Am I right that the holiday Christmas was originally intended for Christians and that it's correctly defined for Christ's birth since it's called Christ-mas? Then AFTER it turned to having a pagan holiday? Thanks everyone!
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I have nowhere in scripture that it tells humans to observe a birthday celebration of Jesus. In doing research I've found that Jews didn't observe birthdays. In scripture there are two times birthday celebration are mentioned concerning pagans, but none of Jews observing a birthday celebration. Since in scripture it doesn't tell us to observe any birthday celebration I see no reason for anyone to say Christians are obligated to observe any birthday celebration.Am I right that the holiday Christmas was originally intended for Christians and that it's correctly defined for Christ's birth since it's called Christ-mas? Then AFTER it turned to having a pagan holiday? Thanks everyone!
So Christmas was first celebrated by Christians? I just don't understand why it would coincidentally have the word 'Christ' in it if it were celebrated by pagans first. ThanksFYI: Late December to Early January is the rainy season in Israel, when the hills are lush with green grass and it would be practical for Multiple Shepherds and Multiple Flocks to gather together and remain in one place (as opposed to the arid season when a single shepherd and a single flock would need to keep moving to avoid overgrazing and to find more forage.)
Not insignificantly, it is also about the time that shepherds would move flocks closer to Jerusalem so the young lambs could be regularly inspected by Priests in preparation for becoming Passover Lambs (check out the Old Testament regulations for the Passover Lamb and then read the rules added by Rabbinical Traditions). The hills near Bethlehem are an excellent strategic location to keep a flock of sheep in preparation for Passover (even today).
December 25 may not or may not be the exact date, but it is certainly within a stone's throw of the right date.
[PS: Winter Solstice is on December 21 or 22 ... even the Ancient People knew that, so let's just throw that old wives tale out with the trash.]
You are speaking of the English word, so a good Dictionary can help with the origin of the word:So Christmas was first celebrated by Christians? I just don't understand why it would coincidentally have the word 'Christ' in it if it were celebrated by pagans first. Thanks
So Rita is wrong and Christians celebrated Christmas first?You are speaking of the English word, so a good Dictionary can help with the origin of the word:
Christmas, from Middle English (AD 1150-1480) Christemasse, from Old English (AD 450-1150) Cristes mæsse (literally, Christ's mass).
As the story goes, just as is also the case with Easter, the early church fathers being faced with many wanting to continue celebrating their old pagan holidays after beginning to believe in and follow Christ--because Christ had overcome the world, they took them over and declared them to be celebrations of Christ's birth and resurrection. Which may very well save them for having also believed and preached many false teachings.how come it's such a coincidence that the pagans would celebrate Christmas and how come it's so coincidental that Christmas has the word Christ in it and that the pagans would celebrate it in that name, does anyone on this forum know if Christmas was first made from pagans or Christians? Thank you
Sorry, how come it's such a coincidence that pagans would celebrate something called "Christmas" with the name "Christ" in it, or was it named something else? Thanks ScottA or anyone who knows.As the story goes, just as is also the case with Easter, the early church fathers being faced with many wanting to continue celebrating their old pagan holidays after beginning to believe in and follow Christ--because Christ had overcome the world, they took them over and declared them to be celebrations of Christ's birth and resurrection. Which may very well save them for having also believed and preached many false teachings.
Unfortunately, that did not do the same with Halloween (when thye should have and could have). If the church fathers today were smart they would now claim Halloween and change the meaning from evil to good--that they too might be saved.
They didn't. You have it backwards.Sorry, how come it's such a coincidence that pagans would celebrate something called "Christmas" with the name "Christ" in it, or was it named something else? Thanks ScottA or anyone who knows.
And how come the pagans celebrated this holiday later called "Christmas" exactly around or on the date of Christ's birth? Thanks!The didn't. You have it backwards.
The pagans celebrated their own holiday and had their own name for it. Then the early church fathers took it over and called it Christmas.
It comes from christos & claustrum.Am I right that the holiday Christmas was originally intended for Christians and that it's correctly defined for Christ's birth since it's called Christ-mas? Then AFTER it turned to having a pagan holiday? Thanks everyone!
Men are not in control of the timing of world events, but rather God is, as He works all things together for good for those who love Him according to His purpose. Thus, the early church fathers must have just found the pagan holiday a convenient holiday to take over for the celebration of Christ's birthday.And how come the pagans celebrated this holiday later called "Christmas" exactly around or on the date of Christ's birth? Thanks!
Not completely.So Rita is wrong and Christians celebrated Christmas first?