Steve and sat down with her and explained that many, many years ago men decided to create a celebration of Jesus' birth. We explained that we do not celebrate Christmas as Christ birth. That we only do things that are in the scriptures and that there is no mention of a memorial for his birth; that the only memorial sanctified in the scriptures is the weekly remembrance of the death, burial, and resurrection--the Lord's supper.
We explained that Santa is the reason for our holiday; Christ is the reason for our life.
And while this is a very unpopular viewpoint and there have been many appalled at our 'taking Christ out of Christmas', to us love, joy, harmony, peace, and especially Christ are not a season. Our love of others and our walk with Christ is a daily journey, not a seasonal celebration. I just wonder how appalled God is by those that leave Him out of their lives 51 weeks out of the year?
All I do, in word or deed, should be done in the name of the Lord.
Just to think about....
- Based on the scripture that states 'the shepherds were out in the fields." historians feel Christ was more than likely born in the Spring NOT winter.
- Leaving Christ in the manger does nothing for our salvation. It is His death and resurrection that saves us.
- There is no scriptural authority for celebrating the birth. The early Christians--those that walked with Christ and the apostles---did not celebrate the birth.
- It was during the 4th century that 'church officials' in Rome decided to create the celebration---centering it around the time of Saturnalia (a celebration in honor of Saturn)
- The only memorial instituted by Christ is the WEEKLY remembrance of his sacrifice on the cross--on the first day of the week.
We will celebrate this jolly man tonight...and keep Christ as the reason for our daily walk though life.
