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 Expert
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| Rocket'sMagicGirl - 2014-10-13 6:21 AM Don't want to start a debate or argument, just want to know if there are any others out there that do this. This past year I've come across a lot of Christian people who no longer celebrate holidays like Christmas, Halloween, New Years, etc. because of specific commands in the bible. Instead, they celebrate the holy celebrations that are in the bible. I've been looking into this a lot and have learned a whole lot of information and facts that I never knew about Chrismas and the bible as well. Just wanted to see if there are more out there. Have you read PaganChristianity? ~ ? It is a very well researched and documented book on the origins of what we call modern Christianity. I don't live by this book or promote everything in it, but it is a must read for all "Christians" in my opinion. We must think and learn for ourselves and that means reading and studying different beliefs other than your "denominations."
We do still celebrate "Christmas" by giving gifts and dinner, but I don't really decorate anymore or promote it as Jesus' actual birthday. The same goes for Easter, but not the truth of Passover and Resurrection.
In my opinion I would say be careful with the Hebrew Roots movements. Read Galatians. Even Jesus broke the "Laws" on a few occasions to show that He is the root of the New Promise, which is an inward, spiritual belief that we must grasp and trust in. I believe that is why Jesus prohesied about the temple being destroyed, which it was, to show us that God no longer dwells in buildings or certain rules, or certain days, but inside each one of us. The Old was fulfilled in order to bring the full truth of Jesus, living inside of us. No longer about following a define set of rules, but living according to His -Jesus' words of Loving God and our fellow man, Love truly fulfills all of the commandments.
Edited by TyE 2014-10-13 12:44 PM
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
 
| Southtxponygirl - 2014-10-13 10:26 AM rodeomom3 - 2014-10-13 10:21 AM Southtxponygirl - 2014-10-13 10:05 AM I could not ever see us/as my family not celebrating Christmas or Easter. Ditto. First grandbaby will be here in March, was just thinking how fun the holidays are going to be.  .. And congrats to you on your first grand baby, we are working on the 4th, DIL is 4 months prego with her 3rd. 
Thank you, we are excited! Congrats to you too! | |
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 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
 
Location: In the Hills of Texas | rodeomom13 - 2014-10-13 10:46 AM Give it time... Christmas will soon become politically incorrect and we will be labeled religious zealouts for celebrating it. Stores will no longer be aloud to put up decorations, Christmas Carols will be outlawed. The loudmouth Liberals who are offended for the minority who don't believe are getting away with everything else, it's just a matter of time.
I hope I'm not around to see it as I agree with you. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | TyE - 2014-10-13 11:19 AM
Rocket'sMagicGirl - 2014-10-13 6:21 AM Â Don't want to start a debate or argument, just want to know if there are any others out there that do this. This past year I've come across a lot of Christian people who no longer celebrate holidays like Christmas, Halloween, New Years, etc. because of specific commands in the bible. Instead, they celebrate the holy celebrations that are in the bible. I've been looking into this a lot and have learned a whole lot of information and facts that I never knew about Chrismas and the bible as well. Just wanted to see if there are more out there.
Have you read PaganChristianity? ~ ? Â It is a very well researched and documented book on the origins of what we call modern Christianity. Â I don't live by this book or promote everything in it, but it is a must read for all "Christians" in my opinion. Â We must think and learn for ourselves and that means reading and studying different beliefs other than your "denominations." Â
We do still celebrate "Christmas" by giving gifts and dinner, but I don't really decorate anymore or promote it as Jesus' actual birthday. Â The same goes for Easter, but not the truth of Passover and Resurrection.
In my opinion I would say be carefule with the Hebrew Roots movements.  Read Galatians.  Even Jesus broke the "Laws" on a few occasions to show that He is the root of the New Promise, which is an inward, spiritual belief that we must grasp and trust in.  I believe that is why Jesus prohesied about the temple being destroyed, which it was, to show us that God no longer dwells in buildings or certain rules, or certain days,  but inside each one of us.  The Old was done away with to bring the full truth of Jesus, living inside of us.  No longer about following a define set of rules, but living according to His -Jesus' words of Loving God and our fellow man,  Love truly fulfills all of the commandments.  Â
As I mentioned, my sister ending up giving up this movement after more intense study. There are some issues with it. Then again, there are issues with every denomination and belief system. Sometimes we just have to do the best we can with the knowledge and information we have. I believe God will look into our hearts and know. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1409
| oija - 2014-10-13 12:12 PM TyE - 2014-10-13 11:19 AM Rocket'sMagicGirl - 2014-10-13 6:21 AM Don't want to start a debate or argument, just want to know if there are any others out there that do this. This past year I've come across a lot of Christian people who no longer celebrate holidays like Christmas, Halloween, New Years, etc. because of specific commands in the bible. Instead, they celebrate the holy celebrations that are in the bible. I've been looking into this a lot and have learned a whole lot of information and facts that I never knew about Chrismas and the bible as well. Just wanted to see if there are more out there. Have you read PaganChristianity? ~ ? It is a very well researched and documented book on the origins of what we call modern Christianity. I don't live by this book or promote everything in it, but it is a must read for all "Christians" in my opinion. We must think and learn for ourselves and that means reading and studying different beliefs other than your "denominations."
We do still celebrate "Christmas" by giving gifts and dinner, but I don't really decorate anymore or promote it as Jesus' actual birthday. The same goes for Easter, but not the truth of Passover and Resurrection.
In my opinion I would say be carefule with the Hebrew Roots movements. Read Galatians. Even Jesus broke the "Laws" on a few occasions to show that He is the root of the New Promise, which is an inward, spiritual belief that we must grasp and trust in. I believe that is why Jesus prohesied about the temple being destroyed, which it was, to show us that God no longer dwells in buildings or certain rules, or certain days, but inside each one of us. The Old was done away with to bring the full truth of Jesus, living inside of us. No longer about following a define set of rules, but living according to His -Jesus' words of Loving God and our fellow man, Love truly fulfills all of the commandments. As I mentioned, my sister ending up giving up this movement after more intense study. There are some issues with it. Then again, there are issues with every denomination and belief system. Sometimes we just have to do the best we can with the knowledge and information we have. I believe God will look into our hearts and know.
Exactly! Everything must land on Jesus only. Not man's denominations or theology or set of doctrines. I must say that what I thought I knew is a vapor and it is gone, and I only want to know Jesus ONLY anymore. | |
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Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | TyE - 2014-10-13 12:47 PM
oija - 2014-10-13 12:12 PM TyE - 2014-10-13 11:19 AM Rocket'sMagicGirl - 2014-10-13 6:21 AM Â Don't want to start a debate or argument, just want to know if there are any others out there that do this. This past year I've come across a lot of Christian people who no longer celebrate holidays like Christmas, Halloween, New Years, etc. because of specific commands in the bible. Instead, they celebrate the holy celebrations that are in the bible. I've been looking into this a lot and have learned a whole lot of information and facts that I never knew about Chrismas and the bible as well. Just wanted to see if there are more out there. Have you read PaganChristianity? ~ ? Â It is a very well researched and documented book on the origins of what we call modern Christianity. Â I don't live by this book or promote everything in it, but it is a must read for all "Christians" in my opinion. Â We must think and learn for ourselves and that means reading and studying different beliefs other than your "denominations." Â
We do still celebrate "Christmas" by giving gifts and dinner, but I don't really decorate anymore or promote it as Jesus' actual birthday. Â The same goes for Easter, but not the truth of Passover and Resurrection.
In my opinion I would say be carefule with the Hebrew Roots movements.  Read Galatians.  Even Jesus broke the "Laws" on a few occasions to show that He is the root of the New Promise, which is an inward, spiritual belief that we must grasp and trust in.  I believe that is why Jesus prohesied about the temple being destroyed, which it was, to show us that God no longer dwells in buildings or certain rules, or certain days,  but inside each one of us.  The Old was done away with to bring the full truth of Jesus, living inside of us.  No longer about following a define set of rules, but living according to His -Jesus' words of Loving God and our fellow man,  Love truly fulfills all of the commandments.   As I mentioned, my sister ending up giving up this movement after more intense study. There are some issues with it. Then again, there are issues with every denomination and belief system. Sometimes we just have to do the best we can with the knowledge and information we have. I believe God will look into our hearts and know.
Have you heard of the Red Letter Christian Movement? It's interesting. :)
http://www.redletterchristians.org/ | |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Nevertooold - 2014-10-13 11:40 AM rodeomom13 - 2014-10-13 10:46 AM Give it time... Christmas will soon become politically incorrect and we will be labeled religious zealouts for celebrating it. Stores will no longer be aloud to put up decorations, Christmas Carols will be outlawed. The loudmouth Liberals who are offended for the minority who don't believe are getting away with everything else, it's just a matter of time. I hope I'm not around to see it as I agree with you.
I was thinking the same thing, everything has changed so much and this is so sad to think that they could take our Christmas away from us.  | |
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Expert
Posts: 1409
| oija - 2014-10-13 12:49 PM TyE - 2014-10-13 12:47 PM oija - 2014-10-13 12:12 PM TyE - 2014-10-13 11:19 AM Rocket'sMagicGirl - 2014-10-13 6:21 AM Don't want to start a debate or argument, just want to know if there are any others out there that do this. This past year I've come across a lot of Christian people who no longer celebrate holidays like Christmas, Halloween, New Years, etc. because of specific commands in the bible. Instead, they celebrate the holy celebrations that are in the bible. I've been looking into this a lot and have learned a whole lot of information and facts that I never knew about Chrismas and the bible as well. Just wanted to see if there are more out there. Have you read PaganChristianity? ~ ? It is a very well researched and documented book on the origins of what we call modern Christianity. I don't live by this book or promote everything in it, but it is a must read for all "Christians" in my opinion. We must think and learn for ourselves and that means reading and studying different beliefs other than your "denominations."
We do still celebrate "Christmas" by giving gifts and dinner, but I don't really decorate anymore or promote it as Jesus' actual birthday. The same goes for Easter, but not the truth of Passover and Resurrection.
In my opinion I would say be carefule with the Hebrew Roots movements. Read Galatians. Even Jesus broke the "Laws" on a few occasions to show that He is the root of the New Promise, which is an inward, spiritual belief that we must grasp and trust in. I believe that is why Jesus prohesied about the temple being destroyed, which it was, to show us that God no longer dwells in buildings or certain rules, or certain days, but inside each one of us. The Old was done away with to bring the full truth of Jesus, living inside of us. No longer about following a define set of rules, but living according to His -Jesus' words of Loving God and our fellow man, Love truly fulfills all of the commandments. As I mentioned, my sister ending up giving up this movement after more intense study. There are some issues with it. Then again, there are issues with every denomination and belief system. Sometimes we just have to do the best we can with the knowledge and information we have. I believe God will look into our hearts and know. Have you heard of the Red Letter Christian Movement? It's interesting. : ) http://www.redletterchristians.org/
No, I haven't heard of that site. Thank You!! I will check it out!! | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 929
| GLP - 2014-10-13 6:38 AM
As my kids have become adults and our parents are aging and some in ill health, our whole family has realized the reason we love the holidays is the chance to see each other, eat good food, drink my FIL's version of eggnog and laugh. One side exchanges very few gifts and I think this year we are going homemade or not any presents. The other side exchanges gifts but that is not the focal point of the day. I hope this thread continues because I find other peoples' views very interesting whether I agree or not.
I agree with this...I hate how commercialized the holidays have gotten and how they are all about BUY, BUY, BUY!!! (Wal-Mart has Christmas decorations up right now) but other than that, I LOVE the holidays and seeing everyone and the festivities. My husband's family still wants there to be a TON of presents for the kids, but I am not about that and am ambivalent at best about this idea. My kids don't need to be all excited about Christmas because "PRESENTS!!!!" but to enjoy the entire experience. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1549
Location: Southwest Louisiana | Thanks for the replies. I just ordered that book TyE and am looking forward to reading it. And I didn't know the way of thinking that I'm talking about even had a label, Hebrew Roots movement. I've never even heard of it. I looked it up and everything mentioned is exactly what I've been learning about lately. Honestly, I don't feel it's for me. My husband is starting to get into it, but I just don't feel a pull towards it. I do feel differently about Christmas a many things we deem religious these days, but aren't, but I lean more towards the thought that Jesus wants us to know Him in our hearts and lives, whether we have Christmas trees or live in succas for a week during the feast of trumpets. Thank you all for replying. It's really, really helped me today. | |
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Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | Some other good books:
Archaeology--Light on the Bible
Encyclopedia of Christian Theology
Jesus through Pagan Eyes
Misquoting Jesus
The Old Ones in the Old Book
Saving Jesus from the Church
Saint Benedict on the Freeway
Blue Like Jazz
Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain
The Golden Bough
Theology of many religions is of particular interest to me. If you have questions or want books (some in PDF format) let me know. I am Christian, just not of a particular denomination. I teach Bible as Literature classes at the college level and am a medievalist.
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 Veteran
Posts: 142
| We decided last year just to try and focus more on Jesus. We did really cute resurrection eggs in our easter egg hunt for the kids and no easter bunny and just really focused on the incarnation at Christmas time with lots of Bible stories, and family time.
I think you have to be careful with too literal understanding of the Bible as so much of it is esoteric..and also trying to understand it outside of the tradition it was written in.
True Jesus didnt come to set up a religion, but he did start a community of believers and promised to be with them till the end of the ages leading them into all truth and into proper worship which is revealed, not invented - so I do get skeptical when these spring up groups come promoting these ideas which are usually filled with half truths, historical inaccuracies and out of context Biblical proof texting.
Here's a more detailed article debunking some of the pagan-christian myths that are being pushed -
http://orthocath.wordpress.com/2010/12/05/the-pagan-origins-of-christmas/ | |
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  Potato Soup Queen
Location: Alabama | I won't be anymore. I grew up celebrating it as Christ's birth, then learned after studying that it's truly not his birth. Also learned that there is no where in the bible that states his actual birthdate, which makes sense since it's the fact that he died for us that's important. I left my beliefs for a while and have since returned, so, no I won't be celebrating it. But, I do love family getting together to enjoy each others company, so I will be having a "family appreciation day" so that we can do that.
And halloween, don't get me started. Even before I studied the bible I did not celebrate it. It has never set well with me.
One thing I've learned is just because everyone else does it, doesn't make it right. | |
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Miracle in the Making
Posts: 4013
| rodeomom13 - 2014-10-13 11:46 AM Give it time... Christmas will soon become politically incorrect and we will be labeled religious zealouts for celebrating it. Stores will no longer be aloud to put up decorations, Christmas Carols will be outlawed. The loudmouth Liberals who are offended for the minority who don't believe are getting away with everything else, it's just a matter of time.
it almost is already happy ho;iday not christmas no navity nothing that relate to our lord
theyare almost ther | |
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Blessed 
Location: Here | We celebrate it for the meaning it is the birth of our savior and this life that he gave for our salvation | |
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Expert
Posts: 1409
| Rocket'sMagicGirl - 2014-10-13 3:38 PM Thanks for the replies. I just ordered that book TyE and am looking forward to reading it. And I didn't know the way of thinking that I'm talking about even had a label, Hebrew Roots movement. I've never even heard of it. I looked it up and everything mentioned is exactly what I've been learning about lately. Honestly, I don't feel it's for me. My husband is starting to get into it, but I just don't feel a pull towards it. I do feel differently about Christmas a many things we deem religious these days, but aren't, but I lean more towards the thought that Jesus wants us to know Him in our hearts and lives, whether we have Christmas trees or live in succas for a week during the feast of trumpets. Thank you all for replying. It's really, really helped me today.
I think you will find the book very interesting. I will say it has a lot of information even down to the history of choir robes and such. I found some of it a little "much," but interesting none the less. Just take your time and keep Jesus at the center.
Also thank you Oija for the book list. I am familiar with some of them, but will keep the list. What is a medievalist? The teaching, now that sound's like an interesting "job!"
I recently read "An Outsider's Guide to the Gospel" by Mick Mooney~ It is a very good read and is spot on in some parts imo, but other parts I am still digesting and praying/thinking about. The book has nothing to do with Christmas or origins, just a different look at what the Gospel is/could be. I would say some controversial parts especially if you are a member of a mainstream denomination/church.
Jesus Has left the Building~Vieira-- interesting as well.
www.austin-sparks.net is a great site with all his books free. His wrtings are not at all like the above authors, but more of a teaching type. He left mainstream "church" years and years ago, and has an amazing insight into true "body" life as well as many other subjects.
I say proceed with caution when reading any man's/woman's writings and pray about each of them.
Great subject and posts! | |
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Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | TyE - 2014-10-14 10:52 AM
Rocket'sMagicGirl - 2014-10-13 3:38 PM Thanks for the replies. I just ordered that book TyE and am looking forward to reading it. And I didn't know the way of thinking that I'm talking about even had a label, Hebrew Roots movement. I've never even heard of it. I looked it up and everything mentioned is exactly what I've been learning about lately. Honestly, I don't feel it's for me. My husband is starting to get into it, but I just don't feel a pull towards it. I do feel differently about Christmas a many things we deem religious these days, but aren't, but I lean more towards the thought that Jesus wants us to know Him in our hearts and lives, whether we have Christmas trees or live in succas for a week during the feast of trumpets. Thank you all for replying. It's really, really helped me today. Â
I think you will find the book very interesting. Â I will say it has a lot of information even down to the history of choir robes and such. Â I found some of it a little "much," but interesting none the less. Â Just take your time and keep Jesus at the center.
Also thank you Oija for the book list. I am familiar with some of them, but will keep the list. Â What is a medievalist? Â The teaching, now that sound's like an interesting "job!"Â Â
I recently read "An Outsider's Guide to the Gospel" by Mick Mooney~  It is a very good read and is spot on in some parts imo, but other parts I am still digesting and praying/thinking  about.  The book has nothing to do with Christmas or origins, just a different look at what the Gospel is/could be.  I would say some controversial parts especially if you are a member of a mainstream denomination/church. Â
Jesus Has left the Building~Vieira-- interesting as well.
www.austin-sparks.net  is a great site with all his books free.  His wrtings are not at all like the above authors, but more of a teaching type.  He left mainstream "church" years and years ago, and has an amazing insight into true "body" life as well as many other subjects.  Â
I say proceed with caution when reading any man's/woman's writings and pray about each of them. Â Â
Great subject and posts!
I'm a professor. I specialize in Medieval Studies, particularly literature. This is what my Ph.D. is in. I teach at a community college, mostly writing classes, but also literature.
It is actually very useful in terms of teaching because I have a very good grounding in history and literature, including religion from the ancient world to modern times. I can easily see how theology developed and has changed over the last 2000 years, even what ideas we borrowed from the Egyptians, Greeks, etc. When students want to have a conversation about religion or are struggling, sometimes even questions about ISIS or how the bubonic plague in the 1340s compared to today's Ebola outbreak, I can help them think about it using the historical perspective to ground how people have often reacted to these types of events. I can lead them to older mystics who may give some comfort to their soul if they are having faith struggles. I generally tailor my teaching to each student, their questions, and their needs. What I will recommend for one I may not recommend for another. My wide reading in many fields helps me with this. I have a fairly encyclopedic understanding of art, history, philosophy, and literature for most of western culture. I read the bible through once a year, always in a different translation, checking things against my Greek/Hebrew Interlinear copy. My grounding in eastern cultures is a bit weaker.
I do tend to go my own path. I'm not a person with a simple faith but I am one with a very deep faith. I consider a very few things black and white. Everything else is gray. I do not decide on grey areas without careful study, sometimes years of reading and prayer. I'm also willing to change my mind based on new information. Like you I read each book with the idea that it has a particular bias that must be recalled. I feel that the more information I have the better decision I can make about my own beliefs. I don't like taking one viewpoint and running with it. It is also important to me NOT to tell someone what to think. I love talking with people and introducing them to sources, but I expect them to go their own journey about how they will believe, again especially in things I consider gray areas. I will say I consider many things gray that mainstream Christianity does not. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 621
Location: Arkansas | SG. - 2014-10-13 11:41 PM
We celebrate it for the meaning it is the birth of our savior and this life that he gave for our salvation
AMEN!!! I don't think the date is the important thing, some of you are missing the boat.....It's the fact that a day has been set aside to worship God for bringing His Son, Jesus, into this world in a miraculous virgin birth. Then Jesus led a sinless life so that he could be the perfect sacrifical lamb to pay for all our sins when He died on the cross. God raised Jesus from the dead, so we set aside a day, Easter, to celebrate this. Because i have chosen to ask God to forgive me of my sins and He chooses to accept Jesus' blood spilled at the cross as payment for my sins i now am an adopted daughter of the most High King of Kings and Lord of Lords and it's a free gift available to anyone who chooses to do the same.
So yes this christian celebrates because she is so thankful for what the Lord has done for her. The dates aren't important it's what's in the "heart" that's important to Him.
Edited by moorehorses 2014-10-14 12:11 PM
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Blessed
Location: Here | moorehorses - 2014-10-14 12:09 PM SG. - 2014-10-13 11:41 PM We celebrate it for the meaning it is the birth of our savior and this life that he gave for our salvation AMEN!!! I don't think the date is the important thing, some of you are missing the boat.....It's the fact that a day has been set aside to worship God for bringing His Son, Jesus, into this world in a miraculous virgin birth. Then Jesus led a sinless life so that he could be the perfect sacrifical lamb to pay for all our sins when He died on the cross. God raised Jesus from the dead, so we set aside a day, Easter, to celebrate this. Because i have chosen to ask God to forgive me of my sins and He chooses to accept Jesus' blood spilled at the cross as payment for my sins i now am an adopted daughter of the most High King of Kings and Lord of Lords and it's a free gift available to anyone who chooses to do the same. So yes this christian celebrates because she is so thankful for what the Lord has done for her. The dates aren't important it's what's in the "heart" that's important to Him.
THANK YOU!!! for explaining it so much better than I did... It is simply a designated date. The actual date isn't what is important it is honoring the event  | |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | RodeoCowgirl4u - 2014-10-13 3:36 PM GLP - 2014-10-13 6:38 AM As my kids have become adults and our parents are aging and some in ill health, our whole family has realized the reason we love the holidays is the chance to see each other, eat good food, drink my FIL's version of eggnog and laugh. One side exchanges very few gifts and I think this year we are going homemade or not any presents. The other side exchanges gifts but that is not the focal point of the day. I hope this thread continues because I find other peoples' views very interesting whether I agree or not. I agree with this...I hate how commercialized the holidays have gotten and how they are all about BUY, BUY, BUY!!! (Wal-Mart has Christmas decorations up right now ) but other than that, I LOVE the holidays and seeing everyone and the festivities. My husband's family still wants there to be a TON of presents for the kids, but I am not about that and am ambivalent at best about this idea. My kids don't need to be all excited about Christmas because "PRESENTS!!!!" but to enjoy the entire experience.
We use gifts to make a point. 3 gifts, just like the wise men gave 3 gifts. And we encourage aunts/uncles/grandparents to limit it to 1 so maybe they won't get overwhelmed and will remember where stuff came from. | |
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