Christmas woes

[acresofhope]

Well, first of all, my sister got set back in her Navy training. She should have been home a few days from now, but she failed one of her tests, plus she fractured her leg. My mom's been crying, which is probably the worse thing. I hate it when people cry, especially when I know there's nothing I can do about it.

Second...this whole season bothers me. Don't get me wrong, I love love love the music...a good bit of it anyway. But all the trees and Santa and mistletoe, especially the time of year we celebrate the birth of the Messiah...it bothers me. I know my heart, and I don't think it would matter what time of year I celebrate His birth...BUT the fact that someone in the past decided to celebrate it at the same time the pagans celebrate the birth of the sun god is leading people away from the truth. Pagans say, "You know those Christians are a bunch of liars," tell them the truth, and then the majority of those people consider the Gospel a sham. It bothers me. I find no more joy in celebrating this time of year. I don't knock on anybody else, and as much as I'd like to tell my grandparents not to give me money, they wouldn't listen to me. They didn't when I told them not to give me money for offering.

Anyway, I'm not trying to preach or anything, but I think we need to change. I think Christians, for the sake of all people everywhere, should find a more accurate time to celebrate the birth of Messiah. My Jewish friends said they think He was born in September or October. I'll have to find the article on that and copy it for you guys in the next few days.

But anyway...I hope I didn't make anybody mad. But if I did...oh well.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/__mo__/]

With you 100% It really grates with me when I hear Christian friends talking about "the reason for the season" when I want to shout out - "ITS NOT" It makes us seem like liers at worst or totally misled at best.

I also heard a theory about it being closer to September. It was based on the fact that in Luke 1 we are told that Zechariah, a priest in the division of Abijah, was on duty in the temple when he was visited to say that Elizabeth was pregnant with John. Mary was also pregnant. So work out when Zechariah's devision were on duty and add 9 months. Apparently this is what leads to Sept. (Besides, shepherds dont watch their flocks by night in December, they're nicely tucked up inside.)

My own view is that lifes to short to get worked up about it so I enjoy the season for the aspects I like (friends / family / giving) but leave out the spiritual elements. I'm not sure Jesus is that bothered about us celebrating his birthday - what does that point mean in his infinity? - more important perhaps is the point at which he died, not because it marks the end of his time on earth but the work of the cross.

Whoops - going on a bit, hopefully makes up for not commenting for so long ;)

Mo.

[silverlightstar.livejournal.com]

Sure...if I make a post like this, I get flamed. ^^;

When Grandma and Grandpa give you money, give it to charity. ^^

[acresofhope.livejournal.com]

That's just it, Marie. I am the charity most of the time. But still...I guess I could put it to better use. I could keep some for my studies and use some to feed some hungry homeless people! Glad I still have a set of grandparents who haven't given me money yet!

[silverlightstar.livejournal.com]

I could keep some for my studies and use some to feed some hungry homeless people!

Good idea; I'm sure that there are homeless shelters that could use the funds.

[fairyranikata.livejournal.com]

Christmas is about Jesus's birth and celebrating it with your family. =D Sometimes people can forget that, and that can be sad.

my two cents

[ex-airehen.livejournal.com]

I understand your viewpoint, but I think of it more as reclaiming the day. And it does kinda make sense in a symbolic way. To celebrate the days getting longer and "the light" returning to the world. What better light to celebrate the Jesus!

And besides, it would seem kinda strange to me - to celebrate it in the spring, well, then you would have His birth one week and His death the next.

Yes, alot of our associated traditional symbols have many different origins and have been changed around, but hey, even C.S. Lewis included Olde Saint Nick Narnia.
Jesus is the reason for the season of Christmas! and Advent, and the twelve days of Christmas, & the festival of the Epiphany. What better way to push back the darkness of the past with the greatest light of all time, the LORD.