Comments on: Is December 25 “Christmas” a Christianized pagan holiday?

By: Don Koenig

Don Koenig — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 12:21:59 +0000

In reply to CJ.

Hi CJ,

This is no ordinary birth day. Christians should be celebrating that God tabernacled with humans. The birth of Jesus actually occurred on the Feast of Tabernacles but He was conceived in Mary’s womb around December 25th of that year.

Even so, in the church I go to people’s birthdays and anniversaries are celebrated first thing every Sunday but Communion is celebrated only a couple of times a year. That really does bug me.

By: CJ

CJ — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 08:42:53 +0000

The early church did not celebrate birthdays. This includes their birthdays, their parents birthdays, the birthdays of their children or church congregations. They most certainly did not celebrate Christ’s birthday. This may seem strange to us today but there was nothing weird at all to the early church about not celebrating a birthday. Birthdays were observed, meaning it was noted a person was a full year older, but no fancy celebration was held annually solely for the purpose of birthday commemoration.
They were not accustomed to the practice like we are today which is why no one would get there feelings hurt back in the early church if they were not wished a happy birthday. The whole debate of whether or not Christ was born on Christmas Day is a mute point to the subject.
The only individuals that celebrated a birthday at that time were the pagans as they lauded the birthing process as part of the divine and an object of worship. They therefore would always throw elaborate parties to mark the day of ones birth. The other communities not influenced by the pagan worldview were not accustomed to this practice.
I do not celebrate my birthday or another’s birthday nor do I celebrate Christmas. I see no commandment to celebrate a birth (the feasts do not discuss birthday celebrations). I do not care if you do choose to celebrate birthdays. If you enjoy the practice and love big parties then by all means throw the largest one you can. It does not concern me if you celebrate birthdays or not.

By: John

John — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 10:17:19 +0000

If we are daily setting our minds “on things that are above, where Christ IS, seated at the right hand of God”, who needs Christmas? And yet, many find it can enhance their appreciation of the Lord. There’s room for freedom here.

Personally, the whole “Christmas season” thing becomes forced and insincere at some point, just from sheer overload. I work in the courier business so it’s a crescendo of pressure to the end of year. We are blocked from taking any time off. There are no office parties, just WORK!

This leaves me looking for peace and quiet, not folderol. So my introverted self retreats. I get together with family on Christmas Day and then head back home for quiet.

Gift giving can be fun, but I like to do that throughout the year for friends and family. At Christmas it reaches critical mass and it feels obligatory, not free. Again, if we’re daily sharing in life, who needs to prove anything at Christmas?

Just some thoughts from an oddball who likes smaller, quieter interaction vs. the group.

By: donni

donni — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 16:23:27 +0000

I also believe that the Lord Jesus was most likely conceived on Dec 25th (doesn’t life start at conception?). But I do understand
why some do not like to celebrate Christmas. For myself I think of Christmas as symbolic. I like to think of the Christmas Tree
as the tree of life. Centered in the middle with all having equal access. Under this tree is a beautifully wrapped present for
every person on earth. Unfortunately, you have many groups of people. The first group scoffs, thinking they are too smart to
fall for such a scam. The second group comes to the party to make fun of those who believe in this nonsense. The third group
comes to the party only to keep partying because surely the fun will end when they open up the free gift. The fourth group
comes and finds their gift. They look at this magnificent gift and say “I am not worthy to open such a beautiful gift. I will depart and
do good works. When I have worked hard enough to be worthy – surely someone will then bring me my gift.” The remnant that remains opens
their free gift happily and willingly. They marvel at the simplicity of it all. All they had to do was believe God rather than believing
in God. They believed the gospel of Grace ( 1 Corinthians 15 ) plus nothing (faith plus nothing). Anyway, just thought I would share a
different way of looking at Christmas.

By: john straley

john straley — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 17:33:01 +0000

good morning don john 8:12. re Yashuas birth. i revvied some of your comments and see you had some views about tishrei 1. if you google ‘Bo- Two New Years – Nisan and Tishrei’ and read the part about Justice and Mercy. i found this useful in trying to collate Pashach [spring feasts][GODs mercy completed] and Sukkot [fall feasts][GODs justice to come]. also Hannukah [tevet-10th mo] GOD bless you and yours, john s

By: Don Koenig

Don Koenig — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 04:07:37 +0000

In reply to john straley. I never worked in Santa Clara. There are a lot of Koenig's around and even a number of them are named Don.

By: Don Koenig

Don Koenig — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 04:04:01 +0000

In reply to john straley.

John,

Maybe, but was it at the Lord’s birth or when he was conceived in Mary’s womb? I believe the temple light was known as the light of the world.

By: john straley

john straley — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 00:14:54 +0000

don ps im an old codger [80] and i worked with Don Koenig in santa clara ca in 1970s any chance john

By: john straley

john straley — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 00:07:13 +0000

don GOD does every thing according to his plan and at His time. some say hqnukkah is not in the bible but at john 10:22 He was at the Feast of Dedication also called the Feast of Lights. i dont find it at all strange for the Light of the world to come into the world at that time. john

By: Don Koenig

Don Koenig — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 23:01:29 +0000

In reply to john straley. John, I am not sure what you are saying. Also leave the website block blank if you have none.