peace and blessings to all,
I am not a Christian but have a very high respect for Christianity and the Bible. I think it is so sad that both of the major CHristian holidays have been so commercialized.
the date(Sol Invictus) and the tree both come from pagan traditions. and while the manger is biblically rooted it is grossly inaccurate. and what easter has to do with that gigantic rabbit i'll never know.
my question is, what is the Christian view point on all of this? are there any Christians trying to restore these holidays to their true meaning?
peace and blessings to all,
Sakina
2006-12-11 23:50:03 · 12 answers · asked by Living MyTruth 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I know Christmas is not Jesus's birthday, but its the day people set aside to celebrate his birth. But as for me I don't even look at his birth no more cause my Jesus has done grew up and died and was risen from the dead and is now at the right hand of the Father. I do put up a tree but not cause I celebrate a pagan holiday. I love to see the lights on my tree. Christmas has went so far from evening having a close hint of Jesus in it at all. People go broke just so they can buy gifts. They compete with their neighbors with lights in yard. More people are depressed this time of year than anyother time. People should celebrate Jesus not just at Christmas but everyday of the year. And please stop putting him back in the manger or on the cross. Jesus is alive folks.
2006-12-12 00:21:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, from about 8 years old on, i know the true meaning of why we celebrate Christmas and Easter. JESUS is the answer. I am guilty of antipation of presents from everyone, but lately i've been thinking more about Christ, and the greatest present i ever got! It's from God. Jesus died for my sins, so i can go to Heaven one of these days!
It's a shame that Christmas is a trillion dollar world wide circus. Easter doesn't gather THAT much money, but still, with all the peeps, the baskets, and other Easter stuff, it still has money written all over it. It's all part of greed. Everytime i turn on the news, some charitable organization is begging the public's help to "give a nice Christmas to some family less fortunate." It's like a poor family can't have a Christmas without gifts under the tree? Why not? Why can't a poor family, who has no money to spend on gifts, just reflect on Jesus, and sit around the house, reading the Bible, and praise God for having eachother, family, things that don't cost money?! That's the greatest gift! More valuable than any gift they could ever receive! Why do those charitable organizations need "gifts"?
What is the greatest gift we can give? Love and attention to someone who needs some? It doesn't cost money! It just costs a little time, and that's pretty much priceless to the person receiving such a gift. For such a great gift that God gave us, His son as a sacrifice for all our sins, we can do a better job in giving something like love and attention, a simple hug or a handshake, to someone who REALLY needs it. Like i said, it doesn't cost a dime, but is priceless to the person receiving it. That goes for both Christmas and Easter!
There is so much humility in the Christmas story. Jesus, born in a stable, and placed in a manger. Think of all the animals around. The smell of the stable. No real shelter, especially for a baby. Not just any baby, either, but The King of Kings! Where could Mary rest, after having going through labor pains? In the stable, on a bed of hay? Not good for a mother who just gave birth, especially one who was blessed by God! Shepherds out in the fields were given the good news of The Savior's birth before anyone! Shepherds were regarded as low class people. They were outcasts. Yet God told his angels to visit the lowly, so they could be uplifted! They felt great because of this, no doubt!!
To be humble! It's the key lesson in both the birth and the crucifixion of Jesus. If we are humble, God will lift us up into greatness! If we act all high and mighty, how can we be lifted then?
It makes sense, that this is the season of giving. The greatest gift is one that doesn't cost a penny. It's love!
2006-12-12 00:20:59 · answer #2 · answered by snafu1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Aw, you're so kind! It's kinda sad that these holidays are only taken for fun and not a literal meaning! But I don't actually know if there are any Christians who're trying to reclaim these days! But I know I try to celebrate them with the true meaning!
peace to you too
2006-12-11 23:53:29 · answer #3 · answered by -♦One-♦-Love♦- 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As Christians we don't feel the need to take back anything. We enjoy what is ours to enjoy. The Christmas tree is the symbol of life, as our Savior is alive. The wreath is His never ending love, a circle. The bells, ring out His guidance and return to the faith. The candy cane, His Shepherd's staff, that leads us. The star on the tree, The star that lead the wise men. The holly berries, the red of His blood that saved us. Gifts, as the wise men brought gifts, we in turn give gift, knowing that the greatest gift is Jesus. Its all about Jesus to us. Peace and blessing to you.
2006-12-12 00:47:55 · answer #4 · answered by angel 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How you celebrate Christmas is completely up to you. Sure, there are Christians who focus on Jesus and don't put up a tree because it's a Pagan thing. And there are atheists who look at Christmas as a time to share gifts and spend time with family, with no religious focus. There's no need to go on some ridiculous crusade to put the meaning back into Christmas, because we all have the freedom to celebrate it however we like.
2006-12-11 23:59:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The EGG and not the rabbit is the important symbol of Easter. You may find that the rabbit has never been a part of the Christian service. Modern churches may well use it to keep the kids interested for a while. It is nothing more than a teaching aid.
The egg signifies birth and renewal. Just as Jesus was raised from the dead to live again, the egg signifies his new birth and new life.
Just as you are raised to new life after you are Baptised.
Hope that helps. God bless you my friend..
2006-12-11 23:59:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
You are assuming of course that we Christians actually go along with the commercialized version of Christmas. We do not.
While the media all around us, and the stores all around us, entice us to come and buy, come and see the glitter and lights and decorations (and buy them), we quietly go about with our own traditions and celebrate the birth of our Savior.
2006-12-12 00:18:54 · answer #7 · answered by arewethereyet 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I for one do not feel as if all this PC stuff has me on the run, nor do I feel that I have to reclaim Christmas either,Christ sanctified all that pertains to the church by His death and ressurrection,and as the Christian people designate Christmas as the day we celebrate Christs birth then so it is, and nothing can change that in the heart of Christians.
2006-12-12 00:01:06 · answer #8 · answered by Sentinel 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
How can Christians "reclaim" something that was never theirs in the first place? Easter and Christmas were pagan holidays.
2006-12-12 00:00:54 · answer #9 · answered by Kylie S 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋
so sad but true the world has done all it can to take christ out of christmas. we need to remember christmas is a rememberance that our lord and saviour was born on this day. lets as christians remember that and try to keep it that way. yes its nice and ok for the gifts but let remember what the true gift was. a wonderful heavenly father that loves us more than we can ever know.
2006-12-11 23:58:27 · answer #10 · answered by trickyrnk2 1 · 2⤊ 2⤋