Do you celebrate Christmas?

[HisWordIsSufficient]

if i had to go without a Christmas tree, i would. A couple of years, ive had to because i couldnt afford one. Its not a drama if its not there, as long as i have my bible to tell the little ones about the Birth of our precious savior Jesus, then im happy, but if a Christmas tree puts a smile on a face too, im all for it.

[halifaxchristian]

if i had to go without a Christmas tree, i would. A couple of years, ive had to because i couldnt afford one. Its not a drama if its not there, as long as i have my bible to tell the little ones about the Birth of our precious savior Jesus, then im happy, but if a Christmas tree puts a smile on a face too, im all for it.

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Thankyou. I am kind of confused about what I should do. i fully believe that the Christmas tree has pagan roots. should we accompany this tradition even if we can make it accompany our beliefs (if even possible). If so, where does one draw the line??? I also like the feeling that I get at Christmas and seeing the Christmas tree and all...after all...its a part of my heritage, childhood, and culture. But I am just so weary of compromising my beliefs to accompany feelings and tradition.

I admit that I am not clear on this subject and will continue to pray for guidance on this issue by the Holy Ghost.

As of right now...no Christmans tree. Sometimes I feel like a prude for saying stuff like this...but oh well...some people think Jesus is a prude...so i'll take it as a compliment i guess!

[Guest Zayit]

Romans used the cross to torture and kill lots of people so christians shouldn't wear crosses. Highliner uses the fish symbol so christians shouldn't use the fish symbol or we might be mistaken for battered fish worshippers.

Give me a break. We are not to be superstitious. Do people still use christmas trees for the same reason that the pagans did? I doubt it. I don't even know why the pagans used christmas trees.   If you have any wood in your home you are probably guilty of taking something that God made and trying to make it look different. Some people are just too miserable to enjoy the simple things in life and it seems that misery loves company. Why don't you christmas haters get together with the UCLA and try to ban christmas all together.   I'm sure they would love your support.

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Ps 97:10

Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

Pr 8:13

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Many pagan festivals used trees when honoring their gods and spirits. The Druids of ancient England and France decorated oak trees with fruit and candles to honor their gods of harvests.In Northern Europe the Vikings considered the evergreen a symbol and reminder that the darkness and cold of winter would end and the green of spring would return. At the festival Saturnalia the Romans decorated trees with trinkets and candles.

The use of a Christmas tree indoors appears to have begun in Germany. German Christians would bring trees into their homes to decorate. In some areas evergreen trees were scarce so the families would build a Christmas pyramid, simple wooden structures which they decorated with branches and candles.

In many countries it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness.

To the New England Puritans, Christmas was sacred. The pilgrims's second governor, William Bradford, wrote that he tried hard to stamp out "pagan mockery" of the observance, penalizing any frivolity. The influential Oliver Cromwell preached against "the heathen traditions" of Christmas carols, decorated trees, and any joyful expression that desecrated "that sacred event." In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts enacted a law making any observance of December 25 (other than a church service) a penal offense; people were fined for hanging decorations. That stern solemnity continued until the 19th century, when the influx of German and Irish immigrants undermined the Puritan legacy.

http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/hol...tmas/trees.html

Evil spirits killed the other trees but the evergreens stayed green so they must be immortal. O Tannebaum

The US taxpayer pays for the largest and best evergreen each year to be displayed and decorated and put on federal property, yet the battle rages on about nativity sets. So what do you think the symbol being worshipped at this time of year is?

If it is govenment sponcered just how G-dly can it be?

For those who think it is still about Jesus, how do you view the Washington Monument?

[Guest Zayit]

From that last site:

In the 15th or 16th century, the church gave new meaning to the customary symbol of life by decorating trees during the holiday season with apples to symbolize Adam and Eve's expulsion from Eden. Greens were incorporated into medieval miracle plays and into a Christmas a play, honoring Adam and Eve, that was traditionally presented. An evergreen hung with apples, the fruit of knowledge, was the stage prop.

That is hilarious, and ironic!

[M45510G1C]

What are God's appointed times?

So you don't believe kid's should be able to enjoy a day set aside for the Birth of Christ? How would my kids feel about God if the only ones who could appreciate a day set apart for Him are unbelievers? I would think they would wonder what kinda God oppresses His children while the pagans party on.

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They're laid out pretty plainly in scripture. There are plenty of days set apart for Him, by Him. It is not our place to tell Him that the days He set aside are not good enough, to reject them and not keep them in favor of a man made tradition!

Lev. 23

The LORD said to Moses, "Give the Israelites instructions regarding the LORD's appointed festivals, the days when all of you will be summoned to worship me."

All I know is my kids love christmas and they love the Lord. I believe they would love the Lord whether they were allowed to celebrate christmas or not. I love my kids and christmas is a most excellent family time. It stays.

If you love me keep my commandments....

Why don't we just "take over" every pagan custom and incorporate it into our religion? Apprently the commandments traditions and festivals handed to us as a gift from our Wise and Loving G-d are not good enough.

[RGR]

And what did Paul say about not judging those who didn't keep certain days?

[EricH]

This to me is a good example of the "meat sacrificed to idols" principle that Paul outlined. For some it will be an issue, for others it will not.

[M45510G1C]

*edit*

I give up. Keep whatever festivals you want. Here's a list mebbe you can find some more to "take over."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/pa...als/index.shtml

[Guest Zayit]

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men ~ Yeshua

Beware lest any man lead you away from the truth through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. ~ Sh'aul

[Guest Zayit]

*edit*

I give up.  Keep whatever festivals you want.  Here's a list mebbe you can find some more to "take over."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/pa...als/index.shtml

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You know you can lead a horse to Mayim Chayim but can't make him drink!