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Is Celebrating Christmas important?
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Total Votes : 82
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(last vote on : 1/8/2009 2:18:31 AM)
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RE: Is Celebrating Christmas important? - 11/30/2008 10:09:13 PM
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OLEEguacamole
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quote:
ORIGINAL: prophet
quote:
ORIGINAL: OLEEguacamole
It is a cultural event for sure. And a type of anniversary. It's life's anniversary. A marker from year to year.
In the church calendar is is part of the cycle of telling and celebrating the incarnation.
It is not so strange to think of God even in the cultural aspects of the holiday season. as believers God is integrated into life itself.
i enjoy both the worship experiences of the season and the cultural experiences of the season.
A western cultures? BTW i am an easterner living in a muslim country.
Why not celebrate His incarnation closer to the Truth of scriptures than spreading half Truths to our children that His birth was in Dec when in actual fact ALL shepherds and sheep will be back in the warmer confines of the homes? Why this mis Truth? Why not celebrate a God given albeit to Israel, Feast of Tabernacle which is much closer to the date of His birth?
i enjoy all festivals, but that's not the point.... its not my culture by scriptures...
the whole date thing is superficial. people don't claim to know the actual date. the date is not the point. it's an ecclesiastical cycle of remembrance. this is a principle found in the bible.
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RE: Is Celebrating Christmas important? - 11/30/2008 10:21:01 PM
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prophet
Posts: 692
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quote:
ORIGINAL: OLEEguacamole
quote:
ORIGINAL: prophet
quote:
ORIGINAL: OLEEguacamole
It is a cultural event for sure. And a type of anniversary. It's life's anniversary. A marker from year to year.
In the church calendar is is part of the cycle of telling and celebrating the incarnation.
It is not so strange to think of God even in the cultural aspects of the holiday season. as believers God is integrated into life itself.
i enjoy both the worship experiences of the season and the cultural experiences of the season.
A western cultures? BTW i am an easterner living in a muslim country.
Why not celebrate His incarnation closer to the Truth of scriptures than spreading half Truths to our children that His birth was in Dec when in actual fact ALL shepherds and sheep will be back in the warmer confines of the homes? Why this mis Truth? Why not celebrate a God given albeit to Israel, Feast of Tabernacle which is much closer to the date of His birth?
i enjoy all festivals, but that's not the point.... its not my culture by scriptures...
the whole date thing is superficial. people don't claim to know the actual date. the date is not the point. it's an ecclesiastical cycle of remembrance. this is a principle found in the bible.
Yes i agree in that principle, except its God who appoints the times, not man.
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RE: Is Celebrating Christmas important? - 11/30/2008 10:29:24 PM
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OLEEguacamole
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again, who appointed the feast of dedication?
are we really ONLY supposed to worship on mandated days and not add any extra worship?
why the NT admonition not to judge a person's observances of new moons, sabbaaths and feasts?
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RE: Is Celebrating Christmas important? - 11/30/2008 10:34:53 PM
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prophet
Posts: 692
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quote:
ORIGINAL: OLEEguacamole
again, who appointed the feast of dedication?
are we really ONLY supposed to worship on mandated days and not add any extra worship?
why the NT admonition not to judge a person's observances of new moons, sabbaaths and feasts?
i dont know who. Do you?
Its man-dated days i am really worried about....that
quote:
The great focus and emphasis on Christmas has hidden the real purpose and meaning of Gods of deliverance to mankind through His death and not His birth!
i am not here to judge but to discuss the above quote...
i am from a different culture cf with yours, a western one. Therefore i brought up this subjcet. The other religions have no problem celebrating christmas but not passover(easter), ressurection. i wonder why?
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RE: Is Celebrating Christmas important? - 11/30/2008 10:41:43 PM
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OLEEguacamole
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it is a gap in a culture's doctrinal understanding of the whole picture if that is the case.
one of the benefits of a church's cycle of worship is that the whole story is reviewed on a regular basis. it's good to understand how the whole story comes together.
one need not DE-emphasize the birth in order to tell the whole story.
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RE: Is Celebrating Christmas important? - 11/30/2008 10:44:26 PM
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prophet
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OOlee
Lets for discussion sakes, IF Christmas was not an established man tradition yet and you have here a celebration, feast of Tabernacles…………… which is mentioned in scriptures albeit to Israel BUT a feast of the Lord, no less, would you celebrate it?
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RE: Is Celebrating Christmas important? - 11/30/2008 10:46:35 PM
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prophet
Posts: 692
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quote:
ORIGINAL: OLEEguacamole
it is a gap in a culture's doctrinal understanding of the whole picture if that is the case.
one of the benefits of a church's cycle of worship is that the whole story is reviewed on a regular basis. it's good to understand how the whole story comes together.
one need not DE-emphasize the birth in order to tell the whole story.
i do understand its cultural, a western one at this moment.
The benefits is all the more if the chucrh would have kept Gods-dated times of festivals
Feast of passover- Death of the Lamb
Feast of Unleaven Bread - the sinless Saviour(Good Friday)
Feast of FirstFruits- Ressurection(Easter)
The more i look at the traditions, the more i see man dated.....maybe even Roman dated.....why? 
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Create in me a Clean Heart, O Lord.
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RE: Is Celebrating Christmas important? - 11/30/2008 11:02:39 PM
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OLEEguacamole
Posts: 1216
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quote:
ORIGINAL: prophet
quote:
ORIGINAL: OLEEguacamole
again, who appointed the feast of dedication?
are we really ONLY supposed to worship on mandated days and not add any extra worship?
why the NT admonition not to judge a person's observances of new moons, sabbaaths and feasts?
i don't know who. Do you?
Its man-dated days i am really worried about....that
There were 7 feasts mandated under the law of moses. this was not one of them. the feast of dedication was instituted by man. it was not wrong to commemorate a miracle and honor God. it did not at all seem they needed permission to do so. yet it would have been disobedient to ignore God's mandated feasts.
abit about the feast here:
http://christianity.about.com/od/biblefeastsandholidays/p/feastofdedicati.htm
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RE: Is Celebrating Christmas important? - 11/30/2008 11:09:43 PM
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OLEEguacamole
Posts: 1216
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quote:
ORIGINAL: prophet
quote:
ORIGINAL: OLEEguacamole
it is a gap in a culture's doctrinal understanding of the whole picture if that is the case.
one of the benefits of a church's cycle of worship is that the whole story is reviewed on a regular basis. it's good to understand how the whole story comes together.
one need not DE-emphasize the birth in order to tell the whole story.
i do understand its cultural, a western one at this moment.
The benefits is all the more if the chucrh would have kept Gods-dated times of festivals
Feast of passover- Death of the Lamb
Feast of Unleaven Bread - the sinless Saviour(Good Friday)
Feast of FirstFruits- Ressurection(Easter)
The more i look at the traditions, the more i see man dated.....maybe even Roman dated.....why?
because the Savior came to all cultures. that was part of the great news/Gospel. it is natural for the jews to understand the savior through their culture and faith practises, but the new covenant changed the way on comes to God. it was now open to ALL even those dirty gentiles, and we are told that the gentiles were not required to become jewish like in their faith practises.
it is a good thing for many believers to celebrate the Savior through the OT feasts. it is rich, and there are still jews and similar cultures to reach. it is not wrong or bad or substandard to do so, it is fabulous! it should be done. but it is not the only way to practise faith in the savior.
(and ALL christians should understand the feasts either way)
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RE: Is Celebrating Christmas important? - 11/30/2008 11:14:33 PM
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OLEEguacamole
Posts: 1216
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quote:
ORIGINAL: prophet
OOlee
Lets for discussion sakes, IF Christmas was not an established man tradition yet and you have here a celebration, feast of Tabernacles…………… which is mentioned in scriptures albeit to Israel BUT a feast of the Lord, no less, would you celebrate it?
i do not believe we are required to have any feast. but there is a biblical principle that shows the wisdom in systematically telling God's story, especially to the generations. worshiping together, hearing of the Word together, observing communion together, caring for eachother, singing together etc, all encouraged, all a part of instruction, but we are not told how to cycle through that or how we must incorporate that anymore.
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RE: Is Celebrating Christmas important? - 12/1/2008 12:55:55 AM
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prophet
Posts: 692
Joined: 4/19/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: OLEEguacamole
quote:
ORIGINAL: prophet
quote:
ORIGINAL: OLEEguacamole
it is a gap in a culture's doctrinal understanding of the whole picture if that is the case.
one of the benefits of a church's cycle of worship is that the whole story is reviewed on a regular basis. it's good to understand how the whole story comes together.
one need not DE-emphasize the birth in order to tell the whole story.
i do understand its cultural, a western one at this moment.
The benefits is all the more if the chucrh would have kept Gods-dated times of festivals
Feast of passover- Death of the Lamb
Feast of Unleaven Bread - the sinless Saviour(Good Friday)
Feast of FirstFruits- Ressurection(Easter)
The more i look at the traditions, the more i see man dated.....maybe even Roman dated.....why?
because the Savior came to all cultures. that was part of the great news/Gospel. it is natural for the jews to understand the savior through their culture and faith practises, but the new covenant changed the way on comes to God. it was now open to ALL even those dirty gentiles, and we are told that the gentiles were not required to become jewish like in their faith practises.
it is a good thing for many believers to celebrate the Savior through the OT feasts. it is rich, and there are still jews and similar cultures to reach. it is not wrong or bad or substandard to do so, it is fabulous! it should be done. but it is not the only way to practise faith in the savior.
(and ALL christians should understand the feasts either way)
:thumbsup:
Shalom
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RE: Is Celebrating Christmas important? - 12/1/2008 8:12:02 AM
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Cloak
Posts: 4761
Joined: 1/4/2008
From: Canada
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Ps103
It never fails to amaze and dismay me when Christians feel compelled to judge other Christians about when and how they celebrate or do not celebrate. Didn't Paul cover this clearly enough for us? We are *not* to judge our brothers about these things. Period. This should be the end of the yearly discussions.
To answer the OP, it is important for some, perhaps even most to celebrate Christmas, but not for all.
If we keep the Incarnation as the focus (rather than greed and materialism), I cannot see why anyone would object. The church calendar follows the Gospels, and Advent/Christmas is the beginning of the Good News. SImple as that.
If someone wants to judge someone for rehearsing the life of Christ through the year, well--okay, but I do not see the point of wasting the effort.
Likewise, if someone wants to keep the Jewish feasts instead, that is fine with me--especially if they share their food with me. 
If the Holy Spirit prompts someone to change how they celebrate, then they are obliged to obey and do not need my input about it.
Excellent post Ps103. You really spoke my very thoughts since I've forgotten all about this post!  
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RE: Is Celebrating Christmas important? - 12/1/2008 11:14:30 AM
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Eutychus
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From: Dothan, AL
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quote:
ORIGINAL: prophet
Do a test: They say that children are an evidence of their environment.
ask a child age 3 to 13 years old: which celebration do you like best
Pasover/Easter/Ressurection oR Christmas?
I generally don't poll children to establish doctrine or for my understanding of God's acceptance of an activity, one way or another.
But then, it was Jesus who said, "For such is the kingdom of heaven."
When in doubt, listen to the Master.
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RE: Is Celebrating Christmas important? - 12/1/2008 11:16:27 AM
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Eutychus
Posts: 2061
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Dothan, AL
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quote:
ORIGINAL: SovereignIsHe
Christmas is about getting things... That's the attention paid...
It's sad to encounter anyone that truly believes that. Really sad...
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RE: Is Celebrating Christmas important? - 12/1/2008 3:52:08 PM
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car2ner
Posts: 3031
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: just north of Florida
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quote:
ORIGINAL: car2ner
BTW, in these parts, Christmas is not a day but an entire month.
Wow! How long do you dedicated to His death?
If I remember correctly, we spent some weeks preparing for Resurrection Sunday. But to go further would be to go off topic.
I will admit, that the overt attention given to shopping and marketing is discouraging. But that is just a false imitation of a much grander celebration. We don't have to throw the baby out with the bath water.
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RE: Is Celebrating Christmas important? - 12/1/2008 6:52:11 PM
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prophet
Posts: 692
Joined: 4/19/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Eutychus
quote:
ORIGINAL: prophet
Do a test: They say that children are an evidence of their environment.
ask a child age 3 to 13 years old: which celebration do you like best
Pasover/Easter/Ressurection oR Christmas?
I generally don't poll children to establish doctrine or for my understanding of God's acceptance of an activity, one way or another.
But then, it was Jesus who said, "For such is the kingdom of heaven."
When in doubt, listen to the Master.
Not about polling for doctrine....its about how celebrating Christmas has established that doctrine in the heads of our young ones -that Christmas is more imporatnt than Death/Resurrection
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RE: Is Celebrating Christmas important? - 12/1/2008 6:55:34 PM
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prophet
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quote:
ORIGINAL: car2ner
quote:
ORIGINAL: car2ner
BTW, in these parts, Christmas is not a day but an entire month.
Wow! How long do you dedicated to His death?
If I remember correctly, we spent some weeks preparing for Resurrection Sunday. But to go further would be to go off topic.
I will admit, that the overt attention given to shopping and marketing is discouraging. But that is just a false imitation of a much grander celebration. We don't have to throw the baby out with the bath water.
i understand 95% of americans celebrate christmas....you have 95% christians?
how many celebrate His death/ressurection?
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RE: Is Celebrating Christmas important? - 12/1/2008 7:33:42 PM
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Bluethread
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It is interesting that there is another thread were the "all days are the same" argument is used to adamently oppose recognizing a particular day, while here it is used to adamently justify recognizing a particular day.
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RE: Is Celebrating Christmas important? - 12/1/2008 7:44:24 PM
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Qtman
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The only other thread I recall seeing that argument was in the halloween thread and there it was used the same as it is here.
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RE: Is Celebrating Christmas important? - 12/1/2008 7:56:40 PM
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prophet
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Qtman
The only other thread I recall seeing that argument was in the halloween thread and there it was used the same as it is here.
Qt
i like yer santa claus ..... 
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RE: Is Celebrating Christmas important? - 12/1/2008 7:58:48 PM
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Bluethread
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Qtman
The only other thread I recall seeing that argument was in the halloween thread and there it was used the same as it is here.
It is in the Sabbath thread, but let's not discuss that here. Let's limit ourselves to whether or not this argument justifies or opposes the recognition of a particular day.
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RE: Is Celebrating Christmas important? - 12/1/2008 8:16:39 PM
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Qtman
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Joined: 3/21/2006
From: Crimson Tide Country
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Sorry never been to that thread. I will now politely back out.
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