Xmas

[JM]

Do you celebrate Christmas?

Is it a cultural tradition or religious tradition?

Do you believe the Bible teaches that we should celebrate Christmas?

 

[gord44]

...

 

[Eddie L]

I would have a problem with Christmas if it was somehow considered a work or made into some kind of religious ritual, but as an annual day of focusing on the birth of Jesus I'm not opposed to it at all. If it wasn't so commercialized, it would remain a decent teaching tool for kids. In many ways I think it still is.

I have a lot of fond memories of candlelight services, tears my wife and I shed over sweet moments, and the looks in my kid's eyes as they've grown over the years. Yes, my memories of Christmas mix my spiritual realizations with family gatherings and giving gifts, but if it wasn't for the birth of Jesus there would be no family love, no sweet moments, no relationships, and no children. It's awesome to connect all the memories and realize that Jesus is the reason for all of them.

If anyone else is convicted about Christmas, then they should certainly do according to their conscience, but to me, it is another legalistic infringement on my freedom in Christ for anyone to insist that I not celebrate it, either.

 

[Thaeoles]

I more survive Christmas than celebrate it. I view it more of a natural disaster, much like a hurricane. You can see it coming, but there's nothing you can do to stop it, and not a whole lot you can do to avoid it. I might celebrate Hanukkah this year instead; although, I doubt my family will let me escape Christmas.

 

[JM]

May I suggest...we celebrate the the incarnation and resurrection on the Lord's Day? Is that too much to ask? We set that day aside to worship, be with family and reconnect with friends...does that sound crazy?

 

[Eddie L]

May I suggest...we celebrate the the incarnation and resurrection on the Lord's Day? Is that too much to ask? We set that day aside to worship, be with family and reconnect with friends...does that sound crazy?

It does when your family lives eight hours away.

 

[gord44]

...

 

[Eddie L]

It has been a practice of reformers since the beginning to give churches liberty on this issue, though every now and then some leader would pass some rigid proclamation that would only result in strife for no good reason. Calvin himself wrote letters that clearly show that he observed Christmas and encouraged leaders to grant the liberty for individual churches to do as they pleased.

Bitter Baptists love to insist that we can't smoke or drink, and we hear a resounding cry of 'legalism!' from the Cranky Calvinists, who then turn around and turn their noses at those who don't follow their decision to forsake Christmas and Easter. It is just as legalistic to impose one as it is the other, and it is bound to create strife for no good reason.

 

[twin1954]

As long as you don't celebrare it as a "holy day" there is nothing wrong with Christmas. Unless, of course, you understand that the word is Christ Mass and it was a replacement for a pagan ritual day. Was Christ born on December 25th? No. But as a time to enjoy family and friends it is just fine.

We ought to celebrate the birth of Christ all year long. But at least it does focus the attention of most of the world on His first advent. I am not in favor of taking Christ out of Christmas.

It has been so comercialized now that it no longer teaches the spirit of giving but of getting. Taking this time of year to teach your children the wonder and joy of giving, especially to those in need, is something that will stay with them their whole lives.

So celebrate it. Just don't hang pictures and ornaments of that red devil Santa.




For many Christmas is a trying time and one of deep pain. The loss of a loved one is felt most during the holidays. Being alone during this time of year is also a painful experience and many have very bad memories of Christmas time. I suggest that if you know someone who is alone ask them to spend time with your family during Christmas. Call someone who has lost a loved one and let them know you are thinking of them. Take someone a dinner who may be lonely. But we ought to do all of theses things year round.

 

[Osage Bluestem]

I love Christmas. It's my favorite holiday.

 

[Calvinist Dark Lord]

I more survive Christmas than celebrate it. I view it more of a natural disaster, much like a hurricane. You can see it coming, but there's nothing you can do to stop it, and not a whole lot you can do to avoid it. I might celebrate Hanukkah this year instead; although, I doubt my family will let me escape Christmas.

You really want to exchange one day of total disaster for EIGHT???

 

[JM]

If Christmas was never a biblical holy day Christ was never in Christmas to begin with. It all seems so silly....but, if you like being silly, you go for it! lol

 

[A New Dawn]

I don't have a problem celebrating a day representing the birthday of Christ, and I don't have a problem with decorating the house and making it look like a celebration, and I don't have a problem with making my kids understand why we celebrate it. I do have a problem with the commercialization and secularization of it. People who aren't Christians shouldn't celebrate Christmas. People who are Christians should not foster the commercialization of it.

 

[gord44]

....

 

[Osage Bluestem]

Christmas is fun. Grinch.

 

[JM]

Don't get me wrong, celebrate Christmas if you want, I'd never say not to. I just don't see a biblical reason for it. The Puritans didn't either. They went a step further and had it banned, NOT BECAUSE IT WASN'T BIBLICAL, but due to the open drunkenness and debauchery that attended the celebration. I still wouldn't ban the practice. (I also wouldn't ban a gay pride parade...I just don't want tax dollars funding them.)

When my children were little we never talked about Santa, we emphasized the incarnation of God. As they grew we all moved away from wanting to practice it as a "holy day" that represented Christ's birth. We still adhere to the traditions of Xmas but not because we are Christians or that it is a Christian Holy Day.

Keep a holy day if you like though...its up to you.

 

[JM]

I posted Pink's article on the subject on my blog this morning.

X-Mas « Feileadh Mor

 

[gord44]

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[Thaeoles]

You really want to exchange one day of total disaster for EIGHT???

One day? Modern tradition has Christmas starting on Black Friday and ending on December 25th. At least Hanukkah is still confined to only eight days.

 

[bsd058]

I love Christmas. It's my favorite holiday.

Same here! I don't think there is anything wrong with buying presents or anything and decorating a tree, etc.. It's a cultural thing, but we still especially remember Jesus' incarnation on that day. We read Luke 2 before anything on Christmas morning, and pray. Then come presents.