Anyone Not celebrate Christmas this year?

Carl Emerson said:

You have defined tradition as man made.
God's children had heaps of traditions that were prescribed in detail by Him.

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Carl Emerson said:

You have defined tradition as man made.
God's children had heaps of traditions that were prescribed in detail by Him.

Click to expand...

Matthew 15:2
“Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”
Matthew 15:3
He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?
Matthew 15:6
Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.
Colossians 2:8
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
Yes, there were the proper traditions that the disciples were taught, but I'm talking of church traditions, that are largely man-made, ie- xmas, easter, rituals etc.

Carl Emerson said:

Bella...

When Jesus said 'do this in remembrance of me...' did He not ask us to remember Him as well as follow and commune with Him ?

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I do commune with Him. It would be disingenuous for me to assign meaning to something my inner man doesn’t corroborate. I can’t worship Him in spirit and truth if I’m lying to myself.

Truth isn’t perfect or pretty. But it’s authentic. Working out my salvation with fear and trembling is a personal journey. It won’t mimic my neighbor and shouldn’t.

And since sanctification is the aim, these celebrations don’t make me holier or draw me nearer to Him. I have no qualm sharing them with loved ones. But the straight and narrow path for me is relational. Not religious.

It’s the bones that count. My heart, mind, spirit, love, joy, peace, etc. That’s the bar He set for me and the mark I’m pursuing.

I wouldn’t trade the knowing and certainty I have for any tradition. But I also respect those who value them and make them an integral part of their walk.

~Bella

Hey...this thread's actually turning out pretty neat. Thanks for not pretending that the tradition of God and the tradition of man are not both forms of tradition just because they're rightly evaluated differently in the scriptures, Carl. I wish all translations of scripture would be so honest. We might avoid these kinds of arguments that way.

Hahaha. Sorry...it's probably my fault. It's early here too and I've been sick with a cold since Monday, so I haven't been sleeping all that well. My brain is definitely not at its best at the moment. I meant to say that I appreciate that you don't see tradition as something automatically bad just because in some parts of the scriptures it is criticized, since in some other parts it is held up as something good.

I cannot imaging not celebrating Christmas. The Christmas Eve service is one of the most beautiful services in my church. However those who do not wish to celebrate are certainly free to do so.

I do wish that our society would return to celebrating the full 12 Days of Christmas. It would be wonderful to have 4 religious holidays--Christmas Day, the Feast of Stephen, the Feast of St. John and the Feast of the Holy Innocents, followed by eight secular days during which family and friends would meet for meals and parties.

Carl Emerson said:

Bella...

Yes of course - you have expressed the journey well.

I was just making the point that tradition in itself is not bad if ordained by Him. The last supper is a good example, so is passover.

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No it isn’t. I think it’s important to be mindful of actions that are driven by negative experiences. Whether that’s an omission of fellowship, traditions, etc.

In my experience, godly convictions are frequently accompanied by peace and a knowing that doesn’t diminish the Spirit’s movement in others.

While tradition isn’t influential on my walk, I respect its presence for believers. Absence doesn’t mean it’s wrong.

~Bella

Carl Emerson said:

Just wondered if any members struggle with Christmas for any reason and don't celebrate it...

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My son died in november, I didnt feel for xmas

God's blessings to all, and this can indeed be a difficult time for many.

Carl Emerson said:

I am not challenging your position but I would expect you would Remember Him in the Breaking of Bread from time to time...

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I have no expectations of anyone’s relationship with God. That’s unfathomable.

~Bella

So, does anyone speak English instead of exclusively using Aramaic, Hebrew, and Koine Greek? After all, English is a pagan language, it's use is merely traditional.

Christsfreeservant said:

it is about Santa Claus

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Actually giving is about Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra. Just like Valentines day is about Saint Valentine. Or Martin Luther Kings day is about Martin Luther. For me this is about: "“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

My mom and her family use to have a wonderful time of gathering when the whole family got together. When she died I realized that I was going to need to do that for myself. So this was an important part of making a decision to get married. We have a small gathering in Christmas and New Year. Maybe 25 or 30 people. We could handle up to 50 or 60. My wife does a lot of the cooking so I let her decide how many people she wants to invite.

BryanJohnMaloney said:

So, does anyone speak English instead of exclusively using Aramaic, Hebrew, and Koine Greek? After all, English is a pagan language, it's use is merely traditional.

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English is a universal language and very much like the Ancient Hebrew Language used to write our Bible. I do what I can to study the Language the Bible is written in so I can better understand God's written word to us. God did confuse the language at the tower of Babel. The Bible was written in a Pre Babylon language.

joshua 1 9 said:

Actually giving is about Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra. Just like Valentines day is about Saint Valentine. Or Martin Luther Kings day is about Martin Luther. For me this is about: "“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

My mom and her family use to have a wonderful time of gathering when the whole family got together. When she died I realized that I was going to need to do that for myself. So this was an important part of making a decision to get married. We have a small gathering in Christmas and New Year. Maybe 25 or 30 people. We could handle up to 50 or 60. My wife does a lot of the cooking so I let her decide how many people she wants to invite.

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Correction: Martin Luther is not celebrated on Martin Luther King day. That day celebrates Martin Luther King. Martin Luther and Martin Luther King were two different people. I’m sure that was a typo on your part