We celebrate christmas as the birth of our lord and savior jesus christ... see the connection christ and "christ"mas, why do u celebrate christmas if u dont believe in jesus???? this is his day not some made up holiday or that is what i believe and our family believes... I am wanting to know i read all the questions from atheists and so on so i am curious... what makes u celebrate christmas if not for jesus???? please dont get nasty just true and honest answers ...GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU ...
2007-10-15 08:17:05 · 25 answers · asked by THE UK WILDCAT FAMILY 10 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Is Christmas a celebration based on the Bible?
Date of the celebration
M’Clintock and Strong’s Cyclopædia says: “The observance of Christmas is not of divine appointment, nor is it of N[ew] T[estament] origin. The day of Christ’s birth cannot be ascertained from the N[ew] T[estament], or, indeed, from any other source.”—(New York, 1871), Vol. II, p. 276.
Luke 2:8-11 shows that shepherds were in the fields at night at the time of Jesus’ birth. The book Daily Life in the Time of Jesus states: “The flocks . . . passed the winter under cover; and from this alone it may be seen that the traditional date for Christmas, in the winter, is unlikely to be right, since the Gospel says that the shepherds were in the fields.”—(New York, 1962), Henri Daniel-Rops, p. 228.
The Encyclopedia Americana informs us: “The reason for establishing December 25 as Christmas is somewhat obscure, but it is usually held that the day was chosen to correspond to pagan festivals that took place around the time of the winter solstice, when the days begin to lengthen, to celebrate the ‘rebirth of the sun.’ . . . The Roman Saturnalia (a festival dedicated to Saturn, the god of agriculture, and to the renewed power of the sun), also took place at this time, and some Christmas customs are thought to be rooted in this ancient pagan celebration.”—(1977), Vol. 6, p. 666.
The New Catholic Encyclopedia acknowledges: “The date of Christ’s birth is not known. The Gospels indicate neither the day nor the month . . . According to the hypothesis suggested by H. Usener . . . and accepted by most scholars today, the birth of Christ was assigned the date of the winter solstice (December 25 in the Julian calendar, January 6 in the Egyptian), because on this day, as the sun began its return to northern skies, the pagan devotees of Mithra celebrated the dies natalis Solis Invicti (birthday of the invincible sun). On Dec. 25, 274, Aurelian had proclaimed the sun-god principal patron of the empire and dedicated a temple to him in the Campus Martius. Christmas originated at a time when the cult of the sun was particularly strong at Rome.”—(1967), Vol. III, p. 656.
Wise men, or Magi, led by a star
Those Magi were actually astrologers from the east. (Matt. 2:1, 2, NW; NE) Although astrology is popular among many people today, the practice is strongly disapproved in the Bible. (See pages 144, 145, under the main heading “Fate.”) Would God have led to the newborn Jesus persons whose practices He condemned?
Matthew 2:1-16 shows that the star led the astrologers first to King Herod and then to Jesus and that Herod then sought to have Jesus killed. No mention is made that anyone other than the astrologers saw the “star.” After they left, Jehovah’s angel warned Joseph to flee to Egypt to safeguard the child. Was that “star” a sign from God or was it from someone who was seeking to have God’s Son destroyed?
Note that the Bible account does not say that they found the babe Jesus in a manger, as customarily depicted in Christmas art. When the astrologers arrived, Jesus and his parents were living in a house. As to Jesus’ age at that time, remember that, based on what Herod had learned from the astrologers, he decreed that all the boys in the district of Bethlehem two years of age and under were to be destroyed.—Matt. 2:1, 11, 16.
Gift giving as part of the celebration; stories about Santa Claus, Father Christmas, etc.
The practice of Christmas gift giving is not based on what was done by the Magi. As shown above, they did not arrive at the time of Jesus’ birth. Furthermore, they gave gifts, not to one another, but to the child Jesus, in accord with what was then customary when visiting notable persons.
The Encyclopedia Americana states: “During the Saturnalia . . . feasting prevailed, and gifts were exchanged.” (1977, Vol. 24, p. 299) In many instances that represents the spirit of Christmas giving—an exchanging of gifts. The spirit reflected in such gift giving does not bring real happiness, because it violates Christian principles such as those found at Matthew 6:3, 4 and 2 Corinthians 9:7. Surely a Christian can give gifts to others as an expression of love at other times during the year, doing so as often as he wants to.
Depending on where they live, children are told that gifts are brought by Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, Father Christmas, Père Noël, Knecht Ruprecht, the Magi, the elf Jultomten (or Julenissen), or a witch known as La Befana. (The World Book Encyclopedia, 1984, Vol. 3, p. 414) Of course, none of these stories are actually true. Does the telling of such stories build in children a respect for truth, and does such a practice honor Jesus Christ, who taught that God must be worshiped with truth?—John 4:23, 24.
Is there any objection to sharing in celebrations that may have unchristian roots as long as it is not done for religious reasons?
Eph. 5:10, 11: “Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord; and quit sharing with them in the unfruitful works that belong to the darkness, but, rather, even be reproving them.”
2 Cor. 6:14-18: “What fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Be´lial? Or what portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever? And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols? . . . ‘“Therefore get out from among them, and separate yourselves,” says Jehovah, “and quit touching the unclean thing”’; ‘“and I will take you in, . . . and you will be sons and daughters to me,” says Jehovah the Almighty.’” (Genuine love for Jehovah and a strong desire to be pleasing to him will help a person to break free from unchristian practices that may have had emotional appeal. A person who really knows and loves Jehovah does not feel that by shunning practices that honor false gods or that promote falsehood he is in any way deprived of happiness. Genuine love causes him to rejoice, not over unrighteousness, but with the truth. See 1 Corinthians 13:6.)
Compare Exodus 32:4-10. Notice that the Israelites adopted an Egyptian religious practice but gave it a new name, “a festival to Jehovah.” But Jehovah severely punished them for this. Today we see only 20th-century practices associated with holidays. Some may appear harmless. But Jehovah observed firsthand the pagan religious practices from which these originated. Should not his view be what matters to us?
Illustration: Suppose a crowd come to a gentleman’s home saying they are there to celebrate his birthday. He does not favor the celebration of birthdays. He does not like to see people overeat or get drunk or engage in loose conduct. But some of them do all those things, and they bring presents for everyone there except him! On top of all that, they pick the birthday of one of the man’s enemies as the date for the celebration. How would the man feel? Would you want to be a party to it? This is exactly what is being done by Christmas celebrations.
2007-10-15 08:20:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 8⤋
December 25 doesn't really fit with all the other "data" concerning Jesus' birth. I remember reading somewhere, years ago, that someone had "done the math" and dated his birth closer to September 15.
Either way, December 25 was a date chosen by the Church for their celebration. Go ahead... celebrate it how you see fit.
December 25 falls inside my Yule celebrations (which begin on the Winter Solstice), and so gets as much "holiday ritual" as any of the other 12 days. It also happens to be the date when my Christian in-laws want the whole family gathered together... so we go over and have dinner and celebrate our life as a family.
By the way - who said I (at least) don't believe in Jesus? I believe he lived, and was a good man with wonderful lessons to teach. In fact, I find myself often wishing more of his followers would actually follow his examples - but that's off the subject. What I don't believe is that His death can miraculously remove my responsibility in any actions I choose to take.
2007-10-15 10:20:05 · answer #2 · answered by shewolf_magic 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is possible to celebrate Christmas without believing in Christ. Over the years all holidays have evolved into this great big commercial mess. Christmas has become a party at the end of December that allows people to shop and spend the evening with loved ones. Sort of a birthday party for all, not just jesus. Plus so many religions have something at the end of December that they all kinda mesh together. Its more about love then Jesus.
2007-10-15 08:32:38 · answer #3 · answered by shyguy1355 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Christmas is an annual holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. Christmas festivities often combine the commemoration of Jesus' birth with various customs, many of which have been influenced by earlier winter festivals. Traditions include the display of Nativity scenes, Holly and Christmas trees, the exchange of gifts and cards, and the arrival of Father Christmas (Santa Claus) on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. Popular Christmas themes include the promotion of goodwill, compassion and peace.
In most places around the world, Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25. It is preceded by Christmas Eve on December 24, and in some countries is followed by Boxing Day on December 26. The Armenian Apostolic Church observes Christmas on January 6, while certain old rite or old style Eastern Orthodox Churches celebrate Christmas on January 7, the date on the Gregorian calendar which corresponds to 25 December on the Julian Calendar. The date as a birthdate for Jesus is merely traditional, and is not widely considered to be his actual date of birth.[1]
2007-10-15 08:33:29 · answer #4 · answered by preacher 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
American atheist here...
Personally, I quit celebrating the birth of Christ when I became an atheist at nine years old. I still continued to celebrate Christmas, in the sense of exchanging gifts with friends and relatives. I always made sure I provided a nice gift for every child in my extended family. Now those kids are grown and I've out-lived all my relatives. My wife and I still decorate the house and exchange gifts when Christmas rolls around, mostly for the sake of tradition. I've always celebrated the holiday, but for the last fifty-one years, it's had little or nothing to do with Jesus Christ.
Ditto for Easter.
2007-10-15 08:33:16 · answer #5 · answered by Diogenes 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The thing is, if you haven't noticed, marketing has taken over the holiday season from October - January. So everyone is in the giving mood, stores are plastered with green and red, and gift items, and wrapping services, and it has become a tradition of gathering, sharing, and presents! I don't know anything about Christ and Christmas, but I'll take presents and sharing anytime. And when everyone is wishing a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, I'm not going to retort something like, uh, "there is no Christmas so stuff it. But where's my present?" I'm just being pleasant by going with the flow. To me the season isn't about religion; it's about getting together, the time of year to keep in touch with long, lost friends and family, and eat some great treats.
2007-10-15 08:32:00 · answer #6 · answered by Flatpaw 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think there are many reasons. First although it is a christian holiday, it is also a time of family and friends, where you get together and celebrate being together. Simply because a person is atheist does not mean that they don't want to be with friends and family. Also most atheists come from families that are not atheists. So if the family is still celebrating Christmas then it is more than likely the atheists will join in. Not because they want to pretend to believe but because they get to be with family (not to mention the gifts and booze). Although you are right about the origin of Christmas, it has become more than just a religious holiday. IT think it would be interesting to see if atheists without family or a family of atheists still celebrate Christmas.
2007-10-15 08:29:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Early Christian festivals replaced much older pagan celebrations. A good example is Easter, the word itself derived from the Saxon "Great Mother Goddess", furthermore many rituals and rites, throughout the world, were based, around this time, on the death and resurrection of a sacrificed God.
Christmas is similar. Around the time of the winter solstice many northern people celebrate the coming of the light, combining it with days of relative idleness - Nordic Yule and Roman Saturnalia were two of the biggest festivals of the year.
Easter rabbits, Easter eggs, Christmas trees, mistletoe and much more are direct handmedowns of the pagan origins of these two festivals.
So the question really should be: Why have Christians usurped our original celebrations of the natural rhythms of the year and of our common source in nature? Or, to put it another way: Why did Christianity choose to stage its own two largest festivals at the same time as the two biggest festivals in the pagan calendar?
Ask a salesman.
2007-10-15 08:36:59 · answer #8 · answered by Da 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Christmas originated of Christ's birthday however you have the story of St. Nick that came along side many years later. Other aspects of "Christmas" latched on and now we have Christmas which has lost the true meaning altogether, the birth of Christ. It's his birthday but instead of giving him presents we give them to each other. It is so commercialized that now its referred to by most as a "holiday" in which Christ isn't even involved. Not in my family. Its Merry Christmas for us yesterday, today and many more to come.
2007-10-15 08:39:53 · answer #9 · answered by Wonder Woman 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christ was not born on Dec. 24th. The decision to make it that date was due to a unanimous decision from the Vatican since the true date was never known and many churches celebrated it at many different times. They used this date also to help to convert the pagans at the time who celebrated the "rebirth" of their God(s)! As for those who don't celebrate Christ and his birthday, it is primarily due to the commercialization of this holy day and the fact presents are exchanged!
2007-10-15 08:30:50 · answer #10 · answered by Rev. Kaldea 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If the teacher is anything like my sons then the only reason she wants him to advance is so she doesn't have to deal with him again next year. Sorry but that has been my experience. The teachers are not properly equipped to handle children with special needs and try to push the children through the system as fast as possible. The school system did the same to my older child as well and she is now going into 7th grade but is working at a 3rd grade level. Trust your therapist and your gut instinct, and be ready for a fight because the school will probably give you a very hard time if you decide to hold him back. Good luck and what you feel is best for your child. He deserves it.
2016-05-22 19:36:13 · answer #11 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋