If it is suppose to be Jesus birthday (which its not)
shouldn't people be giving Jesus gifts not each other or at least gifts to further the preaching of the gospel?
2007-12-26 14:22:43 · 36 answers · asked by Bride of Christ 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Like 99% of all Christmas traditions, giving presents is a pagan tradition that Christians adopted to for the most part make an exact replica of the pagan celebration of the sun god.
2007-12-26 14:25:48 · answer #1 · answered by xx. 6 · 3⤊ 4⤋
Celebrating Christmas on dec 25th began because of pagan holidays that revolved around the winter solstice. One pagan holiday, "Saturnalia" was a day to worship the "god" (actually planet) Saturn. During this day people gave each other gifts.
Gift giving did not originate with the three wise men as many believe.
2007-12-26 14:32:44 · answer #2 · answered by Dan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is a tradition of giving gifts at Christmas time as a symbol of the gifts of the Magi to the Christ Child. The Bible indicates that Jesus said that what you do unto the least of his people, you also do unto him. If that is so, then the gifts you give to fellow believers are gifts to him, also.
2007-12-26 14:30:22 · answer #3 · answered by Suzianne 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The wise men gave gifts to Jesus when he was born.
Yes, it would be nice if people gave to further the preaching of the gospel.
2007-12-26 14:32:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why can't a person give gifts to their children and the other ones they love, AND also give gifts to "Jesus," by giving to the poor?
Last year, my church was one of 5 founding churches in a movement to combat materialism at Christmas, and this year, over 1000 churches internationally have joined the movement to provide fresh water wells to third world countries. As a family we participated in this movement, but we still gave each other simple gifts.
2007-12-26 14:28:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Christmas is about giving - the 3 wise men gave Jesus gifts. So, you give presents to people you care about and love. Thats one of the things that you do on Christmas - give to others. And we can't exactally give presents to Jesus now.
2007-12-26 14:29:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
We should be giving gifts to the poor people in africa and every where instead of spending so much on trees and decorations. our hearts and lives would be so blessed if we would give to God instead of these luxuries. on the other hand it is not wrong of us to celebrate th love we have for our families and friends . When Jesus was on the earth a lady poured out a bottle of very expensive oil on His feet and washed His feet with her tears and her hair. some people were angry because she was a sinner and the oil was expensive and could have gone to the poor but Jesus said "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
48Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven So we should cherish each other the way this lady cherished Jesus while we are here on this earth because we will not be here together always. If we are with our family and we are healthy it is a blessing to celebrate together and it is good to show our care by gift giving. I enjoyed my gift giving.
2007-12-26 14:53:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since the only gifts they can give to Jesus would be at church,they give to others to represent the three wise men that brought presents to baby Jesus.
2007-12-26 14:27:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
People give gifts because the wisemen gave gifts to Jesus. How can we give gifts to God? But you make a good point w/ gifts to spread the gospel.
2007-12-26 14:26:36 · answer #9 · answered by paula r 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well, in many ways you are right. But while it's technically not the birthdate of Jesus, it is the day designated to celebrate his birthday.
And in our religion, Agape love is the greatest gift. And if you are giving to others, you are giving from yourself and that can definitely symbolize love.
2007-12-26 14:26:46 · answer #10 · answered by Searcher 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it started out as a big retail thing it was probably pagan for sure maybe started as a way to show kindness and love and gratitude for a good year it was probably supposed to be small kindnessess and maybe hand made goods but it got all ugly when retail greed and the need to bail out the economy came along and also its so unbelievable that people who canbarely pay their mortgages will go deeper into debt on their credit cards just to go along with the crowd. wish we had the guts to say NO one xmas season...
2007-12-26 14:36:57 · answer #11 · answered by plagam_extremam_infligere 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋