Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?
Dec 4, 2019 1:55:06 GMT -5
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Dec 4, 2019 1:55:06 GMT -5
It's that time of year again when people start arguing over whether or not Christians should celebrate Christmas. In fact, on Facebook I have a group called "Exposing False Teachers, Teachings, and Religions," and all posts have to be approved before they're published. One person in the group in particularly is vehemently against the celebration of what she considers "pagan" holidays, despite the fact that the rules specifically state that it's a topic that does not pertain to the group's purpose, since it's not a false teaching or religion
What follows is what I posted in the group earlier today, along with a video from Amir Tsarfati. Whereas I don't consider him to be a Bible teacher, he did an excellent job on the subject.
Do you want to NOT celebrate Christmas? Fine - that's your prerogative. Do you WANT to celebrate Christmas? You have every right to do so, as we have freedom in Jesus. (Of course, the biblical warnings against drunkenness and surfeiting should be heeded.)
And before you start screaming, "BUT IT INVOLVES PAGAN AND/OR OCCULT PRACTICES!!!", well...do you wear a wedding ring? The practice of wearing wedding rings originated in Babylon. Did you get married in June? The month of June derives its name from Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage. It was thought that couples who married in June would be blessed with prosperity and happiness. Do you celebrate your birthday? The giving of birthday gifts is a custom associated with the offering of sacrifices to Pagan gods on their birthdays. The traditional birthday cake also has its origin in ancient idol worship. They believed that the fire of candles had magical proprieties. They lifted up prayers and wishes to be carried to the gods on the flames of the candles. Lots of common, everyday practices have their roots in paganism.
I can hear a certain one of you now: "BUT JEREMIAH WARNED US AGAINST CHRISTMAS TREES!!!!" No he didn't. Christmas trees were invented by the Germans in the 16th century.
Get a grip, people, and before you start berating those who don't agree with you, throw away your wedding ring, forget about celebrating birthdays, and get that log out of your own eye before you point out the splinter in someone else's. You're not helping the cause of Christ with your legalistic attitude; you're making unbelievers think Christians are a bunch of self-righteous prigs.
What follows is what I posted in the group earlier today, along with a video from Amir Tsarfati. Whereas I don't consider him to be a Bible teacher, he did an excellent job on the subject.
Do you want to NOT celebrate Christmas? Fine - that's your prerogative. Do you WANT to celebrate Christmas? You have every right to do so, as we have freedom in Jesus. (Of course, the biblical warnings against drunkenness and surfeiting should be heeded.)
And before you start screaming, "BUT IT INVOLVES PAGAN AND/OR OCCULT PRACTICES!!!", well...do you wear a wedding ring? The practice of wearing wedding rings originated in Babylon. Did you get married in June? The month of June derives its name from Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage. It was thought that couples who married in June would be blessed with prosperity and happiness. Do you celebrate your birthday? The giving of birthday gifts is a custom associated with the offering of sacrifices to Pagan gods on their birthdays. The traditional birthday cake also has its origin in ancient idol worship. They believed that the fire of candles had magical proprieties. They lifted up prayers and wishes to be carried to the gods on the flames of the candles. Lots of common, everyday practices have their roots in paganism.
I can hear a certain one of you now: "BUT JEREMIAH WARNED US AGAINST CHRISTMAS TREES!!!!" No he didn't. Christmas trees were invented by the Germans in the 16th century.
Get a grip, people, and before you start berating those who don't agree with you, throw away your wedding ring, forget about celebrating birthdays, and get that log out of your own eye before you point out the splinter in someone else's. You're not helping the cause of Christ with your legalistic attitude; you're making unbelievers think Christians are a bunch of self-righteous prigs.