December 25 is a pagan date and a tradition of man. Jesus was probably born in the fall. Shepherds and sheep would not be in the field freezing in December.
I celebrate Christmas all year round so I may not be caught on the wrong foot. Similarly Good Friday is observed. I have been crucified with Christ nevertheless I live. Holy days are to be live so I do not take a holiday from it. "Be ye holy, for I am holy".
Very good. :) I read somewhere that holiday actually comes from holy day. The ancient Jews would go to Jerusalem for holy days. And, now we have that word.
It is true that Jesus was most likely born in the fall. And it is true that pagans celebrated the winter solstice and worship of Saturn at such time, but pagans do not own any particular day of the year. All time, days belong to God and we as believers are to use these for His glory. If one wishes to celebrate the coming of the Son of God into the World incarnated in a human nature, starting as a babe int he womb and then a newborn, that is a good thing no matter what day of the year it is celebrated on. I just heard on the radio my favorite Christmas song. "O Holy Night". How wonderful that believers and non-believers hear the wonderful message of this song every year! May hearts be touched by songs that celebrate Jesus' coming. And to have a holiday set aside to sing out this great and immeasurably worthy event is a great tool of evangelism.
I don't think we should celebrate any day the way that pagans do, but we can celebrate any day for God's glory and honor. That is what I do during the Christmas season. I know that people's hearts can be opened up to the truth of the Lord's advent and purpose in coming during such a time of joy and love and family togetherness. The message of Christ's coming is so very concentrated at Christmas we should be thankful that the church as a whole has this special opportunity each year to proclaim the gospel and sing out praises to God for sending Jesus, the unspeakable gift to the sin-filled world.
And some believers may wish to not celebrate Christmas at all, and as Paul speaks, we are free to do this, too, according to our conscience. We can have a decorated tree without it being an idol to us. We can have lights on or house without it representing a pagan idea. We can give any meaning we wish to any way we celebrate what God has done for us in Christ. And we can decorate during the dead of winter to add cheer and light and beauty to this time when there is more darkness than light in a day.
Very good. :) I read somewhere that holiday actually comes from holy day. The ancient Jews would go to Jerusalem for holy days. And, now we have that word.
It is true that Jesus was most likely born in the fall. And it is true that pagans celebrated the winter solstice and worship of Saturn at such time, but pagans do not own any particular day of the year. All time, days belong to God and we as believers are to use these for His glory. If one wishes to celebrate the coming of the Son of God into the World incarnated in a human nature, starting as a babe int he womb and then a newborn, that is a good thing no matter what day of the year it is celebrated on. I just heard on the radio my favorite Christmas song. "O Holy Night". How wonderful that believers and non-believers hear the wonderful message of this song every year! May hearts be touched by songs that celebrate Jesus' coming. And to have a holiday set aside to sing out this great and immeasurably worthy event is a great tool of evangelism.
I don't think we should celebrate any day the way that pagans do, but we can celebrate any day for God's glory and honor. That is what I do during the Christmas season. I know that people's hearts can be opened up to the truth of the Lord's advent and purpose in coming during such a time of joy and love and family togetherness. The message of Christ's coming is so very concentrated at Christmas we should be thankful that the church as a whole has this special opportunity each year to proclaim the gospel and sing out praises to God for sending Jesus, the unspeakable gift to the sin-filled world.
And some believers may wish to not celebrate Christmas at all, and as Paul speaks, we are free to do this, too, according to our conscience. We can have a decorated tree without it being an idol to us. We can have lights on or house without it representing a pagan idea. We can give any meaning we wish to any way we celebrate what God has done for us in Christ. And we can decorate during the dead of winter to add cheer and light and beauty to this time when there is more darkness than light in a day.
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