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I sure don't want to come off a scrooge type critter. But does this time that we people or at least some people have chosen to Celebrate the birth of Immanuel really bring us closer to God. or is it bringing retailers closer to our pocketbook, and many of us closer to the edge.
The truth is Jesus loves us, the Father Loves us, the Holy Ghost Loves us. 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
There is more to this love than some one at the North Pole making a list of who's naught or nice. That would mean God only loved rich kids, or kids who's parents were willing to go into debt for Christmas.
And if some one perhaps isn't willing to go into debt for this celebration of Christ's birth, we can accuse them of being a scrooge. Scrooge was no doubt a classic story but it was written in a different time. Even our religious institutions produce more myth that Truth.
I admit Dec 25th is as good a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus as any, but where in the bible is it decreed that we should celebrate Jesus' birth. We accepted this tradition passed down from generations passed.
Our lord told us to Love the Lord your God with all you heart and all your strength, and all your mind, and to love your neighbors as yourself. He also said to love one another as I have loved you not to long before he laid his life down for us.
Although I ike the idea of us all treating each other a little better, but I like that as a year around deal. Hopefully if I'm following the guidance of the spirit. 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Then We will be walking in love on April 1st as well as Dec. 25th
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Note to self: Send Dave a Merry Christmas on April 1st.
.....peace..... |
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| Great thoughts, Dave! Great blog! |
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Robin |
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November 25, 2007 at 3:29pm |
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Dave,
I can completely relate to your comments. I used to go into debt for Christmas. I don't any more. As far as tradition... not all tradition is good or bad. The celebration of Jesus' birth I believe it is not bad. Of course our society has made this celebration into a way to make money. We as Christians need to be sure we pass on the proper traditions to our children.
For example, we make Jesus a birthday cake (b/c we all get a cake on our birthday). We also give gifts, we give to those who don't have any other gifts. We also do an outreach with our church, passing out gifts to families, and elderly people. We emphasis that Christmas is all about Jesus. We explain this is a time we show others we love them by giving them gifts. We don't ignore Santa, we teach who he was and why he was important. We also teach how the world has changed all that. (they are only little so this is done on a limited basis now) Just a side note, we also teach them to show love year round. My girls are such givers they are blessed to give and enjoy doing so.
Celebrating Christmas.... all comes down to a matter of the heart. Pure motives and love is how we need to celebrate Jesus every day.
Robin |
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Dave, it is a good thing to question traditions and actions that we all go through. As you note, going in debt to celebrate a holiday is foolishness. However, the holiday does give each family an opportunity to establish traditions that can be carried out for generations. It took me a long time to come to that understanding. Traditions that build upon the Word will endure and build up the families that use them. That should be our desire. To choose traditions wisely and then to build upon them.
Unfortunately, IMHO, what we have seen over the years is a society that is moving farther and farther away from a Christian holiday. Is that because Christians let it slip away instead of taking ownership of it? I am not sure. |
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MaKelly |
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November 25, 2007 at 4:09pm |
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| Dave your right Christ Birtday is not in Deceber 25 and it is not scriptual, but we should celebrate His Burial & resurrection everyday, because He die for us so we can be saved amen |
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| I agree with Voice. Traditions can be productive if they can reinforce a truth. If we cultivate traditions that will remind us o the true meaning of the holiday, it is benefical. Good blog Dave! |
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| I think it's important for me to remember that I have way more practice looking at Christmas from a pagan stand point. It's gonna take time I'm sure to deal with it as a christian. I think an opportunity for families to draw closer, Love each other and our savior. It just seems to me that as a society as we have takent Christ out of the classroom we have also been trying to take him out of Christmas. As a society we are going to pay a price for welcoming foriegn Gods here so they can entice us to worship them. Oops I'm starting to get off topic. Like many things with Christmas if it stays focussed on Christ it will be OK, If we let it turn into a whatever excuse to party for a couple of weeks we will regret it. |
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Gene |
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November 25, 2007 at 7:02pm |
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| Note to self. On April 1 remind Pureheart to send Dave a Christmas card. |
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| I know one thing from experience; God doesn't mind the gift giving, minus going overboard and into debt over it. About 3 years ago, we were in a financial mess (welcome to our marriage, though praise God, we are getting out gradually, and learning better stewardship), and we could not afford to buy Christmas gifts. I was really upset, because I had such joy doing this. Just little somethings for ppl. But both my hubby and I prayed and prayed, and asked the Lord, if He willed it, to please bless us financially with Christmas money. Well, one day we met this wealthy Christian in the mall, that my husband knew through Full Gospel Businessmen's Breakfasts, and the man handed him an envelope. Inside were cards that could be used in any store in the mall. There were ten of them, all worth $100 each! $1000! And I am telling you, that was a God thing. It certainly built my faith. BUT I agree with the whole overboard stuff. Absolutely. But that wasn't debt, it was a blessing to bless others. I love Christmas, regardless of all the other pagan implications. I love the Christian carols (I hardly know the secular ones, to be honest--grew up in traditional baptist church), and I just love the lights and sparkly stuff and I love to speak of Jesus, and sing carols about Him I hear on secular radio in public. Worship songs to Jesus in the mall! That is soooooooooooo awesome! Scrooge! lol Just joking. |
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| Last Christmas, we didn't give gifts, just for the record. But this year, little things. |
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Something handmade or with a special sentiment attached is the best gift in our family. |
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| Thanks Gene, Lara you are such a DORK, Arlene and Birdie. |
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Deb |
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November 26, 2007 at 12:35pm |
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| I hate the commercialism of Christmas, and try to keep away from a lot of it, but of course, we all get caught up in it to some extent. We should celebrate His birth, death and resurrection every day. |
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| Wow great blog Dave well I guess I will give my opinion. I feel no matter what we do it must be done according to The Word Of God. I say this because the word of God is the manual God left us to live by. Doing good and giving gifts and helping others should be a daily duty of Gods people and according to what you have to give. I myself don't observe Christmas but I give and try to do good on a daily basis. I have search the scriptures and I haven't found a single verse telling us as christrians to observe that day, but I found hundreds of scriptures on doing good and giving. I don't go around beating christians up on what days should celebrate, but if the question is asked I try to be as scriptual and honest as I humanly can. I am glad that when Christ returns He is going to set all these things that we as christians cannot fully agree upon in order and I don't believe anyone will be sent to hell for celebrating Christmas as long as you was observing it for Christ. When Jesus returns and sets up The Kingdom Of God right here on earth He will lead us and guide us into all truths and we will all be on the same page and most of all everything that we don't understand will be known because Jesus will be our King and God our Father Amen |
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| I frankly don't think any one is going to hell for celebrating Christmas unless there in the habit of celebrating with sexual immorality or something. Like wise I don't think I'm in danger of going to hell for watching the colts win there second Superbowl. I think this is something we need to follow our conscience on. Personally I just feel it's tuff to go overboard and keep focussed on Christ. |
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The reason I said that is some may celebrate that holiday in rememberance of Christ but I recall going to christmas parties before I gave my life to Jesus and trust me Jesus was not on my mind as a matter of fact it was what you had mention above but glory be to God in His infinite mercy saw fit to give me a chance to get back under his cloak of mercy in the name of our Saviour, Redeemer, and soon coming King Jesus Amen God bless you Dave and how bout them colts? lol |
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My husband is always saying he wants to help others out at Christmas time. I get aggravated because in the past we have had next to nothing as far as a good amount of gifts for the kids. Last year I splurged & went in debt to buy them gifts. I was tired of feeling poor & was determined to make it different this time. Well, my husband was madder than a hornet at me cuz I kinda did this against his wishes. I thought he was a scrooge for not giving the best to our kids. In all actuality, he just doesn't see the Holiday in the Lime Light of the presents & such. Well, I would be happier if we could do his wishes & mine. I still want to take a time to show a very special gift. We give all year & the giving can seem monotonous. This once a year makes it feel fresh & extra special. Kinda a memorial to all the year of giving. I have no biblical grounds for any of my feelings. They are just that ....feelings. I know we don't have to participate, but I sure feel so much better when I do. Yes, its been passed down from a tradition. I also prepare a special gift for Jesus, since it is all about HIM anyway, in the form of special music I sing to Him.
Hey! I used the spell checker for the first time! What a blessing! |
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suzanne |
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November 26, 2007 at 2:45pm |
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| Hi, Dave--may I recommend viewing the cartoon special "Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown". I find it has helped me put things in perspective. |
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| I like the Charlie Brown Christmas. I don't want to come off as a scrooge. I just know that these days it's real easy to find myself worrying about peoples expectations rather than God's I just feel for me it's a little harder to be in touch with the spirit. Than at other times of the year. I suppose it may be one of those things where I'm weaker than some of my brothers and sisters. |
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Dave, great discussion! First, you are as practiced as I at this pagan holiday thing. We've just decorated our house for Christmas, including putting out the family Santa collection, a holiday tradition. May as well be putting up statues of Lucifer, eh?
Second, routing for the Colts may not get you into hell (you silly kidder), but it sher ain't gonna get you invited to our place for dinner!!!
Last, A Christmas Story ("you'll shoot your eye out, kid") is the best pagan Christmas movie of all time!
disclaimer: much of this comment was intended as tongue in cheek, so please don't be offended! |
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| The only thing that comes up op my mind is that let all men be convinced in there own mind. I did rent the movie Nativity. Emaculent Conception is quit a miracle. I'm not Spock so I souldn't be giving advise on how to raise kids. "Live Long and Prosper." |
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