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Post by Tammy on Dec 11, 2007 19:35:33 GMT -5
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kscarle
Member
Philippians 4:4, Romans 12:1, John 14:15
Posts: 97
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Post by kscarle on Dec 12, 2007 12:15:31 GMT -5
That was indeed a very interesting site. IT was quite informative and should remind Christians of what we're saying to a world we should be witnessing too when we practice certain rituals. I thought the one listed below might also be informative to those who are seeking some truth on the holiday celebration time. We do not have a Baal bush in our home, nor do we practice the Santa Claus, we do give gifts, but mostly something homemade. regretfully I did tell my children wrong when my children were younger because I was not saved and did not know Jesus. My DH and a missionary out of our church preach at nursing homes and retirement communities and gifts are given to them such as lap blankets, shawls, and such. they get cold easily and the lap blankets can fit over their legs without being too bulky for the wheelchairs. www.av1611.org/othpubls/santa.htmlThere is also a sermon by James Knox titled "Santa Claus" that is really good and you can listen online to it.
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Post by Brother Ben on Dec 12, 2007 13:09:03 GMT -5
Yes indeed, the roots of the Mid Winter Festivals are pagan to the core. We have discussed this here before.
As for me and my family, we do away with as much of the pagan aspect as we can and use the season to teach the children and glorify the Lord for the wonder of the incarnation. You can't go wrong there.
What we need to do is, when someone says, this season, Merry Christmas, we need to return Glorious Incarnation!
Bro. Ben
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Post by Tammy on Dec 13, 2007 14:12:47 GMT -5
A few years ago we started weeding this pagan tradition out of our lives. We did not realize how difficult it would be, especially when we were in the States during Christmas time! I mean, when you try to explain to friends and family why you don't have a tree in your house, you're labelled either a "Scrooge" or a cheapskate who just doesn't want to spend any money to spread "Christmas cheer".
Another dilemma: Do you buy presents for everyone? If you do, is that sending a mixed message to the extended family? And if you don't send presents to them but they send presents to you, it can be an awkward situation, no?
I ask myself, if I had a friend who was Jewish, and they celebrated a Jewish holiday where gifts were exchanged, would I buy that friend a present? Truth is, I probably would, even if I don't observe that holiday.
Any thoughts?...
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Post by gracefulwords on Dec 13, 2007 17:00:36 GMT -5
Our family has not celebrated Christmas for a little over 7 years. Most people don't understand, and many are offended by our position, especially our extended family.
What we have done is to give gifts to our children and our extended family at Thanksgiving. Since we take Thanksgiving as a time to thank the Lord for all of His blessings to us, we also take time to express to our children how thankful we are for them. When we give gifts to our extended family, we make a point of making cards that express thankfulness to them and for them, and we try to give gifts that will bless them. Our families now give gifts to us at Thanksgiving also, after they saw that we gave them gifts every Thanksgiving.
We usually also receive Christmas cards from friends and family every year. So we usually send out a family photo and a card with a Bible verse/passage at the beginning of the year (in January).
This is just what we do...hope this is helpful!
Joy
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Post by brommd on Dec 16, 2007 0:35:45 GMT -5
While we may never be able to up root this "holiday" from our lives. We at least gave back to God what is His alone.
We informed our 7 year old that only God alone can do what we attributed to santa. We admitted that we had lied and were sorry.
This "holiday" is a mess. The family gatherings are nice even the food. But, I agree as Christians I don't see why we (most of us) participate in such an awful "holiday"?
Our neighbor said something to the effect: Its a wonder that children believe in God after what we tell them about santa.
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kscarle
Member
Philippians 4:4, Romans 12:1, John 14:15
Posts: 97
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Post by kscarle on Dec 16, 2007 3:46:01 GMT -5
I do not know if this is of any help, but we do give gifts, but we stay away from the commercialism. This year for instance I intend to make bath salts in old peanut butter jars I saved and wrap them in brown paper bag. I'll use a piece of colored yarn to tie it with. I heard a brother preach once and he said that Jesus spoke more on giving than any other subject, so I do not believe giving gifts in itself is evil, or having dinner with family is wrong. I give and receive birthday gifts. We do not get gifts for everyone. The church ladies will sometimes give something to each family (very small church), such as; Sis. Jean and her mother gave blocks of cheese, Sis. Scarlet makes totes the ladies can carry Bibles in (last year I think she just gave a note pad and pen. I also give to immediate family but mostly because it is out of the joy I get from making something for them. We do not spend as if we have to do this. A friend and I started just going through our stuff and just taking a box or gift bag from maybe a birthday and filling it while we clean out the closet and cabinets. .Me and a couple of other ladies make shawls, lap quilts, and afghans for the elderly. It has been in the upper 70's some days I think in the 80's (it does get cold though)but they get cold easily. My friends DH preaches in various assisted living places and my husband preaches at a nursing home and a retirement community. The people can become cold and it is something they can use. I like to hand out John and Romans. My pastor is very much against santa, the tree, and the secular songs with them. The children in our church have been taught the truth. This may be a day that the heathen celebrate, but God made all the days. Yes this is the "traditional day" for gifts. I decided to do something new, If the Lord allows, my Sunday School class will take on a missionary. I would like to add though if it became a point of conflict with those we witness too, then we would probably change. My DH does not like it much at all so it wouldn't be a problem with him.
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Post by wife on Dec 16, 2007 12:01:09 GMT -5
Every year, my husband and I discuss whether or not we should even celebrate Christmas. We're not catholic so we don't do "mass" so why "Christ-mass?" He has a decided love of the feasting and he really doesn't mind giving gifts to others- it's the commercialism and the "don't give me homemade gifts" attitude. His family goes into debt annually to purchase gifts for everyone in the family. Hiss mother had breast cancer 3 years ago and this summer discovered she has lung cancer. We can't not go to her Christmas celebration....who knows? There might not be another one with her! But that's the way it always is- we're somehow over a barrel with it. We love to do for others though- our main gift is breads and cookies- we do that all year long. People are accustomed to getting breads from us (we grind the wheat and it's all natural and healthy and tasty). But some folks have requested store bought instead since last year. I'm really not sure how I feel about it- but I know for a fact that we just don't have extra money to spend on frivolous trinkets to give to people who already have everything....what really irks me is that there are people in the world without access to the scriptures, without food, or clothing or shelter- and we just buy little bits of junk that will be lost or broken in no time and not really valued because we have so much ..... so I have a feeling that this is the last year we will do this particular type of "Christ-mass" gift giving.
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Post by Tammy on Dec 16, 2007 15:50:43 GMT -5
Wow, wouldn't it be something if the gifts we give could speak their intentions? Would they say, "I love you, and took the time to [make this/pick this out] for you just to make you feel loved." Or some might say, "I knew you were going to give me a gift, so I had to put this together so I wouldn't feel bad." I can't understand not wanting a homemade gift. Those are the best! Especially edible goodies! When little Joel was born, our Baptist and Mennonite friends here brought meals in lieu of baby gifts. I really appreciated that, since we really had no need for baby clothes and things. (Lots of hand-me-downs ) Sis Joy, I loved your idea about giving gifts at Thanks giving to express gratitude! I shared it with Daniel, and he thought it was a great idea, and wants to start doing that next year. Thanks for sharing!
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