more details on the orgin of Christmas. Being that Dec. 25th was celebrated as a Roman Pagan holiday to the sun god Mirtha prior to the birth of Christ and being that God tells us not to take part in the celebrations and festivals of Pagan holidays and beingthat Jesus was probably born in fall rather than Dec., how do we as Christians justify celebrating Jesus' birth on this past Pagan holiday? I know Constatine originated it as a celebration of Jesus' birth, but, are we wrong for partaking in it on this day due to the 25th's past celebration? I have a tree up this year and I am celebrating, but I just have begun to wonder. Any thoughts on this from fellow Christians? The last thing I want to do is disobey the commands of God.
2006-12-15 15:15:08 · 25 answers · asked by Gardener for God(dmd) 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jesus' birth probably did not take place in December. But those who insist it could not have taken place in December go too far. They argue that shepherds could not have been in their fields as it was the height of the rainy season. However, weather is a variable quantity and the Palestinian climate is quite mild. The particular December—if it was December—could have been a warm, rather dry, month. But what if Jesus was born instead in January, March, April or October, as has been suggested? Would that make God object to the observance on December 25?
December 25th was indeed a pagan holiday. In ancient ages many new converts yielded to temptation to keep that feast. It seems that Christian leaders endeavored to counteract that practice by giving believers a Christian festival on the same day, celebrating the birth of Christ. Some churches in our day conduct special banquets or other attractions for their high school seniors on the night of the senior prom for much the same motive. Certainly the celebration of Christmas is not a continuation of the pagan holiday. It is a unique Christian observance hailing the birth of Jesus Christ.
Moreover, December 25 is especially fitting in that it comes four days after the winter solstice. As the days grow longer with more light, Christians rejoice in the hope of the world in the birth of him who called himself the Light of the World. G. H. Montgomery wrote, "Church leaders saw in the birth of Jesus a triumph of light over darkness, spring over winter and of life over death. What more appropriate time could have been selected to commemorate the birth of the Man whose life, teachings and vicarious death were to change the trends of history, cause light to shine out of darkness and offer light to those who dwell in the valley of death! It will be good to keep these things in mind as you observe Christmas."
God isn't against Christmas. God is in favor of Christmas—of the proper observance of the holiday, that is. God planned and executed the first Christmas. No matter how flagrantly men may abuse this holiday, they cannot rob devout believers of its wonder and glory as expressed by the angel of old, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10, 11).
And Constantine had nothing to do with it.
2006-12-15 15:26:47 · answer #1 · answered by Br. Dymphna S.F.O 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Try reading Exodus 32:4-10. The Israelites adopted an Egyptian (they were Pagans) religious practice but gave it a new name. But God was not fooled by the name change or the origin of the practice. He punished the Israelites. God is the same God now as he was then. People can try to justify all they want about the Christmas holiday, but God knows where it originated from. Should not God's view count on this matter? Christians take up a holiday that is Pagan, stick God's Son of birth on it and celebrate it. To share a day much less a birth day with a false god..his day. Now how do you think that makes God feel?
2006-12-15 15:34:26 · answer #2 · answered by GraycieLee 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The whole world was pagan until God decided to make it otherwise. Should we abandon the planet to the pagans?
So what if the date of Christmas used to be pagan, or even if pagan's still celebrate some sort of feast on that day?
Any day that celebrates Christ ceases to be pagan, at least for those who celebrate in God's name.
And it wasn't Constantine who selected the date for Christmas.
The myth that Constantine "paganized" the church was first dreamed up in the mid 18th century as anti-Catholic propaganda.
The exact opposite is true.
The blood of Christ and the apostles, combined with the persecutions and prayers of the one, true church were responsible for converting Constantine, the Roman empire, and later, the whole world, to Christ.
Anyone who says anything different isn't giving God proper credit for what he alone has wrought.
2006-12-15 15:41:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It was to help converted Pagans obstain from the celebrations of the pagans holiday. So they would not be tempted and have a celebration that was right to celebrate instead. I have a friend born on Christmas and we always celebrate her birthday in the summer one day too. We celebrate his birth this day not his birthday. Now it is a Christian Holiday. We will rejoice for His birth on Dec. 25 and everyday for his love. I don't think God cares and He is grateful for our celebration of His miracle of Jesus' birth. He loves our gratitude and praise on anyday.
2006-12-15 15:28:01 · answer #4 · answered by bess 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The way I have handled this personally is to just celebrate Christmas as a social holiday, and have fun. No sin in eating turkey, be careful of the commercialism, but emphasize the family. I don't try to reconcile Jesus birthday with it, and I don't condemn those who do. If we were to eradicate Christmas off the face of the earth what would we have accomplished. If you want to fight against something there are many more devastating issues that Christians face than Christmas. Anyway, that is how I handle it.
I have been a Christian for over 60 years, a Pastor, Bible teacher and missionary. Don't get hung up on peripheral issues. Concentrate on the important ones.
2006-12-15 15:23:24 · answer #5 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
As Born Again Christians we are honoring and celebrating the birth of Our Lord Jesus during the Christmas season. The date we use is not what we celebrate. The date is secondary, as with Easter, when we seasonally celebrate His resurrection. We are not honoring the tree decorations and gifts. We honor Christ, and our culture embraces this tradition. Please do not feel guilty because you want to engage in celebrating Christmas in our traditional manner. Most churches have decorations and Christmas trees. Many have Nativity scenes.
Justification is not necessary for you to enjoy the spirit of the season. Don't be so hard on yourself. We are not denying Christ when we observe December 25th as his birthday, it is symbolic. Lighten-up. Feel the love of the Holy Spirit. Open your heart to this seasonal joy. God Bless....from your "Sister" in Christ.
2006-12-15 15:43:37 · answer #6 · answered by intrepid 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christmas got its name from exactly how it sounds: Christ mass , later combined and shortened to Christmas.
Pagans were celebrating the worship of trees (groves) and other dubauchery (spelling) on December 25th.
So the Catholic Church wanted to compete with the Pagans. Therefore they had a special mass on that same date; Dec 25th.
And, it started from there. (So says the History Channel)
2006-12-15 15:20:53 · answer #7 · answered by MrsOcultyThomas 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Christmas is not a pagan holiday. It is celebrating Christ's birth. Whatever day was this pagan holiday doesn't matter, because that is not what we are celebrating...I think it is good now that we celebrate it and what you mention now is an odd bit of trivia. I am born again Christian also.
2006-12-15 15:20:05 · answer #8 · answered by adrian b 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
IT IS WRONG FOR ME
I can not find where any prophets, God loving people or apostles, celebrated any thing for them selves, they give their birth year, but never a birth day.
Rom.14:1-9; Gives how to feel about one day above another being esteemed. I rather hold all alike, but I do know that once a year we are told to remember Jesus died for us at that particular time.
2006-12-15 15:25:42 · answer #9 · answered by jeni 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if it really disturbs u so much, just take it as just another holiday.
we are not disobeying God. don't forget that all glory is given to Jesus Christ, Saviour and Lord of all at the end of all the celebrations. 25 Dec is just a date. it could be 20 Sept but it's just a date.
2006-12-15 15:27:14 · answer #10 · answered by SammyL 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋