Posted on 12/14/2013 2:56:27 PM PST by InHisService
All right, before you get your freckles in an uproar by reading that title and making a quick, errant assumption about me, let me clarify a few things.
I’m a bible believing, spirit filled Christian. I am not an atheist sympathizer. I do not doubt my faith, nor do I have any doubts about the deity of Jesus Christ. He is my Lord and Savior, and I believe the world is lost without Him.
For years I celebrated Christmas. But last year, I decided to stop celebrating it. Something awoke in me, and I just felt turned off by the whole thing.
As a kid, I was coddled just like most children. Every Christmas my brother and I unwrapped numerous presents, and always got what we wanted.
I remember a new bike one year, and an awesome stereo another. I never gave a thought about how hard my parents had to work to pay for the stuff, and I’m sure children these days don’t, either.
And, we did go to church. If fact, we weren’t the proverbial “once a year’ers;” we went weekly. But being a kid, naturally Christmas was all about the presents.
Raising my daughter, though I was a single mom, my daughter was never deprived at Christmas. And I enjoyed giving to her. She was not a spoiled child as she didn’t get much all year long, so Christmas was the time to indulge her.
Anyway, I’ve wanted to write this article for a while. It’s been niggling at me for quite some time. But I put it off because I didn’t want to appear as a snarky Grinch during the Christmas season. My position is a very unpopular one among Christians.
I believe the Holy Spirit has gotten a hold of me, and after seeing a video discussing a particular billboard American Atheists erected this season, I was compelled to write about my position.
One of the billboards, in New York City’s Times Square, reads, “Who Needs Christ During Christmas? Nobody.” The name of Christ is crossed out.
David Muscato, Public Relations Director at American Atheists had this to say about the billboard and about Christmas:
“Most people don’t care about any religious ties to the season because church and religion are not what Americans care about during this time of year—they care about family and friends and giving presents and food and having fun.”
And right he is. Christians can pretend they are honoring Christ this time of year, but they really aren’t. People are consumed with the retail aspect of it: spending.
Muscato goes on to say, “Many so-called ‘Christmas’ traditions celebrated by Americans have nothing to do with Christianity. For example, the North Pole and Santa traditions come from Nordic and Germanic pagan traditions, and caroling, Yule logs, mistletoe, holly wreaths all pre-date Christianity.”
He is absolutely correct in that statement. In fact, every single Christmas tradition we have was started by, and stolen, from the pagans.
That’s right, everything from the tree, to mistletoe to holly to gifts were all pagan traditions. (I’ve done a lot of research into the origins of Christmas; however, this article is not going to elaborate on it as it is very lengthy. An online search of “Pagan origins of Christmas” will yield a million and a half results. An excellent article on the topic can be seen here, True Origins of Christmas: http://rcg.org/books/ttooc.html )
Said David Silverman, President of American Atheists, “We all love this time of year.
“Christianity has been trying to claim ownership of the season for hundreds of years. But the winter solstice came first and so did its traditions. The season belongs to everybody.”
Right again. How can Christian’s claim Christmas belongs to them when we stole it from non-believers? Additionally, there is nothing in the bible about celebrating Christmas. The fact that atheists celebrate what is supposed to be a Christian holy day is alarming. But celebrate it they do, minus anything Christ.
Not only that, Jesus could not have been, and was not born, on December 25th. Most biblical scholars believe he was born in the fall and the biblical account of his birth testifies to that. The date was selected because it coincided with the idolatrous pagan festival Saturnalia. So the date of Christmas was chosen as a sort of in-your-face way of saying, “We as Christians are stealing your date for ourselves! Take that.” Nice gesture on behalf of God, but it hasn’t turned out well. No wonder why.
Now, I don’t like the group American Atheists. In fact, I despise them. I can’t stand David Silverman, who regularly appears on Fox News and elsewhere to tout his anti-God beliefs. To me, they are bullying militant atheists bent on wiping out God and particularly Jesus Christ from the public square. And they have been very successful in a lot of ways.
So, I’m not agreeing with them for any other reason in this area, but they are right on.
(I have written about some of the atheist lawsuits and their attack on Christianity in an article last year on this blog, “It’s not just a War on Christmas, It’s a War on Christianity,” which can be seen here: http://www.maryckirchhoff.com/2012/12/its-not-just-war-on-christmas-its-war.html )
Christmas has become completely distorted and perverted and what is supposed to be a day to honor Jesus has become a two-month long season of out-of-control shopping and spending, overindulgence of food and drink, massive debt and spoiled children.
Christmas, without a doubt, belongs to retailers, not to Jesus. The season begins around late October, and is in full swing right before Thanksgiving, and goes on til New Years.
So let’s be honest here: during this extended period we call Christmastime or the more politically correct Holiday Season, are we talking about Jesus and his birth? Are we marveling that God sent His Son to Earth to save man from his sins? Are we on our knees praying and thanking God for his provision in our life?
More than likely, if we are a believer we are praying that God will provide the finances to overindulge our children so they can open numerous gifts on that “magical” morning.
What really gets me is many of us in this country can’t afford to purchase unnecessary and over-the-top gifts for our kids. Millions of people either get heavily into debt or skip paying necessary bills so they can impress and coddle their kids. Not giving gifts is simply unheard of.
Kids must go to school upon the return of the break and brag about what they got. And what, pray tell, does this have to do with the birth of Jesus Christ? Absolutely nothing.
The wise men gave gifts to Jesus, you say? That happened when He was a toddler, not at His birth. Saint Nick? Another misconception about giving at Christmas.
While parties and gift giving and receiving is fun, for the majority of people, financial stress is increased at this time of year. Holiday parties (oops, can’t call them Christmas parties anymore) require bringing dishes or purchasing elaborate foods. The shopping, the parties, the drinking, the get-togethers, they are all supposed to be part of the merrymaking. Again, where is Christ in this? Decidedly MIA for most people.
When’s the last time you went to a (I’ll be a rebel here) Christmas party and people were excitedly talking about God? Were they marveling about Jesus being born 2,000 years ago, talking about what a gift it was for God to send His Son?
The only gift I’ll guarantee they were speaking of was most likely their Black Friday conquest where they acquired the latest and greatest gadgetry for their kids that they couldn’t afford and will be paying off for months to come.
Is this what God wants for us at Christmas? Or are we deluding ourselves saying “Keep Christ in Christmas.”? I believe so.
The truth is, Christmas is a great lie. Satan is laughing; being the great deceiver, he has really gotten away with a whopper here. Christ never was in Christmas. The entire Christmas season has millions of Christians deceived. It has been bought lock, stock and barrel by believers. The fact that atheists celebrate it should be a giant clue that it has nothing to do with Christ.
Sure, we can sing beautiful Christmas themed hymns, set up a manger and go to church. That will satisfy the God requirement of the holiday, will it not?
Church on Christmas Eve or Day is about the only time you’ll get an hour or so of pure God. A sermon, some singing, some well-wishing among peers. A couple hours of God stuff for over two months of the so-called “Christmas Season.”
I’m not a math person, but that amounts to a microscopic amount of time dedicated to the Birth of Jesus.
Frankly, Christmas is farce, and I’m betting the whole thing makes God very angry.
Below, the link for the aforementioned Atheist Billboard Targeting Christians:
http://video.foxnews.com/v/2933104645001/atheist-billboard-targeting-christians/?playlist_id=930909812001
Yes, it does. It was many years ago now that I had a neighbor who was fascinated with mysticism and paganism which included the study of Christian beliefs. Not that he practiced it but just studied it as it related to beliefs and practices. He laughed at the duplicity of Christians with their incorporation of paganism. It was the first time I had to face what he was showing me. That was back in the early 80s. It forced me to understand if I was ever to witness to him or anyone with his understanding of paganism.
To say I was shocked at what I learned is an understatement. He and I spent many hours studying scripture together. Today he is a solid God fearing follower of Christ and can not be shaken. God sent him into my life and me into his.
In my household the Christmas tree and lights have absolutely no connection to paganism. If you have a Christmas tree in your home and use it for pagan worship, I will not participate. But there is a way for all things in heaven and earth to be sanctified and set apart for good use. I give thanks for the Christmas tree, for it reminds me of the tree of the cross whereby all of creation is made new. The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains. Paganism is nothing. It is defeated and dead in Christ. There is no room for it. I do not know it. But if you practice it, or practiced it formerly, and a Christmas tree causes you to worship Satan, then I suggest you stay away from them.
23All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. 24Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor. 25Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience’ sake; 26FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S, AND ALL IT CONTAINS. 27If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience’ sake. 28But if anyone says to you, “This is meat sacrificed to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience’ sake; 29I mean not your own conscience, but the other man’s; for why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience? 30If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks? -1 Cor. 10
Well, you certainly agree with the Catholic teaching. Don’t think you will impress those who know what paganism is. They know that most Christians are simply part of the pagan world.
I have Rush Limbaugh on; he’s talking about Christmas, and how the Godless left will never take it away from us. Someone better get to him, stat, and let him know he’s a heathen. /s
In what way?
Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5)
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)
He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” (Mark 7:20-23)
For our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us. Our offenses are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities: rebellion and treachery against the Lord, turning our backs on our God, inciting revolt and oppression, uttering lies our hearts have conceived. (Isaiah 59:12-13)
Let’s begin with the date. It’s common knowledge that the birth of the sun god is December 25th. The original Baal the sun god.
History demonstrates that the point of departure for every major apostasy in Israel and Christendom involved the commingling of worship of the true God with worship of Baal the sun-god.
The establishment of sun-worship by King Jeroboam marked the division of the kingdom and the beginning of Israel's apostasy,
The “way of the heathen” was tied to worship of Baal the sun god. Baal simply means master and was a title of many of the gods of the pagans. I Jeremiah we see the Israelites already worshiping with the cutting of a tree.
Jeremiah 10:1 Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: 2 Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 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.
Sun worshippers since the time of Babel recognized this time of year in honor of their gods. The worship of Tammuz, as spoken of in the book of Ezekiel, is related to December 25th. The Roman sun god Mithra was born on December 25th. Constantine anyone? Check out the festival of natalis Invicti (Birth of the Unconquerable Sun), held on 25 December
Giving of gifts during the festival of Saturnalis. The bright red berries of the holly bush represented fertility in the depths of the dormant winter. The circle of the Yule or Christmas wreath represents the pagan “Wheel of the Year” or “Circle of Life”
Do a search and study on any of those or other “Christmas traditions”.
Great points, which all back up my opinion of Christmas. Thank you. Sorry you had to get into such debate with others over this!
I don’t believe in the last days thing. ... You said you’re sure. So why not give your money to the poor? Or blow it on a trip to Tahiti? You’re sure right? Do since you can’t take it with you you can always send me a check.
Been doing that all along. You hadn’t heard that scripture teaches that?
>> Or blow it on a trip to Tahiti?<<
So you’re one of the “eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die” crowd ey? You might want to look that up in scripture.
Luke 12:22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
>> You’re sure right?<<
1 Thessalonians 4: 13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
>> Do since you can’t take it with you you can always send me a check.<<
2 Peter 3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
I didn't write the gospel of John. I just read it.
LOL!!! :O)
All these rest in the omnipotent, omniscience, and omnipresence of God. There is nothing that was made that He did not make. To say anything else is to deny God's power.
So your contention is that God created evil…..right?
Like I said. You need to re-evaluate what is meant by “made”. God did not “make” evil. God did not “make” demons. God did not “make” man sinful. I would suggest you run your “theory” by a competent Calvinist pastor before you continue to “preach” your theory.
Hosea 14:8
King James Version (KJV)
8 Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.
Once again...nothing is more pitiful than a declared 'atheist' obsessed with God.
Impressive. Very impressive.
Often people make claims and don’t actually provide the chapter and verse. Thanks.
Let’s begin with the date. And totally ignore this scripture: 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.
Is there ANY day, acceptablt to you, that is not STAINED by some pagan using it?
I Jeremiah we see the Israelites already worshiping with the cutting of a tree. ...to get some wood to build an IDOL.
Jeremiah 10:1 Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: 2 Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 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.
True believeing Jews cut down TREES to use in building their temple.
Giving of gifts during the festival of Saturnalis. OOooooh! GIFTS! Matthew 7:11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 1 Corinthians 12:1 Brothers and sisters, I want you to know about the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The bright red berries of the holly bush represented fertility in the depths of the dormant winter. Oh NO!!! FERTILITY!!! Genesis 1:28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
The circle of the Yule or Christmas wreath represents the pagan “Wheel of the Year” or “Circle of Life” So we can't use CIRCLES any more, either?? 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
It's no problem.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.