GARYC24 3 #1 December 21, 2004 It's all about Him Posted: December 21, 2004 1:00 a.m. Eastern © 2004 WorldNetDaily.com A little girl noticed that her mom was getting really stressed out around Christmas. Everything was bothering her mom, and she was very irritable. Evening came when the mom bathed the little girl, got her ready for bed, put her under the covers, and had her say her prayers. She would usually pray the Lord's Prayer. But on this particular evening, she amended it a little bit. Her petition went something like this: "Father, forgive us our Christmases, as we forgive those who Christmas against us." That is what happens when we lose focus of the real meaning of Christmas, isn't it? We get so caught up in the busyness of the season that sometimes we forget the wonder of it all: that deity took on humanity, that God became a man. Scripture sums it up well in 2 Corinthians 8:9, which says: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich" (NKJV). Jesus literally went from the throne of Heaven to a simple little cave or stable. Can you imagine what must have gone through Mary's mind that day when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and told her she would be the mother of the Messiah? Her head must have been swimming. "What about Joseph? What are people going to say?" But God had it all put together, because the time was just right in every way. But there was one small detail: The Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, as Scripture prophesied (see Micah 5:2). So the Lord touched a little man who was big in his own mind. His name was Caesar, and at this particular time in history, he was the most powerful man on Earth. One day, Caesar gave a decree that all of the world should be taxed. In reality, he was nothing more than a pawn in the hand of God. The Lord needed Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem, so He moved events. So Mary and Joseph had to make the difficult journey to Bethlehem, which was especially perilous for a woman who was as far along in her pregnancy as Mary was. But they did make it, and there, the miraculous birth of Christ took place, just as Scripture said it would. This little baby grew up quickly, and although we would love to know more about his boyhood, the Bible offers only a few details. But one day in the synagogue in Nazareth, as the custom was, the time had come for Jesus to read. He walked to the front of the synagogue, opened up the scroll, and began to read from Isaiah: "'The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord'" (Luke 4:18–19 NLT). When He had finished, He sat down and said, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing" (verse 21). He had declared himself the Messiah. His public ministry had begun. This One who was sent from God was always in perfect synch with the Father. While He spoke with the learned spiritual leaders, He always had time for the outcasts of society – people like the woman at the well and the tax collector, Zacchaeus. People like you. People like me. His ministry on Earth was only a few years, and then He was crucified. You can be sure that as He hung there on the cross, where all of the sin of humanity was placed upon Him, that this was God's most painful moment. But then it was finished. He rose again from the dead, and after a time, ascended back into Heaven, promising to come back to this earth. And we eagerly await that day. This Jesus who was born in a manger, who walked this earth, who was crucified, and who rose again, is not some mere historical figure, although He was that. He is alive, and He is still in the business of changing lives. That is the reason He came: to put us in touch with God, to forgive us of all of our sins, and to give our lives purpose and meaning. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
base428 1 #2 December 21, 2004 Good story. There is no other reason for Christmas than Christ's birth. Forget "Happy Holidays", "Holiday Trees", "End of the Year Parties".......it's CHRISTMAS! PS. Since the majority of skydivers are apparently atheists, I expect you all to be at work on Dec. 24/25 (c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted. <==For the media only Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 212 #3 December 21, 2004 QuoteGood story. There is no other reason for Christmas than Christ's birth. Forget "Happy Holidays", "Holiday Trees", "End of the Year Parties".......it's CHRISTMAS! PS. Since the majority of skydivers are apparently atheists, I expect you all to be at work on Dec. 24/25 Been to a world history class lately? Ever hear of anything called winter solstice?I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pajarito 0 #4 December 21, 2004 QuotePS. Since the majority of skydivers are apparently atheists, I expect you all to be at work on Dec. 24/25 I don't think that's really the case. I just think there's a disproportionate amount who post here on dz.com. MERRY CHRISTMAS! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,123 #5 December 21, 2004 QuoteBeen to a world history class lately? Ever hear of anything called winter solstice? That just relates to timing, not the reason behind the celebration. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pajarito 0 #6 December 21, 2004 HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 212 #7 December 21, 2004 Right on. Just because we celebrate labor day on such and such day doesn't mean that that was the day we labored. BUT - why not take a day that was already popular for celebration and promote your own beliefs there? *Shrug* That was my point. Merry F'n Whatevereyoucelebrate DayI'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casurf1978 0 #8 December 21, 2004 QuoteQuoteGood story. There is no other reason for Christmas than Christ's birth. Forget "Happy Holidays", "Holiday Trees", "End of the Year Parties".......it's CHRISTMAS! PS. Since the majority of skydivers are apparently atheists, I expect you all to be at work on Dec. 24/25 Been to a world history class lately? Ever hear of anything called winter solstice? We can also thank Pope Julius I for making x-mas fall on Dec 25th. Like you stated the winter solstice plays a huge part. The Romans celebrated a holiday right around this time and around 340s or 350s Julius 1 wanted to make it easier for the majority of Pagan Romans to convert to Christianity, thus making x-mas fall right around this time. It's very doubtful that Christ was born on Dec 25th. Also most of the traditions of x-mas are left-overs from Pagan religions. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
base428 1 #9 December 21, 2004 Dec 22 = Winter Solstice Dec 25 = Christmas The actual date of Christ's birth is unknown, but is celebrated on the 25th. If Christ never existed, do you think we'd have a Holiday for the Winter Solstice?(c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted. <==For the media only Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,400 #10 December 21, 2004 >There is no other reason for Christmas than Christ's birth. If that were true we'd celebrate it on Jan 6th, the day he was most likely born. December 25th was a date derived by the church for the celebration of his birth. Which is no problem - but not exactly a celebration of his birthdate. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,123 #11 December 21, 2004 Quotebut not exactly a celebration of his birthdate. it is, just not celebrated on his most likely birthday. If my birthday is on Monday, but I decide to celebrate it on the Friday night, does that mean I am really not celebrating my birthday? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jessefs 0 #12 December 21, 2004 You hear that all you non-christians...take down your trees and lights, return all your presents. Don't write cards and don't even think of calling your relatives to tell them you love them. I decorate during the holidays, I give gifts, make turkey and taters, hell, I'll even sing a carol or two. Christ takes no part of my Christmas or "Holiday", yet I still manage to enjoy the season and spread the love as much as anyone else. I am not celebrating Christ, I'm celebrating life. Good thing everyone has the right to make the "Holiday season" whatever they want to for themselves.... <* Spread the Love! *> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casurf1978 0 #13 December 21, 2004 QuoteDec 22 = Winter Solstice Dec 25 = Christmas The actual date of Christ's birth is unknown, but is celebrated on the 25th. If Christ never existed, do you think we'd have a Holiday for the Winter Solstice? Yes we would. Since Rome had such a profound influence over the world we would be celebrating the winter solstice or the equivalent of x-mas. I also remember from my ancient hist class that in Babylonia on Dec 25 they celebrated the festival of the God of Nature. All the things we do on Dec 25 they did: gift exchanges, huge dinners, partying, and also singing too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peregrinerose 0 #14 December 21, 2004 There has been a holiday at that time of year for hundreds of years before Christ's birth. The Roman Saturnalia holiday, the pagan celebration of the solstice, etc. As someone else posted, Christmas was celebrated when it was to make it easier for the transition to Christianity to be made. It is also why so many Christmas traditions are rooted in the more ancient pagan traditions (the tree, mistletoe, yule logs, etc.) Most of what I have read based on history (death of Herod, etc) and astronomy lean toward a birth of Christ in the spring. Definitely up for debate though So, you answer your question, if Christ never existed, yes there would still most likely be a winter holiday of some form. Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 1,623 #15 December 21, 2004 QuoteGood story. There is no other reason for Christmas than Christ's birth. Forget "Happy Holidays", "Holiday Trees", "End of the Year Parties".......it's CHRISTMAS! PS. Since the majority of skydivers are apparently atheists, I expect you all to be at work on Dec. 24/25 Not me - I take a week off to celebrate the Winter Solstice. Seems like you forgot the real origin of Christmas in December.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shotgun 1 #16 December 21, 2004 QuoteSince the majority of skydivers are apparently atheists, I expect you all to be at work on Dec. 24/25 Screw that! I'm taking any excuse for a holiday! At one point I thought about not celebrating Christmas anymore, but it's so important to some of my family and friends that I just decided to revise the way I think about it. Rather than thinking of it as celebrating Christ's birthday, I just think of it as a holiday for spending time with family and friends and doing festive things (and consuming lots of chocolates and eggnog). I respect what it means to others though.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #17 December 21, 2004 I get a day off because the stock market is closed. I also lose a holiday because those jerks don't have a weekday observance for New Year. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcd11235 0 #18 December 21, 2004 Quote Good story. There is no other reason for Christmas than Christ's birth. Forget "Happy Holidays", "Holiday Trees", "End of the Year Parties".......it's CHRISTMAS! PS. Since the majority of skydivers are apparently atheists, I expect you all to be at work on Dec. 24/25 Christmas is a relatively young version of a pagan holiday. It is WAYYYY older than Christ. Only the new name is for him. And, no, I'm not an atheist.Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paulipod 0 #19 December 21, 2004 Whereas I take the time out to celebrate a fat guy in a red suit sponsored by Coca-cola... Ohh yeah, and eat the turkey and chocolate! Bodyflight Bedford www.bodyflight.co.uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #20 December 21, 2004 Quote>There is no other reason for Christmas than Christ's birth. If that were true we'd celebrate it on Jan 6th, the day he was most likely born. December 25th was a date derived by the church for the celebration of his birth. Which is no problem - but not exactly a celebration of his birthdate actually, I think most bible scholars believe Christ was probably born in the springtime. The book of Luke says that there were shepherds tending their sheep in a pasture, and people in that part of the world would keep their sheep in a corral during the wintertime. So it probably wasnt winter at all. January 6th is the Feast of the Magi, which commemorates the arrival of the Magi (12 days after the birth of Christ, hence the 12 days of Christmas). In some cultures people exchange gifts not on Dec 25th, but on Twelfth night, the evening of Jan 5th. This is also why I do not take down my Christmas tree until after the 5th of January.December 25th was selected by the Roman Emperor Constantine when he converted the empire to Christianity. At the time they had this huge festival called Saturnalia. He probably knew he couldn't stop people from celebrating this festival that they always looked forward to every year, so he just made it the day to celebrate Christ's birth. Just being pragmatic, I suppose. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MC208B 0 #21 December 22, 2004 QuoteQuoteGood story. There is no other reason for Christmas than Christ's birth. Forget "Happy Holidays", "Holiday Trees", "End of the Year Parties".......it's CHRISTMAS! PS. Since the majority of skydivers are apparently atheists, I expect you all to be at work on Dec. 24/25 Been to a world history class lately? Ever hear of anything called winter solstice? yes, it's today. CHRISTMAS day is the 25th This is a day to praise the Lord more than other times of the year. Why does a Christian holiday upset so many people? Don't hear any griping about Kwanza do ya? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pajarito 0 #22 December 22, 2004 The birth of Jesus should be celebrated throughout the year and not just on one day. The exact day or month isn't what's important. It's just highlighted this time of year. We've made it a tradition in my family to bake a birthday cake and explain to our children exactly what we're celebrating and why. We still give gifts but we try and emphasize what Christmas is really all about to them. Personally, I think Easter should be celebrated like Christmas. The ramification of its meaning is just as important (if not more). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcd11235 0 #23 December 22, 2004 QuoteWhy does a Christian holiday upset so many people? Aside from all the commercialization and shopping crowds with associated traffic, I don't think anyone minds that Christians have their very own version of this ancient holiday celebration.Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
br0k3n 0 #24 December 22, 2004 QuoteThe birth of Jesus should be celebrated throughout the year and not just on one day. The exact day or month isn't what's important. It's just highlighted this time of year. We've made it a tradition in my family to bake a birthday cake and explain to our children exactly what we're celebrating and why. We still give gifts but we try and emphasize what Christmas is really all about to them. I’m curious; when you explain to your children what you are celebrating, do you do so from neutral perspective allowing your children to make up there own minds as to whether there is any authenticity in your particular religion. Or do you just force it upon them giving them no choice but to accept it??? QuotePersonally, I think Easter should be celebrated like Christmas. The ramification of its meaning is just as important (if not more). Just as important you maybe, but maybe not your children----------------------------------------------------------- --+ There are 10 types of people in the world: Those who understand binary, and those who don't.. --+ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RoadRash 0 #25 December 22, 2004 QuoteI respect what it means to others though.... This is an important statment...even if you don't believe in what others believe in...respecting that belief and not trashing it is important, and I try to do the same...... ~R+R...~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Fly the friendly skies...^_^...})ii({...^_~... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
