2007-12-24 13:31:38 · 20 answers · asked by alyciadinyll 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
I understood Christmas and Santa Claus were Germany folklore where a gentleman celebrated the birth of Christ by giving gifts to the children and people of the town.Then corporate America and it's advertising groups rolled it all up to a giant consumer frenzy.
2007-12-24 13:43:50 · answer #1 · answered by sfgatekeeper 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as we celebrate Jesus who died for everyone's sin, then we have honored Him as He wants us to. If Christmas was originally a pagan holiday then I think the people did the right thing back then by trying to show the people long ago they also have a savior. That is what Christmas is all about.
2007-12-24 21:40:32 · answer #2 · answered by cgi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that as long as a Christian is fully aware of the historical facts that they have at hand ie: The Bible and other historical documents, that they should not feel guilty or stupid if they want to celebrate Christmas. I personally have gone through times in my life when I HAVE celebrated and NOT celebrated due to my personal beliefs. I honestly believe that our Father in the heavens does not care if we want to celebrate his Sons death on that day as I believe he looks at the circumstances of the times we live in and realizes that MOST people today really use this day and week as a special family and friend time for reflection. However, for Christians to constantly look the other way as to the truth of the ORIGINS of all holidays is foolish and yes, if you blindly look the other way and decide to not believe the only facts that are even Biblical then THAT is foolish.
Trust your intentions but do it openly.
2007-12-24 21:39:07 · answer #3 · answered by flamyamy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you're going to go there, don't forget to x out Easter, Halloween, May Day....
Most holidays Christians celebrate were interpreted from Pagan holidays as an effort to convert them. Get over it.
2007-12-24 21:39:30 · answer #4 · answered by Nice try 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christmas originated AROUND a pagan holiday know as Saturnalia, not FROM it. Christmas was celebrated around this time so early Christians wouldn't be suspected when celebrating in Rome where is was illegal to practice Christianity.
2007-12-24 21:42:28 · answer #5 · answered by Andrew W. 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, not at all. We celebrate emerging from darkness into the light of salvation. Many religions have their holiest day at this time of year. No matter the Bacchanalian origins of this ancient solstice celebration, it is joined to Christian ideals of peace on earth, goodwill to all men However we may fall short of Jesus' unconditional love, it is undeniable that people are more patient, polite and caring, and despite difficult times there is real joy loosed upon the world in this season.
2007-12-24 21:54:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, they recognize that it originated from a pagan holiday. But while recognizing its pagan roots, they transformed it into a celebration of Jesus and Christianity. Like taking something and making it your own.
2007-12-24 21:37:13 · answer #7 · answered by regina 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. Tons of people celebrate Christmas. Some Muslims celebrate Christmas and tons of other religions. Some Atheists.
2007-12-24 21:35:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, a Christian is someone who is trying to follow the path of Jesus Christ. If you are trying to follow Jesus' path then you would be reading God's word....The Holy Scriptures. In The Holy Scriptures God talks to us about EVERYTHING that has to do with even today's world. God never changes HIS mind or HIS word and never will and if you find things in The Holy Scriptures that is different than what you want to do (even if it IS something enjoyable and heartwarming,etc.)then you are to do as God says not as you want! Everything about what you call christmas IS pagan. About 26 years ago I started doing some research to do with santa claus simply because I didn't want to lie to my children when it came to christmas---which I also thought was about Jesus' birth. It escalated into a full-blown research into christmas as well. I have NOT participated in christmas since. If I could find all of my research papers (lost amongst thousands of papers that my husband still needs to go through since we've moved 3 x since I did the research)I would be more than happy to share the info with everyone. In Jeremiah 10:(1) Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: (2) Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. (3) For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. (4) They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not........................ Anyway, there is sooooooo much more. Also, the Jewish people do NOT celebrate births (or at least they didn't use to) they celebrate deaths. The reasoning behind this is that you have not offered anything to life at the time of your birth, but there is much to tell about what you gave to life after you have LIVED life and left it. The seasons over there are pretty much comparable to ours. Their "rainy" season begins about mid October and the shepherds would NOT have been out in the fields with their flocks, they would have been in the caves which were used as what we would call barns, stables, etc. So Jesus' was NOT born in the wintertime. Besides, do you not think that God would have TOLD us the date of Jesus' birth in The Holy Scriptures if HE was wanting us to celebrate it on an annual basis? Sure HE would have. What I have taught my children is that you should THANK God every day for sending Jesus to us as our Saviour. I also have taught them the poor and the needy are not only poor and needy during the wintertime and need our help, love and support at all times of the year. Well, I hope that by this time next year I will have found my research (I can't seem to rely on this aging brain of mine anymore--- haha)and will be able to tell you exactly what I found out and where. Thank you for allowing me this time and I hope the year to come will be a Blessed one!
2007-12-24 22:33:31 · answer #9 · answered by E. J. M. 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, because only the date originated from a Roman holiday, not the religious meaning and some of the traditions behind it. Christmas is about being good to one another and knowing it is better to give than to receive, not to party. Although theres nothing wrong with that.
2007-12-24 21:39:03 · answer #10 · answered by quitter 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋