Is Christmas For Christians? (Family Worship Worksheet)

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Is Christmas For Christians? (Family Worship Worksheet) Christmas What Will It Mean for You? CHRISTMAS means different things to different people.

They look forward to Christmas as a joyous occasion featuring good food, singing and dancing, preferred companionship and the exchanging of presents.

1 Is Christmas For Christians? (Family Worship Worksheet) Christmas What Will It Mean for You? CHRISTMAS means different things to different people. Many view it as a time of vacation when the whole family gets together. They look forward to Christmas as a joyous occasion featuring good food, singing and dancing, preferred companionship and the exchanging of presents. A California musician summed up his feelings about his yearly trip home for Christmas in this way: All my grandparents will be there.... Everybody will be cooking, and I ll probably gain 30 pounds. It s the only time of the year when the whole family gets together. Today, many view Christmas as a time for what? 1) Read 2 Cor. 6:17 and you decide: how does this scripture help you decide whether celebrating Christmas makes Jehovah happy or does it deeply hurt his feelings?

2 2) Christmas may be an official national holiday in the country where you live. Read 1 Corinthians 10:20, 21 and you decide: If the nations celebrate this holiday, do I want to? DID YOU KNOW? WHERE DO CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS COME FROM? Origins of Christmas The first reported observance of Christmas as the birth of Jesus Christ was more than 300 years after the event. In the 4th Century, Christianity became the official religion of the Holly Roman Empire, and, scholars believe, Christians set Jesus birth date at Dec. 25 to coincide with existent celebrating by non Christians. In England and Germany, they celebrated the winter solstice. Most scholars agree that December 25 was assigned by the Catholic Church as Jesus birthday. Why? Most probably the reason, says The New Encyclopædia Britannica, is that early Christians wished the date to coincide with the pagan Roman festival marking the birthday of the unconquered sun. The pagan holidays replaced by Christianity were the Roman celebrations of Saturnalia which were carnivalesque celebrations with gift giving and later the Yule celebrations in England and Germany that celebrated the winter solstice As the predominant form of Christianity spread across Europe, Christmas expanded with it. The Catholic Church adopted the viewpoint that it was fitting to perpetuate a joyous festival in honor of Jesus birthday. Accordingly, in 567 C.E., the Council of Tours proclaimed the 12 days from Christmas to Epiphany as a sacred and festive season. The Catholic Encyclopedia for School and Home. Christmas has gained and slipped in popularity over the centuries. It was banned for a time in England and America by Puritans who objected to the frivolity associated with it. But toward the mid 1800s, Christmas was in trouble, waning in popularity. Religious leaders welcomed an injection of commerce, via gift giving and Santa Claus, to revive the holiday. The revival was credited largely to English author Charles Dickens, whose 1843 A Christmas Carol showed a reformed Scrooge who became a generous giver. And, modern day Christmas as we know it was born. 1) Now that you know a little about the beginnings of Christmas, Eph 4:25 tells us to do what? Christmas Day Parades: Christmas parades announce the beginning of the Holiday season. They give people the signal to go out to the stores the next day and begin shopping for Christmas. Stores hold huge the days before & after Christmas The ongoing festive spirit, shopping spree, helps the shopkeepers to gain maximum sales and profits. In the US, the most popular Christmas parades are shown on tv and is paid for by a major

3 department store now you know why. 1) What are Christmas parades for? How do you think Jehovah views them and how does this affect how you feel about them? WHEN WAS JESUS BORN? IS IT IMP0RTANT TO THE TRUE FLOCK? The shepherds were watching their flocks at night at the time and Joseph and Mary had traveled a long way to Bethlehem to be registered in keeping with the decree of Caesar Augustus. The shepherds would not have their flocks outside during the cold wet rainy winter season of Palestine, nor is it reasonable to conclude that Caesar would require all the Jews to do so much traveling at the worst time of the year for it; a fact apparent from Jesus words, Keep praying that your flight may not occur in wintertime. Matt. 24:20; Luke 2:1 20, NW. 1) READ Luke 2:1 20, where were the shepherds living? And, what were the people doing as a result of the decree from Caesar Au gus tus? 2) While modern Christmas abounds in gaudy commercialism, the fact is that true Christians never expected to celebrate Jesus birth. Rather, the Bible emphasizes the ransom that Christ provided by his death and resurrection to heaven. READ Matthew 20:28 what will remain of importance through all time to come? A CLOSER LOOK AT THE NATIVITY SCENE: Who were the wise men? In nativity scenes, prominently displayed at this time of year, three wise men, kings, are shown bringing gifts to the babe Jesus in a manger. But the Bible does not say that these men were kings; they were pagan astrologers. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, page 856, acknowledges: The Magi (D[ouay] V[ersion] wise men ) were originally a Median priestly tribe of clairvoyants.... The term later became general... for astrologers, sorcerers, etc. of all nationalities. Did you know that? How many wise men were there? If you look in the Bible you will nowhere find that it says there were three. The number is not given. The book The Glory of Christmas, on page 72, admits: The brief

4 account in Matthew... is the only mention of these Wise Men in the Bible. It does not name them, say where they came from or even how many there were. A CLOSER LOOK AT THE NATIVITY SCENE: CONTINUED.. When did the magi visit Jesus? Nativity scenes sponsored by church groups usually show the magi bringing their gifts to the newborn Jesus in a manger. But read the Bible account at Matthew chapter 2 for yourself. You will see that it says that, by the time the astrologers arrived, Jesus was a young child living in a house. (Matt. 2:11) It was only the shepherds who visited the babe Jesus in the manger. Luke 2:12. 1) READ Matt 2:11, does it say Jesus was an infant in a manger? Did God use a star to lead the astrologers to Jesus? Remember, too, that the star seen by the astrologers led them first to wicked King Herod, who then ordered all the young boys in and around Bethlehem slaughtered in an effort to kill Jesus. 1) Do these facts point to God or to his adversary, Satan the Devil, as the source of that moving star? 2) READ Luke 2:8 12 Jehovah did indeed announce the birth of his Son, but he did so by means of Whom? 3) Read Isa. 47:13,14 Jehovah s Word says what about astrology FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Who were the wise men? Are they important to true worshippers of Jehovah?

5 GIFT GIVING IS IT SCRIPTUAL? The Bible does say that wise men, or astrologers, brought gifts to Jesus. However, Christmas giving is not patterned after their example because they did not exchange gifts with one another. More important, they did not give their gifts at Jesus birth but at a later time. Their actions were in harmony with the ancient custom of honoring rulers. Note that the Bible record says that when they arrived Jesus was no longer in a manger but was living in a house. That is why Herod, based on what they had told him, decreed that all boys two years of age and under be killed. In contrast, the annual gift giving at Christmas does not induce thankfulness. Instead, people expect to receive presents. Many become highly insulted if they do not get anything. Even those who receive gifts are often disappointed if the gift does not meet their expectations. 1) Jesus certainly does not condemn giving. On the contrary, always being willing to give unselfishly of himself in the service of others, he taught his disciples: Practice giving. And showing that giving would result in the givers themselves being blessed, he added: And people will give to you. Luke 6:38. So, is gift giving at Christmas something we should avoid, and if so why? 2) However, Jesus was not here referring to the exchanging of gifts. Rather, he was pointing out the universal truth that unselfish giving is generally reciprocated. This is especially true when the one giving has a proper motive and loves another intensely from the heart. 1 Peter 1:22. Why, then should be Imitators of the Christ? SHOULD I GET TOGETHER WITH MY FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS? Some people believe that celebrating Christmas isn t a big deal. They decide to overlook the pagan roots of this holiday and use it as an opportunity to get together with their family seeing as everyone gets the day off. What, then, is the modern day Christian likely to conclude as he views this national holiday? Dedicated Christians certainly will not convey to others (especially their family) the idea that they believe in a pagan originated Christmas tradition. Personal decisions need to be made and a stand must be made.

6 USE YOUR REASONING ABILITY: 1) Do you think Jesus would overlook the pagan roots of Christmas and celebrate it simply because his family members all got the day off? Explain your answer: Does this affect your decision and if so, how and why? What Will Christmas Mean for You? It would be good for all to reflect seriously on this matter. Concerning pagan religious practices, Christians are commanded: Quit touching the unclean thing. (2 Cor. 6:17) The Bible also admonishes: Now that you have put away falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor. Eph. 4:25. Do you wish to obey those Scriptural commands? Could you do so and at the same time engage in a celebration admittedly rooted in paganism and one that suggests a false date for the birth of Jesus Christ? USE YOUR REASONING ABILITY: 1) READ 2 Tim. 3:4; Rom. 1:25 By celebrating Christmas I would be a lover of what? Would not doing so mean that you love pleasure more than God and his truth? Fast Facts: Did you know these facts? * Jesus was not born on. * Shepherds in Israel had their under cover in the depths of and not in the fields at night. * The wise men were in fact Magi, _, and visited Jesus when he was a young child, and not a _. * Nowhere does the Bible say that Christians are to celebrate the birth of Jesus. But, there is an express command to commemorate.

7 WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT? You can recognize Christmas for what it is, a pagan celebration that falsely parades as the birthday of Jesus, and have nothing to do with it. Yet, it is not always easy to take a course that differs from that of the majority. (Compare Matthew 7:13, 14.) The Church Times acknowledged: It takes a brave man, woman or family to opt out of a festival that is thrust upon us so aggressively by our peers. Many who have made the decision to opt out agree. But they also know that a deep love of truth has given them both the incentive and the strength to take and maintain that stand. The same can be true of you if that is your desire.! What would Jesus say to those professed Christians who try to justify Christmas in spite of its false date and pagan background? He would say that he never commanded it, that his birthday was never celebrated by any of his apostles or early disciples, that it was only after the foretold apostasy that the Christmas celebration came into existence among professed Christians. This apostasy was foretold by Christ s apostle, who said that it would result in twisted things. I know that after my going away oppressive wolves will enter in among you and will not treat the flock with tenderness, and from among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things. (Acts 20:29, 30, NW) Not until the fourth century did the Christmas celebration gain headway among professed Christians. By then the apostasy had taken place, a pagan holiday was clothed in a Christian name and the Roman Catholic Church gave the holiday its blessing all to increase the number of nominal adherents to Christianity. A QUICK REVIEW: Christmas may be an official national holiday in the country where you live. Read 1 Corinthians 10:20, 21 and you decide: If the nations celebrate this holiday, do I want to? Now that you know a little about the beginnings of Christmas, Eph 4:25 tells us to do what?

8 Do you think Jesus would overlook the pagan roots of Christmas and celebrate it simply because his family members all got the day off? Explain your answer: Does this affect your decision and if so, how and why? READ 2 Tim. 3:4; Rom. 1:25 By celebrating Christmas I would be a lover of what? Shepherds in Israel had their under cover in the depths of and not in the fields at night. Jesus certainly does not condemn giving. On the contrary, always being willing to give unselfishly of himself in the service of others, he taught his disciples: Practice giving. And showing that giving would result in the givers themselves being blessed, he added: And people will give to you. Luke 6:38. So, is gift giving at Christmas something we should avoid, and if so why? Do these facts point to God or to his adversary, Satan the Devil, as the source of that moving star? READ Luke 2:8 12 Jehovah did indeed announce the birth of his Son, but he did so by? While modern Christmas abounds in gaudy commercialism, the fact is that true Christians never expected to celebrate Jesus birth. Rather, the Bible emphasizes the ransom that Christ provided by his death and resurrection to heaven. READ Matthew 20:28 what will remain of importance through all time to come?

Leaving Christmas. Why I Ceased Observing Christmas A personal testimony. Raul Enyedi

Leaving Christmas. Why I Ceased Observing Christmas A personal testimony. Raul Enyedi Leaving Christmas Why I Ceased Observing Christmas A personal testimony Raul Enyedi I, too, as many others Christians, have been saddened and upset by the increasing secularization of the winter holidays,