Christmas ! Do you really understand what you are celebrating?

Answer 1

THE BIBLE PEOPLE AT BABYLON CAPTIVITY DID

Jer. 10:1-4;

Do not cut and secure and deck a tree. Angels were delighted and shepherds in the fields were witnesses that the baby in the manger
was born and it was a miracle from God to be the savior of the world.
Luke 2:7-19;
Matt.2:11,13,16; Jesus was 2 years old, does not say his birthday, when the wise men [ magi or astrologers ], followed the star [ 2Cor.11:14 ]; to his house, Satan and Herod would have wanted him killed, he went into Egypt
until the danger was over.

Answer 2

I celebrate the birth of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I celebrate the gift of eternal salvation that He brought to all of the earth. I celebrate the giving of the greatest gift that I have ever received.

Yes, I am aware that the day was originally a pagan celebration of the winter solstice. Yes, I am aware that many of the traditions of Christmas originated from pagan symbolism or celebration. But, those are not the things that I celebrate. When I look at the angel at the top of our family Christmas tree, I am reminded of the angel that brought word to the shepherds that the Christ child had been born (I don't know of any pagan gods to even think about). When my children find their gifts under the tree (they each get four) they are reminded of the three magi and the gifts that they brought to the Christ child years after He was born and of the greatest gift ever given, Jesus (I don;t know if the pagans exchanged gifts on the winter solstice). The origin of the holiday is of no concern to me, because that is not what or why I celebrate. So, yes, I understand completely what I am celebrating, even though it may be something totally different from others celebrate on this day.

Answer 3

Did you know that the Puritan Pilgrim Fathers outlawed Christmas?
Now when you hear the Fundies spouting off about your Christian Nation being founded on Christian principles you should be wondering if they intend to outlaw Christmas too.
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From a Christian source:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=29995
"In his Pulitzer Prize finalist, "The Battle for Christmas," historian Stephen Nissenbaum at the University of Massachusetts documents the American development of the holiday now ensconced in popular culture.

"In New England, for the first two centuries of white settlement," writes Nissenbaum, "most people did not celebrate Christmas. In fact, the holiday was systematically suppressed by Puritans during the colonial period and largely ignored by their descendants. It was actually illegal to celebrate Christmas in Massachusetts between 1659 and 1681 (the fine was five shillings). Only in the middle of the nineteenth century did Christmas gain legal recognition as an official public holiday in New England."

Nissenbaum agrees with other historians that the first recorded observance since the New Testament recounted Christ's birth took place hundreds of years after Jesus' resurrection.

'It was only in the fourth century that the Church officially decided to observe Christmas on Dec. 25. And this date was not chosen for religious reasons but simply because it happened to mark the approximate arrival of the winter solstice, an event that was celebrated long before the advent of Christianity. The Puritans were correct when they pointed out – and they pointed it out often – that Christmas was nothing but a pagan festival covered with a Christian veneer."'

Answer 4

Yes, I understand what "I" am celebrating. Regardless of the pagan influences on the holiday we now know as Christmas, I celebrate it as a recognition of the birth of my savior. Notice I said "recognition"....

I have no delusion about the odds of Dec 25, being the actual date of His birth, never the less, as in the adoption of a child with inaccurate birth records, the child's birth is celebrated at a time appointed for various reasons?

Take away Santa, Christmas trees, mangers.....what ever secular aspects of the holiday you want....

I will always be thankful for His birth, and celebrate it, accordingly.

Answer 5

I love celebrating Jesus' birth! But I do realize He was not born in December.

I think the spirit of harmony, community, family and love is tied to Jesus, anyway... but I have no problem acknowledging the pagan roots of the season, or that others celebrate for different reasons.

I think Jesus would rather see all the goodwill than the bickering about ownership.

Answer 6

yup yup
I was raised Christian
so always celebrated Christmas according to the family traditions
even when I fell away from religion , I stil celebrated with family

now I am older and have learned the pagan origins of Christmas ... I am even more ok with celebrating

Answer 7

I, and my family celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, God made flesh, born of a Virgin, come to bring salvation to all who believe. I do not care what it was, I do not care, what some may say it was, all that I do care about it that My Lord and Savior receives the Glory of the day. Just a way of saying thank you lord, for leaving the spenders of heaven to come and save me from hell.

Answer 8

Yes, I'm Pagan. Happy Winter Solstice/ Yule to you!

Answer 9

Yes I usually don't celebrate unless I have a reason that I can grasp that causes me to celebrate.

Answer 10

Not working, eating lots of food, sleeping, being with friends and family. The joys of life in a bleak season.