Mince pies and presents

Before I became a Christian I don't suppose you could say that I "celebrated" Christmas.
I certainly joined in all the festivities, and it was (and still is) one of my favourite times of year. I enjoyed being home from work, and with my family, the giving & receiving of presents, the wonderful food etc etc. But what set Christmas apart for me, even then, was the feeling of peace & goodwill that was around. Everyone seemed both happy & content, and it couldn't help but make you feel good too.

 

Sorry if I cause offense by liking to know the root of what I am expected to celebrate.

I find that I get 2 main types of responses from Christians on this.
1) "Hey, yeah, that's right. Oh well." (and they carry on regardless)
2) Complete & utter rejection (sometimes very vehemently) of the idea. Sometimes for the reason that they feel that if they are truly within themselves worshipping Christ, what does it matter? Sometimes just because they don't see why 600 years of 'tradition' should be rejected. The first view I have most sympathy for, and seems to be where you guys on here are arguing for. I'm sure that God is big enough to 'overlook' (not quite the word, but hey) the fact that we are following rather dodgy rituals, but then I'm also fairly sure that he probably would rather not have to.
Check Exodus 34:13, Deuteronomy 7:5 & Deuteronomy 12:3 for what God advised the Israelites to integrate into the local religion...

 

No one "expects" you to celebrate a thing. If you're not going to celebrate Christmas, then fine. Don't. Don't try to tell people its wrong, though.

 

And that is exactly what the Church did in its first thousand years. It´s also the key to the success of Christianity in Europe. The Church incorporated the local customs and traditions to avoid alienation and to ease the transition to Christianity. I can´t see what is wrong in recognising that.

 

I'm not saying it's wrong. You are confusing the truth with a moral judgment I wasn't making.

 

I was just pointing out my view.
People argued back, I responded... and so on. It is what happens on a forum.
You are free to do what you like. I never told you not to.

Skua, did you read those passages?

 

I don´t know. Right now, it doesn´t seem as I have read your post either. Obviously another case of bad wiring.

 

A lot of discussions I have had with others about Christmas have resulted in a debate such as this one. I guess there is a rule to heed here:

Never express religious or political views in front of others. It will lead to a debate.

 

Debate should never be shunned. The democratic state is built on it.

 

Heres a view on Christmas that may be of interest to this thread.

http://www.illwillpress.com/xmess.html

Warning: Naughty language for those who are at work or get offended by four letter words.

 

That's right. You can talk of anything without insulting anybody...if you want to. Everything can be said politely.