What is Christmas - really?

[missmuffet]

Just now, In the Clouds said:

And I  love to share Jesus.  He is our reason for living.   What purpose do we have without Him?

Without Jesus Christ we are lost and would spend a conscious eternity in hell.

[Who me]

12 hours ago, ayin jade said:

Christian churches should have a display open to the public of multiple nativity sets. Living nativity scenes or plays will also show the public the story of Jesus and who He is and why He came to us.

 

 

It takes time to get into the publics awareness,  but yes if a church or group of churches are prepared they can put on displays/p.ays that show the Christmas story.

One example:- https://www.wintershall.org.uk/life-christ-2025

Or there is :-https://www.christmasjourney.org.uk/

an example :-http://www.insightinkingston.com/christmas-journey

May I suggest you talk to your church, are they willing on their own or with near by churches to Co produce a telling of the Christmas story.

 

 

 

[nebula]

4 hours ago, missmuffet said:

What does Christmas mean to you? You should embrace that. Is it Jesus or who can give each other the most expensive gift?

That's the thing. I would like to have some ideas for how to make home decorating and home celebration time more about Jesus. 

I just don't know what to do, other than talking or reading, which is kind of bland on its own.

[missmuffet]

8 hours ago, nebula said:

That's the thing. I would like to have some ideas for how to make home decorating and home celebration time more about Jesus. 

I just don't know what to do, other than talking or reading, which is kind of bland on its own.

Number one thing you could do it put a manger scene in your house.

[1to3]

A christian is someone who heard the Gospel of Christ Jesus and finds His Words written in the Holy Bible resonating within, enough to to feel and feel convicted by the One and Only God of Mercy and Grace and that the Words they hear are Truth.

From there begins a journey and also the beginning of a relationship with Father God, The Son and The Holy Spirit of God.

If the message=seed of faith is planted in good soil it will grow and become stronger and stronger filled with more and more conviction as the person grows in relationship to their creator Father God, the Son and Holy Spirit.

As the person grows in their daily living relationship with Father God, His only begotten Son Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit of God , they will be transformed step by step, day by day into the child of God, God always intended  for them to be. They will become a NEW CREATION born of the Spirit of God.

They will become shinning lights unto the world and persevere daily in their relationship with Him regardless of circumstances..

For the beginner the book of J0hn is a good place to begin their journey to get acquainted and know Gods plan of Mercy and Grace through His Only Begotten Son Christ Jesus.

 

 

[kwikphilly]

11 hours ago, nebula said:

That's the thing. I would like to have some ideas for how to make home decorating and home celebration time more about Jesus. 

I just don't know what to do, other than talking or reading, which is kind of bland on its own.

Hi- I can only tell you I have very fond memories of Christmas as a child,did my best thst my own has the same kind of Joyful memories and it was always about Jesus ,Center of it All

These days I have really no family left to make a big feast but it is and was always about Jesus so it's just as Joyful to spend it alone,think about my family and reminisce

I still decorate inside my home as a Birthday celebration,balloons,banners saying " Happy Birthday Jesus" and other things - outside I decorate with signs and things proclaiming the King of kings was born & our Redeemer Lives and so on .... Ive found it gets people eager to listen and I tell as many as I can the Story .

That's the Season for me personally- I see December another Ministry Opportunity ,I get to plaster my windows with verses of Scripture,my door with Jesus Name and Angels with trunpets.... and big candy canes along the walkway to my  Navity right out front

That's what I do

[Vine Abider]

On 12/6/2024 at 12:16 PM, ayin jade said:

 Perhaps to encourage the public to grasp the meaning of Christmas and His birth, Christian churches should have a display open to the public of multiple nativity sets. Living nativity scenes or plays will also show the public the story of Jesus and who He is and why He came to us.

 

And what if they did this at another time of the year?  That would seem to me to get people's attention much more.  (and maybe do a crucifixion/resurrection theme other than Easter time . . .)

[other one]

19 hours ago, nebula said:

I don't know, that is why I ask. 

I just know that Christians have associated the evergreens and the lights and the gift giving and all with symbolism of the Gospel, but no one does anything to connect the symbols with the meaning - that I know of. But I want to. I just can't think of how. 

I need this time of year to hold a deeper meaning to it than what I and what's left of my family have been doing. I need something to override the pain.

I think that is because the symbols really have no connection with the meaning we try to attach it to.  You will find the connections to other things in early Sumerian writings at the time of Babel, and the Egyptian book of the dead. It's Jesus's birthday bur we buy each other presents which I don't see in the bible except when the two end time prophets are killed by the antichrist. Most people go into debt when they shouldn't and church budgets suffer.

I could go for it if we have it in September, and do things for Jesus instead of each other. I know I'm a humbug, but that's what seeking the truth leads to.

[Luther]

On 12/6/2024 at 7:57 AM, nebula said:

What is Christmas? Is it a Christian religious holiday celebrating the birth of Christ, or is it a national cultural holiday, celebrating a good time with decorations, songs, festivities, get-togethers, and gift-giving? I propose that it is both. After all, even atheists decorate trees and exchange gifts!

Are either wrong? Well, that's a topic for a different debate.

But as Christians, while we claim it is about the birth of Christ, we set up lights without acknowledging the Light of the world, we set up an evergreen tree without contemplating everlasting life, we give gifts without acknowledging the Gift of God, and we open presents Christmas morning without even spending a few moments to reflect on the incarnation and Christ's birth.

So, what can we do to change this? What are ways to incorporate the meaning of the intended symbolism into our decorating and celebrating?
What ideas are out there?

What are we trying to change exactly? I don't read anywhere in the Bible where God wants us to incorporate any element of His Word in an outward religious celebration. " Christ Mass" has Catholic origins and I'm not Catholic. " Jesus is the reason for the season" according to who? Maybe we should just rejoice in our hearts the fullness of Christ, especially His second coming. 

[missmuffet]

9 minutes ago, Luther said:

What are we trying to change exactly? I don't read anywhere in the Bible where God wants us to incorporate any element of His Word in an outward religious celebration. " Christ Mass" has Catholic origins and I'm not Catholic. " Jesus is the reason for the season" according to who? Maybe we should just rejoice in our hearts the fullness of Christ, especially His second coming. 

Do as you want. If you do not want to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ

that is your choice.