Christmas
EMail This PostAfter answering all the questions in the Thanksgiving post, we are almost in cline to just have everyone read it, but we will touch on it a bit here so it does get addressed.
In the early days of the Watchtower, Christmas was a holiday that was celebrated like many others. It wasn’t until later in the 1900’s that it became taboo. Keep in mind that the Watchtower claims to be the voice of God, so I guess God was ok with it and then stopped being ok with it. (If I could get one thing across to a Jehovah’s Witness, it would be the fact that God is the same yesterday, today and forever as it says in the Bible) Anyway, now the big thing that the Watchtower wants to focus on and has the Jehovah’s Witnesses bringing up as an argument, is the fact the December 25th is NOT the day he was born.
I’m sorry, but who really cares about the day? Is it that important to stop celebrating it? NO it’s not! Then they want to bring up pagan this and pagan that as a way to say people shouldn’t celebrate it. Well, we have a big problem with that. As I stated in one of my responses in a post, we don’t care why anyone else celebrates it and we don’t care why. We don’t care that for many it’s about money, making money, getting material things, Santa, Christmas trees and the like. It’s about what is in each and everyone’s heart that counts. God knows your heart and you can’t hide from him, so you have nothing to fear if you are celebrating the reason for the season.
We want to point something out here. Satan tries to be a great mimic of God and will try and steal away his glory at any cost. If we were to stop celebrating things because others did it for pagan reasons, we would never celebrate anything that God gives us. Think about it, anytime satan wanted to end any kind of worship or celebrations, all he would need to do would be to mimic it with pagans, and we would stop. Is that what God would want?
My goodness, we think the Watchtower should come up with Biblical reason why the birth of Jesus should not be celebrated, not make up their own. Show me in the Bible where it says we shouldn’t. And we talk about birthdays, please read my article on birthdays.
Enjoy the season and the reason for it! Hallelujah! Emmanuel is born! And what does that word mean the Hebrew??? GOD IS WITH US!!
December 9th, 2006 at 7:51 pm
Your argument is as good as any 5 year old kid.
So, Dec 25th was really not the day jesus was born, but its ok to celebrate it, and who cares?
Ok, say you are a judge, and you sentenced someone completely innocent for 10 years in prison. After the 9th year in prison, it turns out the evidences points to his innocence.
Will you keep him in the prison for another year? Just cause you dont care?
The whole point of celebrating chrismas was that it was Jesus’s birthday, now, if it turns out that it really wan’t his birthday? what the heck is the point of celebrating it?
I dont know about pagan stuff you are talking about.
But your argument is just pure garbage and dumb.
December 10th, 2006 at 10:48 pm
Wow, yes you got it!! It’s not about the day! It’s about the gift.I’m not sure I follow your thoughts here, maybe you can help me out.
If you think it’s about a day, and you ask “what the heck is the point?”, I think you need to understand who he is and it is obvious you don’t.
As the Bible says, there will come a day where “every knee will bow and every tounge will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of the Father”. So you either do it now, or you do it when it’s to late, and now that you have read this, you have now been warned and Jesus will not let you say you did not know.
God Bless,
pedward
December 12th, 2006 at 3:26 pm
I believe somewhere in the bible it says something about letting man observe one day to be higher than the rest or something like that - which is basically saying it is ok to celebrate any holiday - do you happen to know where in the bible that is?
December 12th, 2006 at 8:34 pm
Nancy, that would be Romans 14:5-6.
December 16th, 2006 at 1:43 pm
I believe that Christmas is a day to celebrate Jesus’s day of birth whether it is on December 25th or not. I don’t think calendars have much use in heaven. I believe it is a day set a side to celebrate Jesus’s birth whether he was born then or not. On that day I celebrate his birth and his life. I don’t know why at least, AT LEAST, one day should be specifically put aside to celebrate Jesus.
I don’t believe that commercialism should have any part in Christmas. I don’t believe that Santa is a bigger figure or should be portrayed as a bigger figure than Jesus. Jesus is what I celebrate and that is all that matters for me and my family.
I am a Christian and cannot understand people who would want to seperate Jesus from God, which is what I believe is the only job of Jehovah’s witnesses.
December 18th, 2006 at 2:02 pm
You know the bible tells us that we will know someone by their fruits and from what I’ve been reading, the Jehovahs witness teachings reminds me a lot of rat poison, 99 percent of substance to lure you in and 1 percent of poison, I really think that we need to stick to the teachings of the Lord Jesus right out of the good old King James version and stopping listening to mans made up doctorine, I mean come on the only book that we should be reading out of is the Bible, even if the Watchtowers book may have 99 percent of things that christians want to hear, it still has that 1 percent of poison because was not written by God but by man. Satan sure is a tricky one.
December 20th, 2006 at 4:09 pm
Comming from a family history of Jehovah’s witnesses, I can say that it is not their objective to seperate Jesus from God. Jehovah is the father of Jesus, and Jesus is the son of Jehovah. Is that not what they believe in? I think celebrating a holiday that is not correct is not right. One can celebrate Jesus’s birthday everyday, not just for one day.
December 21st, 2006 at 12:50 am
Tim, I cannot see how you can say that the Jehovahs Witness DO NOT seperate Jesus from God and where you may be lead to believe they do not. Please show me. You’re right, Jesus is the son of Jehovah, no one here is doubting that. What Holiday is incorrect? So setting aside “one” day is wrong, but if you celebrate it everday it’s ok. Is that right? Show me in the Bible where its wrong. I’ll give you 1 full year to find it. Now Tim, when you come back next year, please know that we don’t care if you were right or wrong. We love ya anyway, just like Jesus does. Don’t wait that long, it may be to late.
December 21st, 2006 at 6:06 pm
Well, the Bible doesn’t say it’s wrong to be happy about Jesus’ birth; because the angels announced it as a glorious occasion. However, if it was a good thing to celebrate annually, don’t you think the gospels, or the book of Acts, or maybe the Epistles, or maybe secular history would have recorded that Jesus Christ or the primitive Christians annually commemorated his birth thereafter?
December 22nd, 2006 at 11:32 am
Back in the bible days they believed it was okay to beat your children (if you beat your son he will not die) as a means of discipline. They sacrificed animals, etc. how can we use those times and practices to determine what is right for us today? Jesus is the reason and the date should not be the focus. God cares far more for our intention.
December 23rd, 2006 at 9:40 am
First of all, I’m Christian, and I think it’s called: “Born again Christian” if we need a label. But, basically I believe in Jesus Christ and I strive to be like Jesus Christ (though, I fall short, being that I am human). My mom was/is Jehovah’s Witness and I grew up going to that Church. I learned all the Bible stories and loved learning them, and it gave me the base I needed to seek Jesus as an adult.
Samantha says: “Back in the Bible days they believed it was okay to beat your children…, How can we use those times and practices to determine what is right for us today?”
And, Jehovah’s Witnesses have changed their belief’s/practices since starting…so doesn’t that match? If the times have changed, and practices have changed in general Christianity, then how are the Jehovah Witnesses incorrect to change their practices? I’m not saying I believe their ways, I do not. But, it’s basically the same thing isn’t it?
Then, I ask, in the old testament things are different from the new testament…so we are to follow the new testament? The Jews follow the old? (that is because they do not believe Jesus is son of God?) OH, all of this could give me a headache. Does the word Faith mean what it’s meant to mean to anyone else? I learned it recently, and I believe I HAVE TO HAVE FAITH!!! THis may not make much sense, but to me, it does. I believe, if you believe in Jesus, and you strive to be the better person…and fight off the thoughts and actions of sin, then you will definitely be on Gods list, if there is alist. I don’t believe he JUDGES anyone!! Isn’t that in the Bible?
December 23rd, 2006 at 2:32 pm
The argument that Jehova’s Witness vs. Christians: the belief that Christ-mas should not be celebrated because Jesus was not born on that day is just an excuse, and it is ludicrous. The Devil is a Liar! It is very true that we cannot be certain on what particular day Jesus was born. Does that mean that we are not to celebrate the most important birth that ever was and will be? Let’s look at this in the context of what it really is. Are we arguing the fact that Jesus was born and is and was alive? The angels celebrated and said that we should celebrate. Who are we to deviate from the word of God? The true meaning of Christmas is expressed in John 3:16-17 says that “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” The true meaning of Christ-mas is God’s becoming a human being in the person of Jesus Christ. God did this because he loves us! God is love (1John 4:8). Out of gratitude for what God did for us, we remember His birth by giving each other gifts, worshipping Him, and being especially conscious of the poor and less fortunate. The true meaning of Christ-mas is LOVE. God loved us so much that He wanted to provide a way for us to spend eternity with Him. He gave His only Son to take our punishment for our sins, he paid the price in Full! We are free from condemnation when we accept that free gift of LOVE. God demonstrated his own love for us in this: while we are still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8)
It has been erroneously claimed that Christ-mas simply a Christianized version of ancient, pagan mid-winter festivals. This myth is more a conspiracy theory than fact, and is more often than not rooted in poor scholarship and wild speculations. THE ANGELS REJOICED OVER THE BIRTH OF JESUS, AND THE EVENT WAS RECORDED IN THE BIBLE, TO BE REMEMBERED BY BELIEVERS (LUKE 1:46-2:38). Obviously, we are free to rejoice and commemorate His birth as well.We don’t know for sure about the date being December 25th, but we do know that countless Christians have believed it since 3rd century. Through research and biblical calculations, various excellent scholars reached the conclusion that Jesus was born on this particular date. Certain pagan religeons did celebrate holidays on or close to this day. No matter which date or season the Church picked for their holiday, some pagan religeon somewhere in the world, would celebrate a pagan holiday at the same time. The church did not compromise with paganism or Christianize a pagan holdiay. Rather, they offered an alternative, a brand new holiday, Christmas. Christmas is actually more like the Jewish Chanukah feast, and nothing like the pagan mid-winter festival, which were more like wild carnivals filled with superstition, magic rituals, sacrifices indeulgence and orgies.
The first Christmas tree was decorated by Protestant Christians in 16th century Germany, the Advent wreath was invented by Johann Hinrich Wichern in the 1830’s, also in Germany. These symbols are evangelistic tools and have an entirely Christian meaning.
Do you put flowers on graves of your loved ones? or have you ever showered newlyweds with rice? These were originally pagan customs and the meanings through time have changed.
There is nothing wrong in rejoicing at the birth of Jesus and we are free to do this annually, even on a new holiday that we may invent for ourselves, to the glory of God (Esther 9:18-32).
Whether you choose to celebrate Christmas or not, make your decision based upon what would honor God the most in your life. Whatever you do, do it for the Lord, and always keep your focus on Him.Christmas is all about the King of Kings and that once was born as a fragile, little Jewish baby boy in the town of Bethlehem..
For more information please feel free to visit: gotquestions.com and the biblegateway.com
December 24th, 2006 at 6:23 am
i thank GOD for his mercy and his grace,i like to say to jehovah witness please beware of john 1;10,you guys all ways want someone to take your books and material,but when we as christians try to give you the truth you refuse,be careful because you are refusing jesus by saying that he is not GOD,thats enough to land you in the grave you guys talk about.
December 24th, 2006 at 8:15 am
I have no reason to believe in god when i look at the way our kids are treated in school by the head teacher in lanark grammar school.
December 24th, 2006 at 3:23 pm
James, I know how you feel, but it’s sin that is the problem here, not God. It can be very hard now a days to look around and wonder if there is a God because of all the hate and evil. However, this does not mean there is no God. God gave man free will to choose right or wrong, so it is really a persons own choice to do right or wrong.
As another note, I want you to imagine a beautiful painting that I am showing you. You see the trees, the lake, the nice log cabin with flowers around it. The colors are so vivid. Now, if I told you that this painting happened because of an explosion in a paint factory, that just happened to be right next door to a canvas company, that just happened to be next door to a framing company and it just all came together at just the right time, what would you think? Exactly, with intelligent design, there must be a designer.
Now take a walk in the woods and look at the design. Yes, there is a God and the Bible says that “a fool says in his heart, there is no God”. There is a God who loves you and longs for you to know him so he can show you things you could never imagine.
December 25th, 2006 at 7:23 am
I too come from a long line of Jehovah’s Witnesses. My great great father was an international bible student, his son did not take their faith and then his daughter which is my mother became a Jehovah’s Witness in 1948 and is one to this day. I was raised in the religion and left when I was 33 and am now 47. I learned many valuable lessons on family life as I would have in any family that had these values, I learned how to be a great sales person as if you can knock on doors at the age of 8 and sell religion you can sell anything. I have read all the comments above about religion and the trinity beleif etc and this is MY beleif: All religion is from the Devil or whatever you want to call the negative forces in the universe. The Bible is a wonderful book full of information and experiences that all the people in it went through. It is “Inspired of God and beneficial for reproving and setting things straight” and if everyone followed the basic fundamentals of the Bible teachings the world would be a better place. However it is also not the book itself but what each person that reads it….takes from it. For instance we can all go and read the book by Louise Hay “You Can Heal Your Life” a book that has helped 1,000’s of people around the world since it was written. But each and everyone of us will get something different out of it. It will affect each of us differently and that is a wonderful and healing opportunity for all who read it. HOWEVER what would be wrong would be for me or any of you reading this to deny that the message that each of us got from reading that book was WRONG. If would be also WRONG for for me or any of you to get “like minded” people to OUR own view of that book and preach and rant and rave that OTHERS points of view and lessons from that book were wrong to the point that wars would break out over it and people would be killed over it. Yet that is what RELIGION has done and is doing to this very day and so what I would like everyone to consider is this: Dont judge others by what they beleive. Pity the people that are locked in to religion and cults and sects and blindly follow the beleifs of others because they are too weak and mindless to have their own point of view and take comfort in the fact that as they read this wonderful book the BIBLE they are able to use the lessons in it to love EVERYONE not just those that are “like minded” to their beliefs. Religion will be wiped out and the BIBLE fortells this in Revelation when it says that the wild beast with 7 heads and 10 horns will be turn on the Harlet (Which is Relgion) Its only a matter of time so beware that you are not involved with this Harlot called religion unless you end up the same way it will.
IRene
December 29th, 2006 at 5:42 am
The Bible says: there are two ways. The narrow one, which many people won’t follow and the vast one, which many people will follow.
The Bible meant that the second ways will bring many people to perdition.
Before his death, Jesus made a recommendation when he gave bread and wine to his apostles saying “do this to remember me” We should celebrate that because it is in the Bible but no one do it. People like to follow human things like christmas, which has a pagan origine. And by doing so people are following the second way I talk earlier. You know what I mean.
December 31st, 2006 at 8:23 am
Here is the truth about the beleafs of the Jahovas Witnesses. Ask any Elder. You are not going to be held accountable on judgment day for the sins you commited in your life on Earth. I am sorry they call sins mistakes becouse they do not look appon themselvs as sinners. You are not to question the word of the Elders but blindly follow. You are not to beleave the words in the Bible but the words in the publicaton the Watchtower. Reread what I said YOU ARE NOT JUDGED BY THE LIFE YOU LIVE ON THIS EARTH BUT HOW YOU LIVE IN THE NEXT LIFE. AGAIN ASK ANY JW ELDER. Wow if that is true we do not need the Bible or study the Bible or apply Jesus teachings to our lives. WHAT GARBAGE THAT TEACH. The sad truth is most of them do not know that is what they are supposed to beleave. When a man from Barabo Wisconsin that had been a JW for 25 years refused to teach that garbage he had to resign or be disfellowshiped. He resigned. The members, supposed to be his friens, all turned there backes on him. That was ordered by the Elders. The Elders then LIED to the members and said he was disfellowshiped. He was not. I was there and saw the EVEL in the ELDERS ways. Outright evel not the work of any true beleaver in Jahove and his First creation Christ. Is that a shock to you? Yes read your Bible Christ was Gods first creation. So much for you Trinitarions. The trinity is wrong. The Father, Son, and Holy Gost are three sepperat. Not all one in the same. I spent two years studying with the JWs and learned a lot. But the most importent thing I learned is they are not true Christians as they beleave they are. They teach false doctrine. That is not a mistake in Gods eyes. IT IS A SIN. Read and study your bible and live by it. Not the word of man.
February 19th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
What’s the point of you taking out all this anger against JW? Have you ever been to a meeting? Do you even attend any church or anything? You say that christmas is for being together with the family and what not but, why is it that you only use this ONE DAY to be together with the family? just because it is custoum? really think about it…
what about the other religions that do wayyy worse things. some religions use children’s innocence for “sacrifice” yet that should be ok for you since they’re celebrating christmas with them..
February 24th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
i am so glad to see people are wakeing up to the fact that j.w. are a cult if you donot have christ in your you have noughthing and my step mom and i have words over this becouse she is a j. w. and im not and its sad becouse she really thinks she is doing right thank you
February 25th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Hi Karina, I suppose the anger comes from the fact that the Watchtower has lead people away from the truth and this will lead them into Hell. (Yes, there really is a Hell, read the article) Many of us have been to many many meetings and yes, we now attend other churches. Who said anything about being one day to get together? This is just typical Watchtower mumbo jumbo that takes things we defend out of context and spew back out as some sort of real question.
I suppose since there are other religions that “sacrifice” children, we should not say anything about the under the table quiet one that sneaks up on its victim and leads them into Hell. You really need to do a heart check, I’m sorry.
August 30th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Note the JW on the first post. You will see that he is a JW by his total lack of understanding on what is in the original article. Also, you will notice it from his/her disdain of the authors opinion. Just another small thing, I have a Morrocan friend, who, due to his familys poverty, they had never made any record of his birthdate yet he still celebrates it once a year, this is the point you see, to remember, celebrate and honour. Beware the wolves they come dressed as sheep (or buffoons)
October 13th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
Anyway, I do believe that we should celebrate Jesus’ birthday everyday. Just like we should celebrate people everyday. But, I also think it’s good to set one day aside to do just that. The j.w’s on the other hand make a big deal about this or that when it comes to Christmas but the truth is: it’s just legalism and it says in the bible “for those who are clean all things are clean” and “the law was made for the wicked” and when they don’t believe in celebrating it it’s alright but they bash us for doing thus “making arguments about endless geneologies” and what does the bible say about people like that, they are only in it for money… interesting enough the j.w church will kick you out if you don’t tithe, you do the math… they’re a church of decievers apart of that group that “loveth or maketh a lie”…
October 13th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
If you are celebrating Jesus’s birth on Christmas. why are we giving presents to ourselves?
November 13th, 2007 at 3:00 am
Giving is an expression of love. For God so loved the world, that He gave~ He gives us mercy, grace, forgiveness, protection, blessings, ect. One of the greatest things we can give to Him is our love in the form of obedience. To just trust Him, and know He wants the best for us, and lean not on our own understanding. Back to the gift giving. He tells us to love one another, as He has loved us. He gives, we give. It’s just a shame that Christmas alot of times, does not come from the heart. Then you have people complaining, totally missing the point, and saying they can’t wait until it’s over. And they go in debt every year. What a waste. They should spend less, or take the money they wouldv’e spent and give it to a poor family or a worthy charity, and just relax so they can get a clue. As you touch on, Christmas really is supposed to have a deeper appreciation than just giving gifts. Especially if they don’t even come from the heart, but an obligation instead. Jesus is my focus every day of my life. I know we may not know exactly what day Jesus was born, and I know that alot of the customs could have questionable origins (I’ve read the materials), but as someone above said, God knows our heart, and I can’t help but enjoy the time period when the world actually focuses on the Lord. I just wish it was everyday, instead of a short little season that never seems to last long enough.