Hey Winx

yanno I believe that and it's an integral part of who I am

but it sure gets tedious listening to people trying so hard to convert the unwilling, even I find it obnoxious

Is it OK for Christians to celebrate Christmas (and Easter) even though it has been Paganized?





"Is it OK for Christians to celebrate Christmas even though it has been Paganized."


Answer:

Regarding Christmas, a reply to a Christian forum where they were bashing Christians who celebrated Christmas. Perhaps you can glean something of value from it:

EXCERPT:

To All:

Perhaps some have misunderstood me when I say that it is Ok to honor our Lord and Savior in December and April (Christmas and Easter). I do not advocate heathen practices - God forbid, but much is done in ignorance regarding religion. My point is that we should use those holidays (that everybody celebrates) to witness that which Christ did on the cross for them.

I know what you mean about the origins of some of the traditions regarding Christmas and Easter, and yes, they are wrong. But the general mass of people really believe in their heart that they are worshiping God in honor by celebrating those holidays, and when they say Grace over their holiday meal it is to God that they say it, not Woden (during Christmas) or Isthar (during Easter). Their intentions are good, and with God, intention means everything. God is a "Heart Knower," not a legalist. If God were a legalist, He would be very lonely in Heaven, because we would all be in 'Hell'.

I just think that when we Christians, who know better, spend the holidays calling those who are ignorant to religious history―Heathen―we turn people off to Christ and God and most certainly to any message about Them that we might have to share. In essence, we become the enemy of that which we love―God and Christ Jesus―because hundreds of years ago the Catholic church consolidated feasts with the heathen. The heathen will worship whomever they wish, but do you really think that the majority of Biblically illiterate America are in their hearts worshiping some pagan god or goddess?

And if they aren't, then why don't we lovingly and with patience teach them the truth in the context of the holiday season, instead of haughtily throwing our weight around with our "much knowledge" about the history of pagan feasts? There is much true Christian doctrine related to those holidays, why don't we draw that to peoples remembrance instead of throwing the baby out with the bath water?

Are we that vain, or do we seek to help gather others into the Kingdom of God. My position on this is Biblical, observe Apostle Paul teach that it is not good to let our deeper knowledge become a stumbling block to others. We should take the time to read the below Bible chapter, for it is written to us who do know better. You've got to love Apostle Paul, he really gets it said, doesn't he! Oh, how he ‘‘hated'' a petty legalist:

Rom 14:1-23
1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. 10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (KJV)

Have a heart Christians, these poor people in our modern society don't know what their doing; for most of them the Holidays are the most religious time in their spiritually empty lives, a time where when perhaps only once or twice a year they actually think about God and Jesus and what it all means. Don't we dare take that from them! Help them to understand; you once did not know the truth, but somebody lovingly and with patience took you by the hand and led you into the truth of the Gospel of Peace.





I thought I'd share this article i came across concerning the topic

The Watchman Study Bible Group,
by Nick Groggin

Is it OK for Christians to celebrate Christmas (and Easter) even though it has been Paganized?

Um, the question is actually is it okay for Pagans to celebrate Yule and Easter after they have been Christianized?

Yes you are right but every time I have used Ostara or one of the Pagan names (there are several,) people say huh? They dont know what Im talking about and insist they were referring to Easter. That has happened twice now so I say Easter.

I think some of the common Pagan names are Eastre, Eostre, Eostur, or Ostara. Ostara is German. I know there are several others but I cant find the website that listed them all now. Primarily they are always related to the Goddess of Spring, whatever that might have been in a given culture.

Yeah Mabon, that's actually the observance of the Spring Equinox correct? That Maypole Festival is clearly Pagan also.

The Pagans have so many holidays and celebrations and feasts that it gets confusing. Even to Pagans. I dont have them memorized. Not by a long shot. Every time I look, it seems like there is another because they come from cultures all over the world. Here is the basic listing of the Equinoxes and Solstices..

Yeah, me to. I know some people celebrate all of them but thats 8 major holidays. Enough already.

I really think that was a major reason that the Pagans wanted to have so many. Especially Yule. It was cold and dark and the middle of Winter. What better way to get your mind off things then a party? That also served to remind people that Spring was coming and the days would be getting longer from that point on.

I think the Gods and Goddesses were often time an excuse to have a feast and party. In fact, that was one of the largest complaints that the Romans had when Emperor Constantine was attempting to gain more followers of Christianity. He tried to convert them all and they didnt want to give up their festivals.