Christmas anyone?

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by LifeGoesOn

So, for the first time since I was born, I will be celebrating Christmas. I am headed with my family to my mother-in law’s tomorrow on Christmas Eve. My wife and I want to use this holiday to share the Gospel with our kids and create new family traditions centered around the importance of our Messiah coming into the world.

As a kid I was told that we just don’t celebrate Chtistmas. I don’t even recall the reason given for not celebrating it. Just a big void around that time of year and feeling abnormal.

How have you guys felt about celebrating Christmas since you left the LC and who is celebrating it this year?

For years I heard about the pagan origins. Then one day it dawned on me that the only holiday in the LC we can celebrate is Chinese New Year. Wassup wit dat?

Did anyone tell WL about the pagan origins of CNY??? Course not.

Yet he was allowed to use CNY to worship God and preach the gospel, but we Americans could not do the same with Christmas?

Does that not define hypocrisy?

Good for you to use the holiday to tell your kids about the Savior!!!

Read the stories from the Bible.

The next town over has a pilgrimage they put on to re-enact the stories. We went one year. It was great. No one could talk, only pray silently, and relive the events.

In the gloomy midwest, I actually love all the outdoor house decorations. So beautiful.

[LifeGoesOn]

Originally Posted by Ohio

For years I heard about the pagan origins. Then one day it dawned on me that the only holiday in the LC we can celebrate is Chinese New Year. Wassup wit dat?

Did anyone tell WL about the pagan origins of CNY??? Course not.

Yet he was allowed to use CNY to worship God and preach the gospel, but we Americans could not do the same with Christmas?

Does that not define hypocrisy?

Good for you to use the holiday to tell your kids about the Savior!!!

Read the stories from the Bible.

The next town over has a pilgrimage they put on to re-enact the stories. We went one year. It was great. No one could talk, only pray silently, and relive the events.

In the gloomy midwest, I actually love all the outdoor house decorations. So beautiful.

Good point. And having grown up in the Midwest too, I loved the way that Christmas lights lit up the evenings and broke the depressing hold those grey Midwestern skies had on us during the winter (seemingly half the year LOL).

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by LifeGoesOn

Good point. And having grown up in the Midwest too, I loved the way that Christmas lights lit up the evenings and broke the depressing hold those grey Midwestern skies had on us during the winter (seemingly half the year LOL).

I wish they would keep the lights on until March.

[LifeGoesOn]

Originally Posted by Ohio

I wish they would keep the lights on until March.

Ah, but you can my friend. I’ll let you in on a little loophole I discovered. They’re called “Italian lights” and you can hand them year ‘round. 😉

[countmeworthy]

Originally Posted by Ohio

I wish they would keep the lights on until March.

Why not all year? The bible tells us we are going to have mansions. I have already requested Christmas lights to decorate my mansion ! Of course, my mansion is going to look like an Ark filled with animals and a water fall too ! And LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS OF LOVE...GLORY LOVE OF JESUS..

Music by ABBA... I have been listening to some of those old songs...such angelic voices and musical talents... been praying for their salvation. I don't think Europe with all it's religious rituals ever felt Jesus touch them. And thus it's not too late for ABBA GOD to touch this Swedish band of old.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by countmeworthy

Why not all year? The bible tells us we are going to have mansions. I have already requested Christmas lights to decorate my mansion ! Of course, my mansion is going to look like an Ark filled with animals and a water fall too ! And LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS OF LOVE...GLORY LOVE OF JESUS..

Bible never says we will have "mansions." Bad KJV translation, gives the readers a wrong impression of what the Lord said.

If some Belair mansion in the hills of LA comes to your mind, then you really need to rethink it all to include Santa Anna winds and forest fires.

[countmeworthy]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Bible never says we will have "mansions." Bad KJV translation, gives the readers a wrong impression of what the Lord said.

If some Belair mansion in the hills of LA comes to your mind, then you really need to rethink it all to include Santa Anna winds and forest fires.

Who told you the bible says we will not have mansions? WL? WN? Some bible 'scholar' with a 'doctorate degree'?

So.. bad translation? What is the correct translation? I have heard it's 'AN ABODE'.. when I asked to define 'abode', I got 'ABODE!!' 'ABODE'!! 'ABODE'!! The person could not define abode!

See.. if we are going to say 'bad translation'.. we should not stop there! Inquiring minds want the true meaning.

So brother 'sage'. What is the true meaning of 'mansions' and / or 'abode'?

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2 AKJ, Young's literal translation,)

There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. (easy to read version)

In my Father’s house are many dwelling places: if it were not so, I would have told you: I go to prepare a place for you. (Geneva bible)

In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you. amplified

Is Revelation 21:21 also 'fake translation'?
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each separate gate being built of one solid pearl. And the main street (the broadway) of the city was of gold as pure and translucent as glass.

[awareness]

Originally Posted by countmeworthy

Who told you the bible says we will not have mansions? WL? WN? Some bible 'scholar' with a 'doctorate degree'?

So.. bad translation? What is the correct translation? I have heard it's 'AN ABODE'.. when I asked to define 'abode', I got 'ABODE!!' 'ABODE'!! 'ABODE'!! The person could not define abode!

See.. if we are going to say 'bad translation'.. we should not stop there! Inquiring minds want the true meaning.

So brother 'sage'. What is the true meaning of 'mansions' and / or 'abode'?

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2 AKJ, Young's literal translation,)

There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. (easy to read version)

In my Father’s house are many dwelling places: if it were not so, I would have told you: I go to prepare a place for you. (Geneva bible)

In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you. amplified

Is Revelation 21:21 also 'fake translation'?
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each separate gate being built of one solid pearl. And the main street (the broadway) of the city was of gold as pure and translucent as glass.

Well you covered pretty much all the different translations. I don't know, but bro Ohio may mean "many rooms."

But that's not grand enough for us. We like to think we'll be in a mansion. We can't believe we'll only be in a 200 sq. ft. mini-apartment. We have to believe that if Jesus is providing it it's got to be The Grand Budapest Hotel, or a Trump Tower, at least. That's just our ego talking. We think we're the center of God's world.

[LifeGoesOn]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Bible never says we will have "mansions." Bad KJV translation, gives the readers a wrong impression of what the Lord said.

If some Belair mansion in the hills of LA comes to your mind, then you really need to rethink it all to include Santa Anna winds and forest fires.

I am excited to see what God has in store for us in eternity. John Eldredge wrote a book called “All Things New”? I have not read it, but I watched several videos where he discusses it and it was very encouraging.

Part 1: https://youtu.be/rnHiYOYZeJ8

Part 2: https://youtu.be/69v-7ihB5uU

Part 3: https://youtu.be/69v-7ihB5uU

Part 4: https://youtu.be/jXoVa7A5FTM

Part 5 https://youtu.be/erWMwDcoRJM

Part 6: https://youtu.be/TLZF3KoYhqI

I tell my wife that the LC version of eternity is a giant hotel conference room where everyone sits in their Adirondack folding chairs and stares into an endless blue chalkboard. LOL.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by LifeGoesOn

I am excited to see what God has in store for us in eternity.

I tell my wife that the LC version of eternity is a giant hotel conference room where everyone sits in their Adirondack folding chairs and stares into an endless blue chalkboard. LOL.

I have some nice Adirondacks in my back patio. They are upgraded with gliders. Definite improvement! No chalkboards.

[countmeworthy]

Originally Posted by Ohio

For years I heard about the pagan origins. Then one day it dawned on me that the only holiday in the LC we can celebrate is Chinese New Year. Wassup wit dat?

Did anyone tell WL about the pagan origins of CNY??? Course not.

Yet he was allowed to use CNY to worship God and preach the gospel, but we Americans could not do the same with Christmas?

Does that not define hypocrisy?

Good for you to use the holiday to tell your kids about the Savior!!!

Read the stories from the Bible.

The next town over has a pilgrimage they put on to re-enact the stories. We went one year. It was great. No one could talk, only pray silently, and relive the events.

In the gloomy midwest, I actually love all the outdoor house decorations. So beautiful.

I have celebrated Christmas off and on for umpteen years. of course I have also been free from the LC clutches for umpteen years!!!

Was WL a hypocrite for celebrating the CNY... hmm... one thing he was for sure is that HE WAS A CONTROL FREAK!

I too love the night light Christmas decors. For years and years I thought Christmas was the perfect time to take the opportunity to share Jesus with people. I always remember Paul's message at Mars hill to the Greeks: Let me tell you about this 'unknown God'. Oh that God would anoint our hearts and minds and give us the words to bring Jesus to people as the day draws near.