Is it really a Christian holiday?
Would Jesus approve?
What about the Christmas tree? To bow down and put gifts under it.
Why do you really celebrate it?
FYI... I'm a non-denominational Christian.
I've done my own research and have my own conclusions. Just interested in how you see it.
Thanks
2006-12-01 06:44:25 · 20 answers · asked by Jasmine 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think it depends on who you ask whether or not it's a Christian holiday. As for me and my house, it is. We even sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus and make Him a birthday cake. My five year-old receive gifts from his parents, not Santa. We do not participate in gift exchanges with other family members. We actually did "Gifts For Jesus" at our church where we bought things the church needed. Maybe cleaning supplies or toilet paper or something practical. I think we should continue that. I am also a non-denominational, used to be COGIC Christian. It's time out for tradition; and time in for the truth!
2006-12-01 06:50:34 · answer #1 · answered by soulnoir 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Some say the tradition of celebrating Christmas near the winter solstice, with a tree, is a holdover from some pagan religion. I don't know of anyone today who actually bows down to their tree. Jesus taught us that empty rituals have no meaning, so I presume that includes tree-bowing and putting gifts there. If it isn't meant as an act of reverence toward the tree, I don't see any harm in it.
Then there are the pitiable ones who are ensnared by worldly concerns and see Christmas only in financial terms.
I can only say that I personally see it as a day (set by convention it's true, but then, any day's as good as another) to celebrate the coming of the Promised One, the Lamb of God. I pray that Jesus is pleased with the homage paid to Him by His flock. I know He isn't very pleased with all the money-grubbing and covetousness that has built up around the day.
2006-12-01 07:16:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ive met ppl that disagree with Christmas. Really tho, they have to get a life. Not sure about bowing to trees....but to just celebrate it is less than harmless....its good. Easter has pagan origins as well. Saturday used to be the Sabbath. Things change and if Christmas is a time for you to celebrate Christ's birth (along with most Christians that have a life) then theres nothing wrong with that.
2006-12-01 06:49:12 · answer #3 · answered by curiousguy 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
well, i'm not a christian. so i don't celebrate christmas for christianity sake or reasons...and i don't put down ppl who do btw. if that's your thing, more power to you. i celebrate the family togetherness that i was raised with. it's always been a bitter-sweet time of year for me, as my first daughter died on christmas eve at the age of 2 months...many years ago. but i still have emotional feelings during this time of year. i do love the fact that my living children and my mom all live within a mile of me, so it's really great to have them all with me for the holiday. lots of ppl aren't that lucky, so i feel very thankful. i also like how all the ppl who are out and about shopping or whatever, seem to be very happy and in good moods, for the most part. and i absolutely adore seeing the happiness of all the kids, and how they're so excited.
2006-12-01 07:15:00 · answer #4 · answered by pirate00girl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The true meaning of Christmas is not the gift giving but the celebration of Christ's birth and I'm sure He would approve as for gift giving that should be for the children.
2006-12-01 06:50:49 · answer #5 · answered by Mary Smith 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the answer is that Jesus would not like this made-up holiday,yes his birth should be celebrated.the whole concept of Christianity in the holidays is to give to the needy,that's what j.c. would do,even if it was not a holiday!...Christianity has lost its way...all the things you do(the tree,the gifts,and the parties) are all made-up by marketing companies.ask yourself,who racks up the money on the holidays?I'll tell you it won't be the needy......the real reason for the holidays is to help your fellow man,women,and children as well..almost all holidays are fake...just ways for major companies to take money from you(us).if everyone would donate their holiday money to the needy the homeless problem would not be a major problem....and I'm a Christian with Buddhist beliefs..
2006-12-01 06:58:38 · answer #6 · answered by MOTORIOUS 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I like Christmas. I'm lucky because I'm Christian so i get to enjoy the Christian side to it (the birth of christ, church and carols) and I get to enjoy the secular side too (Santa, christmas tree). As far as I know it's a Christian holiday but then its so popular that everyone joined in and you've got a nice fusion. I'm happy non christians get to celebrate christmas (whatever that means to them) as well.
2006-12-01 07:07:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
...FYI - We are Christians and attend an independent Baptist church, which is really more like a Bible Church - the focus is honoring Jesus as Lord, and sound Bible teaching.
...We try to do Christ-honoring things. We have the freedom in Christ to enjoy our traditions, as long as we don't mix them up with Scripture.
...I love the season and especially the Christ-centered music that is played - the lyrics are put together so well in many of them. I like to play them on the guitar and sing. I play in a Gospel band and we are playing for a Christmas party this year.
...We do our traditions - tree and decorations and we also do things for others, who don't have as much as we do.
...We have curtailed most shopping; we go and visit others, we attend some church functions in addition to Sunday morning. My wife bakes a lot of goodies, too, and boy, can she bake! And we invite family over, too, for Christmas day.
2006-12-01 06:57:40 · answer #8 · answered by carson123 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
In my home Jesus birthday is first and foremost, but we do have the tree and the presents and all that.
The day has been hijacked by society to sell stuff, what do you expect from those who know no better.
I guess you could say Christ Birthday is for Christians and Christmas is for everyone.
God Bless.
2006-12-01 06:51:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christmas is a pagan holiday. Here is some info on the Christmas tree: ""The ancient Pagan Romans decorated their "trees with bits of metal and replicas of their god, Bacchus [a fertility god]. They also placed 12 candles on the tree in honor of their sun god" 2 Their mid-winter festival of Saturnalia started on DEC-17 and often lasted until a few days after the Solstice."" ""The first decorating of an evergreen tree began with the heathen Greeks and their worship of their god Adonia, who allegedly was brought back to life by the serpent Aessulapius after having been slain."" ""...during the Roman celebration of the feast of Saturnalia, Pagans did decorate their houses with clippings of evergreen shrubs. They also decorated living trees with bits of metal and replicas of their God, Bacchus."" It existed long before Jesus because it has nothing to do with Jesus at all. Christmas is basically a pagan holiday but with Jesus added in for the purpose of uniting the pagans and Christians (this was instigated by Constantine). Christmas stems from 3 winter eqinox pagan festivals: Saturnalia, Yule, and
Sol Invictus. Some info on Saturnalia: "In Roman times, the best-known winter festival was Saturnalia, which was popular throughout Italy. It included the making and giving of small presents (Saturnalia et Sigillaricia), usually smalls dolls for children and candles for adults.[4] During Saturnalia, business was postponed and even slaves feasted. Saturnalia honored the god Saturn and began on December 17. The festival gradually lengthened until the late Republican period, when it was seven days (Dec. 17-24)." On Sol Invictus: "Beginning with Aurelian in 274, the Roman emperors promoted the festival of Natalis Solis Invicti (December 25) as an empire-wide holiday. The Sol Invictus festival honored two related solar deities, Sol Invictus (The Unconquered Sun), a god of Syrian origin, and Mithras, the Iranian "Sun of Righteousness," who was worshipped by many Roman soldiers.[7] [8] December 25 was considered to be the date of the Winter Solstice.[4] It was therefore the day on which the Sun proved itself to be "unconquered," despite the shortening of daylight hours." On Yule: "In pagan Scandinavia, there was a midwinter holiday called Yule. Logs were lit to honor Thor, the god of thunder, hence the "Yule log." Everyone would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as twelve days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year.[9] In Germany, the equivalent holiday was called Mitwinternacht (mid-winter night). There were also twelve Rauhnächte (harsh or wild nights).[10] As Northern Europe was the last part to Christianize, its pagan celebrations had a major influence on Christmas. The popular folk figure Santa Claus is beleived to be co-opted from the Norse God Odin.[citation needed] Scandinavians still call Christmas Jul."
Note that this information is not biased in any way, it is straight from Wikipedia.
2006-12-01 07:35:42 · answer #10 · answered by shorty 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋