Top 10 Reasons Why We Shouldn't Celebrate Christmas

Mary_Magdalene · Dec 15, 2007

christianmomof3 said:
That is true now, but it was not always the case historically. However, the fruit of the holiday does show it's origins.

100% true! And yet many Christians are not aware of that and even if they are most don't care.

Another one that is most likely correct.

Who are the "we" who is offering this free booklet? The link does not work. Apparantly this whole list is cut and pasted from somewhere else. It is always best to also list a link to where you copy things from.

True.

Is it ever in vain to worship God?

For some people Christmas is about Christ. For other people it is a secular family holiday revolving around gifts and food and decorations.

We are not told to celebrate His death aka Easter, but to remember His death as we take the bread and wine in the Lord's Table meeting.

So do lots of other things.

They were Jews. So am I. I don't see any reason why gentiles should observe Jewish holidays.
In the book of Acts, the Apostles stated that gentiles only needed to refrain from blood and things sacrificed to idols I believe.
They were not told they needed to celebrate Jewish holidays or be circumcised or keep kosher.

My family and I do not celebrate Christmas.
I agree that it is not in the Bible, has pagan practices and origins and is most likely not what God would like for His people to do.
However, many Christians who love the Lord very much do honor Him as they celebrate the Christmas holiday.
If the Lord has not touched them to stop those practices then that is where they are in their walk with the Lord and it is not my place to condemn them for it.
I am sure that I have many areas in my own life that the Lord still needs to work on for me to change.
I do think that all Christians should consider the holiday and pray about it and then follow the Lord's leading in regards to their practices.

Click to expand...

great post! agreed.

Mary_Magdalene · Dec 15, 2007

brideofYeshua said:
oh, and algebra IS the devil.
amen.

so are cats and rootbeer....

:preach:

Strong in Him · Dec 15, 2007

To the OP, if you think Christmas is pagan and commercialised; don't celebrate it. For some of us, Christmas is about the astounding fact that God became flesh - Immanuel, God with us. A time when Jesus -

"left his father's throne above,
so free so infinite his grace;
emptied himself of all but love,
and bled for Adam's helpless race."
(Charles Wesley, who will be 300 on Tuesday! ^_^

)

I think one of your reasons was that at Christmas we worship God in vain? No WORSHIP (=worth-ship) of God is ever in vain.

What does God think about the fact that I want to celebrate and worship him on Dec 25th? I'm sure he'll be as delighted as he is when I worship him on the other 364 days of the year.

Strong in Him · Dec 15, 2007

By the way, I didn't do calculus, but trigonometry was evil!

Melethiel · Dec 15, 2007

Trigonometry is very useful though.

mont974x4 · Dec 15, 2007

Godschosengirl said:
so are cats and rootbeer....

you take back what you said about root beer or you're on the naughty list, young lady!!

Bon · Dec 15, 2007

Uphill Battle said:
I fail to see how any of that has to do with celebrating a holiday where we commemorate and celebrate the birth of our Saviour.

As for the OT festivals, I ask again, (to you this time) are you a Jew under the Old Covenant? No? I know I'm not.

I'm a Gentile, grafted in. You'll not in the NT the requirements, the "laws" about festivals. There are none. There is no "you must observe this festival at this time" for me. There is no "you must not celebrate my birth" or "you must not celebrate and worship me on the days I haven't told you to." It's not in there.

and what it DOES say is "one man holds a day special, another, that all are the same." (paraphrased)

I know I will not stop using Christmas day as a chance to not only bless my family with my giving, but also to worship Christ by commemorating his birth, because of the hyperlegalistic ramblings of a few dissidents to the matter.

Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, was a priest, described in Luke chapter one. He was a member of the division of Abijah. This information turns out to be an important detail.
The connection of this division of Abijah has much to do with the birth of Messiah? We know from scripture that Mary conceived six months after Elizabeth, John's mother (Luke 1:36).

Now Abijah was one of twenty-four divisions set up under the reign of King Solomon to allow the mass numbers of priests to have an appointed time to serve in the ministry of the temple. Each division was to serve a term of one week, in their order, twice per year. The exceptions to this order were the three annual feasts in which all of the priests served, Pesach (Passover), Shavuot (Pentecost), and Sukkot (Tabernacles). These three feasts required all Jews to come into Jerusalem, creating a rush on the Temple, so to speak. These three weeks did not count as a part of the two weeks per year per division.

Zacharias was serving one of his terms, when an Angel appeared to him, in the Holy Place, and foretold of the birth of a son. His name was to be John.
Evidence supports John being born during the season of Passover.Zacharias was in the Holy Place burning incense, which represents the prayers of YHWH's (God's) people, and offering up prayer. During this routine in the Temple, there are eighteen specific prayers uttered. One of those prayers is that Elijah will return, reflecting a prophesy in Malachi 4:5, that Elijah would precede the coming of Messiah. At that time, the angel appeared and told Zacharias his prayer had been heard (Luke 1:13).

When the angel, Gabriel, visits Mary she is informed that her relative Elizabeth has conceived a son, and she is in her sixth month. This is directly after she is told that she (Mary), will bear a son.

Luke 1:36
36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

If we move forward six months from Passover, (14th Nisan -- the birth of John), we find the birth of Yeshua (Jesus) as approximately the 14th day of Tishri, the beginning of Sukkot, (the feast of Tabernacles).

If Yeshua's birth occurred during the feast of Tabernacles, we can see a reason for all the inns to be full (Luke 2:7).

In Luke 2:7, we see that the baby was laid in a manger. The word used for 'manger' is the Greek word 'phatne'. This word is later used in Luke 13:15 as 'stall,' as in a place to hitch animals. In Genesis we see Jacob making booths (stalls) for his cattle. The same principle, but a different word is used here, 'sukkah,' the singular for 'sukkot' which means stalls, booths, or tabernacles. During the feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), each family builds and resides in a Sukkah, or booth. These little huts are in remembrance of the deliverance from Egypt, when the Children of Israel lived in temporary shelters on their way to the Promised Land. Now, we take the idea of a Sukkah being a stall or booth to hitch cattle, and again look into the passage in Luke, we can see that Yeshua most probably was laid in a 'sukkah' or tabernacle.

The feast of Sukkot is called by other names.
"The Season of Our Joy," "The Feast of the Nations," "The Festival of Lights."

Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.

Isaiah 51:4 Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

John 12:46 "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness."

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

The word in the Greek for 'dwell' is skenoo. This word means to dwell, to tent or encamp. Skenoo comes from the word 'skenos' which means a hut or temporary shelter, or tabernacle. To paraphrase John, the Word (Yeshua) was made flesh, and tabernacled among us. The same word, 'skenoo,' is used in Revelation, again as 'dwell.'

Revelation 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

This verse speaks of the tabernacle of God, and says "and He will dwell with them."

Regarding the circumcision of Yeshua.

Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS [Yeshua], which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

At the end of the feast of Sukkot, on the eighth day, there is a special day called Shemini Atzeret; the eighth day of assembly. This day is also called Simchat Torah; joy in Torah. The number eight as compared to the cycle of a week is the beginning of a new week. It speaks of renewing, or rebirth. Simchat Torah, or rejoicing in Torah, is a celebration of the Word of God. This is the beginning of the annual cycle that takes the reader all the way through Torah.

If Yeshua was born on the first day of Sukkot, we see His circumcision being on the eighth day, Simchat Torah. How fitting that the King of Kings enters into covenant with Yahweh (God) on a day marked as a day to rejoice in Yahweh's instructions. Circumcision of the flesh is simply obedience to God's Word. Circumcision of the heart, though, is a different matter (Romans 2:28-29). Circumcision of the heart is an inward thing that man does not do; God must do that. This is what Messiah came to accomplish, is the inward change in man. A rebirth. The eighth day is a day of renewing, and the day God prescribed that circumcision to be performed. Renewing, whether it is of the flesh or of the heart is the theme of the eighth day.

Modern medical science has discovered that the human body does not produce pain endorphins until the eighth day after birth. The day God says to circumcise a male child happens to be the day when the body is given the tools to deal with pain.

It is also interesting to note the Tabernacles was a feast of ingathering of the Harvest (Exo 23:16 and 34:22). If Yeshua's first coming was indeed on 15 Tishri, the first day of Tabernacles, then it is quite reasonable to presume that the harvest of this earth, the ingathering of the second coming of Jesus Christ, could very well occur on precisely the same date. The unknown factor would be the year that this would happen.

Some food for thought.

Information from:
http://www.wildbranch.org/Articles/sc01birth.htm

http://www.aloha.net/~mikesch/sukkoth.htm

catlover · Dec 15, 2007

Godschosengirl said:
so are cats and rootbeer....

Cat's rule dogs drool...

Uphill Battle · Dec 15, 2007

Bon said:
Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, was a priest, described in Luke chapter one. He was a member of the division of Abijah. This information turns out to be an important detail.
The connection of this division of Abijah has much to do with the birth of Messiah? We know from scripture that Mary conceived six months after Elizabeth, John's mother (Luke 1:36).

Now Abijah was one of twenty-four divisions set up under the reign of King Solomon to allow the mass numbers of priests to have an appointed time to serve in the ministry of the temple. Each division was to serve a term of one week, in their order, twice per year. The exceptions to this order were the three annual feasts in which all of the priests served, Pesach (Passover), Shavuot (Pentecost), and Sukkot (Tabernacles). These three feasts required all Jews to come into Jerusalem, creating a rush on the Temple, so to speak. These three weeks did not count as a part of the two weeks per year per division.

Zacharias was serving one of his terms, when an Angel appeared to him, in the Holy Place, and foretold of the birth of a son. His name was to be John.
Evidence supports John being born during the season of Passover.Zacharias was in the Holy Place burning incense, which represents the prayers of YHWH's (God's) people, and offering up prayer. During this routine in the Temple, there are eighteen specific prayers uttered. One of those prayers is that Elijah will return, reflecting a prophesy in Malachi 4:5, that Elijah would precede the coming of Messiah. At that time, the angel appeared and told Zacharias his prayer had been heard (Luke 1:13).

When the angel, Gabriel, visits Mary she is informed that her relative Elizabeth has conceived a son, and she is in her sixth month. This is directly after she is told that she (Mary), will bear a son.

Luke 1:36
36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

If we move forward six months from Passover, (14th Nisan -- the birth of John), we find the birth of Yeshua (Jesus) as approximately the 14th day of Tishri, the beginning of Sukkot, (the feast of Tabernacles).

If Yeshua's birth occurred during the feast of Tabernacles, we can see a reason for all the inns to be full (Luke 2:7).

In Luke 2:7, we see that the baby was laid in a manger. The word used for 'manger' is the Greek word 'phatne'. This word is later used in Luke 13:15 as 'stall,' as in a place to hitch animals. In Genesis we see Jacob making booths (stalls) for his cattle. The same principle, but a different word is used here, 'sukkah,' the singular for 'sukkot' which means stalls, booths, or tabernacles. During the feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), each family builds and resides in a Sukkah, or booth. These little huts are in remembrance of the deliverance from Egypt, when the Children of Israel lived in temporary shelters on their way to the Promised Land. Now, we take the idea of a Sukkah being a stall or booth to hitch cattle, and again look into the passage in Luke, we can see that Yeshua most probably was laid in a 'sukkah' or tabernacle.

The feast of Sukkot is called by other names.
"The Season of Our Joy," "The Feast of the Nations," "The Festival of Lights."

Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.

Isaiah 51:4 Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

John 12:46 "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness."

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

The word in the Greek for 'dwell' is skenoo. This word means to dwell, to tent or encamp. Skenoo comes from the word 'skenos' which means a hut or temporary shelter, or tabernacle. To paraphrase John, the Word (Yeshua) was made flesh, and tabernacled among us. The same word, 'skenoo,' is used in Revelation, again as 'dwell.'

Revelation 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

This verse speaks of the tabernacle of God, and says "and He will dwell with them."

Regarding the circumcision of Yeshua.

Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS [Yeshua], which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

At the end of the feast of Sukkot, on the eighth day, there is a special day called Shemini Atzeret; the eighth day of assembly. This day is also called Simchat Torah; joy in Torah. The number eight as compared to the cycle of a week is the beginning of a new week. It speaks of renewing, or rebirth. Simchat Torah, or rejoicing in Torah, is a celebration of the Word of God. This is the beginning of the annual cycle that takes the reader all the way through Torah.

If Yeshua was born on the first day of Sukkot, we see His circumcision being on the eighth day, Simchat Torah. How fitting that the King of Kings enters into covenant with Yahweh (God) on a day marked as a day to rejoice in Yahweh's instructions. Circumcision of the flesh is simply obedience to God's Word. Circumcision of the heart, though, is a different matter (Romans 2:28-29). Circumcision of the heart is an inward thing that man does not do; God must do that. This is what Messiah came to accomplish, is the inward change in man. A rebirth. The eighth day is a day of renewing, and the day God prescribed that circumcision to be performed. Renewing, whether it is of the flesh or of the heart is the theme of the eighth day.

Modern medical science has discovered that the human body does not produce pain endorphins until the eighth day after birth. The day God says to circumcise a male child happens to be the day when the body is given the tools to deal with pain.

It is also interesting to note the Tabernacles was a feast of ingathering of the Harvest (Exo 23:16 and 34:22). If Yeshua's first coming was indeed on 15 Tishri, the first day of Tabernacles, then it is quite reasonable to presume that the harvest of this earth, the ingathering of the second coming of Jesus Christ, could very well occur on precisely the same date. The unknown factor would be the year that this would happen.

Some food for thought.

Information from:
http://www.wildbranch.org/Articles/sc01birth.htm

http://www.aloha.net/~mikesch/sukkoth.htm

this is all very interesting.

I'm trying very hard to figure out what the relevance is,

lionroar0 · Dec 15, 2007

Everytime the whole "Christmass" is pagan i just shake my head. Makes me realize jusr how ignorant of their faith some people are. That they subscribe to anti-christian teaching.

Peace

ContentInHim · Dec 15, 2007

lionroar0 said:
Everytime the whole "Christmass" is pagan i just shake my head. Makes me realize jusr how ignorant of their faith some people are. That they subscribe to anti-christian teaching.

Peace

And yet, I can't find anywhere in NT scriptures where we are commanded to celebrate Christmas. Which ECF's said to celebrate it? :scratch:

That said, I've got to get the bro's gifts wrapped and in the mail - he'd be crushed if his big sis didn't send him something!

ContentInHim · Dec 15, 2007

Uphill Battle said:
this is all very interesting.

I'm trying very hard to figure out what the relevance is,

You do realize that you will be celebrating them in the Millenium, don't you? Why not get familiar with them now?

tulc · Dec 15, 2007

You do realize that you will be celebrating them in the Millenium, don't you? Why not get familiar with them now?

If it's all the same I'll wait till then.

tulc(just trying to get good at the holidays of THIS millennium)

sunlover1 · Dec 16, 2007

lionroar0 said:
Everytime the whole "Christmass" is pagan i just shake my head. Makes me realize jusr how ignorant of their faith some people are. That they subscribe to anti-christian teaching.

Peace

I think they just see some similarities
between some pagan practises and
our own.

Bon · Dec 16, 2007

Uphill Battle said:
this is all very interesting.

I'm trying very hard to figure out what the relevance is,

two things....
1. The Holy appointed feasts of Yahweh are meaningful and relevant.
2. Christmas is not. (man made it that way)

catlover · Dec 16, 2007

christianmomof3 said:
That is what some religions do - not what the church does.
The church is the Body of Christ and Christ does not take pagan practices and give them new meaning.
The Lord abhors the pagan practices and stated that over and over in the Bible.
Christ sacrificed himself.
He was a sacrifice so that our sins could be washed away.
We are asked to take up our cross and deny our self and deny our soul life and follow the Lord.
Surely denying our culture and pagan practices is a small thing to do for the Lord who has done everything for us.

Please explain which culture people should actually follow then.

catlover · Dec 16, 2007

Melethiel said:
Not surprising - L'viv has always been a stronghold of Ukrainian heritage, despite being under first Poland and then Austria for a long time. (Personal pet peeve of mine...it's "Ukraine", not "The Ukraine")

My dad's side of the family is from Lutsk, and my mom's side from Poltava, although she grew up in Kyiv, and that's where I was born.

Do you speak the language?

brideofYeshua · Dec 16, 2007

lionroar0 said:
Everytime the whole "Christmass" is pagan i just shake my head. Makes me realize jusr how ignorant of their faith some people are. That they subscribe to anti-christian teaching.

Peace

Actually, that is not correct.
Tell me what Christmas trees add to the celebration of Yeshua's birth? That was just completely rude of you to say.

We celebrate His birth on Sukkot, not on the date of the pagan sun god's birthdate.
just because we're of a different denomination does NOT make us ignorant.
- Ashlee.

Melethiel · Dec 16, 2007

catlover said:
Do you speak the language?

Так, Українська є моя рідна мова.

lighthousekid · Dec 16, 2007

Melethiel said:
Так, Українська є моя рідна мова.

Are you aware of any good charity working for street children in Ukraine?

Top 10 Reasons Why We Shouldn't Celebrate Christmas

AKA..Godschosengirl

AKA..Godschosengirl

Great is thy faithfulness

Great is thy faithfulness

Miserere mei, Domine

The Christian Anarchist

Truth Seeker

catlover

Guest

Well-Known Member

Coffee drinker

ContentInHim

Guest

ContentInHim

Guest

loves "SO'S YER MOM!! posts!

Beloved, Let us love one another

Truth Seeker

catlover

Guest

catlover

Guest

Active Member

Miserere mei, Domine

Well-Known Member

Similar threads