Christmas Trees ? Should we care ?

[Donna]

Originally Posted by Serena

I know that everyone would agree that God looks on the heart. So where is our heart at Christmas?

My heart is thinking about my Jesus and you will often find my voice singing songs about Him

[Serena]

Originally Posted by Donna

My heart is thinking about my Jesus and you will often find my voice singing songs about Him

Ditto.

[Nathan]

One thing that Donna and I have started to think about is this:

Yes there are pagan roots in Christmas....BUT...In all the years that I celebrated Christmas as a Christian (30 yrs ), my favorite part of the season was hearing the singing of carols about the birth of Christ.

I love hearing the song, "Oh Holy Night." There are renditions of this song out there that put a frog in my throat and a tear in my eye! They are beautiful!!

And when I enjoy the song, I am not being a pagan, I am giving glory to God. So I do not really care about the roots of the holiday. I am free and I care about celebrating the birth of Christ. What is pagan about reading the Christmas story with your family on that day?

Donna and I have children who will one day grow up and be married. If I were to maintain an artillery against Christmas, and act as a "fuddy-duddy" against it...I am guaranteeing that my children's spouse will want nothing to do with Donna and I during the holiday.

My son's wife will elect to go to her family during this time. Thereby, restricting our ability to see our grand kids and make memories with them during this time.

Conclusion: for the sake of legalism do I wish to grow old without my children?

NO WAY!!!!

Now do I decorate with Santa and Rudolf? Of course not! We do not even have a tree. BUT...we do make time for the family. We have a meal, and I do give gifts to my children. Why? Because I love them.

Nathan

[FreeMan]

Hey Mina, I wasn't being sarcastic I was being for real. But after reading my post I can see why it read that way. I noticed around Christmas time so much money is spent (courts, lawyers, other places) to silence Christmas. Or at least it seems like it.

[Lydia22]

I am in no way trying to be argumentative, as I know that we are all the Lord's servants and to Him we stand or fall. (Rom 14:4). But with the revelation knowledge of Christ-mass (mass-dismissal or massacre), I choose not to mix the Most High incorruptible God with pagan occult idolatry. Emperor Constantine, in order to gain favor with his people, compromised the Word and mixed the Winter Solstice occult festivities with an impostor Christ birthday. I relate this to the idolatry of the Israelite who compromised and worshiped pagan gods. Even if I don't get the tree, ect., it's still the day- the roots. And believe me, it is tough to put aside my flesh when it tries to justify why I "can" do it, but I'm convicted heavily; therefore, I'd rather just not partake in this day. Also, people are so happy when Christians act like Christians all of the other 364 days of the year by feeding the orphans, helping the widows, and living by faith by seeking holiness. If I don't know Christ's birthday, I can't lie to my children, and assign Dec 25th to His birthday. And I say all this in humility as I seek out my salvation. I am just a vessel that is thankful for the cross, blood, and resurrection. Without Jesus, I am nothing at all.

[Serena]

Why don't we just call it "Merry Christ Birthday."

[stargazerkevin]

My heart at Christmas is no different that all the other days. You either serve God 100% or not. I don't wait for Christmas to give gifts, to try and bless others, to feed the poor or homeless, to worship with songs, to everything else Christmas is supposed to stand for.

I look for those chances every day - and when I can't find one, I make it happen. The only difference is I get to have a real live pine tree in the house, and it's winter (when I spend more time outdoors than summer). Nothing like cold, snow, and being outside checking traps or hunting.

And I love Christmas for one important reason - even the hardest atheist has to listen to the message through Christmas carols! You ever have a song stuck in your head? Call me cruel, but just imagining an atheist with Silent Night running through his head makes me giggle. If for no other reason (and there are many reasons), I love the Christmas season for that - be it small and subtle, the message of Christ is there.

[dabunnie]

Ok ok I am trying to be argumentative.....what are people trying to silence in this country? Is it the Islams? Their mosques being built AT GROUND ZERO? The sodimite community winning every step of the way in our children's hearts (if they go to public schools) along with the rest of the country? The illegal people who take what you have for granted and getting a check to boot? The rights of Americans being wagered away daily on Capital Hill? NO! What is being silenced in this country is Jesus Christ and every single thing that is associated with Him and His perfect love for each and every person living on this earth. He gave the ultimate gift. His life for ours. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

Sure, the original intent of Christmas was pagan inspired. But one must not forget one important fact...two thousand years ago Christ invaded time and space.

The bible does not condemn Christmas trees. In Jeremiah 10:2-5 it might at first blush appear compelling, but context precludes the pretext. My husband continues to this day trying to teach me what this means. lol Anyway, Jeremiah's description of the tree taken from the forest having gold and silver is in fact reference to wooden idols. Is the Christmas tree a wooden idol for you? Do you worship this tree in your home? Who is worthly to be worshiped? How did this whole thing start? In Germany two thousand years after Jeremiah's slashing of man made idols. Two Christmas traditions evolved...one being a paradise tree hung with apples concerning the tree of life in the garden...and another being a triangular shelf with Christmas figurines decorated by a star. In the 16th century, these two symbols merged into what we have today. Perhaps one might take under consideration the Christmas tree this year as a tool to use in the home of a nonbeliever as an opportunity to explain the fall to the redemption. And last but not least, we have Santa. Named Sinter Klaas from the Dutch, means St. Nicholas. Tradition is said that St. Nick gave wonderful gifts to children who needed them but also supported the Trinity at Nicea. Is St. Nick a hero of the faith? Perhaps. Let this Christmas help you to celebrate the birth and coming of Jesus Christ just as St. Nick did in selflessness. Remember...."Greater love has no one that this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do no be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."