winter Wonderland." Prior to the 4th century, Christians did not celebrate the birth of Christ.

As a little boy, I was taught to believe in Santa Claus. This belief seemed to have been supported. For when I left a piece of cake for him on Christmas eve, it was gone the next morning. But when I was about seven years old, my mother divulged the fact that there was no Santa, but encouraged me to pretend to the family that I still believed. However, I had already suspected the truth even before my mother told me. My mother was a Christian, but the birth of Christ was never emphasized during Christmas except when our family went in the afternoon to the home of my grandparents, where my aunt did a lot of talking about Christ's birth. As a child, I didn't appreciate that; I thought it spoiled Christmas. For me Christmas at that time was about receiving presents and eating delicious meals.

My present position is to feel positive toward Christmas as a festive season without regarding it as being Christian in any way.

However, the Christmas tree is not of non-Christian origin. It originated with Martin Luther who decorated one with lights to represent the stars on the night of Christ's birth.

[crgfstr1]

Paidion,

Thank you for sharing. That is an interesting approach to addressing the dilemma of how to approach Christmas. You point out another interesting aspect of asking older kids to lie to their younger siblings to continue the myth. Being the younger child with no younger children near by I was never put in that situation.

I am not so sure that there isn't more Pagan influence on the Christmas tree. Even secular sites point Pagan influences to its origin.
http://www.history.com/topics/christmas ... tmas-trees

Since our battle is a spiritual one, I am becoming more cautious about things that may have spiritual significance even if I am not aware of what it is. What if the significance is gifts and fruit are on a dead tree that is cut off from the vine? It is kind of the opposite message to the Bible that only those connected to the vine bear fruit. The tree looks to be alive and yet it is dead. Hmmm. Maybe that is much like some of the people who think they are Christians but may not be.

If it were only up to me I would err on the side of if I don't know it to be good, and might be bad, why do it? It isn't only up to me though so I have to balance that with other family members convictions so I would need stronger evidence at this point I believe to make any stand. I am sure I have bigger issues to tackle first but it does make me wonder.

[jpat1975]

Thank you all for this great discussion. I have more to ask about - with regards to certain statements made here. These statements certainly sound reasonable, but am wondering where I can harmonize with Scripture. I will post those questions when I have those ready.

[jpat1975]

Paidion: Your photo reminds me a little of Santa

[Paidion]

Jpat, a lot of people have told me that I look like Santa. But I tell them that I'm not Santa; I'm his son.

[canada]

As a believer, I find this a most anti-Christian time of the year.

The head of Satan's church merely removed one s and has millions of believers (and non believers alike) chanting ... merry Christ mass ... merry death of Christ ... merry death of Jesus.

Yes, it was good for us, but it was not a merry event for Him, nor should it be for us.

Like the early Protestants (and historicists) we believe the papacy to be one of the beasts and the Church of Rome to be the great harlot church described in the book of Revelation.

Paidion ... you noted that Luther used a tree with lights.
Did your source indicate that this was while he was a Roman Catholic, or that he continued that practice after leaving that organization?

[morbo3000]

While visiting my daughter and her family, I was able to participate in the noon prayer at The Monastery of the Ascension in Jerome, ID. While a minister in a nearby town 6 years ago, I would go out there whenever possible to pray the psalms with them. When I walked in the building, I could hear the brothers in their cafeteria chatting prior to the service. I entered the chapel, and quieted myself. As they entered, I needed a copy of the psalms, and walked to the familiar figure, sitting in a wheelchair. He said "Merry Christmas" to me, and for the first time in the entire season, I heard it from the heart of someone deeply in tune with the religious meaning of the holy-day. As has been said in this thread, for some people, Christmas is one of two days in the year people think they should be religious. But these brothers live out there faith not daily, but hourly. For them it's not the -only- story of the year, it's a small part of a whole that makes up their 24-7 lives. Which makes the event richer by magnitude than the inflatable crèche I passed on the corner on the way there.

[jpat1975]

I forwarded this thread to a pastor at a group I used to attend. Not my local one, but one visiting. His name was Jeff. Jeff, if you're reading this, I just wanted to let you know that there's no hard feelings on this end. Again, I want to highlight how Steve took the time to answer this question, and you didn't? While I don't necessarily agree with everything written here, I do respect his answer. I think you were capable of such an answer, but simply did not see it as worth your time (beyond a simple or hurried response). Perhaps for a close friend or family member you might have. The group you're still in, and the one I left (Neo-Pentecostal and hierarchical) provides you with a shelter from dealing with real issues, and remaining aloof. People and issues we don't like to deal with are not things Jesus avoided. It's been a long time since this subject has really seriously bothered me, but I am reminded of those times each year. Right now, my biggest deal about it is how to balance the subject with my two young daughters. I'm treating it as another day, and not making a big deal of it with them. If they ask me why we don't, I'll say that I am only interested in doing what's clearly in the bible, and everything else doesn't interest me as much. We save electricity and avoid fire hazards by not hanging up lights. The floors are much cleaner without the other stuff (pine needles, tinsel), etc. I mostly joke it off with others by referencing Festivus in Seinfeld or some other silly or non-serious answer. In any event, you probably won't read this, but I post it here for others to discuss. I'm sure we all have had our share of experiences with people carrying the title of pastor who let us down when we dared to bring them out of their comfort zone. It's out of that comfort zone in which we grow. I recall you even preached that point once in a seminar Jeff.

[Paidion]

Paidion ... you noted that Luther used a tree with lights.
Did your source indicate that this was while he was a Roman Catholic, or that he continued that practice after leaving that organization?

My source didn't indicate one or the other.

Canada, I used to be strongly anti-Xmas, too. But now I celebrate it as merely a festive season—not as a Christian celebration—though I see no wrong if someone wants to celebrate the birth of Christ. It wasn't done prior to the fourth century, but what's the harm in it? I know groups of Christians who celebrate the birth of Christ and sing songs relating to his birth, but who do not put up any of the traditional Xmas decorations, or observe any of the heathen practices connected with Xmas.

[morbo3000]

This conversation reminded me of a tract Keith Green (Christian musician from the 70's and early 80's) wrote about Christmas. Curiously, I remembered it being much more anti-christmas than it was. I love what he says about St. Nicholas (the real one) and his charity towards the poor. Keith, who was quite conservative, Bible-centric, and prophetic called more for using it as an opportunity to provide food, shelter and love to people the poor, rather than abandoning it.

http://www.lastdaysministries.org/Mobil ... 1000008518