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Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas - Religion - Nairaland

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Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by Krak(m): 11:32am On Dec 24, 2013
Hundreds of millions of people celebrate Christmas every year. But do you really know the true story of Christmas? Follow me as you read ten things you did not know about Christmas:

1. In the Norse countries around December 21st(Winter Solstice) fathers and their sons would drag home the biggest log they could find and then set it on fire. As long as the log burns(about 12 days) feasting and revelry reigned supreme. This celebration was called Yule which gave the name Yuletide, and the 12 days the log burned gave birth to the 12 days of Christmas.

Also dragged into the homes were evergreen trees,the one plant that can make it through winter. Evergreens were proof that life persisted in these dark times of winter.

Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by Krak(m): 11:34am On Dec 24, 2013
2. In Rome the festival of Saturnalia(In celebration of Saturn) was held around the Winter Solstice. They were times of revelry and wild celebration.

Among the upper class in Rome many celebrated Mithra(the Sun god). The birthday of Mithra was the holiest day of the year, December 25th the day of the Winter Solstice in Rome. Mithra had a miraculous birth and shepherds came to worship him after his birth.They had been celebrating him hundreds of years before Christ was born.

By the 4th Century A.D, the Catholic Church made it official, December 25th was to be the Feast Day of the Nativity. The Feast Day of the Risen SUN became the Feast Day of the Risen SON.

1 Like

Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by Krak(m): 11:35am On Dec 24, 2013
3..By the Middle Ages Christianity had largely replaced the old pagan religions of Europe.On December 25th the faithful were called to Gothic Cathedrals like Notre Damme and Salzburg Cathedral for CHRIST MASS, soon to be called CHRISTMAS.

Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by Krak(m): 11:37am On Dec 24, 2013
4.When Lord Oliver Cromwell and his Christian Puritans overthrew the King of England in 1645 they vowed to rid England of all that was decadent. As a result Christmas was banned and outlawed in the whole of England by the Christian Puritans. Shops were forced to stay open and Churches were forced to stay closed on that day. Christmas celebration was then driven underground until the Monarchy was restored and then Christmas was restored.

In the New World (later to become U.S.A), in Boston Christmas was outlawed, also by the puritans. Anyone caught exhibiting the Christmas spirit was fined 5 shillings.

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Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by Krak(m): 11:38am On Dec 24, 2013
5. .After the American Independence when all things English fell out of favor in America, Christmas also fell out of favor. On December 25th 1789 the U.S Congress sat in session and continued to sit on Christmas Day for most of the next 67 years.

Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by Krak(m): 11:39am On Dec 24, 2013
6.American Novelist Washington Irvin in 1819 wrote BRACEBRIDGE HALL a novel about Christmas and English Novelist Charles Dickens wrote his famous novel A CHRISTMAS CAROL which became a Bestseller in both England and America. Both novels rekindled the public interest in Christmas.
Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by Krak(m): 11:43am On Dec 24, 2013
7. In 1840 Victoria, the Queen of England was married to her cousin, Albert of Germany. Albert brought to Windsor Palace an evergreen tree, according to the Old Norse tradition of Yule. This arose the interest of the English public and within a few years a decorated tree can be found in every English home during Christmas. The modern Christmas Tree was born and Americans also embraced it.

Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by Krak(m): 11:45am On Dec 24, 2013
8.In 1843 the English firm J.C Horsley printed the first Christmas Card. And a new and efficient post office in England and America helped made the Christmas Card an overnight sensation.

Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by Krak(m): 11:46am On Dec 24, 2013
9. By this period the Protestant Church did not celebrate Christmas. And since most Americans were protestants, the pressure was such that the Protestant Church officially began celebrating Christmas in America.
Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by Krak(m): 11:48am On Dec 24, 2013
10. Saint Nicholas was a Greek Orthodox Bishop of the Middle Ages. On December 6th, St Nicholas Day, good children woke up to gifts and bad children sulked away with nothing. In Holland he was also known as Sinter Klaas, and when the Dutch came to America they brought with them this story

In 1822 Clement Clarke Moore an Episcopal minister from New York wrote a poem about a good -natured Saint who came down the chimney on Christmas Eve. He created the sledges, reindeer and all the other paraphernalia for Saint Nicholas. This became a favorite with children all over America and soon every child began scanning the horizon hoping to see the saint on a reindeer. The modern day Santa was born.

1 Like

Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by Krak(m): 11:51am On Dec 24, 2013
11. In 1863 Thomas Nast a cartoonist for HARPER'S WEEKLY drew the picture of a rotund, jolly and bearded Santa. Soon everybody began to adopt this image as the image of Santa.

Let me mention here that Santa is also loosely borrowed from the Old Norse god, Odin.



The truth is that Christmas is not really about Jesus Christ and it seems that the only connection with him is in the name.

http://globalthots..com/2013/12/eleven-things-you-did-not-know-about.html

1 Like

Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by benny4wax(m): 11:52am On Dec 24, 2013
nice post op...thus i never read am.
Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by Krak(m): 12:01pm On Dec 24, 2013
benny4wax: nice post op...thus i never read am.

Thanks. But when will you read it?

1 Like

Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by Krak(m): 6:03pm On Dec 24, 2013
As you celebrate Christmas tomorrow, just remember not to over celebrate or over indulge in any form of merriment.
Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by Ubenedictus(m): 6:36pm On Dec 24, 2013
Krak: 2. In Rome the festival of Saturnalia(In celebration of Saturn) was held around the Winter Solstice. They were times of revelry and wild celebration.

Among the upper class in Rome many celebrated Mithra(the Sun god). The birthday of Mithra was the holiest day of the year, December 25th the day of the Winter Solstice in Rome. Mithra had a miraculous birth and shepherds came to worship him after his birth.They had been celebrating him hundreds of years before Christ was born.

By the 4th Century A.D, the Catholic Church made it official, December 25th was to be the Feast Day of the Nativity. The Feast Day of the Risen SUN became the Feast Day of the Risen SON.
this is actually incorrect.
Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by Ubenedictus(m): 6:41pm On Dec 24, 2013
Krak: 11.

The truth is that Christmas is not really about Jesus Christ and it seems that the only connection with him is in the name.

http://globalthots..com/2013/12/eleven-things-you-did-not-know-about.html
this is your opinion. I beg to disagree.
Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by Nobody: 7:21pm On Dec 24, 2013
Christ Mass => Christmas.

Uhm, my religious doctrine does not permit me to celebrate Christmas.
On Christmas day, we're locked indoors by our God, The Smiling Skeleton.
Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by Krak(m): 8:57pm On Dec 24, 2013
Ubenedictus: this is your opinion. I beg to disagree.

Sorry sir but pls could you prove me wrong?
Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by Krak(m): 8:58pm On Dec 24, 2013
Austeenx: Christ Mass => Christmas.

Uhm, my religious doctrine does not permit me to celebrate Christmas.
On Christmas day, we're locked indoors by our God, The Smiling Skeleton.

Smiling Skeleton? I dont really understand.
Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by Krak(m): 8:59pm On Dec 24, 2013
Ubenedictus: this is actually incorrect.
Pls educate me more.
Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by Ubenedictus(m): 1:28pm On Dec 25, 2013
Krak:
Pls educate me more.
it would be better if you made research, you would find there is no connection between sun worship and the christmas celebration. The church didn't make a law in d 4th century and declear it christmas. Infact the sun god wasn't worship on the 25 untill about the very same time christians were celebrating christmas it is more correct to say the pagans tried to replace the christian celebration by d day to the sun god.
Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by Krak(m): 2:25pm On Dec 25, 2013
Ubenedictus: it would be better if you made research, you would find there is no connection between sun worship and the christmas celebration. The church did make a law in d 4th century and declear it christmas. Infact the sun god wasn't worship on the 25 untill about the very same time christians were celebrating christmas it is more correct to say the pagans tried to replace the christian celebration by d day to the sun god.

This article is actually based on research. Roman Mithraism was adopted from Persian Zoroastrianism. Mithra in Zoroastrian religion has always been worshiped for hundreds of years before Christ was born. There is a whole lot that connects Christmas with Paganism.

For example it is a well known fact(even among Christian scholars) the Jesus Christ was obviously not born in December or any period near that Month.

So why then did they just decide out of the blues that he was born in December and not just any December but on the 25th.

Early Christians did not celebrate the birth of Jesus, what was usually marked was his Crucifixion, Death and Resurection.

For your information I am a Christian.
Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by DKJaleel: 2:34pm On Dec 25, 2013
when will christians accept the fact that christmas is not what it really is??
Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by FreshGreen: 2:49pm On Dec 25, 2013
Krak: 11. In 1863 Thomas Nast a cartoonist for HARPER'S WEEKLY drew the picture of a rotund, jolly and bearded Santa. Soon everybody began to adopt this image as the image of Santa.

Let me mention here that Santa is also loosely borrowed from the Old Norse god, Odin.



The truth is that Christmas is not really about Jesus Christ and it seems that the only connection with him is in the name.

http://globalthots..com/2013/12/eleven-things-you-did-not-know-about.html

SHOULD CHRISTIANS REALLY CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS? PLEASE READ
Christmas period is a time of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ everywhere in the world, but should we really celebrate Christmas at all?" I think this short article can be of little help, let's see:

OPPOSITIONS
There two major reasons people oppose celebrating Christmas as Christians. The first reason is that Christmas originated from pagan worship, and the second reason is that Jesus was not really born on December 25th.

(i) Origin: Should we celebrate what originated from pagan worship? Well, the point is that it was actually the holiday of Saturnalia that the pagans celebrated then, not Christmas. Christmas was a replacement of Saturnalia festival in Christendom; Christmas solely celebrates Christ Jesus, and it has no link or connection with idol festival as far as Christmas is concerned today. To oppose Christmas because the similar or same day was formally celebrated by pagans is wrong. If you oppose Christmas, then you will oppose Easter because both have similar history; if you oppose both Christmas and Easter, then you will need to oppose going to church on Sunday, because Sunday was a formal holiday for the god of Sun, and if you oppose worshiping on Sunday, then you must oppose calling days like Sunday, Monday, Saturday, etc. Because they all have idolatry origin. If you still believe the names are attached to idols, like Sunday for Sun god, and Monday for Moon god, and you don't worship God on Sunday, and you mention the idolatry names? Then you still agree with it.

Christmas was not celebrated for the first 300 years of early church, until the catholic, so also church building was not built by early Christians for 300 years until the catholic. Building church auditorium can also be traced to the pagan gods. Does that means building church auditorium is evil? No, but it must be moderate, not magnificent. The fact that Christmas was traced to pagan festival does not means it is wrong to celebrate Christmas. Today we celebrate Christ at Christmas and Him alone.

(ii) Day of Birth: Jesus was not born on December 25th, and it is not necessary for Christmas day. People can choose any day to celebrate Jesus' day of birth, because He owns all days; only we, the humans, can be tied to a day we were born for birthday.

MUST WE CELEBRATE?
Do we have to celebrate, sing and give gifts to mark the birth of Jesus? The answer is YES? Luke 2:13, "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Angels in heaven celebrated the birth of Jesus, so it is not wrong for Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus, as long as Jesus alone is mentioned and no connection to any idol or selfish purpose. It is not wrong to celebrate Christmas as long Christ is the center of the celebration and everything you do glorifies His name; it is wrong for people who celebrate self or sinful indulgences during Christmas. Christians can celebrate Christ at Christmas and share with people.

THE BAD NEWS
The bad thing about Christmas is that it's not everyday; the joyful feeling, the celebration and sharing do not last, only for few days, and the worse is the Christmas day, it goes faster and ends. I wish it can always stay longer with such wonderful feeling. The worst is that if only during Christmas you experience the joy of the birth of Jesus, then you are a miserable person. Christmas celebration doesn't last, but the good news is that when you accept Jesus into your life as your Lord, you will always experience more than the joy of Christmas. If you have not experienced the joy of Salvation since you have been a Christian, then you are unrecognized by Jesus, you need genuine salvation to have the unlimited joy. If you have lost your joy of Salvation, you need to get it restored. Repentance, that is to realize and ready to forsake your sins, and accepting Jesus as your Lord, are the only means to have the unspeakable joy of Jesus! When you become saved, you begin life that pleases Jesus, not your self or Satan, you walk away from any form of sin; that is when the birth of Jesus will bring joy and justification. But if you realize Jesus as Savior of the world and remain in your sins, it will only bring judgment.

We can care for Christmas by celebrating Christ, but more than that, we should be celebrated by Christ through genuine salvation and living in holiness and righteousness, so that we can celebrate with Christ forever in heaven!

John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

(YOU CAN COMMENT "MERRY CHRISTMAS" AND SHARE THIS MESSAGE)

If you will like to surrender your life to Jesus or to rededicate your life to Jesus, please click on this link and read http://www.facebook.com/notes/revelation-of-truth-evangelical-ministries-rtem/how-can-i-be-saved/270674586372252

You can also contact us on email or phone for prayer, counsel or if you need biblical enlightenment on personal issues:
Revelation of Truth Evangelical Ministries, (RTEM)
Our Email: rtemoutreaches@yahoo.com
Our Tel: (+234) (0)803 924 9751, (0)705 937 3351, (0)802 578 7942.
Our Facebook page, you can like for daily article on your wall, please like and then click on the "liked" and add to "interest list" http://www.facebook.com/pages/Revelation-of-Truth-Evangelical-Ministries-RTEM/244086502364394

If you will like to be receiving our weekly articles by email, please, send REQUEST to our email above.

If you want to read other Christian articles and Bible Studies on several other topics from this ministry, you can please click on this link and see several topics. http://www./468590419840054/files/ You can join to receive new topics
Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by FreshGreen: 2:50pm On Dec 25, 2013
Krak: 10. Saint Nicholas was a Greek Orthodox Bishop of the Middle Ages. On December 6th, St Nicholas Day, good children woke up to gifts and bad children sulked away with nothing. In Holland he was also known as Sinter Klaas, and when the Dutch came to America they brought with them this story

In 1822 Clement Clarke Moore an Episcopal minister from New York wrote a poem about a good -natured Saint who came down the chimney on Christmas Eve. He created the sledges, reindeer and all the other paraphernalia for Saint Nicholas. This became a favorite with children all over America and soon every child began scanning the horizon hoping to see the saint on a reindeer. The modern day Santa was born.

SHOULD CHRISTIANS REALLY CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS?
Christmas period is a time of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ everywhere in the world, but should we really celebrate Christmas at all?" I think this short article can be of little help, let's see:

OPPOSITIONS
There two major reasons people oppose celebrating Christmas as Christians. The first reason is that Christmas originated from pagan worship, and the second reason is that Jesus was not really born on December 25th.

(i) Origin: Should we celebrate what originated from pagan worship? Well, the point is that it was actually the holiday of Saturnalia that the pagans celebrated then, not Christmas. Christmas was a replacement of Saturnalia festival in Christendom; Christmas solely celebrates Christ Jesus, and it has no link or connection with idol festival as far as Christmas is concerned today. To oppose Christmas because the similar or same day was formally celebrated by pagans is wrong. If you oppose Christmas, then you will oppose Easter because both have similar history; if you oppose both Christmas and Easter, then you will need to oppose going to church on Sunday, because Sunday was a formal holiday for the god of Sun, and if you oppose worshiping on Sunday, then you must oppose calling days like Sunday, Monday, Saturday, etc. Because they all have idolatry origin. If you still believe the names are attached to idols, like Sunday for Sun god, and Monday for Moon god, and you don't worship God on Sunday, and you mention the idolatry names? Then you still agree with it.

Christmas was not celebrated for the first 300 years of early church, until the catholic, so also church building was not built by early Christians for 300 years until the catholic. Building church auditorium can also be traced to the pagan gods. Does that means building church auditorium is evil? No, but it must be moderate, not magnificent. The fact that Christmas was traced to pagan festival does not means it is wrong to celebrate Christmas. Today we celebrate Christ at Christmas and Him alone.

(ii) Day of Birth: Jesus was not born on December 25th, and it is not necessary for Christmas day. People can choose any day to celebrate Jesus' day of birth, because He owns all days; only we, the humans, can be tied to a day we were born for birthday.

MUST WE CELEBRATE?
Do we have to celebrate, sing and give gifts to mark the birth of Jesus? The answer is YES? Luke 2:13, "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Angels in heaven celebrated the birth of Jesus, so it is not wrong for Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus, as long as Jesus alone is mentioned and no connection to any idol or selfish purpose. It is not wrong to celebrate Christmas as long Christ is the center of the celebration and everything you do glorifies His name; it is wrong for people who celebrate self or sinful indulgences during Christmas. Christians can celebrate Christ at Christmas and share with people.

THE BAD NEWS
The bad thing about Christmas is that it's not everyday; the joyful feeling, the celebration and sharing do not last, only for few days, and the worse is the Christmas day, it goes faster and ends. I wish it can always stay longer with such wonderful feeling. The worst is that if only during Christmas you experience the joy of the birth of Jesus, then you are a miserable person. Christmas celebration doesn't last, but the good news is that when you accept Jesus into your life as your Lord, you will always experience more than the joy of Christmas. If you have not experienced the joy of Salvation since you have been a Christian, then you are unrecognized by Jesus, you need genuine salvation to have the unlimited joy. If you have lost your joy of Salvation, you need to get it restored. Repentance, that is to realize and ready to forsake your sins, and accepting Jesus as your Lord, are the only means to have the unspeakable joy of Jesus! When you become saved, you begin life that pleases Jesus, not your self or Satan, you walk away from any form of sin; that is when the birth of Jesus will bring joy and justification. But if you realize Jesus as Savior of the world and remain in your sins, it will only bring judgment.

We can care for Christmas by celebrating Christ, but more than that, we should be celebrated by Christ through genuine salvation and living in holiness and righteousness, so that we can celebrate with Christ forever in heaven!

John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

(YOU CAN COMMENT "MERRY CHRISTMAS" AND SHARE THIS MESSAGE)

If you will like to surrender your life to Jesus or to rededicate your life to Jesus, please click on this link and read http://www.facebook.com/notes/revelation-of-truth-evangelical-ministries-rtem/how-can-i-be-saved/270674586372252

You can also contact us on email or phone for prayer, counsel or if you need biblical enlightenment on personal issues:
Revelation of Truth Evangelical Ministries, (RTEM)
Our Email: rtemoutreaches@yahoo.com
Our Tel: (+234) (0)803 924 9751, (0)705 937 3351, (0)802 578 7942.
Our Facebook page, you can like for daily article on your wall, please like and then click on the "liked" and add to "interest list" http://www.facebook.com/pages/Revelation-of-Truth-Evangelical-Ministries-RTEM/244086502364394

If you will like to be receiving our weekly articles by email, please, send REQUEST to our email above.

If you want to read other Christian articles and Bible Studies on several other topics from this ministry, you can please click on this link and see several topics. http://www./468590419840054/files/ You can join to receive new topics
Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by FreshGreen: 2:50pm On Dec 25, 2013
Krak: 8.In 1843 the English firm J.C Horsley printed the first Christmas Card. And a new and efficient post office in England and America helped made the Christmas Card an overnight sensation.

SHOULD CHRISTIANS REALLY CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS?
Christmas period is a time of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ everywhere in the world, but should we really celebrate Christmas at all?" I think this short article can be of little help, let's see:

OPPOSITIONS
There two major reasons people oppose celebrating Christmas as Christians. The first reason is that Christmas originated from pagan worship, and the second reason is that Jesus was not really born on December 25th.

(i) Origin: Should we celebrate what originated from pagan worship? Well, the point is that it was actually the holiday of Saturnalia that the pagans celebrated then, not Christmas. Christmas was a replacement of Saturnalia festival in Christendom; Christmas solely celebrates Christ Jesus, and it has no link or connection with idol festival as far as Christmas is concerned today. To oppose Christmas because the similar or same day was formally celebrated by pagans is wrong. If you oppose Christmas, then you will oppose Easter because both have similar history; if you oppose both Christmas and Easter, then you will need to oppose going to church on Sunday, because Sunday was a formal holiday for the god of Sun, and if you oppose worshiping on Sunday, then you must oppose calling days like Sunday, Monday, Saturday, etc. Because they all have idolatry origin. If you still believe the names are attached to idols, like Sunday for Sun god, and Monday for Moon god, and you don't worship God on Sunday, and you mention the idolatry names? Then you still agree with it.

Christmas was not celebrated for the first 300 years of early church, until the catholic, so also church building was not built by early Christians for 300 years until the catholic. Building church auditorium can also be traced to the pagan gods. Does that means building church auditorium is evil? No, but it must be moderate, not magnificent. The fact that Christmas was traced to pagan festival does not means it is wrong to celebrate Christmas. Today we celebrate Christ at Christmas and Him alone.

(ii) Day of Birth: Jesus was not born on December 25th, and it is not necessary for Christmas day. People can choose any day to celebrate Jesus' day of birth, because He owns all days; only we, the humans, can be tied to a day we were born for birthday.

MUST WE CELEBRATE?
Do we have to celebrate, sing and give gifts to mark the birth of Jesus? The answer is YES? Luke 2:13, "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Angels in heaven celebrated the birth of Jesus, so it is not wrong for Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus, as long as Jesus alone is mentioned and no connection to any idol or selfish purpose. It is not wrong to celebrate Christmas as long Christ is the center of the celebration and everything you do glorifies His name; it is wrong for people who celebrate self or sinful indulgences during Christmas. Christians can celebrate Christ at Christmas and share with people.

THE BAD NEWS
The bad thing about Christmas is that it's not everyday; the joyful feeling, the celebration and sharing do not last, only for few days, and the worse is the Christmas day, it goes faster and ends. I wish it can always stay longer with such wonderful feeling. The worst is that if only during Christmas you experience the joy of the birth of Jesus, then you are a miserable person. Christmas celebration doesn't last, but the good news is that when you accept Jesus into your life as your Lord, you will always experience more than the joy of Christmas. If you have not experienced the joy of Salvation since you have been a Christian, then you are unrecognized by Jesus, you need genuine salvation to have the unlimited joy. If you have lost your joy of Salvation, you need to get it restored. Repentance, that is to realize and ready to forsake your sins, and accepting Jesus as your Lord, are the only means to have the unspeakable joy of Jesus! When you become saved, you begin life that pleases Jesus, not your self or Satan, you walk away from any form of sin; that is when the birth of Jesus will bring joy and justification. But if you realize Jesus as Savior of the world and remain in your sins, it will only bring judgment.

We can care for Christmas by celebrating Christ, but more than that, we should be celebrated by Christ through genuine salvation and living in holiness and righteousness, so that we can celebrate with Christ forever in heaven!

John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

(YOU CAN COMMENT "MERRY CHRISTMAS" AND SHARE THIS MESSAGE)

If you will like to surrender your life to Jesus or to rededicate your life to Jesus, please click on this link and read http://www.facebook.com/notes/revelation-of-truth-evangelical-ministries-rtem/how-can-i-be-saved/270674586372252

You can also contact us on email or phone for prayer, counsel or if you need biblical enlightenment on personal issues:
Revelation of Truth Evangelical Ministries, (RTEM)
Our Email: rtemoutreaches@yahoo.com
Our Tel: (+234) (0)803 924 9751, (0)705 937 3351, (0)802 578 7942.
Our Facebook page, you can like for daily article on your wall, please like and then click on the "liked" and add to "interest list" http://www.facebook.com/pages/Revelation-of-Truth-Evangelical-Ministries-RTEM/244086502364394

If you will like to be receiving our weekly articles by email, please, send REQUEST to our email above.

If you want to read other Christian articles and Bible Studies on several other topics from this ministry, you can please click on this link and see several topics. http://www./468590419840054/files/ You can join to receive new topics
Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by FreshGreen: 2:50pm On Dec 25, 2013
Krak: Hundreds of millions of people celebrate Christmas every year. But do you really know the true story of Christmas? Follow me as you read ten things you did not know about Christmas:

1. In the Norse countries around December 21st(Winter Solstice) fathers and their sons would drag home the biggest log they could find and then set it on fire. As long as the log burns(about 12 days) feasting and revelry reigned supreme. This celebration was called Yule which gave the name Yuletide, and the 12 days the log burned gave birth to the 12 days of Christmas.

Also dragged into the homes were evergreen trees,the one plant that can make it through winter. Evergreens were proof that life persisted in these dark times of winter.
SHOULD CHRISTIANS REALLY CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS?
Christmas period is a time of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ everywhere in the world, but should we really celebrate Christmas at all?" I think this short article can be of little help, let's see:

OPPOSITIONS
There two major reasons people oppose celebrating Christmas as Christians. The first reason is that Christmas originated from pagan worship, and the second reason is that Jesus was not really born on December 25th.

(i) Origin: Should we celebrate what originated from pagan worship? Well, the point is that it was actually the holiday of Saturnalia that the pagans celebrated then, not Christmas. Christmas was a replacement of Saturnalia festival in Christendom; Christmas solely celebrates Christ Jesus, and it has no link or connection with idol festival as far as Christmas is concerned today. To oppose Christmas because the similar or same day was formally celebrated by pagans is wrong. If you oppose Christmas, then you will oppose Easter because both have similar history; if you oppose both Christmas and Easter, then you will need to oppose going to church on Sunday, because Sunday was a formal holiday for the god of Sun, and if you oppose worshiping on Sunday, then you must oppose calling days like Sunday, Monday, Saturday, etc. Because they all have idolatry origin. If you still believe the names are attached to idols, like Sunday for Sun god, and Monday for Moon god, and you don't worship God on Sunday, and you mention the idolatry names? Then you still agree with it.

Christmas was not celebrated for the first 300 years of early church, until the catholic, so also church building was not built by early Christians for 300 years until the catholic. Building church auditorium can also be traced to the pagan gods. Does that means building church auditorium is evil? No, but it must be moderate, not magnificent. The fact that Christmas was traced to pagan festival does not means it is wrong to celebrate Christmas. Today we celebrate Christ at Christmas and Him alone.

(ii) Day of Birth: Jesus was not born on December 25th, and it is not necessary for Christmas day. People can choose any day to celebrate Jesus' day of birth, because He owns all days; only we, the humans, can be tied to a day we were born for birthday.

MUST WE CELEBRATE?
Do we have to celebrate, sing and give gifts to mark the birth of Jesus? The answer is YES? Luke 2:13, "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Angels in heaven celebrated the birth of Jesus, so it is not wrong for Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus, as long as Jesus alone is mentioned and no connection to any idol or selfish purpose. It is not wrong to celebrate Christmas as long Christ is the center of the celebration and everything you do glorifies His name; it is wrong for people who celebrate self or sinful indulgences during Christmas. Christians can celebrate Christ at Christmas and share with people.

THE BAD NEWS
The bad thing about Christmas is that it's not everyday; the joyful feeling, the celebration and sharing do not last, only for few days, and the worse is the Christmas day, it goes faster and ends. I wish it can always stay longer with such wonderful feeling. The worst is that if only during Christmas you experience the joy of the birth of Jesus, then you are a miserable person. Christmas celebration doesn't last, but the good news is that when you accept Jesus into your life as your Lord, you will always experience more than the joy of Christmas. If you have not experienced the joy of Salvation since you have been a Christian, then you are unrecognized by Jesus, you need genuine salvation to have the unlimited joy. If you have lost your joy of Salvation, you need to get it restored. Repentance, that is to realize and ready to forsake your sins, and accepting Jesus as your Lord, are the only means to have the unspeakable joy of Jesus! When you become saved, you begin life that pleases Jesus, not your self or Satan, you walk away from any form of sin; that is when the birth of Jesus will bring joy and justification. But if you realize Jesus as Savior of the world and remain in your sins, it will only bring judgment.

We can care for Christmas by celebrating Christ, but more than that, we should be celebrated by Christ through genuine salvation and living in holiness and righteousness, so that we can celebrate with Christ forever in heaven!

John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

(YOU CAN COMMENT "MERRY CHRISTMAS" AND SHARE THIS MESSAGE)

If you will like to surrender your life to Jesus or to rededicate your life to Jesus, please click on this link and read http://www.facebook.com/notes/revelation-of-truth-evangelical-ministries-rtem/how-can-i-be-saved/270674586372252

You can also contact us on email or phone for prayer, counsel or if you need biblical enlightenment on personal issues:
Revelation of Truth Evangelical Ministries, (RTEM)
Our Email: rtemoutreaches@yahoo.com
Our Tel: (+234) (0)803 924 9751, (0)705 937 3351, (0)802 578 7942.
Our Facebook page, you can like for daily article on your wall, please like and then click on the "liked" and add to "interest list" http://www.facebook.com/pages/Revelation-of-Truth-Evangelical-Ministries-RTEM/244086502364394

If you will like to be receiving our weekly articles by email, please, send REQUEST to our email above.

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Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by FreshGreen: 2:51pm On Dec 25, 2013
Krak: 4.When Lord Oliver Cromwell and his Christian Puritans overthrew the King of England in 1645 they vowed to rid England of all that was decadent. As a result Christmas was banned and outlawed in the whole of England by the Christian Puritans. Shops were forced to stay open and Churches were forced to stay closed on that day. Christmas celebration was then driven underground until the Monarchy was restored and then Christmas was restored.

In the New World (later to become U.S.A), in Boston Christmas was outlawed, also by the puritans. Anyone caught exhibiting the Christmas spirit was fined 5 shillings.

SHOULD CHRISTIANS REALLY CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS?
Christmas period is a time of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ everywhere in the world, but should we really celebrate Christmas at all?" I think this short article can be of little help, let's see:

OPPOSITIONS
There two major reasons people oppose celebrating Christmas as Christians. The first reason is that Christmas originated from pagan worship, and the second reason is that Jesus was not really born on December 25th.

(i) Origin: Should we celebrate what originated from pagan worship? Well, the point is that it was actually the holiday of Saturnalia that the pagans celebrated then, not Christmas. Christmas was a replacement of Saturnalia festival in Christendom; Christmas solely celebrates Christ Jesus, and it has no link or connection with idol festival as far as Christmas is concerned today. To oppose Christmas because the similar or same day was formally celebrated by pagans is wrong. If you oppose Christmas, then you will oppose Easter because both have similar history; if you oppose both Christmas and Easter, then you will need to oppose going to church on Sunday, because Sunday was a formal holiday for the god of Sun, and if you oppose worshiping on Sunday, then you must oppose calling days like Sunday, Monday, Saturday, etc. Because they all have idolatry origin. If you still believe the names are attached to idols, like Sunday for Sun god, and Monday for Moon god, and you don't worship God on Sunday, and you mention the idolatry names? Then you still agree with it.

Christmas was not celebrated for the first 300 years of early church, until the catholic, so also church building was not built by early Christians for 300 years until the catholic. Building church auditorium can also be traced to the pagan gods. Does that means building church auditorium is evil? No, but it must be moderate, not magnificent. The fact that Christmas was traced to pagan festival does not means it is wrong to celebrate Christmas. Today we celebrate Christ at Christmas and Him alone.

(ii) Day of Birth: Jesus was not born on December 25th, and it is not necessary for Christmas day. People can choose any day to celebrate Jesus' day of birth, because He owns all days; only we, the humans, can be tied to a day we were born for birthday.

MUST WE CELEBRATE?
Do we have to celebrate, sing and give gifts to mark the birth of Jesus? The answer is YES? Luke 2:13, "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Angels in heaven celebrated the birth of Jesus, so it is not wrong for Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus, as long as Jesus alone is mentioned and no connection to any idol or selfish purpose. It is not wrong to celebrate Christmas as long Christ is the center of the celebration and everything you do glorifies His name; it is wrong for people who celebrate self or sinful indulgences during Christmas. Christians can celebrate Christ at Christmas and share with people.

THE BAD NEWS
The bad thing about Christmas is that it's not everyday; the joyful feeling, the celebration and sharing do not last, only for few days, and the worse is the Christmas day, it goes faster and ends. I wish it can always stay longer with such wonderful feeling. The worst is that if only during Christmas you experience the joy of the birth of Jesus, then you are a miserable person. Christmas celebration doesn't last, but the good news is that when you accept Jesus into your life as your Lord, you will always experience more than the joy of Christmas. If you have not experienced the joy of Salvation since you have been a Christian, then you are unrecognized by Jesus, you need genuine salvation to have the unlimited joy. If you have lost your joy of Salvation, you need to get it restored. Repentance, that is to realize and ready to forsake your sins, and accepting Jesus as your Lord, are the only means to have the unspeakable joy of Jesus! When you become saved, you begin life that pleases Jesus, not your self or Satan, you walk away from any form of sin; that is when the birth of Jesus will bring joy and justification. But if you realize Jesus as Savior of the world and remain in your sins, it will only bring judgment.

We can care for Christmas by celebrating Christ, but more than that, we should be celebrated by Christ through genuine salvation and living in holiness and righteousness, so that we can celebrate with Christ forever in heaven!

John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

(YOU CAN COMMENT "MERRY CHRISTMAS" AND SHARE THIS MESSAGE)

If you will like to surrender your life to Jesus or to rededicate your life to Jesus, please click on this link and read http://www.facebook.com/notes/revelation-of-truth-evangelical-ministries-rtem/how-can-i-be-saved/270674586372252

You can also contact us on email or phone for prayer, counsel or if you need biblical enlightenment on personal issues:
Revelation of Truth Evangelical Ministries, (RTEM)
Our Email: rtemoutreaches@yahoo.com
Our Tel: (+234) (0)803 924 9751, (0)705 937 3351, (0)802 578 7942.
Our Facebook page, you can like for daily article on your wall, please like and then click on the "liked" and add to "interest list" http://www.facebook.com/pages/Revelation-of-Truth-Evangelical-Ministries-RTEM/244086502364394

If you will like to be receiving our weekly articles by email, please, send REQUEST to our email above.

If you want to read other Christian articles and Bible Studies on several other topics from this ministry, you can please click on this link and see several topics. http://www./468590419840054/files/ You can join to receive new topics
Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by FreshGreen: 2:52pm On Dec 25, 2013
Krak: 3..By the Middle Ages Christianity had largely replaced the old pagan religions of Europe.On December 25th the faithful were called to Gothic Cathedrals like Notre Damme and Salzburg Cathedral for CHRIST MASS, soon to be called CHRISTMAS.

SHOULD CHRISTIANS REALLY CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS?
Christmas period is a time of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ everywhere in the world, but should we really celebrate Christmas at all?" I think this short article can be of little help, let's see:

OPPOSITIONS
There two major reasons people oppose celebrating Christmas as Christians. The first reason is that Christmas originated from pagan worship, and the second reason is that Jesus was not really born on December 25th.

(i) Origin: Should we celebrate what originated from pagan worship? Well, the point is that it was actually the holiday of Saturnalia that the pagans celebrated then, not Christmas. Christmas was a replacement of Saturnalia festival in Christendom; Christmas solely celebrates Christ Jesus, and it has no link or connection with idol festival as far as Christmas is concerned today. To oppose Christmas because the similar or same day was formally celebrated by pagans is wrong. If you oppose Christmas, then you will oppose Easter because both have similar history; if you oppose both Christmas and Easter, then you will need to oppose going to church on Sunday, because Sunday was a formal holiday for the god of Sun, and if you oppose worshiping on Sunday, then you must oppose calling days like Sunday, Monday, Saturday, etc. Because they all have idolatry origin. If you still believe the names are attached to idols, like Sunday for Sun god, and Monday for Moon god, and you don't worship God on Sunday, and you mention the idolatry names? Then you still agree with it.

Christmas was not celebrated for the first 300 years of early church, until the catholic, so also church building was not built by early Christians for 300 years until the catholic. Building church auditorium can also be traced to the pagan gods. Does that means building church auditorium is evil? No, but it must be moderate, not magnificent. The fact that Christmas was traced to pagan festival does not means it is wrong to celebrate Christmas. Today we celebrate Christ at Christmas and Him alone.

(ii) Day of Birth: Jesus was not born on December 25th, and it is not necessary for Christmas day. People can choose any day to celebrate Jesus' day of birth, because He owns all days; only we, the humans, can be tied to a day we were born for birthday.

MUST WE CELEBRATE?
Do we have to celebrate, sing and give gifts to mark the birth of Jesus? The answer is YES? Luke 2:13, "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Angels in heaven celebrated the birth of Jesus, so it is not wrong for Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus, as long as Jesus alone is mentioned and no connection to any idol or selfish purpose. It is not wrong to celebrate Christmas as long Christ is the center of the celebration and everything you do glorifies His name; it is wrong for people who celebrate self or sinful indulgences during Christmas. Christians can celebrate Christ at Christmas and share with people.

THE BAD NEWS
The bad thing about Christmas is that it's not everyday; the joyful feeling, the celebration and sharing do not last, only for few days, and the worse is the Christmas day, it goes faster and ends. I wish it can always stay longer with such wonderful feeling. The worst is that if only during Christmas you experience the joy of the birth of Jesus, then you are a miserable person. Christmas celebration doesn't last, but the good news is that when you accept Jesus into your life as your Lord, you will always experience more than the joy of Christmas. If you have not experienced the joy of Salvation since you have been a Christian, then you are unrecognized by Jesus, you need genuine salvation to have the unlimited joy. If you have lost your joy of Salvation, you need to get it restored. Repentance, that is to realize and ready to forsake your sins, and accepting Jesus as your Lord, are the only means to have the unspeakable joy of Jesus! When you become saved, you begin life that pleases Jesus, not your self or Satan, you walk away from any form of sin; that is when the birth of Jesus will bring joy and justification. But if you realize Jesus as Savior of the world and remain in your sins, it will only bring judgment.

We can care for Christmas by celebrating Christ, but more than that, we should be celebrated by Christ through genuine salvation and living in holiness and righteousness, so that we can celebrate with Christ forever in heaven!

John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

(YOU CAN COMMENT "MERRY CHRISTMAS" AND SHARE THIS MESSAGE)

If you will like to surrender your life to Jesus or to rededicate your life to Jesus, please click on this link and read http://www.facebook.com/notes/revelation-of-truth-evangelical-ministries-rtem/how-can-i-be-saved/270674586372252

You can also contact us on email or phone for prayer, counsel or if you need biblical enlightenment on personal issues:
Revelation of Truth Evangelical Ministries, (RTEM)
Our Email: rtemoutreaches@yahoo.com
Our Tel: (+234) (0)803 924 9751, (0)705 937 3351, (0)802 578 7942.
Our Facebook page, you can like for daily article on your wall, please like and then click on the "liked" and add to "interest list" http://www.facebook.com/pages/Revelation-of-Truth-Evangelical-Ministries-RTEM/244086502364394

If you will like to be receiving our weekly articles by email, please, send REQUEST to our email above.

If you want to read other Christian articles and Bible Studies on several other topics from this ministry, you can please click on this link and see several topics. http://www./468590419840054/files/ You can join to receive new topics
Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by Ubenedictus(m): 3:02pm On Dec 25, 2013
My dear i neva said you weren't a christian, i simply advise you to research your article again. Mayb i wasn't clear befor. The thought that christmas was place on the 25 to replace a pagan celebration is based upon an unproven assumption that there was already a pagan celebration on the 25. Now listen, there is absolutely no significant historical proof that there was a pagan celebration on d 25th before the 4th century. I repeat neither sol invintus or mithras has an annual celebration on the 25 befor the 4th century. 2ndly mithras worship wasn't a state cult is was private and thus even if there was a none existent celebration on that day it would be unknown to most people since d worship of mithras isn't a public cult.
Krak:

This article is actually based on research. Roman Mithraism was adopted from Persian Zoroastrianism. Mithra in Zoroastrian religion has always been worshiped for hundreds of years before Christ was born. There is a whole lot that connects Christmas with Paganism.

For example it is a well known fact(even among Christian scholars) the Jesus Christ was obviously not born in December or any period near that Month.

So why then did they just decide out of the blues that he was born in December and not just any December but on the 25th.

Early Christians did not celebrate the birth of Jesus, what was usually marked was his Crucifixion, Death and Resurection.

For your information I am a Christian.

3rdly about the time we are speaking of the church was totally against adopting any pagan feast, it would sound totally insane if the church of that period was against adopting any pagan stuff and then they went about adopting a pagan celebration, that would make them hypocrites. Research on the above points and inform me with proof if i am wrong on any of them.
Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by Ubenedictus(m): 3:16pm On Dec 25, 2013
Krak:
So why then did they just decide out of the blues that he was born in December and not just any December but on the 25
this one is a bit simple to answer but i wont hand it to you on a plater of gold. To get this answer we need to go back to the writting of the christians of about 250ad to 350ad and to the rabbis of around d 2nd century. That is where you'll find the answer.
Re: Eleven Things You Did Not Know About Christmas by charlsecy(m): 4:06pm On Dec 25, 2013
There is no Scriptural basis to observe Christmas; there is equally no Biblical ground not to celebrate Christmas. Having pointed that out, let me continue:

I think the right question is even, "How should a Christian celebrate Christmas?" I believe this question is more important than "Should a Christian celebrate Christmas?"

Whether to celebrate Christmas or not is a personal choice. And how you celebrate Christmas, if you choose to, is an even more important choice You can choose to specially celebrate Christmas; you can equally count the day as regular as any other day. Paul says, "One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind" Romans 14:5 [NKJV]. If you choose to observe Christmas, your activities, at all times, must be in line with GOD's commands. Don't engage in any activities you know go contrary to the Revealed Word, all in the name of Christmas.

Those who oppose the celebration of Christian often cite its pagan origin and traditions. It is said that Christmas was meant to replace a pagan festival, but that doesn't make the meaning of Christmas to be pagan. It's a replacement, not a continuation of pagan rites.

According to S. Michael Houdmann,

"While there are definitely pagan roots to some traditions, there are many more traditions associated with the true meaning of Christmas — the birth of the Saviour of the world in Bethlehem. Bells are played to ring out the joyous news, candles are lit to remind us that Christ is the Light of the world (John 1:4-9), a star is placed on the top of a Christmas tree to remember the Star of Bethlehem, and gifts are exchanged to remind us of the gifts of the Magi to Jesus, the greatest gift of God to mankind."

Consider this:

Throughout Igbo land, the New Yam is a festival celebrated by pagans, whereby they thank Ala [god of land] for a bountiful harvest. But today, Christians have changed the element of the festival. During New Year, Christians visit places of worship, and offer thanksgiving to Jehovah for rich harvest and for His Blessings. Can we condemn Christians who engage in New Yam, just because pagans used to, and still thank Ani on the same day? Can we label as idolatrous the thanksgiving Christians offer to Jehovah in Christ on New Yam?

Even the names of the week and year are named in honour of one god or the other. For examples, Sunday was named after sun god, yet Christians worship on Sundays. Thursday originally referred to the Germanic god of sky, or of thunder. January was named after Janus, Roman god of beginnings and transitions.

If you choose to celebrate Christmas, do it without engaging in drunken madness, greed, recklessness, promiscuity, and profligacy. These negative activities are often associated with Christmas season, but that is not the essence of the season. If you celebrate "Christmas" in such a manner, then be informed that is never Christmas. Christmas commemorates the Birth of our Saviour. It should be marked by a strengthening of our dedication to the Lord. We should reflect on why the Saviour was born. That is the Noble Way to observe Christmas. That Way, you can be celebrating Christmas everyday. Whether Christians celebrate Christmas in this manner is entirely another matter, but we cannot throw the baby away with the bath water.

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