chilli1

Hi all!
Okay, so I know December's a while away yet, but this matter has been nagging at me since I discovered my husband (we met in October 2007), doesn't celebrate Christmas. He comes from a strong Christian family and they have never celebrated this time of year because they don't believe it is right for Christians to celebrate Christmas.
However, I have two children from my previous marriage. They are 8 and 11 years of age and we have always celebrated Christmas in a big way - with the tree and the decorations, family get-togethers, the Santa thing and all the rest of it.
My husband does not want this kind of thing in our home and I understand completely. However, I know how big a deal it is for the kids and how much they look forward to this time of year (and I kinda like it too).
So, I was wondering what your thoughts are about Christmas and how you celebrate it, if you do?
Thanks!

da_man

Oh boy..
Although December 25th isn't the day that Jesus was born, I honestly think Christmas is important as long as we keep it in perspective. It shouldn't be all about the lights and the tree and the presents. I think we should also focus on the first six letters of the word. CHRIST. He is the reason for the season.
If nothing else, it gets people thinking. We are actually celebrating Christ's birth. It is about Him.

Swiss Browns

Hi there, welcome. We've been through all this with our family, we have a tree and lights and presents but we've never told the kids any lies about Santa bringing presents or living at the Pole. If they asked who Santa is we say a man dressed in a red suit in town giving out stuff, etc.

It seems that if your husband is set against Christmas because of its pagan roots then you need to just accept that you won't be celebrating a traditional Christmas. It wouldn't be right to ask him to compromise his upbringing and principles, but from your post you understand that I guess. That leaves the children: we give plenty of presents and say its our way of remembering Gods gift to us. Although in reality we try to remember that every day, and we just like giving stuff to the kids and seeing their happiness, until they get bored with it, and then I wonder why we bother... . Does your husband have any objections to the giving of gifts, and Christmas dinner? Not getting any presents is pretty devastating to the kids if thats what they're used to.

da_man

I guess another question is what holidays does your husband celebrate?
I agree with Swiss Browns that you shouldn't ask your husband to change his upbringing but you shouldn't have to totally give yours and your kid's up either. There has to be a happy medium.

James B

I was told by a very strong Christian that it is wrong to celebrate Christmas. That it's just time of greed and pride, most take nothing to do with the Lord, and it's a great tool for Satan (rearrange those letters) to deceive people.

I can understand this and probably agree, as i know many who love Christmas and get right involved with it, the tree, decs, and buying presents etc. Yet they cant stand the Christians beliefs etc, any religion for that matter, its all rubbish to them.

This proves Christmas is a big deception from Satan.

BreathOfGod

You could talk to your husband about a compromise, and also consider starting new Christmas traditions together as a family..... such as going to a shelter and helping serve the meal, or selecting a child from either an angel tree group or a foreign missionary and giving a gift to a needy child.

Pastor Gary

Your situation is not unique. These days, more and more Christians are studying God's Word more intently with understanding and are realizing that the 'Christmas' traditions have been forced upon mankind for 1700 years by incorrect Bible translations, deliberate false teachings and the commercialism of industry.

That being said, we should allow the family aspect of 'Christmas' to be part of the teaching and learning experience that our children go through so they are led to an understanding of the true dates but are also allowed to have an enjoyable time... if they wish to. Understanding the correct time line of Christ's conception and birth is a basic part of Christianity and those churches who cling to the old ways and incorrect teachings are not only deceiving the members, but are deceiving themselves.

For those who are fortunate enough to own 'The Companion Bible', please use all four sections of Appendix 179 to see the proper time lines of Christ's conception, birth and early years. This link below will provide all 198 Appendixes for study, but initially scroll down to #179 and read the data provided. Make these studies a part of your children's education. When they fully understand what 'Christmas' really is and what it really is not, they, themselves, may mention to you that it is something that they would rather not engage in any longer. It takes time, but children are wise in their years and learn and understand things much more than we give them credit for sometimes. If you have any questions, please PM me for additional study resources.

May God bless your family in your studies...

Appendixes to The Companion Bible

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Quote:

Originally Posted by chilli1 Hi all! Okay, so I know December's a while away yet, but this matter has been nagging at me since I discovered my husband (we met in October 2007), doesn't celebrate Christmas. He comes from a strong Christian family and they have never celebrated this time of year because they don't believe it is right for Christians to celebrate Christmas. However, I have two children from my previous marriage. They are 8 and 11 years of age and we have always celebrated Christmas in a big way - with the tree and the decorations, family get-togethers, the Santa thing and all the rest of it. My husband does not want this kind of thing in our home and I understand completely. However, I know how big a deal it is for the kids and how much they look forward to this time of year (and I kinda like it too). So, I was wondering what your thoughts are about Christmas and how you celebrate it, if you do? Thanks!

That’s a hard one.

I am like your husband in that i do not celebrate Christmas as a religious day, but i still enjoy the family get together and meal. I understand what your husband is on about and if i had childeren i would be teaching them that christmas is not the birthday of the Messiah Jesus. He and you are in a difficult position but as long as he can express his thoughts about christmas to the kids then i cannot see why a compromise cannot be reached.

I see no problems in sharing gifts and having a good party on the day. If it understood that it is not being done in relation to Jesus but just as a family taking advantage of the day to enjoy gift giving and togetherness.

If i were in your husband’s position i would not stand for a Christmas tree because of its pagan roots. I guess what you need to do is to discuss a compromise that allows the things the kids want but in no way causes your husbands conscience to be offended.

All Praise The Ancient Of Days

Boanerges

Rom 14:5 One man esteems one day above another: another esteems every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
Rom 14:6 He that regards the day, regards it unto the Lord; and he that regards not the day, to the Lord he does not regard it. He that eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he that eats not, to the Lord he eats not, and gives God thanks.



Just some thoughts, I like Christmas. My family and I worship Christ and He is thye center of that. It is also a time of year when even relgious people think about Jesus- some of them only show up two times a year and that on Christmas and Easter (ressurection) Sunday. So for me personally I ma not going to get hung up on those things.
You must have known how your husband felt about this early on and personally if I were you I would honor his request. You can find another way to celebrate and honor Christ- our liberties should never be used to make someone else stumble.


Rom 14:5 One man esteems one day above another: another esteems every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
Rom 14:6 He that regards the day, regards it unto the Lord; and he that regards not the day, to the Lord he does not regard it. He that eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he that eats not, to the Lord he eats not, and gives God thanks.

__________________
Anything that dims my vision for Christ, or takes away my taste for Bible study, or cramps me in my prayer life, or makes Christian work difficult, is wrong for me; and I must, as a Christian turn away from it. – J. Wilbur Chapman

Ramsey

Christ has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas. It's a pagan holiday by the romans for the Sun goddesses and such (Saturnalia) Where all wickedness was allowed and trees of green with gifts giving and decorations and so forth, then the "christians" aruond 300-400 A.D changed it to holiday of the Son.

This will give you all the information about it. From where it came from and how it developed.
The True Origin of CHRISTMAS

Your husband is right, and you should not raise your kids into believing a lie that has nothing to do with our Lord. Make sure they know it is not Christian.
It's nice to enjoy a family dinner and to be grateful to the Lord for all things as a usual day and not as a worship day of pagan roots.
Jesus wants us to worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth, not as holiday days when we're out of work.

__________________
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1)
Our God is the only Good
Grace, Peace and Safety to you all my brothers and sisters