Why Christians SHOULD celebrate Christmas

eleven

I know it's early, but Merry Christmas everyone.
There has been talk on the board about whether or not Christians should take part in a holiday that has pagan origins. The answer is a resounding YES!!!
There is no doubt that Christmas continues to be a time of outrageous commercialism and materialism, but Jesus said, do not be conformed to this world!
We DON'T have to take it, or let the world take it from us! Celebrate with joy and thanksgiving for the Greatest Gift ever given and received!

And contrary to what some people say, there is a great deal of Christ in Christmas. I want to share with you all, some of the Christ that is in Christmas in this thread.
Consider it a gift my small gift to you.
(I'd like to take credit for these, but I got these on the net)
God Bless!

Why Jesus is Better than Santa Claus

Santa lives at the North Pole...
JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh...
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year...
JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies...
JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited...
JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa...
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap...
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?"...
JESUS knew our name before we were born. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly...
JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO...
JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry"...
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys...
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but...
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree...
JESUS became our gift and died on a tree... the cross.

Santa was “born” in 1823.
Jesus has been around since before time began, and will stay around for eternity.

We need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas, Jesus is still the reason for the season.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

Happy Birthday Jesus!
_________________
Pain is inevitable;
misery is optional.

eleven · Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 5:59 pm Post subject:

Why Holly Wreaths at Christmas?

Early Christians of Northern Europe decorated their homes & churches with this easily grown evergreen and was called Holy Tree. Later Holly, because the pointed green leaves reminded them of the crown of thorns and the red berries of the drops of blood at Jesus' crucifixion.
_________________
Pain is inevitable;
misery is optional.

Nickman · Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 6:04 pm Post subject:

You make no sense because you say Jesus has always been around but then you tell him happy Birthday. That means he had a beginning.

Jesus didnt exist prior to his birth. God said "this day have I begotten thee". "he shall be my son and I shall be his father". God created Jesus in the womb of Mary. Jesus was God's child born of a human mother. Jesus didnt come from heaven and place himself inside of a human body. Jesus had a beginning which was 2000 years ago. He now lives forever more.

v/r
Nick
_________________
I want to get a vending machine, with fun sized candy bars, and the glass in front is a magnifying glass. You'll be mad, but it will be too late.
-MITCH HEDBERG

eleven · Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject:

The Twelve Days of Christmas Song.

No idea who wrote what seems to be a nonsensical song, but it's recorded as being written during the period of time when Roman Catholics in England were not allowed to practice their faith without punishment (which would explain why no one credits themselves for penning it), the song was to help children to remember the tenets of their faith.

The true love was God Himself.

The me was any baptized person.

The partridge in a pear tree was Christ and may of referred to Matt. 23:37 and Luke 13:34.

The 2 turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

3 French hens stood for faith, hope and love. (1 Cor. 13) The Theological Virtues.

The 4 calling birds were the 4 gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the Four Evangelists.

The 5 golden rings recalled the Torah or law; Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. The Law or Pentateuch.

The 6 geese a laying were the 6 days of creation.

The 7 swans a swimming were the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 7:30) The 7 Sacraments.

The 8 maids a milking were the eight Beatitudes. (Matt. 5-6).

The 9 ladies dancing were the 9 truths of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5).

The 10 Lords a leaping were the 10 Commandments.

The 11 pipers piping were the 11 faithful apostles.

The 12 drummers drumming symbolized the 12 points of belief in the Apostle Creed.

Note: In the original version the first 5 gifts were all birds, 1st day = Partridge, 2nd day = 2 Turtle Doves, 3rd day = 3 French Hens, 4th day = 4 Colly Birds (Blackbirds) not Calling birds, and on the 5th day = 5 Golden Rings (referred to ring-necked pheasants) not jewelry.
_________________
Pain is inevitable;
misery is optional.

eleven · Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 6:20 pm Post subject:

eleven · Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 6:23 pm Post subject:

Poinsettia

Early Mexican Christians called it the "Flower of Holy Night" and legend has it that a small boy was upset on Christmas eve because he had nothing to offer the Christ Child on His birthday. While the boy was praying at his village church altar, a flower sprang up with its brilliant red and green.

The plant was named after the American ambassador to Mexico, J. R. Poinsett, who found out they grew well in the U.S. after sending some to his home in S. Carolina
_________________
Pain is inevitable;
misery is optional.

eleven · Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 6:25 pm Post subject:

Bells
An early pagan winter celebration of ringing of bells to drive out evil spirits. Later the tradition began to ring bells on Christmas Eve to welcome in the spirit of Christmas with joyful noise.
In Norway bells are still rung through out the country on Christmas Eve at 5pm.
In Yorkshire, England on Christmas Eve, the bell is rung once for each year that has passed since the birth of Christ.
_________________
Pain is inevitable;
misery is optional.

Nickman · Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 6:25 pm Post subject:

eleven · Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 6:33 pm Post subject:

Where did the Candy Cane Come From?

Of all the beautiful traditions of Christmas, few are as ancient in meaning and rich in symbolism as the tradition of the Candy Cane.

Since the tradition of the Christmas tree began, Christmas trees were customarily decorated with symbols of the newborn Christ.
Candies represented the Light of the World; the star recalled that first Christmas night; and the shepherd’s crook symbolized the humble shepherds in their fields near Bethlehem, who were the first to receive the news,
“Unto you is born a Savior.”

Christmas tree decorations in Europe (where this tradition originates) were primarily made of food – principally cookies and candies. This tradition symbolically expresses thanks for “our daily bread,” as well as providing a Christmas treat for the children.

A candy maker, wanting to pay tribute to the Christ Child, designed the candy cane. The color white symbolizes the body and innocence of Christ, while red symbolizes the blood He shed for us. Thus, the shepherd’s crook became the candy cane. Upside down, the cane makes the letter “J” for Jesus.

As time went on, many ornaments took on a more permanent nature, but the candy can retains the original meaning and use as a Christmas tree ornament.

Candy canes on the Christmas tree symbolize the shepherds in the fields on that first Christmas night – shepherds who heard the angel chorus and came to worship at the crib of the newborn King.

Jesus is still the reason for the season.

Happy Birthday Jesus!!!
_________________
Pain is inevitable;
misery is optional.

eleven · Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 6:36 pm Post subject:

ChristianWoman1 · Labrador Joined: 22 May 2008 Posts: 302

LOVE this thread Very Happy

thank you eleven Very Happy

...and I too would be willing to particiapte in the other discussion with you Nick, if that's alright Wink

_________________
____________________

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
ROMANS 12:2

eleven · Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:18 am Post subject:

The Christmas Tree

In 16th-century Germany fir trees were decorated, both indoors and out, with apples, roses, gilded candies, and colored paper. In the Middle Ages, a popular religous play depicted the story of Adam and Eve's expulsion from the Garden of Eden.

A fir tree hung with apples was used to symbolize the Garden of Eden -- the Paradise Tree. The play ended with the prophecy of a saviour coming, and so was often performed during the Advent season.

It is held that Protestant reformer Martin Luther first adorned trees with light. While coming home one December evening, the beauty of the stars shining through the branches of a fir inspired him to recreate the effect by placing candles on the branches of a small fir tree inside his home

The Christmas Tree was brought to England by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert from his native Germany. The famous Illustrated News etching in 1848, featuring the Royal Family of Victoria, Albert and their children gathered around a Christmas tree in Windsor Castle, popularized the tree throughout Victorian England. Brought to America by the Pennsylvania Germans, the Christmas tree became by the late 19th century.
_________________
Pain is inevitable;
misery is optional.

eleven · Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:30 am Post subject:

How "Merry Christmas" is said around the world .....

Afrikaans: Geseënde Kersfees
Afrikander: Een Plesierige Kerfees
African/ Eritrean/ Tigrinja: Rehus-Beal-Ledeats
Albanian:Gezur Krislinjden
Arabic: Milad Majid
Argentine: Feliz Navidad
Armenian: Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand
Azeri: Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun
Bahasa Malaysia: Selamat Hari Natal
Basque: Zorionak eta Urte Berri On!
Bengali: Shuvo Naba Barsha
Bohemian: Vesele Vanoce
Bosnian: (BOSANSKI) Cestit Bozic i Sretna Nova godina
Brazilian: Feliz Natal
Breton: Nedeleg laouen na bloavezh mat
Bulgarian: Tchestita Koleda; Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo
Catalan: Bon Nadal i un Bon Any Nou!
Chile: Feliz Navidad
Chinese: (Cantonese) Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun
Chinese: (Mandarin) Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan
Choctaw: Yukpa, Nitak Hollo Chito
Columbia: Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo
Cornish: Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth
Corsian: Pace e salute
Crazanian: Rot Yikji Dol La Roo
Cree: Mitho Makosi Kesikansi
Croatian: Sretan Bozic
Czech: Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok
Danish: Glædelig Jul
Duri: Christmas-e- Shoma Mobarak
Dutch: Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar! or Zalig Kerstfeast
English: Merry Christmas
Eskimo: (inupik) Jutdlime pivdluarit ukiortame pivdluaritlo!
Esperanto: Gajan Kristnaskon
Estonian: Rõõmsaid Jõulupühi
Ethiopian: (Amharic) Melkin Yelidet Beaal
Faeroese: Gledhilig jol og eydnurikt nyggjar!
Farsi: Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad
Finnish: Hyvaa joulua
Flemish: Zalig Kerstfeest en Gelukkig nieuw jaar
French: Joyeux Noel
Frisian: Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije Jier!
Galician: Bo Nada
Gaelic: Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ùr!
German: Fröhliche Weihnachten
Greek: Kala Christouyenna!
Haiti: (Creole) Jwaye Nowel or to Jesus Edo Bri'cho o Rish D'Shato Brichto
Hausa: Barka da Kirsimatikuma Barka da Sabuwar Shekara!
Hawaiian: Mele Kalikimaka
Hebrew: Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova
Hindi: Shub Naya Baras (good New Year not Merry Christmas)
Hausa: Barka da Kirsimatikuma Barka da Sabuwar Shekara!
Hawaian: Mele Kalikimaka ame Hauoli Makahiki Hou!
Hungarian: Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket
Icelandic: Gledileg Jol
Indonesian: Selamat Hari Natal
Iraqi: Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
Irish: Nollaig Shona Dhuit, or Nodlaig mhaith chugnat
Iroquois: Ojenyunyat Sungwiyadeson honungradon nagwutut. Ojenyunyat osrasay.
Italian: Buone Feste Natalizie
Japanese: Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
Jiberish: Mithag Crithagsigathmithags
Korean: Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Lao: souksan van Christmas
Latin: Natale hilare et Annum Faustum!
Latvian: Prieci'gus Ziemsve'tkus un Laimi'gu Jauno Gadu!
Lausitzian:Wjesole hody a strowe nowe leto
Lettish: Priecigus Ziemassvetkus
Lithuanian: Linksmu Kaledu
Low Saxon: Heughliche Winachten un 'n moi Nijaar
Macedonian: Sreken Bozhik
Maltese: IL-Milied It-tajjeb
Manx: Nollick ghennal as blein vie noa
Maori: Meri Kirihimete
Marathi: Shub Naya Varsh (good New Year not Merry Christmas)
Navajo: Merry Keshmish
Norwegian: God Jul, or Gledelig Jul
Occitan: Pulit nadal e bona annado
Papiamento: Bon Pasco
Papua New Guinea: Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas na Nupela yia i go long yu
Pennsylvania German: En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei Yaahr!
Peru: Feliz Navidad y un Venturoso Año Nuevo
Philipines: Maligayan Pasko!
Polish: Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia or Boze Narodzenie
Portuguese:Feliz Natal
Pushto: Christmas Aao Ne-way Kaal Mo Mobarak Sha
Rapa-Nui (Easter Island): Mata-Ki-Te-Rangi. Te-Pito-O-Te-Henua
Rhetian: Bellas festas da nadal e bun onn
Romanche: (sursilvan dialect): Legreivlas fiastas da Nadal e bien niev onn!
Rumanian: Sarbatori vesele or Craciun fericit
Russian: Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom
Sami: Buorrit Juovllat
Samoan: La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou
Sardinian: Bonu nadale e prosperu annu nou
Serbian: Hristos se rodi
Slovakian: Sretan Bozic or Vesele vianoce
Sami: Buorrit Juovllat
Samoan: La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou
Scots Gaelic: Nollaig chridheil huibh
Serbian: Hristos se rodi.
Singhalese: Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa
Slovak: Vesele Vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok
Slovene: Vesele Bozicne Praznike Srecno Novo Leto or Vesel Bozic in srecno Novo leto
Spanish: Feliz Navidad
Swedish: God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt År
Tagalog: Maligayamg Pasko. Masaganang Bagong Taon
Tamil: (Tamizh) Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal (good New Year not Merry Christmas)
Trukeese: (Micronesian) Neekiriisimas annim oo iyer seefe feyiyeech!
Thai: Sawadee Pee Mai or souksan wan Christmas
Turkish: Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Ukrainian: Srozhdestvom Kristovym or Z RIZDVOM HRYSTOVYM
Urdu: Naya Saal Mubarak Ho (good New Year not Merry Christmas)
Vietnamese: Chuc Mung Giang Sinh
Welsh: Nadolig Llawen
Yoruba: E ku odun, e ku iye'dun!
_________________
Pain is inevitable;
misery is optional.

eleven · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:44 pm Post subject:

Hanukkah
Commencing on the 25th day of the Hebrew month Kislev, Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the Syrians.

In 168 BC, members of the Jewish family Maccabee led a revolt against the Greek Syrians due to the policies of Syrian King Antiochus IV which were aimed at nullifying the Jewish faith. Part of this strategem included changing the Beit HaMikdash - the Holy Temple in Jerusalem - to a Greek temple complete with idolatry. Led by Judah Maccabee, the Jews won victory over the Syrians in 165 BC and reclaimed their temple.

After cleansing the temple and preparing for its rededication, it was found there was not enough oil to light the N'er Tamid, an oil lamp present in Jewish houses of worship which represents eternal light. Once lit, the lamp should never be extinguished.

A search of the temple produced a small vial of undefiled oil -- enough for only one day. Miraculously, the Temple lights burned for eight days until a new supply of oil was brought. In remembrance of this miracle, one candle of the Menorah - an eight branched candelabra - is lit each of the eight days of Hanukkah. Hanukkah, which means dedication, is a Hebrew word when translated is commonly spelled Hanukah, Chanukah, and Hannukah due to different translations and customs.

The tradition of receiving gifts on each of the eight days of Hanukkah is relatively new and due in part to the celebration's proximity to the Christmas season.
_________________
Pain is inevitable;
misery is optional.

Luvnlife · Lion King Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 1271 Location: US

Thanks Eleven!

I have enjoyed reading your posts on this subject very much. I have found them to be very informative and interesting.

As far as Jesus goes, yes, he existed before the world was created.

Jesus was begotten of Holy Spirit when he became man. We as Christians remember Jesus every day but the celebration of his birth is a special celebration commemorating his birth and his life. Were it not for his birth, we would all be lost but because of him, we are redeemed. How can we NOT set aside a special time to remember our savior?

Luv
_________________
Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Biblegateway Christian Viewpoints