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From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

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From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Christmas

Why do Christians celebrate Christmas?

102 replies

MrsSpoon · 19/12/2006 16:42

Most people seem to know that Christmas has it's roots in the pagan Solstice celebration, that 25th December was not Jesus' birthday and there is no mention of Jesus celebrating his own birthday in the Bible?

Many people ask me about my beliefs (I'm a JW) but thought I would turn the tables as I am genuinely interested.

OP posts:

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poinsettydog · 20/12/2006 16:40

But Mrs spoon, why DO you go to church?

Goodness, you can break down pretty much anything and say there's no point to it.

If you want to pick apart one religious festival, pick apart all man-made customs and rituals.

BaileysMilkshake · 20/12/2006 16:51

If this is true I would still continue to celebrate Christmas but rather than a celebration of Christs birth I will think of it as a celebration of his life!

I have been raised to belive it was the day of his birth - although have read other theories, but the whole ethos of Christmas for me is about enjoying the day with family, the family I have been given by God!

I dont go to church very often at all, but consider myself a Christian. When I had DD Christened I was told by our Reverend that you dont have to go to church to worship Christ, as long as you do what you belive to be right and instill good morals in your children. Which I belive I do

MrsSpoon · 20/12/2006 17:01

Poinsettydog, I don't go to church. I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses and we generally meet in a Kingdom Hall (which looks and is run very different to a church). JW's don't celebrate Christmas.

OP posts:

MrsSpoon · 20/12/2006 17:06

poinsettydog, you probably could break down everything and take it to bits and say there is no point to it. My question is one that has been rattling about in my head as I find it difficult to get my head round the mix of Christianity and Paganism.

OP posts:

Tortington · 20/12/2006 17:09

we celebrate the birth of jesus because it signifies jesus to come.

so its not just the old nativity stuff in school it means much more.

yes the history is well known. however we celebrate christmas which is also at the same time as festivals of other belief systems. this doesn't make it any less valid.

MrsSpoon · 20/12/2006 17:17

If a Christian celebration, why the pagan symbols, the tree etc?

OP posts:

Tortington · 20/12/2006 17:26

i believe the tree was introduced by prince albert becuase it was a gift or something.

and you know everyone was a monarchist in those days - trend setting etc. so it became fashionaable to have a tree.

Tommy · 20/12/2006 17:29

the symbols were there already and they have been taken on by the Church and given Christian meanings - the evergreen of the tree symbolising the everlasting love of Jesus and so on.

I wouldn't worry about it all so much MrsSpoon if I were you!

poinsettydog · 20/12/2006 17:32

Many parts of a religion are obviously created by man, to provide a structure and a morality that suits human society.

You obviously have an issue with paganism - fair enough. As people have said, it is pretty much accepted that the dates of Christmas and Easter are based on earlier pagan festivals. It's no big secret. You obviously think any pagan foundation would demean a religion.

poinsettydog · 20/12/2006 17:34

If you despise paganism that much, just come out and say it and then be thankful you're a JW.

liquidclocks · 20/12/2006 17:36

Isn't Easter actually based on Passover?

Tortington · 20/12/2006 17:36

i think prince albert made is fashionable to be honest.

Tortington · 20/12/2006 17:36

the tree

Tortington · 20/12/2006 17:37

easter is ont he same festival as passover. and its the most importand christian date.

Tortington · 20/12/2006 17:37

to christians. to celebrate i mean - easter thqt is

themulledSNOWMANneredjanitor · 20/12/2006 17:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Tortington · 20/12/2006 17:41

cos i have a birth certificate and my mother remembers clearly

SantaGotStuckUpTheGreensleeve · 20/12/2006 17:42

Easter is also based around an ancient festival celebrating the pagan goddess of Spring, birth and renewal, Eostre (hence oestrogen etc) which explains the significance of eggs/Spring flowers/littl fluffy lambs/rabbits.

Tortington · 20/12/2006 17:43

which is the same jesus message - new life etc

themulledSNOWMANneredjanitor · 20/12/2006 17:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MerryMellowmas · 20/12/2006 17:44

MrsSpoon What do you do at this time of year, what do you do on christmas day for example

SaggarClaus · 20/12/2006 17:44

I'd like to know that too. My BIL is a JW and I daren't ask him.

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Tortington · 20/12/2006 17:44

i understand its just another day for JW.

MerryMellowmas · 20/12/2006 17:45

Yes I always wondered about the birthdays too FIL had explained it but I have forgotten

MadamePlatypus · 20/12/2006 17:45

easter is also timed to coincide with a pagan spring festival.

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