Bible Study It's Dec. 17th. Where in the bible does it tell us to celebrate Jesus' birth?

[Papyrus_dust]

Because: (1) no one knows the actual date and (2) the Church settled on Dec. 25 and (3) the date isn't important.

Which church? And why?
The date isn't important when the fact could be Jesus wasn't born December 25th, but that date is within the time frame of Saturlina's celebration in Rome as the winter solstice. And remains true as pagan celebration of that solstice that occurs typically December 21 and is celebrated for days after?

So, in fact, by making every day the same, you don't actually set any time aside to focus specifically on the birth of Christ.
No thanks.

Celebrating every day as the fact of Jesus birth that made all the difference in the world is a bad thing?
No thanks.

While going in debt on credit cards to spend for a December 25th celebration day that has no actual validity to the actual date of Christ's birth, when more and more Merry Christmas, Christs-mas, is being diluted into humanist epithets that erase Christ from seasonal salutations so as to make it then, happy holidays, is a yes, please?
No thanks.

 

[brujaq]

Where in scripture does it say Jesus was born in September or October?

I think I read somewhere that the shepherds stayed with their flocks at night until the seasonal weather got too cold and Sept./Oct would add up imo .. Plus what for his glory posted ..

 

[Papyrus_dust]

I doubt everyday believers acknowledge the birth of Christ everyday. Believers walk with Christ, and a day is set aside each year to celebrate the birth, the day itself is irrelevant.

I think you're thinking in terms of the traditional Christmas celebration. Whereas every day we're to give praise to the day the Lord has made.
Even the angels on the day of Jesus birth, in the Book of Luke, praised his birth. Nothing in this passage says it cannot be a prayer every day for a Christian.
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Hebrews 13:15
Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.

Psalm 145:2

And if people acknowledge Christs birth everyday and say Christmas day is crooked, his birthday is not everyday, so that is not a argument.

It is your invention because I did not say that here.

Who cares, lets just acknowledge Christ and have a good time.

Apparently, acknowledging Christ's gift to the world on the day of his birth by everyday praising his birth and all that it means to the world does matter to some. At least enough to be dismissed.

 

[Jim Parker]

every day we're to give praise to the day the Lord has made.

That is not a celebration of His birth.
In fact,that's not actually a celebration at all.
A celebration (or, more accurately, a feast day) is a day when we stop our everyday activities and devote the day to celebrating what the Lord has done.

 

[Papyrus_dust]

I think I read somewhere that the shepherds stayed with their flocks at night until the seasonal weather got too cold and Sept./Oct would add up imo .. Plus what for his glory posted ..

That was indeed very good research by FHG. I think the shepherds tending their flocks in the fields would preclude Jesus' birth being in the winter months in the region. September or October seems more in keeping with a season for shepherding.

 

[Papyrus_dust]

That is not a celebration of His birth.
In fact,that's not actually a celebration at all.
A celebration (or, more accurately, a feast day) is a day when we stop our everyday activities and devote the day to celebrating what the Lord has done.

You really aren't able to make that proclamation about the celebration factor of every day for some Christians.

For some that is the Sabbath day. Once a week every week. Or even longer in fact as I know some Christians who's Sabbath is sunset Friday unto sunset Saturday.
It really isn't an argument to be made when personally choosing to glorify our Lord. We Christians are in relationship with our Lord and Savior.

 

[Jim Parker]

For some that is the Sabbath day

A Sabbath is not a celebration. It is a day of rest.

 

[Papyrus_dust]

THE Church.
Because it is good to celebrate the grace and love of God.

OK, which "THE" church?
The church is the body of believers in Christ. Is that THE church you're referring to?

 

[Papyrus_dust]

A Sabbath is not a celebration. It is a day of rest.

You don't believe a Christian can devote a day to the Lord with a feast day, meditation, prayer, quiet contemplation in the scriptures? While resting from their duties at work in the world?

 

[JLB]

I was watching a Christian talk show this morning. They were saying they don't celebrate Christmas because it is a retail marketing holiday not a celebration of Christ and his birth. Because he wasn't born in December. And, most importantly, there is no scripture that tells the Christian to celebrate Jesus' birth.

Rather, what is important is that God came to earth to save the world and take our burdens, our sins, upon himself on the cross. That then is Christ's gift to the world through grace.

Thoughts? I think that was a pretty good point myself. Looking forward to your thoughts. I put this here so we could talk, not debate, since debates here can get pretty ugly among some who participate.

Looking forward to our time together in this thread.

No where.

Unless you consider the feast of tabernacle a celebration of when He became flesh and dwelt among us.

 

[for_his_glory]

As I have heard the 25 of Dec is the only day of the year that the world is pretty much at peace with each other until the next day. When my brother was in Desert Storm both sides would put down arms that day.

 

[brujaq]

That was indeed very good research by FHG. I think the shepherds tending their flocks in the fields would preclude Jesus' birth being in the winter months in the region. September or October seems more in keeping with a season for shepherding.

I think they were in the field when the heavenly host appeared and announced Jesus birth , but I celebrate Christmas Dec 25th, right or wrong I take the attitude that we've taken over that day from the pagan and it's ours now ..

 

[Free]

I was watching a Christian talk show this morning. They were saying they don't celebrate Christmas because it is a retail marketing holiday not a celebration of Christ and his birth. Because he wasn't born in December. And, most importantly, there is no scripture that tells the Christian to celebrate Jesus' birth.

Rather, what is important is that God came to earth to save the world and take our burdens, our sins, upon himself on the cross. That then is Christ's gift to the world through grace.

Thoughts? I think that was a pretty good point myself. Looking forward to your thoughts. I put this here so we could talk, not debate, since debates here can get pretty ugly among some who participate.

Looking forward to our time together in this thread.

It doesn't matter if it isn't commanded in the Bible. There is nothing about celebrating the birth of Jesus that goes against the Bible. It is also irrelevant that he likely wasn't born in December, never mind on the 25th. That Christmas is a largely a retail is irrelevant if one doesn't treat it as such. It's what one makes of it that counts.

 

[for_his_glory]

Did you know that Dec 25 is the only day of the year that the whole world is pretty much at peace as wars cease on that day. When my brother was in Desert Storm he said all was quiet on that day. Silent night, Holy night.

 

[brujaq]

You don't believe a Christian can devote a day to the Lord with a feast day, meditation, prayer, quiet contemplation in the scriptures? While resting from their duties at work in the world?

I agree I worked most weekends overtime for years and night shift rotation shifts for many too. Sundays were more work than rest for me most of the time ..

 

[ezra]

I was watching a Christian talk show this morning. They were saying

they are paid to do the show . christian talk shows are ok but they are just opinions . just like forums they are good to exchange beliefs . what does the bible say

 

[Zackuth]

I gave a Bible study earlier this month on this subject. I gave the origins from the Roman holiday Saturnalia, the druid and Norse influences and some of the Christian stories of Christmas. I'll paste the last of this for you to read.


So the question needed be asked is should Christians celebrate Christmas? Concerning the information I have given, there is nothing of Christmas that is of Biblical origin, most of what Christmas is has come from the Christianization of pagan traditions and observances. But even if Christmas had come from Biblical sources, the way the holiday is celebrated today would make Christians shy away from the day.

I think I’ll let Jesus answer this question; yes, Jesus will let us know if it is all right to celebrate the day of His birth. In Mark 7:15, Jesus said “There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man”. It is not that Christmas and all its traditions have their roots in pagan religions; it’s not that unbelievers have taken the holiday and tried to change it into something non-Christian; it is what we celebrate that matters. Does anyone here practice Druidic rites, especially the ones that deal with the winter solstice? I didn’t think so. Does anyone here celebrate the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia? No, of course not. Anyone practice the Norse festival of Yule? I’m not seeing any hands. So what do we celebrate? We, like all Christians, use this day to remember and give thanks for the Savior that was born to us to saved us. The what, when, and how may not be Biblical but the why is, and it is the why, what is coming out from the heart, that allows Christians to celebrate the day. The what, when and how of the pagan origins are all on the outside, and that gives us the option to observe the holiday. For those who do not want to celebrate Christmas because of its origins, that is fine, but for those of us who do want to celebrate Christmas, we can do so, our conscious are clear.

 

[JLB]

So the question needed be asked is should Christians celebrate Christmas?

Agreed.

 

[JLB]

I gave a Bible study earlier this month on this subject. I gave the origins from the Roman holiday Saturnalia, the druid and Norse influences and some of the Christian stories of Christmas. I'll paste the last of this for you to read.


So the question needed be asked is should Christians celebrate Christmas? Concerning the information I have given, there is nothing of Christmas that is of Biblical origin, most of what Christmas is has come from the Christianization of pagan traditions and observances. But even if Christmas had come from Biblical sources, the way the holiday is celebrated today would make Christians shy away from the day.

I think I’ll let Jesus answer this question; yes, Jesus will let us know if it is all right to celebrate the day of His birth. In Mark 7:15, Jesus said “There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man”. It is not that Christmas and all its traditions have their roots in pagan religions; it’s not that unbelievers have taken the holiday and tried to change it into something non-Christian; it is what we celebrate that matters. Does anyone here practice Druidic rites, especially the ones that deal with the winter solstice? I didn’t think so. Does anyone here celebrate the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia? No, of course not. Anyone practice the Norse festival of Yule? I’m not seeing any hands. So what do we celebrate? We, like all Christians, use this day to remember and give thanks for the Savior that was born to us to saved us. The what, when, and how may not be Biblical but the why is, and it is the why, what is coming out from the heart, that allows Christians to celebrate the day. The what, when and how of the pagan origins are all on the outside, and that gives us the option to observe the holiday. For those who do not want to celebrate Christmas because of its origins, that is fine, but for those of us who do want to celebrate Christmas, we can do so, our conscious are clear.

“
3 For the customs of the peoples are futile;
For one cuts a tree from the forest,
The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
4 They decorate it with silver and gold;
They fasten it with nails and hammers
So that it will not topple.
Jeremiah 10:3-4


JLB

 

[Jim Parker]

You don't believe a Christian can devote a day to the Lord with a feast day, meditation, prayer, quiet contemplation in the scriptures? While resting from their duties at work in the world?

That's a different topic.
An individual can do whatever he wants.
The Church as a whole picking a day to celebrate the Birth of Christ is a different event.