12/19/2020
What is Christmas from a Christians point of view and how does that view relate to the bible?
First lets define the word Christmas...
1)Google defines the meaning of the word to be the annual Christian festival celebrating Christ's birth, held on December 25 in the Western Church...
2)webster defines the meaning of the word to mean a Christian feast on December 25 or among some Eastern OrthodoxChristians on January 7 that commemorates the birth of Christ and is usually observed as a legal holiday...
3)the 1611 kjv defines it as a holyday
HOL'YDAY, n. A day set apart for commemorating some important event in history; a festival intended to celebrate some event deemed auspicious to the welfare of a nation; particularly an anniversary festival, devoted to religious solemnities; as christmas holydays.
1. A day of joy and gayety.
2. A day of exemption from labor; a day of amusement.
HOL'YDAY, a. Pertaining to a festival; as a holyday suit of clothes.
So, now we understand that throughout the years... From 1611 till now for sure... That it has always been defined as a day to hold events that are by design to be a celebration of events of Christ and his life... Set to happen on a single day as a nation... And a reminder of where we stand as a nation because of God...
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Now let us cover how it relates to the teachings in the bible...
As a Christian... Our lives should be lived as if Jesus is joining in on our walk through life... So lets ask ourselves a tough question.... Would Jesus join in on the celebration of his life? The answer is maybe... First one must consider the celebration's atmosphere... If it is one of giving thanks to God for the birth of Christ and all that Intel's. Then the answer would be yes. However, if your purpose is to give thanks to things of this world or anything that doesn't not cause God to be uplifted through that celebration... Then the answer would be a hard NO.
Next, how do we give praises to God through the celebration of Christmas and keep it within the teachings of Christ? To answer this deep question, we must break down the traditions and the link to the teachings about that tradition...
So, let's tackle our first question of the birth of Christ... We give this particular day to the celebration of the birth to our God and Saviour of the world. He is God born into flesh and we called him Jesus of Nazareth among many other names... As to the date of his birth goes. This is unknown to us. The biblical scholars still have yet to decipher a particular date that he was born. With that said we choose the date in December to give a mass celebration of his birth. This birth can be seen in the text of Matthew in Chapter 1 starting in verse 18...
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just [man], and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
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Ok, so we can celebrate his birth... What does that have to do with giving gifts, Santa Clause, and all these lights on trees and houses...
First lets dive into Santa Clause and Gifts...
You may hear people speaking of how Santa is really Satan, but is there any truth to this... To find this out we must inspect Santa and what his works and intent is...
Santa or the concept there in. Should be taken in context. Through historical value... When researching you may find yourself looking into Britannica. There you will find the beginnings of Christmas as you know it. It starts off with, "Santa Claus, legendary figure who is the traditional patron of Christmasin the United States and other countries, bringing gifts to children. His popular image is based on traditions associated with Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century Christian saint. Father Christmas fills the role in many European countries."
Now that we know Santa is really based on a man named Nicholas. Let us see what he did to cause this tradition...
Britannica states that "Nichlas’s reputation for generosity and kindness gave rise to legends of miracles he performed for the poor and unhappy. He was reputed to have given marriage dowries of gold to three girls whom poverty would otherwise have forced into lives of prostitution..."
This gives us hints as to why these traditions where taken up circularly. The tradition of giving gifts, doing good deeds, and help those that are less fortunate...
These are some of the same attributes that we view in Santa's concept. We also find this to be in line with the teachings of Christ and doing such gives praise to God...
This can be found throughout the bible. Some of these things can be found
1) The act of giving to those who cant help themselves and are less fortunate...
Acts 20:35 - I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Luke 3:11 - He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
Matthew 6:1-4 - Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
2) The act of doing good deeds....
Hebrews 10:24 - And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
James 4:17 - Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin.
Hebrews 13:16 - But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
3) giving gifts...
1 John 3:17 - But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels [of compassion] from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
2 Corinthians 9:7 - Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Proverbs 25:14 - Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift [is like] clouds and wind without rain.
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Next let us deal with all these lights...
So, What does the bible say about lights and its meanings...
1)
Matthew 4:16 - The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
2)
Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
3)
Matthew 5:14 - Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
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Now that we all understand how this all comes together and what it represents... We could still ask the simple question of should we even celebrate this day on the same day as a pegan holiday?
The answer can be found in Esther 9:22 - "As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor."
In this we find an example of how the things that gave Jews sorrows, just like the pegans down playing God's ultimate power and his being the only true God... So, as that was turned from the pegans and used to bring the Jews Joy... So should we now consider this when we celebrate the birth of Jesus on their pegan holiday of their gods...
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In closing i hope you will find your way to give celebrations to The Lord through Christmas and find that Joy that is pleasing to God. I challenge you to seek out The Word on these things that is disputed by those in darkness and ask that you stand on God's Word. May your hearts be filled with the love of Christ this Christmas and you lifes lift up God when giving celebration this time each year to all that he is...
