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Christians do you celebrate Christmas? You know, the presents, the tree, the mistletoe, the yule log, the stockings, etc.?
If so, why?

This is asked in the interest of fairness, after reading: "Just a question i have noticed that on this site there are quite a few Atheists can i ask you do you celebrate xmas? You know the tree, the christmas dinner, presents etc if so why ??"

Since almost nothing about the Christmas celebration is Biblical or Christian.....

2007-08-22 07:15:46 · 24 answers · asked by LabGrrl 7 in Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ApugU.XEZpz111sL6qp8REXd7BR.?qid=20070822110232AAi7sbD

2007-08-22 07:16:16 · update #1

This is hatefilled?
Okiedokie then, here's your tinfoil hat.
For the record, I don't care who celebrates what, but if atheists aren't supposed to celebrate Christmas because of the Christian symbolism, then Christians certainly can't celebrate it because of the symbols of the Pre-Christian religions within it.

2007-08-22 07:44:03 · update #2

This is an attack? Here's a hat for you, too, sir.

2007-08-22 07:45:52 · update #3

24 answers

As a Christian more interested in truth than the traditions of men, I stopped celebrating Christmas when I learned of its pagan origin. It took years to convince my family and friends that I was serious. I'm not offended by "Merry Christimas", I just don't see the need to have a tree and all the gifts.
Everyone knows Jesus was not born anywhere near December 25. He may have been conceived about that time of year, but definitely not born. And nowhere in the Bible are Christians instructed to observe His birth.

God has His own Holy Days (where we get the word holiday)
in Leviticus 23, and Jesus, all the apostles, and early Christians kept them. I say if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me.

2007-08-22 07:52:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

What difference does it make where they came from... they have become a symbol of christanity once the Christians brought them into their faith.

Did you ever stop to think that the Nazi swastika has come to symbolize evil even though it was around as a symbol for thousands of years before a Nazi even existed.

Symbols are only what people make them out to be. To a Christian a christmas tree is a symbol used to celebrate the birth of Jesus to someone else may be a different symbol. People spend too much time trying to attack others peoples beliefs in the most petty ways possible.

Take the Magen Star of David... for a Jew it is a symbol of their faith... to others its the mark of the beast (because of the 6 points and their interpretation of things).... so which is it.... should we debate that too?

If you want to attack a religion and it followers why not do so in a more meaningful way. Attack the religion for its beliefs and actions not what symbols they use.

2007-08-22 07:34:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1 1

The Christmas celebration was taken from a Pagan holiday. But one point to being a Christian is to put Christ into everything we do...make Him a part of our very existence. So why wouldn't we celebrate Christmas...to take a Pagan holiday and make it a Christian holiday to honor Jesus. Around our house, there are many traditions such as the items you mentioned but our focus is on Jesus and His birth. And many traditions are based on Christianity. The Evergreen tree is a symbol for the ever living God. The presents are symbols for the great gift of God, Jesus. The lights on the tree symbolize the stars over Bethlehem. And so on. Not all traditions are Christianity based but many are.

2007-08-22 07:33:47 · answer #3 · answered by starfishltd 5 · 1 1

As a Christian and now as an Atheist the reason is the same.

Tradition.

We grow up with it and it is not only that but it is something we look forward to. To celebrate with family and to give us some sense of normality. It feels good regardless who you are. A "Merry Christmas" can cheer up "almost" anyone. So the why really can be different to a degree from person to person but I think Tradition holds the key.

2007-08-22 07:29:48 · answer #4 · answered by The true face of religion 4 · 2 0

Christmas is an annual pagan festival for the birth of the new sun. It has nothing what so ever to do with Jesus. The sun sinks to the horizon in the winter in a symbolic death. And a rebirth on 25th december as it starts to rise in the sky again. The Virgin Mary, other wise known as Isis Meri, other wise known as Virgo the virgin. The three wise kings, other wise known a Orion's belt, line up with a star called Bethlehem within the star constellation of Virgo, that points to the spot on the horizon where Horus, Christ, Father Sun rises on 25th december. It is an important date in the solar calender because the sun reaches the lowest point in the sky on 21st december the winter solstice, but the sun does not move for 3 days. Hence the 3 days in the tomb/grave/cave and a resurrection 3 days later. ;) The significance of evergreen trees and foliage is with the evergreen immaculate conception of giving birth to oneself in an endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth, it has more to do with reincarnation than anything. Christ is actually a pagan term in reference to Father Sun, the illuminating enlightening one. Without which, no life on earth could exist. Happy birth of Father Sun day festival. :) Practicing Shaman... quantum physics rocks.

2016-05-19 23:58:06 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0 0

Your statement about Christmas is not true.

The Christmas tree is an evergreen and represents everlasting life, through even the most difficult "winters". The legend is that during the escape from Bethlehem into Egypt soldiers were chasing Joseph and Mary. The evergreen tree hid the couple and their new baby in it's branches and God rewarded the tree by making it green year around.

The lights on the tree represent Christ telling us that he is the Light of the Word.

The Ornament at the top of the tree represents the Star of Bethlehem, or the Angels that lit the star.

Ornaments were originally used to represent various miracles that Christ performed and are now used to represent "miracles" in our lives such as the birth of children or the first Christmas of a couple.

Presents represent the gifts given to Christ by the 3 wise men. Since everything that we do to each other we do to Christ, when we give gifts to each other we give gifts to Christ.

There is more and all of this is easily researchable.

2007-08-22 07:27:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 5 2

Obviously it is not the Actual birth day of Jesus...

However, yes we do the whole nine yards in my family...I think that it is mostly a "cultural norm"...However we do have a birthday cake for Jesus (I know I know..he doesn't usually blow out the candles..we help him with that)...and we read the Christmas story..we try and make it as Christ centered as possible..Realistically the whole Christmas/holiday season has been really forced on us as a time to buy and shop by the retail industry..so it has really gotten away from it's true meanings...both in the Christian world and the rest of society.

2007-08-22 07:28:08 · answer #7 · answered by Nicole B 4 · 2 1

Yes, I celebrate Christmas. I openly admit that I celebrate both aspects of the holiday. I recognize the birth of Jesus because of my faith. I do the other stuff for two reasons: 1) its become more of a social/traditional trend rather than Pagan ritual; and 2) my father is a practicing Pagan so we like to get involved in some of those holidays, too. We don't worship, but we celebrate. My kids loved summer solstice.

2007-08-22 07:21:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 7 2

I don't use a Christmas tree, I celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus. Christians wanted their own day to celebrate but the government at the time didn't want them taking another day off work so they were relegated to this day which was the same day the worshipers of Saturn celebrated their pagan holiday. I would be fine with using a different day.

2007-08-22 07:22:22 · answer #9 · answered by LaptopJesus 5 · 2 3

I,m Christian and I have a Christmas tree,it mean,s to me the Light of the world,the star of David,it remind,s me of Jesus birth when the star shown above him to lead the wise men.and yes I celebrate his birth every year.

2007-08-22 07:26:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2 1

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