Pros & Cons Of The Christmas Season

[Reformer]

The Pros & The Cons of The
Christmas Season

Pros

It is fascinating how our God manages history. A historian in the first century would have thought it strange that God selected a young homespun virgin to bear and give birth to His Son.

     Also odd is that God would choose a common carpenter to be Mary's husband. After all, carpenters in that day were a "dime-a-dozen." Even Noah, a "middle-class," common inhabitant of his country, a man who walked with God, was chosen and taught how to be a skilled carpenter when the Lord instructed him to build a "Titanic" vessel. Our Lord has most always favored the ordinary, the obscure.

    Of all the Positive factors surrounding the Christmas Season, millions of people, both regenerate and unregenerate, saved and unsaved, are pointed upward and toward a Savior by the name of Jesus Christ. His name is revered and spoken more often this time of the year than any other time. If receptive hearts are to be influenced by heaven's glories, the proclamation of His Name this time of the year will play a major role.

    Another Pro is that this is a beautiful time of the year for families to reunite and express their loyalty to and love for each other. It is a season of sharing and giving—a time to cheer, a time to enjoy God's bounties, a time to grow stronger, a time to create a closer relationship with each other and with our Creator, and a time for recommitment. The Christmas season gives us a majestic and favorable time to take a deep breath and refresh ourselves, relax, and do a self-evaluation in advance of the upcoming New Year and how we are going to fit into it.

Cons

     "The precise origin of assigning December 25 as the birth date of Jesus is unclear. The New Testament provides no clues in this regard. December 25 was first identified as the date of Jesus' birth by Sextus Julius Africanus, Christian Historian, in 221 A.D. and later became the universally-accepted date."— https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas. Consequently, the Scriptures do not give us the Birthdate of our Lord. That He was born, Yes; that He is alive, Yes; That He saves and forgives, most definitely!

    It might be wise to note that the hustle and bustle this season of the year are almost enough to enact depression—"hurry, do this, snap it up, do that! Let's go, we're going to be late; we need to get there before someone else gets it!" The mad rush never ends. Stress is often seen on the faces of many. There's hardly any room for quiet time, periods of relaxation, and time to reflect. It is all consumed in the traditional scramble to accumulate even more.

    As I view it, the worst Negative is spend, spend, spend, buy, buy, buy. It seems like everyone is striving to outspend others. Credit Cards are maxed out and most probably won't be paid off until next Christmas season—or later.

    Profiteers and "Wall Street Vendors" are greedy for more and more—and still more. I offer no objections to businesses making an adequate profit from their efforts to influence consumers to purchase their products. But when greed in any business conquers common sense, ethics are violated. I like what the apostle Peter wrote, "They have hearts trained in greed" [I Peter 2:14].

    Another Negative that bothers me deeply is that the benevolent acts seen this time of the year are largely absent the remainder of the year. Why are we not benevolent year-round? Why do we seem to want to help the homeless and hungry and jobless during this season but drop them when the season ends? It appears that being humane and good and kind and helpful to others have evolved into a once-a-year experience. Pardon me, but I see a lot of inconsistencies here. Yet in spite of the Negatives...

I wish all of you a Happy, Delightful, and
Pleasant Holiday Season

[Reformer]

Happy & Cheerful forthcoming Holidays, everyone. God bless each of you.

[Texas Conservative]

Everyone knows that December 25th is accurate if they have done the research.   

[Jaime]

What are some of the opinions for when Christ was actually born?

I don't believe he was born on Dec 25th, but it IS a worthy thing to celebrate his coming into this world to tabernacle among us. (Hint Hint) 😉

[Rella]

Everyone knows that December 25th is accurate if they have done the research.   

The only research I have done is to read the papers of those who have done research.

There is not 100% consensus on the 12-25 date.

Those papers are pretty much 100% from Academia

They cover very assorted and sundry things and I enjoy... even without the consensus agreeing....

What I no longer do is listen to the theological pundits who also are as varied as anyone....

I know you will not like Academia but this is my latest read....

https://www.academia.edu/110135261/A_concise_chronology_of_biblical_history?email_work_card=interaction-paper

A CONCISE CHRONOLOGY OF BIBLICAL HISTORY

PART 1

FROM THE CREATION OF THE WORLD UNTIL YETZIAS MITZRAYIM

Have not had time to get into this one yet... but will be a great
break into the New Year.

Question... Have you moved? Does mr.T mean anything to you? there is a poster elsewhere that is so like you in thought and manner of speak that if not you, you must have a twin.

[Rella]

What are some of the opinions for when Christ was actually born?

I don't believe he was born on Dec 25th, but it IS a worthy thing to celebrate his coming into this world to tabernacle among us. (Hint Hint) 😉

100% agree but there are just too many people that choose to not understand that Jesus in the reason for the season.

As to when I believe he was born...

I follow the sheep... and not those of us who are Jesus' sheep but the real ones....

December in Israel, and specifically Bethlehem is not conducive to sheep grazing and at night the shepherds would be unlikely to spend the night in the open during the coldest, rainiest months.

Now we can counter my nay saying IF we look at the "Special Flocks"

A unique historical nuance involves the Temple flocks. According to some Jewish traditions and the Mishnah, certain flocks destined for sacrifice at the Temple in Jerusalem were kept in the fields near Bethlehem year-round.

If, ( but I have not biblically heard this) the shepherds in the Nativity story were tending these specific animals, they would have been in the fields regardless of the season.

And... IMO only... Could be this is appropriate as the Temple flocks were for sacrifice and so was Jesus?

[Texas Conservative]

The only research I have done is to read the papers of those who have done research.

There is not 100% consensus on the 12-25 date.

Those papers are pretty much 100% from Academia

They cover very assorted and sundry things and I enjoy... even without the consensus agreeing....

What I no longer do is listen to the theological pundits who also are as varied as anyone....

I know you will not like Academia but this is my latest read....

https://www.academia.edu/110135261/A_concise_chronology_of_biblical_history?email_work_card=interaction-paper

A CONCISE CHRONOLOGY OF BIBLICAL HISTORY

PART 1

FROM THE CREATION OF THE WORLD UNTIL YETZIAS MITZRAYIM

Have not had time to get into this one yet... but will be a great
break into the New Year.

Question... Have you moved? Does mr.T mean anything to you? there is a poster elsewhere that is so like you in thought and manner of speak that if not you, you must have a twin.

What other board is this?

[Rella]

What other board is this?

BAM

[Texas Conservative]

BAM

What is the full name of that board I am not familiar

[3 Resurrections]

Berean Apologetics Ministry.

[Reformer]

Everyone knows that December 25th is accurate if they have done the research.   

Hmmm, who or what are you "researching"?

[Reformer]

100% agree but there are just too many people that choose to not understand that Jesus in the reason for the season.

As to when I believe he was born...

I follow the sheep... and not those of us who are Jesus' sheep but the real ones....

December in Israel, and specifically Bethlehem is not conducive to sheep grazing and at night the shepherds would be unlikely to spend the night in the open during the coldest, rainiest months.

Now we can counter my nay saying IF we look at the "Special Flocks"

A unique historical nuance involves the Temple flocks. According to some Jewish traditions and the Mishnah, certain flocks destined for sacrifice at the Temple in Jerusalem were kept in the fields near Bethlehem year-round.

If, ( but I have not biblically heard this) the shepherds in the Nativity story were tending these specific animals, they would have been in the fields regardless of the season.

And... IMO only... Could be this is appropriate as the Temple flocks were for sacrifice and so was Jesus?

Anyway we toss the biblical coin, the reality is that the Scriptures do not reveal the exact date Jesus was born. There are many guesses, but zero evidence.

[Texas Conservative]

Hmmm, who or what are you "researching"?

It was sarcasm. People that get hung up on December 25th need to find something better to do.

[Rella]

What is the full name of that board I am not familiar

Thyer you go. A lot of us are there...

https://berean-apologetics.community.forum/

[Jaime]

Thyer you go. A lot of us are there...

https://berean-apologetics.community.forum/

I just signed up as Jaime. Will check it out.

[Rella]

I just signed up as Jaime. Will check it out.

 

[Texas Conservative]

 

Are you on there?  I don't see a Rella

[Jaime]

Are you on there?  I don't see a Rella

She is called FreeinChrist there.

Yes I am there as Jaime

[Jaime]

I think I am starting to understand Russian here. 

[Rella]

Are you on there?  I don't see a Rella

Yes TC I am there but not as Rella.

I had changed my username and avatar once and then with the help of Admin it was changed to FreeInChrist. Not explaining this on here.

There are several folks you know who are there, and as Jaime said.. he is also.

Are you there or are you going to be?

I hope so because I have missed some of your remarks.

[Rella]

I think I am starting to understand Russian here. 

Terrific. You can interpret for us. I am picking up a little Greek now and then myself.LOL.

BTW, I was wrong. Buff is not there ... I confused myself cause sometimes I will post some of his writings there..(He knows... I let him know).

[Reformer]

May all of your next 365 days be Christ-Days.

[mommydi]

I don't have an account there unless I signed up years ago and have forgotten.
TC, you going to answer Rella?

[Jaime]

Aw, come on over and join us. The Ruskies may take this place over soon

[Texas Conservative]

I don't have an account there unless I signed up years ago and have forgotten.
TC, you going to answer Rella?

Been busy.  I am over there but I am from Lubbock on that board

[Jaime]

Ah so that was you?!

[Rella]

mommydi,

He is there.... I

recognized

his post.

Look how funny,,,, the parentuses were added by the laptop I guess to explain what recognized means.......

Anyway mommydi, you are not on this one....but a lot are from here and I hope more as time goes on.