... pray for us (me and my family)...
I've been going through some tough times and I need help and only God can help me. Thank you.
Anyways, I am curios to know what kind of holidays we shouldn't celebrate. I'm a "new" Christian and am confused about Easter, Christmas, Sunday worship, birthdays and funerals.
I've heard so many different things and don't know what to believe.
We are not supposed to glorify or celebrate each other (birthdays/funerals).
And I have heard Christmas can't be the "right" birthday (Jesus's) because the time table described in the Bible differs (the sheep were sent to the field in the wintertime?) with ours.
2007-09-27 11:31:01 · 23 answers · asked by birdee20 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thank you so much for your support so far. But I really also like to hear about the funeral thing.
2007-09-27 11:43:00 · update #1
We are under grace,christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus,easter is to celebrate the death ,burial,and ressurection of the Lord Jesus Christ,Birthdays are celebrated,funerals are a time to say goodbyes to our loved ones,there is nothing wrong having family and loved ones and friends to support you and be there,going to church on sunday is not the only day to be in Gods presence we should go has often as the door is open,so we can grow spiritually,you are fine just ask God to take over your life and he will direct you ,my advice to you is get as close to God as you can in Prayer and praise and worship and spend quiet time in his word with him he will talk to you Be blessed feel free to e-mail me if you want to talk
2007-09-27 13:39:28 · answer #1 · answered by God Child 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am so glad that you have come to know Jesus, you will appreciate your walk with Him more each day. I celebrate Easter, not with the easter bunny though I won't even buy candy at this time that looks anything like easter. Christmas, I also celebrate but because it honors the birth of Jesus. He was born more toward the fall time, but it is just to me a day of remembrance not an actual birth holiday. I don't see anything wrong with birthdays, it is a special day for everyone and funerals are fine. Some are Christians, would can be very joyful, others are sad, but there is nothing wrong with attending one as you are there to support the family members. I don't think that God minds what day we worship, just as long as we set aside a day just for Him. I don't believe in going out and buying stuff on Sunday, I set it aside to honor Him. I would pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show you and you need to follow what He is telling you to do. You will do fine, just keep seeking after Jesus.
2007-09-27 14:13:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
celebrate everything!
every day is a gift from God.
it doesn't say anywhere in the bible not to celebrate your birthday or celebrate a life well lived at a funeral. those are JW beliefs, not christian beliefs.
if in all the things you do you try to do them like Jesus would then you are living a good and righteous life. Christians can celebrate just about every holiday unless it is for a different religion...Christmas is celebrated on Dec 25th as a tradition...we don't know when Jesus was born...we are not sinning and will not be punished for giving/getting presents...they represent the best gift of all, the gift of Jesus Christ. we celebrate Easter because that is when Jesus came back from the dead. we celebrate to thank Him for dying for us and coming back...He's not dead! He's still alive.
.....and yes, I will pray for you in your hard times. God is always with you. I pray you feel His presence and know that you are not at this alone. I also pray that you will not be lead astray or be given false information on Christianity. if you have any questions, let me know...otherwise look to your bible. it has all the answers you're looking for.
blessings.
2007-09-27 11:47:36 · answer #3 · answered by danielle:) 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nowhere in the bible does Jesus ever say celebrate his birth, but he does in fact say remember and observe his death. It has more meaning than his birth because it is a rememberance of all that he has accomplished during the course of his life (redemption of mankind's sins in exchange for his unblemished life).
The only two references to anyone celebrating his own birthday in the bible are both celebrations by pagans (the pharoah of Egypt) and King Herod. In both cases, it ended in tragedy. On the pharoah's b-day, the baker was executed, and on Herod's b-day, John the Baptist's head was delivered on a plate. Not good.
Like someone mentioned, it is not wrong to celebrate joyous occasions (even Jesus attended a wedding celebration and performed his first miracle there – changing water into wine). However, isn't it better to choose a day that is not associated with a pagan holiday? You can choose a day that is not Christmas or Halloween, and be free from guilt (if you feel unsure).
One important thing to remember is that you shouldn't do things just because someone tells you, "something that feels so good can't be wrong" or "do what your heart tells you and ignor your head." Even people that hurt others or break the law (e.g. commit adultery, gamble, get drunk and drive) feel really good about what they do while they are doing it, but that doesn't mean its wise.
2007-09-27 11:58:33 · answer #4 · answered by DK 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What you have asked would take me an hour to express everything I have studied about them. I don't think there is a problem celebrating birthdays...we do for Jesus. The exact time of His isn't recorded for us to know. I would be ok with it if you wished me a Happy Birthday, even if it was the wrong time of the year. We do celebrate His resurrection, which is our victory. This was so great, that the early Christians changed the day of worship to Sunday, the day Jesus rose form death. People mourned for funerals. This goes back a long time. I think the key to family is to not worship them as deity. As for Jesus, the important thing is celebrate His resurrection. The time of this is fairly well known.
If you like, e mail me with speciffic questions.
2007-09-27 12:29:20 · answer #5 · answered by RB 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God does not expect us to know everything all at once. When Jesus was teaching the disciples He knew this and told them " I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now." (John 16:12) Learning about different issues and beliefs are a progression...a growing as a Christian....just the way that you came to be a Christian (welcome to the family) ...you were led by the Spirit for this. This is the same way you will come to conviction about many things. John 16:13 tells that the job of the Spirit is conviction.
.....my thought about funerals. I don't know of anywhere in the Bible that talks against having a funeral. I know Jesus had pity on people during funerals....He cried....talked with the families...raised people from the dead.
I will pray for you and your family to search the scriptures and have the convictions and be led by the Holy Spirit. Some things are not issues of salvation but can be distractions from issues that are. Keep your eyes on Jesus.....He is our example....not men.
† On-call Prayer Warrior †
2007-09-27 12:06:12 · answer #6 · answered by bethy4jesus 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I will pray for you and family.
Celebrating birthdays, Christmas, Easter,etc is fine. No one enjoys funerals but we need to go to them sometimes so as not to offend others and to pay respects.
It doesn't matter when Jesus' birthday was. It was probably in September when the sheep would have been in the fields. But December 25th is traditionally when it is celebrated.
2007-09-27 11:41:06 · answer #7 · answered by Cee T 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do NOT get hung up on manmade rules that say that Christians can't celebrate this holiday or that holiday. Somewhere in Romans it says that one things a day is special, while another thinks all days are the same--but whatever you do, do unto the Lord. Celebrate whatever day your conscience allows. In fact, I think it does the world good to see that Christians can have a good time!
Remember that Jesus went to a wedding--and turned water into wine while the guests were already drunk! Jesus also went to Matthew's party--and the Pharisees complained! Jesus loves a good party!
Of course we can celebrate and honor each other! It's a good way to love one another. However, of course, God comes first. Love God, and love your neighbor as yourself.
Don't get hung up on the exact date of Jesus' birth, either. It may have been in the fall, but we don't know for sure. The important thing is not when Jesus was born, but that he was born at all!
This is the day the Lord has made--so rejoice in it!
2007-09-27 11:38:24 · answer #8 · answered by MNL_1221 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing wrong with celebrating birthdays, mourning at funerals, celebrating Easter and Christmas in remembrance of the events they symbolize, or worshiping on Sunday. It is your heart that truly matters. Are you celebrating that person's birthday or worshiping that person? I know that sounds silly, but a lot of people who don't believe in celebrating birthdays use that kind of logic to justify their beliefs.
Of course I will pray for you!
2007-09-27 11:40:42 · answer #9 · answered by The Apple Chick 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You can celebrate any holiday you want. What makes the day a religious or non religious event is HOW you celebrate it. Yes, it's true that we have no definitive proof that Christ was born on Christmas day, and most likely was not born on Christmas, but why should this stop you from celebrating a wonderful time with friends and family? And no holiday should ever stop you from celebrating Jesus, as we celebrate his life everyday!
2007-09-27 11:39:03 · answer #10 · answered by b g 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋