Are we allowed to partake in Christmas?

[Jan001]

More anti-Semitic devision. You will still not find a change in the Sabbath in cannonizied scripture.


Read below these are all taken directly from the Torah. These are only a few.

-One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who dwells among you.”
-“You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
-Also you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt
-You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations, either any of your own nation or any stranger who dwells among you
-Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
-You shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite who is within your gates, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are among you, at the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide
-Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully observe all the words of this law,

Christians are not bound under the Torah which is actually the first five books of the Old Testament Bible. Jesus finished the Torah ( known to most people as the First or "Old" Covenant). There can only be one covenant in force at a time. Christians are under Jesus' New Covenant. Luke 22:20, Hebrews 8:8-13
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+21:25&version=RSV
Jesus finished/fulfilled/completed the Old Covenant by His life on earth and His death on the cross. John 19:30
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+19:30&version=RSV
Jesus ended the Old Covenant by His death on the cross. Romans 10:4

Jesus instituted His New Covenant by His death on the cross. Matthew 26:27-28

When Jesus instituted His New Covenant on the cross, He made the first/old covenant obsolete/no longer in use.

There is much more to the Christian faith than what is mentioned in the Scriptures. John 21:25, Hebrews 13:17

 

[1John2:4]

Jesus instituted one Church and He appointed its leaders to make disciples for Him and to teach them how to obey His commands. Matthew 16:17-19, Matthew 28:18-20, Ephesians 2:19-21

Jesus never wrote a book and He never told His apostles to write a book and call it the New Testament. John 21:25

Jesus never told people to go to a bookstore and buy a book called a Bible and then read it and determine for themselves what it means. Instead, Jesus commanded that His disciples listen to and obey the leaders of His Church. Luke 10:16, Matthew 18:16-18,

Our own personal interpretations of the Scriptures are of no significance for the Church of Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:15-16

I am sorry you have lost me with your analogy of buying books at a book store. I am not following your point. I know you are not stating that the Word of God is invaluable. Will you please help clairify. Thank you

 

[jimmyjimmy]

Jesus instituted one Church and He appointed its leaders to make disciples for Him and to teach them how to obey His commands. Matthew 16:17-19, Matthew 28:18-20, Ephesians 2:19-21

Jesus never wrote a book and He never told His apostles to write a book and call it the New Testament. John 21:25

Jesus never told people to go to a bookstore and buy a book called a Bible and then read it and determine for themselves what it means. Instead, Jesus commanded that His disciples listen to and obey the leaders of His Church. Luke 10:16, Matthew 18:16-18,

Our own personal interpretations of the Scriptures are of no significance for the Church of Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:15-16

Jesus also never told people to brush their teeth.

 

[All4Christ]

I am sorry you have lost me with your analogy of buying books at a book store. I am not following your point. I know you are not stating that the Word of God is invaluable. Will you please help clairify. Thank you

Honest question here: If a Christian celebrates Christmas through prayer and by honoring Christ and thanking Him for His incarnation, but does not partake of the "trappings" of Christmas, do you feel that they are sinning? My personal feeling is that Christmas is the harmonic feast associated with Pascha (equivalent of Passover), as it is a foreshadowing of what is to come. Many of us don't celebrate because of gifts, trees, Santa, and so forth. We celebrate to thank God for what He has done. Can that be wrong to do on any day of the year? Is there any time that it is wrong to thank God and praise Him? I'm not implying that you should do the same, but I don't see anything pagan for me to honor God for what He has done for us, even if it wasn't official in the apostolic church.

 

[Jan001]

I am sorry you have lost me with your analogy of buying books at a book store. I am not following your point. I know you are not stating that the Word of God is invaluable. Will you please help clairify. Thank you

When the Scriptures are understood as the original writers meant them to be understood, they are indeed invaluable. However, many, many people make their own interpretations of these Scriptures and then they form new religions based upon their own interpretations of these Scriptures. This is not what Jesus wanted people to do.

Jesus instituted one Church and He appointed its leaders. Its leaders are responsible to appoint their own successors. 2 Timothy 2:2 Jesus said to listen to His Church leaders and He said that His followers should do what His Church leaders say for His followers to do. Jesus did not write a Bible and He did not tell people to decide for themselves what any Bible (collection of writings) means.

Luke 10:16
16 “He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” rsv
​

 

[1John2:4]

Christians are not bound under the Torah which is actually the first five books of the Old Testament Bible. Jesus finished the Torah ( known to most people as the First or "Old" Covenant). There can only be one covenant in force at a time. Christians are under Jesus' New Covenant. Luke 22:20, Hebrews 8:8-13
Jesus finished/fulfilled/completed the Old Covenant by His life on earth and His death on the cross. John 19:30
Jesus ended the Old Covenant by His death on the cross. Romans 10:4

Jesus instituted His New Covenant by His death on the cross. Matthew 26:27-28

When Jesus instituted His New Covenant on the cross, He made the first/old covenant obsolete/no longer in use.

There is much more to the Christian faith than what is mentioned in the Scriptures. John 21:25, Hebrews 13:17

This is derailing this particular thread and for that I apologize to the OP. If you choose not to follow God or you can choose to walk contrary God's instructions. I am unsure what it means to be bound by the law folks are allowed to chose how they want to walk. The bondage is our sin "Transgression of the law"(1 John 3:4) Sin is the issue not God's instructions. The new covenant does not do away with Gods instructions. The new covenant is the law written on our heart Jeremiah 31:31 Hebrews 8:8 not some different instructions that we just make up as we go along.

Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Romans 10:4-9
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them." 6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) 7 or, “‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Deuteronomy 30:11
“For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ 14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it.

 

[Jan001]

Jesus also never told people to brush their teeth.

So, you can choose to brush your teeth or not. Feel free to disregard your dentist's advice if you don't mind the possible consequence of rotten teeth.

You can also choose to disregard the teachings of the leaders of Jesus' Church. However, the consequences of not obeying the teachings of the leaders of His Church will provide you with much worse consequences than disregarding the advice of your dentist.

 

[Jan001]

This is derailing this particular thread and for that I apologize to the OP. If you choose not to follow God or you can choose to walk contrary God's instructions. I am unsure what it means to be bound by the law folks are allowed to chose how they want to walk. The bondage is our sin "Transgression of the law"(1 John 3:4) Sin is the issue not God's instructions. The new covenant does not do away with Gods instructions. The new covenant is the law written on our heart Jeremiah 31:31 Hebrews 8:8 not some different instructions that we just make up as we go along.

Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Romans 10:4-9
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them." 6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) 7 or, “‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Deuteronomy 30:11
“For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ 14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it.

The Old Covenant was still in effect until Jesus died on the cross so Matthew 5:17 was indeed correct when Jesus made that statement. Jesus had not yet died on the cross.

Jesus came to fulfill (which means to finish) the law and the prophets. He did exactly that.

John 19:30
When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished”; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. rsv
​

Here are many examples in the gospels showing that Jesus actually fulfilled/completed/finished the prophecies about Him that are found in the law and the prophets of the Old Covenant: Biblegateway

Jesus finished the Old Covenant by His death on the cross and He also instituted His New Covenant by His death on the cross.

Hebrews 9:15
Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred which redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant. rsv

Romans 6:14
For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. rsv​

Romans 7:6
But now we are discharged from the law, dead to that which held us captive, so that we serve not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit. rsv

​

I hope that someday you will come to understand that the Old Covenant is no longer in effect! Christians are under the new covenant law of Jesus Christ. The Jews today who practice Judaism and obey the Torah/Old Testament/Old Covenant do indeed reject Jesus Christ. ​

 

[1John2:4]

So, you can choose to brush your teeth or not. Feel free to disregard your dentist's advice if you don't mind the possible consequence of rotten teeth.

You can also choose to disregard the teachings of the leaders of Jesus' Church. However, the consequences of not obeying the teachings of the leaders of His Church will provide you with much worse consequences than disregarding the advice of your dentist.

I am still trying to understand what you are stating. What I am hearing you say is that teachers, preaching in the pulpits trump Gods Word written in the Bible? Are we not supposed to be good Barreans and test what we hear to the Word of God? Acts 17:10

The Bible contains so many warnings of deception that would occur from false prophets, why would a person not test what they hear to the written Word?
Matthew 7
2 Thessalonians 2
2 Peter 2
Jude

 

[1John2:4]

Honest question here: If a Christian celebrates Christmas through prayer and by honoring Christ and thanking Him for His incarnation, but does not partake of the "trappings" of Christmas, do you feel that they are sinning? My personal feeling is that Christmas is the harmonic feast associated with Pascha (equivalent of Passover), as it is a foreshadowing of what is to come. Many of us don't celebrate because of gifts, trees, Santa, and so forth. We celebrate to thank God for what He has done. Can that be wrong to do on any day of the year? Is there any time that it is wrong to thank God and praise Him? I'm not implying that you should do the same, but I don't see anything pagan for me to honor God for what He has done for us, even if it wasn't official in the apostolic church.

I will share with you the passages that convince me not to partake in Christmas.

Deuteronomy 12:29 “When the Lord your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, 30 take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ 31 You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.
32 “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.

1 Kings starting at verse 11- the sins of Jeroboam - He decided to create a new place to worship and a new day to worship on instead of doing what God commanded. He ultimately lead the house of Israel into bondage with the Assyrians.

These are the two main Biblical reasons I do not worship on Christmas. I choose to learn by His Word what pleases Him and do those things, instead of do what I think pleases him because it seam right to me.

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

 

[All4Christ]

I will share with you the passages that convince me not to partake in Christmas.

Deuteronomy 12:29 “When the Lord your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, 30 take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ 31 You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.
32 “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.

1 Kings starting at verse 11- the sins of Jeroboam - He decided to create a new place to worship and a new day to worship on instead of doing what God commanded. He ultimately lead the house of Israel into bondage with the Assyrians.

These are the two main Biblical reasons I do not worship on Christmas. I choose to learn by His Word what pleases Him and do those things, instead of do what I think pleases him because it seam right to me.

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

Ok, though that's not what I asked. I truly don't see those verses the same as referring to what we do on Christmas, but you can do what you feel is right. I wasn't asking why you don't participate though.

ETA: If you are implying that us celebrating Jesus birth and Incarnation is the way to death, don't feel like you need to answer my question. FTR, I too choose to learn by His Word, and base my decisions off of His commandments.

 

[1John2:4]

The Old Covenant was still in effect until Jesus died on the cross so Matthew 5:17 was indeed correct when Jesus made that statement. Jesus had not yet died on the cross.

Jesus came to fulfill (which means to finish) the law and the prophets. He did exactly that.

John 19:30
When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished”; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. rsv
​

Here are many examples in the gospels showing that Jesus actually fulfilled/completed/finished the prophecies about Him that are found in the law and the prophets of the Old Covenant: Biblegateway

Jesus finished the Old Covenant by His death on the cross and He also instituted His New Covenant by His death on the cross.

Hebrews 9:15
Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred which redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant. rsv

Romans 6:14
For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. rsv
Romans 7:6
But now we are discharged from the law, dead to that which held us captive, so that we serve not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit. rsv

​

I hope that someday you will come to understand that the Old Covenant is no longer in effect! Christians are under the new covenant law of Jesus Christ. The Jews today who practice Judaism and obey the Torah/Old Testament/Old Covenant do indeed reject Jesus Christ. ​

Psalm 22 is what was finished
Matthew 27:46
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Mark 15:34
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Psalm 22
My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?
Why are You so far from helping Me,
And from the words of My groaning?

He accomplished(fulfilled) what was written in the Psalms & the Prophets to come and die for our transgressions. He still must return and fulfill the rest of the prophecy written about the Son of Man. Do you not believe that He will return or is all complete, fulfilled accomplished? I still see people battling with death sickness and sin. A hungry lion would not lie down with a lamb, a child can not play in a vipers den. He will return and at that time all will be accomplished.

 

[1John2:4]

Ok, though that's not what I asked. I truly don't see those verses the same as referring to what we do on Christmas, but you can do what you feel is right. I wasn't asking why you don't participate though.

ETA: If you are implying that us celebrating Jesus birth and Incarnation is the way to death, don't feel like you need to answer my question. FTR, I too choose to learn by His Word, and base my decisions off of His commandments.

I am sorry if you feel I did not answer your question. He never asked us to celebrate His birth, the apostles did not celebrate His birth. Can I ask you, do you do the Moedim (feasts) or do you just do Christmas and Easter? He kept the Fathers feasts and so did Paul and the apostles, they did not celebrate His birth. Where do you find in the Bible that we should celebrate His birth? Another thing that causes discernment is the whole world, athiests, buddists, Hollywood all types of ungodly folks they all do Christmas.

 

[All4Christ]

I will share with you the passages that convince me not to partake in Christmas.

Deuteronomy 12:29 “When the Lord your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, 30 take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ 31 You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.
32 “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.

1 Kings starting at verse 11- the sins of Jeroboam - He decided to create a new place to worship and a new day to worship on instead of doing what God commanded. He ultimately lead the house of Israel into bondage with the Assyrians.

These are the two main Biblical reasons I do not worship on Christmas. I choose to learn by His Word what pleases Him and do those things, instead of do what I think pleases him because it seam right to me.

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

Take a look at the entirety of Deuteronomy 12. It is talking about taking the pagan worship and following the same practices. That is nowhere even close to what we do to celebrate Christmas. "You shall not worship the Lord your God with such things ["altars, sacred pillars, wooden images, carved images of God"]. God gave an different direction on what to do as opposed to following the patterns worship of false gods. "How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ 31You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods." Again, it is saying to not worship God in the way the pagans worship their false gods. This is nothing remotely similar.

A Prescribed Place of Worship
1“These are the statutes and judgments which you shall be careful to observe in the land which the Lord God of your fathers is giving you to possess, all the days that you live on the earth. 2You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations which you shall dispossess served their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. 3And you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and burn their wooden images with fire; you shall cut down the carved images of their gods and destroy their names from that place. 4You shall not worship the Lord your God with such things.
5“But you shall seek the place where the Lord your God chooses, out of all your tribes, to put His name for His dwelling place; and there you shall go. 6There you shall take your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the heave offerings of your hand, your vowed offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. 7And there you shall eat before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice in all to which you have put your hand, you and your households, in which the Lord your God has blessed you.
8“You shall not at all do as we are doing here today—every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes— 9for as yet you have not come to the rest and the inheritance which the Lord your God is giving you. 10But when you cross over the Jordan and dwell in the land which the Lord your God is giving you to inherit, and He gives you rest from all your enemies round about, so that you dwell in safety, 11then there will be the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide. There you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the heave offerings of your hand, and all your choice offerings which you vow to the Lord. 12And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your sons and your daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates, since he has no portion nor inheritance with you. 13Take heed to yourself that you do not offer your burnt offerings in every place that you see; 14but in the place which the Lord chooses, in one of your tribes, there you shall offer your burnt offerings, and there you shall do all that I command you.
15“However, you may slaughter and eat meat within all your gates, whatever your heart desires, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you; the unclean and the clean may eat of it, of the gazelle and the deer alike. 16Only you shall not eat the blood; you shall pour it on the earth like water. 17You may not eat within your gates the tithe of your grain or your new wine or your oil, of the firstborn of your herd or your flock, of any of your offerings which you vow, of your freewill offerings, or of the heave offering of your hand. 18But you must eat them before the Lord your God in the place which the Lord your God chooses, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, and the Levite who is within your gates; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God in all to which you put your hands. 19Take heed to yourself that you do not forsake the Levite as long as you live in your land.
20“When the Lord your God enlarges your border as He has promised you, and you say, ‘Let me eat meat,’ because you long to eat meat, you may eat as much meat as your heart desires. 21If the place where the Lord your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, then you may slaughter from your herd and from your flock which the Lord has given you, just as I have commanded you, and you may eat within your gates as much as your heart desires. 22Just as the gazelle and the deer are eaten, so you may eat them; the unclean and the clean alike may eat them. 23Only be sure that you do not eat the blood, for the blood is the life; you may not eat the life with the meat. 24You shall not eat it; you shall pour it on the earth like water. 25You shall not eat it, that it may go well with you and your children after you, when you do what is right in the sight of the Lord. 26Only the holy things which you have, and your vowed offerings, you shall take and go to the place which the Lord chooses. 27And you shall offer your burnt offerings, the meat and the blood, on the altar of the Lord your God; and the blood of your sacrifices shall be poured out on the altar of the Lord your God, and you shall eat the meat. 28Observe and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God.
Beware of False Gods
29“When the Lord your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, 30take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ 31You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.
32“Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.

 

[All4Christ]

I am sorry if you feel I did not answer your question. He never asked us to celebrate His birth, the apostles did not celebrate His birth. Can I ask you, do you do the Moedim (feasts) or do you just do Christmas and Easter? He kept the Fathers feasts and so did Paul and the apostles, they did not celebrate His birth. Where do you find in the Bible that we should celebrate His birth? Another thing that causes discernment is the whole world, athiests, buddists, Hollywood all types of ungodly folks they all do Christmas.

We have a corresponding feast day for the most feasts prescribed in the Bible (though I do believe some things were prescribed for the People of Israel for the Old Covenant specifically). It may not be called the exact same name, but we follow the pattern and celebrate a "fulfilled" version of the feasts. We have many more feast days than just Christmas and Pascha in our Tradition. For example, we have an 8 day "Feast of Mid-Pentecost" which corresponds to the Feast of Tabernacles. We certainly also have the Feast of Pentecost. The Feast of Mid-Pentecost is halfway between Pascha and Pentecost. Admittedly it is different than the date of the Feast of Tabernacles. I believe the Feast of Tabernacle serves a mid-feast between Passovers(?). It represents the deliverance into the Promised Land. The Mid-Pentecost feast celebrates the deliverance of Christ to our everlasting life.

An example of the way we connect the feasts:

At Divine Liturgy for the feast of Mid-Pentecost, we read John 14:14-30, which shows Jesus speaking at the Mid-feast of the Feast of Tabernacles. During the feast, one ceremony consisted of carrying water from the pool of Siloam and pouring it as a libation in the temple. This ceremony commemorated the water that flowed from the rock that Moses struck in the wilderness. On this occasion, Christ proclaims, “If anyone thirst, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 17:37-38). This connects us from the everlasting Pascha, to leading us to new life, our everlasting life in Christ our Lord.

Regarding precedence in Scripture for celebrating Jesus birth: I see that the angels celebrated His birth. The shepherds celebrated His birth. St. Symeon thanked God for sending His child. The Magi came and gave gifts. Mary said that all generations would call her blessed because of giving birth to our Emmanuel. These examples are examples we follow. No, it wasn't directly in Scripture as a feast day, but we are given examples of people who celebrate His birth.

Regarding the ungodly folks doing Christmas - I don't adhere to following what they do, and only focus on God during this season. What everyone else does won't change the focus of the season. People changing something good to something bad doesn't necessitate the abandonment of the good practices.

 

[1John2:4]

Take a look at the entirety of Deuteronomy 12. It is talking about taking the pagan worship and following the same practices. That is nowhere even close to what we do to celebrate Christmas. "You shall not worship the Lord your God with such things ["altars, sacred pillars, wooden images, carved images of God"]. God gave an different direction on what to do as opposed to following the patterns worship of false gods. "How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ 31You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods." Again, it is saying to not worship God in the way the pagans worship their false gods. This is nothing remotely similar.

What about Christmas trees, mistel toe, and other ancient practices that are part of winter celebrations handed down from ancient cultures. We do not know 100% this is not how the ancient heathens in the bible worshiped other gods. God asked us how to worship Him I do not believe it is for us to decide. He is the one being worshiped why would we not choose to worship Him how He asked us to?

 

[All4Christ]

What about Christmas trees, mistel toe, and other ancient practices that are part of winter celebrations handed down from ancient cultures. We do not know 100% this is not how the ancient heathens in the bible worshiped other gods. God asked us how to worship Him I do not believe it is for us to decide. He is the one being worshiped why would we not choose to worship Him how He asked us to?

First, they aren't the purpose of Christmas. They are the "customs" that some people use. Second, in the passage you quoted, they were using those customs to worship God. There were idols involved, and very strong pagan practices to worship other Gods. It was a current present day thing happening at the time. I honestly don't know of anyone who tries to use mistletoe or Christmas trees as a way to worship God for Christmas. Even if those practices are bad, they aren't the core of what Christmas is. Christmas isn't about all those things...it's about the birth of our savior. Those are secular traditions, not the religious feast day.

I understand why you believe the way you believe. That's perfectly fine for you to disagree with me.

However, stating that Christmas is wrong because of mistletoe, trees, etc. is not a good reason to criticize people who honor Christ's birth, as they are unrelated to the reason we honor His Birth or the way we celebrate His Birth from a religious perspective.

 

[All4Christ]

God asked us how to worship Him I do not believe it is for us to decide. He is the one being worshiped why would we not choose to worship Him how He asked us to?

This is why we have the style of worship in our Tradition, as well as the architecture of the church and more.

 

[Jan001]

I am still trying to understand what you are stating. What I am hearing you say is that teachers, preaching in the pulpits trump Gods Word written in the Bible? Are we not supposed to be good Barreans and test what we hear to the Word of God? Acts 17:10

The Bible contains so many warnings of deception that would occur from false prophets, why would a person not test what they hear to the written Word?
Matthew 7
2 Thessalonians 2
2 Peter 2
Jude

Deceptions do indeed come from false teachers.

2 Thessalonians 2:15
So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter. rsv
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Jesus Christ's Church is commanded by Jesus to teach us the law of Jesus Christ under His New Covenant. Matthew 28:18-20 We are not supposed to make our own interpretations of these Church leaders' New Testament Scriptures. Because people refuse to listen to His Church's leaders, there are now thousands of churches. People who interpret the Bible for themselves cannot agree what the Scriptures mean. They cannot agree on doctrine.

2 Peter 3:16
(Paul) speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures. rsv
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The early Church leaders wrote the NT Bible. It is up to them to interpret their own Scriptures. Their teachings about the Scriptures have been handed down by faithful men (bishops) for 2000 years.

2 Timothy 2:2
And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. nkjv
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The Bereans searched the Old Testament to see if what Paul was preaching about the Messiah was true.

 

[Jan001]

Psalm 22 is what was finished
Matthew 27:46
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Mark 15:34
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Psalm 22
My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?
Why are You so far from helping Me,
And from the words of My groaning?

He accomplished(fulfilled) what was written in the Psalms & the Prophets to come and die for our transgressions. He still must return and fulfill the rest of the prophecy written about the Son of Man. Do you not believe that He will return or is all complete, fulfilled accomplished? I still see people battling with death sickness and sin. A hungry lion would not lie down with a lamb, a child can not play in a vipers den. He will return and at that time all will be accomplished.

Jesus will return again for the judgment of all people. All His people will be healed at that time when they receive their resurrected bodies. Apocalyptic literature is not supposed to be understood as literal. Jesus will not return to earth to rule on earth in the present city of Jerusalem in the present state of Israel.

Hebrews 9:28
so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. rsv

1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; 17 then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. rsv​