Re: Christmas is pagan
 

the annual xmas is pagan thread...lol

Rom 14
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.


14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.


22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Re: Christmas is pagan
 

It's a family tradition.

This does not apply to pagan heathen devil-worship (un)holy days. Having faith is required to please God. Anything without faith is sin. Faith comes by hearing, and that hearing comes by the Word of God. And the Word of God explicitly condemns the use of pagan devil worship rites as part of the worship of God. Therefore, it is biblically IMPOSSIBLE to "have faith to keep Christmas, Halloween, Easter, participate in idol worship" or anything condemned by God.

Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

Revelation 2:20-23 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. (21) And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. (22) Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. (23) And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

Re: Christmas is pagan
 

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, nor Easter, nor Thanksgiving, nor Christmas, nor any other holiday shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

:heeheehee

Sorry, but I had to do it. I have zero interest in celebrating holidays, but I'm not about to go telling anyone that doing so will cause them to lose fellowship with God.

Intention matters. What was the intent of the Israelites who came out of Egypt? They wanted to make their own god they could see. What was the intention of Joroboam? To prevent people from killing him and switching allegiances to another.

None of that was about worshipping God, it was about self-worship.

If one uses holidays to promote yourself or promote worship of another, then that is sin. Gathering together with friends and family - even having a dedicated day of the year to do so - is not sin in and of itself. If that were so, then annual family gatherings would also be sinful.

To summarize, it all comes down to the "thoughts and intents of the heart".

Re: Christmas is pagan
 

It's not about what it means to us. But what it means to God. Paul didn't go on about "it's all about the thoughts and intents of the heart" when he said you CANNOT partake of both the table of devils and of the Lord's table.

But it is indeed a matter of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Does the heart think and intend to be separated from devil worship, and separated to God? Or does the heart figure it can do whatever it wants as long as "it's for a reason that seems right"?

Re: Christmas is pagan
 

I think the world is very comfortable coming to our fall festivals and Christmas pageants, where all is sweetness and light, and we are basking in the presence of the Lord yet many times no one feels compelled to change.

Re: Christmas is pagan
 

Exactly. There is no power in worldiness to save people from the world.

Re: Christmas is pagan
 

My sentiments exactly.

Now...to stir the pot a little... :heeheehee

I haven't read through this thread, so if this had been addressed, please forgive me, but I have a few questions... If someone chooses to not celebrate Christmas for religious reasons/convictions, I respect their right to choose, but I am wondering...

1. Do they accept a 'Christmas Bonus' from their employer, be it a monetary gift, ham/turkey, nasty fruitcake, whatever?

2. Do they accept the paid vacation day/week, be it by way of a job benefit or gift?

3. Do they reject someone's Christmas greeting and card all while throwing a tarp over carolers because it grieves their spirit?

4. Do they refuse to shop at Walmart while a bell ringing Santa is out there with his Salvation Army bucket?

Inquiring minds wan to know... :nod

Re: Christmas is pagan
 

1. I'm self employed.
2. I'm self employed.
3. I don't carry tarps around and the tarps I have are used for covering things like lawn mowers and stuff.
4. I try not to shop at Walmart at any time if I can help it. Walmart offers the WORST shopping experience of any place I have EVER been. Can never find what I'm actually wanting, aisles and aisles of cheap low quality junk, and forget about customer service. Oh, and always without fail, at the busiest hours... only one or two checkout lanes open. While twenty or thirty employees stand around watching everything.

Re: Christmas is pagan
 

LOL Thanks!! :highfive

I honestly meant no offense. These are just questions I respectfully asked a coworker a few years ago who was JW...

Re: Christmas is pagan
 

When I was 20 years old, I attended a Baptist play entitled, "Wise Men Still Seek Him". I was moved to tears when, after the pageant part was over, a business man in suit and tie knelt before the crib scene, a construction worker came out and knelt down, a baker, a housewife, etc. It was very moving.

Later, my mother and I attended a viewing of Billy Graham's play, The Prodigal. I had to get up and go into the bathroom because of my tears. My mother was very staunch about crying in public or expressing too much emotion at all.

God used those things as He worked to position my heart to receive Him a few years later. That is my experience.

Christmas for me is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. Whether that was the actual time He was born or not isn't relevant to me. There are many people, like myself, who attend pageants being stirred every year. And I like that very much. I know it took a few years for me to understand my true need of God, but I never forgot that Baptist pageant. I was touched so deeply. The message came so loud and clear - Wise Men Still Seek Him.

I will be decorating next week. I purchased 20 rustic stars that I will shabby chic with white chalk paint. They have tiny stars punched out in the middle for the light to come through. It will remind me of the many stars out the night the shepherds were on the hillside tending sheep.

And I will remind my grandchildren, like my mother did for me - Jesus is the Reason for the Season.

Anything Jehovah's Witness believes and practices, I do the opposite.