| TheAshWolf |
08-11-2014 07:08 PM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ember
(Post 552266)
(Just going to slip in my input, if you don't mind. I don't mean to undermine anyone else's beliefs, this is purely just my thoughts.)
There are certainly many pagan origins to many holidays. However, I don't think it's wrong to celebrate holidays. I celebrate Christmas because i am worshipping Christ and his birth. I celebrate Easter because I am worshipping Christ and the Atonement. Just because they may have disturbing pagan backgrounds doesn't mean that that is what the holiday is about. I'm not very good with words, but I guess what I'm trying to say is that all that matters is the spirit of the holiday, and the reason you celebrate it. As in most things, it's the thought that counts. Cliche, yes. But I believe that Christmas is good for lack of a better word because it is a day to remember and worship the Savior. And it certainly helps me to grow closer to Christ as I remember him.
I wish I could explain it a bit better but hopefully I somewhat portrayed my opinion on the subject.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Elizabeth
(Post 552255)
Okay, I'm entering your conversation simply because the whole holiday thing is something I've been wondering about for a while. My family has always celebrated the holidays because it's just what my parents grew up with and it's just what lots of people do. We never thought anything might be wrong. But now, we've been wondering and thinking a lot about it and don't know exactly what to think.
I have a friend who has very strong opinions. Her family doesn't celebrate Christmas and Easter, at least, not in the usual way. They celebrate Passover. I got into a conversation with her about it with her one day. Our choir teacher mentioned something about coming to her church on Easter because they had a special program going on or something. My friend had a bit of a disgusted look on her face and commented that she wouldn't go. I asked her if she was going to go to her church. I believe she said that she wasn't even going to go to her church. I found that really strange, because I didn't think her family would skip Easter, which is an important holiday for Christians, you know, celebrating Jesus's resurrection. Well, she explained, in not the most tactful way, that it was a pagan holiday. I told her that my family wasn't worshipping some pagan goddess. She kinda just looked at me like, "well, you're obviously very confused." It bugged me because she was practically accusing me of worshipping a pagan goddess.
Well, I went home and my mom and I began researching the matter more. We found articles about all the ways Easter is connected with pagan worship. It disturbed me, and I'm still thinking about it. I mean, I pointed out to my mom that a lot of days could have pagan meanings, but that didn't mean we shouldn't celebrate stuff on them. However, it's not a very strong argument. I just don't know what to think. These are things we've always done, always celebrated. It's hard to start thinking and doing differently now. I would ask my friend more about it, but um, I think she'd be hard to talk to about it.
I'm sorry for cutting into your conversation, but this is something that has bugged me for a while and I thought you might be able to tell me more or something.
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Hey, guys!
Sorry for the semi-late reply, but, I have something I'd like to add to this. ^_^
It's great that you both want to show your appreciation for what Jesus did for us! It's critical to our spiritual health that we celebrate this occasion correctly, though. I know neither of you approve of the Pagan aspects of Christmas and Easter, and that's a good thing. But, I think we should turn to the Bible for advice. Researching articles online are helpful, too, but, the primary authority here should be what the Bible says on the matter, don't you think?
2 Corinthians 6:14-17 says, "For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Be′li·al [meaning “Good for Nothing.” A reference to Satan.]? Or what does a believer share in common with an unbeliever? And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols? Just as God said: “‘...Therefore, get out from among them, and separate yourselves.’" God doesn't want our worship to be mixed with paganism in any way. How can we practice things we know originated with false religions with a clean conscience? While your friend, Elizabeth, was very harsh about this topic, what her point was is very valid. She shouldn't have been so condescending. But, she's on the right track when it comes to Christmas and Easter.
Consider this fact, too: There's no scripture anywhere in the Bible mentioning Easter or Christmas.
However, Jesus DID directly tell us how we should celebrate the ransom sacrifice and his death. Luke 22:17-20 says, ."And accepting a cup, he gave thanks and said: 'Take this and pass it from one to the other among yourselves, for I tell you, from now on, I will not drink again from the product of the vine until the Kingdom of God comes.' Also, he took a loaf, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying: 'This means my body, which is to be given in your behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me.' Also, he did the same with the cup after they had the evening meal, saying: 'This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood, which is to be poured out in your behalf'."
He said nothing about presents or Christmas trees or rabbits and eggs. He directly said, in remembrance of him, we should pass the unleavened bread (representing his body) and a cup of red wine (representing his blood). While we are not required to celebrate the Passover holiday along with that, since that was a separate matter, we should keep this Memorial of Jesus Christ's death (also called The Lord's Evening Meal). If you would like to read more about this, I suggest you look at this article here. |
