Can I Celebrate Jesus Without Celebrating Christmas?

I once was lost in sin...	then I met Jennifer!

About this Entry
Posted by: GBDMan Original: 12/19/2008 5:51 PM Views: 332 Comments: 7 eProps: 10 Read Comments Post a Comment Back to Your Xanga Site

Tags
celebrate christmas december 25 gbdman hallelujah

Who gave the eProps?
2 eProps from: macluhan_was_right craigwbooth forever_hawk08 mattiesuemac Mrs_Lynnette_Marie

Read or Post Comments

Friday, December 19, 2008

Can I Celebrate Jesus Without Celebrating Christmas?

I have read a lot about Christmas recently and the closer we get to the day, I am starting to hear more about it. One brother told us that we only hurt ourselves by not celebrating Christmas. That we lose opportunities to talk to others about Jesus if we close our doors to Christmas.

I want everyone to know that I love Jesus more than anything or anyone else (Jennifer included - - it's o.k., she knows). I am in awe of Him. I thank God for His Lordship AND His salvation on a regular basis, multiple times a day.

I just don't celebrate Christmas.

In the past, I have been called a "heathen" for not celebrating Christmas (and this by folks that live a lot closer to the "heathen" line than I care to venture). I have been told, on numerous occasions, that I lose opportunities to share Jesus by not celebrating Christmas. I don't understand that; I live for Jesus and have opportunities 24/7/365. What does "lose opportunities" mean, anyway?

Recently, after what I thought was a WONDERFUL lesson by young master Jacob regarding worship, we were told of a conversation where one asked:

Can't I stand in awe of God without standing? Can I "sing hallelujah to the Lord" without raising my hands?

I suppose so, that is why I ask - can I celebrate Jesus without celebrating Christmas?

I don't have any horrible Christmas stories, some pretty funny ones actually. I celebrated Christmas before I surrendered to the Lord. That may be the biggest part of it for me. I came to Jesus, on His terms. I learned of Him. I have learned to trust Him, to believe His word, to live for Him. I want to praise Him, to serve Him, to be given completely to Him. I have surrendered, poured out myself, and strive to fill myself back up with Him. I don't want to imagine life without Jesus.

He was born, He lived, He died - HE IS RISEN!!!!!! All of that matters. All of that means everything to me. All of that is why I have hope, why I have joy, why I have peace. I celebrate that every day. I live to celebrate it every moment.

Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night. I'm not having prostate problems, I just hear a noise or get stirred about something (dog, cat, child coughing, Jennifer yelling in her sleep...). I lay still and make sure the house is not on fire and I say a prayer. A short, simple, silent prayer to my Father. Thanking Him for my Lord.

I know what it means to be "outside" of Christ, that is why I am so grateful to God for Him allowing me to be "in" Christ. Sometimes I could just explode... this is the most amazing, most wonderful, most exceptional life imaginable. I am redeemed and I have a Lord in Christ, Jesus.

I will celebrate Him, everyday.

So, just to let you know -

- I won't be offended by someone saying "Merry Christmas".

- I won't be offended by someone wearing green, red, "Ho Ho Ho" shirts, etc.

- I won't be offended by someone having a Christmas tree, party, decorations, meal, picture made...

- I won't be offended by someone celebrating Christmas.

I hope you won't be offended by me, because I don't.

I love you.

Michael

If you must strive, strive for Jesus.

Posted 12/19/2008 5:51 PM - 332 Views - 10 eProps - 7 comments

recommend
recs0
share
email
sent0

Give eProps or Post a Comment

7 Comments

Nice thoughts. Thanks!

Posted 12/19/2008 10:31 PM by macluhan_was_right - reply

Well, that is the path less taken, now isn't it? Celebrate or don't, just do either for the glory of Christ. That is the short version of my view, the long version is here: http://thefaithfulword.org/santa.html

Blessings, and, ok, Merry Christmas!

Posted 12/19/2008 10:48 PM by

craigwbooth - reply

Hmm, thats pretty interesting. So uh, you may know me as, ANDRONICUS!...or Jeremiah.
Anyway, we celebrate Christmas and all, but we (or I really) dont do the whole Santa Clause thing.
I dont like the fact of lying to the kids and all. When I celebrate, I dont say think Jesus was born on Christmas Day, I just celebrate the fact that Jesus came from Heaven, was born, lived, died, and ROSE no matter what time of the year it was. So thats what it is for me, [the present have a little part in it too he he] so yeah, may God BLESS you and see you latro.

Posted 12/21/2008 6:18 PM by forever_hawk08 - reply

I once heard a sermon titled, "Is It From Heaven or Man?" So, I ask you, Jeremiah, is Christmas from God or did man choose a date for Jesus' birthday? John 10 verses 4 & 5 tell us the sheep follow the shepherd (Jesus) for they know his voice. And a stranger will they NOT follow, but will FLEE from him, for they know NOT the voice of strangers. It was the voice of stranger(s) that started the celebration of Christmas. Charles Kuralt, a roving reporter for CBS television, told an interesting story about where Christmas came from, the decorating of the tree, the poinsettia being introduced to the United States by a botonist named Poinsett (bringing it from Mexico), the singing of carols, St. Nick, and more. Mr. Kuralt said the clergy taught against celebrating Christmas as recent as 150 years ago. But the church members, seeing how much fun some of the other churches had celebrating, insisted on doing likewise. And the clergy caved in. He ended his presentation with: "And that is how we got Christmas." I have told this to emphasize everything has a beginning, and the beginning of Christmas did not originate in the inspired word. If a person is enjoying the Christmas celebration, he or she can thank uninspired men who came up with it hundreds of years after Jesus was born. Do not thank the inspired writers of the bible. I leave you with this thought: Is it from God or Man? If it is from man, are the celebrants adding to God's Word?

Posted 12/26/2008 12:38 AM by mattiesuemac - reply

@craigwbooth - Your question, "Well, that is the path less taken, now isn't it?" gets a resounding YES from me. Your question reminded me of verses found in Matthew 7:13 and 14, which say: "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." That tells me that the few that find the strait and narrow will definitely seek the path less taken. I did go the site which was your long version. I plan to post on my site soon a presentation on TV Dec. 19, 1980, by Charles Kuralt, which I recorded. He (now deceased) was a roving reporter for CBS. While standing in Rockefeller Center, he told how many things relating to Christmas originated. Stay tuned.

Posted 12/30/2008 12:01 AM by mattiesuemac - reply

@mattiesuemac - Greetings brother Mattiesuemac. At all times we must keep clear and precise what passages mean. Matthew 7:13-14 refers to salvation (the narrow path). There is little doubt in my mind that you would reject the notion that celebrating Christmas results in a loss of salvation, for I feel you have a better grasp of Scripture than to jump to such a conclusion. Therefore, I do not see that Matthew 7:13-14 applies to whether we should or may celebrate Christmas.

Like Foreverhawk-08, there is no doubt in my mind that December 25 is not the date of the birth of Jesus, some 2000 years ago. It is simply the chosen date to celebrate the event. Similarly, most years, we do not celebrate my own son's birth on the actual date, but wait until it is convenient to gather his friends into the house.

The very cross of Christ, the actual wooden contraption, which we celebrate so much in song, hymn, and writing, was not of Christian origin. It came from the ancient Greek and Roman tradition of torture and cruel execution of its enemies (opposite of the Christian notion of loving one's enemies). But its evil origins do not negate its celebration, its redemption by Christ. Easter (named for the pagan goddess of dawn), was also not of Christian origin, but has been "converted" to Christian use. So long as we do not adopt the pagan values that came with the originals (e.g. the cross, Easter, Christmas) I see little wrong in celebrating aspects of our faith contempraneously with dates chosen by the world. The date means nothing, it is how it is used for God that means everything. Nor does not celebrating mean anything about one's spirituality, so long as one does not celebrate so as to better honor God.

Posted 12/30/2008 12:26 PM by

craigwbooth - reply

I stumbled onto your site from John Fisher's site! I appreciate the passion in your thoughts. And I think it is the most precious thing, what you have at the top of your site.... "I once was lost in sin...... then I met Jennifer" How cute is that!!

Posted 3/5/2009 10:32 AM by Mrs_Lynnette_Marie - reply

Choose Identity

Xanga Network

Anonymous (Sign up for free!)