Merry Christmas, Catherine!
Posted on 12/14/2013 2:56:27 PM PST by InHisService
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. (1 Corinthians 10:21)
"But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. (Revelation 2:14) "
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. (Revelation 2:20)
But unlike simply buying or eating food blessed in the name of Allah or the like, Christmas is taking the feast itself which was never commanded by God and Christian one in the first place, and trying to put Christ in it, and they are still trying to do, rather than letting the old man, the pagan feast, die by neglect, and worshiping God as new creations.
Again, the issue is not that of celebrating the Lord's birth, or the motive, but that of trying to turn a high place into a place worship of God, which keeps it alive, thus easily reverting back to its original owner, whose marks have always been in it.
And bowing down before a tree to receive gifts is not what the wise men did. Nor is it wise.
In the crucified and risen Christ all pagan gods are conquered and all of creation is sanctified for good use to those who believe on His Name.
No, God does not coopt paganism. He utterly defeats it, while at the same time enjoining those who believe on His name to make use of His gifts and objects in this world in a manner that serves the neighbor and honors his name. In my home, the Christmas tree points to the tree of the cross and the glory that awaits us through the benefits of Christ. And in my household, we do not bind our consciences to rules others would like to heap upon us as if Christ has not already fulfilled the Law in every detail.
Soon in fine bookstores nationwide.
I think he may have saying that as sarcasm.
Who in the world is bowing down before a tree? The last time I heard anything like that was years ago in a chat room. This same topic came up, and someone accused me of worshiping my Christmas tree.
Honestly, I’m trying not to laugh.
Merry Christmas, trisham!
Merry Christmas, Catherine!
CynicalBear, I provided you with Scripture, but you chose to ignore it....you won’t address it, but prefer to charge ahead posting random verses that have nothing at all to do with what we’re discussing. This makes me think you have a point of view you are intent on pushing no matter what. So you do that, but with all due respect, I’m not part of your game.
God bless you. Have a good week.
The passages you point to in no way justify the incorporating of pagan customs, holidays, rituals etc into the worship or celebration of God.
For indeed opposition to Christmas is not a product of Rome, but opposition to it has Reformed support.
Christmass Condemned By Christ 2/3 Puritan & Reformation
Spurgeon on Christmas…
“We have no superstitious regard for times and seasons. Certainly we do not believe in the present ecclesiastical arrangement called Christmas: first, because we do not believe in the mass at all, but abhor it, whether it be said or sung in Latin or in English; and, secondly, because we find no Scriptural warrant whatever for observing any day as the birthday of the Saviour; and, consequently, its observance is a superstition, because not of divine authority.”
Spurgeon, Sermon on Dec. 24, 1871
“When it can be proved that the observance of Christmas, Whitsuntide, and other Popish festivals was ever instituted by a divine statute, we also will attend to them, but not till then. It is as much our duty to reject the traditions of men, as to observe the ordinances of the Lord. We ask concerning every rite and rubric, “Is this a law of the God of Jacob?” and if it be not clearly so, it is of no authority with us, who walk in Christian liberty.”
Spurgeon’s Treasury of David on Psalm 81:4 .
He is a she.
Who in the world? Are you serious, or think presents are not traditionally placed under the tree, thus resulting in bowing down to it? pagan worship may not be the motive, but you can hardly say bowing under a tree to receive presents is what we see the wise men doing, or any believer. And under the law what we see concerning worshiping God and trees is that,
"Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the Lord thy God, which thou shalt make thee. (Deuteronomy 16:21) "
"For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree. (1 Kings 14:23) "
"Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills. (Jeremiah 17:2) "
This is not a necessary argument against Christmas, but it is still one of pagan aspects kept alive by attempts to reform it.
I think pagans hate each other less.
Oops! (Blush!) My apologies!
I need one of those.
This is becoming more and more ridiculous.
Be glad they didn’t post Galatians 5:12!
Indeed it does.
Here are BOTH sides of the issue and NEITHER are 'condemned'.
5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.
LOL!!
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