I am a new Bible student. Recently i've started studying the bible with an elder's wife. I know this is exactly what i want to do, but now that Christmas is coming around, I am finding it extremely hard to not celebrate. My thoughts are starting to go in other directions......I know it's not right because it's a celebration of nothing, really, but I am so used to it(It's the first Christmas that I am doing this)that i'm finding it really hard not to. What do i do? I'm only 18 and I can't just not show up.
2007-11-22 04:38:36 · 18 answers · asked by OverTheRainbow 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Your story made me smile- I remember hiding in the toilet pretending to be sick while the rest of my family waited for me to come out and join them in singing "Happy Birthday". Oh, those were the days- lol! ( I was younger than you then)
It is really hard to give up things we've been used to from childhood, I should know- I was always in the forefront preparing dance routines for the parties.
But one thing helped me in those early days- always trying to view things Jehovah's way. Every single day we show whether we support Jehovah's side of the sovereignty issue, or Satan's. Every single day. Try and meditate on what you are studying from the Bible and Jehovah will become more real to you.
Isaiah 48:17, 18- This is what Jehovah has said, your Repurchaser, the Holy One of Israel: “I, Jehovah, am your God, the One teaching you to benefit yourself, the One causing you to tread in the way in which you should walk. O if only you would actually pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
Proverbs 27:11- Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me.
2007-11-22 04:45:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 3⤋
I don't wish to tell you one way or the other about celebrating Christmas, that is a matter for your own conscience. JW's are not unique in their non participation of this occasion, other Christian groups, such as the Plymouth Brethren do not celebrate it either. However, I would counsel you to be very wary of only listening to what JW's have to say. They are not right about everything, indeed, if you research their history you will find that they have made some very big mistakes. They will tell you that all outside information that contradicts them is from Satan but you owe it to yourself to research every aspect before you make a decision that has far reaching consequences. I would ask you to ask yourself a few questions before you get in too deep. Why did Jesus never use his fathers name? If his fathers name was so important why did Jesus not use it in the model prayer? After all, he would have known that there where millions who would not know God's name, what better way to make it known than to include it in the model prayer. Also, how can the Holy Spirit be blasphemed against (Mark 3:29,Luke 12:10) or teach(Luke 12:12) or descend in a bodily shape (Luke 3:22) or comfort (John 14:26) or be grieved (Ephesians 4:30); How could it find something good (Acts 15:28) or be a witness or speak (Hebrews 3:7) if it is just Gods invisible force? I urge you to think and research, I will pray that the Holy Spirit works upon your heart and shows you the truth.
Blesssings in Christ.
2007-11-22 19:49:15 · answer #2 · answered by the truth has set me free 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Keep Studying and I also agree in asking your Bible Study conductor for more help and also ask the Brothers and Sisters at the hall if you can go out in Field Service. That should help you out.
I hope these Scriptures help you and encourage you the most.
Hebrews 10:25
25 not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as YOU behold the day drawing near.
Hebrews 6:18
18 in order that, through two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to the refuge may have strong encouragement to lay hold on the hope set before us.
1Cor. 14:3
3 However, he that prophesies upbuilds and encourages and consoles men by his speech.
Philippians 2:1
1 If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any sharing of spirit, if any tender affections and compassions,
BTW as you can tell many Apostates are on here and they are trying to steer you away from Jehovah by saying blasphemous things about Jehovah. They are just Bitter and angry do not listen to them for they are just angry at Jehovah not you. And the apostates are Nina, Unsilenced Lamb, Edge, 8 Track Mind, Johnny_r, Lavender, and the truth has set me free
2007-11-23 04:28:21 · answer #3 · answered by ladybugwith7up 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't say if you live "at home" or have a place of your own.
If you live at home, Ask if there are some in the congregation, that are planning a trip that day.
Most ski slopes are uncrowed on christmas day and make a wonderful trip.
If you don't live at home, go by in the afternoon, when the majority of the 'celebrating' has been ended, and spend that time with your family.
.
2007-11-23 00:08:49 · answer #4 · answered by TeeM 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
it is hard. I was brought up Jewish. celebrating the holiday's. I don't miss them. we keep busy with study, meetings and going door to door. remember we give gifts during the year to each other, we don't have to wait for a holiday like xmas to get gifts. when people are charging on there credit card and repaying the credit card until the next xmas. we don't have that problem. remember you are not alone we are a worldwide brother and sisterhood. remember you can talk to the elder's wife about how you are feeling. my late husband and I had alot of questions. she will be happy to answer any questions that you may have and you will have many. trust me
2007-11-22 04:45:06 · answer #5 · answered by lover of Jehovah and Jesus 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Ask the sister your studying with to help you, that is what she is there for. I know it's hard, it's hard for me not to think about how great those stupid commercials and lights and everything is and I was raised a witness. Trust in Jehovah.
2007-11-23 03:30:11 · answer #6 · answered by Heather B 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Let your personal relationship with Jehovah guide you to the right direction. If you know deep down that celebration Chritmas is wrong, then don't do it. You will only feel bad afterwards.
The bible tells us that the person faithful in least is faithful in most. Remaining faithful in this "small" situation could help you when the big things come around, and believe me they will!
2007-11-22 05:03:34 · answer #7 · answered by Mommy of 3 5 · 4⤊ 2⤋
There is nothing which is eather right or wrong, it is how one thinks that makes it so. If one is comfortable with a solution which causes them no pain or discomfort to themself or others, then the chances of that situation to be is usable will be in harmony with their being, however as time passes the solution may prove to be unfavorable or incorrect in a future situation.
Gene
2007-11-23 01:14:36 · answer #8 · answered by Gene 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Celebrating Christmas is not just celebrating Jesus. It also acknowedges Romes authority to establish holy days and it recognizes Constantines assertion that all religions are worshipping the same god(s) just using different names.
It also agrees with Rome's persecution of those who refused to observe her holy days and it causes those who recognize that these observances are replicas of pagan festivals to reject Christianity as just another foolish religion.
Many people say that God knows their heart and knows that they are just praising Jesus. That worship is honored by God, in my opinion, until the innocence of ignorance is lost. Once educated on the origin of these false sabbath days and the persecution of those who refused to bow down to Rome's idolatry it becomes the obligation of every true believer to take their stand against Rome and her holy days.
2007-11-22 05:19:36 · answer #9 · answered by Guardian 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Dear Questioner:
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 modern 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?
Some agree that such holidays as Christmas have pagan origins but still feel that it is not wrong to celebrate them. After all, most people are not thinking about false worship when they observe holidays. These occasions also give families opportunities to draw close together. Is this how you feel? If so, likely it is love of family, not love of false religion, that makes taking a stand for true worship seem difficult. Be assured that Jehovah, the one who originated the family, wants you to have a good relationship with your relatives. (Ephesians 3:14, 15) But you can strengthen such bonds in ways that God approves. Regarding the matter that should be our chief concern, the apostle Paul wrote: “Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord.”—Ephesians 5:10.
12 Maybe you feel that the origins of holidays have little to do with how they are celebrated today. Do origins really matter? Yes! To illustrate: Suppose you saw a piece of candy lying in the gutter. Would you pick up that candy and eat it? Of course not! That candy is unclean. Like that candy, holidays may seem sweet, but they have been picked up from unclean places. To take a stand for true worship, we need to have a viewpoint like that of the prophet Isaiah, who told true worshipers: “Touch nothing unclean.”—Isaiah 52:11.
Again, be tactful. There is no need to make an issue of every custom or celebration that your relatives choose to observe. Instead, respect their right to their views, just as you want them to respect your right to yours. (Matthew 7:12) Still, be reasonable when it comes to matters that do not amount to actual celebration.—1 Timothy 1:18, 19.
One of the best gifts you can give your children is your time and loving attention.
It would be beneficial to talk the matter over further with your Bible study conductor. Above all, pray to Jehovah.
"bh" book - Chapter 16.
2007-11-22 05:22:18 · answer #10 · answered by Mr. Cal 5 · 3⤊ 3⤋