Big Bubba - The Holidays Threads Merged

[jckliew]

The fact that Christmas (or Resurrection Day, for that matter) is not mentioned as a Jewish feast day is moot for two reasons - 1) Jesus came after the feast days, 2) which were given to the Jews and the Jews only in the Old Covenant between Israel and God.



a) First of all, God instituted His feast days, not the jews.

b) Second , He did for a good reason. Human beings have short memories and He wants to celebrate it with humans.

c) Jesus celebrated those feasts.

d) Ressurection day is mentioned in one of those feast. Its called First Fruits.


15 And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: 16 Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.


This feast have a great significance for the gentiles, not just jews.


Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.

These two loaves if you noticed are baked with leaven. They represent the jews and the gentiles.


20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

The feasts days are not just for just feasting but are prophetic in nature.

Yes, for humans birth is very important in life. BUT the questions begs why did God command a celebration of His death and not His birth?


For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. 19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

[PeaceOfChrist]

I teach a first-grade Sunday school class. One week, I taught about salvation: I poured water with iodine in a jar and explained that this was a human before knowing Jesus.

Then I took some bleach and poured it in the iodined water and it became completely clear. I explained how this respresented what happened to a person when they received Jesus.

At the end of the class, I asked the children what they must do to be saved. Almost all of them said, "Be good."

[KennyJS]

I'm a little behind... but here are my views on Christmas.

Jesus: I'm all for celebrating the coming of the Messiah. However, I don't like to pretend that that's what my children are celebrating because it's simply not true. They want presents.

Christmas Trees (Decorations): We will decorate for Christmas. I've made it clear to my family though that we are limited to trees, lights, and anything that represents the birth of Christ. All other decorations will be burned, broken, or thrown away. (I've burned many Santas)

Santa Claus: I have been honest with my stepchildren from day one regarding Santa, and I've been honest with other children as well. For example, in one case my niece-in-law said "Because Santa is watching, right Kenny?" I simply responded, "No." The reason is that when they get older I don't want to be one of the adults saying "So, the fat guy who climbs down the chimney is not real. Neither is the big talking bunny rabbit, the fairy that gives you money for your teeth, or the guy who puts those brown things in your eyes while you're sleeping. However, the guy who walked on water and came back from the dead IS real." I want to be the guy who has been honest with them from day one... so when they ask ME if God is real they will know I'm not playing games with them.

Pagan Origins of Christmas: "Christmas" is not a pagan holiday. Christmas is celebrated on the same day as a Pagan holiday that virtually nobody celebrates anymore. I love Christmas. Every time I hear a song like 'Silent Night,' 'Do you Hear what I hear?' or 'Mary, Did You Know" it nearly brings me to tears. Jesus Christ is born... can words really describe how that feels? So if we take a good month or so to contemplate that fact... great.

[praisingHisname]

I really think its a BAD idea suggesting Todd wear Fuzzy Bunny slippers. He has some unresolved anger issues with the rabbit family.

now THAT is funny! :pound :lol

[WickIsTrimmed]

a) First of all, God instituted His feast days, not the jews.

b) Second , He did for a good reason. Human beings have short memories and He wants to celebrate it with humans.

c) Jesus celebrated those feasts.

d) Ressurection day is mentioned in one of those feast. Its called First Fruits.



This feast have a great significance for the gentiles, not just jews.



These two loaves if you noticed are baked with leaven. They represent the jews and the gentiles.



The feasts days are not just for just feasting but are prophetic in nature.

Yes, for humans birth is very important in life. BUT the questions begs why did God command a celebration of His death and not His birth?

Well said:thumb

[iSong6:3]

a) First of all, God instituted His feast days, not the jews.

b) Second , He did for a good reason. Human beings have short memories and He wants to celebrate it with humans.

c) Jesus celebrated those feasts.

d) Ressurection day is mentioned in one of those feast. Its called First Fruits.



This feast have a great significance for the gentiles, not just jews.



These two loaves if you noticed are baked with leaven. They represent the jews and the gentiles.



The feasts days are not just for just feasting but are prophetic in nature.

Yes, for humans birth is very important in life. BUT the questions begs why did God command a celebration of His death and not His birth?

a) Yes, I realize that. God gave the feast days that related to the Jewish people in the land of Israel -- to the Jews. Can a Gentile really read the Pesach Haggadah and thank God for their fathers being released from Egypt? Just one of many examples.

b) People have short memories, God does not. He has no need to observe the feast days. The Jews did because God commanded the Jews to.

c) Jesus was an obedient and observant Jew. Until He died and was resurrected. Same with we who are in Him, as He is the Firstfruits. The Mosaic Law, given to the Jews and not Gentiles, was a tutor.

A tutor at that time was someone who brought the child to school until the child grew up. We who are in Jesus Christ have no need of a tutor. By the grace of God, we got to the purpose of the end of the Mosaic Law - Jesus. This is it. No looking back to other covenants for other people in other dispensations.

d) First Fruits is not for Gentiles. It is a Jewish feast. Not to be hijacked by Gentiles.

e) They have great insight into God's plan and salvation in Jesus. Agreed. The Old Testament is the shadows, the New Testament is the fulfillment. No looking backward.

f) I would be careful to call Christians - Jews and/or Gentiles - leaven. That's one of the jobs of the enemy - to accuse the brethren. Saved believers - Jew and Gentile, the Church - have the blood on the lintels of our hearts. We are seen by God to be as pure as Jesus because of that.

g) Jesus told His disciples to eat the bread and drink the wine in remembrance of His death for our sins. He did not command any holiday. For Jewish believers. For Gentile believers.

h) If you don't want to celebrate the Lord's birth, don't. There is no law against anything done for pure worship of the Lord, in spirit and in truth.

i) What you cannot do is to pin your personal convictions onto other believers. Colossians 2:16-17 - period.

Israel is Israel. Gentiles are Gentiles. The Church is the Church.

[faithandgrace]

I am appalled by certain aspects of Christmas, like the Santa Claus lie, but my view on the actual celebration of Christmas is kinda touch and go. However, I have a feeling that if I really buckled down and learned everything I needed to know, I'd probably be firmly against the holiday as we know it. I'm a natural skeptic about almost everything the world embraces.

[TomSki]

I think any legalism is wrong and against the spirit of the verse in Colossians not to let anyone judge according to celebration of holidays or the Sabbath.

:thumb

[TomSki]

a) First of all, God instituted His feast days, not the jews.

Yes, but the Apostles held a council and determined that Gentiles should obstain from four things: food offered to idols, fornication, meat strangled and blood (Acts 15:20) "For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things". (Acts 15:28). So, you are certainly free to observe the feast days, but you are free to observe every day the same. (Romans 14:6)

[Vickimac]

I think any legalism is wrong and against the spirit of the verse in Colossians not to let anyone judge according to celebration of holidays or the Sabbath.

In my opinion, to celebrate the Lord's birth is like the woman in the Bible who used expensive perfume to wash Jesus' feet. An extravagance, not necessary, but an act she did out of the overflowing love and gratitude and honor of Him in her heart. I believe against such things there is no law.

Beautifully stated and great analogy. Thanks isong -A good part of scripture to apply to celebrating the first coming of the Messiah- the Promised One, our Hope, prophecy fulfilled!
Some thought the ointment should have been saved for what they thought would be the best use of it, they considered what she did a waste of it - but Jesus thought otherwise. He saw the womans heart.

Luk 7:45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.


Luk 7:46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.


Luk 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, [the same] loveth little.


Luk 7:48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.


Luk 7:49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?


Luk 7:50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.


He knows the true heart of you, what you do, why you do. If you want to use your "perfume" to celebrate the birth of Jesus, don't let anyone tell you not to. :)

Yes we are called to celebrate his resurrection but it should be somehow 'forbidden' to celebrate his birth because of what the world does? Not in my house. ALL things Jesus will be celebrated.

Everyone follow your own convictions and your own heart - which the Lord sees in full and don't slam [judge] a sibling in Christ for thiers. If you feel convicted not to partake in any 'traditional' Christmas festivities I can totally respect that and sincerely applaud you for following your convictions. If you can't respect those who do celebrate the Lords birth Dec 25th out of love & worship and follow thier convictions, then just remember that God judges you with the same measure that you hold others to.