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Author
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Topic: The Christmas Cross
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Carol Swenson
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Member # 6929
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Max Lucado
God Came Near
CHRISTMAS NIGHT
IT’S CHRISTMAS NIGHT. THE HOUSE IS QUIET. Even the crackle is gone from the fireplace. Warm coals issue a lighthouse glow in the darkened den. Stockings hang empty on the mantle. The tree stands naked in the corner. Christmas cards, tinsel, and memories remind Christmas night of Christmas Day.
It’s Christmas night. What a day it has been! Spiced tea. Santa Claus. Cranberry sauce. “Thank you so much.” “You shouldn’t have!” “Grandma is on the phone.” Knee-deep wrapping paper. “It just fits.” Flashing cameras.
It’s Christmas night. The girls are in bed. Jenna dreams of her talking Big Bird and clutches her new purse. Andrea sleeps in her new Santa pajamas.
It’s Christmas night. The tree that only yesterday grew from soil made of gifts, again grows from the Christmas tree stand. Presents are now possessions. Wrapping paper is bagged and in the dumpster. The dishes are washed and leftover turkey awaits next week’s sandwiches.
It’s Christmas night. The last of the carolers appeared on the ten o’clock news. The last of the apple pie was eaten by my brother-in-law. And the last of the Christmas albums have been stored away having dutifully performed their annual rendition of chestnuts, white Christmases, and red-nosed reindeers.
It’s Christmas night.
The midnight hour has chimed and I should be asleep, but I’m awake. I’m kept awake by one stunning thought. The world was different this week. It was temporarily transformed.
The magical dust of Christmas glittered on the cheeks of humanity ever so briefly, reminding us of what is worth having and what we were intended to be. We forgot our compulsion with winning, wooing, and warring. We put away our ladders and ledgers, we hung up our stopwatches and weapons. We stepped off our race tracks and roller coasters and looked outward toward the star of Bethlehem.
It’s the season to be jolly because, more than at any other time, we think of him. More than in any other season, his name is on our lips.
And the result? For a few precious hours our heavenly yearnings intermesh and we become a chorus. A ragtag chorus of longshoremen, Boston lawyers, illegal immigrants, housewives, and a thousand other peculiar persons who are banking that Bethlehem’s mystery is in reality, a reality. “Come and behold him” we sing, stirring even the sleepiest of shepherds and pointing them toward the Christ-child.
For a few precious hours, he is beheld. Christ the Lord. Those who pass the year without seeing him, suddenly see him. People who have been accustomed to using his name in vain, pause to use it in praise. Eyes, now free of the blinders of self, marvel at his majesty.
All of a sudden he’s everywhere.
In the grin of the policeman as he drives the paddy wagon full of presents to the orphanage.">
In the twinkle in the eyes of the Taiwanese waiter as he tells of his upcoming Christmas trip to see his children.
In the emotion of the father who is too thankful to finish the dinner table prayer.
He’s in the tears of the mother as she welcomes home her son from overseas.
He’s in the heart of the man who spent Christmas morning on skid row giving away cold baloney sandwiches and warm wishes.
And he’s in the solemn silence of the crowd of shopping mall shoppers as the elementary school chorus sings “Away in a Manger.”
Emmanuel. He is with us. God came near.
It’s Christmas night. In a few hours the cleanup will begin—lights will come down, trees will be thrown out. Size 36 will be exchanged for size 40, eggnog will be on sale for half price. Soon life will be normal again. December’s generosity will become January’s payments and the magic will begin to fade.
But for the moment, the magic is still in the air. Maybe that’s why I’m still awake. I want to savor the spirit just a bit more. I want to pray that those who beheld him today will look for him next August. And I can’t help but linger on one fanciful thought: If he can do so much with such timid prayers lamely offered in December, how much more could he do if we thought of him every day?
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afisherofman
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Here is an abbreviated story of the birth of Jesus as told in the bible,
Luke 1
26 In the sixth month God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,
27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.
28The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.
31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.
32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
34"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
35The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.
37For nothing is impossible with God."
38"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
Matthew 1
18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph,
but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
"Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" which means, "God with us."
24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
25But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Luke 1
39At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,
40where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth.
41When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!
43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
Luke 2
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea,
to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,
7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,
18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen,
which were just as they had been told.
Matthew 2
1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem
2and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
4When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law,
he asked them where the Christ was to be born.
5"In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:
6" 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.
7Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.
8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child.
As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."
9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them
until it stopped over the place where the child was.
10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.
Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
May God bless you,
afisherofman
Posts: 43 | From: PA | Registered: Nov 2007
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afisherofman
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Hi TB125 and becausehelives ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
I can relate to the concerns you have.
I also have a desire to share God's love with others. I agree with you TB125 when you said....
quote:
It is hard to do this at Christmas when it has been corrupted by so many pagan traditions.
It wasn't till a few years ago that I discovered the true meaning of Christmas....
The virgin birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Christmas was for me a time to decorate the tree and house, buy and receive gifts with family and friends, go to parties etc....
Oh yeah, one more thing... attend Christmas mass on Sunday which I felt obligated to do. That's all I got out of the mass...a fulfilled obligation
Just to let you all know a little about me.....
I was baptized and brought up in the Catholic church and I can tell you that I never read the bible and I always believed that if you were not Catholic, you were not going to heaven.
I left the Catholic church at age 40 because I felt a void in my heart, something was missing.
I didn't get the feeling I belonged there.
Two years later I found out it wasn't what I was missing, rather who I was missing.
I now believe in order for you to know that you are saved and will go to heaven when you die, does not depend on what religion you are, but whether or not you have a true "heart to heart" relationship with God and have accepted His wonderful gift of love for you.
And of all the gifts we will receive at Christmas, I pray that anyone who reads this post will find in their heart to accept God's wonderful gift of His son, Jesus Christ
The bible states...
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:8-9
God is offering His gift to you, It's your choice to accept or reject it.
It is no different than a loved one giving you a birthday gift or Christmas gift,
you either accept the gift and say "thank you" or if you don't like it,
say "no thank you." It is that simple.
God's gift is Jesus Christ...
The bible states...
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John3:16
and
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.Rom 10:9
also...
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
There is no other way to heaven, but by Jesus.
Following are two of my favorite links to videos dedicated to Jesus that I highly encourage you to view.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M4_IlbaZHA
http://www.frontiernet.net/~jimdandy/specials/xmas.htm
Jesus is saying to you now..."Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him..." Rev 3:20
The question I believe God wants to ask you is....
"Do you accept Jesus as the Lord and Saviour of your life and Hid gift of salvation?"
Once, you made the choice to accept Jesus, just say the following prayer and mean it from your heart...
Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner.
I am sorry and I ask Your forgiveness.
I believe that You died on the cross, was buried and rose from the dead and into heaven.
I open my heart and invite you to be the Lord and Saviour of my life.
I place my trust in You and will follow You according to your word from this day forward,
In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Congratulations. You just became a born-again Christian and this is just the beginning of a
wonderful new life for you in Christ. To deepen your relationship with Jesus you should:
1. Read your Bible everyday to know Jesus better.
2. Talk to God in prayer every day.
3. Tell others about Jesus.
4. Worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians in a local church where Jesus Christ is preached.
5. As Jesus's representative in a needy world, demonstrate your new life by your love and concern for others.
May God bless you. ![[Bible]](graemlins/bible.gif)
Your brother in Christ,
afisherofman
Posts: 43 | From: PA | Registered: Nov 2007
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becauseHElives
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Bob, Yahweh's greatest Blessing on all your efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Lord, King, Savior, Friend… ![[thumbsup2]](graemlins/thumbsup2.gif)
Be instant in season and out…
Let the Hope that is in you reach everyone Yahweh gives you opportunity to touch, never compromise what Yahweh has revealed to you as Truth…
Love your brother in Messiah Yeshua
becauseHelive , dale:cross: ![[Prayer]](graemlins/prayer.gif)
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
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TB125
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becauseHelives,
I hope that you recognize that I'm not trying to get you quote:
to mix Pagan Traditions with the Precious Word of Yahweh
I'm an old retired minister who has spent a lot of time in the study of God's Word. I have written, edited, and taught courses in it. Although I'm retired, I have had several opportunities to serve congregations in interim ministries while they seek new pastors. In such ministries I try to preach the gospel, and the Lord is constantly teaching me more about the wisdom of His Word.
I certainly don't claim to be free from temptations, but the Lord has given me some victories over some persistent ones. I thank the Lord all of the time for His patience with me and His amazing grace.
My goal with my website is to share some of God's "good" gifts with others. It is hard to do this at Christmas when it has been corrupted by so many pagan traditions. Perhaps you have worked out a "pure" way of doing this. If so, God bless you.
In any case, I think that we have probably engaged in this discussion enough for now. I would like to see more comments from other participants in this forum. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me.
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Bob
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becauseHElives
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Can a person glorify Yahweh watching pornography?
Bob, I was introduced to pornography at 10years old, thanks to public education!
Pornography is a disease worse than cancer and keeps spiritually dead more than cancer will ever kill bodily, I praise Yahweh He delivered me from the lustful mind that once plagued me and robed me of the intimacy that belong to a man and his wife, just as He healed my oldest daughter of terminal cancer (whelms tumor/cancer of the kidneys) when she was 14 months old.
I have no lustful thoughts any more, I now have the mind of Yeshua, and I continually keep His Word before my eyes, so the enemy can not have place any more in my thoughts.
Marriage is the type and shadow of Yeshua and His Bride; divorce in the Church is destroying the image Yeshua want the world to see. Yeshua remained faithful to the end, He is returning for a Bride that will do the same.
How do you tell a non-believer about "the Blood of His Son" without talking about the birth of that "Son", without talking about the incarnation of that divine Son into human "flesh", which is sometimes tempted with lustful thoughts?
Bob, I’m not afraid to talk about Yeshua’s birth; the virgin birth is the only way Yahweh’s Blood could be shed for mankind, but to mix Pagan Traditions with the Precious Word of Yahweh, when Yahweh Himself declares …
Deuteronomy 4:2 ….Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Proverbs 30:5-6… Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
The Bible does not contain the Word of God; it is the Word of God.
Ps. 138:2: “For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.”
Christ-Mass is a mixture, the un-holy with the Holy, Yeshua said beware of the leaven of the religious, and a little bit will ruin the whole loaf!
which is sometimes tempted with lustful thoughts?
Bob, Galatians 5:24
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts
James 1:14
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
1 Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
David did not sin when he went to his roof and saw Bathsheba naked, the act became sin when he turned not head to look away, David knew Yahweh’s word, he knew the example of Joseph and Potiphar's Wife, David knew the Law, David choose to sin against Yahweh!
But Yahweh’s mercies are new every morning, and when the Spirit of Yahweh speaks to us about sin in our life just as Nathan the prophet spoke to David, we must be quick to acknowledge our sin what ever it is a bring that sin under the Blood!
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
Posts: 4578 | From: Southeast Texas | Registered: Jun 2002
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TB125
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becauseHelives,
I assume from your answer that you have nothing to do with anything connected with Christmas, including sending Christmas cards to anyone and certainly not wishing anyone a "merry Christmas".
I'll try to give you a thought provoking answer to your question: quote:
Can a person glorify Yahweh watching pornography?
I don't think so! But have you stopped having sex with your spouse because you might have some lustful or otherwise inappropriate thought come into your mind while your sharing this divinely ordained loving embrace? You know Jesus' teaching about lustful thoughts being as serious as adultery, and I'm sure that He would include sexual fantasies in this category of prohibited thinking. How "white" and "pure" are you my friend?
You say,
quote:
The only thing a non-believer can do at any time to glorify Yahweh, is accept the gift of the Blood of His Son for the forgiveness of sin, by understanding he/she are guilty of breaking Yahweh’s Holy Law and then understand life comes by walking after the Spirit so as not to fulfill the old nature / the lust of the flesh.
How do you tell a non-believer about "the Blood of His Son" without talking about the birth of that "Son", without talking about the incarnation of that divine Son into human "flesh", which is sometimes tempted with lustful thoughts? What is your message about God's incarnation at this "season" of the year?
I would like to know.
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Bob
Posts: 449 | From: Rockford Illinois | Registered: Nov 2003
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becauseHElives
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quote:
My question to you is this: what can you say or share with someone, particularly a non-Christian that will encourage them to glorify God this Christmas?
answer....
It is impossible to glorify Yahweh in participating in evil! Christ-mass is evil, no amount of adding good can change that fact. Christ-mass was born in the heart of the Pagan Roman Catholic Wh!ore, it is built on lies mixed with scripture, a deadly mixture!
Can a person glorify Yahweh watching pornography?
The only thing a non-believer can do at any time to glorify Yahweh, is accept the gift of the Blood of His Son for the forgiveness of sin, by understanding he/she are guilty of breaking Yahweh’s Holy Law and then understand life comes by walking after the Spirit so as not to fulfill the old nature / the lust of the flesh.
To someone that claims to believe, who loves this world and that is what Christ-mass is all about, loving the world, there’s a good possibility they are not really born again, washed in the blood of the lamb.
Hebrews 11:
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
True saving faith always separates a man/woman from this world.
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
Posts: 4578 | From: Southeast Texas | Registered: Jun 2002
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TB125
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becauseHelives,
I understand your position and I certainly give you the right to hold it. I'm not trying in any of these messages or in my statement regarding Christmas to judge your position or to agressively change your mind regarding how you and your family observe it or don't observe it. For the most part, I agree with your position.
I have three grown sons and eight grandchildren. My oldest grandson is studing for the ministry and presently serving as the minister for Jr. Hi. Youth in one of the largest churches in our city. His mother is the minister for Christian drama in this congregation and his sister sings with the praise team.
One of my granddaughters from another son is attending a Christian college where she is preparing to become a worker for community development in some mission field. I just received a note from her that indicates that she has changed her perspective regarding Christmas presents. She no longer wants to receive any personal presents from anyone in the family, but would rather have each of us give her the funds that we would spend on a present to her so that she could make a donation to some Christian agency that is serving the needs of the poor. She didn't make this decision because of something that I said or that anyone in her family said. She made it as a result of her studies regarding the poor in one of her classes and God's conviction that she needed to change how she observed Christmas after years of being a participant in its usual festive traditions.
My question to you is this: what can you say or share with someone, particularly a non-Christian, that will encourage them to glorify God this Christmas?
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Bob
Posts: 449 | From: Rockford Illinois | Registered: Nov 2003
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becauseHElives
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Bob, I’m coming from the position that Noah preached for 120 year and never changed one persons mind, but Noah was free of their blood on his hands.
I’m coming from the position that humanism has invaded the Church, Truth is perceived
as intolerance.
Bob, I'm coming from the position of 5 children of my own, the youngest 15 still at home and !7 still at home, three married girls and 15 grandchildren ranging from 1 year old to 12 years old girls and boys.
I’m coming from the position I want my family, friends and even people who would consider me an enemy to be saved.
I’m coming from the position Truth is the hardest thing to find today, even in so called Churches.
I’m coming from the position that Truth and Truth alone will set the captive free.
I’m coming from a position of no compromise with this world.
I’m coming from a position that lying in any form is wrong.
When Christ-Mass is mention, I stand for Truth, no matter who it offends..
Yeshua said to be friends with this world is to be His enemy!
I want to be His friend.
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
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TB125
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becauseHelives,
I note the following Scriptures that you cite from Paul:
quote:
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
and quote:
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
What I'm trying to do with my statement regarding Christmas and its history from various traditions that are obviously not Christian is to "let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind" without setting myself up as anyone's "judge".
I'm trying to get Christians and non-Christians to really evaluate Christmas and to decide after some personal reflection how they want to behave during this season of the year. The focus of the matter is on what can an individual do in the midst of this festival that is going to glorify God! And part of my challenge in writing anything at all about this matter on the Internet is to even get anyone to consider a new point of view, something different from what they have been taught by social, religious, and even family customs and practices.
You indicate that your position regarding this is basically "white". That is fine, but how are you going to get anyone who doesn't share your position to pay any attention to it or to what you might say about this matter? What can you say to a couple with two or three young children that will help them to have an appropriate Christian perspective on Christmas and every feature of it that is a part of this major festival of the social/cultural calendar? I'd be interested in reading your statement.
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Bob
Posts: 449 | From: Rockford Illinois | Registered: Nov 2003
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becauseHElives
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quote:
TB125 (on your web site)... but we Christians need to make sure that our Christmas celebrations are for the glory of God and nothing else; certainly not for the worship of any sun god, saint, or material gift.
TB125/Bob,
I’m so black and white, true and false, right and wrong, I often seem unkind or unforgiving.
The Lord knows my heart and this I hope and pray is not the case.
In America there is so much wrong in the so called “Church” it is hard for the lost sinners to know what is Truth.
2 Corinthians 6 (Amplified Bible)
13By way of return then, do this for me--I speak as to children--open wide your hearts also [to us].
14Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mismated alliances with them or come under a different yoke with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership have right living and right standing with God with iniquity and lawlessness? Or how can light have fellowship with darkness?
15What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial [the devil]? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
16What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in and with and among them and will walk in and with and among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
17So, come out from among [unbelievers], and separate (sever) yourselves from them, says the Lord, and touch not [any] unclean thing; then I will receive you kindly and treat you with favor,
18And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.
Bob the Roman Catholic Wh!ore started this abdominal lie called Christmas.
Now I have to ask myself,
How can light (The Light of Yeshua that lives in me) have fellowship with darkness (the darkness of Christ-Mass of the Roman Catholic Wh!ore)?
vs.15What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial [the devil]?
vs.14 What has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Do not all the merchant of the world profit on this so call holy day, don’t unbelievers around the world embrace this day. If it was really of Yahweh would those unsaved in the world have anything to do with the day.
vs.16 What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? You can’t make Holy what Yahweh calls un-Holy no make if you affix Jesus/Yeshua’s name to it or not.!
vs.17 So, come out from among [unbelievers]( The Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant Churches that make the Word of Yahweh void and of none affect), and separate (sever) yourselves from them, says the Lord, and touch not [any] unclean thing; then I will receive you kindly and treat you with favor,
And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.
We have made Yahweh this big lovable teddy bear that just excepts any and everything and it is just not so.
Yahweh so loved the World He gave His only Son Yeshua, yes born of a virgin, proclaimed by angels, yes became a man, clothed in this weak flesh, but never let that be our focus of His Majesty and Glory from the beginning of time..
Let us focus on the Son of Yahweh, laying down all His Godhead power, the creator of Heaven and Earth and all that exist dying to shed Holy Blood so we could partake our His divine nature.
Understand the scriptures are line upon line,
And when the Apostle Paul talks about ….Romans 14:5
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
He is not saying it is alright to worship idols or Pagan holy day.
Or in…. Colossians 2:16
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
This again is not referring to Pagan holydays
Paul is referring to people forcing Jewish feast on Gentile believers.
Bob, I hope you hear my heart, I mean no condemnation of you or anyone else, I do pray for conviction to rest on the hearts of Yahweh’s people and our Savior’s Name be Glorified in all the earth through the obedience of Yahweh’s children .
My understanding of Yahweh and His Word is black and white, in Him there is now shades of gray.
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
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TB125
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Member # 2450
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posted
becauseHelives,
I don't see where my statement indicates that I am "double minded" or of two opinions. I have a fairly clear section that describes "the basic significance of Christmas", citing John's gospel.
Most of my statement is given to a brief summary of the history of Christmas and its various features. This history clearly indicates that there are many features of Christmas that are not Christian.
The point of my statement is to inform viewers of this history and then encourage them to make their own decisions as to how they observe the Christmas season and its various festivals. OK?
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Bob
Posts: 449 | From: Rockford Illinois | Registered: Nov 2003
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becauseHElives
Advanced Member
Member # 87
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posted
TB125
How long halt ye between two opinions?
Your page gives the indication we can have both, the Word of Yahweh declares make a decision!
You can’t have it both ways.
This is the problem in the so called church today, you can embrace Yahweh with one arm and the world with the other. “double minded”
1 Kings 18:21
And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
James 1:8
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
James 1:8 (Amplified Bible)
8[For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides].
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
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Grams
Advanced Member
Member # 5169
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posted
I believe Christ was born some time in Sept !
Back when we had started our family, we were
catholic. [ we were till we were in our 50's]
Should have had a clue when we took our daughter
to have a picture of her with Santa !
WOO! Yips. ![[Eek!]](eek.gif) She wanted no part of him,
she screamed and cried ![[crying]](graemlins/crying.gif) If you take
a good look into children at this point most of
them are that way. They do not have the world
in them as yet !!!
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8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
[ WARNING: EXPOSURE TO THE SON MAY PREVENT BURNING. ]
Posts: 57 | From: Michigan | Registered: Oct 2005
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becauseHElives
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Member # 87
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posted
Christmas is not Christian but Pagan just as is Easter.
My people Yahweh says are destroyed for a lack of knowledge.
Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you [the priestly nation] have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you that you shall be no priest to Me; seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.
This scripture is talking to the Church today!
The Roman Catholic Church, The Great Wh!ore establishing holidays above Yahweh’s Holy Days, changing times and seasons (changing the Sabbath and establishing new holy days)
quote:
Michael Harris
Easter; the name is awkward in that it comes from the name of the goddess Eshtar, the goddess of firtility. Hence we have the bunny rabbits and eggs, both representing firtility and, well...
MH this is correct,
But….
quote:
It is so easy to call it Easter, and no good name surfaces to replace it!!!!
There a very good name that replaces Easter… PASSOVER!
Christmas is Roman Catholic….
Christ Mass
The Mass is the name given to the Eucharistic
The True Meaning Of Christ-Mass
They tell us that it is the season to be jolly. It is a time of ornaments, red and green decorations, silver bells, holly, mistletoe and colored lights. It is also a time of department store Santas calling out their universal mantra, "Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas." Nearly all of the realm of so-called "Christianity" join in and repeat this same greeting, "Merry Christmas!"
Although we hear these words constantly as they resonate millions of times throughout the land, almost nobody understands what they are really saying. It is the purpose of this tract to take the words, "Merry Christmas" and examine the true meaning and essence of those words.
A true Christian would want to examine everything they say, because Jesus said in Matthew 12:36-37, "But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." We will now set aside all of the customs, glitter and traditions of Christmas, which were taken from pagan witchcraft and popularized by the Roman Catholic Church, and we will focus on the true meaning of the words, "Merry Christmas!"
The word "Merry" is simple to define. It unquestionably means to be happy, joyful and light-hearted. The word "merry" fits into the ambience of laughter and frivolity. This word "merry" by itself is innocent and innocuous enough, but as we will now see, it becomes heinously blasphemous when used with the word "Christmas."
Here let it be noted that most people think that the word, "Christmas" means "the birth of Christ." By definition, it means "death of Christ", and I will prove it by using the World Book Encyclopedia, the Catholic Encyclopedia, and a book entitled, The Mass In Slow Motion.
If you are an honest, sincere and discerning Christian, please read on; if not, you might as well stop right here. The World Book Encyclopedia defines "Christmas" as follows: "The word Christmas comes from "Cristes Maesse", an early English phrase that means "Mass of Christ." (1) It is interesting to note that the word "Mass", as used by the Roman Catholics, has traditionally been rejected by the so-called Protestants, such as Lutherans, Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Pentecostals and so on. The word "Mass" is strictly a Catholic word and thus, so is "Christ-Mass."
It would stand to reason, that since all of these denominations love and embrace "Christ-Mass", that December 25th is the great homecoming day, when all of the Protestants become Catholic for a day. It would seem that all of the so-called "wayward daughters" of the Romish church return to their mother, the scarlet harlot. Thus, all of the so-called Protestant churches could sing to the Pope that popular song "I'll be home for Christmas."
As previously stated, the word "Mass" in religious usage means a "death sacrifice." The impact of this fact is horrifying and shocking; for when the millions of people are saying, "Merry Christmas", they are literally saying "Merry death of Christ!" Furthermore, when the fat man in the red suit laughs boisterously and says, "Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas", he is mocking and laughing at the suffering and bleeding Saviour, who died for our sins. He does this while parents place their little children into his waiting arms to hear his false promises of gifts that he says he will give them. Consider what you are saying when you say "Merry Christmas."
What is so amusing about our Saviour's painful death? What is so funny? Why is Santa laughing? Why are you going along with it? Your words do count and Satan knows it. Yes, the word "Mass" does mean "death sacrifice", and to cement that fact, we will consider the definition of the inventors of the religious application of the word "Mass." I am looking at page 537 of the Catholic Encyclopedia, which says, "In the Christian law, the supreme sacrifice is that of the Mass." It goes on to say, "The supreme act of worship consists essentially in an offering of a worthy victim to God, the offering made by a proper person, as a priest, the destruction of the victim." (2) Please note carefully the word, "victim" of the Mass. The Latin word for victim is "Hostia" from which the word "host" is derived. The Mass, by definition of those who coined the word, is a sacrifice involving a victim. There is no other meaning for the word "Mass" or "Christ-Mass." On page 110 of a book entitled "The Mass In Slow Motion", we find the following words: "It is only with the consecration that the sacrifice of the Mass is achieved. I have represented the Mass to you, more than once, as a kind of ritual dance." (3)
In essence, the Mass is the ceremonial slaying of Jesus Christ over and over again, followed by the eating of his flesh and the drinking of his blood. The Mass is the death sacrifice, and the "Host" is the victim. This is official Roman Catholic doctrine, and "Christmas" is a word that they invented. Again, I ask, what is so merry about the pain, bleeding, suffering and death of Jesus Christ? Satan has done quite a job of getting millions of so-called "Christians" to blaspheme. What a deceiver he is.
Now you know the true meaning of the word "Christmas" or Mass of Christ. There is much more to know about this pagan holiday, and we will be glad to provide you with plenty of evidence that Jesus was not born on December 25th, and that Christmas is not only a lie, but is actually a witches' sabbat called "Yule" in clever disguise. Please contact us at the address below, and for the sake of your soul, flee from idolatry!
David J. Meyer
Acknowledgements:
01. World Book Encyclopedia, vol.3, p. 408, 1986 ed., World Book Inc., Chicago, IL
02. The Catholic Encyclopedia, R.C. Broderick, 1975 ed., Nihil Obstat, Richard J. Sklba, Censor Librorum. Imprimatur, Archbishop William E. Cousins, Milwaukee, WI.
03. The Mass In Slow Motion, Ronald Knox, 1948, Sheed & Ward, Inc., New York, NY. Nihil Obstat, E.C. Messenger, Censor Deputatus. Imprimatur, E. Morrogh Bernard, Vic. Gen.
Last Trumpet Ministries International
PO Box 806
Beaver Dam, WI 53916
Heaven weep at Christmas and the stupidity of the Church that embraces it.
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
Posts: 4578 | From: Southeast Texas | Registered: Jun 2002
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Grams
Advanced Member
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posted
Were only told one time in the bible to
celebrate some thing . And it is not the
birth.
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8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
[ WARNING: EXPOSURE TO THE SON MAY PREVENT BURNING. ]
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Michael Harrison
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Easter is not as celebrated because it represents the suffering that Jesus had to suffer on our behalf. Nevertheless, the ultimate result of Easter is the same as the Christmas message. In Christmas, He is born. In Easter, He is risen, for all practicalness, He is born, or better yet, we can be born because of.....
Easter; the name is awkward in that it comes from the name of the goddess Eshtar, the goddess of firtility. Hence we have the bunny rabbits and eggs, both representing firtility and, well...
It is so easy to call it Easter, and no good name surfaces to replace it!!!! ![[Confused]](confused.gif)
Posts: 3273 | From: Charlotte N.C. | Registered: Sep 2007
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Michael Harrison
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posted
I love Christmas. I most deeply embrace the season. It is a powerful time of the year for me, for it is the earnest of the joy that Christ Jesus is born the hope of mankind. I love Christmas.
Although it evolved from a pagan function, it is sanctified in that it is the recognition of Jesus being born of the Virgin Mary, by the providence of God, for the love of us all, to wit that any who believe in the virgin birth, the death and resurrection of Christ our Lord, can have hope in Him. It is precious. I love the season. The meaning is as intense as it gets! No other belief system has the hope that Christmas represents both to the believer, and to the world, or the joyous message.
Remember that the heart represents the manger wherein Christ was born. Your heart, the livery, or the horses smelly stable, is where Jesus is born if you receive Him as Lord and Savior. Baby Jesus is born there, and you are born again. I do love Christmas. Even the Christmas Carols have the intensity and inspiration of Heaven in them. No other music on earth is so wonderful, and full of Joy! I love it. The message is that hope, straight from heaven itself has rained down on the otherwise hopeless. How can
anybody miss that?
Heaven rejoices at Christmas. It is in the air. ![[Embarrassed]](redface.gif) ![[clap2]](graemlins/clap2.gif)
Posts: 3273 | From: Charlotte N.C. | Registered: Sep 2007
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Grams
Advanced Member
Member # 5169
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posted
Hello Michael Petster
Now were in my KJB does it say to celebrate
the birth of Christ !
Since I was a little girl I can see a big difference in how it is today and way back when.
I once was part of that ! Now I have the
bible to see what I did wrong for 50 years.
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8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
[ WARNING: EXPOSURE TO THE SON MAY PREVENT BURNING. ]
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Tolstoy's Beard
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Honestly I don't have an issue with anyone else doing it, but I wouldn't only because I'm not so sure about all these Christian and non Christian stores getting rich off of God by selling symbols and bumper stickers, and bracelets, and whatever else. I think people should see Christ in you not on your lawn ornaments. Just my two cents though.
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yahsway
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TC, could you expound or give examples of what you mean. Thanks
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Tubal Cain
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posted
Why do you insist that some Christian beliefs are pagan, but others aren't?
Posts: 50 | From: Dallas Texas | Registered: Sep 2003
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barrykind
Advanced Member
Member # 35
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posted
Amen Bro Dale
THis is my thinking also
![[wave3]](graemlins/18.gif)
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The HEART of the issue is truly the issue of the HEART!
John 3:3;Mark 8:34-38;James 1:27
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becauseHElives
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I might put a cross in my yard and leave it there all year but in no way would I ever acknowledge Christmas for anything but pagan just like Easter it is something else that the Roman Catholic Church instituted instead of Holy Days of the Scripture.
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
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Michael Petster
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So here's a question... would you put a bright cross on your lawn?
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Christmas is a holiday that is celebrated by almost all Americans. The celebration of the birth of baby Jesus draws many to their local churches for a special candle light service - whether they’re regular attenders or not. It’s hard to imagine not hearing Christmas music on the several stations playing 24 hours a day.
Most of us start the celebration by dusting off those boxes in our attics or garages filled with Christmas ornaments and decorations. Some passed down as family heirlooms and cherished family treasures.
We follow closely held family traditions - some by putting up the Christmas tree and decorations early - just after Thanksgiving, while others wait until Christmas eve to find that last, perfect tree and decorating it long into the evening.
Whatever your tradition, in more and more cases it includes Christmas lawn ornaments designed to dress up the outside of our homes to show our holiday cheer. Outdoor lawn ornaments used to be primarily Christmas lights and light strands hung along roof lines, around doors and windows and maybe on some outdoor trees or shrubs. In recent years however, the advent of simple to elaborate Christmas lawn ornaments consisting of everything from santa clause, reindeer, sleighs, trees and gift boxes to light poles, and helicopters!
Not only does the current crop of Christmas lawn ornaments include these items in a variety of sizes and shapes, they come with a variety of lighting options from traditional white, to red, green, blue - flashing, strobing and pulsing for all to see.
Some of the newer Christmas lawn ornaments include blow up items which include twelve feet tall snowmen and eight feet diameter snow globes with actual moving scenes inside.
Truly, Christmas lawn ornaments have become more elaborate, sophisticated and expensive (some topping the $500 mark) and many would say obnoxious as they grow in size and litter the Christmas holiday landscape.
While Christmas lawn ornaments of all shapes and styles are - I believe, designed to enhance out holiday cheer, most current offerings are missing the point. Christmas isn’t about santa clause, reindeer, snowmen and snow globes. It’s about the birth of Jesus Christ. It would seem therefore that a more fitting Christmas lawn ornament would be a Christmas Cross or some form of a Cross lawn ornament that more truly represents the Christ in Christmas we’re really celebrating.
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Article Taken From http://www.thechristcross.com (The Christmas Cross Creator!)
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