********* Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 (edited) Do people know that? No snark, I promise. I'm just curious if most people think that all Christians celebrate Christmas? FWIW, dh and I are devout conservative Christians, and we do not celebrate Christmas. Or Easter, for that matter. We don't decorate, or have a tree, or any of that. We don't do Santa Christmas OR baby Jesus Christmas. :tongue_smilie: We don't say "Merry Christmas", and couldn't care less what sort of 'greeting' anyone shares with anyone else this time of year. I know we've had the whole 'Why do Atheists celebrate Christmas' threads before on the boards. The latest one left me with the distinct impression that it is just *assumed* that if you are a Christian, you celebrate. So I just thought I'd throw my two cents in. That's all. Now you all know a little more of the odball-ness that is me and my family. ETA: Our family has no denominational affiliation. We are simply Christians. We do homechurch, but we have no denomination. For those who were wondering. :P Also, plenty of those that we homechurch with DO celebrate. Some do the whole nine yards, with the tree and lights and all that. Some don't do a tree, but do other aspects. It's not a 'rule' for our homechurch that 'we don't celebrate Christmas'. (Uh, we don't have rules at all.) Just trying to clarify where we're coming from. Edited November 27, 2011 by bethanyniez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plucky Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 And some Christians celebrate Christmas with a tree, decorations, & the works, but do not celebrate it as Jesus' birth - because it isn't his birthday. That said, I don't care if people want to celebrate it as Jesus' birth. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheryl Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 With you on that! Christmas and Easter aren't feasts...not Biblical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Do people know that? No snark, I promise. I'm just curious if most people think that all Christians celebrate Christmas? FWIW, dh and I are devout conservative Christians, and we do not celebrate Christmas. Or Easter, for that matter. We don't decorate, or have a tree, or any of that. We don't do Santa Christmas OR baby Jesus Christmas. :tongue_smilie: We don't say "Merry Christmas", and couldn't care less what sort of 'greeting' anyone shares with anyone else this time of year. I know we've had the whole 'Why do Atheists celebrate Christmas' threads before on the boards. The latest one left me with the distinct impression that it is just *assumed* that if you are a Christian, you celebrate. So I just thought I'd throw my two cents in. That's all. Now you all know a little more of the odball-ness that is me and my family. Yep. Fellow oddballer here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicAnn Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 No, quite honestly, people (that I know in real life) have no clue that there are Christians that don't celebrate. I didn't celebrate for years before I found my current religion, for the same reasons I assume your family doesn't. It was very surprising to people. Especially my Methodist minister grandpa! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Well I know JW don't celebrate holidays. I could see some Christians not celebrating Christmas but I don't think I would be likely to have met them and became friends with them IRL. We just would have such a different perspective. I see the holidays as part of the specialness of Christianity, not to say that other religions don't have their special holidays. But since I see God as a joyous God, I can't see not celebrating holidays. JMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
********* Posted November 27, 2011 Author Share Posted November 27, 2011 Well I know JW don't celebrate holidays. I could see some Christians not celebrating Christmas but I don't think I would be likely to have met them and became friends with them IRL. We just would have such a different perspective. I see the holidays as part of the specialness of Christianity, not to say that other religions don't have their special holidays. But since I see God as a joyous God, I can't see not celebrating holidays. JMHO. I understand, Chris. We have plenty of friends that fall in all different places along the 'spectrum', if you will, from those that do not acknowledge Christmas at all, to those that go all out celebrating it. I understand that there are LOTS of different feelings about what/how to celebrate at Christmastime. I just wasn't sure if people in general understand that there are Christians who do not celebrate it at all. And, FWIW, we're not JW. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Running the race Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Yes, our neighbors are Christians and don't celebrate Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldskool Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I am curious...for those Christians that don't celebrate Christmas now, but did so growing up, do you miss it? Is it a difficult change to make because of all of the past memories of Christmas? Also, how did your extended family react to not celebrating? Lesley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Well I know JW don't celebrate holidays. I could see some Christians not celebrating Christmas but I don't think I would be likely to have met them and became friends with them IRL. We just would have such a different perspective. I see the holidays as part of the specialness of Christianity, not to say that other religions don't have their special holidays. But since I see God as a joyous God, I can't see not celebrating holidays. JMHO. I've read this several times...just want to clarify....are you saying that people who don't celebrate Christmas aren't joyous? I am btw. Joyous. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
learningmama Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Dh and I used to have no tree/decorations, didn't care for the Christmas greetings, etc but have gently eased back into the more tradional route over the past few years with the kids. We have decorated, but just for the fun of it. We know the true origins of the holiday and don't hold to the whole Christmas as Jesus' birthday at all, because it is not true and the holiday has so many pagan origins. We totally don't do anything for Easter though and definitely avoid Halloween. Don't care for Valentine's either. Don't we sound like fun people. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
********* Posted November 27, 2011 Author Share Posted November 27, 2011 Dh and I used to have no tree/decorations, didn't care for the Christmas greetings, etc but have gently eased back into the more tradional route over the past few years with the kids. We have decorated, but just for the fun of it. We know the true origins of the holiday and don't hold to the whole Christmas as Jesus' birthday at all, because it is not true and the holiday has so many pagan origins. We totally don't do anything for Easter though and definitely avoid Halloween. Don't care for Valentine's either. Don't we sound like fun people. :D I bet you're plenty fun. I'd be your friend. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicAnn Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I am curious...for those Christians that don't celebrate Christmas now, but did so growing up, do you miss it? Is it a difficult change to make because of all of the past memories of Christmas? Also, how did your extended family react to not celebrating? Lesley I grew up celebrating it. I missed the idea of it for a few years. But now I don't at all for a few reasons- 1, I'm really secure in my faith and I believe 100% that this is the right way and that we are doing what God would want. So there is a lot of faith behind it. 2, Dh and I have developed all sorts of traditions that I just love and that probably would be feasible if we still celebrated regular holidays. We do a giant gift day in the middle of the summer that includes music, food, and friends. It rivals anyone's Christmas. ;) And we celebrate the first snow of the season in a really special way. You'll soon replace those Christmas memories with other ones. My family isn't pleased, but they understand. They do still send several wrapped presents to us each year, but have the respect to wrap them in neutral paper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
********* Posted November 27, 2011 Author Share Posted November 27, 2011 I am curious...for those Christians that don't celebrate Christmas now, but did so growing up, do you miss it? Is it a difficult change to make because of all of the past memories of Christmas? Also, how did your extended family react to not celebrating? Lesley I did grow up celebrating. The transition to not celebrating wasn't 'hard', just, you know, different. :D Dh and I kinda eased into it. One year, we decided we wouldn't do a tree, but we did put up lights, and do gifts, and everything else. Pretty much each year over the past five years or so, we've scaled it down to less and less participation. It's just what worked for us. And our extended family just kinda chalks it up to one more weird thing dh and I do with our family. First I quit my career to be a homemaker, then we homeschooled, then we left our mainstream denomination for homechurching, then we quit celebrating Christmas and Easter. Oh, and somewhere in there, I started wearing skirts more, as well as covering my head. Yeah, we're 'those people' in our families. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanvan Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Everyone I've ever told that we don't believe Christmas to be a Biblical holiday has looked at me like I have said something blasphemous. So, I think, no, most people have no clue. We participate in Christmas as a cultural holiday (in the most minimal way possible), but as Christians we don't believe it should be a Christian holiday. I would like to opt out of it all together, but we have extended family that just don't understand and we are trying to keep up some sort of family relationship. Sometimes I think that we should not worry about them understanding and just flat out tell them we will no longer be celebrating Christmas. I also have practical reasons for wanting to be done with it. In general I find the excess that goes on at the holidays to be bad for the soul. We face challenges every year b/c we don't believe Christmas to be a Biblical holiday. Unfortunately most of the people in our church don't agree. One fellow homeschooling mom at our church told me she just can't wait for Christmas and that she has 50 tubs of decorations she loves to put out! So, I'm curious...those of you who began to not celebrate in adulthood...how do you handle the responses from relatives and fellow Christians who look at you like you've grown another head when you tell them? Or do you just avoid the issue? kinda hard to avoid when Grandma and Grandpa are calling for Christmas lists. I also wonder what you do about instructing your children when it comes to choosing spouses? These are issues that can really be a problem in marriage when one spouse does not agree. I know of only one other family who does not celebrate and they do not live close by. Dh and I have been talking about this b/c the daughter of the woman with the 50 tubs of decorations has been giving Ds inquiring looks lately. I apologize if I have hijacked this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldskool Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Thanks for the info Nicoleandco & bethanyniez! That is really interesting. I love to learn about different approaches to things. This is a great thread. Lesley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I grew up celebrating it. I missed the idea of it for a few years. But now I don't at all for a few reasons- 1, I'm really secure in my faith and I believe 100% that this is the right way and that we are doing what God would want. So there is a lot of faith behind it. 2, Dh and I have developed all sorts of traditions that I just love and that probably would be feasible if we still celebrated regular holidays. We do a giant gift day in the middle of the summer that includes music, food, and friends. It rivals anyone's Christmas. ;) And we celebrate the first snow of the season in a really special way. You'll soon replace those Christmas memories with other ones. My family isn't pleased, but they understand. They do still send several wrapped presents to us each year, but have the respect to wrap them in neutral paper. I'm not looking to squelch your holiday, but isn't celebrating the first snow fall more pagan then celebrating the feast of the Nativity? I have no problem with it myself but it seems an odd choice to me as a replacement/alternative to a religious festival in order to avoid pagan elements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 We didn't for many years also. We now delight in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butterflymommy Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 You could always do what Jesus did and celebrate Chanukah! I have always been uncomfortable with the "Christian" holidays derived from paganism. I'm much more comfortable observing the Jewish holidays as did Jesus, which I did observantly for many years. But to my husband this is just too weird.... being not exactly Jewish nor Christian, so Christmas and Easter it is. There is a thin line between conceit and conviction. I realized the selfless choice, in my situation, was to cede to my husband and my family (parents) so as not to cause strife. My beliefs were creating a bull in a china shop situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicAnn Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I'm not looking to squelch your holiday, but isn't celebrating the first snow fall more pagan then celebrating the feast of the Nativity? I have no problem with it myself but it seems an odd choice to me as a replacement/alternative to a religious festival in order to avoid pagan elements. No I don't think it's pagan at all actually. God made the snow. The first snow signifies a special time for us. It is when Dh and I first met, when he was baptized, and when he actually gets some solid work. It also means we get to enjoy the state we purposely moved to for the snow...which incidentally was during the first bad snow of the year! Winter is also my favorite season because I adore cold weather, sledding and just all that snow brings. Our first snow usually comes in October, so Christmas isn't even on our radar at that point anyway, so I don't view it as a replacement for Christmas. Hope that answers it...if not I'll clarify. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silliness7 Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Do people know that? No snark, I promise. I'm just curious if most people think that all Christians celebrate Christmas? FWIW, dh and I are devout conservative Christians, and we do not celebrate Christmas. Or Easter, for that matter. We don't decorate, or have a tree, or any of that. We don't do Santa Christmas OR baby Jesus Christmas. :tongue_smilie: We don't say "Merry Christmas", and couldn't care less what sort of 'greeting' anyone shares with anyone else this time of year. I know we've had the whole 'Why do Atheists celebrate Christmas' threads before on the boards. The latest one left me with the distinct impression that it is just *assumed* that if you are a Christian, you celebrate. So I just thought I'd throw my two cents in. That's all. Now you all know a little more of the odball-ness that is me and my family. ETA: Our family has no denominational affiliation. We are simply Christians. We do homechurch, but we have no denomination. For those who were wondering. :P Also, plenty of those that we homechurch with DO celebrate. Some do the whole nine yards, with the tree and lights and all that. Some don't do a tree, but do other aspects. It's not a 'rule' for our homechurch that 'we don't celebrate Christmas'. (Uh, we don't have rules at all.) Just trying to clarify where we're coming from. I knew the Puritans didn't, but I honestly don't know why. I know JW's don't. Can I ask why you don't celebrate Christmas? I'm genuinely curious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonshineLearner Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Just like anything else... everyone's different. BUT, I don't think that picking a day to celebrate the most wonderful birthday of all... is wrong. Jesus was born; it is a beautiful day. I celebrate it with others... in December :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamela H in Texas Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 (edited) It seems the great majority of people are clueless that ANYONE doesn't do exactly like them. It certainly didn't cross their minds that other Christians wouldn't. Yes, my family of origin celebrated (and still does). It was difficult for my mom to swallow at first, but she has SO come along. She takes advantage of many other opportunities to give gifts as do we! We LOVE to be happy and party and give gifts and make food. I haven't met a Witness yet who didn't! Our congregation is big on gatherings. Our first congregation was even more so. We just don't need a couple special days per year. We have plenty and can do so whenever or for whyever (or for no reason at all). My faith is the primary reason I find it easy to have given it up. My kids did also. My new kids have for the most part also (the littlest is a bit clueless). Knowing it is not only not pleasing, but believing it is actually displeasing to God according to his word. And again we have plenty of fun, celebrating, gathering, and presents. Edited November 27, 2011 by 2J5M9K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 No I don't think it's pagan at all actually. God made the snow. The first snow signifies a special time for us. It is when Dh and I first met, when he was baptized, and when he actually gets some solid work. It also means we get to enjoy the state we purposely moved to for the snow...which incidentally was during the first bad snow of the year! Winter is also my favorite season because I adore cold weather, sledding and just all that snow brings. Our first snow usually comes in October, so Christmas isn't even on our radar at that point anyway, so I don't view it as a replacement for Christmas. Hope that answers it...if not I'll clarify. :) Yes, I think I understand where you are coming from. I would point out though that pagans had celebrations of natural phenomena because they also believed they came from God and enjoyed them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathymuggle Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 (edited) I assumed the vast majority of Christians (save for JW) celebrated Christmas. Thanks for expanding my world view a bit! Edited November 27, 2011 by kathymuggle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AimeeM Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Messianic Jews... right? Not you necessarily; I'm just relatively certain that they are one group of Christians (the Jewish church doesn't recoginize them as Jews and insist they are Christians) who hold to Jewish tradition and culture, thus not participating in normal Christian holidays? Me thinks :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annandatje Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Do people know that? ..QUOTE] Yes, there are people who are aware that not all Christians celebrate Christmas. There are many interpretations of the Christmas holiday including the viewpoint that it is not a holiday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I knew that the Puritans banned Christmas celebrations in England and New England, much to the chagrin of many of their fellow Christians. I also knew that JW don't celebrate Christmas and the Orthodox have it on a different day. Can't you tell I watch the History Channel?:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 (edited) With you on that! Christmas and Easter aren't feasts...not Biblical. Sheryl how are they not biblical? Are you referring to the actual dates that they're celebrated on? or the events themselves? Just trying to understand. Bethany I never knew there were Christians who don't celebrate Christmas until finding this forum. It's been enlightening in many ways. :) Edited November 27, 2011 by Teachin'Mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I knew that the Puritans banned Christmas celebrations in England and New England, much to the chagrin of many of their fellow Christians. I also knew that JW don't celebrate Christmas and the Orthodox have it on a different day. Can't you tell I watch the History Channel?:D Only those EO that use the Old Calendar ;) Even then, those that follow the New Calendar celebrate both in a sense :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 We do a giant gift day in the middle of the summer that includes music, food, and friends. It rivals anyone's Christmas. ;) So Giant Gift Day is not like Christmas in summer because of how it came about, I assume? (If not, please explain!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whereneverever Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I know there are people who don't celebrate, but I don't know the reasoning. I'd be interested to see it laid out. :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Dup. Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Yes I do know that not all Christians celebrate Christmas. I have gotten a couple lectures (one that particularly stands out in my mind) that I am not folowing "Yahweh" (the only name these people use for God) because we celebrate Christmas, that the tree is pagan, the celebration is pagan, blah, blah, blah. Here's an article a friend of mine posted that I thought was pretty good. http://www.orlutheran.com/html/jer10.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatmansWife Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Well, I'm a Christian. I'm 44 and have never celebrated Christmas in my entire life. Do I miss not celebrating it?? No. I can still remember when I told a lady I didn't celebrate Christmas and she actually started crying. She then got angry saying how horrible it was that I didn't believe in Jesus. But...I DO believe in Jesus (which is actually kinda why I don't celebrate it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I know there are people who don't celebrate, but I don't know the reasoning. I'd be interested to see it laid out. :bigear: When we stopped, it was due to a lot of literature claiming that Christmas was Pagan and that the Roman Catholic Church was really the Whore of Babylon and Sun Worshippers in disguise (that's the nutshelled version). Then we moved into Reformed (aka Puritan and Covenanter). The Regulative Principle kind, not the Normative Principle kind. Regulative Principle means that "anything that isn't prescribed in (Protestant Geneva/KJV) Scripture is forbidden for worship and holy days". I was a die-hard. The more you study cultures and Church History...ALL the way back...the more you learn that early Christians DID celebrate these things (aka the Liturgical Year...Pascha is the biggy...it's currently called Easter in the West, because Easter coincided with Passover during the year it is mentioned in Scripture as well as at other times...both are determined by the moon phases, I believe). Nearly EVERY culture and faith had spring, summer, autumn, and winter celebrations. So it is very easy for someone with an axe to grind and trying to gain an audience to make the "stand in a garage and you're a car" type of argument against any holiday they want. I have no problem with those that are uncomfortable and still choose to believe the way they do for whatever reasons (Pagan, Regulative Principle, Jewish feasts, etc); I completely understand. I've been there and back again. I've had those that thought we were nuts, those that thought we were depriving our kids (no more so than those that don't do it BECAUSE it's a Christian holiday, or recognised as such), to those that were offended by our not recognising it. Eh, as this board proves, humanity is diverse and people can get over themselves. I hope ya'll enjoy the winter however you choose to. Stay warm and enjoy your families. On a personal note: Our gift to our children this year was our first Christmas tree in fourteen years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Interesting thread. I did know there were some non-JW Christians who opted out of Christmas, but I haven't encountered many. Interestingly, I've encountered more people who think *my* denomination (LDS) doesn't celebrate Christmas and have been surprised to learn we do :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J'etudie Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicAnn Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 So Giant Gift Day is not like Christmas in summer because of how it came about, I assume? (If not, please explain!) Well, yeah. When we started we decided to have a gift day in April, when I always started my summer job and thus had a bit more money. Now we typically do it in the middle of summer because it's our least busy time. Now it's morphed into dinner with friends, usually we grill, the guys break out their guitars or drums, or whatever and we sit around the fire pit. We usually have another family join us and the wives and I will often make some homemade gifts for the family (this year I did sugar scrub, and made cloth diapers for their new twins). Then after that family leaves, just our family opens a few presents. We try and keep it to one big gift per person, and keep the rest homemade (though Dh never makes his gifts homemade!). The date changes each year...I actually think it will be in April again with a small on in June after the new baby arrives. :) We are definitely not against celebrating. We just like to do it in a way that fits in with my family's beliefs...so no false Biblical practices, nothing Pagan, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Excelsior! Academy Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 We celebrate Christmas, but not as Christ's birthday. I actually never heard of celebrating that way until a couple of years ago. Growing up my grandpa would read out of Luke to us, but that was the extent of associating it with Christ's birth. I consider our family to be pretty conservative Christians. We are non-denominational and attend a congregation with Christians who celebrate similarly. A few have alluded to the fact that they might not celebrate, but not in a non- condemning way to those of us who do. In my mind Christmas is more of a family gathering, like Thanksgiving. We do exchange presents, but that is a pretty small part of it and is sorta phasing out. Dh's dad and family do not put up a tree. They do stockings, but not Santa. The stockings are just from dh and his step-mom. They do have the kids act out the nativity and sing Christmas songs. I don't care for the way they do it. It doesn't seem serious. It seems counterproductive to what they are trying to accomplish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whereneverever Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 When we stopped, it was due to a lot of literature claiming that Christmas was Pagan and that the Roman Catholic Church was really the Whore of Babylon and Sun Worshippers in disguise (that's the nutshelled version). Then we moved into Reformed (aka Puritan and Covenanter). The Regulative Principle kind, not the Normative Principle kind. Regulative Principle means that "anything that isn't prescribed in (Protestant Geneva/KJV) Scripture is forbidden for worship and holy days". I was a die-hard. The more you study cultures and Church History...ALL the way back...the more you learn that early Christians DID celebrate these things (aka the Liturgical Year...Pascha is the biggy...it's currently called Easter in the West, because Easter coincided with Passover during the year it is mentioned in Scripture as well as at other times...both are determined by the moon phases, I believe). Nearly EVERY culture and faith had spring, summer, autumn, and winter celebrations. So it is very easy for someone with an axe to grind and trying to gain an audience to make the "stand in a garage and you're a car" type of argument against any holiday they want. I have no problem with those that are uncomfortable and still choose to believe the way they do for whatever reasons (Pagan, Regulative Principle, Jewish feasts, etc); I completely understand. I've been there and back again. I've had those that thought we were nuts, those that thought we were depriving our kids (no more so than those that don't do it BECAUSE it's a Christian holiday, or recognised as such), to those that were offended by our not recognising it. Eh, as this board proves, humanity is diverse and people can get over themselves. I hope ya'll enjoy the winter however you choose to. Stay warm and enjoy your families. On a personal note: Our gift to our children this year was our first Christmas tree in fourteen years. Huh, thanks! I've always been part of a Liturgical church, and I really had no idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Christmas and Easter aren't feasts...not Biblical. Well, that's certainly one opinion, I'm happy to grant you that! ;) Hopefully it doesn't mean that people who do celebrate these feasts are un-Biblical. 'Cause that would be silly, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicAnn Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Oh! I have to add- the hardest part of stopping Christmas was the tv shows! I have to admit, that until we got rid of cable a few years ago, I would sneak downstairs to watch the Christmas specials. :o Thankfully, I had scriptural guidance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 (edited) We didn't celebrate anything for years-like zilch. Years and years. Now it's one of my favorite things. I remember thinking myself much more a true Christian back then, one without all the stuff attached. But That's not where I am now. So yes, I know that some Christians don't celebrate Christmas. Edited November 27, 2011 by justamouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThelmaLou Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 (edited) My hubby and I are kind of odd on this. We do celebrate Christmas, but not as Christ's birth. We are Reformed Baptists, btw, not that that has anything to do with it. In fact, I think we're pretty different on this issue than most in our congregation. (I grew up in a Bible Church and he grew up Catholic). I have a problem with "marrying" Christmas as Christ's birth to a (for all practical purposes) secular holiday. To be blunt, it seems like it works out like this most of the time...Happy Birthday Jesus..where's my present? I know folks like to think of "redeeming" Christmas for Christ, but it just seems to cheapen the one rather than elevate the other. I do believe there's not a biblical mandate to celebratate Christmas. At the same time, I don't believe there's anything wrong with marking out a holiday for such a celebration. But here's where it breaks down for me. Time-wise we focus on gift-buying, wrapping, shopping, wish lists, trees, snowmen, santa, Christmas photos, etc...then say with our words that "Jesus is the reason for the season." Makes me feel like I'm just trying to sanctify the gift giving by throwing Christ's name in the mix or something. I can't do it. I have absolutely no problem with having a season of gift-giving. We are so thankful for all the blessings, both spiritual and material, that we've been given. We love to give our children good gifts. We enjoy the trees, the lights, the wish lists, etc... but we shudder when everything has to be given a special biblical meaning. (the candy cane, christmas tree, gifts, etc...) We feel that rather than giving everything at Christmas a special biblical significance, and since there's no command to celebrate Christ's birth in the scriptures, we'd rather not join the two. So...we celebrate Christmas with gifts, food, etc...and we celebrate *every* day as unto the Lord, but we don't celebrate Christmas as Christ's birth. Pastor Albert N. Martin has an excellent series of sermons called Christmas and the Christian. Also one entitled Warnings in a Holiday Season, or something like that. I think they're all on sermonaudio, and maybe even on itunes. These were very helpful in sorting through how we wanted to celebrate/not celebrate. BTW, we don't take issue at all with those who celebrate Christmas as Christ's birth or those who don't celebrate at all...or those who do the whole nine yards. I think this is a matter of liberty and conscience. I know my husband and I are in a tiny majority on this one. So I guess my summary answer would be...I think it's great to celebrate Christmas as Christ's birth OR as a season of gift giving, tree decorating, etc... I'm just uncomfortable with the way the two get joined together. Edited November 27, 2011 by ThelmaLou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Yes I do know that not all Christians celebrate Christmas. I have gotten a couple lectures (one that particularly stands out in my mind) that I am not folowing "Yahweh" (the only name these people use for God) because we celebrate Christmas, that the tree is pagan, the celebration is pagan, blah, blah, blah. Here's an article a friend of mine posted that I thought was pretty good. http://www.orlutheran.com/html/jer10.html Who are these people who only use Yahweh for God? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindergretta Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Maybe it was growing up an Army brat, but I have always known Christians who didn't celebrate Christmas or Easter. We celebrate both and love doing so. I tend to find it ironic that non-Christians get upset at having these Christian holidays shoved down their throat and then have my fellow Christians look down their noses at me and harshly judge my famy's choice to celebrate these un-Christian, pagan holidays. Lol I guess sometimes ya just can't win! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Colossians 2:15-17 (NASB) 15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. 16 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— 17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. I think if you're celebrating (or not) for Christ, then it doesn't matter. I've heard the arguments all over the map for and against celebrating Christmas, how a tree is pagan, etc. But "things" only have the meaning you give them. Trees, lights, candy canes, etc are just things. They hold no power and only hold the meaning an individual ascribes to them. One may see a tree and worship it, another may see one and worship He who made it. But the tree simply remains a tree (or a candy cane, or a poinsettia, etc). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Who are these people who only use Yahweh for God? When my EXMIL was in her Messianic Jew phase, she only used Yahweh. Well, she tried to. She kept forgetting "Yahweh" and would say "Yoohoo". Now she's part of the Hebrew Roots Movement and doesn't believe in Yahweh or Yoohoo or anything in the NT at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 When my EXMIL was in her Messianic Jew phase, she only used Yahweh. Well, she tried to. She kept forgetting "Yahweh" and would say "Yoohoo". :001_huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 :001_huh: Yeah. She's a bit...off. No, she's a lot off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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