Christmas

[Merida]

Hi all. I'm fairly new to the idea of being Christian, and am picking up the Bible again for the first time in years. I am excited to celebrate Christmas this year, because I feel so much different about it now that I am being drawn to Jesus.

With that being said, I have a few questions that some kind people here may be able to answer.

1. Some scholars say Jesus wasn't born on Dec. 25th. What do you think about that?
2. Some people say the practice of putting up a tree and decorating it is pagan in origin. Thoughts?
3. My children believe in Santa...and that's all they know about Christmas right now. How can I go about introducing them to the story of baby Jesus in a way they can grasp at 7 and 12 yrs old?

Thanks so much in advance.

 

[YHello]

3. Get them a kid's bible! I used to love reading the bible during that age mainly 7 years I heard of a book called the comic book bible. You could get that for your older kid. Though I never bought it yet and maybe you can look more into it before you get it that would be a good idea. Oh and there's a show called superbook the newer one is the one I seen (don't know about the older one). Just suggestions Invite God to lead you that's like the best way

 

[Merida]

3. Get them a kid's bible! I used to love reading the bible during that age mainly 7 years I heard of a book called the comic book bible. You could get that for your older kid. Though I never bought it yet and maybe you can look more into it before you get it that would be a good idea. Oh and there's a show called superbook the newer one is the one I seen (don't know about the older one). Just suggestions Invite God to lead you that's like the best way

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Those look like cute books, I'll look for them. The comic book style one would be great for my son, you're right.

 

[SweetStars]

By research yes, there is no evidence that Jesus was born on December 25, it became just a custom back in the day. And yes, it has pagans origins, even so if you decided to put God and Jesus in the celebration and celebrate our savior, i see nothing wrong on the celebration. If you want one of the youtuber i follow that does Bible Studies and Bible discussion explains it better than me

, he also have great Bible studies, discussions and poems.

As for your kids you can read them the story of Jesus birth and explain to them that Christmas celebration is to really and truly celebrate that our salvation was born into this world to free us from our sins and guide us in example, in love and mercy.

 

[YHello]

By research yes, there is no evidence that Jesus was born on December 25, it became just a custom back in the day. And yes, it has pagans origins, even so if you decided to put God and Jesus in the celebration and celebrate our savior, i see nothing wrong on the celebration. If you want one of the youtuber i follow that does Bible Studies and Bible discussion explains it better than me

, he also have great Bible studies, discussions and poems.

I KNOW HIMMMM!

 

[SweetStars]

You follow him too? I love all his Bible Studies

 

[Merida]

By research yes, there is no evidence that Jesus was born on December 25, it became just a custom back in the day. And yes, it has pagans origins, even so if you decided to put God and Jesus in the celebration and celebrate our savior, i see nothing wrong on the celebration. If you want one of the youtuber i follow that does Bible Studies and Bible discussion explains it better than me

, he also have great Bible studies, discussions and poems.

As for your kids you can read them the story of Jesus birth and explain to them that Christmas celebration is to really and truly celebrate that our salvation was born into this world to free us from our sins and guide us in example, in love and mercy.

Thanks very much! I feel so much better about this now. Someone told me the tree thing was based on "evil pagan practices". And we've been decorating Christmas trees in my family for decades. haha

 

[YHello]

You follow him too? I love all his Bible Studies

yeah! I follow him too. Oh yeah me too, so awesome! have you seen the fruits of the spirit series? been watching those lately

 

[SweetStars]

I love those 7 minutes sermons fruit of the spirit, the problem is that I have watch all his videos like a trillion times, I love researching about God and learning more, if you know any other true Christian you tuber, please let me know 😊

 

[Rosemaryx]

I love those 7 minutes sermons fruit of the spirit, the problem is that I have watch all his videos like a trillion times, I love researching about God and learning more, if you know any other true Christian you tuber, please let me know 😊

The bible project is fantastic , helped me greatly 3 years ago when I was saved...xox...

 

[Auknownperson]

He

The bible project is fantastic , helped me greatly 3 years ago when I was saved...xox...

Heeey the Bible project... They do really great job in talking about the bible

 

[PennEd]

Hi all. I'm fairly new to the idea of being Christian, and am picking up the Bible again for the first time in years. I am excited to celebrate Christmas this year, because I feel so much different about it now that I am being drawn to Jesus.

With that being said, I have a few questions that some kind people here may be able to answer.

1. Some scholars say Jesus wasn't born on Dec. 25th. What do you think about that?
2. Some people say the practice of putting up a tree and decorating it is pagan in origin. Thoughts?
3. My children believe in Santa...and that's all they know about Christmas right now. How can I go about introducing them to the story of baby Jesus in a way they can grasp at 7 and 12 yrs old?

Thanks so much in advance.

1. Jesus was almost certainly not born in December. Very likely in September.

2. Here are your origins of the Christmas Tree. You will have to decide if it's ok or not. WE do, but with many customs if I had it to do over with my family I probably would have erected a big nativity, and put presents around it.

Jeremiah 10
Hear the word which the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel.

2 Thus says the Lord:

“Do not learn the way of the Gentiles;
Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven,
For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.
3 For the customs of the peoples are [a]futile;
For one cuts a tree from the forest,
The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
4 They decorate it with silver and gold;
They fasten it with nails and hammers
So that it will not topple.
5 They are upright, like a palm tree,
And they cannot speak;
They must be carried,
Because they cannot go by themselves.
Do not be afraid of them,
For they cannot do evil,
Nor can they do any good.”

3. Same answer about Santa. If I had a do over I wouldn't do the Santa thing with my kids. We really are introducing the concept that a lie is ok. Eventually, every kid will come to the realization that they were duped. Yeah, we will explain it was all in fun, but will that cause them to think the Gospel is just a tale?

 

[Merida]

I kinda do feel bad about the Santa thing. I grew up believing in Santa too. But I remember being old enough to realize it was a lie, and I felt pretty ripped off. I saw that same look in my Son's eyes a few years ago when he realized it was a lie. I felt awful having lied to him. We're perpetuating the Santa thing with our daughter who is 7, and I think next year we'll let her in on it, or maybe wait a few more years. The nativity scene is something I've always had set up in my home at Christmas, as did my parents - even though we weren't a practicing Christian family. I've just never taken the time to explain what it means to my kids - sad, I know. I will this Christmas.

 

[Rosemaryx]

He

Heeey the Bible project... They do really great job in talking about the bible

I love the way they draw it into action , it helps greatly to see it visually...xox...

 

[Subhumanoidal]

Thanks very much! I feel so much better about this now. Someone told me the tree thing was based on "evil pagan practices". And we've been decorating Christmas trees in my family for decades. haha

Despite my other post I don't otherwise buy into a lot of the issues of things being pagan. There are some things to avoid, but we all use pagan based elements in our daily lives.
Names of the days of the week, wedding rings, most elements of wedding ceremonies. Just to name a few.
But I find most of the people that speak so strongly against holidays aren't willing to remove all the pagan elements out of their lives. And when called on it and challenged they have excuses or simply dodge the question.
So it leaves me feeling that if they're unwilling or unable to practice what they preach then their argument is based on nothing and they only pick and choose what they want.
My guess is a religious attempt to look more spiritual. So enjoy your holidays. It may be wise to minimize elements such as santa or the Easter bunny, or eliminate them if you feel to. But there's no biblically backed reason to avoid or rename them unless your conscious tells you otherwise.

 

[SweetStars]

The bible project is fantastic , helped me greatly 3 years ago when I was saved...xox...

Yeah, i have also watch almost every video from the Bible Project, i love their art as well

As for Santa that is true, my mom let me know about Santa not being real since i was very young, she only give our gifts on Christmas morning but we knew it was her and my dad, i enjoyed Christmas and looked forward to it all the same, but that was just my family.

 

[preacher4truth]

Remember there was a historical Santa, so don't feel too guilty.

Read Scriptures with your children, and pray with them. Read them The Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan. Tell them and read to them the story of the birth of Christ -- and take them to a Christmas play at a good biblical church.

 

[Angela53510]

I've told this story before, but it bears repeating.

When my youngest son was 3, my husband decided to tell our 3 kids that Santa wasn't real. He didn't want them to grow up and wonder, if Santa is a myth, then is Jesus a myth. But, he was kind of legalistic about it, and I was against him spoiling the fun of Christmas.

So, he sat down and had the "talk" with the kids. Our oldest would have been 11 at the time. He figured out he got an extra gift he pretended that Santa was real, so he never even told the younger siblings it was not real. The three year old was very quiet.

I had to go out to the mall, and took the little one with me. When we pulled in to park, we heard a helicopter overhead. So we got out of our car and watched it for a few minutes. Lo and behold, it landed in the middle of the parking lot, right in front of us. And guess who got out?

That's right, it was Santa arriving at the mall, all dressed up! My son watched with eyes wide and mouth gaping. Santa went inside, and my son turned to me. Do you know what he said? "Well, dad sure was wrong!"

Kids need fun and imagination. They will grow out of these childhood fantasies. But, keep Jesus real. That is easy to do, if you are following him, just don't leave it to church or Christian school to teach your children about Jesus.

As for the when of Christmas, it probably wasn't near Dec. 25. But, it is a time when people are more open to the gospel. They hear Christmas carols with the name of Jesus in it. I've always used Christmas as a time of outreach for the lost. If I celebrate it in March or May, or whenever, I lose that opportunity.

Same with the tree. Really, it doesn't matter the origins. Jesus makes it his! I have loads of Christian ornaments, nativity scenes and so forth. We can make the tree meaningful, and the whole occasion.

I will say another thing. Watch out for false Christianity. There are a lot of myths about what happened when Jesus was born, in Christmas carols, greeting cards and so forth. A popular picture is Mary on a donkey, and Joseph walking beside her to Bethlehem. There is no place in the Bible where it says Mary rode a donkey. So, read the Christmas story to your family in Luke and Matthew, and pick out the details that are right, when you are confronted with the media, and throw out the stuff that is not biblical.

 

[preacher4truth]

don't leave it to church or Christian school to teach your children about Jesus.

Wanted to highlight the above...excellent godly advice. If only families would do this, and take the family through a CoF like the 1689 LBCoF.

 

[Alertandawake]

If you want to learn about Christmas, have a read up on Saturnalia and Sol Invictus (Unconquered Sun). Saturnalia similar to Christmas, celebration period, and the birth day of Sol Invictus, Dec 25.