Merry Christmas to you J
Of course this would be the view of those that, in ignorance, completely ignore the conquering Christ on the cross. Who made every day the Sabbath, because He is the Sabbath and we rest in Him and in the Sabbath each and every single day of our Christian lives. "Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Col 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?" When Zacharias was serving in the Temple he was informed his wife was with child. When Mary visited Elizabeth, Elizabeth was six months pregnant, that places Jesus's conception on or about Dec. 25 placing Christs birth around September. We celebrate the conception of Christ, not his birth, though most men on the street would not know that. Are we as Christians entitled to celebrate the conception of Christ on our own, with no commandment from God to do so? "Mat 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. Yes we are entitled to celebrate Christmas in common with other Christians. As for the Christmas tree: "Ezek 17:22 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it upon an high mountain and eminent: 23 In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell. The cedar tree for us represents God's promised Saviour, ever living, we bring our gifts of gold and silver ornaments to give, as did the Wise men, we give gifts to each other, in love, and celebrate the gifts God has given to us. Is it all symbolic? Yes. Are we worshipping the tree? No. Do we have the right? Yes. Does it matter to us that some heathern use to worship trees, nail them and decorate them? No. So all desenters can back off our celebration, it's not about you anyway, has nothing to do with you at all. It is between Christians and our God and we need no one's approval, it's a family matter, respect it.