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jason,
you were very young back then, that's why you barely remember it.
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RE: How about taking Christ OUT of Christmas?
When you take "Christ Jesus" our of Christmas.... it's not "Christ"mas anymore.
The Holy Spirit TRANSFORMS that which is not of Christ into that which is for the Glory OF God / Christ Jesus.
All this bicker about what was once a pagan thing... Well, I used to have my doubts about Christmas celebrations too, but it's not about the pagan past. It's about the Holy Spirit transformation of
all things for His Glory according to His purpose. It is NOW a celebration for the purpose of a CHRIST+MASS+DAY.... We celebrate HIS birth on this day. The wise men travelled across the country to celebrate HIS BIRTH DAY. Is having a birthday party for HIM so horrible for us to do? So then, no need to say Christmas is a pagan holiday... because it is no longer that. It's been transformed for the Glory of God. Romans 8:28 "ALL" things, folks, not some things... "ALL" things work together for them that are called according to HIS purpose. The Holy Spirit takes what is not of God and transforms it into that which is for the Glory of God. Christmas without Christ is not Christ+mass, it's then something totally different. No differently than is Easter holiday celebrated for the memory of Christ death, burial , ressurection and ascension into Heaven. Without CHRIST JESUS it's just not a CHRISTIAN holy day, it would be only a day without Christ in it, as are most non-Christian days of celebration. And if you think about it folks "most" every American holidays are based upon Christian principles, (I said most, but really I can think of none that aren't) . That's why those who hate God and Christianity want every mention of God out of everything, they'll even go so far as to say that this country of America has nothing to do with God. Oh so wrong folks, they are oh so wrong. God Blesses the Nation that looks to follow his principles. That's why for centuries most of our founding fathers and our present era presidents have all celebrated Christmas in the White House day of celebration with acknowledging the Birth of Christ Jesus.
Yep, even the Nativity Scene symbols are not chronologically correct... But, it is, still no less, meant to depict the whole story of the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Merry Christmas!!!
Happy Birthday Jesus!!!
[attachment=0:1gtg7kai]White House Nativity Scene.jpg[/attachment:1gtg7kai]
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