WHAT!?! No Christmas???

[AncientPaths]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

Yes sir... but what would you have to say about someone who said the same thing about shorts?

Across the board... people see things in different windows of reasoning depending on their particular bent or preference.

I know I'm surely the same way because our ability to see it in others doesn't improve our ability to see it in ourselves.

And... I'm not attempting to fight with you on this. Just discussing. But I will say that I have been surprised with your answers considering that you are someone who posts from a consistently conservative area of reasoning. I'm not surprised that you celebrate the holidays... most people do... But to see "I'll risk it" etc was a pretty amazing sight for me. Especially since, as I have mentioned, that sounds like the type of response that you might see as disrespectful and demonstrating lack of desire for Gods will were you to receive that reponse on an issue of holiness.

But... like I say... it's no biggie. But it is sometimes eye opening.

Well, I don't mean to be flippant about it, but I really do feel like at some point, I just have to go with what I feel is right. My assertion is that God's will would be for us to regain our focus on things that he really cares about. I am trying to think of a scenario where God would be displeased that during a certain season of the year, regardless of origin, people would be more likely to remember his birth and treat each other with increased kindness - and, well, I just can't. And if I'm wrong, well, then as I said, I guess I'll find out.

And let me say one other thing, you may want to review my posts again before you a) give me too much credit, or b) think that I lean very conservatively. The dress issue for me fits right smack dab into the middle of this category as well.

You ever have those moments in life where you obsessed for weeks and weeks over some detail about a major upcoming event, and then when the event actually happened, it ended up being a laughably insignificant point? That's how I feel about both of these things.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by AncientPaths

Well, I don't mean to be flippant about it, but I really do feel like at some point, I just have to go with what I feel is right. My assertion is that God's will would be for us to regain our focus on things that he really cares about. I am trying to think of a scenario where God would be displeased that during a certain season of the year, regardless of origin, people would be more likely to remember his birth and treat each other with increased kindness - and, well, I just can't. And if I'm wrong, well, then as I said, I guess I'll find out.

And let me say one other thing, you may want to review my posts again before you a) give me too much credit, or b) think that I lean very conservatively. The dress issue for me fits right smack dab into the middle of this category as well.

You ever have those moments in life where you obsessed for weeks and weeks over some detail about a major upcoming event, and then when the event actually happened, it ended up being a laughably insignificant point? That's how I feel about both of these things.

Yes sir... and I appreciate your post.

As I have said before I don't judge others who live this issue differently than I but I do feel that it deserves a thoughtful look by everyone. We often come to differing conclusions but in my small mind I do feel that every Biblical issue does at least deserve honest, open and serious study on our part.

To disagree with me is not an issue. But, for some reason, to appear to have never given serious thought is harder on me.

[Hoovie]

Like other "trappings" of the modern age we live in I take none too seriously. Holidays are like fads of hairstyles (what little I have left) clothing styles, eating and drinking etc etc. I don't go out of my way to indulge nor abstain. In moderation I enjoy that which appears good and can be done in clear conscience. Knowing Christians will draw different conclusions, I feel all must allow grace to reign and resist judgement of fellow believers.

[AncientPaths]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

Yes sir... and I appreciate your post.

As I have said before I don't judge others who live this issue differently than I but I do feel that it deserves a thoughtful look by everyone. We often come to differing conclusions but in my small mind I do feel that every Biblical issue does at least deserve honest, open and serious study on our part.

To disagree with me is not an issue. But, for some reason, to appear to have never given serious thought is harder on me.

I agree that certain things merit careful study. And to say that I don't consider this issue significant doesn't mean that I haven't given it a serious thought or two. I just quickly dismissed it as insignificant.

Also, I will say that my "I guess we'll see" attitude comes from my frustration in people's belief (not yours - this is speaking generally) that because they have studied something intently, they can conclude that they have figured God out, they can rest easy, and that the outcome is a sure thing. I think deciding on what "truth" is on certain topics make us feel better, but whether it's the truth is unknowable and remains to be seen.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by AncientPaths

I agree that certain things merit careful study. And to say that I don't consider this issue significant doesn't mean that I haven't given it a serious thought or two. I just quickly dismissed it as insignificant.

Also, I will say that my "I guess we'll see" attitude comes from my frustration in people's belief (not yours - this is speaking generally) that because they have studied something intently, they can conclude that they have figured God out, they can rest easy, and that the outcome is a sure thing. I think deciding on what "truth" is on certain topics make us feel better, but whether it's the truth is unknowable and remains to be seen.

Agreed.

Thanks for the post.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Guys... most of us are Gentiles of European heritage. Why do we want to eradicate white European culture? When our ancestors became Christians they maintained their cultural identity. Just like the Maori in New Zealand, they do a tribal "war dance" and even distort their faces in a haka as part of their praise and worship meetings (which are UPCI). So... we kept some seasonal decorations that go back a long way (Yule Logs, Christmas Trees, Mistletoe, etc.). But now those things are "cultural" not spiritual. In fact, many were redefined so that they point to the only true Saviour, Jesus Christ. The Christmas Tree was redefined to represent eternal life in Christ.

yeppers

[Sam]

my opinion is that stuff like celebrating Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving, Easter, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, etc all fit within the Romans chapter 14 principle.

I won't tell you what to do or what not to do
and you don't need to tell me what to do or what not to do..

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

Christmas is no longer a part of our mindset. The other day a christmas commercialism commercial came on and I caught myself thinking... "Christmas isn't over yet?" The only time I even think about it is when I see the commercials or I try to go to the store and I have a DVR so I don't often see the commericals.

"Man... what is the deal with all these people here" and then I remembered... Oh yeah... Christmas isn't over yet.

Also... December 26th I get my usual contemporary Christian music back on the radio. I'm looking forward to that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E-47...layer_embedded

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E-47...layer_embedded

Lol -- that's pretty good!