I hate Christmas.

[Liza B.]

Ok, can you show me in the bible where it mentions any festival on the 25th of December?
Also can you show me in the bible the day Jesus was born?
You will have a hard time finding both of them. However, I can show you where and how Christmas was started. It was started by the Catholic Church which is a false Church because it teaches a false gospel.

Secondaly, I said that I will not want part of it. My family know who Jesus is because they were born catholic, but have not accepted Jesus as their saviour. My family, me included was started well before I was became Christian. They will not participate with everything I say. Trying to remove Christmas from my house will be almost impossible. That said, I as a person can choose not to be a part of it. It is a pagan idol and since God is above my family, I must do what's right in front of Him, not them.

As for being unequally yoked together, as I said, family was started before I was saved. The the bible says if your unbelieving spouse is willing to stay with the believer, do not divorce for the sake of the family. I can and will not be part of Christmas any more because it's not godly. That doesn't mean I will ruin for what they think is a good day.

I would just encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 8 about love vs. knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but without love it is worse than useless. Read again how you are going to come across next Christmas, not eating the food, not participating in any Christmas celebrations. Our Lord Himself did not do this. Did He? I agree with you that many things about Christmas are not particularly godly. But are they patently ungodly? Might they be the one time of year people think about and sing about our Lord, even if it's not the very time of year He was born?

Give it some time perhaps, think and reflect. That's my advice. God bless.

 

[Jonathan Leo]

It's basically indoctrination of the young. Even if you teach santa is false, the focus still shifts to gifts and money. I'm on disability myself, my family just gets a couple of presents per person. The past three times we didn't do presents at all. We just focused on our faith in The LORD, which we do every day anyway. The media and market has turned it into a tool to make money. Especially for the children. I remember as an only child getting lots of gifts, not anything expensive, just a lot. Yet I will not be doing the same with any child I may have one day. I'll teach them from the time they can understand that all things here fade away, but in The Kingdom Of God, they do not. So I'll say what is written, Save up treasures not in this world, but rather save up treasure in The Kingdom Of God, where nothing shall perish. It's mainly about teaching them from a very young age. I'm sure your wife is a great person, though perhaps you should show her in His Word where He speaks of materialism. For myself, I was spoiled, and had to go through great trials to recover. Now Christmas is no longer about marketing or advertising, nor money, but purely about worshiping The LORD. If one grows up with that in their mind, chances are they will keep for life, but if not, chances are they will face a trial to come to realize what they should truly be doing. I've faced many, my past self was nothing like I am now. Christ can change anyone.

Well said!

 

[Jonathan Leo]

I would just encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 8 about love vs. knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but without love it is worse than useless. Read again how you are going to come across next Christmas, not eating the food, not participating in any Christmas celebrations. Our Lord Himself did not do this. Did He? I agree with you that many things about Christmas are not particularly godly. But are they patently ungodly? Might they be the one time of year people think about and sing about our Lord, even if it's not the very time of year He was born?

Give it some time perhaps, think and reflect. That's my advice. God bless.

Christmas or as it's now known in the world as x mas or happy holidays because of the Jews is no longer about Christ. It's about gluttony of food and drink, over spending money we don't have an gifts for people we don't see from one year to the next. It has become nothing but pure materialism, gluttony, and greed. Then the people who can't afford Christmas are filled with sadness, jealousy and envy. So no, Jesus wouldn't approve of such a false idolistic festival. I could see Him ripping down Christmas trees all over the place saying ye have used my name to create this!

 

[Liza B.]

Christmas or as it's now known in the world as x mas or happy holidays because of the Jews is no longer about Christ. It's about gluttony of food and drink, over spending money we don't have an gifts for people we don't see from one year to the next. It has become nothing but pure materialism, gluttony, and greed. Then the people who can't afford Christmas are filled with sadness, jealousy and envy. So no, Jesus wouldn't approve of such a false idolistic festival. I could see Him ripping down Christmas trees all over the place saying ye have used my name to create this!

I couldn't disagree more, and I don't know how you're going to make Jesus look amazingly compelling to your loved ones with this attitude. Isn't that what you want, as a Christian leader in your home?

Jesus' first miracle? Turning water into wine. He often ate in people's homes. Seeing people you haven't seen for awhile, wanting to gift them, wanting to share good food, is now simply "materialism, greed, and gluttony"?

Make sure this is coming from God, and not from you. Are you sure about that?

 

[Jonathan Leo]

I couldn't disagree more, and I don't know how you're going to make Jesus look amazingly compelling to your loved ones with this attitude. Isn't that what you want, as a Christian leader in your home?

Jesus' first miracle? Turning water into wine. He often ate in people's homes. Seeing people you haven't seen for awhile, wanting to gift them, wanting to share good food, is now simply "materialism, greed, and gluttony"?

Make sure this is coming from God, and not from you. Are you sure about that?

If it were coming from me then I should be rejoicing, I have family, friends, freedom, as much food that I can fit in the house, money to go get drunk every night. I lavished my family with gifts and I know exactly what gifts I'm going to receive. I should be happy but I'm not. I know because we are meant to lose our lives for Jesus, not gain a prosperous one. I am very prosperous yet I know within that the whole thing is not from or for Jesus. That how I know it from the Holy Spirit and not me!

 

[FireDragon76]

I decided that this year we don't have to do gifts, but if we had kids it would probably be much harder, because I want to opt out of that aspect of Christmas. I can't think of any other holiday in the church calendar where people give expensive presents.

 

[Rescued One]

I decided before I married that I would never argue with my husband about money.

Growing up, I received two presents every Christmas (one toy and one item of clothing that my mother selected). Every Christmas, my dad sent a package and it contained an awesome gift that I wouldn't have thought to ask for (a Brownie Hawkeye camera, cultured pearls, a transistor radio, a gorgeous in-style skirt, etc.). At age three, my older sister told me there is no Santa Claus. I later found out, when reading a book, that St. Nicholas really existed and when I had children, I told them the truth about him, the real man, not the fictional Santa Claus.

One year My husband and I bought oodles of gifts for our children. I decided it was one of the dumbest things we ever did! One of my children who has four of her own is like your wife. Her children are so spoiled! They don't even know it. Anything I buy for my twelve grandchildren is nothing compared to what their parents buy them. Only the little ones really like their gifts.

When I was growing up I was disappointed that I never received a bicycle, but my memories of some Christmases were fantastic. My older sister and I made beautiful felt ornaments when we were teenagers. We had no outdoor decorations, not even a wreath in the door. Inside we had red taper candles on the table, a Gurley brand Santa Claus(I don't know why my mother liked that), and the tree. I miss the simplicity of decorations.

My opinion is that a husband and wife should be kind to each other and not pressure the spouse about spending an exorbitant amount at Christmas. Maybe some marriage counseling will help, maybe not.

 

[Dave G.]

Beer is not a root of satan, if so then Jesus would not have drunk wine.
Secondaly, the bible says not to be filled with wine ( beer) for it leads to debauchery.
Having a beer with mates is ok as long as you don't go over the pinnacle. That's when drink starts controlling you and since our own spirit is naturally sinful, the amount of sins we can rack up being drunk is unlimited.

If you want to stop drinking because of God, that's ok but I must admit He would much rather if you stopped sinning altogether.

If you think that alcohol has 0 control over you because you can go with your mates and just have one drink and be happy, they try having none and see how that goes for you. I bet you won't do it and stay doing it. Why ? Because that one drink already has control over you, guess what ? It wins .

Jesus mostly drank new wine which is less than 2% in alcohol content and then that was cut with water in that age and time.. Today's crappy wine will be 10% and the better wines of this age are more like 14% and in that age would have been considered strong drink. Secondly, it says not to be influenced by it, which is impossible past just a few swallows and well proven in test research involving reaction times..

I never said it was a root of Satan but a tool of Satan.

If you have to drink then have at it but I'm following the lessons of the Holy Spirit taught to me personally as I came under conviction not once but twice in my life... Incidentally, a pastor friend of mine came under the same conviction in about the same timeline. I can go to any family get together and watch as the alcohol kicks in and know precisely when it's time to leave as people slowly change personalities as the wine bottles go down in content. It's sneaky stuff and people who drink it actually can't live without it, if you use it and think you can live without it then go ahead and try. Just decide to drop it. You won't do it because you want it, that's precisely the insidiousness of it. The Holy Spirit literally made me not want it anymore, He took it away, gave me a bad taste, a bad reaction to it, I can't even stand the sight of it any longer. That alcohol draws on you but you won't admit it ( anyone who drinks). You won't get through the holiday without it if you would admit it to yourself, oh you will pass it off that you just want it but if you really admit the truth what you don't want is a holiday without it.. It surely does work in a very sneaky way..

 

[Rescued One]

My wife is the same way about the Santa thing, I wish she would drop the charade and be truthful with our son, I tried to talk to our four year old son, but she just continues on with the Santa junk. *sigh*

Things could be a whole lot worse brother, I only wish my wife and I could afford a Christmas with gifts that nice. The past couple of years especially including this year, we've not really been able to get each other much of anything for Christmas, a little something but not so much. And if it were not for a local organization that helps poor families with gifts for their children, our son would receive far less and we would have nothing at all for each other. For my wife and I it's not such a big deal, the stuff isn't what Christmas is about, and we have many good memories of Christmas' past. But for kids, Christmas is about...well everything that makes Christmas a special time of the year. The sights, sounds, smells, just everything, including the "spirit of Christmas" where most people are a little kinder, and generally in a better mood. Think back on those past times and remember what made Christmas special when you were young, maybe share a few stories with your family. God bless and Merry Christmas!

One year we were so poor I asked my husband if we could just exchange cards and that's exactly what we did. We barely bought anything for the kids.

 

[Rescued One]

Christmas or as it's now known in the world as x mas or happy holidays because of the Jews is no longer about Christ. It's about gluttony of food and drink, over spending money we don't have an gifts for people we don't see from one year to the next. It has become nothing but pure materialism, gluttony, and greed. Then the people who can't afford Christmas are filled with sadness, jealousy and envy. So no, Jesus wouldn't approve of such a false idolistic festival. I could see Him ripping down Christmas trees all over the place saying ye have used my name to create this!

You're mistaken. Some people are sensible about Christmas.

 

[Rescued One]

Jesus mostly drank new wine which is less than 2% in alcohol content and then that was cut with water in that age and time.

You were there?

 

[Dave G.]

You were there?

Of course not, don't be silly, nor were you there. Jewish history speaks of wine being 2-3% alcohol in that time and cut with water, new wine was less to not even fermented yet. Scripture states putting new wine in new wine skins. The accounts of Jesus making wine, well it seems reasonable that it was new wine, since it was literally new..

 

[Jonathan Leo]

If you think that alcohol has 0 control over you because you can go with your mates and just have one drink and be happy, they try having none and see how that goes for you. I bet you won't do it and stay doing it. Why ? Because that one drink already has control over you, guess what ? It wins .

Jesus mostly drank new wine which is less than 2% in alcohol content and then that was cut with water in that age and time.. Today's crappy wine will be 10% and the better wines of this age are more like 14% and in that age would have been considered strong drink. Secondly, it says not to be influenced by it, which is impossible past just a few swallows and well proven in test research involving reaction times..

I never said it was a root of Satan but a tool of Satan.

If you have to drink then have at it but I'm following the lessons of the Holy Spirit taught to me personally as I came under conviction not once but twice in my life... Incidentally, a pastor friend of mine came under the same conviction in about the same timeline. I can go to any family get together and watch as the alcohol kicks in and know precisely when it's time to leave as people slowly change personalities as the wine bottles go down in content. It's sneaky stuff and people who drink it actually can't live without it, if you use it and think you can live without it then go ahead and try. Just decide to drop it. You won't do it because you want it, that's precisely the insidiousness of it. The Holy Spirit literally made me not want it anymore, He took it away, gave me a bad taste, a bad reaction to it, I can't even stand the sight of it any longer. That alcohol draws on you but you won't admit it ( anyone who drinks). You won't get through the holiday without it if you would admit it to yourself, oh you will pass it off that you just want it but if you really admit the truth what you don't want is a holiday without it.. It surely does work in a very sneaky way..

I'm glad The Holy Spirit took away your urge to drink and I am not putting you down because you don't drink.
Your absolutely right about the alcohol in biblical times been cut with water. The reason was for sanitation purposes rather than to make more of it but yeah, today's potency is huge in comparison.
I can have a quart and not be effected by alcohol. It's around 7 or 8 pints of beer is my limit, after that I'm capable of messing up.

As for tools of Satan, tools or roots, Jesus wouldn't have touched it.
Tools, if it ain't drink it's, cigarettes, or sex or basically almost everything in this world.
your spot on about people not wanting to hang with you if you take the alcohol away but hey, that means something right is happening

 

[Jonathan Leo]

You're mistaken. Some people are sensible about Christmas. View attachment 216906

Agreed, but that's a very very vey small % lol

 

[Glaucus]

Goodness...

Of course this thread would devolve into this nonsense on a Protestant dominated forum.

Paganism, fake birth day, Catholics, evil booze, ahhhhhhh!

 

[Jonathan Leo]

You were there?

Dave g is right, the potency of wine was not like today and cut with water as to sanitise the water. People drank wine on a daily basis because it is hot in the Middle East and water was not clean. Alcohol killed the bacteria in the water making it safe to drink. People drank wine not entirely to get drunk, however, drink enough of it and you would. Jesus never got drunk but did drink wine. Equally, having a beer isn't a sin, getting drunk from over doing it is.

 

[Jonathan Leo]

Goodness...

Of course this thread would devolve into this nonsense on a Protestant dominated forum.

Paganism, fake birth day, Catholics, evil booze, ahhhhhhh!

There's only one thing with all denominations. They all have their own spin on how it was or is. It's nothing other than religon. I call it how it is written in the bible.

Jesus birthday is unknown because it's not important, his way of life, death and resurrection is what matters.

The bible don't mention any 25th December as a festival, nor any other date we should celebrate a day for Jesus. We are meant to celebrate Jesus everyday by laying down our lives, not throwing parties at false idolic paganism.

Gluttony, envy, greed, matierialism, drunkenness debauchery, wanting, are all sinful but hey, Christmas has just become all of them. Christmas isn't from God.

Jesus drank wine but never got drunk. Who are Christians to judge those who have a glass of wine just because they don't?

You either call how Jesus and the bible sees it or you don't. There is no twisting it. That's what prods and Catholics, evangelicals and and Pentecostals have done. All to suit themselves. They are no better than muslims or Buddhist. At least you can say about those two religions is that they don't twist it's words. What makes the others think that God won't punish them who add or take away from His book. After all, He did say He will punish for mis using His words.

 

[pshun2404]

I love the fact that we have chosen a day to celebrate the nativity of our Lord and Savior (whatever the day) and the mammon factor is oh well...the way it is...but I want to share a true story regarding my 8 year old grandson...he just realized that his parents have been lying to him all these years and Santa is a fraud to manipulate children...NOW he has rejected Jesus as another lie! So sad.

Now I am not taking this laying down. Whether or not the parents hate me forever I am sitting down all the little ones and telling them the historical truths about Nicolas of Smyrna and about Jesus. Even if I bore them I will try and get the gospel in. This has happened all too often in homes claiming the AKA "Christian" (many are members of the club and do all the the right things but have little if any faith...for them it is more like "tradition").

We have lost far too many because of the commercial-ist plot of the modern western Santa...the guy om red who gives you what you want...my heart breaks for the poor kids the world over who are good as gold all year and do not even have enough to eat.

You want Santa fine but make sure as genuine followers of Jesus that you clearly separate the two and teach the real historical person (at minimum) of Jesus because He is real...

 

[Oldmantook]

Well, I try not to get into the paganism too much, we spend enough on Christmas but it's never been crazy expensive for us here. But then again you might just as well get in to the pagan side of the holiday since Jesus was not born in Dec anyway. If you want to really celebrate His birthday most accounts and studies put his birth in the spring of the year. However pagans had a winter solstice holiday already with trees and decorations and such and the Catholic church decided to compete with that and maybe draw some of those folks in and Christmas officially became Dec 25. Commercial business jumped on board and while there was a St Nick, Santa Clause as we know him today was invented by the Coca Cola company. And so here we are worshiping and celebrating the Christ and His birth out of season in a non Christian way known as Paganism and paying companies that already have too much of our money to perpetuate the lie with commercial ads . Now believe it or not, as negative as all that sounds, you got to admit that there is a certain spirit about in the midst of it all.

Sounds like a spirit of deception.

 

[Cat Loaf You]

I did not know where else to place this thread.

I'm of the mind that children should be taught from an early age that Santa is not real, and that Christmas should be about the birth of Christ and quality family time; not about stuff, stuff, and more stuff. My wife, however, is completely opposite, and to keep the peace, I outwardly happily go along with the Santa charade.

We have four children and spent quite a lot of money on them for Christmas this year, based on our income. Yet I am made to feel like the bad guy because quantity isn't to my dear wife's liking. I have $43.50 to my name until next pay period. Wrapped we have an Xbox One and some games for my eldest, a new TV and a Roku for another, and a new tablet for yet another; not to mention the toys and clothes and shoes, and the gifts for my wife.

There is so much money tied up there. I can't afford anything else. The children have been telling my wife that they want a lot of presents, and she's been encouraging them and assuring them that they will wake up to a Christmas tree sitting on a mountain.

We aren't really fighting, but she's being cold and short with me, and it makes me so angry. I am going to struggle for a little while because I wanted my family to get some nice things for Christmas, but it's "not enough." I hate this. I hate what Christmas has become. I'm a bad person for getting my family nice things.

Parents often spoil thier children but money really does not make your children happy. For example my sister got multiple times gifts worth around 50$ but the best time while she was really happy was when she helped somebody and they rewarded her and her friend with 5$ . It was probably because it was first time she got paid for doing something or because she was not expecting that somebody would reward her because our family teach that we do good deeds without expecting anything in return .

I guarantee that if you gave these gifts in any day of year they would be much more happy than when they get them for christmass . Nowdays christmass is just presents and nothing else and we all are too spoiled over these years that we take gifts for granted .