Christmas?

[Evee]

Does it really matter that Jesus was probably not born in December are we required to celebrate as a christian?
What does a decorated tree have to do with Jesus?

 

[Arikereba]

Does it really matter that Jesus was probably not born in December

To me, no. It makes sense to celebrate that Jesus was born. When is secondary. I like the structure of the liturgical year, moving through different seasons, which can emphasize different things, and I don't think memorializing any specific date is that big an issue.

What does a decorated tree have to do with Jesus?

Nothing, and I think we can admit that Santa Claus and Christmas trees and mistletoe and shopping are basically secular things--but I also don't think this means they're off limits to Christians. Why shouldn't things that used to be pagan be transformed/redeemed by Christianity?

 

[Evee]

To me, no. It makes sense to celebrate that Jesus was born. When is secondary. I like the structure of the liturgical year, moving through different seasons, which can emphasize different things, and I don't think memorializing any specific date is that big an issue.


Nothing, and I think we can admit that Santa Claus and Christmas trees and mistletoe and shopping are basically secular things--but I also don't think this means they're off limits to Christians. Why shouldn't things that used to be pagan be transformed/redeemed by Christianity?

Yes that makes sense I just wondered if Christians would think *PAGAN* no way will I celebrate a pagan holiday and pollute Jesus birth.
I don't feel this way but was wondering how others felt.

 

[Petr]

I'm quite sure that Jesus real birthday is a few days before the Feast of Passover(End of March-beginning of April). As for December 25 or January 6(Eastern orthodox), noone really knows becauuse the calendar has changed a fair few times, it could be all the same date just different calendar.

 

[Evee]

I'm quite sure that Jesus real birthday is a few days before the Feast of Passover(End of March-beginning of April). As for December 25 or January 6(Eastern orthodox), noone really knows becauuse the calendar has changed a fair few times, it could be all the same date just different calendar.

A pastor told me he believed it to be september.

 

[Petr]

A pastor told me he believed it to be september.

Gospel of Luke actually gives us a quite close estimate,

And His parents were traveling yearly to Jerusalem to the feast of the Passover.
And when He became twelve years old, they having gone up to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, - Luke 2:41-42

Yeah but that the actual search of Jesus's date wasn't in the OP, so don't take this much further off-topic.

 

[freespirit2001]

Does it really matter that Jesus was probably not born in December are we required to celebrate as a christian?
What does a decorated tree have to do with Jesus?

Many a Christmas I was never able to afford gifts for everyone in my family. Usually I painted folkart angels or nature scenes (geese,ducks, birds) on driftwood as presents and baked many dozens of cookies. I have always loved the smells of Christmas---the cinnamon sticks, bayberry and pine boughs and candles, the Christmas songs, and the festive spirit---and a Christmas dream. I hope to always honor the Spirit of God at Christmas time, but away from the shopping and the malls. The stars and the quiet country evening winter air or the walks at sunset hearing the geese and swans honk around the waterways here---are ten thousand times better than trying to shop in the malls at this time of year. Some people may need to keep the honor for the Lord at this time of year as simple as possible, yet others can orchestrate great social events and have completely succcessful coordination of all the social elements around them at this time of year.

Honor and wisdom and thanksgiving belongs to the Lamb of God who sits upon the throne!
(Revelation 7:12)
[bible]Revelation 7:12[/bible]

 

[trunks2k]

What does a decorated tree have to do with Jesus?

Nothing. The christmas tree, yulelog, gift giving, etc. all come from pagan celebrations that were celebrated around the same time as the christmas holiday was placed. These pagan celbrations were in honor of the winter solstice, probably the biggest celbrations was the Saturnelia festival which was held for several weeks around where the Christmas holiday was placed. Christmas was placed at that day to be in accordance with the pagan holiday celebrations so that it was easier to convert the different pagan populations.

The same thing goes for Easter. Eggs, chicks, and rabbits are pagan symbols for fertility. Easter was placed on a date corresponding with pagan spring fertility celebrations.

 

[Blackmarch]

Does it really matter that Jesus was probably not born in December are we required to celebrate as a christian?
What does a decorated tree have to do with Jesus?

Nope
Actually I celebrate both Dec 25, and April 6. (THere are studies that indicate he was born in the spring, sometime around then)

 

[CWLite]

To me, no. It makes sense to celebrate that Jesus was born. When is secondary. I like the structure of the liturgical year, moving through different seasons, which can emphasize different things, and I don't think memorializing any specific date is that big an issue.

I think it is very important to celebrate the birth of our King. He was born so that He may bridge the gap between us and the Father. It is because of Jesus that we can have a relationship with God. What kind of relationship would a wife have with her husband if she never celebrated his birthday. We are the bride of Christ.

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

I think it is very important to celebrate the birth of our King. He was born so that He may bridge the gap between us and the Father. It is because of Jesus that we can have a relationship with God. What kind of relationship would a wife have with her husband if she never celebrated his birthday. We are the bride of Christ.

If Christ cared about celebrating on the exact date, he would have told his disciples this date in a manner that they would feel it important enough to record. Since they did not record it, it is probable that they either did not know what date it was or did not feel it to be an important part of the Gospel.

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

When dealing with various customs, what is important is not the significance they had for people a thousand years ago but the significance that they have for us now. Just as a word can change meaning over time, a celebration's meaning can change.

 

[Loki]

I've heard people say september simply because the feast of the immaculate conception is in december, and 9 months from that is september. However, this is blatantly wrong, because the feast of the immaculate conception refers to Mary's conception, not Jesus'. He may have been born in September, but not for that reason

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

Hmm...

Immaculate Conception - Dec. 8
Birth of Mary - Sept. 8

Annunciation - March 25
Christmas - December 25

There seems to be a pattern here.