Why celebrate Christmas

[peary]

Its not when Christ was born.
December 25th mixes the holy with the profane.
Christ with pagan…

Yeah, in your head, not ours. the pagan and profane aspect doesn’t even enter into our celebration because we celebrate God’s birth into our world. Period.

 

[tbtcom1213]

We celebrate Christmas to commemmorate the Nativity of Our Lord. The Reading in the Gospel that is most detailed about this wondrous event is the second chapter of Luke read at Midnight Masses around the globe in various languages. The Lord may noy have been born December 25th but that was the date chosen by the Council of Nicea in 325AD to adapt to pagans in Rome that had recently converted to the state sanctioned religion of Christianity. From that point on the Church Universal started celebrating the Nativity on December 25th. In my opinion Jesus may have been born in the spring because the Palestinian winters were too cold for them to travel around that time. BUT the magi did not reach the Holy Family until Jesus was a child (two years old)

Other feasts that occur on December 25th include the birth of the Sun, Saturnalia, Sol Invictus and numerous other false deities of the Old World.

Luke 2:11

Merry Christmas y’all!

 

[jakasaki]

<<Hisalone dies and approaches the Pearly Gates. Heaven is beautiful! Just as he thought it would be. Crowds of people dressed in long white robes. Lots of shouts of “hosanna” and “Alleluia”.

There is an older, bearded man at the gates. Must be “Peter”. Hah. One in the eye for the Catholics. Those ignorant Papists think Peter was a Pope, all dolled up in fancy robes and wearing a crown. Hisalone knew Peter wasn’t anybody ‘special’. How gratifying to see how correct he was!

The older man looks at Hisalone. Funny, for being ‘nobody special’ there is a certain dignity and aura of goodness about this man. Hisalone starts to feel somewhat humble–a very strange sensation.

“I expect I’ll see Jesus anytime now” says His.

“You are expecting to see Jesus?” says the man.

"Well, here I am in heaven. I spent my life down there on earth being a real Christian. Man, I proclaimed Christ. I told people what He said, what He meant, what He wanted. . . "

“Oh? And how did He tell you that?” said the man.

“The BIBLE of course! EVERYTHING is in the Bible.”

The man looks at Hisalone again, and gives a little smile and a little sigh.

“So when can I see Jesus?”

“Well, actually we’re all kind of busy right now celebrating His birthday so He’s rather tied up. . .”

“Wonderful. Now I’ll finally be able to celebrate His birthday” smiled Hisalone.

“What stopped you from celebrating it on earth?” asked the man.

“Well, naturally since nobody knew the real date He was born, we couldn’t celebrate His birthday” said Hisalone.

“Funny”, said the man. “Most of the people who come in here celebrated it on December 25th. They called it .”

“That pagan travesty?” scoffed Hisalone. “I wouldn’t be caught dead celebrating Christ’s birth on that jumped up papist pagan abomination.”

Just then a man came running from beyond the gate. He was clothed in armour, winged, and carrying a sword. Hisalone gasped. . .this had to be the archangel Michael.

“Come on, Peter”, smiled Michael. “We’re just at the best part. Jesus has put up the tree and Santa’s getting ready to come down the chimney”.

Hisalone staggered to his knees. Was he dreaming?

Michael looked at Peter.

Peter looked at Hisalone.

“But. . .but. . .all that stuff is PAGAN. I read the HISTORY. All that Christmas stuff was just made up! All those pagan things, the very date was for a pagan god. . .”

Peter said, “Are you sure? You told me nobody knew the date Christ was born. . .”

"Nobody DID!’ said Hisalone.

“But most Christians throughout history celebrated it on December 25 because the Catholic Church instituted that as the feast” said Michael.

“Didn’t you trust Christ’s Church?” said Peter.

“But Christ’s Church isn’t the RCC!” said Hisalone.

“Of course not”, said Peter and Michael.

Hisalone breathed a sigh of relief.

“There’s no such thing as the RCC” said Peter.
“Catholic Church, that’s the name.” said Michael.

Hisalone felt an awful emptiness in the pit of his stomach. “The ‘invisible’ universal church of all believers” he quavered. . .

“No, the Catholic Church” said Peter. “The one that Christ established on the rock of my faith and that I led like a father.” His eyes grew soft. “Like a papa. . .”

"But. . . they couldn’t. . .they aren’t. . .it isn’t. . .it can’t be. . " stuttered Hisalone.

“Oh, it is. Of course, He understands that you weren’t really rejecting the real Catholic Church”, said Peter.
“You thought the Catholic Church was some old cult thing and you thought it was evil. But it’s like when you were a little child that one night and thought that there was a monster at the foot of your bed because there was a shadow over an old coat hung on the wall. You were afraid of a monster but there was no monster. And so you hated the Catholic Church as a monster. . .but there too, there was no monster. . .”

Both Michael and Peter embraced the sobbing Hisalone.

“Come in, He’s waiting for you.”
“And you’re lucky” said Michael with a smile. “It’s not everybody who manages to die and get here in time for His birthday. After all. . .December 25 only happens once a year. . .”>>>

Bravo, :clapping: bravo…!!! :clapping: shouted everyone, bravo… :clapping:

And all of the heavenly bodies :harp: rejoiced!

Blessings to all! :angel1:

**

Second guessing himself, Charlie Brown begins to wonder if he really knows what Christmas is about, loudly asking in despair.

Linus quietly says he can tell him, and walks to center stage to make his point.

Under a spotlight, Linus quotes Scripture, particularly the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke, verses 8 through 14:

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’"

A Charlie Brown Christmas!

**

Weren’t you a kid once “hisalone”?

Did you stop believing in this while watching a Charlie Brown Christmas?

I’m 51 now and I still watch it… ONLY to hear the words spoken by Linus…

 

[ricko]

Hisalone. I can only assume because of your posts that you do not celebrate Christmas. I suppose because you think it might be associated with some pagan activity and because the date of HIS birth is not certain. Hisalone, pagans were not necessarly evil, they just didn’t know God. Pagans gave us the names of the stars, the planets, the days of the weeks and months. Many pagans became Christians. But if you want to believe that a Christmas tree is evil because it was once a pagan object, so be it. If you don’t want to celebrate Christmas because you don’t know the actual date, so be it. The rest of us will get together for a harty feast on Christmas Day after going to Mass. We will join together with friends and family and drink a toast to our Savior’s birthday. Wish you could be there!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

 

[Byzantine_Wolf]

Oh, but in the end, even the Grinch felt the Spirit of Christmas in his heart… remember…

Did he say the sinner’s prayer? Did the Whos have an alter call for the Grinch to accept?

NO!

SO THE GRINCH WENT TO HELL AND BURNED!!!

 

[Nine_Two]

graceandglory;5987902:

Yes another reason why tradition is so unreliable.

Except the tradition is not that he was born on that day. There is absolutely nothing in any tradition about that, the tradition is simply that it is the day we celebrate it. Much like it is tradition that we celebrate New Years on January 1st, even though there is nothing particular about that date to suggest it should be New Years.

Now I realize this is comparing a religious holiday to a secular holiday, nonetheless it is the same thing.

 

[Nine_Two]

another thing is that Decmeber 25 is a few days after Winter Solstice. its about the time of the year when light starts winning over darkness. from Summer Solstice until Winter Solstice, daylight grows shorter and night grows longer. if you’re above the arctic circle, you won’t have daylight for about 3 days. then light starts again.

that symbolism is not lost on early Christians. Jesus is the light of the world, his arrival is the triumph of light over darkness

Indeed, as St. John the Baptist said “I must decrease so that he may increase”, so we celebrate the Birth of Christ on the Winter Solstice, and the birth of St. John on the Summer Solstice.

Actually I don’t know if Catholics celebrate St. John then, but we do.

 

[Rolltide]

Its not when Christ was born.
December 25th mixes the holy with the profane.
Christ with pagan…

Let me ask a sort of reverse question, and in doing so, let’s assume for a moment that December 25 is indeed NOT the actual birthday of Jesus. Late in the 1960s, the celebration of Kwanzaa was established to celebrate African-American heritage. Traditionally, this celebration begins on December 26th. Now, when the people who came up with holiday selected the date, did they do so because they were trying to intentionally mix Christian beliefs with secular beliefs, or because it was a very convenient date, since there were already many holidays at that time of year (Christmas, Hannukah, New Year’s, etc…) and it would be easier to celebrate since most of secular society would have the week off?

 

[choy]

Indeed, as St. John the Baptist said “I must decrease so that he may increase”, so we celebrate the Birth of Christ on the Winter Solstice, and the birth of St. John on the Summer Solstice.

Actually I don’t know if Catholics celebrate St. John then, but we do.

wow, thats for the info!

back in the Philippines there is a town named after him (San Juan, Spanish for Saint John of course) and they do celebrate his feast day. they actually have a naughty tradition where they splash you with water during the feast day, as in anyone who walks by on the streets during the feast day

 

[Nine_Two]

wow, thats for the info!

back in the Philippines there is a town named after him (San Juan, Spanish for Saint John of course) and they do celebrate his feast day. they actually have a naughty tradition where they splash you with water during the feast day, as in anyone who walks by on the streets during the feast day

I checked and both the East and the West do observe it on the same day (June 24th).

That sounds like a fun celebration, especially given the heat you’d be feeling in that part of the world.

 

[bpbasilphx]

graceandglory;5987902:

Yes another reason why tradition is so unreliable.

**What authority to you have for the very Bible you hold in your hands, OTHER than this same tradition you reject?

After all, unlike a book for morons, it wasn’t found in a box in a field, nor did it drop down from heaven already written.**

 

[wwolverine]

The sheep were in the fields when Christ was born.
Sheep are not in the fields that time of year in and around Jerusalem.

Do you celebrate any of your family members birthday on any day other than their actual birthday.

Dear Hisalone,

Christmas and Easter are not days like us normal humans have, They are spiritual occassions and not to be remembered on one day and than forgotten,

we have many denominations of Christians, who all celebrate it on different day. What according to yo should be the day, or when do you or your chruch ( no idea if its called church) celebrate it?

Wish you Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday of Jesus in advance.

 

[Hisalone]

Dear Hisalone,

Christmas and Easter are not days like us normal humans have, They are spiritual occassions and not to be remembered on one day and than forgotten,

we have many denominations of Christians, who all celebrate it on different day. What according to yo should be the day, or when do you or your chruch ( no idea if its called church) celebrate it?

Wish you Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday of Jesus in advance.

Christs mass
Merry Christmas and Happy Jesus Birthday.
The Easter celebration is even worse than Christmas. Wd all can agree that Good Friday was either on Passover or the day before passover So Easter should be the third day after Passover every year we can not agree when baby Jesus was born although the most likely claim was that it was on the feast of tabernacles. When God tabenacled or Emmanuel (God with us) came to live with us.

 

[Hisalone]

Hisalone;5987907:

**What authority to you have for the very Bible you hold in your hands, OTHER than this same tradition you reject?

After all, unlike a book for morons, it wasn’t found in a box in a field, nor did it drop down from heaven already written.**

The oracles of God wereentrusted to the Jews whom I am forever gratefull that they kept them faithfully.

 

[Hisalone]

Let me ask a sort of reverse question, and in doing so, let’s assume for a moment that December 25 is indeed NOT the actual birthday of Jesus. Late in the 1960s, the celebration of Kwanzaa was established to celebrate African-American heritage. Traditionally, this celebration begins on December 26th. Now, when the people who came up with holiday selected the date, did they do so because they were trying to intentionally mix Christian beliefs with secular beliefs, or because it was a very convenient date, since there were already many holidays at that time of year (Christmas, Hannukah, New Year’s, etc…) and it would be easier to celebrate since most of secular society would have the week off?

Kwanzaa is certainly not a Christian holiday.

 

[Hisalone]

Hisalone;5987907:

Except the tradition is not that he was born on that day. There is absolutely nothing in any tradition about that, the tradition is simply that it is the day we celebrate it. Much like it is tradition that we celebrate New Years on January 1st, even though there is nothing particular about that date to suggest it should be New Years.

Now I realize this is comparing a religious holiday to a secular holiday, nonetheless it is the same thing.

The Magi most likely visited Jesus in late December.

 

[Hisalone]

If only he lived back in those times instead, so he could teach Sts. Peter and Paul how to be “real” Christians.

Peter and Paul know the same God I know.
Do you?

 

[Hisalone]

I actually kind of (and I mean kind of) admire Christians who reject Christmas because of it’s Catholic roots. If you’re going to go, might as well go big!

Of course, they need to also reject the NT as the inspired word of God, considering the Catholic Church is the one who declared the cannon (and hand-copied it, and protected it, and passed it down–who knows what errors slipped in among those crazy monks! )

Hang on, if the Holy Spirit could actually work through the Catholic Church, maybe Christmas is ok, too!

Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.

Hisalone, by all means, don’t celebrate Christmas. As for me, I’m going to continue to honor the birth of my Lord and Savior.

Peace everybody!
Tezza

Catholics have rejected Gods times and Gods season therfore have thrown away the compass and clock God uses.

 

[Hisalone]

So, what?
Maybe you can educate yourself on the history of Christmas and its date. Try reading this article from the Catholic Encyclopedia. It was thorough and answers all of your questions:

newadvent.org/cathen/03724b.htm

This is what I have been trrying to educate you on.

Analogy to Old Testament festivals
It seems impossible, on analogy of the relation of Passover and Pentecost to Easter and Whitsuntide, to connect the Nativity with the feast of Tabernacles, as did, e.g., Lightfoot (Horæ Hebr, et Talm., II, 32), arguing from Old Testament prophecy, e.g. Zacharias 14:16 sqq.; combining, too, the fact of Christ’s death in Nisan with Daniel’s prophecy of a three and one-half years’ ministry (9:27), he puts the birth in Tisri, i.e. September. As undesirable is it to connect 25 December with the Eastern (December) feast of Dedication (Jos. Ant. Jud., XII, vii, 6).

 

[Irish_Catholic_1]

Nine_Two;5988995:

The Magi most likely visited Jesus in late December.

Wait a minute:

The Magi followed the star that led to the manger. So you are saying Jesus was born in late December