The ‘War on Christmas’: Just What James Dobson Always Wanted

Read the history of "Easter" and you will see that there is indeed a long controversy, stemming from the fact that in the Second and Third Century, some church "fathers" wanted to divest themselves of everything Jewish, and it bothered them no end that their "holy day" was dictated by Jewish dating. So they changed it. Wholesale. It is dated not on the basis of the Lunar calendar, but on the solar with a nod toward the moon to make it line up for them. But not according to Scripture.

It rarely coincides with Passover - but more importantly, why doesn't it always.

In the Second Century, the churches in Asia held that the resurrection should be celebrated in conjuction with Passover, on the 14th of Nisan. They were original adherants, and were dubbed by the Roman adherants to "Easter" with the title, "Quartodeciman." So popular was Quartodecimanism (naturally, it was tied to original actual events in Matthew 27), that it caused the Roman establishment to threaten them.

From Polycrates, bishop of Ephesus:

“We for our part keep the day [14th of Nisan = Passover] scrupulously, without addition or subtraction. For in Asia great luminaries sleep who shall rise again on the day of the Lord's advent, when He is coming with glory from heaven and shall search out all His saints – such as Philip... there is John, who lent back on the Lord's breast… there is Polycarp, bishop and martyr… All these kept the fourteenth day of the month as the beginning of the Paschal Festival [Passover], in accordance with the Gospel, not deviating in the least but following the rule of the Faith. Last of all, I too, Polycrates, the least of you all… and my family has always kept the day when the people put away the leaven [Feast of Unleavened Bread]. So I, my friends, after spending sixty-five years in the Lord's service and conversing with Christians from all parts of the world, and going carefully through all Holy Scripture, and not scared of threats. Better people than I have said: 'We must obey God rather than men'."

Eventually, man's tradition (the Roman tradition) used the force of the Emperor to get their way and divest themselves completely of all things "Jewish."

Here are the words from the Council of Nicea:

“Constantine, August, to the churches… When the question arose concerning the most holy day of Easter, it was decreed by common consent to be expedient, that this festival should be celebrated on the same day by all, in every place. …it seemed to every one a most unworthy thing that we should follow the custom of the Jews in the celebration of this most holy solemnity, who, polluted wretches having stained their hands with a nefarious crime, are justly blinded in their minds. It is fit, therefore, that, rejecting the practice of this people, we should perpetuate to all future ages the celebration of this rite, in a more legitimate order, which we have kept from the first day of our Lord’s passion even to the present times. Let us then have nothing in common with the most hostile rabble of the Jews."

So there you have it. "Easter" has nothing to do with "Passover" - by church decree.

“He said to them, ‘All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.’” Mark 7:9

(It's the first Sunday after the first new moon after the vernal equinox, March 21; however, the date of the "first new moon" is calculated using a system of tables, not by actual astronomy.)

OK, now read Leviticus 23 and tell me where your calculation comes from.

The fact is the Quartodeciman Controversy is the gravitational pull that knocks such nonsense off its axis. Consider why numerous church councils had to threaten excommunication to those who celebrated Passover, on the dates the Jews had calculated. It took several hundred years of threats and persecution to eliminate the date of Passover for the church. Why?

Go on. Admit it. The Roman Catholic church proudly proclaims that it had the authority to change the Sabbath and the date of the Resurrection. Why not just admit that the date is the date, by MAN'S DECREE?

If G-d wrote in the sky that Messiah would return on Passover, it is a sad thing that nearly all "Christians" would have to ask their Jewish neighbors what the date was... Not so, the John, Peter, or Paul, or any of the congregations they helped establish...

These merchants are after my money and won’t even name the day we are giving gifts on. How many people celebrate the other holidays as opposed to Christmas? I think it’s downright offensive to ask me to spend money in their stores while they hit us over and over in their ads with:

“This holiday....buy here”

“Include this on your holiday gift list..”

It’s redundant. They say that stinking word “holiday” over and over again. I mute their commercials even during football games. You bet your boots it’s organized, or they wouldn’t all be doing it at once. I counted the word “holiday” used forty times in ten minutes the other day.

I’m fed up. I’m sick of it. This political correctness insanity is now descending upon the birth of the Saviour. They are intent on turning Christmas into an empty day of merchandise. You can defend it if you want, but I never will.

Merry Christmas.

And if you feel offended, feel free to shop somewhere else.

And feel free to let them know, right?

Absolutely. But the Jewish money in my community will be a slam dunk for the merchants. They will keep to ‘Happy Holidays’. In your community, it may be different.

Once again, I think you’re confusing ‘political correctness’ with ‘business correctness’.

But have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hannakah and Happy New Year.

Wise words.

Pick up a copy of Eugene Peterson’s “Pagan Christianity.” That’s an eye-opener.

Of course there’s a conspiracy against Christmas. Haven’t you seen the enhanced photos from the Grassy Noel?

From the first sentence of this article, the author expounds upon a premise that he does not prove.

Just one big slur against FOTF, James Dobson, and the real work they have done to help families in the last thirty years.

And that Jim Dobson, he’s just full of scandal, you know,getting rich off of buttons and some such.

I know one author I will not be wasting my time on in the future.

As for Jim Dobson, he’s welcome—anytime.

bmflr = bookmark for later reading.

It’s in the lexicon:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1877220/posts

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According to Intrade, the winner of the December 12th GOP debate was... Duncan Hunter.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1938773/posts

Why the smart money is on Duncan Hunter
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1926032/posts

There should be no requirement that a business use Merry Christmas.

And Merry Christmas.

No one knows what day the son of man died on.

We know He celebrated Passover on the night he was arrested. That might give you a hint...

Interesting! We have two newbies, one here for 3 months who posts a thread, and another who has been around for 4 days leading the fight against the celebration or even mentioning of the federal and religious holiday, Christmas. To justify it they point out that businesses have the right to not use any words in their sales material, ignoring the fact that those who are offended by this disrespect have a perfect right to boycott their enemies. They totally ignore the fact that what is most grating is that government agencies refuse to respect the observation of this holiday, despite the federal law that designates it.

As someone who remembers the way this holiday was celebrated as recently as the 1960’s, and is still observed around the world (see the current thread regarding the Christmas celebrations in 1% Christian Japan), it is obvious that the drive behind it is led by the same secularists who are poisoning our society by attempting to extirpate religious observance in this country. This has resulted in schools where prayer and the study of religion is no longer allowed, and are replaced by schools with pregnant 12 year olds, teachers having to fear for their lives (if they aren’t molesting the students), and young people who have no knowledge or respect for the basis of their civilization.

As our increasingly de-religionized and depraved society faces an existential challenge from the islamicist menace, fewer and fewer see the need for defending or preserving our nation. And we see newbie invaders, possibly from our Islamicist or Secular enemies, here to infiltrate and destroy the only movement which could preserve our civilization and our nation.

I went to amazon.com and added it to my wish list.

"One of the most troubling outcomes has been the effect on average believers: turning them from living expressions of Christs glory and power to passive observers."

It surprises me somewhat that the authors see the ordinary borrowings from paganism as a bad thing. To say "borrowed from paganism" is usually merely to say "borrowed from the vast arena of global human cultures not necessarily found in the Biblical Middle East." That's neither necessarily good nor bad: it's just human, and as such has a great capacity for both.

There's no way to "baptize" Aztec human sacrifice or marriage by bride-capture, but one can certainly "re-signify" most parts of non-Christian cultures.

I have only to think of the beautiful church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva.

But I'll look into tht books. Thanks. And a Merry Christmas to you!

Thank you, Kevmo.

Merry Christmas to you and all your dear ones!

It is the date that Christians have decided to celebrate Christ’s birthday

The Holly True! Merry Christmas!

Here is an email I received:

Christmas Letter from Jesus > ============================ > Dear Children, > > It has come to my attention that many you are upset that folks > are taking My name out of the season.
Maybe you've forgotten > that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and > that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate > My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. > Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

> > How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be > most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed > with children of your own.
> > I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate > My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

> > Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the > town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My > birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa's and snowmen > and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn.
If > all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such > a scene on the town square because there would be many of them > all around town.

> > Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree > a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made > all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. > Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that > one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and > what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, > look up John 15: 1 - 8.

> > If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth > here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

> > 1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My > birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope > to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and > lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
> > 2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know > them personally. They just need to know that someone cares > about them.
> > 3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on > the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write > and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family > this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you > again.
> > 4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't > afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them > the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down > here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love > them.
> > 5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him > or her.
> > 6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take > their own life this season because they feel so alone and > hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving > everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
> > 7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town > calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. > Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't > allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you > from wishing them one.
Then stop shopping there on Sunday. > If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd > close and let their employees spend the day at home with their > families.
> > 8. If you really want to make a difference, support a > missionary - especially one who takes My love and Good News to > those who have never heard My name.
> > 9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole > families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" > tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or > receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few > gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other > charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery > for you.
> > 10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief > in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do > things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let > people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
> > Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love > Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all > the rest.
> > Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll > help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a > most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and > remember:

> I LOVE YOU, JESUS
> > ~Earthly Author Unknown~ >

“Why should my local Macy’s risk losing one customer by displaying a sign that says “Merry Christmas”?”

No, the real question is why would hypersensitive jews not patronize a store displaying a harmless sign acknowledging another faith’s principal day of celebration.

I've known some Christians over the years who don't celebrate Christmas, but they don't give you that leftist "how dare you wish me a Merry Christmas" Orwellian stare every time they hear the phrase.

I watched the film The Lives of Others over the weekend. There's a creepy scene where an office worker is telling a joke about the East German dictator and realizes that supervisors have overheard him. He knows he's doomed.

The war against Christmas hasn't yet reached that level here, but on my college campus over the past couple of weeks I've witnessed people whispering "Merry Christmas" to friends because they didn't want to offend someone twenty feet away who might overhear. A lady wished me a "Merry Christmas" and then afterward sort of gasped and said, "I hope you're not offended, I don't think we're supposed to say that anymore".

If people like Dobson don't stand up to this stuff now, then 25 years from now we'll be in serious trouble as a nation.