What attitude should those who want to please Jehovah have during the Christmas season? Should this celebration be totally rejected because it is considered to have pagan connections? Can we be condemned for wanting to study and meditate upon our Lord Jesus and his birth? Many experience the joy of giving gifts to others as well as celebrating the greatest gift of all, our Savior Jesus Christ and the gift he gave for mankind. Yet more sobering is the commercialism of holiday and consumerism, i.e. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, etc. Our dilemma is the resulting conflict. We don’t want to be caught up in the way the world deals with Christ’s birth. There is also the question of resolving the true date of Jesus’ birth.
Here what Chicago Bible Students Elder, Russ Marten, had to say about this by clicking here: Christian Perspective On Christ And Christmas_Marten-Russ_2011-12-04_D_24k
Also note the following:
In The Time is at Hand, Vol. 2 of the Studies in the Scriptures on page 61 it discusses the date of the birth of Christ. It says “…we could not be certain that the exact day might not be in September about the 27th, but October 1st, B.C. 2, is about correct. Nine months back of that date would bring us to about Christmas time, B.C. 3, as the date at which our Lord laid aside the glory which he had with the Father before the world was [made] and the taking of or changing to human nature began. It seems probable that this was the origin of the celebration of December 25th as Christmas Day. Some writers on Church history claim, even, that Christmas Day was originally celebrated as the date of the annunciation by Gabriel ”
In the December 15, 1903 Watchtower, Brother Russell wrote concerning Christmas: “…we remember that all of these glories and blessings and privileges are ours because of the great redemptive work accomplished by him whose entrance upon the work is celebrated by Christmas day. Although we cannot agree that this is the proper day for celebrating the birth of our dear Redeemer, but must insist that it was about October first, nevertheless since he did not intimate his desire that we should celebrate his birthday it is quite immaterial upon what day that event, of so great importance to all, is celebrated. Upon this day, so generally celebrated, we may properly enough join with all whose hearts are in the attitude of love and appreciation toward God and toward the Savior.”
I notice some people who don’t celebrate birthdays try to say that the few times that it was mentioned in the Bible, that only bad things happen on those days.Like the chopping off of people head on their birthday….well bad things have happen on every date of the year. After reading scriptues I realize that there is nothing wrong wih celebrating bithdays……..What is the understanding you all get from Jerimiah 10:1-10.When I read this scripture I learned that they did not decorate the tree like a christmas tree you would find in a home now days on christmas,but they carved it into an idol and then decorated it with gold and silver and they Worshiped it. All this time I thought they decorated it as soon as they cut it down, never really paying attention to the scripture. Would it still be wrong to have a christmas tree if you are not worshiping it and is just using it for decoration on christmas?…I am still researching this topic so I can’t answer this question because I don’t want to lean upon my on understanding but the understanding that God wants me to have is what my heart desire. I am just starting to really get into my bible the way that I need to so I may not be as Bible Literate(lol) as most of you may be, but I am trying and I will get there. I would love for everyone to comment,nomatter the religion because it’s not about religion and at the end of the day we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.
P.S
Hey Jacqueline!!!! It’s me Tomica from your home Town!!!! I really enjoyed talking to you this past week. It was truely a blessing! I look foward to speaking with you again…..I will try not to call too much LOL!
Tomica, Hello, I am at the convention now. I arrived this morning and will stay overnite till Monday. I will go and wave during break. (I should stay from in front of a camera(:) ). I enjoyed our convesation and hope to have many more.
I will look over the scripture you mentioned at the end of the day and comment. I will plug my RV in at one of the brethren home tonite and I will answer then.
If you can go online at the convention, I will mouse over your name and start a private chat. Hope to see one of the days. We have a full house on day one. In Christ’ name, Jacqueline
Personally I side with caution. I don’t mind having a dinner with friends or family during Holiday season or birthdays but that’s my extent of it
To all interested;
How off a major news station this afternoon. A few different speakers. The Egyptians celebrated gift giving and the other things long before Jesus was born. It was called Saturnilea. And Christians because they wanted to convert more people adopted it.
Then the next one said it was not done or fought against up to the third and fourth century.
They then mentioned how the date came about. A belief that he was conceived on the day he would die. Nisan 14 or 15 according to a Jewish calender. Back to March 25 on the Roman calender.
After that the lady announcer commented that it was probaly in the fall because the shepards were in the field.
So what do I think of the Pastor? Well, take a look at the early chosen ones. They had the truth and true religion when Jesus showed up. Remember how Jesus would continually remind them and say who ever wants to be greatest much be the one who ministers to others. Just one example. After he died the early congregation had a few problems that came up. Circu mcision. And some other things which were in their old religion.
When the Pastor was getting some truths he was coming out of so much false teachings that with what info was available then he did what I feel was quite remarkable. Take me for example. Sent out cards once in my life, that following June read Mathew chapter 2 and realized it is pagan. At judgement will I be condemmed? Or will my judgement be more centered on how I did Mark 12:28,29.?
But How would I be now when I know its pagan and go back to it? 2 Pe 2:22
Do you celebrate birthdays? I have friends that become infuriated that I do not celebrate. If you dont celebrate how do you deal with the pressure? If you cave in wont you be condoning their pagan practice and commiting idolatry? Thank you for any response you can give
Nik,I have really never celebrated birthdays except when the baby is born. I have never accepted the reason given for not celebrating. Jehovah had angels sing at Jesus birth and Job it is thought is speaking of birthdays of his children. All of my close relatives are witnesses so it has not presented itself. I do however acknowledge all my grandchildren birthdays because I see nothing in the bible that says they are wrong yet it is mentioned. I don’t know if my answer helps you but I just don’t add prohibitions to the bible that are not there. I felt this way as a witness also about birthdays. BTW, Hello and welcome feel free to comment on any of the subjects we would love along with thousands of others to read your thoughts. In Christ Jacqueline
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXAqO9Bv3fA
After seeing these videos, which are entirely accurate you may think twice about celebrating pagan holidays. Kids tend to resent more the false belief of a Santa Clause than the actual gifts. I know of many who began to be atheist because of the false teachings and deep rooted paganism found in orthodox Christianity.
Hi James P. Thank you for your comment and I viewed part of the link not all. I can appreciate your feelings about Christmas. Many persons feel the same way about the Calendar that all christians us with their pagan names etc. But of course no one uses or thinks of the calendar like that now. We also want to make sure we realize that the birth of Jesus and his subsequent faithfulness was not a good thing for the devil. Also He will do anything to keep people from considering Jesus. So if xmas celebrations reeks of any info about Jesus he will demonize his own trappings to stop it. Just a thought to interject so we don’t try and wipe out that birth at every level. We have to be able to be careful and recognize his craftiness. Some people will not think about Jesus until Christmas (this is not the day of his birth). I hope one child will wonder, “Who is this Jesus? My parents never talk about him. I see him on TV in this story. Maybe I will listen. WOW! I want to know more. Maybe I will google him or find more stories on Netflix. I wonder why they only talk about him on December 25th? My parents never talk about this Jesus or go to Church. I think I want to know more about this baby. Where is he? What happened to him? I think I will look it up in the BIBLE!! Oh, btw googled Santa to he’s doen’t deliver toys. But this other one Jesus Christ, now he appears to be real.hmmmmm
Philipians1:15″True, some are preaching the Christ through envy and rivalry, but others also through goodwill,vs 18 What then?Except that in every way, whether in PRETENSE OR IN TRUTH, CHRIST is being PUBLICIZED, and in this I rejoice. In fact, I will also keep on rejoicing, 19 for I know this will result in my salvation …. We have to walk a fine line when condemning everything and everyone for
Matt. 23:24 “Blind guides, who strain out the gnat but gulp down the camel!.” Many that focus on the paganism violates other commandments of God greatly. (We all sin) Drop all the pagan things that offend you and focus on Jesus. Some are using this time when family are together to do just that. Nay sayers try to hinder that sometimes by running after that little gnat once a year. The camel however rides all year long. (little child again) Oh, I just found this man Jesus again on Netflix. HE’s HANGING OUT STRETCHED AND DYING!!!!. I WONDER WHY??? Google says he is my Saviour! OMG! I think I missed some of his life on earth before he was hung up. Let me start over. Luke 2:14 says “Glory in the heights above to God, and upon earth peace toward men of goodwill” And the search has begun, another person has found Jesus. All because someone ignored the tree and it’s trappings and mentioned the story of Jesus on Dec. 25th. James P I do understand where you are coming from. Peace. Jacqueline
The biggest problem associated with Christmas is the tremendous amount of practices that mimic occult and idolatrous rituals. I do not believe that any of us have been given authority to dictate to fellow Christians that they should not celebrate December 25 or any other day, as all days belong to God.
Nevertheless, in the minds of most people, celebrating Christmnas is about Santa Claus (who is given the attributes of the Most High or Jesus), mimicking the pagan customs of offering presents as to a tree, or to Santa Clause, etc., as well as mimicking several occult practices (such as kissing under the mistletoe). Indeed, in some places, Christmas is called NOEL, referring to the alleged incarnation of God in the baby Jesus.
I don’t believe that Brother Russell never spent much time actually studying all that is involved in 1 Corinthians 8 and 10 and simply accepted the traditional view that is often given which would, in effect, condone the mimicking of idolatry, and such worship along carnal lines, rather encouraging one to “flee from idolatry.”
There is much I believe that Satan has promoted regarding the traditions often associated with the Christmas celebration that, even if a Christian knows an idol is nothing, if a Christian appears to approve of such, others may be actually get involved in idolatry or occultism. This is actually the principle behind God’s Law as given to the nation of Israel; it is NOT, as I often hear many say, whether we ourselves believe in our own conscience that is okay to make use of this or that, but rather it is the conscious of others who may actually, in their own conscience, think that idolatry is okay. The basis of what Paul wrote is that we could become sharers in another’s idolatry even if we know an idol is nothing, and this, I fear, many have not yet reasoned out properly from the scriptures.
The point is that there is much about the Christmas celebration that a Christian might consider avoiding, lest he become partaker of the idolatry (or occult practices) of others, simply by seeming to approve of those practices. This is a fine line, however, and one could go to the other extreme of condemning others for whatever practices they may become involved in at Christmas time, which could be or may not be actually involving idolatry or some form occultism. For me, I believe the safe method is not to mimic the ways of the heathen when it comes to forms of idolatry or occultism. — Jeremiah 10:2; 1 Corinthians 10:7,14.
ResLight – It’s wonderful to have you on our website. We’d love to get more comments from you in the future. You make some excellent points and I share your concerns regarding pagan and occult influences, which we should avoid. For those of us who have small children, their curious minds will want to know what all the fuss and celebration is about. We certainly want to lead them away from the pagan influences. However, it’s not necessary to strip them of the joy of the season and create unnecessary resentment. This season is an opportunity to teach our children and to show others by example a better way of celebrating this season, by focusing in on Jesus’ birth and what his life and sacrifice means for mankind. Jesus gave us the greatest gift of all, his life as a Ransom sacrifice. If we can make that the focus of the season and in our gift giving, I believe it can be a blessing and witness to our children and others who observe us.