Originally blogged 11/21/11
on Melissa’s Musing – edited for errors and/or link malfunctions.
God
is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
~ John 4:24
I had been sent to Sunday School as a
young child up until about the 3rd grade. Then my family took up with the
Jehovah's Witnesses (egads!) who said all the holidays were pagan.
Imagine!
Needless to say, I was quite distressed to learn I had been lied to! December 25th was not the birth of Christ Jesus?
As I grew into adulthood, I *celebrated* the *holidays* not for any particular religious reasons, simply for the fun and idolatry. I enjoyed the music, the mood, the secrets, the gifts.
When Father caused me to be born again, I wanted to know what the *holidays* were about, where they came from, and more importantly, what did HE say about them and how did HE want them done.
No where in Scripture could I find any definitive date, nor instruction on celebrating Jesus' birth. I was shocked! What?!?! Nor any of the other *holidays* that are commonly thought of as *Christian*.
I have been studying this topic since becoming a Christian (1990). I have to confess that originally my mission was to discover what *holidays* were outlined in Scripture, how they were celebrated and then *perform* to the standard. I had a very Pharisee based attitude.
I read the Word, I searched, I studied, I researched, I prayed - a lot. I found nothing in God's Word indicating that He wanted the birth of HIS son celebrated. Nothing about Easter, Good Friday, etc. etc. zip, zilch, nada, not one iota.
(As a note, Easter is NOT commanded in the Word...nor is a continuation of the Feasts which Jesus fulfilled. We are to remember Him by breaking bread as oft as we come together. Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread and Feast of First Fruits might be done in remembrance, as long as one does not think they must be done in order to establish and/or secure their salvation or sanctification.)
I had to then grapple with the thought (gag) surely the JW's were not correct? I staunchly affirm that the Jehovah Witnesses are a cult. That they have and continue to pervert the Word of God. They use 'scare' tactics to keep their 'people' in line. 'Nuff said.
I am including some information that I have gleaned over the years as I researched and studied the issue. My prayerful request to any reading. Pray. Read the Word. Do not 'stick' with your denominational teachings (on any subject if you cannot substantiate it in the Word of God), what you were raised with, or that is what we have always done.
Truly, please pray about the issue, seek HIM and HIS wisdom over the issue. Praying for the Bride that she will come out of 'her' and be set apart and holy unto Him.
Xmas
Needless to say, I was quite distressed to learn I had been lied to! December 25th was not the birth of Christ Jesus?
As I grew into adulthood, I *celebrated* the *holidays* not for any particular religious reasons, simply for the fun and idolatry. I enjoyed the music, the mood, the secrets, the gifts.
When Father caused me to be born again, I wanted to know what the *holidays* were about, where they came from, and more importantly, what did HE say about them and how did HE want them done.
No where in Scripture could I find any definitive date, nor instruction on celebrating Jesus' birth. I was shocked! What?!?! Nor any of the other *holidays* that are commonly thought of as *Christian*.
I have been studying this topic since becoming a Christian (1990). I have to confess that originally my mission was to discover what *holidays* were outlined in Scripture, how they were celebrated and then *perform* to the standard. I had a very Pharisee based attitude.
I read the Word, I searched, I studied, I researched, I prayed - a lot. I found nothing in God's Word indicating that He wanted the birth of HIS son celebrated. Nothing about Easter, Good Friday, etc. etc. zip, zilch, nada, not one iota.
(As a note, Easter is NOT commanded in the Word...nor is a continuation of the Feasts which Jesus fulfilled. We are to remember Him by breaking bread as oft as we come together. Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread and Feast of First Fruits might be done in remembrance, as long as one does not think they must be done in order to establish and/or secure their salvation or sanctification.)
I had to then grapple with the thought (gag) surely the JW's were not correct? I staunchly affirm that the Jehovah Witnesses are a cult. That they have and continue to pervert the Word of God. They use 'scare' tactics to keep their 'people' in line. 'Nuff said.
I am including some information that I have gleaned over the years as I researched and studied the issue. My prayerful request to any reading. Pray. Read the Word. Do not 'stick' with your denominational teachings (on any subject if you cannot substantiate it in the Word of God), what you were raised with, or that is what we have always done.
Truly, please pray about the issue, seek HIM and HIS wisdom over the issue. Praying for the Bride that she will come out of 'her' and be set apart and holy unto Him.
Xmas
Previously Chapel Library offered these
tracts as well (currently unavailable):
The Truth About Christmas, Lent, Good Friday and Easter
I browsed through this blog post...it has some interesting information, specifically about Roman Catholicism.
What Is Christ-Mass and Should You Be Merry About It?
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