If we want to celebrate the birth of Christ, why not pick a new date and new name?

[Nehemiah6]

I would suggest if Christians can't help themselves from observing our Lord's birthday, a new date and name should be chosen that doesn't reflect Catholicism and paganism; something that is separate and distinct from the world.

It is far too late to make any such changes. You can either join in or ignore Christmas. The pagan connections are too far in the past and nobody cares. However, the commercialization of Christmas is more recent and will never change. Christians however can continue to focus on Christ, and this is an excellent time to proclaim the Gospel.

 

[persistent]

So now I don't get how much of a 'celebratory' sense Jesus birthday should have. The people from the East brought gifts. Different topic but still posting it here as these threads often morph and these things I never thought about too much. And this thread got me thinking about this. What about the locals? Did the shepherds bring any lamb chops or wool blankets? I don't recall reading of any other gifts. And maybe the gifts that were brought signify something. The gold for the trip to Egypt but the others for what reason?

Matthew 2:11 ¶ And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

 

[Locoponydirtman]

12 months 28 days long starting on the first day of the new moon, each month named after an Apostle. On the weekend of the 14th you add an 8th day to that week which will be om the full moon, called the Holy day.
Then add an additional day every 3 months so that every 3 months Holy day is 2 days long, that would reconcile the partial day for each lunar cycle. Which leaves 7 days to reconcile to the solar year. Not sure how to work that out.

 

[tourist]

I'm up for a name change. Any suggestions?

XMAS

 

[Nehemiah6]

And maybe the gifts that were brought signify something.

Of course the gifts did signify much about Christ. We should never forget that it is God Himself who led these wise men to Bethlehem through that extraordinary star. These were Gentiles who came to worship the King of the Jews BEFORE any Jew worshipped Christ! Think about that.

While the magi may not have fully understood all this there is no doubt that they were led by God to choose those gifts. The gold signified the royalty of Christ the King of the Jews, the frankincense signified that He was the Great High Priest, and the myrrh signified that He was the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world through His sufferings and His death. As to the shepherds, the gifts they gave were the proclamation of the birth of the Savior, who is Christ the Lord. They were the first evangelists. And let's not forget that glorious host of angels who appeared to them to celebrate the birth of the Christ child. God sent those angels to earth.

 

[Eli1]

So now I don't get how much of a 'celebratory' sense Jesus birthday should have. The people from the East brought gifts. Different topic but still posting it here as these threads often morph and these things I never thought about too much. And this thread got me thinking about this. What about the locals? Did the shepherds bring any lamb chops or wool blankets? I don't recall reading of any other gifts. And maybe the gifts that were brought signify something. The gold for the trip to Egypt but the others for what reason?

Matthew 2:11 ¶ And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Look, the point isn’t even the gifts, even though that’s Biblically supported.
The point is The Date. Why December 25th? Why not July 4th for example or any other date?

‘Since we don’t know the exact birth date of Jesus we picked a date December 25th (where many others here have wonderfully explained like Xavier) And we celebrate.
How do we celebrate? This varies from culture to culture. Many places around the world usually get together and celebrate this event sort of like we do for thanksgiving in America And it’s usually tied to a busy church schedule. For example my Church will have a 2 week non stop service daily for this event.

This has nothing to do with the secular society turning this into a different thing which involves shopping and they want you to buy another TV.

So now you have some options here.
‘You can choose to celebrate on December 25. You can choose to celebrate on another day. Or you can choose to not celebrate at all.
‘It’s very simple.

 

[Locoponydirtman]

The seven days of the week cam be named, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, and David.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

The very name Christmas comes from Catholicism (Christ's Mass). There are many people who eschew all things Catholic but seem to have no problem celebrating Christ's Mass. The date December 25 is the day of the winter solstice according to the Julian calendar used by the Romans. It was the day of the sun's rebirth.

So we see, December 25 has both Catholic and pagan origins. Many will argue that they are okay celebrating Christ's Mass because they simply ignore the Catholic and pagan elements and remember the birth of our Lord. But how does one ignore the Catholic and pagan elements when the very date and name reflect them?

I would suggest if Christians can't help themselves from observing our Lord's birthday, a new date and name should be chosen that doesn't reflect Catholicism and paganism; something that is separate and distinct from the world.

would you say there’s anything to consider here ?

“Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. ( it’s always between Jesus and you , and then it’s between Jesus and them each the same way )

He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, And every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

I ( Paul ) know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself:

but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.”(that’s you and “Christmas” you should never partake of anything you consider to be unclean )
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14:1-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

whenever we feel so strongly about something we definately shouldn’t partake because it would make us feel we are doing something wrong it ruins our conscience because of that.

But also if a person celebrates Christmas On any certain day the only thing relevant is why they are celebrating and whos honor and remembrance and love are they sharing one of the greatest things about Jesus is “it takes away my place to judge others by what I know , and thier place to judge me by what they know “

Now it’s between Jesus and each believer he’s with them and will be the one they answer to also we all can know him by the gospel and learn from God himself what’s important

 

[Cameron143]

12 months 28 days long starting on the first day of the new moon, each month named after an Apostle. On the weekend of the 14th you add an 8th day to that week which will be om the full moon, called the Holy day.
Then add an additional day every 3 months so that every 3 months Holy day is 2 days long, that would reconcile the partial day for each lunar cycle. Which leaves 7 days to reconcile to the solar year. Not sure how to work that out.

I love it when a plan comes together.

 

[Subhumanoidal]

Yet another "pagan roots" griper cherry picking what things with pagan roots they're opposed to. All the other things in their life with pagan roots are somehow acceptable.
And when they're called out on it you're either ignored or excuses are given. Hence why I find the mindset fruitless. Even those that claim it compromise.

 

[XavierJesusLovesIndia]

It's a good time to meditate on the Biblical Christmas story, like the 3 Magi worshipping the Infant Jesus: "On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." (Mat 2:11)

And yes, of course this is not a secular holiday. Atheists and liberals who want to commercialize the season or make it all about some worldly ideas are missing the point. The point is that God gave us the Gift of His Son on Christmas. The point is, contrary to modern Atheistic Arians who say Christ was only a man, Christ was worshipped right from His very birth!

I love the song about this, one of my favorite Christmas Carols. And that's another thing wonderful about Christmas - the Carols!

"… Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Prayer and praising
All men raising
Worship Him, God most high"

O Come All Ye Faithful is another classic:

"
Lyrics

1. 1. Oh, come, all ye faithful,
   Joyful and triumphant!
   Oh, come ye, oh come ye to Bethlehem.
   Come and behold him,
   Born the King of angels;
2. [Chorus]
   Oh, come, let us adore him;
   Oh, come, let us adore him;
   Oh, come, let us adore him,
   Christ, the Lord.
3. 2. — Sing, choirs of angels,
   Sing in exultation;
   — Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
   Glory to God,
   Glory in the highest;
4. 3. — Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
   Born this happy morning;
   — Jesus, to thee be all glory giv'n.
   Son of the Father
   Now in flesh appearing;"

 

[ResidentAlien]

Christ's Mass is purely Catholic; it can't mean anything else. Catholics are the only ones who do "mass."

"The World Book Encyclopedia defines Christmas as follows: 'The word Christmas comes from Cristes Maesse, an early English phrase that means Mass of Christ.' (1) It is interesting to note that the word Mass, as used by the Roman Catholics, has traditionally been rejected by the so-called Protestants, such as Lutherans, Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Pentecostals and so on. The word Mass is strictly a Catholic word and thus, so is Christ-Mass.​

"It would stand to reason, that since all of these denominations love and embrace Christ-Mass, that December 25th is the great homecoming day, when all of the Protestants become Catholic for a day. It would seem that all of the so-called 'wayward daughters' of the Romish church return to their mother, the scarlet harlot. Thus, all of the so-called Protestant churches could sing to the Pope that popular song 'I'll be home for Christmas.' " https://www.gracegems.org/29/true_meaning_of_christmass.htm​

 

[hornetguy]

Christmas is the fulfilment of Hanukah.

No, it's not.

 

[hornetguy]

Get ready for spring time...

"Why is it called Easter?

The naming of the celebration as “Easter” seems to go back to the name of a pre-Christian goddess in England, Eostre, who was celebrated at beginning of spring. The only reference to this goddess comes from the writings of the Venerable Bede, a British monk who lived in the late seventh and early eighth century."

 

[hornetguy]

And for the rest of the year.... stop celebrating birthdays!

"While many cultures developed birthday celebrations separately, the Egyptians were the first ones to get the party started. When Egyptian pharaohs were crowned gods, they were “birthed.” That means the first birthday celebration wasn't marking the birth of a human, but rather the birth of a god."

 

[XavierJesusLovesIndia]

Do you know what Mass means, Resident Alien? Mass is from Missa which means sending/offering. It is an offering of love that Christ first made for us and that we now make or send to God in His Name. Holy Communion is not just a meal for us. It is also an offering for God. We eat and drink of it after we offer it to God in Memory of the Sacrifice of Christ. Research the Greek on the Words of Institution in the Gospel: "During the Last Supper, the Lord said to his disciples, “Do this in memory of me.” In Greek, this statement reads, “Touto poieite eis tan eman anamnesin.” There are two.aspects of this phrase that deserve consideration. For one, the phrase touto poieite can be translated as do this or as offer this. In the Old Testament, God commands the Israelites “you shall offer (poieseis) upon the altar two lambs” (Ex. 29:38). This use of poiein is translated as offer this or sacrifice this over seventy times in the Old Testament." https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/is-the-mass-a-sacrifice

Here's the confirmation of that from Bible Hub:

"do
ποιεῖτε (poieite)" https://biblehub.com/luke/22-19.htm

And here is Ex 29:38 first in English: "Now this is that which thou shalt offer (poieseis) upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually." https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/exo/29/38/t_conc_79038

And here in the Greek Septuagint: "καὶ ταῦτά ἐστιν ἃ ποιήσεις (poieseis) ἐπὶ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου ἀμνοὺς ἐνιαυσίους ἀμώμους δύο τὴν ἡμέραν ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον ἐνδελεχῶς κάρπωμα ἐνδελεχισμοῦ " https://www.blueletterbible.org/lxx/exo/29/1/s_79001

So Holy Communion is an offering to God as per the Greek. The offering of the Lord's Body and Blood to the Eternal Father.

In Christ,
Xavier.

 

[XavierJesusLovesIndia]

Also, the below says both Anglican and Lutheran Churches also commemorate/celebrate Mass: "

Anglicanism: "In the Anglican tradition, Mass is one of many terms for the Eucharist. More frequently, the term used is either Holy Communion, Holy Eucharist, or the Lord's Supper. "...

Lutheranism: In the Book of Concord, Article XXIV ("Of the Mass") of the Augsburg Confession (1530) begins thus: Falsely are our churches accused of abolishing the Mass; for the Mass is retained among us, and celebrated with the highest reverence. We do not abolish the Mass but religiously keep and defend it. ...We keep the traditional liturgical form. ...In our churches Mass is celebrated every Sunday and on other holy days, when the sacrament is offered to those who wish for it after they have been examined and absolved (Article XXIV)."

Taken from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_(liturgy)

 

[Ted01]

I remember one-time, long-ago a (Vietnamese Buddhist) lady friend/boss asked a few of sitting around the shop if we wanted
some of her orange. I asked for some and as she handed it to me, she said are you sure Ted? I offered it to Buddha.
I said, it doesn't matter Kim... my God created it and owned it first.

I think the same is true with anything on Earth... it all belongs to our Father. Nobody can claim it as their own.
The 25th day of December doesn't belong to any person, Pagan's, Catholics or anyone else.

 

[Eli1]

And for the rest of the year.... stop celebrating birthdays!

"While many cultures developed birthday celebrations separately, the Egyptians were the first ones to get the party started. When Egyptian pharaohs were crowned gods, they were “birthed.” That means the first birthday celebration wasn't marking the birth of a human, but rather the birth of a god."

Wow. This hit me hard.

‘Basically the idea here is that we are supposed to be thoughtless, emotionless, action-less yet supremely knowledgable but we can’t share that knowledge either because we are supposed to be thoughtless.

 

[Cameron143]

Wow. This hit me hard.

‘Basically the idea here is that we are supposed to be thoughtless, emotionless, action-less yet supremely knowledgable but we can’t share that knowledge either because we are supposed to be thoughtless.

We 4, shut the door, no more. Affectionately known as the frozen chosen.