Do you think it's wrong...?

Question

For my boyfriend (an Atheist) to buy me (an Agnostic) a Nintendo DS lite for a present, to be opened on December 25th?

Why?

Just asking because I see lots of questions along the lines of "Why do non believers celebrate Christmas?" and am wondering why some Christians are so selfish when it comes to holidays.

Gus, tradition trancends religion.

nexusmoon, I told him what to get me because he's not very good at picking out gifts. But he's gotten me two games for it and they're both a suprise, so that's something!

Terry S, who said we despise Christmas? It's not a religious holiday to us.

Answer 1

Was Jesus Born in December?
The Bible does not tell us when Jesus was born. However, it does give us sound reason to conclude that his birth did not take place in December.
Consider the weather conditions at that time of the year in Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. The Jewish month of Chislev (corresponding to November/December) was a month with cold and rainy weather. The month after that was Tebeth (December/January). It saw the lowest temperatures of the year, with occasional snows in the highlands. Let us see what the Bible tells us about the climate of that region.
The Bible writer Ezra shows that Chislev was indeed a month known for cold and rainy weather. After stating that a crowd had gathered in Jerusalem "in the ninth month [Chislev] on the twentieth day of the month," Ezra reports that people were "shivering...on account of the showers of rain." Concerning weather conditions at that time of the year, the congregated people themselves said: "It is the season of showers of rain,and it is not possible to stand outside." (Ezra 10:9, 13; Jeremiah 36:22) No wonder shepherds living in that part of the world made sure that they and their flocks were no longer out of doors at night when December came around!
The Bible reports, however, that shepherds were in the fields tending their flocks on the night of Jesus' birth. In fact, the Bible writer Luke shows that at the time, shepherds were "living out of doors and keeping watches in the night over their flocks" near Bethlehem. (Luke 2:8-12) Notice that the shepherds were actually living out doors, not just strolling outside during the day. They had their fields at night. Does that description of outdoor living fit the chilly and rainy weather conditions of Bethlehem in December? No, it does not. So the circumstances surrounding Jesus' birth indicate that he was not born in December.*
*For more information, see pages 176-9 of Reasoning From the Scriptures, published by Jehovah's Witnesses.
God's word tells us precisely when Jesus died, but it gives little direct indication as to when he was born. This brings to mind King Solomon's words: "A name is better than good oil, and the day of death than the day of one's being born." (Ecclesiastes 7:1) It is not surprising, then, that the Bible provides many details about Jesus' ministry and death but few details about the time of his Birth.

Answer 2

Because Christmas is a time were people feel obligated to give gifts and be happy.During the rest of the year, they are allowed by society to be angry, sad, miserable, depressed, and alone. But on Christmas, once a year, they "must" be generous.

Also, Christmas is over advertised so people of other religions will buy presents and stuff for other people. And no, it's not wrong to receive anything that has been given to you.

Answer 3

I don't think that it is a sin that you are exchanging gifts on Christmas, necessarily, but it does leave a lot to be desired. The idea is not so much that Christians want the holiday all for ourselves, it is that a lot of us (myself included) hate the way that a holy day celebrating the birth of our Saviour has become a fun-time for the masses who don't even care about Him. I realise that Christmas has really become xmas and so it is really just a part of the culture more than a religious holy day, but it is not the way in which it was intended. At any rate, video games are not the Christmas gift for anyone... what does that have to do with Jesus? I am not trying to sound holier than thou, but seriously folks it is not that hard to reject commercialism and accept Christ!

Answer 4

it is not wrong at all, especially since Christmas is not a Christian holiday!
True believers who cry out for the freedom to worship and celebrate what they want should not be dictating what and how you celebrate (within reason) - It is one thing to share the truth of their faith but another to say what you should and should not celebrate-
I am a Christian and I still participate to a degree in Christmas but I refuse to make it a "religious" holiday as it is not one- Christians should educate themselves regarding what they do, believe and participate in and why before they make comments or accusations about what others believe and do.
Celebrate away, it is a national holiday- exchange gifts and show your friends and loved ones how much you love them and want to give good things and BTW . . .

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Answer 5

you really confused me, why do you state that Christians are selfish when it comes to holidays? I don't really get your question... And --- Santa Claus is not really Christian tradition, it's rather a secular myth mixed with some magic... and wishful thinking. So I don't think it's anything wrong for you and your BF to exchange gifts on Christmas. One month out of the whole year, you're allowed to give in to magic... it's poetic if you wish. DOn't be afraid of Christmas just becasue you call yourself an agnostic... Keep an open mind, you'll get out of your shell... and perhaps get to live a little????

Answer 6

Christmas is widely accepted in the US as a secular holiday. (This is why even in the land of separated church and state, the government basically shuts down.) The holiday itself transcends its roots.

That said, there's nothing "wrong" with you and your boyfriend exchanging any gifts you want, any time you want, without concern for what day it is. Any Christian who makes this argument to you is demonstrating their own lack of Christ-like spirit and should be ignored anyway.

The good news is, if you'd like to move your annual gift exchange to the winter solstice, I'm reasonably sure no pagans will whine about you tainting their holiday.

Answer 7

Christmas has gone beyond merely the religious significance. If it were purely religious, then Easter would be a bigger celebration. Christmas is so big because its significant not only to Christians but to a lot of other people as well.

And who cares if Christians are telling you to stop celebrating their holiday? Can they actually stop you from celebrating it? Ignore them.

Answer 8

I'm not apart of the religon either, but I celebrate the holiday. I take it as a Day of Giving and not the Birth of Christ. So, no, it's not wrong for you to open your present on December 25th.

Answer 9

If you have a problem with judgmental people its because you allow them to have the power to judge you.
DO you think its wrong? If you dont then what does it matter what others think? People can only push your buttons if you leave them open and on your chest.
Get over the chicken and the egg stuff and just feed a hungry kid.Thats all you need to know about God.

Answer 10

Actually -- and I've said this before -- "Christmas" is a Pagan holiday, originally called "Yule," that celbrates the Winter Solstice.

We pagans don't mind though. Go ahead and celebrate:)