Christians, do you celebrate christmas? Why doesn't the bible support this pagen holiday ?

Question

I don't because I found out that the Holy bible does not support this pagen Holiday. It has been a yr since the truth have been revealed to me. The Lord does tell us to remeber his death not his birth.

Jer 10:1 ¶ Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
Jer 10:2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
Jer 10:3 For the customs of the people [are] vain: for [one] cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe
Jer 10:4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
Jer 10:5 They [are] upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also [is it] in them to do good.
Jer 10:8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock [is] a doctrine of vanities

Answer 1

Jehovah's Witnesses don't celebrate Christmas for pretty much the same reasons that you presented. You basically answered your own question in that the Bible doesn't support holidays like Christmas because it's pagan and unscriptural. However most "Christians" seem to celebrate Christmas and other holidays regardless. The following is some more information regarding Christmas and why "true" Christians shouldn't celebrate it.
Although nearly all other Christian groups celebrate what is supposedly Jesus' birthday there is no evidence that his first-century disciples observed such a holiday. According to the book Sacred Origins of Profound Things, "For two centuries after Christ's birth, no one knew or cared when exactly Jesus was born. Even if they knew they would not have celebrated it. From The World Book Encyclopedia, the early Christians "considered the celebration of anyone's birth to be a pagan custom." The only birthday observances mentioned in the Bible are those of two rulers who didn't worship Jehovah God. (Genesis 40:20; Mark 6:21) Birthday celebrations were held in honor of pagan deities such as the Roman goddess Diana and their son-god Apollo.
Another reason why early Christians wouldn't have celebrated Jesus birth is that they likely knew that birthday celebrations were connected with superstition. For example, the ancient Greeks and Romans believed that a spirit attended the birth of each human that protected that one throughout life. Also "This spirit had a mystic relation with the god on whose birthday the individual was born."_The Lore of Birthdays.
Although we don't know Jesus' precise day of birth we can conclude from the Bible that he wasn't born in December. Considering the weather conditions at that time of year in Bethlehem, where Jesus was born, the Jewish month of Chislev(corresponding to November/December) would have been cold and rainy. Even the Bible writer Ezra mentioned how the people were shivering in that month.(Ezra 10:9,13; Jeremiah 36:22.) It's no wonder that the shepherds or their flocks wouldn't stay out at night by then, let alone live out doors. For the shephards to be in the field tending their flocks on the night of Jesus birth, it must of been in more favorable conditions.
So really December 25 was established as Christmas for it to coincide with the pagan festivals that took place around the winter solstice where the sun seemed weakest. In an effort to convert pagans, religious leaders adopted this holiday and tried to make it "Christian."
Even though some people know it has pagan origins most see nothing wrong with celebrating it. However we should share the Bible's view on matters such as by keeping away from unclean practices. (Ephesians 5:10-11) Although most would argue that origins of holidays have little to do with how they are celebrated now, they do matter. We wouldn't want to eat any candy as sweet as it is if we found it in the gutter. Similiarly we wouldn't touch anything unclean if we want to please God. Isaiah 52:11
And like you said earlier Jesus does tell us to commemorate his death not his birthday; that's where the emphasis is put. This agrees with Eccl 7:1 where it says that one's death is better than one's birth. And as Witnesses that's why we observe the Lord's Evening Meal since it's the only celebration that Jesus told his disciples to do._ 1Corinthians 11:25-26 & Luke 22:19 Here's an additional link on the subject. http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2000/12/15/article_01.htm

Answer 2

Out of Habit. I still even Celebrate Easter if required, but I now have my own day for that on what I beleive is the night Jesus was actually taken away to see Pilate.

The Christian religion, which should have been a Jewish Based modified Jesus religion, got turned into a Modifed Pagan religion by Constantine in 300AD.

Him and his people picked dates for things that were close to existing Pagan holidays and made them Christian, these include Christmas and Easter.

Since this religion, which became the Catholic Faith, decreed that everyone must follow the Official Rules and these were now the Official Rules, they did so blindly.

When Luther, Henry, Calvary and others broke off and founded the varioius Protestant faiths, they keep these traidiotions, probably because they were ingrained and habitual.

The Greek and Russian (Eastern) Orthodox DID NOT and they celebrate Easter closer to the JEwish calendar, usually a week away from Western Christian religions.

Answer 3

We've been over this before. ALL the Christian observances came from pagan holidays. What about the big deal the gospels make out of Christ's birth?? All of them cover His birth as well as his death. There is also gift giving in the Bible. But it looks like you've done what a lot of people do---chosen verses to make your own point. Also, you've quoted from the Old Testament. Jesus shows up in the New Testament.

Answer 4

Jeremiah was in the Old Testament. I am Jewish therefore do not celebrate Christmas But feel compelled to answer you. They do not mention Christmas because in the time of the Bible people diud not celebrate birthdays. If people, therefore, want to celebrate that Jesus came into the world under difficult circumstances { Cld winter night in a manger{ let them Christmas is a beautiful time and a joy to see the lights out and the light in people's faces. Clebrate His life as well as His death and the occurances after death. When someone dies we are told in all religions not to mourn as much as to celebrate ,their lives/

Answer 5

As I explained in answer to another question, the text you are quoting form Jeremiah refers to pagans making a sculpture out of wood - of a man, or animal, and then coating it with molten silver or gold. It has absolutely nothing to do with a Christmas tree.
The Christmas tree is a much more modern invention.
The Old Testament supports having special holidays in memory of special events in the history of God's people. In some of those special days, the people are encouraged to fast. In others, they are encouraged to feast and make merry.
Well, although we don't know the exact date of Christ's birth, there is surely no problem with choosing a day to celebrate it. And I think it is opportune to feast and make merry.
But if you don't want to, and your purpose is to glorify God, that's fine too. There is absolutely no Scriptural obligation to celebrate it. It's just that there is no scriptural obligation not to celebrate it either.

Answer 6

Yes I knew this....I have a good pastor! Not to mention Jesus was born in late sept-early oct. between Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah.

I dont mind a day that I celebrate christ with my family. Call it whatever you want, on whatever day you want, with or without a tree. Its the principles practiced that I like, not the pagan background or the wrong date.

David

Answer 7

Today's Christianity Not Jesus' Religion*

[5:72] Pagans indeed are those who say that GOD is the Messiah, son of Mary. The Messiah himself said, "O Children of Israel, you shall worship GOD; my Lord and your Lord." Anyone who sets up any idol beside GOD, GOD has forbidden Paradise for him, and his destiny is Hell. The wicked have no helpers.

[5:73] Pagans indeed are those who say that GOD is a third of a trinity. There is no god except the one god. Unless they refrain from saying this, those who disbelieve among them will incur a painful retribution.

[5:74] Would they not repent to GOD, and ask His forgiveness? GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[5:75] The Messiah, son of Mary, is no more than a messenger like the messengers before him, and his mother was a saint. Both of them used to eat the food. Note how we explain the revelations for them, and note how they still deviate!

[5:76] Say, "Would you worship beside GOD powerless idols who can neither harm you, nor benefit you? GOD is Hearer, Omniscient."

_____________________________________________________________________
*5:72-76 In John 20:17, we see that Jesus taught that he was neither God, nor the son of God. Many theologians have concluded, after careful research, that today's Christianity is not the same Christianity taught by Jesus. Two outstanding books on this subject are "The Myth of God Incarnate" (The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, 1977) and The "Mythmaker" (Harper & Row, New York, 1986). On the front jacket of "The Mythmaker" we read the following statement:
" ...Hyam Maccoby presents new arguments to support the view that Paul, not Jesus, was the founder of Christianity....it was Paul alone who created a new religion through his vision of Jesus as a divine Saviour who died to save humanity."

http://www.submission.org/suras/sura5.htm


The True Founder of Christianity

The teachings of Paul, the true founder of Christianity, cannot be found anywhere in the teachings of Jesus or in those of prophets before him.
http://www.thetruecall.com/home/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=122&mode=&order=0&thold=0

http://www.hyahya.org/

Answer 8

I love Christmas everyone is so nice to eachother and you can feel the positive vibes in the crisp air. Sharing your love with family and friends. Jesus is the man behind this great feeling. Merry Christmas!!

Answer 9

Yes your quote is very apropos, and Christmas stuff is very heathenistic. You quoted a passage in Jeremiah, and it is worth memorizing and it's worth making up Christmas cards with that passage, with a sweet image of a Christmas tree, and send those cards to all of your Christian friends.
I'm a pagan and a heathen and I don't like Christians doing my stuff.

Answer 10

The whole day is just a way of honoring Jesus. No thought goes into a pagan holiday.