Is it hard to see everyone around you in the Christmas spirit...shopping for gifts, decorating their homes, planning Christmas parties and trips, etc?
Do you spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day just like any ordinary day?
2006-12-14 07:39:31 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is not hard for us at all. To us it is just like any other day. People say we are missing out on all the fun, but what fun can we derive from a holiday celebration that we know displeases both Jehovah and his Son. The pagan sun god's birthday is what people are actually celebrating and since Santa gets 10 times the attention, it seems as though it should be Santa's birthday instead of the birthday of our reigning King in heaven, who if anyone noticed, is no longer a babe in a manger. We give and receive gifts all during the year--we do not have to wait for any particular day to show love for our friends and family. Instead of the Christmas spirit, we have Jehovah's holy spirit. We prefer God's spirit, rather than the spirit of Christmas, which includes drunkeness, lies, and greediness, and such "spirit" often causes many to committ suicide during this time. Does this sound like things Christiians should take part in? If everyone is honest hearted and spiritually minded, they will answer no.
2006-12-14 08:04:26 · answer #1 · answered by Micah 6 · 9⤊ 2⤋
Easy,
Drive down my street and you know I don't celebrate christmas.
Walk into my living room and you know I don't celebrate christmas.
When I greet people you won't hear merry christmas, and you will know I don't celebrate christmas.
Which christmas spirit are you talking about? the one that is found in a bottle? The one that send people into depression? The one that shows greed and selfishness?
There are so many spirits of christmas depending on who you talk to.
I know many Witnesses that get away this time of year. Just think being with the other Witnesses on a ski slope because no one else is around.
The joy of sleeping in Dec. 25th, and not being awaken with that hangover from christmas eve party as the children screaming and yelling "Can I open my gifts first!"
Ah the joys of christmas I gave up, and have never been sorry.
--edit ---
While out talking to people this week end, I came across a house that was decorated to the max. I don't think you could have added a single light to the desplay.
The gentleman who answered the door, upon finding out we were there to discuss the bible and Jesus, tells me "I don't believe in the bible."
So much for Christmas spirit.
2006-12-14 08:24:29 · answer #2 · answered by TeeM 7 · 7⤊ 2⤋
Actually it is very easy all you have to do is love the Truth and hate the lie and have love for god and his Son Jesus and know enough of the bible to know that the christmas thing is totally of pagan origin and extremely offensive to both of them sine nowhere in the bible does it say on what date Jesus was born and if he wanted it celebrated he would have given us a date so by simple common sense and logic we know that Luke ch 2 v8 that it says the shepherds were living out doors and keeping watch over their flocks this alone tells us that it was not in Nov - January as this is the extreme cold and rainy season and that at that time both the shepherd and his fock would be inside 2. the governor would not require people to travel in that time period 3. Joseph would not take his 9 month pregnant wife on a long trip on a donkey during that time of year 4 then where does the date come from ? according to the encyclopedia americana dec 25th was chosen because it corresponded to the PAGAN festivals that took place around that time of year like the winter solstice when the days began to lenghten to celebrate the birth of the sun also the Saturnalia a Roman festival dedicated to Saturn their god of agriculture and the renewed power of the sun 1977 edition vol 6 page 666 the new catholic encyclopedia " the gospels indicate neither the month nor the day of Christs birth and was assigned the date because of the winter soltice because on this day the sun begins its return to the northern skies the PAGAN devotees of mithra celebrate dies natalis solis invicti the birthday of the invincible sun and on dec 25th Emperor Aurelian had proclaimed the sun god prinipal patron of the empire and dedicated a temple to him at Campus Martious christmas thus originated at a time when the cult of the sun worshipers was particulary strong in Rome 1967 ed Vol III P 656" I could go on to elaborate on each of the customs but will add this some time later it was changed to the worship not of the sun but to the worship of the Son to make it appealing to apostate christianity True CHRISTIANS THEN AND NOW HAVE NO PART IN THIS GOD DISHONORING PAGAN PRACTICE if you need more info you can contact me via E-mail best wishes Gorbalizer
2006-12-14 08:16:23 · answer #3 · answered by gorbalizer 5 · 6⤊ 1⤋
I don't find it hard and I don't know any other witness that does. Usually we spend time with friends and/or family that day, who often also have the day off, and we go skiing or watch movies or just sit and relax together. It's just nice to have time off.
As for our accepting gifts but not giving them, it's a personal choice as to whether a Witness will accept such a gift. Personally, I let my employer/co-workers/non-witness family members know WAY in advance that I chose not to participate in ANY holiday activities and that I do not give gifts and I would really prefer not to receive gifts at this time of year.
If I receive a gift anyway, after letting my position be known, I do accept it. With some people, there's no saying no without seeming rude/ungrateful or judgmental - and I am none of those things but I consider myself to be a generous person at other times of the year. It's not that Jehovah's Witnesses don't like to give gifts. We agree with Jesus' statement that there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.
2006-12-14 08:10:56 · answer #4 · answered by krobin 2 · 8⤊ 1⤋
It is just something I have no desire to do. Everyone at this points gets the pagan origin of Christmas, but it is also how the bible feels about the celebration of birthdays; Two times it was mentioned is was done so decoratively, not to mention that Jesus or his disciples never took part in them.
The fact is, it is not pleasing to Jehovah or Jesus, and because of this I have a strong aversion to it.
However as was mentioned it is a difficult thing when people by you gifts anyway--I never know if I am going to offend them; and they are always so excited to give it to you. Its like you don't want to hurt someones feelings. I did want to add that they know my stand, but do so anyway. I think people are just so stuck in the mode, and view it as an opportunity to give gifts. It doesn't have to be that way, you can give gifts anytime.
Employers have always explained to me, they are an acknowledgment for a job well done, end of year profits, moral booster, etc. There are certain jobs that is etiquette to give bonuses; thus could be done at another time. These would be house cleaners, hair dressers, etc. I would make it a point to do so at another time; as not to be confused w/Christmas, but to show my appreciation for a job well done.
But as far as giving gifts other times of the year, yes indeed, I love giving gifts--and I do it quite a bit. You do recognize that you don't need to celebrate Christmas to give gifts don't you? -hope this helps
2006-12-14 08:09:52 · answer #5 · answered by nicky 3 · 9⤊ 1⤋
Christmas and Easter: Jesus was not born on December 25. He was born about October 1, a time of year when shepherds kept their flocks out-of-doors at night. (Luke 2:8-12) Jesus never commanded Christians to celebrate his birth. Rather, he told his disciples to memorialize, or remember, his death. (Luke 22:19, 20) Christmas and its customs come from ancient false religions. The same is true of Easter customs, such as the use of eggs and rabbits. The early Christians did not celebrate Christmas or Easter, nor do true Christians today.
We are happy not to be part of this world just like Jesus Christ who said in John 17:16 "They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world. "
We are happy everyday cause we know God and cause we make part of his people. We don't have to wait for a certain day to show our love to others. We can do that anytime.
In my country there's a song which says "when Christmas comes be better, be true". And when I heard it I wondered what about the rest of the time? Shouldn't we be like that all the time?
"Happy is the people for whom it is just like [that]!”
Happy is the people whose God is Jehovah! " - Psalms 144:15.
2006-12-15 09:06:11 · answer #6 · answered by Alex 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Most people today who care to reasearch the origin of christmas or simply use google.com know it has nothing to do with christ.But ok thats not your ? ...I celebrated christmas for yrs a few even after I knew the truth behind it's origins.I contuniued to think well it's about family right?U know trips,parties,gifts.But really ever year ended with somebody mad at someone else somebody complaining "in private usally" to someone about there crapy gift they got or how much in dedt they were this yr. Kids crying or fighting over whos gift is better.I could go on but I don't care to. SO SIMPLY PUT NO I WISH I WOULD HAVE NEVER CELEBRTED CHRISTMAS.Know I actually enjoy christmas day.
2006-12-15 16:54:07 · answer #7 · answered by noneyua 1 · 2⤊ 2⤋
For us it is just another ordinary day. We don't reserve gift giving for specific times of the year. What is commonly referred to as the "Holiday Spirit" is a spirit we try to demonstrate in our everyday life.
2006-12-14 20:42:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I was married to a J. W. for 25 years.Christmas Eve and Christmas is just another day for them.Its no big deal really.
2006-12-14 07:53:53 · answer #9 · answered by Mark K 6 · 7⤊ 0⤋
speaking as a very recently baptized jehovahs witness its not hard for me at all to not celebrate chrismas,getting gifts does not tept me very much at all and im 14!,and yes its just like any other day for us and i find being a jehovahs witness to be more rewarding than anything! including getting gifts and going to christmas partys : )
2006-12-15 09:50:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋