Dear Sister, if christmas is carnal it is death. Take this issue to the Lord he will show you to His ways. If you have ears to hear you will hear...Rob

This isnt meant as sarcasm... I genuinely interested in knowing... should we not celebrate birthdays either? Or the 4th of July? Or Thanksgiving?

Just curious...

Krispy

Greetings
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What will be your story Christian? We will be with brothers and sisters who gave up everything and their lives to walk in the light as He is in the light, forever. When the subject of christmas and it's obvious dark origins comes up again this year please think of eternity. Please consider the serious matter of leaving your pagan family traditions to follow and serve the Living God Jesus Christ of Nazareth. For him who has ears to hear let him hear.....Rob
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What you wrote here Rob has really opened my eyes this morning. I had not ever considered it this way before. I have been reading all the different things posted in favor of the holiday and everything opposed but I had not looked at it from this point of view. You have given me something to think and pray on this morning. No matter how painful to my flesh it may be I want to be in His will, I want to hear His voice on this matter. Thank you brother for sharing this with me.

God bless
MJ

Is a Christian's Decision to Celebrate Christmas a Part of Christian Liberty?

A. Romans 14:1-13 -- This passage is speaking of Jews who were observing the Old Testament Jewish holy days/festivals and dietary laws even though they were now believers in Christ; but they were also judging their Gentile brothers-in-the-Lord who did not observe the Jewish customs. Likewise, the Gentile Christians were judging their Jewish brothers who were seemingly caught-up in ceremonial law. Paul was thusly saying, "To you Gentile Christians -- leave the Jewish Christians alone, because they are not violating any Scriptural commands by their actions (i.e., it's a "disputable" matter [doubtful or gray area] and not a moral issue). To you Jewish Christians -- it's okay for you to observe the Jewish festivals and dietary laws because they were given by God in the Old Testament, and thereby, are considered to be previously approved worship forms, but don't judge your Gentile brothers, because there is no Biblical command for either of you to continue to observe these things." (Actually, it wasn't "okay" , but Paul allowed it as an act of an immature/weaker brother . If a moral issue is involved (i.e., a practice that is covered in Scripture), then this passage and its application to Christian liberty (i.e., the freedom to engage in practices not prohibited by Scripture) would obviously not apply. And the celebration of Christmas appears to be such a moral issue, because its celebration is not only not from God, but is from ancient paganism itself!

B. 1 Corinthians 8:4-13 -- The Gentile Christians, who had been raised in an idolatrous system, were having a problem with the their Jewish brothers who were eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols. (Apparently, this was the only "healthy" meat available.) Similar to the Romans 14 passage above, Paul says that eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols is not a moral issue, and thereby, is not prohibited. However, Paul does not say that it is okay to go into the pagan temple itself; in fact, in other passages (1 Cor 10:14, 18-21), Paul specifically prohibits getting involved with the pagan feasts. In other words, it's not a moral issue to partake in the byproducts of a pagan religious system (note, however, that there is no indication here that the Jewish Christians were using the "idol meat" as part of their worship), but it is not okay to partake in the religious system itself (because the corrupt character of the participants would be harmful for believers). Rather, we must be separate from the worldly system (2 Cor 6:14-7:1). Therefore, when items (byproducts) associated with a pagan religious system not only develop religious associations of their own, but have been integrated into what would otherwise be true Christian worship (as the celebration of Christmas has clearly become in our culture), then we should pull away from them so that there is no confusion over our allegiances.

C. Galatians 4:9-10; Colossians 2:16-17 -- Both these passages of Scripture refer to the Jewish holy days under Old Testament law. If Christians were not even to observe the Old Testament holy days -- days which did have divine sanction, for a time -- they certainly don't have the liberty to observe pagan holy days!

D. James 4:11 -- James is saying that Christians may only judge a brother on matters determined in God's Word (i.e., moral issues). If a matter is not covered in the Word, then these are matters of Christian liberty (á la Rom. 14:1-13 and 1 Cor 8:4-13), and he who judges in these areas of Christian liberty is, in effect, judging and condemning the Word of God as being an imperfect standard to which the judge, thereby, refuses to submit. On the other hand, since we have clear Scriptural precept that condemns the things that go on around December 25th in the name of Christ, the celebration of Christmas does not appear to be a matter of liberty, but one of moral conduct.

I love it. People who don't even know me in RL are saying that I am unsaved and carnal and immoral all because I enjoy Christmas.

It must be nice to be the only ones going to the Lamb's Supper..along with the people in Foxe's Book of Martyrs.

Well, Krispy, looks like we'll be on the outside looking in...

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Melissa

Rather than answering in sarcasm to hide your ignorance of this issue you ought to consider the Truth as it is in Jesus as it pertains to this abominable idolatry. When the dentist pulls a tooth it is not a pleasant experience. Nor is it a pleasant experience when our traditions are pulled up by their roots and discovered for what they truly are. I am thankful to many brothers in my past who loved me enough to confront me with the truth regarding my doctrines and practices. This(christ-mass)being just one of those I had erroneously and ignorantly held to. I don't remember letting go of any of these with so much ease as I did when I grabbed a hot iron one time. My pride still raises its ugly head at times and thankfully God has appointed me with some persons in my life who place the mirror before me. If I ever succeed at keeping the First Commandment it certainly won't be anything I can boast of. It is He who keeps me. Is there anything I desire to keep from Him? He knows! Worship God

Merry Christmas everyone. Have I said this before?

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Christiaan