The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Why should we celebrate Christmas?

Johnnie,

I'll stick my neck out here and propose that what Steve is driving at is that the recognition and consequent celebration of the birth of Christ (or his death, resurrection, ascension, etc.) is based upon the fact that they are historical events in the life of Christ and thus worthy of special recognition. Further, that recognition is not necessarily nor properly legislated by any Body, whether it be the universal Church, some Pope, congregation or Pastor/Elder. It would be difficult, if not impossible for me to conceive of even one individual Christian who did not contemplate the birth of Christ before 300 A.D. Although I strongly disagree with Steve's inclusion of the Sabbath in his list, I do believe the essence of what he wrote is valid, i.e., the recognition/celebration of any of those "holy days" is a matter of conscience, aka: Adiaphora.

Now, on a more personal note. I do not get upset at all over such things as the current desire to change "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Holidays" by the masses. Let them do so.... in fact, I would sincerely encourage them to do so. For in so doing, they are rightly putting a demarcation line between their paganism and my personal adoration of Christ and rejoicing in His birth (on whatever day He was actually born). Let them do likewise to Easter, etc. I find no consolation listening to a choir of unregenerate sinners singing "Joy to the World", "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" or any other hymn/song representative of Christ's birth. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/evilgrin.gif" alt="" /> In this particular case, I am more than willing and wanting that the world celebrate their "holiday" as they see fit and leave the celebration of the Redeemer Christ to those who know Him personally and have been reconciled to God through Him.

In His grace,