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Let's Talk Christmas

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Someone will ask me whether I've put up my tree yet or whether I've finished decorating or buying Christmas presents, and I'll tell them that I don't do those things. People are always surprised and ask why. Then I tell them that it's because I'm a Christian and I want to obey God's commandment, where He tells us that we shouldn't learn the ways of the Heathen and do them for Him.
Good answer except that we really don't know that our Christmas traditions were purposely transferred over from pagan rituals. Don't post anything to show that they were because then someone will post something equally authoritative that says they weren't. All that confusion and not knowing, plus the fact that whatever pagans used to worship that way and for that purpose don't exist anymore, makes it a non-issue for me.



I get the same opportunity when people find out I don't eat pork or other unclean meats (I had a really long conversation with a co-worker about this once) or that I follow various other biblical commandments and traditions.
It would be more useful to witness by abstaining from that which the unclean foods merely illustrated. That way you may win converts over who then themselves abstain from the same things and not just converts who abstain from meaningless things like pork.
 
These are the ways of an unbeliever/heathen..

Jeremiah 10:1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:

2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

6 Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.

tob
 
Good answer except that we really don't know that our Christmas traditions were purposely transferred over from pagan rituals. Don't post anything to show that they were because then someone will post something equally authoritative that says they weren't. All that confusion and not knowing, plus the fact that whatever pagans used to worship that way and for that purpose don't exist anymore, makes it a non-issue for me.
I think it entirely likely that both sides have at least some amount of truth to them. But it doesn't make much of a difference to me either way, whether Christmas has any pagan origins or not.
 
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All kinds of people decorate their homes and yards at Christmas, not only born-again believers, but also nominal Christians and even atheists. And although atheists are less likely to put up specifically Christian themed decorations, they will often do so, for example if they grew up in a nominally Christian home and are just following family traditions. So, if your decorations are no different from anybody else's, how are people going to know you're a Christian? The answer is simple. It has nothing to do with how you decorate your home, but with the way you live. Not celebrating Christmas can even give you an opportunity to witness to people. It happens to me every year. Someone will ask me whether I've put up my tree yet or whether I've finished decorating or buying Christmas presents, and I'll tell them that I don't do those things. People are always surprised and ask why. Then I tell them that it's because I'm a Christian and I want to obey God's commandment, where He tells us that we shouldn't learn the ways of the Heathen and do them for Him. I get the same opportunity when people find out I don't eat pork or other unclean meats (I had a really long conversation with a co-worker about this once) or that I follow various other biblical commandments and traditions.

The TOG​
yeah If I did channukah in the jewish community and had a yarmulke on and also said chag shemeach. im sure they would think I was a Christian.
 
I'm having champagne for Christmas.
If I'm gonna celebrate
God, then I might as well do it with class.
That's the full blooded American way.
 
I have been on both sides of this argument. for and against. its all about how much liberty you feel you have in Christ. I can add what about our weekday names?most pagan. months? most pagan
 
yeah If I did channukah in the jewish community and had a yarmulke on and also said chag shemeach. im sure they would think I was a Christian.

If you live in a community where everybody does those things, then you'll be just like everyone else. I'm one of very few people in my area that do these things, so it makes people curious.

The TOG​
 
If you live in a community where everybody does those things, then you'll be just like everyone else. I'm one of very few people in my area that do these things, so it makes people curious.

The TOG​
that is the problem. the cross should be the thing noticed. while I would stick out here but there is a lot of Hebrews here and they would take offense. why? they know im not one of them.
 
The Christmas tree in the Bible
Jeremiah 10:1-10



10 Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:

2 Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
 
What's your opinion on Christmas, Lewis? Don't think I recall you saying much on it before.
When I was a mod here' every year I would talk about Christmas. I would always ask who was putting up lights and a tree. I myself always put up lights and a live tree. I did not put outside lights up this year but I have a tree. As long as you don't worship the tree like in Jeremiah 10' it is okay.
 
My kitten's getting a lump of coal. He's naughty.:grumpy Not only does he try to steal food, but he bites and he'll get it in his head to try to climb me like a tree. I wake up with new scratches sometimes. lol

And my dog will get a bully stick, which is an awesome dog treat usually made out of beef tendons, or...something else I'll not mention here if I want to keep my job. xD But it's a good treat and dogs love it.
 
Okay :)

When I was a mod here' every year I would talk about Christmas. I would always ask who was putting up lights and a tree. I myself always put up lights and a live tree. I did not put outside lights up this year but I have a tree. As long as you don't worship the tree like in Jeremiah 10' it is okay.
We have a fake tree we use every year. I remember as a kid I made a fuss when my mom wanted to get a different fake tree, I liked the old one. xD It didn't stop her.
 
We always had a live tree then we went aluminum' but as an adult I always go live trees. I was late this year' I just got my Douglas Fur today. Home Depot dropped the price down to 20 bucks. But hey when I was in Gasstra Michigan we cut down our own trees.
 
These are the ways of an unbeliever/heathen..

Jeremiah 10:1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:

2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

6 Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.

tob
I'm pretty sure he's talking about carving an idol out of wood and worshiping it. The point being, false gods are manufactured by men and have no power to speak, or even to move, let alone do any harm or any good for the one who consults it. They are not to be feared, Jeremiah says.
 
We always had a live tree then we went aluminum' but as an adult I always go live trees. I was late this year' I just got my Douglas Fur today. Home Depot dropped the price down to 20 bucks. But hey when I was in Gasstra Michigan we cut down our own trees.
 
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