Christmas? [Archive] - Youth Quake Forums

Babyruth

12-01-2005, 04:48 AM

I agree with Nathanael. We obviously know the real Christmas is not now. I know some families that don't celebrate it at all and I agree with that too. However, I enjoy celebrating "the day" Christ was "born." Mostly, I enjoy the festivities and time with friends and family that normally isn't possible. I enjoy the songs remembering Jesus' birth and all the things He's done for us. Just like all other holidays, Christmas has become a Hallmark holiday. We don't need only a day to remember Christ and all He's done for us, but like Thanksgiving and Easter, we use them to especially remember Him and take extra time to remember and be thankful.

JoeC

12-01-2005, 11:08 AM

Christmas definately is commercialized - but I think it's still an enjoyable time of year!

I was mostly checking to see if anyone had any convictions against Christmas. There's probably going to be plenty of "Merry Christmas" greetings on here, and I just wanted to make sure nobody was going to be offended.

collegegirl

12-05-2005, 12:58 PM

Well, I have heard that December 25, (I believe the shortest day of the year) was originally the Roman's sun god's birthday, and when they converted to christianity, they changed it to the Son of God's birthday.

My parents happen to have been married on Christmas Eve, so that's how we celebrate. We don't have a tree or anything like that, but my mom likes to put snowmen all over the place, because it is wintertime. I happen to enjoy the holiday. I get involved somewhat with some local stuff, and I do wish people a Merry Christmas, and all of that good stuff. I enjoy the time of the year.

blessed

12-05-2005, 01:59 PM

so what are u all getting me for christmas

hollikins84

12-06-2005, 03:15 PM

I've got my Christmas tree up and the house is decorated. I'm ready, but I'd like to start a new tradition with my new son of reading the story of Christ's birth from the Bible or watching one of a video that tells the story- or both! lol

Oh, and sorry, Blessed. I lost your Christmas present in one of Indiana's November tornadoes! lol ;)

blessed

12-06-2005, 04:17 PM

doesnt the bible say something about christmas trees and stuff i will look for it its in Leviticus i think ... will have to check on that

hiya

12-07-2005, 07:36 PM

We don't have a tree or anything like that, but my mom likes to put snowmen all over the place, because it is wintertime.

Thats like my mom, our house this time of year is like "snowman/woman world"
LoL She hates to take it down sometimes she leaves it all up till Feb. haha
I guess Feb. is still winter. =)

I also agree that christma time has been commercialed. I love giving
gifts, but some people fight over silly things in the store! It's silly
when you hear on the news " Fight broak out over last toy car" or
"woman injuerd in hoilday crowd as such an such store" LoL

hiya

12-07-2005, 07:43 PM

doesnt the bible say something about christmas trees and stuff i will look for it its in Leviticus i think ... will have to check on that

I think a Tree was an Idol of worship but i'm not sure

marichino_freedom

12-14-2005, 08:53 PM

my mom and i have a tiny table tree that we put up...but we have too many ornaments for it!!! i love putting up the ornaments because most of them are older ones that were handmade by my grandmother (who is no longer with us). it just brings back childhood memories...

All4Jesus

12-20-2005, 03:49 PM

Christmas is a very fun time of the year but it's more hmm...how do i say this? It's almost nothing about God it's just about everything being cheap, getting presents (nothin wrong with that but it must mean something) and it's just commercialised-if that makes sense. Even though God wasn't born in december it should have some kind of meaning as it does concern God in some kind of way.

HotShot53

12-22-2005, 12:48 AM

As collegegirl said, Christmas originated to worship the sun god. (Though I heard that it was Dec 25 because that was when you could notice the days getting longer again... the shortest day of the year is Dec 21 or 22) So because of that my parents used to not do Christmas at all, no decorations, presents, or anything. After a while they realized that being scrooges didn't show God's love to anyone, so they have moderated a bit. We decerate now with wintery stuff (mostly paper snowflakes... I like making really detailed ones that litterally take an hour to make ;)) and giving some gifts. We still don't go all out with huge presents and decerations though, as that would seem to be going too far the other way, towards the comercialisation of Christmas. As in most things, the middle of the road seems to be the best :)

Babyruth

12-22-2005, 07:24 PM

We celebrate Christmas, but like collegegirl, not overdone. We decorate with wintery themes and Christmas colors. We have a couple Santa items, but they were either given to us by friends or made as little kids in school. Santa is dumb, we never thought he was real. I love the Christmas atmosphere though. It is mostly one of family time. I love all the smells and time with family and friends. It's also time off of school!!!!!!!

HotShot53

12-23-2005, 12:01 AM

Lol, yeah, the time off is definately one of the best parts of Christmas :)

collegegirl

12-23-2005, 10:11 AM

Just thought I would throw this out there....don't know how much that will get me into trouble....:D One of the servers at work pointed out the fact that when you re-arranged the letters of Santa, you get, (get this), satan.

JoeC

12-23-2005, 10:36 AM

I'm sure it's mere coincidence

Christian-Samurai

12-23-2005, 02:00 PM

oh boy here we go lol

HotShot53

12-24-2005, 12:51 AM

Lol, yeah, I heard that one about santa... if it's anti-santa I've probably heard it before ;)

Christian-Samurai

12-24-2005, 03:33 AM

ok ok ppl break it up now, let the fat guy alone, lol

elizabeth

12-24-2005, 06:15 PM

never heard it from anyone but it did occur to me :D

HotShot53

12-25-2005, 12:28 AM

Lol, and tonight when we went over some peoples house I heard someone else mention the santa is satan rearanged.... (see my xanga (http://www.xanga.com/HotShot53) to see where we went...)

All4Jesus

12-25-2005, 11:41 AM

WOW!!! Cool site! I didn't sign the guestbook though :) sorry...

blessed

12-26-2005, 02:44 PM

I'm sure it's mere coincidence
isint the whole inspiration about santa an inspiration from the devil... anything to take your thoughts away from God. Imagine they think that santa can know if u are bad or good or when u are awake or asleep..nonsense :mad:

chocolateismybestfriend

01-07-2006, 03:20 AM

Just remember the reason for the season. :)

The way i see it, it depends on your reasoning, why are you giving presents, why you have a tree, why you are celebrating at all.

NeedGod

01-11-2006, 06:44 AM

one thing our pastor always says, if you are unsure of it even by a whisker, it is best to leave it alone

BroTrevor

01-16-2006, 01:50 PM

A document that a buddy of mine did on some Christmas quotes. Not "one sided" either. www.cinemaworks.net/temond/QuotesOnChristmas.pdf <- is there

After all Bro Branham does say that; "No matter how thin you slice anything, it's still got two sides to it."

I think EVERYONE in The Message knows enough to realize Santa Clause isn't real - its about Christ and not Rudolph - and that we shouldn't start worshiping our tree (which people say is an idol). But Solomon even put a fir tree in the House of God and covered it with gold! ;)

II CHRONICLES 3:5
And the greater house he cieled with fir tree, which he overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon palm trees and chains.

but the scripture that is (I think) taken out of context in regards to a tree being bad is...

JEREMIAH 10:3 - 5
3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

since it says "the work of the hands of the workman" my thought is they carve it into an idol...not simply deck it with silver and gold. I could be wrong tho.

Personally, i could care less about Christmas trees. My wife likes them, and so do the kids...so as long as no one starts singing "O Christmas tree" then I'm happy enough.

Christmas 2005 we read the Christmas story out of the Bible before we did anything else, and I told my son that the reason we give gifts is because its the day that we celebrate Jesus' birthday...and since Jesus lives in us...when we give gifts to others, its just like we're giving them to Jesus.

-Bro Trevor

victoria

01-23-2006, 06:13 PM

i've read in the believer's internatiol news december 2000 edition (onlybelieve.com) that bro. branham allowed to have a Christmas tree for his family, this was told by sister rebekkah because several believers were also asking about the christmas tree issue..bro branham even bought one himself on december of 1965..here's a part from the column which you can get from this link if u want to read it all http://www.onlybelieve.com/PDF/2000%2012.pdf:

"In December of 1965, the last few days we were to have with Dad, we were in Tucson and Mother decided that since we were leaving for Jeffersonville on the 18th, we would not have a tree that year. But on the 15th, just three days before the trip, Dad surprised us all by bringing home a tree and putting it up in the living room of our small apartment. It was not even a real tree, but an aluminum one with multicolored lights. Dad said that he didn't think it was fair for the "kiddies" (ages 19, 15 and 10) not to have a Christmas tree."

my family never had a christmas tree eversince i was little, and i don't think we will ever have one coz we're already used to it..but what do you think about this?

my thought in this is that i agree with bro. trevor that as long as you don't sing 'O Christmas tree..' which would seem like worshipping a tree and your having it for ur family, i think it's ok. but i don't really know, i should be asking my pastor about this.

marichino_freedom

01-23-2006, 07:22 PM

i dont see a problem with it, as long as one doesnt lose sight of the reason for the season....

NeedGod

01-24-2006, 04:46 AM

well, this is a really hard topic. i hope i get insight on this because i have doubts but i also have some likings. for instance, where did christmas originate? i hear it is not from a good foundation. but also, if we just celebrate that Jesus was born, it doesnt matter when He was born, is that wrong. But are we doing it to just fit in with the world? i dont know. i have so many questions.

JMG

02-02-2006, 11:56 PM

Anybody here have convictions concerning Christmas that differs from the mainstream?

Yes, I would say that my personal convictions about Christmas do differ from the mainstream.
I am uneasy about Christmas becasue it is the suppossed celebration of Jesus's birth. Which, if you search the Message you will read Bro. Branham saying that Jesus was born during the spring; which is when the lambs are born.
I am also uneasy about Christmas becasue a lot of Christmas traditions are pagan.
To quote from Christmas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas#Theories_on_the_origins_of_Christmas) subheading Regional customs and celebrations

"Most of the familiar traditional practices and symbols of Christmas originated in Germanic countries, including the now omnipresent Christmas tree, the Christmas ham, the Yule Log, holly, mistletoe, and the giving of presents to friends and relatives. These practices and symbols were adapted or appropriated by Christian missionaries from the earlier Germanic pagan midwinter holiday of Yule."

Christmas is a lovely time of the year to be with family; and I am not a scrooge when it comes to December 25; but it does not bold well with me in celebrating a holiday with pagan orgins, and celebrating an event that did not occur on December 25.

These are my persional convictions about Christmas; and to also interject, it would not be offensive to me to see Merry Christmas written in the forum.

:)

JoeC

02-03-2006, 12:03 AM

After solving a puzzle required for a college class I walked into the classroom and exlaimed the following:

"EUREKA!"

(I was very excited).

One of the students then turned to me and told me "You do realize that the criteria to being able to use this phrase is running down the streets without any clothing on, don't you?"

She was, of course, referring to the Greek philosopher who coined/popularized the expression when he jumped out of the community baths in Greece after an idea came to him and ran down the streets (without dressing prior) shouting "Eureka!"

Was she right in saying that? Was she right in defining and limiting the current use of the word to it's origin?

JMG

02-03-2006, 12:23 AM

Was she right in saying that? Was she right in defining and limiting the current use of the word to it origin?

No she was not right in defining and limiting the usage of "EUREKA", to the contex as used by the Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, astronomer, and philosopher Archimedes. For by limiting the usage of eureka to the contex as used by Archimedes she is implying that Archimedes owns that word, and is sole interpreter of its definition. Which is absured, for words can assume connotated meanings which differ greatly from their original meaning.
For example take the word bad. Bad, as defined by dictionary.com (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=bad) and being used as an adjective....

1.Not achieving an adequate standard; poor: a bad concert.
2.Evil; sinful.
3.Vulgar or obscene: bad language.
4.Informal. Disobedient or naughty: bad children.
5.Disagreeable, unpleasant, or disturbing: a bad piece of news.
6.Unfavorable: bad reviews for the play.
7.Not fresh; rotten or spoiled: bad meat.
8.Injurious in effect; detrimental: bad habits.
9.Not working properly; defective: a bad telephone connection.
10.Full of or exhibiting faults or errors: bad grammar.
11.Having no validity; void: passed bad checks.
12.Being so far behind in repayment as to be considered a loss: bad loans.
13.Severe; intense: a bad cold.

14.Being in poor health or in pain: I feel bad today.
15.Being in poor condition; diseased: bad lungs.
16.Sorry; regretful: She feels bad about how she treated you.
17.bad·der, bad·dest Slang. Very good; great.

However, idomatically bad can be used to mean great, grand, good, ect.
Example: "Man, I am bad!"

Now you could interpret the above meaning to mean that the speaker is refering to that they are bad, or you could interpretate it as meaning that the speaker is feeling really good, did well at something, ect.

Therefore, because Archimedes connoted the meaning of "EUREKA" to mean having a brillant idea and running naked in the street, does not mean that he is the sole interpreter of the word.

:)

JoeC

02-03-2006, 12:31 AM

No she was not right in defining and limiting the usage of "EUREKA", to the contex as used... [it] does not mean that he is the sole interpreter of the word.

:)

So then, could we apply this principle to the pagans and Christmas?

JMG

02-03-2006, 12:54 AM

So then, could we apply this principle to the pagans and Christmas?

Good point!
Christmas is pagan in orgin, but good things are done around December 25 that shows the world the love of Christ.
For example, feeding the hungry, giving clothes to people that do not have adaquate clothing, making sure that people can keep warm in the cold weather, etc.
You know what? If Cristmas was truely and throughly about the things mentioned above, it would truely be a wonderful time of the year, but sadely it is not. Christmas is typified, by greed, and selfishness.
Getting back to the question.
Can the principle of "not one person is the sole interperter of an object" be applied to Christmas? To clarify a position, the above principle "not one person is the sole interperter of an object" can only be abpplied to certain situations. If the principle was applied to the Word Of God, the person appliy the principle would be in a dangerous situation, for they would hear many voices and think that truth is relevent and not absolute. But there are certain situations that the principle can be applied, such as the length of an object.

Example: Person 1( "I think the table is 5 feet and 2 inches long")
Person 2(" I think the table is 5 feet and 1.999 inches long")

Now it comes to, can the principle be applied to pagans and christmas.
I would say yes. For, are you defining Christmas to be the celebration of Christ's birth, or a time to be with family?
But a word of caution. You must understand the origin of Christmas, which means to understand the definition of Christmas. Understand the orgins of the traditions. And above all, pray and seek God.

:)

JoeC

02-03-2006, 11:05 AM

blessed

02-03-2006, 11:12 AM

Have you ever thought of becoming a lawyer Joe ?

JoeC

02-03-2006, 11:20 AM

When I was younger I did. I still might - the possibility is there, though I haven't given it much thought. I'm going for a BA in engineering, once I get that I'll look at my options (I'm sure you know that you have to have a BA before you can apply to law school).

Mick_Mack89

02-03-2006, 04:44 PM

I've heard that people who go for engineering can make great lawyers 'cause their trained to think outside the box. :thumbup:

JoeC

02-03-2006, 05:35 PM

I know that they are really desired in the patent lawyer domain - but that doesn't sound to exciting. Try court room lawyer... yeah!

BroTrevor

02-03-2006, 05:37 PM

See, that's my point though. I'm toying with the thought that the origin of something shouldn't effect how we look at it today. Words change over time - but we don't bemoan the loss of their archaic meaning (at least, not in most cases). So why should we limit the practice of a tradition to it's origin - or even allow for stigma to come from that origin?

Granted, Christmas is not all that we would like it to be... but what I'm talking about is the overall principle of not tying words and/or traditions down to their origins.
It's just a thought I've toyed with since the eureka incident. :)

I understand what you're saying Joe. However, there are situations in which we would NOT want "archaic" meanings to change.

For instance, take the "baptism of the Holy Ghost" What if this phrase where to change from it's "archaic" (read - aposolic) meaning? I would argue that this actually has happened and is in fact a travesty! There are nominal Christian churches out there that talk of recieving the Holy Spirit, and have no clue what that actually means, except for some floofy emotion or tingly sensation. Obviously the pentecostals interpreted the baptism of the Holy Ghost to be when you spoke in tongues. Hence the "archaic" meaning the "baptism of the Holy Ghost" once had, where the life of Christ comes into you, now has been almost "trivialized".

I will grant however, that is is probably an extreme and obvious example and that I certainly for one would use the word Eureka or other such phrases and certainly don't bemoan the loss of IT's archaic meaning.

Does the 2nd law of thermodynamics play in here somewhere?

Somewhere in the back of my head I am remembering a report I heard on how slang words become "worse and worse" in their meanings over time. I can't think of any examples, or what they termed this phenomena...but I think it is relevant to that as well. Any ideas on what that is?? That's gonna bug me...

JoeC

02-03-2006, 05:42 PM

Yes, but let's stay on track here. Everyone knows the principle I was trying to bring out and we are talking about applying that principle to Christmas. Granted there may be holes in the principle - but the question is "are there holes in it when it comes to Christmas?"

BroTrevor

02-03-2006, 05:49 PM

Oh yes.....

sorry....

back on track! In effort of getting back on track, and coming up with the true origins of Christmas...I proffer the following quote:

GOD'S.GIFTS.ALWAYS.FIND.THEIR.PLACES_ JEFF.IN V-6 N-13 SUNDAY_ 63-1222
20 So then, being that this was converted, Rome into... Or, Christianity was accepted in their way in Rome, then they said, "We'll make the same celebration and make Son of God's birthday." See? The sun god Jupiter's birthday, then Son of God's birthday, twenty-fifth of December, and that...
But what difference does it make? See, today when we are... Even if it's a--if they was doing it in July or August, or whenever it might be, it's still the sacredness of remembering that God gave us the hope that we have in us.And now, you say "Well, the rest of them's all Santa Claus and going on like they do; why, we just might as well do it." No, sir. No, this is not a pagan celebration to us; this is a sacred hour. If there had been no Christmas, there would been no resurrection. If there'd been no Christmas, there'd been no love, there'd been no peace, there'd been no hereafter for the believer, if there'd been no Christmas.