Do Christian Holidays (holy days) align with the scriptures?

[Your closest friendnt]

On 12/30/2024 at 7:25 PM, Luther said:

Isaiah 11:11

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

Hebrews 9:27-28

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

[28]So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

I did not know that it is what you believe. Or how you understand some things in reference to Hebrews 9:28 And I am not quite sure what and how. 

But I go on and say how I understand this passage to mean. 

We believe that Jesus Christ died for the forgiveness of our sins. That he was the Lamb of God. And he died ones for the sins of the whole world. 

This is what the Hebrew writer wrote. 

And he is referring to Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb who died for the forgiveness of the sins of the whole world. 

That was God's plan from the beginning of the world that Jesus Christ to die for all the world. The sin part has been taken care for. And he said something he said before in a different way knowing the set up in the Jewish law where after they sin past the day of the Atonement they had to offered another sacrifice for the forgiveness of their individual sin.

The writer said No is not the same with Jesus because those sins to be committed ahead they were all included the day he died on the Cross. 

We are still in Jesus Christ when we sin, Jesus died for those sins also. 

We are not in our sins in a way to be used against us to seperate us from Jesus Christ. IN other words we are always in His Imputed Righteousness. 

The writer said that Jesus Christ is also our Judge and He will be our Judge on that day after the end of our life in this earthly tabernacle. 

He said expect to see Jesus Christ that day. The one who was suffered and punished and died on the Cross for your sins. He is saying that Jesus Christ took the punishment for your sins. 

Do not live your lives expecting to receive any punishment for your sins that day because Jesus was punished for you. 

This is why Jesus before it happened said: That anyone who believes in me is not Judge he has passed from death to life. 

The writer said for those believers who look unto them selves and expect to be punished by Jesus that day, to those believers who live with the fear of dying because of that day to know that day it is a day of salvation and not a day of fear to punishment. 

[Luther]

10 minutes ago, Your closest friendnt said:

I did not know that it is what you believe. Or how you understand some things in reference to Hebrews 9:28 And I am not quite sure what and how. 

But I go on and say how I understand this passage to mean. 

We believe that Jesus Christ died for the forgiveness of our sins. That he was the Lamb of God. And he died ones for the sins of the whole world. 

This is what the Hebrew writer wrote. 

And he is referring to Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb who died for the forgiveness of the sins of the whole world. 

That was God's plan from the beginning of the world that Jesus Christ to die for all the world. The sin part has been taken care for. And he said something he said before in a different way knowing the set up in the Jewish law where after they sin past the day of the Atonement they had to offered another sacrifice for the forgiveness of their individual sin.

The writer said No is not the same with Jesus because those sins to be committed ahead they were all included the day he died on the Cross. 

We are still in Jesus Christ when we sin, Jesus died for those sins also. 

We are not in our sins in a way to be used against us to seperate us from Jesus Christ. IN other words we are always in His Imputed Righteousness. 

The writer said that Jesus Christ is also our Judge and He will be our Judge on that day after the end of our life in this earthly tabernacle. 

He said expect to see Jesus Christ that day. The one who was suffered and punished and died on the Cross for your sins. He is saying that Jesus Christ took the punishment for your sins. 

Do not live your lives expecting to receive any punishment for your sins that day because Jesus was punished for you. 

This is why Jesus before it happened said: That anyone who believes in me is not Judge he has passed from death to life. 

The writer said for those believers who look unto them selves and expect to be punished by Jesus that day, to those believers who live with the fear of dying because of that day to know that day it is a day of salvation and not a day of fear to punishment. 

Philippians 2:12-16

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

[13]For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

[14]Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

[15]That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

[16]Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

This is what I believe it's all about.

Philippians 1:6

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

He began a good work ( salvation) in us, we did not begin that good work, for we have nothing good to bring to the table. 

Jesus the " chief leader" and  "completer" of our faith. 

Why do we work out our salvation with  "fear and trembling"? Because we know how serious eternal life is, how gracious His mercy is. It's not a game of "14 decisions for Christ" in the church bulletin. It's not making sure you cross your t's and dot your i's in keeping with your terms of church membership. 

It's all about having your sins paid for. Jesus fulfilled His mission at the cross in perfection. Not one drop of His blood shed in vain. 

John 17:2,5-6

As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

[5]And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

[6]I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

Where were you in all of this? Like were you there to accept Christ? Think about it. 

[Tristen]

OP Question: "Do Christian Holidays (holy days) align with the scriptures?"

The answer is yes.

Romans 14:5-6
5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. ...

It is therefore permitted for Christians to set aside certain days as holy - to celebrate Jesus - but it is not mandated. It is neither encouraged, nor discouraged, by "the scriptures".

 

On 12/10/2024 at 3:52 AM, JohnD said:

it is unknown to most that

the day that Jesus was born is of no record whatsoever

I would be surprised if any Christian, who has gone through one Christmas as a Christian, does not know this.

 

On 12/10/2024 at 3:52 AM, JohnD said:

And the account mentions shepherds out in the fields at night (which is almost never done in December due to the weather)

This is folklore. The solstice (midwinter) period in Israel is generally quite mild. Sure, it can get cold, but certainly not too cold for "shepherds" and their sheep.

And also, not relevant - given that most Christians are aware that December 25th is simply the date our Christian forebears chose to celebrate the incarnation of our Lord.

 

On 12/10/2024 at 3:52 AM, JohnD said:

As we are fast approaching one of the chiefest RCC holy days (Christ Mass / Christmas)

...

It is historic fact that the decree for Christ Mass as the day of Jesus' birth carries no more weight than a papal decree to "Christianize" the otherwise pagan winter feast Saturnalia (December 21 - 27 depending on the winter solstice that year).

The earliest record of Christians celebrating on December 25 is from 202AD - long before the "RCC" labelled the holiday as "Christmas". ("Commentary on Daneil" by Hippolytus of Rome 202AD).

"Saturnalia" was a December 17th celebration. It was later extended 7 days to December 23 (inclusive). 

Can you find me the primary source of this "papal decree" to "Christianize ... Saturnalia"?

It is more likely that the Roman 'Sol Invictus' festival was invoked to de-Christianize December 25th celebrations of Jesus' birth. Though it could also be that the Romans simply chose this date because of its proximity to the solstice.

 

[Your closest friendnt]

5 hours ago, Luther said:

Philippians 2:12-16

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

[13]For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

[14]Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

[15]That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

[16]Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

This is what I believe it's all about.

Philippians 1:6

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

He began a good work ( salvation) in us, we did not begin that good work, for we have nothing good to bring to the table. 

Jesus the " chief leader" and  "completer" of our faith. 

Why do we work out our salvation with  "fear and trembling"? Because we know how serious eternal life is, how gracious His mercy is. It's not a game of "14 decisions for Christ" in the church bulletin. It's not making sure you cross your t's and dot your i's in keeping with your terms of church membership. 

It's all about having your sins paid for. Jesus fulfilled His mission at the cross in perfection. Not one drop of His blood shed in vain. 

John 17:2,5-6

As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

[5]And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

[6]I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

Where were you in all of this? Like were you there to accept Christ? Think about it. 

I am not sure if I understand you. We have believed we are saved from eternal damnation but we need to look forwards to be recon with our sinful habits of the past. As to stop cheating and lying and manipulation. This is what Paul says that now we have believed to look forwards to be saved from the wrongs we were doing before. 

And we do this as saved people or as in the time of Paul to stay away from seeking the blessings from the Idols. To let more of the light of Jesus Christ in our hearts. As we are not lost one way or another. 

We are saved from eternal damnation by faith without the help of our good works or obedience to good works of a Christian believer. 

Edited January 2 by Your closest friendnt