Seriously disgusted with ...

[Reader]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

There is no directive, either in the words of Jesus, or in the words of Paul, or any other NT writer on exactly which days of the Lord should be kept, is there? I haven't found them.

What I have found is that no day should be set apart as better or less than another, but that every day should be worthy of giving the Lord our best.

Romans 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. 7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

10But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother?

How about everyone allows each person to celebrate or not celebrate without judging them or considering them to be doing something wrong?

While I do not like the commercialism at this time of year, I still celebrate Christmas. I don't bow down to any tree, don't say Santa is real and I don't get pulled into the stores with the madness of the season. I realize Jesus was not born that day, but if I choose to remember his birth on that day, it is my business and nobody else. If I choose to give anyone a gift on that day or receive any gift, it is my business alone. Just as it is on any other day of the year.

[BrotherEastman]

Originally Posted by Reader

Romans 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. 7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

10But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother?

How about everyone allows each person to celebrate or not celebrate without judging them or considering them to be doing something wrong?

While I do not like the commercialism at this time of year, I still celebrate Christmas. I don't bow down to any tree, don't say Santa is real and I don't get pulled into the stores with the madness of the season. I realize Jesus was not born that day, but if I choose to remember his birth on that day, it is my business and nobody else. If I choose to give anyone a gift on that day or receive any gift, it is my business alone. Just as it is on any other day of the year.

Very well said.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Reader

Romans 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. 7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

10But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother?

How about everyone allows each person to celebrate or not celebrate without judging them or considering them to be doing something wrong?

While I do not like the commercialism at this time of year, I still celebrate Christmas. I don't bow down to any tree, don't say Santa is real and I don't get pulled into the stores with the madness of the season. I realize Jesus was not born that day, but if I choose to remember his birth on that day, it is my business and nobody else. If I choose to give anyone a gift on that day or receive any gift, it is my business alone. Just as it is on any other day of the year.

Originally Posted by BrotherEastman

Very well said.

Very well said. And Kept also has the right to voice how she feels about it.

After all, and I do have a lovely tree this year - BUT - isn't it strange that we sit around a dead tree and eat candy out of a sock?

[BrotherEastman]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Very well said. And Kept also has the right to voice how she feels about it.

After all, and I do have a lovely tree this year - BUT - isn't it strange that we sit around a dead tree and eat candy out of a sock?

Strange? Traditionally speaking? perhaps not. However, I digress there does seem to be an element of materialism involved.

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Very well said. And Kept also has the right to voice how she feels about it.

After all, and I do have a lovely tree this year - BUT - isn't it strange that we sit around a dead tree and eat candy out of a sock?

Thanks PO. I realize that setting aside a day out of the year to celebrate the birth of the Lord really has become something that is NOT about Him, and more about tradition. I don't know how to separate out the two, or if I should. I just know that every year at Christmas I cringe when people talk about all the stress in their life because of the holidays, how much they have gone into debt to provide gifts for their family, and how much gluttony is involved with all the cakes, candy, cookies and more that are just everywhere. Where is Christ in that?

But, I do know that on the flip side, many people become very generous this time of year, donating their time, money, and efforts to helping people who are less fortunate than they. That really is the true spirit of Christmas, and so I know that Christmas isn't "all" bad.

It is just like you said though - sitting around a dead tree, eating candy out of a sock... all the silly things that are done this time of year because of a tradition... really have no connection to Christ, much as we may try to think they do.

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Reader

How about everyone allows each person to celebrate or not celebrate without judging them or considering them to be doing something wrong?

While I do not like the commercialism at this time of year, I still celebrate Christmas. I don't bow down to any tree, don't say Santa is real and I don't get pulled into the stores with the madness of the season. I realize Jesus was not born that day, but if I choose to remember his birth on that day, it is my business and nobody else. If I choose to give anyone a gift on that day or receive any gift, it is my business alone. Just as it is on any other day of the year.

I do understand, and agree with what you've said. I'm glad that you aren't caught up in the commercialism materialistic side of Christmas that most people get into this time of year.

It would be so nice to keep the day of Christmas about the Lord, and celebrating His birth, and avoid the pit falls that the retail businesses would have you fall into.

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Esphes45

I believe you should treat them as any other day. Holy unto the Lord.

This is another one of my pet peeves. You can make whatever day your "get together/fellowship worship day". Out of convenience I like Sunday (morning especially). The apostolic churches I know have weekday services also which end at a un-kid friendly time and if you miss them you are quoted Hebrews 10:25.

Thanks for sharing your opinion Esphes... I do tend to agree. However when a day is named specifically and celebrated for the birth of our Lord, and yet everything that happens on, about, and around that day falls into complete contradiction to the very reason and values that He came for, do these very traditions like Santa, Christmas Trees, reindeers, snowmen, massive holiday debt, stress, gluttony, and the such like become like a slap in the face to the Lord? That is what I am trying to muddle through.

[Carl]

I know every year when christmas comes around I think, it is supposed to be about Jesus, but I wonder how much of the attention really is going to him. Is he really blessed by all of it. Also, a lot of effort goes into producing some temporary feelings of joy and peace when really he came to give us real joy and peace.

[Esphes45]

Is it me or do alot of Apostolic churches celebrate Christmas?

Personally I believe Christmas should be something that is "celebrated" every day.

Christmas is not a one day event. It should be every day.
You should not only want to help the homeless on Dec 25th.
You should not only want to think about the birth of Jesus on Dec 25th.

Remember the bible says that we might serve him in holiness all the days of our life. not just 12/25.

I heard a preacher once say, people will walk past a homeless person every day of the year without giving them a nickel but on Dec 25th!, They will bring them food, clothes and money! And we call ourselves "saints"?

That's not like Jesus.

Churches that have "Christmas" and "Easter" services are just doing it for marketing purposes many times. They realize if you flash Christmas in the front of the church, people will walk in. IMO, they should be ashamed of themselves.

[thephnxman]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

Thanks for sharing your opinion Esphes... I do tend to agree. However when a day is named specifically and celebrated for the birth of our Lord, and yet everything that happens on, about, and around that day falls into complete contradiction to the very reason and values that He came for, do these very traditions like Santa, Christmas Trees, reindeers, snowmen, massive holiday debt, stress, gluttony, and the such like become like a slap in the face to the Lord? That is what I am trying to muddle through.

Try this: stand in front of the mirror and sing: "Happy Birthday to you...". Because the "...word of God that lives
and abides forever..." has been begotten in YOU!