View Full Version : No Christmas?!
Sept5SavedTeen
12-11-2007, 11:34 PM
Ok, well, I've seen a ton of links about Christmas and those that celebrate it. I also saw a thread/discussion or two with a ton of stuff to read about Christmas being pagan. This discussion isn't meant to do either. All I want to know is who doesn't celebrate Christmas, your main reason, and what if any alternatives you use. Also, do you celebrate in some way with family that is not saved?
My main reason for not celebrating Christmas is it's pagan roots, Jeremiah 10:1-6 really opened my eyes to the Christmas tree issue.
As an alternative, I am all for getting together on New Years. Celebrating the coming of a New Year and getting new stuff (ie. gifts that you would normally get on Christmas) is a great alternative, you can also save money by buying gifts between the 26th and the 31st.
Lastly, I do get together with my family, and although they are not saved, I love them and I try to be patient with them. I'm learning I can't expect unsaved people to act like saved people, so I'm trying to get away from convincing them of their need to throw out the Christmas tree and I'm trying to get them to just obey Acts 2:38.
So that's where I stand. Where are my other non-Christmas celebrating brethren at?
GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex
Sept5SavedTeen
12-16-2007, 06:04 PM
No one! No one! Oh, come on, there must be someone...
Just wanted to chat with others who see this similarly... I can't be the only one, lol... Eh, maybe I am
GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex
Rhoni
12-16-2007, 06:11 PM
I was raised and taught that Christmas was a pagan holiday but for the life of me I can't see letting the devil take everything good and holy, especially the birth of Christ, and making it all about being pagan. I think that too much legalism makes for one angry Apostolic.
Blessings, Rhoni
JamDat
12-16-2007, 06:16 PM
We don't celebrate Christmas either.
What we do is buy presents for our children and put them under a tree. On Dec. 25th we read about the birth of Jesus and the little kiddies open the presents.
We get together with family, eat a big meal and open more presents.
We celebrate Jesus's birthday. Oh I know He wasn't born on Dec. 25th at least that's what they say (wouldn't it be a kicker though if He was, lol), but that's when we celebrate it. Seems like a good time because I'm off of work and the children are out of school.
Anyway Merry Christmas!
Sister Truth Seeker
12-16-2007, 06:26 PM
Ok, well, I've seen a ton of links about Christmas and those that celebrate it. I also saw a thread/discussion or two with a ton of stuff to read about Christmas being pagan. This discussion isn't meant to do either. All I want to know is who doesn't celebrate Christmas, your main reason, and what if any alternatives you use. Also, do you celebrate in some way with family that is not saved?
My main reason for not celebrating Christmas is it's pagan roots, Jeremiah 10:1-6 really opened my eyes to the Christmas tree issue.
As an alternative, I am all for getting together on New Years. Celebrating the coming of a New Year and getting new stuff (ie. gifts that you would normally get on Christmas) is a great alternative, you can also save money by buying gifts between the 26th and the 31st.
Lastly, I do get together with my family, and although they are not saved, I love them and I try to be patient with them. I'm learning I can't expect unsaved people to act like saved people, so I'm trying to get away from convincing them of their need to throw out the Christmas tree and I'm trying to get them to just obey Acts 2:38.
So that's where I stand. Where are my other non-Christmas celebrating brethren at?
GOD BLESS!
Bro. AlexNew year is based on pagan holidays too..they all have pagan aspects you can live in a box....but what will that do....we celebrate Christmas and all it is, but we don't worship anything but God!
Sept5SavedTeen
12-16-2007, 08:16 PM
Ok, fine, nothing against you all, and I'm not an angry apostolic, just wondering if anyone else saw it the same way... guess not :depressed
Anyways, Happy Holidays to you all.
GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex
Scott Hutchinson
12-16-2007, 08:47 PM
I don't do the tree thing due to a personal conviction,but I do exchange presents,but I don't cast my brother and sister into a pit over the tree deal.
I don't like the commercialism surrounding the holidays, but I do enjoy family and friends.
Cindy
12-16-2007, 08:59 PM
I really think most anything could be considered pagan because of who had control of most governments and authority in the world. Yet the WORD still stands. Somehow God has always had a people that held fast to his word.
Our family starts our celebration with the reading of the word, then the presents, we do have a tree and other decorations. We have a great meal. I think we represent what Jesus was about, fellowship and love. I don't know when he was born, just that he was, And for that I am grateful. How we celebrate in our family has nothing to do with pagans because we are not worshipping anything but GOD.
HeavenlyOne
12-17-2007, 10:21 AM
Ok, well, I've seen a ton of links about Christmas and those that celebrate it. I also saw a thread/discussion or two with a ton of stuff to read about Christmas being pagan. This discussion isn't meant to do either. All I want to know is who doesn't celebrate Christmas, your main reason, and what if any alternatives you use. Also, do you celebrate in some way with family that is not saved?
My main reason for not celebrating Christmas is it's pagan roots, Jeremiah 10:1-6 really opened my eyes to the Christmas tree issue.
As an alternative, I am all for getting together on New Years. Celebrating the coming of a New Year and getting new stuff (ie. gifts that you would normally get on Christmas) is a great alternative, you can also save money by buying gifts between the 26th and the 31st.
Lastly, I do get together with my family, and although they are not saved, I love them and I try to be patient with them. I'm learning I can't expect unsaved people to act like saved people, so I'm trying to get away from convincing them of their need to throw out the Christmas tree and I'm trying to get them to just obey Acts 2:38.
So that's where I stand. Where are my other non-Christmas celebrating brethren at?
GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex
I respect your beliefs, however, Jeremiah has nothing to do with Christmas trees. If you read that passage correctly, you will see that it's speaking of wooden idols.
In addition, Christmas wasn't celebrated in the OT in any way, as Christ wasn't born yet. Neither was St. Nick....LOL!
Christmas trees didn't even exist until about the 1500's.
And lastly, New Year's is pagan too....LOL!
AmazingGrace
12-17-2007, 10:26 AM
I find this really kind of funny... they dont get together on Christmas because its pagan but do on New years anddd pass out Christmas gifts???? Its just that they dont call them that because they are bought at the after Christmas sales but hey isnt that the same thing? You are still buying and supporting a pagan holiday and celebrating it pagan style still????????? Well since I have said that I will get my easter bunny and my pink hearts and get in my pumpkin carriage to drive thru the snow to open my Christmas presents on New Years with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He's My Friend
12-17-2007, 11:14 AM
Nothing against Bro Alex and his beliefs, ( Sept 5 saved Teen), just adding to this topic.
I've been in church for approx 33 yrs.
I have attended churches that did observe holidays, and I have attended churches that did not celebrate Christmas.
We now attend a church that does not celebrate any holidays, not even Thanksgiving.
We do exchange gifts, and this year we decorated a small tree, (rather than the large tree we usually put up).
I must say I was a little troubled about putting up the tree (because of the beliefs of the church), but...I really became more troubled about not putting the tree up.
I did not feel it was wrong to decorate for Christmas, or wrong not to decorate, but I was troubled about feeling as if I should hide it.
I know we do not worship our tree, no more than I worship my furniture, or anything else in my home or in my life.
We have a 3 story home, and my sis mentioned putting the tree on the lower level, then she brought it up to the dining room.
I remained troubled by this, (as if we were trying to hide it) so...I moved the tree to the living room.
Was I in rebellion ?
No.
I know God saw the little tree when it was in the lower level, and the dining room, and then on into the living room.
If I did not mind God seeing the tree, I sure did not plan on worrying about a
human person seeing the tree.
My children love going to my parents home, (which is decorated to the max)
and they so enjoy all of their lights, and beautiful lawn decorations.
My children miss thier dad, and the 14 yr old really worries about his safety in Iraq, and the decorations brighten things up for them.
I heard the little one say last night, that all she wants for Christmas is her mommy and daddy.
BTW:
I do know one pastor that will not open presents in Dec, but he has no problem with the exchange of gifts in November. (what's up with that)
Mrs. LPW
12-17-2007, 11:19 AM
:hijacked
It's official.
John Atkinson
12-17-2007, 11:36 AM
Why I don't Celebrate Christmas:
Can't really think of a reason. Yeah Yeah pagan this pagan that. I'm not a pagan, and I don't really know if the ancient druids worshipped a fat guy in a red suit. Or care.
The day is there. I'll eat food with family (twice even). I'll give presents to my daughter and whoever's name got pulled out of the hat (My wife takes care of that anyhow)
I'll spend the bonus the job gives me, if we get one anyhow.. and I will graciously accept the 2 days off with pay.
As for the day, eh... just a day. Not for or against it.
Don't put up a tree, don't do lights, do the shopping either 2 months before or a week after (My daughter may not get the gifts from me until around new year, last year she got them mid-December). No, they won't be wrapped). Year before that I just gave her an envelop with a bunch of money in it and said "go nuts".
It is just another day.
But, the general season itself is a good outreach tool, as happy smiling people are easier to reach now than in two weeks when they realize winter isn't fun for most people, the money is all spent, and the CC Bills start coming in and they turn all grouchy and miserable.
So it has outreach value.
It is simply a day.
It will be great day to hang out with family and eat good food. Just like July 4, memorial day and labour day or anyother day that gets to happen.
Scott Hutchinson
12-17-2007, 11:41 AM
My sincerest advice and I've said this before ,but I think people should study the origins of things and then let The Holy Ghost guide them fair enough ?
Mercy
12-17-2007, 01:05 PM
Right now my family (parents and sibs) celebrate Christmas. We have a tree at my parents house and we exchange wrapped gifts. For the last 10 years or so we go 1st thing Christmas morning to my sisters church to worship God, thank Him for coming to us, and celebrate on the day set aside to commemorate His birth, then we eat, then we open gifts. Maybe we manage to be able to do it like that because we dont have small children.
When I have my own family I dont think I want to celebrate Christmas in the traditional way, not that I am strongly for or against it, I just agree with the previous post that this is an awesome time to witness. Even though I do lots of community service throughout the year, it seems to double during this time. That is something I want my children (when I have them) to be a part of. I would buy them things, but they would have to give away everything (save one) they recieved to try and teach them about giving and unselfishness. Who knows, it just may work. :santathumb
I dont put a tree up in my own house, mainly because I always have to travel on the holiday to be with the rest of my family so I dont see the point.
I did stop buying gifts for my friends that aren't at least Christian a few years ago. Why go through all the gift buying/giving and decorating when you dont even believe in the reason for the season? I told them that. They seems to understand since we are still friends.
Ok, well, I've seen a ton of links about Christmas and those that celebrate it. I also saw a thread/discussion or two with a ton of stuff to read about Christmas being pagan. This discussion isn't meant to do either. All I want to know is who doesn't celebrate Christmas, your main reason, and what if any alternatives you use. Also, do you celebrate in some way with family that is not saved?
My main reason for not celebrating Christmas is it's pagan roots, Jeremiah 10:1-6 really opened my eyes to the Christmas tree issue.
As an alternative, I am all for getting together on New Years. Celebrating the coming of a New Year and getting new stuff (ie. gifts that you would normally get on Christmas) is a great alternative, you can also save money by buying gifts between the 26th and the 31st.
Lastly, I do get together with my family, and although they are not saved, I love them and I try to be patient with them. I'm learning I can't expect unsaved people to act like saved people, so I'm trying to get away from convincing them of their need to throw out the Christmas tree and I'm trying to get them to just obey Acts 2:38.
So that's where I stand. Where are my other non-Christmas celebrating brethren at?
GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex
Sept5SavedTeen
12-17-2007, 05:07 PM
I find this really kind of funny... they dont get together on Christmas because its pagan but do on New years anddd pass out Christmas gifts???? Its just that they dont call them that because they are bought at the after Christmas sales but hey isnt that the same thing? You are still buying and supporting a pagan holiday and celebrating it pagan style still????????? Well since I have said that I will get my easter bunny and my pink hearts and get in my pumpkin carriage to drive thru the snow to open my Christmas presents on New Years with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not "they", just me. I don't know of anyone else that does New Years in place of xmas, but I feel comfortable doing this. I wish people a Happy New Years or a Happy Holiday(s), and I feel like it pleases GOD that I do this. However, I don't have a family yet, so I kind of go along with xmas, but I've convinced some relatives to buy gifts on New Years, and some, out of desire to save money buy gifts on New Years. I was shocked that no one in my family had thought about it, but those that save money by doing it this way are glad for the tip I gave them- hopefully more will catch on. I don't know of other apostolics, though, that do this...
Also, I don't know how New Years is pagan. I mean, a calendar, naturally has to have a beginning and an end. On the beginning of the calendar year, New Years, why not buy gifts for loved ones, visit with family, remember the good times of the year past, and look forward to GOD's blessings for a year to come? No tree, no wreaths or such things, just taking advantage of how our secular calendar works to take a day to do these things.
GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex
nahkoe
12-17-2007, 05:17 PM
Not "they", just me. I don't know of anyone else that does New Years in place of xmas, but I feel comfortable doing this. I wish people a Happy New Years or a Happy Holiday(s), and I feel like it pleases GOD that I do this. However, I don't have a family yet, so I kind of go along with xmas, but I've convinced some relatives to buy gifts on New Years, and some, out of desire to save money buy gifts on New Years. I was shocked that no one in my family had thought about it, but those that save money by doing it this way are glad for the tip I gave them- hopefully more will catch on. I don't know of other apostolics, though, that do this...
Also, I don't know how New Years is pagan. I mean, a calendar, naturally has to have a beginning and an end. On the beginning of the calendar year, New Years, why not buy gifts for loved ones, visit with family, remember the good times of the year past, and look forward to GOD's blessings for a year to come? No tree, no wreaths or such things, just taking advantage of how our secular calendar works to take a day to do these things.
GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex
I googled the pagan new year thing just cuz I hadn't heard of it either. It looks like about the only thing that would be considered pagan is the borrowing of traditions from Samhain...the pagan new year.
Guess that's something I should consider for awhile before jumping into a new year's celebration. Oh who am I kidding. I've given up every single holiday I've loved and gone all out with for 6 years...I'd probably better replace those with something good and fun. (I did add Thanksgiving in this year)
StillStanding
12-17-2007, 06:32 PM
If you don't celebrate Christmas because it is Pagan, don't forget to go by a different calendar too! You need to rename the months and days of the week! After all, this was given to us by those blasted Pagans.
dizzyde
12-17-2007, 06:50 PM
If you don't celebrate Christmas because it is Pagan, don't forget to go by a different calendar too! You need to rename the months and days of the week! After all, this was given to us by those blasted Pagans.
Oh, please don't ask them to be consistant! That is what blows my mind with these "pagan holiday" people. When you start pointing out all the holidays and customs that we observe that have pagan roots, the general answer is "well, God didn't convict me of that".
Once more for the road, if you plan on celebrating Christmas or any other holiday to worship a pagan god, you have a bigger problem than Christmas.
If you are celebrating a holiday where you can spend quality time with your family and friends, while also acknowledging the birth of your Savior, I'm pretty sure God can make the distinction. Heaven forbid we join with the rest of society for ONE day to honor our Lord. (yes, I know not all are acknowledging him, but most are.)
Cindy
12-17-2007, 07:09 PM
I find this really kind of funny... they dont get together on Christmas because its pagan but do on New years anddd pass out Christmas gifts???? Its just that they dont call them that because they are bought at the after Christmas sales but hey isnt that the same thing? You are still buying and supporting a pagan holiday and celebrating it pagan style still????????? Well since I have said that I will get my easter bunny and my pink hearts and get in my pumpkin carriage to drive thru the snow to open my Christmas presents on New Years with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ok quit it girl, you are makin me laugh. :jolly
Sister Alvear
12-17-2007, 07:19 PM
Sherri, sent me some money so we are having ham and all the works. We are having some of our people over that are too poor to have anything...What possibly could be wrong with feeding the hungry and Sherri doing special for our kids?
Scott Hutchinson
12-17-2007, 07:22 PM
If you eat Black Eyed Peas on New Year's I don't if you will good luck but you'll be prone to have gas.
LaVonne
12-17-2007, 07:23 PM
Sherri, sent me some money so we are having ham and all the works. We are having some of our people over that are too poor to have anything...What possibly could be wrong with feeding the hungry and Sherri doing special for our kids?
God bless Sherri for her giving spirit!
Scott Hutchinson
12-17-2007, 07:27 PM
Yes God bless Sister Sherri for her kindness.
nahkoe
12-17-2007, 07:29 PM
I googled the pagan new year thing just cuz I hadn't heard of it either. It looks like about the only thing that would be considered pagan is the borrowing of traditions from Samhain...the pagan new year.
Guess that's something I should consider for awhile before jumping into a new year's celebration. Oh who am I kidding. I've given up every single holiday I've loved and gone all out with for 6 years...I'd probably better replace those with something good and fun. (I did add Thanksgiving in this year)
Not sure if the posts following this are to me or not. But...
I don't care who celebrates what. Christmas is American anyhow, I celebrated Yule and (the American, not Christian) Christmas seperately for years..cuz they're not the same thing.
I've decided to take a cautious approach to holidays for awhile. The American Christmas was the *only* non pagan (and I do mean really, for honest pagan) holiday I was celebrating. And, I had it all tied into Yule because of how close they are.
Y'all do whatever you want...most of the American traditions are so far removed from the pagan origins you wouldn't recognize the original anyhow. Everyone needs to have fun sometimes! The more often the better. :bouquet
:merrychristmas
:happyholidays
:merrychristmas
nahkoe
12-17-2007, 07:30 PM
Sherri, sent me some money so we are having ham and all the works. We are having some of our people over that are too poor to have anything...What possibly could be wrong with feeding the hungry and Sherri doing special for our kids?
That's so cool. :) I'm so glad y'all are getting the opportunity to do something like that for your people.
AmazingGrace
12-18-2007, 06:05 AM
ok quit it girl, you are makin me laugh. :jolly
Wha huh I didnt do a thing?!?!?! :christmasjig:christmasjig ROFL
My husband has to laugh at me every year now... see we only get his daughter on summer and holidays now as she is too far away to go get every other weekend,,,,but when she was little I still made her an easter basket.. well... I would always forget to send it to her or give it to her if we saw her... so one year I totally forgot about it and as we were moving at Christmas time I found it and gave it to her!!! So now the running thing around here is .... we save our Easter baskets so we can sit in front of the pumpkin and eat easter candy while we open our Christmas presents... yes Iknow bad bad bad... but ya know!
vBulletin® v3.8.5, Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.