...it was very intentionally done to co-opt the various pagan holidays that surround that date. Personally, I think it was a brilliant idea. The Church won.
I suppose that you are open to Casse Canarie. If you ask a Haitian what practice they will likely say Roman Catholic. So if they are a Catholic and celebrate Casse Canarie then it must be fine... break a bottle and release a dead person's spirit so that it may roam around the earth for a few days. The next day you get to feed your spirit. Why not? Voodoo is now Christian because the followers say so... that is what matters, right?
"What! You're telling me Mithras was supposedly born on Dec. 25! That means Christianity is all a lie!"
That only means that different beliefs crossed paths at a point in time, and I suggest investigating it. I tell both Christians and non-Christians this.
other Christians who seem to think that if I memorialize Christ's birth with songs, decorations, and joy, really I am worshipping ancient pagan deities without realizing it!
No, if you memorialize the Messiah's birth with pagan songs, decorations and rituals then you are blaspheming His name. On the other hand, if you act with Christian thought and action it is another story. Save the plastic toys, the video games, idolizing trees and myths of flying animals for someone else and go be a "Magi" and bring gifts to the homeless and needy that allow them to escape persecution. Those electronics you bought your child required Coltan. The materialism you place in your children feeds a sinister evil in the dark places of the world.
Timmy gets that Ipad he has been needing!
But he really needs a computer? A reasonable claim given how our society operates; electronic transactions, internet,
social media,
free education,
entrepreneurship check
this out!
Besides, I have a hard time believing that God doesn't take delight in the fact that for basically a month even secularists are caught up in a massive celebration that virtually evenyone understands is about the birth of our Savior. The Messiah. Christ the Lord.
He doesn't because the heart is missing. It isn't wise to mention secularist delighting God.
As a father of seven I can tell you, kids need the trival things like gifts or fun activities so that they learn to associate those feelings of joy and anticipation with the deeper meanings of the celebration as they grow older.
So you lie to them about a superstitious character, transforming the celebration of your Holy Savior into a self serving, materialistic cheraide because you doubt the intellectual ability of your children to understand the importance of a specific even in the bible and turning point in history?
I can't imagine sitting my kids down and saying to them, "You see all those lights, hear the beautiful music, see the joy and excitement at the exchange of gifts? Those people may think they're remembering Christ, but those things are really just silly pagan holdovers, so we don't do that.
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
No. We're going to do the more meaningful thing. We're going to sit in a dark house meditating on God's gift of Jesus to mankind. Isn't that so much better?" :toofunny
How about be a servant to your community? Why not sponsor a refugee family? Teach them how to use a thermostat, how to read an electric bill, teach them English, provide them with essential knowledge to get along in our society? I promise you there is an immense need. If you walked into the home of a refugee family and you won't even think they have moved in because they own only what they could carry into the US. Don't just give them materials, but give them your time.
That is a Christian way to celebrate the birth of your Savior. Do unto others what He has done to you. Count the costs to truly follow your Lord because the way is narrow.
As for the day, its obviously not Dec. 25, but that is the smallest of my points. Don't get lost on it.
totopic if you wish you may start a thread on the other topic :yes