Christmas anyone?

[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?

[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. 😉

[BlueOrchid]

I celebrated this year for the first time with the least amount of guilt!
It was so much fun.

I remember the emptiness and loneliness as a child, waking up alone with everything closed, siblings arguing, etc. Left alone with nothing to do and nothing open. So sad! I was resentful that the training took away family time and it especially hurt at this time of year. Year after year parents sat getting "trained" while their kids were away from them. So sad.
Interesting point about Chinese New Year. I never thought about it that way and you are so right!

~BlueOrchid

[LifeGoesOn]

Originally Posted by BlueOrchid

I remember the emptiness and loneliness as a child, waking up alone with everything closed, siblings arguing, etc. Left alone with nothing to do and nothing open. So sad! I was resentful that the training took away family time and it especially hurt at this time of year. Year after year parents sat getting "trained" while their kids were away from them. So sad.
Interesting point about Chinese New Year. I never thought about it that way and you are so right!

~BlueOrchid

[LifeGoesOn]

Originally Posted by BlueOrchid

I celebrated this year for the first time with the least amount of guilt!
It was so much fun...

~BlueOrchid

[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.

[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.

[countmeworthy]

Originally Posted by LifeGoesOn

I remember seeing the Chinese calendar pushed by the LC back in the mid 70s. So many of the pics looked demonic and the LC leadership simply winked at it.

[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.

[JJ]

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?

I try not to let “Christmas” be a distraction, but focus on enjoying the opportunity to appreciate the Lord’s first coming while looking forward to His second coming.

Christians in the community churches I’ve attended since 2000 mostly get that, and messages along those lines are shared every year.

[LifeGoesOn]

Originally Posted by JJ

I try not to let “Christmas” be a distraction, but focus on enjoying the opportunity to appreciate the Lord’s first coming while looking forward to His second coming.

Christians in the community churches I’ve attended since 2000 mostly get that, and messages along those lines are shared every year.

Exactly. 😃

[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.

[Evangelical]

Jesus never celebrated His birthday. It was more customary to celebrate a persons death in Judaism.

The reason is that no one knows what a person will be like in future good or bad. Even Hitlers parents celebrated his first birthday im guessing but I think they wouldnt have if they knew who he would become.

This view is reflected in the bible..
Ecc 7.1 the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth.

To celebrate the good things a person has done over their lifetime is better than celebrating an unknown future.

[Evangelical]

If each person has a big mansion each it will seem rather isolated and lonely and what would we do with all the empty rooms.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

Jesus never celebrated His birthday. It was more customary to celebrate a persons death in Judaism.

The reason is that no one knows what a person will be like in future good or bad. Even Hitlers parents celebrated his first birthday im guessing but I think they wouldnt have if they knew who he would become.

This view is reflected in the bible..
Ecc 7.1 the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth.

To celebrate the good things a person has done over their lifetime is better than celebrating an unknown future.

The heavenly host of angels and some shepherds certainly celebrated Jesus’ birth. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage...2&version=NASB

Most Christians therefore celebrate Jesus’ birth.... and also His death, resurrection, ascension, high priesthood, and kingdom.

Why get into a squabble about celebrating any of these things? Kinda misses the point, don’t you think?

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

If each person has a big mansion each it will seem rather isolated and lonely and what would we do with all the empty rooms.

Here’s a link to Greek concordance references on the word in question:
http://biblehub.com/greek/3438.htm

Funny that Evangelical assumes the rooms of a “mansion” would be empty.

I don’t care to debate the translation. I do like to look forward to this . Gonna be better than words can describe!

[clever sister]

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?

My first Christmas outside of LC I was living in a country where my only family member was a cousin who was never in LC. I asked him if I could spend Christmas holiday with him and was kindly allowed to join his wife's family celebration. Christmas eve we went to a Christmas service, which was the first time I had been to anything Christianity related since leaving LC. When I woke up on Christmas morning at the breakfast table was a make-shift stocking my cousin and his wife and filled with a few presents for me. My first Christmas stocking in my life! We then headed to his wife's sisters house and I was made to feel like part of the family. Several of her family members gave me presents even though they had never met me before. It was so delightful, I was only indirectly related to these people but they showed me what the "Christmas spirit" is all about.

And so the second Christmas I had away from home I invited a friend who was also away from home to spend the day with me. We had great fun, making a ginger bread house, cooking meals together, watching Christmas movies.

[Nell]

Originally Posted by clever sister

My first Christmas outside of LC I was living in a country where my only family member was a cousin who was never in LC. I asked him if I could spend Christmas holiday with him and was kindly allowed to join his wife's family celebration. Christmas eve we went to a Christmas service, which was the first time I had been to anything Christianity related since leaving LC. When I woke up on Christmas morning at the breakfast table was a make-shift stocking my cousin and his wife and filled with a few presents for me. My first Christmas stocking in my life! We then headed to his wife's sisters house and I was made to feel like part of the family. Several of her family members gave me presents even though they had never met me before. It was so delightful, I was only indirectly related to these people but they showed me what the "Christmas spirit" is all about.

And so the second Christmas I had away from home I invited a friend who was also away from home to spend the day with me. We had great fun, making a ginger bread house, cooking meals together, watching Christmas movies.

WHAT??? No football?

Nell

[clever sister]

Originally Posted by Nell

WHAT??? No football?

Nell

Is this a States thing?

[Nell]

Originally Posted by clever sister

Is this a States thing?

Absolutely. Watch football until you have square eyeballs.

[Sons to Glory!]

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?

So I know this is a little late, being that it's almost June! And I haven't read what others have posted, so that will be interesting to read . . .

Since leaving the LC I've been all over the map regarding Xmas. I used to rail against it, because it is basically just a pagan holiday with some Christ things added in by the Church in Rome to pretty it up. But I'm surrounded by people who do celebrate it, although they are not really sure why. In the end, it's just like the Roman Catholic Church - a big hairy mystery . . . a little dark (all the overt moneymaking of "the season") but glittery.

But what has been the result of me railing against this mixed-bag holiday - Did one person get saved from it? Not that I'm aware. Did one person even get life from what I told them? I doubt it. Do I loose my peace? Yes.

(And it fascinates me that there are so many glorious songs and hymns about Christ that people hear during this season, but it seems as if nothing of light comes through in their hearts. Maybe I'm wrong, and I hope I am, but I haven't seen much of that happen at all. In fact, I wonder if it anesthetizes people to the glory of Christ by mixing reindeer and Deck the Halls party type songs with Silent Night and other such hymns. Maybe though it's like Paul said - at least Christ is preached . . .)

Ultimately I came to realize that the bottom line is, if my brother honors that day, I will honor it with him. If he doesn't honor it, I'm there too. That is, I endeavor not to be any stumbling to anyone, nor to break the oneness of the Spirit. I doubt that at the Bema Seat the Lord will look at any of us and be critical about whether or not we celebrated Christmas. What I think He is concerned about is whether I stumble my brother or build him up!

So brother, if you celebrate Christmas, do it unto Him. If you don't celebrate it, do it unto Him.

Now to read what others have said . . .

[Evangelical]

If your Christian brother celebrates Ramadan what do you do then? And sometimes Muslims return the favor, they celebrate Christmas themselves and support Christians celebrating it.

[UntoHim]

Really Mr. E? Christians celebrating Ramadan? Ramadan is a Muslim holiday. Your wisecrack is not only in bad taste, it's off topic. Please start engaging your mind before you engage your keyboard. Fair enough?
-

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

If your Christian brother celebrates Ramadan what do you do then? And sometimes Muslims return the favor, they celebrate Christmas themselves and support Christians celebrating it.

I don't know - guess I'd have to rely on the Anointing to tell me!

[Evangelical]

Originally Posted by UntoHim

Really Mr. E? Christians celebrating Ramadan? Ramadan is a Muslim holiday. Your wisecrack is not only in bad taste, it's off topic. Please start engaging your mind before you engage your keyboard. Fair enough?
-

In Muslim countries Christians can and do observe Ramadan together as much as any Muslim might observe Christmas:

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ne...ast-iftar.html


In the US:

"Christians Host Muslims at Kansas Megachurch for Ramadan Dinner":

http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2018/...ramadan-dinner

Over 300 Muslims and Christians gathered last week at a megachurch in Kansas to share a meal after sunset based on Muslim tradition during Ramadan.