@@sarahfaith316 Let me enlighten all the children here...including Mike. Hanukkah,Saturnalia,Christmas are all celebrating the same thing......what thing? The WINTER SOLSTICE! The sun/light/Jesus "dies" at the end of the yearly cycle on Dec 22nd....the winter solstice. The word solstice means "sun stands still"....and it does....... The sun seems to be "dead"......... However THREE DAYS LATER (sound familiar?) the sun comes out of it's grave and the new baby Jesus/sun.....is ready for his journey round Galilee. (Galilee means cycle btw). It's the story of the sun and the cycle of TWELVE MONTHS (the 12 disciples who accompany him). It's all ALLEGORY!
I came to know the Lord via Christmas. When as an agnostic I helped out at a church community Christmas meal I saw how the Christians in my area were inspired by their faith to do practical things to help others and that started me on my journey to faith.
Quite honestly if you speak to most people that take part in food banks, soup kitchens, clothing programs etc. You will find most of them have some connection to Christianity. You don't have to be a Christian to do these things, but Christians even if only nominal are more inclined to do them. Christians are less likely to go to widespread protests because they are more interested in their local communities rather than widespread social justice movements.
@CJ Dennis oh, I disagree. Slavery, was brought to a stop (legally - I know it remains a problem) because of Christians objecting to and campaigning against it - on Biblical grounds specifically.
@@elizabethryan2217 Hi Elizabeth. I would encourage you to look up a man named William Wilberforce. He was the man (among many others) who abolished slavery in the United Kingdom along with several other areas. He was also inspired to fight for the abolishing of the slave trade because of his Christian conviction.
Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. Romans 8:6-8 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. If the Spirit is leading, it will lead us to be lawful, to be subject to God's Law. Christian freedom has to do with being freed from being slaves to sin. Saying "instead of law" sounds wrong to me.
“In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” Heb 8:13 The law given at Sini is the old covenant. We are under a new and different covenant than the one given by God to the Hebrews at Mt Sini.
The Spirit is not going to guide us to do the things that this world loves, though. We are not saved by the keeping of the Law, but the Law never stopped being good and it is still a guide to show us what is good and what is evil.
Easter not in the bible Thanksgiving day not in the bible New years day not in the bible Independence day not in the bible My kid's birthdays not in the bible Celebrating happy occasions isn't an issue. The gospel is the important issue.
@@davegink9222 I disagree. The origins are important. Like, why are there Christmas tress and Christmas decorations and lights when this has nothing to do with Jesus' birth? Why December 25th instead of in the spring or summer? When you dive deep into the origins, from the tree to the date, you see that it started hundreds of years before Jesus. However, I do not want to argue about it. This is my point of view and my conviction.
My teenage son and I were just talking about this yesterday a sense, but specifically how Jesus wasn't born on December 25, how it got mixed up with St. Nick, etc. and how many Christians don't celebrate his birth on 12/25. He then asked me, "when do they celebrate it then?" and I'm embarrassed to say I didn't really have a definite answer for him. I mentioned the celebration of feasts, but as far as celebrating His birth, I told him I'd have to research that and get back to him. To be honest, I hadn't even thought of that before. I'm just happy my 17 year old son cares to ask and I definitely will get back to him.
❤️ Look into the Fall Feasts, some believe He was born around feast of Trumpets and some think Feast of Tabernacles, both are part of the fall feasts. That put's His birth around September/October. Both of those Feasts do make sense prophetically. It seems God uses His feast days for all big things He plans to do, past and future. It's all very interesting to look into! We began keeping the Feasts as Christians a few years ago. Why wouldn't we? They are all about Jesus! Another interesting thing to note is that the fall feast time of year makes more sense, weather wise, that shepherd's would've been outside, out in the fields. 😊 Edited to add- I think it's so cool that your 17 year old would ask! I love that! We do lightly celebrate Christmas, (after a few years of not celebrating it anymore) really for the fellowship with others of the faith and I do think all days belong to Him and we can remember His birth anytime, but we are of the belief that He was born in the fall and do remember His birth during fall feast celebrations.
@@bonniet6275 Thanks for all of that, Bonnie! I had heard some say they thought He was born in April possibly, but I'm not sure why they thought that. And as far as your comment about why not keeping the Feasts, I agree. My family has been watching The Chosen since Easter of 2020 and it has really opened up our interest to the Jewish faith and customs. I love how the show has really done their homework to show so much of it. My favorite was Jesus saying the "Bedtime Shema". I was like, "what is that beautiful prayer?! I want to say that before I fall asleep every night, too." The show even helped inspire my son to become more spiritual, hence the questions he's asking. We know it's a tv show, but it has really done a lot for our family to encourage us to read our Bible. I will look into all that you mentioned and do my homework. 🙂 Thanks again for taking the time to respond, really appreciate it!
We can't know when Jesus was born, but the 25th is the day that we have. If you want to celebrate His birth with others, that is the only day I know of where there is a general agreement. So a general agreement, so to speak, on the day of celebration. Not on the actual day, since that is not known.
In some countries they celebrate Christmas on January 7th. My friend from Ukraine celebrates it then. I like that because it just extends the season. ❤️💚❤️
I love to celebrate Christmas. I'm a bit shy and introvert, so I like to use this holiday as an excuse to show generosity to people I don't know very well without feeling akward. Besides, I work most of the year, and Christmas it's the only vacation I have, so I like to spend that time with my mom, watching Christmas movies and preparing the Christmas Eve dinner. In my country, the whole family is involved in preparing the main dish: hallacas. As a Catholic country, Christmas is very tied to Christianism. It's the most perfect time to share the gospel with people, because they are more aware of the birth of Jesus. actually, most people don't teach the children to behave so Santa brings them gifts, instead, children are waiting for Baby Jesus to bring them gifts. To sum up, Christmas is a good time to spend with your family, to show generosity to people, and to remind everyone why Jesus came to earth.
Telling kids Baby Jesus brings them gifts is very dangerous. It is one of the reasons my dad did not believe in God. Just as kids grow up and stop believing in Santa as they realize their parents get the gifts, kids can grow up and stop believing in Jesus.
@@Andreamom001 I never was taught that nor do I endorse it for the exact same reasons. My point is that here Christmas is very tied to Christianity. It's more than a holiday
@@Andreamom001 I don't think anyone teaches that Jesus brings the gifts, and as a kid I remember just naturally knowing that my parents bought the gifts and knew that Santa Clause as a man wasn't a real thing. I hope your father was or is able to learn that belief in God is different from belief in Santa Clause. Have a blessed day.
That’s my point exactly! It bothers me when I see Christian is trying to prove Christmas with the Scriptures knowing it’s not biblical. I’ve always said if you choose to celebrate it, just celebrate it
The birth of Jesus was clearly important enough for the Bible to tell the story in two separate Gospels. This tells me, there is Biblical reason to celebrate it. If the magi and shepherds could celebrate and honor it, so can we.
Let’s remember also that it was God, Himself who had the angels tell the shepherds and He put the star in the sky for the magi. The birth could have just happened and no one would have “celebrated.”
Loved this. Sometimes we get so caught up un NON ESSENTIAL issues and we miss the big picture. Jesus was born!!! Our Lord and Savior came to earth to bring us back to the Father. How amazing is that! whenever you want to celebrate it, just do it for the Lord. Thank you pastor Mike. May God keep blessing your channel and ministy. Happy holidays.
@@Justmydiscoveries I did and you are taking it out of context. It specifically refers to the nation state of Israel. However, even if we continue with this idea that we are not to worship as them we have to ask ourselves how these pagans worshiped their gods. A verse in the same chapter point out 1. We don't burn our children. I do not believe I sacrifice my children on Christmas or any time. Other ways could include orgies, debauchery, prostitution, naked singing. So I'm finding it hard to come up with how Christmas does any of these. Just because we took the day does not mean we are worshiping God like pagans do.
Putting the fake Santa aside, I believe the season of 'Christmas' (the word literally translating to the gathering of people for Christ) does a lot to highlight Christ. For those not seeking God, it means just worldly pleasure and fun but for those seeking, it's a powerful reminder that JESUS the Son of God was born into the world to save sinners. It always brings me joy. 😀
I've settled on the same view regarding Christmas. I've always celebrated Christmas, but for a short period of time I was persuaded that Christmas was just a rebranded pagan holiday that was primarily promoting consumerism. I've eventually settled back to - 'Christmas is fine. Some people will go to church at Christmas when they wouldn't at any other time of the year. But that verse in Romans clinched it for me. Now I'm happy to celebrate Jesus' birth on that day even though it seems as if He was probably not born on that date. It's a great day to meditate on God and celebrate with family' 😀
@@YehovaFirst Mithra, Horus, Dionysus etc being born on 25th December was based on false information via a viral video called Zeitgeist bro. The Jeremiah passage refers to carving idols from a tree. Regardless if there was one of the many so-called gods having something to do with the 25th December (there's actually no evidence to prove this), there's nothing wrong with having a special day to celebrate the birth of our Saviour. But it's also OK if you choose not to do this :)
I’ve been thinking more about this topic lately, with it being the season. I really do believe we should at least know and understand what we’re actually celebrating, and the history behind it. Since Christmas and Easter are rooted in paganism, it’s hard for me, as a Christian, to get “excited” about them anymore. But I also know that people have their traditions, and that is ALWAYS hard to let go. I just take the route of understanding and celebrating God’s HOLY DAYS (at least Passover) and actually knowing the meaning behind it, and hope to lead by example
No neither Christmas nor Easter is rooted in anything pagan. Not even if some traditions might be similar to pagan ones. Christmas is rooted in God Himself lowering Himself to becoming fully human being born as a baby, including becoming completely helpless. Easter is about the Resurrection. Jesus Christ, the Son of God rising from the dead in victory over sin, death and the Devil after atoning for my sins and yours by dying on the cross. Without Christmas and Easter there IS NO Christianity.
@@markhorton3994 Dude, Christmas and Easter came LONG after Christ. There was definitely Christianity without either of those holidays. The Catholic Church made them prominent by taking pagan observances and putting Christianity behind it.
I so agree . The history of Santa Clause is horrific. The history of Xmas goes back to Constantine. He took 2 pagan holidays and slapped Jesus on to them: Xmas and Easter. We know that Jesus was not born on DEC 25 and the word "Easter" is the name of a pagan god. I celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.
Am. Gilly wife of Marken and amen Pastor..... God bless you and yours and the Christian family.........wishing all of you a wonderful Christmas in celebration of the birth of the Messiah
There is nothing wrong with a tradition as long as it doesn't go against the word. For me and my family we don't do Christmas because I feel like, as you said, there were other biblical holidays and we choose to celebrate those because they fulfill prophecy of his coming and what he did. On top of that the commercialization and all just doesn't appeal to me. As for the Roman's 14 section, if you finish out that verse it makes it pretty plain to see that it was talking about only eating vegetables, only eating meat or quite possibly fasting. There were no commandments on when to and when not to fast nor laws on only being vegetarians. Let each person decide in their mind when they eat or don't eat or if they eat only vegetables. Jews in Rome were really careful with the meat they bought because they were afraid it could have been sacrificed to an idol so they would abstain and only eat vegetables. When reading into Halakkah there were many things added as extra guardrails to prevent someone from becoming ritually unclean. Of course Paul clears this up stating that if they accidentally ate something unclean that they could depend on Yeshua to ritually cleanse them.
commercialization can also happen in the Torah pursuant communities. Many people spend large amounts of money in any given biblical feast day/week. many people are, of course, wise with their money when saving for sukkot for instance but there are many people who are wise when saving for and preparing for Christmas too. Its the person/family issue as to whether they are wise stewards with their finances not the specific celebration issue. Big events happen, weddings, funerals, feasts, and holidays. People need to read more proverbs and less blaming it on a certain holiday.
@@angelcollector22What’s wrong with spending money for the Most High’s holidays? Xmass isn’t the Most High’s holidays. It’s a fake holiday. It’s not going to be in the Kingdom.
My biggest problem with Christmas is that it is *an inherently Catholic* holiday. It's even in the name: Christ's Mass. I don't necessarily feel like I'm sinning to recognize it - although I feel somewhat guilted into it. I could (and probably would rather) let the day pass without doing anything but taking the day off. Your mileage may vary.
@@BrianJohnson-lx3zd totally agree with Brian here. People place the RCC way too early on the historical timeline. The RCC as we know it really developed much later. There is much confusion about this. It doesn't help that the RCC went back in time and Sainted and "Poped" a bunch of godly men many hundreds of years post mortem so people think they were actually part of the Roman Institution. But they weren't.
I’m a Protestant but Catholics are Christians. There are plenty of truly God fearing Christians in Catholicism as there are cultural born-into Sola Scriptura Protestants.
We can love things outside of the Bible as long as it glorifies God. The Bible doesn’t tell us to work here and there or doesn’t tell us we can’t have a passion for drawing, fishing or sports, but if we glorify Him through our actions, I believe our God will be happy we are celebrating the birth of our savior and sharing a loving time with our families, serving and offering generosity. That’s my view on it but feel free to share yours ? God bless you.
Thank you Mike I love how diplomatic you are about this. Too many Christians running around being legalistic about stuff that quite frankly is not salvific.
A random thought that came to my mind earlier, and I was thinking of making a video about it. “What did Paul say about Christmas?” Now I come here and see this. Very cool timing. I was thinking Paul says that whoever wants to celebrate a day as holy, can. Whoever does for the glory of God is not sinning, and whoever does not is not sinning. only keep in mind what is good for mutual at building. Read Romans 14 for more details on that.
Romans 14 doesn’t mention “xmass” because there was literally no “xmass” at that time. Also, it has to do with fasting on certain days. At that time, people were observing the Sabbath and Festivals mentioned in Leviticus 23.
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Colossians 2:8
God knows our hearts. That's what most of these arguments come down to. If we truly love Him and out Him first, He will know. If we defy him in our hearts and in our actions, He will know.
He has a video about Jeremiah 10. That passage is about the God's condemnation of ancient cultures around Israel who carved wooden images and overlayed them with gold and silver, paraded them around and worshiped those graven images
@@mastergirl922 Exactly. It's so obviously talking about a Christmas tree that if anyone denies it, they're just being willfully ignorant at this point.
Now the next question is: Is Xmas being done unto the Lord. What are the acceptable practises and what is not. You cannot turn a blind eye to idolatry.
The problem with this question is that celebrating "Christmas" can mean different things to different people. Of course I see nothing wrong with celebrating family and friends, and with gift giving. Nor do I have an issue with cultural non-religious aspects such as the Christmas tree or tinsel. But Santa Claus is dangerous, at least for parents that tell their kids he is real. Santa is essentially a deity that is all-knowing (knows when they are naughty or nice) and has magical powers. Children are told to behave or else Santa won't give them presents (which also gives children the message that presents are the goal of Christmas and even of doing good). Santa is a major celebrity to children, appearing both in person at malls and events, and in all sorts of children's and family oriented television shows and movies. And kids are often excited to see Santa or even to hear his name. Where is that same excitement for Christ? It is a major blow when kids discover the truth. Not only is it dishonest to lie to kids about Santa, but it also makes them question the validity of Jesus Christ. After all, if you have a holiday that seemingly has two 'main stories' that are its focus (from a kid perspective), and one of those (Santa and all his mythology) turns out to be bogus and even something all adults knew is fake but lied about, then how likely are kids to trust parents on the veracity of the Nativity of Christ.
Did you know that Martin Luther invented the Christmas tree? The man who coined the Phrase Sola Scriptura and got thrown out of the RCC for it. More accurately for rejecting the authority of the pope which is an obvious consequence of Sola Scriptura. Christmas trees do not have a pagan origin. Other Germans followed Luther's tradition including Prince Albert and from him his wife Queen Victoria. The world followed her example.
@@markhorton3994 interesting, but not sure why you replied to my comment. I have no problem with Christmas trees. My problem is with Santa Claus, specifically parents and other adults that lie to kids about Santa being a real magical, all-knowing, Christmas demigod.
I feel so conflicted about this I was saved after my kids were already in the Santa thing they are still in that magical age and they love it I can’t bear to let them down Instead … I try to downplay Santa now and make sure to focus on Jesus our Lord of Lords
Pro 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Pro 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Idols and the Living God Jer 10:1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Jer 10:2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. Jer 10:3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. Jer 10:4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. Jer 10:5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. One of the biggest bible studies you can undertake is false prophets and false doctrine it is huge, starting in the Garden and running all the way through Revelation. The lord used a lot of biblical real estate to tell us about false prophets , false doctrine, and examples of them. (Deu 4:2, Deu 12:32, Deu 17:11, Deu 28:14, Jos 1:7 2Ch 34:2, Ezr 6:11, Psa 56:5, Psa 89:39, Psa 119:126, Pro 4:27, Pro 30:6, Jer 23:36, Jer 26:2, Eze 5:6, Mat 5:18, Mat 15:1-9, Mar 7:1-13, Rom 1:25, 2Co 2:17, 2Co 4:2, 2Pe 1:20-21, 2Pe 3:16, Rev 22:18-19) God has told us not to add to nor take away from His Word, Are there three specific ordinances of the church? The term "ordinances" is used when speaking of Baptism, Feet Washing, and the Lord's Supper. Our understanding of the term "ordinance" comes from two traditions. One relates to the observance of the Passover. Another comes from Paul's instructions to the church at Corinth. There are 8 core doctrines shared by most Protestant Churchs. 1: THE BIBLE The Holy Spirit Guided human authors so that what thy wrote in Scripture is accurate and without error…Ultimately, the real value of th eBible is realized in our life as we apply the Scriptures to Life. 2: GOD Our view of God will impact the way we live…God is defined as Spirit, a person, life, self-existent, unchanging, unlimited by time and space, and a unity….God consistently works out His eternal plan by guiding and overseeing all things by His wise and holy purpose. 3: CHRIST Jesus was in fact God incarnate in human form. He is the second person in the Trinity who came to live among us, die for us, and resurrect that someday we might be able to live with Him forever. 4: THE HOLY SPIRIT The Holy Spirit is not merely a force, but has all the attributes of personality and is also God as the third person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit’s work brings us to Christ and salvation, equips us for ministry, empowers us for service, and produces spiritual fruit in our life. To better understand The Trinity, read this related Article 5: PEOPLE People are unique beings. Contrary to the evolutionary view of origins, the biblical view of people identifies them as unique from animals, created in the image and likeness of God. People have both a physical and metaphysical aspect - body and soul or spirit. Because of our ancestral parent’s failure to obey God, sin was introduced into the human experience - causing the need for reconciliation to God our creator. 6: SALVATION The single most significant experience in life is that involved in receiving the salvation provided by Christ on the Cross. This experience involves conversion, regeneration, justification, and sanctification and grants us eternal life with Christ. 7: THE CHURCH Jesus instituted the church as a means of Christians assembling together to encourage and help one another in the Christian life and to enable them to be more effective in reaching out to others. In summary, the “ekklesia (Greek for church) is a group of “called-out ones” established for worship, instruction, fellowship, and evangelism. 8: ESCHATOLOGY (END TIMES) Eschatology literally means “the study of last things.” The doctrine of eschatology can be divided into two themes: “personal eschatology” which is the study of God’s final judgements and the enternal state - heaven or hell - and “prophetic eschatology” which is the study of the second coming of Christ and the various events related to His return. One of the biggest false doctrines is Christmas, Christians love it, as does much of the world, yet the Christmas of today is almost 200 years, before 1828 it was a drunken street party that the church had tried to ban and outlaw without much success, that all changed in 1828, In 1659 the Puritan government of the Massachusetts Bay Colony actually banned Christmas. Why did the Puritans not want to celebrate Christmas? They saw Christmas as a wasteful festival that threatened Christian beliefs and encouraged immoral activities, to (in Stubbs' words) the 'great dishonor of God'. The discontent felt within the Puritan community towards festivals led to the enactment of forceful legislation even before Cromwell's protectorate. Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's consort, is usually credited with having introduced the Christmas tree into England in 1840. However it was actually 'good Queen Charlotte', the German wife of George III, who set up the first known tree at Queen's Lodge, Windsor, in December 1800. In 1828, a particularly violent Christmas riot in New York led the city to institute its first professional police force. Christmas celebrations in 1800 owed more to the midwinter worship of Saturn and Bacchus than to Christ. That riot caused the well to do to change Christmas into the family oriented thing that it became, A Visit from St. Nicholas, Written by Clement Clarke Moore and first published in 1823 A Christmas Carol was first published on December 19, 1843, with the first edition sold out by Christmas Eve. By 1844, the novella had gone through 13 printings and continues to be a robust seller more than 175 years later. Queen Victoria sent the first official Christmas card, and Sir Henry Cole, who amongst other things was an assistant to Sir Rowland Hill in the introduction of the penny post and the first Director of the V&A, commissioned the first commercial Christmas card in 1843. The initial print run was for 1000 cards. Thomas Nast defined American political cartoons in the decades following the Civil War, On January 3, 1863 Nast combined politics and sentimentality in his first major works depicting Santa. In 1939 Robert L. May, a copywriter working at Chicago's Montgomery Ward & Co., wrote a holiday story at the request of his employer. Almost two and a half million copies of the little tale about a reindeer with a shiny red nose were given away to all the children who visited Montgomery Ward stores that year. The rest is history. Seventy-five years later, the beloved classic is once again available in a hardcover faithful facsimile of the 1939 Rudolph, with original text and original Denver Gillen illustrations. Many things came together to create the Christmas of today, Then came the modern Christmas carols and songs, and the TV specials I saw in their first run as a kid. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It's the longest-running Christmas special for a reason. ... A Charlie Brown Christmas. ... How the Grinch Stole Christmas! ... Frosty the Snowman. ... Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town. ... The Year Without a Santa Claus. ... 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. The Christmas that is celebrated to is just barely 200 years old, before that it was a drunken street party of the old Saturnalia. These things are not hard to look up and find if someone wants to, the problem is that Christmas is so ingrained into us, that even Christian do not want to know about its true history, why, because we got it from mom and dad, who got it from their mom and dad, it has become a very ingrained tradition, with many things that only came together in the last 200 years.
It seems that the snag messing many people up, on one side or the other is the "do it unto the Lord" part of it. Most seem to think holidays are either entirely secular or have some aspect of Christianity to them, but still don't just go all in on focusing any and every day entirely on praising God and celebrating our Messiah!
Maybe a better question would be, should we celebrate Holidays that ARE prescribed by the Bible? Thinking about things like Passover and Tabernacles. For example, Paul tells us that we should keep the feast of Passover and Zechariah 14 tells us that we will be celebrating the feast of Tabernacles in the Millennium and the nations will be punished if they don't. It seems like Biblically it would be a good idea. Perhaps if we want to celebrate the birth of Jesus that Tabernacles would be a good time considering that Jesus came and Tabernacled with us in a tent of flesh. What do you think?
God very clearly rebukes heathen practices such as cutting a tree from the forest, fastening it to the floor, and decking it with silver and gold (tinsel).
@@BrianJohnson-lx3zd Jeremiah 10:1-25: The Sovereignty of God 1Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: 2Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 4They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. 5They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. 6Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. 7Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee. 8But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities. 9Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men. 10But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. 11Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens. 12He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. 13When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures. 14Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. 15They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish. 16The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts is his name. The Coming Destruction 17Gather up thy wares out of the land, O inhabitant of the fortress. 18For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this once, and will distress them, that they may find it so. 19Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it. 20My tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains. 21For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered. 22Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons. Jeremiah's Prayer 23O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. 24O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. 25Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.
@@BrianJohnson-lx3zd this is what I responded to you on the other thread: @user-en9vv2st3e notice that verse 3-4 states that they "cutteth a tree out of the forest with the axe", and that they "deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not." Very clearly this is referring to them cutteth a tree out of the forest with the axe and decorating it. Also notice that it is clearly described as having remained a tree by being compared to a palm tree in verse that says "5They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not". If this is merely an idol, why doesn't God describe it as a statue carved out of stone common to what idols were made from during this period?
@@BrianJohnson-lx3zd Jeremiah was active as a prophet from the thirteenth year of Josiah, king of Judah (626 BC), until after the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of Solomon's Temple in 587 BC. This period spanned the reigns of five kings of Judah: Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. Rome was founded in 753 BC, which is 127 years before the prophet Jeremiah, and it is well known that the Romans celebrated the winter solstice by cutting and decorating a fir tree in their homes. Before Rome the Greeks were decorating their temples with trees as a symbol of sacrifice to their gods. This practice is what God is addressing through the prophet Jeremiah.
@@ajlouviere202 Jeremiah 10:3 specifies the tree is worked by a craftsman - the term refers to skilled labor, particular an engraver. The tree is being made into an idol. And as far as I know the cutting of firs was a much later germanic custom, not a Roman one. If you have a reputable source that says otherwise, I'll gladly look at it.
Christmas and Easter aren’t pagan saturnalia ends days before Christmas there isn’t anything wrong with celebrating the birth and resurrection of Christ
The verse about esteeming one day is so badly applied here 😒 It’s about fast days. Do you want to do a fast day on a certain day of the week, month, etc?
The New covenant is the old covenant. The only difference is people under the new covent are regenerated through the blood of Christ. Old covenant believer’s sins were atoned (not done away with) and the law was written on stone. That same law is alive in the heart of the bellevers in Christ.
"But Christmas was pagan!" Sure, and if they're not careful we'll take more holidays to celebrate more Christian truths. Their gods are dead, Jesus reigns, and celebrating Christmas is partly celebrating Christ's victory over pagan gods.
As long as it doesn’t override the emphasis of celebrating Christ every day. Like what exactly are you celebrating on Christmas? Candy and gifts, Or Christ?
If we were only allowed to do things that are commanded in the Bible, we wouldn't get much done. They say there are no stupid questions, but now I'm rethinking that.
Totally off topic, please give a list of the best commentaries you can recommend. Ive read the Bible for some time but now I want to go deeper and want a commentary but don't know which one
What the Most High says goes. If people refuse to observe His prescribed set apart (holy, holidays), then no one has room to say anything pertaining to the Most High because He said it will be done forever. These arguments are useless. Either do what He says or don’t and do whatever you want. I refuse to keep fake holidays that disguise itself as it pertaining to the Most High. Leviticus 23 is a simple chapter to read and understand. Nowhere in the “NT” is there any observance of anything besides Leviticus 23 (except Hanukah, but that was a “Jewish” tradition.)
@MikeWinger Deuteronomy 12 30-32 teaches not to worship God in the way they serve their Gods if you read about Christmas in an encyclopedia you’ll find it was for other Gods but Catholics “converted” it to be for Jesus. Have you looked into this?
@@dahelmang and you are completely ignoring "come out from among them and be ye separate, says the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing.". 2 Corinth 6:17
I’m definitely not worshipping other gods, only God in my mind and heart when I do Christmas. The parts of the holiday I don’t feel comfortable doing I just don’t do like Santa Claus, songs that don’t glorify Jesus and obligatory gift giving. Decide in your own mind what to do or not to do and then proceed with a clear conscience in faith to honor Jesus.
@@mikedickison5003 that passage is about marrying people who are not believers. If you look at I Corinthians 8 you will see that the New Covenant has more room for freedom than the Old Covenant: "But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. - 1 Corinthians 8:7-8
If you subscribe to the regulative principle and the Westminster Confession, regarding Christmas as a Christian holy day (ie. church services set around the birth of Christ, advent, etc.) is an issue. Celebrating it as a secular holiday is not. Dr. C. Matthew McMahon has written a couple of books on the subject that are eye-opening: "The Christian's Duty to Reject Christmas" and "Bah Humbug: How Christian's should think about Christmas". Of course, this is coming from a reformed perspective. :-) Would love to know your thoughts on either of those books @MikeWinger.
It’s not that Christmas isn’t Christ like or wrong to celebrate His birth(although the day is debatable), but holidays like Christmas and Halloween are rooted in paganism and have those origins compared to Hanukkah. You can’t take something pagan and slap a Christian sticker on it as rebranding it for Jesus which is what most have an issue with. You can’t take something of the world and claim it for Christ unless it had origins there to begin with
If you’re decorating a tree and letting blessings rain down on your gift, where you children run to it and get on their knees before the tree to receive them, then we got a problem folks. It’s time to wake up and stop letting man decide.
@@pkmcnett5649 Given your personification of it, I think you might benefit from reconsidering. But its up to you. Claiming that folks don't operate out of ignorance would be ironic, wouldnt it?
@@UsesElevators ok, so if you bow down to tie your shoe and a pole is in front of you, then it means you're worshipping it. Your argument is a flawed one
You can celebrate tarot cards and Halloween in the glory of God? You are misleading baby Christians with this kind of fallacy; you are not being honest.
@doll.ov.poetrii4682 why would you celebrate an inanimate object? You are misleading people with faulty thinking. As far as Halloween, it's OK to play dress up and have fun. People don't generally celebrate Halloween for nefarious purposes. It's what's in you heart. Not how what others think of you. I won't argue anymore because the bible tells us not to argue over things that are not sinful if someone else believes they are. So I'll leave it at that. It's a sin for you if you believe it is but not for me. My heart is right with God
@@jacksoncorp124 Yes. They need to align and they will as the devotion becomes firm in our minds. The mind is the origin. "Judge not by appearance but judge by righteous judgment."
@@robertdouglas8895 Not everyone that calls themselves christians aligns their thoughts with their actions. I wish that they would all come to the knowledge of the truth after they've been saved, but many do not unfortunately... 1 Timothy 2:3-4 GOD’S WORD Translation 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior. 4 He wants all people to be saved and to learn the truth.
That statement by Christ is often misconstrued by Christians to say that we no longer have to keep the Sabbath. Christ never changed the Sabbath (the church did that a few hundred years after Christ), rather He questioned the Pharisees interpretation of the law, slammed them for adding a bunch of rules and misinterpretations that sucked the life out of the Sabbath. Man wasn't created in order to be obedient to a bunch of man-made rules the Pharisees created in regards to the Sabbath day of rest, instead man was created in order to commune with God and live at peace with Him, at least one day per week and symbolic of the Millennial Sabbath and eternity with God. The Sabbath is a day we should dedicate to God and do good things for our neighbours and we should refrain from our customary work as far as possible, and at least try keep it on it's rightful day.
@@mattburns617 I agree with Paul.."Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." If people want to set one day aside for that, then that's better than nothing.
As a Christian, I choose not to celebrate Christmas because it's not okay for me. Having said that, I don't know with 100% certainty if I am correct but I do know that my choice to not celebrate the day will not affect my own salvation. Can you say the same thing if you do celebrate it?
Yes, because my salvation isn’t dependent on what I do but on what Jesus did for me. His shed blood is my propitiation for sin (not that celebrating Christmas is a sin.)
@To Live Is Christ, your salvation absolutely depends on what you do or do not do! You must accept Jesus, you must repent and you must be born again! There's even more but that's the basics.
I choose not to celebrate christmas (or any other holiday for that matter) as well, but I find it to be more of a wisdom issue than a salvation issue. Deuteronomy 12:30-31b and Revelation 2 - the nicolaitans, are my reasons for not celebrating. When it comes to christmas in particular (and the tradition of gift exchange associated with it), I find it rather interesting that the only mention of gift exchange mentioned in the Bible that I am aware of is in Revelation 11, and many translations translate the verse as "make merry" as part of said gift exchange. I get the point of your ? though, is the risk of being in disobedience to God worth the reward of the warm and fuzzy feelings you maintain by holding on to your traditions.
A bit of a critique for Mike. You mentioned "as Jehovah Witnesses might have you believe". Its not really the JW anymore that is running amuck with antiholiday rhetoric. I would appeal to you to take the Hebrew Roots movement more seriously. Your comment sections are filled with them. Its not really a superficial movement and its damaging. I am hoping over the course of time apologists I trust and respect will begin to take HR more seriously. Thanks for hearing me out.
Christmas is fine to me I just don't really celebrate it anymore because I'm an adult now and I can't afford to do presents and decorations and there's no kids. I feel like it's one of those things that's more about kids and presents and really I see a lot of commercialism in it. I don't celebrate because of that not because of people believing it's pagan or what the background history of Santa Claus and all that stuff is. It's just not as magical for me anymore.
In case anyone finds this helpful or is interested in praying for our Christian ministries/leaders/shepherds/evangelists/apologists like Mike Winger: 16 prayer points you can pray for them: 1 You can pray that they will always have a good walk with God (that they will not forget their first love), that God will bless their daily private Bible reading and prayer life, and that they will have good sound doctrine. 2 You can pray that they will be full of the Holy Spirit and that God will bless their ministries so that many more people will come to faith in Jesus for God’s glory, and that they will feed God’s sheep and disciple them properly. 3 You can pray that they will be humble, that they will remember how many Christian leaders in the past have fallen, and that they will have a very healthy fear of the Lord. 4 You can pray that God will protect them and the ministry God has given them from: Pride Love of fame Love of money Desire for the approval of people rather than the approval of God Being worried about offending people Compromising God’s Word Sexual temptation Demonic attacks Persecution (from outside the Church and inside the Church) 5 You can pray for their PHYSICAL HEALTH and that God will heal all their health problems. 6 You can pray for their MENTAL HEALTH. Pastors and Christian workers often have stress and battle discouragement and depression. Please God touch them and heal them of all mental and emotional problems and distress. They can also sometimes be hurt by the people they serve or by other Christian leaders - so we can pray that this won’t happen but that if it does that God will heal these wounds and strengthen His servants to forgive each other and that God will restore unity for His Glory. 7 You can pray that God will bless and protect their families. Satan often attacks Christian workers by attacking their loved ones. So you can pray that their family members will all have a good walk with God, have good sound doctrine, that God will protect them all from demonic attacks, that God will also bless and protect their physical and mental health, heal them of all infirmities, and that God will bless all their family relationships so that there is peace and love in their families. You can pray that God especially blesses and protects all areas and parts of their marriages, so that they will not be tempted to look elsewhere. Also please God bless their marriages especially so that they can be a model and example for other Christians. 8 You can pray that God will abundantly bless and protect the finances of the ministries and also the personal finances of God’s servants (especially finances needed for health or medical expenses). You can pray that they always have abundant finances so that they can always do every good work God wants them to do. 9 You can pray that God blesses and protects the relationships between Christian co-workers in ministries - so that no jealousy or strife or bitterness takes root. That they will all have Christian unity and that their focus will be on God getting all the glory and rejoice in any and all work for God. 10 You can pray that God prevents any technical or logistical or legal or any type of problems for their ministry, but if they have any such issues/problems that God will help them resolve/fix and totally solve and remove these problems. 11 If it’s an internet (e.g. TH-cam) ministry you can pray that God will help the videos spread on those platforms and get many views and that God will use the videos to bring many people to repentance and faith in Jesus. 12 You can pray that God will help Christian leaders be good shepherds of Jesus’ sheep and continue to feed Jesus’ sheep, and that they will not only convert people, but also disciple new converts so that they can grow and develop and mature in a healthy and supported way. 13 You can pray that God will give them the heart of a servant. 14 You can pray that God gives them wisdom and helps them and powerfully guides them when making all decisions and plans. 15 You can pray that if they make mistakes or sin that God will grant them humility and repentance and restore them. 16 You can pray that more Christians will pray consistently for Christian leaders/pastors/shepherds/workers/ministries. *********************** You could make a list of pastors/ministries you want to support and pray for them regularly. Jesus said: “ when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6
13 more BIBLICAL prayer points for praying for the LOST: Jesus and Paul actually told us specifically what to pray for on several occasions: 1 “pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified” 2 Thessalonians 3:1 ------- 2 Jesus said we should pray for more labourers. "Then Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore PRAY earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”" Matthew 9:37-38 Jesus said: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore PRAT earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." Luke 10:2 ------- 3 We can pray for more opportunities to share the Gospel, and for God to open more doors for effective work: "pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains." Colossians 4:3 “because a great door for effective work has opened to me” 1 Corinthians 16:9 ------------------------- 4 We can pray that God will give us all the right words to say. "Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel," Ephesians 6:19 ------- 5 We can pray that God will give all Christians the boldness to share the gospel. "Lord... grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness... And when they had prayed... they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness." Acts 4:29-31 ------------------------ 6 We can pray that Christians will speak boldly RELYING ON THE LORD: “they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord” Acts 14:3 ------------- 7 We can pray for God to draw more people to Jesus and to grant more people to come to Jesus. Jesus said: "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them" John 6:44 Jesus said: “No one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” John 6:65 -------------------------- 8 We can pray that God will REVEAL the reality and truth about Jesus to more people. "Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not REVEALED to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in Heaven." Matthew 16:16-17 "At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and REVEALED them to little children." Matthew 11:25 --------------------------- 9 We can pray that God will teach more people. Jesus said: "It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him COMES TO ME." John 6:45 -------------------------- 10 We can pray that God will open more hearts to attend to His message. "The Lord opened her heart to attend to the things being spoken by Paul." Acts 16:14 ------------------------- 11 We can pray that God will open more eyes to see and open ears to hear so that they would turn to God and God would heal them. Jesus said: "I send thee (Paul), TO OPEN THEIR EYES, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me." Acts 26:17-18 “while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand….. OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART, AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.’ But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.” Matthew 13:13…16 “The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The Lord has made both of them.” Proverbs 20:12 ---------- 12 We can pray that God in his mercy and generosity will bring more prisoners out of spiritual dungeon into the freedom and light of Jesus Christ. “proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” Luke 4:18 “a light to the nations, To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who dwell in darkness from the prison.” Isaiah 42:7 ---------- 13 We can pray that God will grant more people repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth: “in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth” 2 Timothy 2:25 --------- 14 We can pray that we will have more of God's love in our hearts for the lost so that we will not be afraid to share the Gospel, but that God's love in us will override any fears and make it automatic that we share the gospel in love. If there was a frozen lake, you wouldn't want to go swimming in it. But if a small child fell in, you would automatically dive in to save them. We can pray for love that will cause us to act. ------------------------- "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2 Jesus told us multiple times throughout Scripture to watch and pray always.
Jesus followed the Jewish law and Jewish holidays. Not just any holiday. Romans 14...Jesus didn't say it. Not a big deal if it doesn't become idolatry and say you are not a Christian if you don't celebrate Christmas. I don't expect others to follow my personal conviction that was urged by the Holy Spirit to stop celebrating Christmas. It is my personal choice. It's good for families. Good to see people and the world stop fighting because it's Christmas. I just don't do it. I am a convert from other religion and Christmas gets too close to idolatry in my own personal space, so I stay away from it. Anybody who can tolerate it, they can do it, sure, if the name of Christ is mentioned and some people get saved, sure go ahead and do it. Just don't call me a heretic.
Deuteronomy 12:4 “Do not worship the LORD your God in the way these pagan peoples worship their gods. Deuteronomy 12:30 Do NOT fall into the trap of following their customs and worshiping their gods. Do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations worship their gods? I want to follow their example.’ Jeremiah 10:2 Thus saith the LORd, Learn not the ways of the heathen.
I really don’t like how things like this can cause division between Christians. Those who camp on legalism imply they’re true followers of Christ and the those who camp on grace tend to get irritated and fight for their freedom in Christ. It’s okay to have discussions though if they’re loving and focused on God’s word.
You're right, in general, it's not wrong to celebrate holidays. And the passage you quoted does strongly imply that. But also, when you read in context of what the entire chapter was about. It wasn't just about "special days or holidays" it was also about beliefs of what you can and can't eat and how what you may be doing could cause your brother/sister to stumble. But in general, the scripture is clear on the general message. Whatever you do (based on the context of scripture), do it unto the Lord. Because whatever is not of faith, is sin. Read the whole Romans 14 chapter. Good video nonetheless.
The scripture quoted was written 200 years before the Emperor of Rome created xmas as a political move to create peace between the Roman pagans & the growing Christian population. In context, Paul was referring to Jewish sabbaths & holy days being made law for gentiles. Jesus celebrated Hanukkah and observed all Jewish holy days and Sabbaths...because He was Jewish.
@@chickintruth but that’s okay, because God knew the future 200 or 2000 years later. As All scripture inspired by God, he knew the Bible would be used for more than the current one generation.
@@Prin_Cess_007 Sure, if that be the case; (and i agree with you)..then we must consider all 66 books to be as relevant and foreshadowing. One very good example would be Jeremiah 10:2. Bless you.
@@chickintruth except that’s the old testament and for Jewish. Just as the tribulation is for Jacobs trouble. All scripture is relevant and can be learned from, but only the New Testament applies to the gentiles that are now grafted in :)
I believe it's ok to Celebrate holidays so as long as Christ is the center of that day as HE should be everyday. Day before yesterday a church group I am part of decided to go "caroling" . We would hit a nursing home and homes of some shut-ins. One of members decided to dress as santa claus. Is this the compromise I thought it was or is it generally acceptable to mix secular with obviously a "church" related activity. Btw, the church decorated the building with at least 9 trees including 6 in the "sanctuary" with three on the speakers platform alone. Photos with santa will be available in the vestibule after morning service. I feel these detract from the message of Christ. Being alike to the world's standards in music and message is compromise.
@@tableu9704 agree with you entirely about the false fire.. when I said holidays I meant like taking the spouse out for a nice dinner on Feb 14th. Like resurection Sunday without the bunny and eggs. and honoring passed service members on memorial day. Waving the flag and fireworks on July 4th and our labor force on labor day, thanksgiving turkey and family, and Christmas day without the tree and such with family talking about Christ's birth. Honoring a commitment to GOD not only these days, but the other 355+ days of the year. Holidays are what the secular world does for days off and maybe getting drunk. Christians should be about God's business regular days, but these days especially.
@Tableú Romans 14 New King James Version The Law of Liberty 14 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. 5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; [a]and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died [b]and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of [c]Christ. 11 For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another [d]anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
@Tableú 🤣🤣🤣 Nice try. I twisted nothing. Romans 14 is plain and easy to understand. Good grief. I suggest you heed his instructions and advice. And who is talking about Santa Claus? No one here that I’ve seen. And even if they are, give it a rest. What matters is if they are giving glory and honor to God. And he knows what’s in their hearts. I just hope you don’t destroy that. Because that’s gonna look a lot worse for you than for them.
Christmas was being celebrated by Christians as early as 100 AD - According to the Liber Pontificalis, Pope St. Telesphorus (125-136) instituted the tradition of celebrating midnight Mass, which means Christmas was already being celebrated. St. Theophilus (AD 115-181), bishop of Caesarea, stated, “We ought to celebrate the birthday of Our Lord on what day so ever the 25th of December shall happen.” [Magdeburgenses, de orign Festorum Chirstianorum].
I disagree with your interpretation. I encourage you to revisit the Bible and seek guidance from someone knowledgeable in its teachings. I believe what you are teaching is contrary to biblical principles.
I was just wondering how people cope with being ridiculed for speaking about Jesus Christ. I cant explain it but this last year I just want to tell people we all can be saved! It's not from a place of judgment but excitment. I suddenly feel free and want other people to experience this. So far I have only spoke of Jesus when the topic comes up, for example someone was sad about something they did, I spoke about how she can be forgiven. I was mocked and laughed at. (I think I was surprised to agree she was a fool and terrible). I'm new to this and just wondering how people work through this.
It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication. John 10:22 NLT It says he was there, at the time of Hanukkah, not for Hanukkah. It doesn't say that he was there to celebrate Hanukkah at all.
I agree. Really, that would be like saying an anti Christmas person is celebrating Christmas because they were walking through the mall during a Christmas sale.
You might want to consider Jeremiah 10:1-5 1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: 2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. 5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. Also if you are going to use Hanukkah is "not in the bible" but Jesus celebrated it, you would be wrong in that assumption. Jesus did indeed celebrate Hanukkah, however it is in the book of Maccabees which was originally part of the bible until the Catholic church deemed it "not cannon". Hanukkah is biblical hence why Jesus celebrated it. Hanukkah has a rich history of Yah's oppressed people (most notably the Maccabees) rising up against an evil ruler and taking back the defiled temple. "For Antiochus the unexpected conquest of the city (Jerusalem), the looting, and the wholesale slaughter were not enough. His psychopathic tendency was exacerbated by resentment at what the siege had cost him, and he tried to force the Jews to violate their traditional codes of practice by leaving their infant sons uncircumcised and sacrificing pigs on the altar. These orders were universally ignored, and Antiochus had the most prominent recusants butchered." - Flavius Josephus, The Jewish War, Book 1.34-35 All Christians need to understand there has been many important and significant books removed from our current bible by the Catholic church. Rome is evil do some research. The traditions of God are for ALL His people, not just the "Jews"
@@susanalday4368 yeah they are interesting books. It's nice to see the fulfilment of the prophecies found in Daniel. But Catholics are mistaken when they consider the book Scripture because it is just history. It wasn't written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14 is an encouragement to gentiles who are leaving behind their pagan holidays and taking up God's days, to not let people judge them. And to also stop judging people when some decide to fast weekly, or monthly, or every other Tuesday, and to not assume you're holier than another, because there is nothing in the Bible telling us to fast on any schedule. If Paul abolished God's days, we should forsake Paul. But, he didn't, he was entirely Jewish and still observed God's holy days throughout his life. You can't say "forget the date" and then argue for Christmas. The date was chosen so Christians could do the pagan traditions without feeling guilty, and so the Catholic Church could bring pagans in without them having to give up paganism. It's not at all the same as observing Hanukkah, which isn't based on a pagan holiday and didn't incorporate pagan traditions.
If Romans 14 is saying it's ok to celebrate pagan holidays as long as you are celebrating it to the Lord what is the problem with Christmas? Why doesn't the passage apply to Christmas?
My goodness. Paul is talking about weak believers that think that one day is more important than another or that think that is forbidden to eat meat scrificed to idols. Than Paul says how the strong believer must treat the weak.
Christmas was celebrated on 25th December because in the early Christian era that was the winter solstice that has traditionally been a pagan day of worship, the return of Sol Invictus, the invincible sun. When a new religion comes along its easier to remake the old pagan festivals into new ones. That's why Easter is celebrated when it is, it was the old pagan spring fertility festival. That's why, thousands of years later the two important fertility symbols have still been retained, eggs and bunny rabbits! So it was real easy to make them over to suit the new religion to celebrate the birth, death, and resurrection of the new Jesus myth.
I am under the understanding these holidays have pagan origins or connections to other entities given reverence…..I’m not sure just that verse alone provided clarification to what is behind man made celebrations, seems like it’s more layers to it. I wish that breakdown could’ve been provided
It’s really sad people say Jesus died to set us free to worship like the pagans! God does not want us to worship Him like the pagans worship their gods!!
HalleluYAH. Im tired of belivers going to do pagan celebrations and saying its Christian. uhhhgg. To steal a pagan holiday and the repackage it as Christian and then lie to kids ,especially, about those stolen holidays is a wicked thing.
My biggest issue with the holidays and the Christian Church is that most pastors don't represents both sides of the truth. The winter solstice is a pagan holiday hijacked by the Catholic Church. The holidays are stricken by consumerism, major debt, depression, a higher use of drugs and alcohol and suicide. I think Christmas gives many Easter/ Christmas going 'christians' a false hope of salvation especially when the pastor doesn't use that opportunity to witness. Christians adorn their house with pagan things like Yule logs, mistletoe, trees, ivy, holly, candles and Santa Claus.. Having said that... God uses all things for good. However once you know the truth... I have a hard time with it. It's hard to unsee it. When I go into churches that decorate for Christmas.... why not decorate with goats heads, blood and pentagrams..... and say.... "well this is different"... "we don't look at it in the same way".... "pagans don't own the market on bloody goat heads". Kind of hypocritical when you get right down to it....
Did you notice the typo?
It’s driving me crazy. Haha
And when it’s too late to fix….maddening. 😂😂😂
My brain seems always goes faster than my fingers.
Yes. 😂
@@sarahfaith316
Let me enlighten all the children here...including Mike.
Hanukkah,Saturnalia,Christmas are all celebrating the same thing......what thing?
The WINTER SOLSTICE!
The sun/light/Jesus "dies" at the end of the yearly cycle on Dec 22nd....the winter solstice.
The word solstice means "sun stands still"....and it does.......
The sun seems to be "dead".........
However THREE DAYS LATER (sound familiar?) the sun comes out of it's grave and the new baby Jesus/sun.....is ready for his journey round Galilee. (Galilee means cycle btw).
It's the story of the sun and the cycle of TWELVE MONTHS (the 12 disciples who accompany him).
It's all ALLEGORY!
Is it the apostrophe in "Holiday's" (sic) ?
I came to know the Lord via Christmas. When as an agnostic I helped out at a church community Christmas meal I saw how the Christians in my area were inspired by their faith to do practical things to help others and that started me on my journey to faith.
Quite honestly if you speak to most people that take part in food banks, soup kitchens, clothing programs etc. You will find most of them have some connection to Christianity. You don't have to be a Christian to do these things, but Christians even if only nominal are more inclined to do them. Christians are less likely to go to widespread protests because they are more interested in their local communities rather than widespread social justice movements.
Love how simple your testimony is. I'm so glad you found God :)
@@jamesfitzgerald1684 And maybe that's for the best, christians getting too involve with politics or social movements may not always look good for us.
@CJ Dennis oh, I disagree. Slavery, was brought to a stop (legally - I know it remains a problem) because of Christians objecting to and campaigning against it - on Biblical grounds specifically.
@@elizabethryan2217 Hi Elizabeth. I would encourage you to look up a man named William Wilberforce. He was the man (among many others) who abolished slavery in the United Kingdom along with several other areas. He was also inspired to fight for the abolishing of the slave trade because of his Christian conviction.
Christian freedom under the Spirit's guidance, instead of law. What a blessing! Praise the Lord.
So christian freedom under the spirit's guidance equals lawlessness?😯
I didn't know that the spirit of God was lawless...🤷
@@jacksoncorp124 The Spirit of God isn't lawless, that's the point. He said "under the Spirit's guideance", which isn't lawless.
Romans 7:14
For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Romans 8:6-8
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
If the Spirit is leading, it will lead us to be lawful, to be subject to God's Law. Christian freedom has to do with being freed from being slaves to sin. Saying "instead of law" sounds wrong to me.
“In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.”
Heb 8:13
The law given at Sini is the old covenant.
We are under a new and different covenant than the one given by God to the Hebrews at Mt Sini.
The Spirit is not going to guide us to do the things that this world loves, though. We are not saved by the keeping of the Law, but the Law never stopped being good and it is still a guide to show us what is good and what is evil.
Easter not in the bible
Thanksgiving day not in the bible
New years day not in the bible
Independence day not in the bible
My kid's birthdays not in the bible
Celebrating happy occasions isn't an issue.
The gospel is the important issue.
My husband and I are under the conviction not to celebrate Christmas or Easter, but if others want to, go ahead. It is between you and the Lord
Amen
Yep and they should do it for the right reasons. Maybe they should care about the origins and what some of the traditions represented.
@@ourgreathighpriest1601 The origins are irrelevant. What matters is what it means to the people celebrating it right now.
Stacey, same here and I feel the same. Blessings!
@@davegink9222 I disagree. The origins are important. Like, why are there Christmas tress and Christmas decorations and lights when this has nothing to do with Jesus' birth? Why December 25th instead of in the spring or summer? When you dive deep into the origins, from the tree to the date, you see that it started hundreds of years before Jesus. However, I do not want to argue about it. This is my point of view and my conviction.
Exactly! Unity in essentials, liberty in non-essentials and in all things, LOVE 💜
My teenage son and I were just talking about this yesterday a sense, but specifically how Jesus wasn't born on December 25, how it got mixed up with St. Nick, etc. and how many Christians don't celebrate his birth on 12/25. He then asked me, "when do they celebrate it then?" and I'm embarrassed to say I didn't really have a definite answer for him. I mentioned the celebration of feasts, but as far as celebrating His birth, I told him I'd have to research that and get back to him. To be honest, I hadn't even thought of that before. I'm just happy my 17 year old son cares to ask and I definitely will get back to him.
❤️
Look into the Fall Feasts, some believe He was born around feast of Trumpets and some think Feast of Tabernacles, both are part of the fall feasts. That put's His birth around September/October. Both of those Feasts do make sense prophetically. It seems God uses His feast days for all big things He plans to do, past and future. It's all very interesting to look into! We began keeping the Feasts as Christians a few years ago. Why wouldn't we? They are all about Jesus! Another interesting thing to note is that the fall feast time of year makes more sense, weather wise, that shepherd's would've been outside, out in the fields. 😊
Edited to add- I think it's so cool that your 17 year old would ask! I love that! We do lightly celebrate Christmas, (after a few years of not celebrating it anymore) really for the fellowship with others of the faith and I do think all days belong to Him and we can remember His birth anytime, but we are of the belief that He was born in the fall and do remember His birth during fall feast celebrations.
@@bonniet6275 Thanks for all of that, Bonnie! I had heard some say they thought He was born in April possibly, but I'm not sure why they thought that. And as far as your comment about why not keeping the Feasts, I agree. My family has been watching The Chosen since Easter of 2020 and it has really opened up our interest to the Jewish faith and customs. I love how the show has really done their homework to show so much of it. My favorite was Jesus saying the "Bedtime Shema". I was like, "what is that beautiful prayer?! I want to say that before I fall asleep every night, too." The show even helped inspire my son to become more spiritual, hence the questions he's asking. We know it's a tv show, but it has really done a lot for our family to encourage us to read our Bible.
I will look into all that you mentioned and do my homework. 🙂 Thanks again for taking the time to respond, really appreciate it!
We can't know when Jesus was born, but the 25th is the
day that we have. If you want to celebrate His birth with
others, that is the only day I know of where there is
a general agreement.
So a general agreement, so to speak, on the day of
celebration. Not on the actual day, since that is not known.
That's awesome your son asked that question!
In some countries they celebrate Christmas on January 7th. My friend from Ukraine celebrates it then. I like that because it just extends the season. ❤️💚❤️
I love to celebrate Christmas. I'm a bit shy and introvert, so I like to use this holiday as an excuse to show generosity to people I don't know very well without feeling akward. Besides, I work most of the year, and Christmas it's the only vacation I have, so I like to spend that time with my mom, watching Christmas movies and preparing the Christmas Eve dinner. In my country, the whole family is involved in preparing the main dish: hallacas. As a Catholic country, Christmas is very tied to Christianism. It's the most perfect time to share the gospel with people, because they are more aware of the birth of Jesus. actually, most people don't teach the children to behave so Santa brings them gifts, instead, children are waiting for Baby Jesus to bring them gifts.
To sum up, Christmas is a good time to spend with your family, to show generosity to people, and to remind everyone why Jesus came to earth.
Telling kids Baby Jesus brings them gifts is very dangerous. It is one of the reasons my dad did not believe in God. Just as kids grow up and stop believing in Santa as they realize their parents get the gifts, kids can grow up and stop believing in Jesus.
@@Andreamom001 I never was taught that nor do I endorse it for the exact same reasons. My point is that here Christmas is very tied to Christianity. It's more than a holiday
@@Andreamom001 I don't think anyone teaches that Jesus brings the gifts, and as a kid I remember just naturally knowing that my parents bought the gifts and knew that Santa Clause as a man wasn't a real thing. I hope your father was or is able to learn that belief in God is different from belief in Santa Clause. Have a blessed day.
@@Andreamom001well if we are
Going to celebrate Christmas what’s wrong with Santa?
@@infpt24whats wrong with Santa?
That’s my point exactly! It bothers me when I see Christian is trying to prove Christmas with the Scriptures knowing it’s not biblical. I’ve always said if you choose to celebrate it, just celebrate it
Soma scriptura problema
Did not paul told you not every thing was written in the bible
Christmas is a tradition of the catholic church
Live with it
Brother, your study and careful teaching of God's word really blesses, encourages, and challenges me.
The birth of Jesus was clearly important enough for the Bible to tell the story in two separate Gospels. This tells me, there is Biblical reason to celebrate it. If the magi and shepherds could celebrate and honor it, so can we.
Let’s remember also that it was God, Himself who had the angels tell the shepherds and He put the star in the sky for the magi. The birth could have just happened and no one would have “celebrated.”
Loved this. Sometimes we get so caught up un NON ESSENTIAL issues and we miss the big picture. Jesus was born!!! Our Lord and Savior came to earth to bring us back to the Father. How amazing is that! whenever you want to celebrate it, just do it for the Lord.
Thank you pastor Mike. May God keep blessing your channel and ministy. Happy holidays.
There is no way that you actually believe Jesus was birthed on Christmas.
@@BlakMastachief I dont think she meant that
Yes. It’s always “ok” to celebrate Jesus.
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Read the end of Deuteronomy 12 see if you’ll change your mind.
@Fanci McGuffin Amen!!
@@Justmydiscoveries I did and you are taking it out of context. It specifically refers to the nation state of Israel. However, even if we continue with this idea that we are not to worship as them we have to ask ourselves how these pagans worshiped their gods. A verse in the same chapter point out 1. We don't burn our children. I do not believe I sacrifice my children on Christmas or any time. Other ways could include orgies, debauchery, prostitution, naked singing. So I'm finding it hard to come up with how Christmas does any of these. Just because we took the day does not mean we are worshiping God like pagans do.
Putting the fake Santa aside, I believe the season of 'Christmas' (the word literally translating to the gathering of people for Christ) does a lot to highlight Christ. For those not seeking God, it means just worldly pleasure and fun but for those seeking, it's a powerful reminder that JESUS the Son of God was born into the world to save sinners. It always brings me joy. 😀
@@Justmydiscoveries I won’t. Because I’ve studied it in context.
Thanks for all you do Mike. You encourage me to learn.
I've settled on the same view regarding Christmas. I've always celebrated Christmas, but for a short period of time I was persuaded that Christmas was just a rebranded pagan holiday that was primarily promoting consumerism.
I've eventually settled back to - 'Christmas is fine. Some people will go to church at Christmas when they wouldn't at any other time of the year. But that verse in Romans clinched it for me. Now I'm happy to celebrate Jesus' birth on that day even though it seems as if He was probably not born on that date. It's a great day to meditate on God and celebrate with family' 😀
Tammuz (false god) was born on 25th of December, so you're not celebrating Yeshua's birthday. And it is pagan, look at Satan Claus... I mean Santa.
And I forgot to mention the Christmas tree is pagan too, look at Jeremiah 10:1-5
@@YehovaFirst Mithra, Horus, Dionysus etc being born on 25th December was based on false information via a viral video called Zeitgeist bro.
The Jeremiah passage refers to carving idols from a tree.
Regardless if there was one of the many so-called gods having something to do with the 25th December (there's actually no evidence to prove this), there's nothing wrong with having a special day to celebrate the birth of our Saviour. But it's also OK if you choose not to do this :)
@@YehovaFirst Did you not watch Mike Winger's video on Jeremiah 10 lol.
@@chriper77 There's no evidence that proves that Yeshua was born on 25th of December either but here we are.
I’ve been thinking more about this topic lately, with it being the season. I really do believe we should at least know and understand what we’re actually celebrating, and the history behind it. Since Christmas and Easter are rooted in paganism, it’s hard for me, as a Christian, to get “excited” about them anymore. But I also know that people have their traditions, and that is ALWAYS hard to let go. I just take the route of understanding and celebrating God’s HOLY DAYS (at least Passover) and actually knowing the meaning behind it, and hope to lead by example
No neither Christmas nor Easter is rooted in anything pagan. Not even if some traditions might be similar to pagan ones.
Christmas is rooted in God Himself lowering Himself to becoming fully human being born as a baby, including becoming completely helpless.
Easter is about the Resurrection. Jesus Christ, the Son of God rising from the dead in victory over sin, death and the Devil after atoning for my sins and yours by dying on the cross.
Without Christmas and Easter there IS NO Christianity.
@@markhorton3994 Dude, Christmas and Easter came LONG after Christ. There was definitely Christianity without either of those holidays. The Catholic Church made them prominent by taking pagan observances and putting Christianity behind it.
I know what they’re “supposed” to represent
@@christianbest1562how?
Couldnt agree more. Celebrating life with others is what Jesus wants us to do, I would think. Thanx so much, Blessings
The problem is that all the aspects of Christmas is almost of pagan origin
I so agree . The history of Santa Clause is horrific. The history of Xmas goes back to Constantine. He took 2 pagan holidays and slapped Jesus on to them: Xmas and Easter. We know that Jesus was not born on DEC 25 and the word "Easter" is the name of a pagan god. I celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.
I celebrate veteran's day and valentine's. Yes, it's okay to celebrate at times not mentioned in the Bible.
Such a beautiful Truth that the Lord Himself, our Teacher, brought me too Amen!!!!!!!
Am.
Gilly wife of Marken and amen Pastor..... God bless you and yours and the Christian family.........wishing all of you a wonderful Christmas in celebration of the birth of the Messiah
There is nothing wrong with a tradition as long as it doesn't go against the word. For me and my family we don't do Christmas because I feel like, as you said, there were other biblical holidays and we choose to celebrate those because they fulfill prophecy of his coming and what he did. On top of that the commercialization and all just doesn't appeal to me. As for the Roman's 14 section, if you finish out that verse it makes it pretty plain to see that it was talking about only eating vegetables, only eating meat or quite possibly fasting. There were no commandments on when to and when not to fast nor laws on only being vegetarians. Let each person decide in their mind when they eat or don't eat or if they eat only vegetables. Jews in Rome were really careful with the meat they bought because they were afraid it could have been sacrificed to an idol so they would abstain and only eat vegetables. When reading into Halakkah there were many things added as extra guardrails to prevent someone from becoming ritually unclean. Of course Paul clears this up stating that if they accidentally ate something unclean that they could depend on Yeshua to ritually cleanse them.
commercialization can also happen in the Torah pursuant communities. Many people spend large amounts of money in any given biblical feast day/week.
many people are, of course, wise with their money when saving for sukkot for instance but there are many people who are wise when saving for and preparing for Christmas too. Its the person/family issue as to whether they are wise stewards with their finances not the specific celebration issue. Big events happen, weddings, funerals, feasts, and holidays. People need to read more proverbs and less blaming it on a certain holiday.
@@angelcollector22What’s wrong with spending money for the Most High’s holidays? Xmass isn’t the Most High’s holidays. It’s a fake holiday. It’s not going to be in the Kingdom.
If you read Jeremiah chapter 10 carefully, you will see that the bible prohibit the celebration of Christmas.
My biggest problem with Christmas is that it is *an inherently Catholic* holiday. It's even in the name: Christ's Mass. I don't necessarily feel like I'm sinning to recognize it - although I feel somewhat guilted into it. I could (and probably would rather) let the day pass without doing anything but taking the day off. Your mileage may vary.
If it helps, Christmas was celebrated well before there was a Roman Catholic church in any meaningful sense.
The Roman Catholic Church does not get to claim Christmas.
@@BrianJohnson-lx3zd totally agree with Brian here. People place the RCC way too early on the historical timeline. The RCC as we know it really developed much later. There is much confusion about this. It doesn't help that the RCC went back in time and Sainted and "Poped" a bunch of godly men many hundreds of years post mortem so people think they were actually part of the Roman Institution. But they weren't.
I’m a Protestant but Catholics are Christians. There are plenty of truly God fearing Christians in Catholicism as there are cultural born-into Sola Scriptura Protestants.
We can love things outside of the Bible as long as it glorifies God. The Bible doesn’t tell us to work here and there or doesn’t tell us we can’t have a passion for drawing, fishing or sports, but if we glorify Him through our actions, I believe our God will be happy we are celebrating the birth of our savior and sharing a loving time with our families, serving and offering generosity. That’s my view on it but feel free to share yours ? God bless you.
Thank you Mike I love how diplomatic you are about this. Too many Christians running around being legalistic about stuff that quite frankly is not salvific.
A random thought that came to my mind earlier, and I was thinking of making a video about it. “What did Paul say about Christmas?” Now I come here and see this. Very cool timing. I was thinking Paul says that whoever wants to celebrate a day as holy, can. Whoever does for the glory of God is not sinning, and whoever does not is not sinning. only keep in mind what is good for mutual at building. Read Romans 14 for more details on that.
@Tableú I celebrate Jesus everyday. To combat pride month I call it humility month.
Romans 14 doesn’t mention “xmass” because there was literally no “xmass” at that time. Also, it has to do with fasting on certain days. At that time, people were observing the Sabbath and Festivals mentioned in Leviticus 23.
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Colossians 2:8
Empty rituals...most people don't know the Lord, yet go crazy over this one day a year
Romans 14 is definitely a good passage to go to for this question!
No it’s not. That’s not the Most High’s words. Also, there is no “xmass” mentioned then because there was no “xmass” then.
God knows our hearts. That's what most of these arguments come down to. If we truly love Him and out Him first, He will know. If we defy him in our hearts and in our actions, He will know.
I try to always ask myself “can I or does this..glorify the Lord in this endeavor?”
Hey Mike, if you ever get a chance, could you do a similar video about whether or not Easter is a pagan holiday?
Mike, thank you for your time n dedication. What's your response to those that arise at jeremiah 10?
He has a video about Jeremiah 10. That passage is about the God's condemnation of ancient cultures around Israel who carved wooden images and overlayed them with gold and silver, paraded them around and worshiped those graven images
@@Indigolily80no that’s a Christmas tree
@@mastergirl922 Exactly. It's so obviously talking about a Christmas tree that if anyone denies it, they're just being willfully ignorant at this point.
Thanks Mike. It is good to know we can celebrate Christmas and celebrate the birth of our savior one part of the triune God.
Excellent response!
A beautiful principle.
Now the next question is: Is Xmas being done unto the Lord. What are the acceptable practises and what is not. You cannot turn a blind eye to idolatry.
I appreciate these shorts of Christmas myths. It's our TH-cam advent!
Amen thank you
The problem with this question is that celebrating "Christmas" can mean different things to different people. Of course I see nothing wrong with celebrating family and friends, and with gift giving. Nor do I have an issue with cultural non-religious aspects such as the Christmas tree or tinsel. But Santa Claus is dangerous, at least for parents that tell their kids he is real.
Santa is essentially a deity that is all-knowing (knows when they are naughty or nice) and has magical powers. Children are told to behave or else Santa won't give them presents (which also gives children the message that presents are the goal of Christmas and even of doing good). Santa is a major celebrity to children, appearing both in person at malls and events, and in all sorts of children's and family oriented television shows and movies. And kids are often excited to see Santa or even to hear his name. Where is that same excitement for Christ? It is a major blow when kids discover the truth.
Not only is it dishonest to lie to kids about Santa, but it also makes them question the validity of Jesus Christ. After all, if you have a holiday that seemingly has two 'main stories' that are its focus (from a kid perspective), and one of those (Santa and all his mythology) turns out to be bogus and even something all adults knew is fake but lied about, then how likely are kids to trust parents on the veracity of the Nativity of Christ.
Did you know that Martin Luther invented the Christmas tree? The man who coined the Phrase Sola Scriptura and got thrown out of the RCC for it. More accurately for rejecting the authority of the pope which is an obvious consequence of Sola Scriptura. Christmas trees do not have a pagan origin.
Other Germans followed Luther's tradition including Prince Albert and from him his wife Queen Victoria. The world followed her example.
@@markhorton3994 interesting, but not sure why you replied to my comment. I have no problem with Christmas trees. My problem is with Santa Claus, specifically parents and other adults that lie to kids about Santa being a real magical, all-knowing, Christmas demigod.
I feel so conflicted about this
I was saved after my kids were already in the Santa thing they are still in that magical age and they love it
I can’t bear to let them down
Instead …
I try to downplay Santa now and make sure to focus on Jesus our Lord of Lords
@@anamosa1574 you have to tell them the truth.
@@anamosa1574Hope you tell them the whole truth and the Most High’s truth.
I think I really just don’t want to until I gather more information but will not judge others.
Christmas was celebrated. The Nativity was festive for Angels, reflective for Shepherds, and later embraced by Magi...
I would love to see you do a video on Eastern Orthodoxy as it is relatively unknown to the Western world.
Pro 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Pro 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Idols and the Living God
Jer 10:1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
Jer 10:2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
Jer 10:3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
Jer 10:4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
Jer 10:5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
One of the biggest bible studies you can undertake is false prophets and false doctrine it is huge, starting in the Garden and running all the way through Revelation.
The lord used a lot of biblical real estate to tell us about false prophets , false doctrine, and examples of them.
(Deu 4:2, Deu 12:32, Deu 17:11, Deu 28:14, Jos 1:7 2Ch 34:2, Ezr 6:11, Psa 56:5, Psa 89:39, Psa 119:126, Pro 4:27, Pro 30:6, Jer 23:36, Jer 26:2, Eze 5:6, Mat 5:18, Mat 15:1-9, Mar 7:1-13, Rom 1:25, 2Co 2:17, 2Co 4:2, 2Pe 1:20-21, 2Pe 3:16, Rev 22:18-19)
God has told us not to add to nor take away from His Word,
Are there three specific ordinances of the church?
The term "ordinances" is used when speaking of Baptism, Feet Washing, and the Lord's Supper. Our understanding of the term "ordinance" comes from two traditions. One relates to the observance of the Passover. Another comes from Paul's instructions to the church at Corinth.
There are 8 core doctrines shared by most Protestant Churchs.
1: THE BIBLE
The Holy Spirit Guided human authors so that what thy wrote in Scripture is accurate and without error…Ultimately, the real value of th eBible is realized in our life as we apply the Scriptures to Life.
2: GOD
Our view of God will impact the way we live…God is defined as Spirit, a person, life, self-existent, unchanging, unlimited by time and space, and a unity….God consistently works out His eternal plan by guiding and overseeing all things by His wise and holy purpose.
3: CHRIST
Jesus was in fact God incarnate in human form. He is the second person in the Trinity who came to live among us, die for us, and resurrect that someday we might be able to live with Him forever.
4: THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is not merely a force, but has all the attributes of personality and is also God as the third person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit’s work brings us to Christ and salvation, equips us for ministry, empowers us for service, and produces spiritual fruit in our life. To better understand The Trinity, read this related Article
5: PEOPLE
People are unique beings. Contrary to the evolutionary view of origins, the biblical view of people identifies them as unique from animals, created in the image and likeness of God. People have both a physical and metaphysical aspect - body and soul or spirit. Because of our ancestral parent’s failure to obey God, sin was introduced into the human experience - causing the need for reconciliation to God our creator.
6: SALVATION
The single most significant experience in life is that involved in receiving the salvation provided by Christ on the Cross. This experience involves conversion, regeneration, justification, and sanctification and grants us eternal life with Christ.
7: THE CHURCH
Jesus instituted the church as a means of Christians assembling together to encourage and help one another in the Christian life and to enable them to be more effective in reaching out to others. In summary, the “ekklesia (Greek for church) is a group of “called-out ones” established for worship, instruction, fellowship, and evangelism.
8: ESCHATOLOGY (END TIMES)
Eschatology literally means “the study of last things.” The doctrine of eschatology can be divided into two themes: “personal eschatology” which is the study of God’s final judgements and the enternal state - heaven or hell - and “prophetic eschatology” which is the study of the second coming of Christ and the various events related to His return.
One of the biggest false doctrines is Christmas, Christians love it, as does much of the world, yet the Christmas of today is almost 200 years, before 1828 it was a drunken street party that the church had tried to ban and outlaw without much success, that all changed in 1828,
In 1659 the Puritan government of the Massachusetts Bay Colony actually banned Christmas.
Why did the Puritans not want to celebrate Christmas?
They saw Christmas as a wasteful festival that threatened Christian beliefs and encouraged immoral activities, to (in Stubbs' words) the 'great dishonor of God'. The discontent felt within the Puritan community towards festivals led to the enactment of forceful legislation even before Cromwell's protectorate.
Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's consort, is usually credited with having introduced the Christmas tree into England in 1840. However it was actually 'good Queen Charlotte', the German wife of George III, who set up the first known tree at Queen's Lodge, Windsor, in December 1800.
In 1828, a particularly violent Christmas riot in New York led the city to institute its first professional police force. Christmas celebrations in 1800 owed more to the midwinter worship of Saturn and Bacchus than to Christ.
That riot caused the well to do to change Christmas into the family oriented thing that it became,
A Visit from St. Nicholas, Written by Clement Clarke Moore and first published in 1823
A Christmas Carol was first published on December 19, 1843, with the first edition sold out by Christmas Eve. By 1844, the novella had gone through 13 printings and continues to be a robust seller more than 175 years later.
Queen Victoria sent the first official Christmas card, and Sir Henry Cole, who amongst other things was an assistant to Sir Rowland Hill in the introduction of the penny post and the first Director of the V&A, commissioned the first commercial Christmas card in 1843. The initial print run was for 1000 cards.
Thomas Nast defined American political cartoons in the decades following the Civil War, On January 3, 1863 Nast combined politics and sentimentality in his first major works depicting Santa.
In 1939 Robert L. May, a copywriter working at Chicago's Montgomery Ward & Co., wrote a holiday story at the request of his employer. Almost two and a half million copies of the little tale about a reindeer with a shiny red nose were given away to all the children who visited Montgomery Ward stores that year. The rest is history. Seventy-five years later, the beloved classic is once again available in a hardcover faithful facsimile of the 1939 Rudolph, with original text and original Denver Gillen illustrations.
Many things came together to create the Christmas of today, Then came the modern Christmas carols and songs, and the TV specials I saw in their first run as a kid.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It's the longest-running Christmas special for a reason. ...
A Charlie Brown Christmas. ...
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! ...
Frosty the Snowman. ...
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town. ...
The Year Without a Santa Claus. ...
'Twas the Night Before Christmas.
The Christmas that is celebrated to is just barely 200 years old, before that it was a drunken street party of the old Saturnalia.
These things are not hard to look up and find if someone wants to, the problem is that Christmas is so ingrained into us, that even Christian do not want to know about its true history, why, because we got it from mom and dad, who got it from their mom and dad, it has become a very ingrained tradition, with many things that only came together in the last 200 years.
It seems that the snag messing many people up, on one side or the other is the "do it unto the Lord" part of it.
Most seem to think holidays are either entirely secular or have some aspect of Christianity to them,
but still don't just go all in on focusing any and every day entirely on praising God and celebrating our Messiah!
Maybe a better question would be, should we celebrate Holidays that ARE prescribed by the Bible? Thinking about things like Passover and Tabernacles. For example, Paul tells us that we should keep the feast of Passover and Zechariah 14 tells us that we will be celebrating the feast of Tabernacles in the Millennium and the nations will be punished if they don't. It seems like Biblically it would be a good idea.
Perhaps if we want to celebrate the birth of Jesus that Tabernacles would be a good time considering that Jesus came and Tabernacled with us in a tent of flesh. What do you think?
I heard we must travel to jerusalem to keep the feasts. (Cannot confirm 100% tho)
God very clearly rebukes heathen practices such as cutting a tree from the forest, fastening it to the floor, and decking it with silver and gold (tinsel).
He did a whole video on Jeremiah 10 and Christmas trees.
@@BrianJohnson-lx3zd
Jeremiah 10:1-25:
The Sovereignty of God
1Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
2Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
3For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
4They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
5They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
6Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.
7Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.
8But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
9Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.
10But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
11Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.
12He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.
13When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.
14Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
15They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
16The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts is his name.
The Coming Destruction
17Gather up thy wares out of the land, O inhabitant of the fortress.
18For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this once, and will distress them, that they may find it so.
19Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it.
20My tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.
21For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
22Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.
Jeremiah's Prayer
23O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
24O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.
25Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.
@@BrianJohnson-lx3zd this is what I responded to you on the other thread:
@user-en9vv2st3e notice that verse 3-4 states that they "cutteth a tree out of the forest with the axe", and that they "deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not." Very clearly this is referring to them cutteth a tree out of the forest with the axe and decorating it. Also notice that it is clearly described as having remained a tree by being compared to a palm tree in verse that says "5They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not". If this is merely an idol, why doesn't God describe it as a statue carved out of stone common to what idols were made from during this period?
@@BrianJohnson-lx3zd Jeremiah was active as a prophet from the thirteenth year of Josiah, king of Judah (626 BC), until after the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of Solomon's Temple in 587 BC. This period spanned the reigns of five kings of Judah: Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah.
Rome was founded in 753 BC, which is 127 years before the prophet Jeremiah, and it is well known that the Romans celebrated the winter solstice by cutting and decorating a fir tree in their homes. Before Rome the Greeks were decorating their temples with trees as a symbol of sacrifice to their gods. This practice is what God is addressing through the prophet Jeremiah.
@@ajlouviere202 Jeremiah 10:3 specifies the tree is worked by a craftsman - the term refers to skilled labor, particular an engraver. The tree is being made into an idol.
And as far as I know the cutting of firs was a much later germanic custom, not a Roman one. If you have a reputable source that says otherwise, I'll gladly look at it.
Amen 🕊♥️ HalleluYah 👑
Man these throwbacks...
For me it's just simply about celebrating the birth of Jesus,I don't care if he was born on that day or not,I'm still going to celebrate it then.
Sad to see someone steering people on the wrong way because of their “feelings”
False teachers do that -
they do not know God Almighty.
Christmas and Easter aren’t pagan saturnalia ends days before Christmas there isn’t anything wrong with celebrating the birth and resurrection of Christ
But what about Jeremiah 10:1-6? Is this not a clear indication that God doesn't want us to celebrate Christmas?
Yep. Don’t participate in empty customs of the nations.
Its exactly what it is, except without the Wooden carved statute of man that it mentioned in the sentences before in that Chapter.
That’s not even about Christmas trees
Im sharing this to my Instagram to
compete work the negative memes
The verse about esteeming one day is so badly applied here 😒 It’s about fast days. Do you want to do a fast day on a certain day of the week, month, etc?
If it's not in the Bible I don't celebrate. I worship and praise Yeshua daily.
This is the point where I realize you’re actually not preaching from what God says in the Bible but from another source and unfollow
The New covenant is the old covenant. The only difference is people under the new covent are regenerated through the blood of Christ. Old covenant believer’s sins were atoned (not done away with) and the law was written on stone. That same law is alive in the heart of the bellevers in Christ.
Thanks for this!
"But Christmas was pagan!"
Sure, and if they're not careful we'll take more holidays to celebrate more Christian truths.
Their gods are dead, Jesus reigns, and celebrating Christmas is partly celebrating Christ's victory over pagan gods.
@Tableú That's it I'm stealing pride month.
That's the Passover
As long as it doesn’t override the emphasis of celebrating Christ every day. Like what exactly are you celebrating on Christmas? Candy and gifts, Or Christ?
Thank you
If we were only allowed to do things that are commanded in the Bible, we wouldn't get much done.
They say there are no stupid questions, but now I'm rethinking that.
Totally off topic, please give a list of the best commentaries you can recommend.
Ive read the Bible for some time but now I want to go deeper and want a commentary but don't know which one
What the Most High says goes. If people refuse to observe His prescribed set apart (holy, holidays), then no one has room to say anything pertaining to the Most High because He said it will be done forever. These arguments are useless. Either do what He says or don’t and do whatever you want. I refuse to keep fake holidays that disguise itself as it pertaining to the Most High. Leviticus 23 is a simple chapter to read and understand. Nowhere in the “NT” is there any observance of anything besides Leviticus 23 (except Hanukah, but that was a “Jewish” tradition.)
@MikeWinger Deuteronomy 12 30-32 teaches not to worship God in the way they serve their Gods if you read about Christmas in an encyclopedia you’ll find it was for other Gods but Catholics “converted” it to be for Jesus. Have you looked into this?
You are completely ignoring the principle in Romans that Mike pointed out.
What encyclopedia?
@@dahelmang and you are completely ignoring "come out from among them and be ye separate, says the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing.". 2 Corinth 6:17
I’m definitely not worshipping other gods, only God in my mind and heart when I do Christmas. The parts of the holiday I don’t feel comfortable doing I just don’t do like Santa Claus, songs that don’t glorify Jesus and obligatory gift giving. Decide in your own mind what to do or not to do and then proceed with a clear conscience in faith to honor Jesus.
@@mikedickison5003 that passage is about marrying people who are not believers. If you look at I Corinthians 8 you will see that the New Covenant has more room for freedom than the Old Covenant:
"But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. - 1 Corinthians 8:7-8
If you subscribe to the regulative principle and the Westminster Confession, regarding Christmas as a Christian holy day (ie. church services set around the birth of Christ, advent, etc.) is an issue. Celebrating it as a secular holiday is not. Dr. C. Matthew McMahon has written a couple of books on the subject that are eye-opening: "The Christian's Duty to Reject Christmas" and "Bah Humbug: How Christian's should think about Christmas". Of course, this is coming from a reformed perspective. :-) Would love to know your thoughts on either of those books @MikeWinger.
Does it mean a Christian may celebrate Eid-Al-Fitr as long dedicate to Yeshua? Even though Muslims pray to different god!!
My Bible includes the birth of Jesus Christ, so let's celebrate that this season and not give back any days for pagan rituals.
Where in the Bible God tells us to celebrate the day he was born?! He’s saying honor me and worship me everyday. Not his bday!
We can honor him every day including that day
It’s not that Christmas isn’t Christ like or wrong to celebrate His birth(although the day is debatable), but holidays like Christmas and Halloween are rooted in paganism and have those origins compared to Hanukkah.
You can’t take something pagan and slap a Christian sticker on it as rebranding it for Jesus which is what most have an issue with. You can’t take something of the world and claim it for Christ unless it had origins there to begin with
True. Christianity cult says otherwise.
What an incredibly well thought out and biblically supported argument. Well done.
If you’re decorating a tree and letting blessings rain down on your gift, where you children run to it and get on their knees before the tree to receive them, then we got a problem folks. It’s time to wake up and stop letting man decide.
Children are doing this innocently, just as they would kneel down to pet a puppy, don't attribute it to worshipping a gift
@@joyceburns2613 The scales must come off.
This is utterly ridiculous and there is no problem.
Where do people get this stuff? No one is worshipping the poor tree.
@@pkmcnett5649 Given your personification of it, I think you might benefit from reconsidering. But its up to you. Claiming that folks don't operate out of ignorance would be ironic, wouldnt it?
@@UsesElevators ok, so if you bow down to tie your shoe and a pole is in front of you, then it means you're worshipping it. Your argument is a flawed one
It's ok to celebrate anything as long as it is done in the glory of God. It is weird that people question these things
You can celebrate tarot cards and Halloween in the glory of God? You are misleading baby Christians with this kind of fallacy; you are not being honest.
@doll.ov.poetrii4682 why would you celebrate an inanimate object? You are misleading people with faulty thinking. As far as Halloween, it's OK to play dress up and have fun. People don't generally celebrate Halloween for nefarious purposes. It's what's in you heart. Not how what others think of you. I won't argue anymore because the bible tells us not to argue over things that are not sinful if someone else believes they are. So I'll leave it at that. It's a sin for you if you believe it is but not for me. My heart is right with God
"The Sabbath was made for man, not man made for the Sabbath." The point is to honor God in our minds, not what happens in the world.
Would you agree that we are to also honor him with our actions?
@@jacksoncorp124 Yes. They need to align and they will as the devotion becomes firm in our minds. The mind is the origin. "Judge not by appearance but judge by righteous judgment."
@@robertdouglas8895 Not everyone that calls themselves christians aligns their thoughts with their actions. I wish that they would all come to the knowledge of the truth after they've been saved, but many do not unfortunately...
1 Timothy 2:3-4 GOD’S WORD Translation
3 This is good and pleases God our Savior. 4 He wants all people to be saved and to learn the truth.
That statement by Christ is often misconstrued by Christians to say that we no longer have to keep the Sabbath. Christ never changed the Sabbath (the church did that a few hundred years after Christ), rather He questioned the Pharisees interpretation of the law, slammed them for adding a bunch of rules and misinterpretations that sucked the life out of the Sabbath. Man wasn't created in order to be obedient to a bunch of man-made rules the Pharisees created in regards to the Sabbath day of rest, instead man was created in order to commune with God and live at peace with Him, at least one day per week and symbolic of the Millennial Sabbath and eternity with God. The Sabbath is a day we should dedicate to God and do good things for our neighbours and we should refrain from our customary work as far as possible, and at least try keep it on it's rightful day.
@@mattburns617 I agree with Paul.."Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
If people want to set one day aside for that, then that's better than nothing.
As a Christian, I choose not to celebrate Christmas because it's not okay for me. Having said that, I don't know with 100% certainty if I am correct but I do know that my choice to not celebrate the day will not affect my own salvation. Can you say the same thing if you do celebrate it?
Yes, because my salvation isn’t dependent on what I do but on what Jesus did for me. His shed blood is my propitiation for sin (not that celebrating Christmas is a sin.)
Nowhere in the Bible is salvation dependent on the celebration or non-celebration of a holiday.
@@toliveischrist950AMEN
@To Live Is Christ, your salvation absolutely depends on what you do or do not do! You must accept Jesus, you must repent and you must be born again! There's even more but that's the basics.
I choose not to celebrate christmas (or any other holiday for that matter) as well, but I find it to be more of a wisdom issue than a salvation issue. Deuteronomy 12:30-31b and Revelation 2 - the nicolaitans, are my reasons for not celebrating. When it comes to christmas in particular (and the tradition of gift exchange associated with it), I find it rather interesting that the only mention of gift exchange mentioned in the Bible that I am aware of is in Revelation 11, and many translations translate the verse as "make merry" as part of said gift exchange. I get the point of your ? though, is the risk of being in disobedience to God worth the reward of the warm and fuzzy feelings you maintain by holding on to your traditions.
A bit of a critique for Mike.
You mentioned "as Jehovah Witnesses might have you believe".
Its not really the JW anymore that is running amuck with antiholiday rhetoric. I would appeal to you to take the Hebrew Roots movement more seriously. Your comment sections are filled with them. Its not really a superficial movement and its damaging. I am hoping over the course of time apologists I trust and respect will begin to take HR more seriously.
Thanks for hearing me out.
Please read Jeremiah chp 10
It talks about trees in the home with silver and gold. It's a warning from GOD not to worship other GODs.
I’ve read it carefully and hope you’ll consider this study on the passage that I did. th-cam.com/users/liveGFhHmj77_rg?si=ascY8TI9qhd4RBpe
That’s not about Christmas trees
Christmas is fine to me I just don't really celebrate it anymore because I'm an adult now and I can't afford to do presents and decorations and there's no kids. I feel like it's one of those things that's more about kids and presents and really I see a lot of commercialism in it. I don't celebrate because of that not because of people believing it's pagan or what the background history of Santa Claus and all that stuff is. It's just not as magical for me anymore.
In case anyone finds this helpful or is interested in praying for our Christian ministries/leaders/shepherds/evangelists/apologists like Mike Winger:
16 prayer points you can pray for them:
1
You can pray that they will always have a good walk with God (that they will not forget their first love), that God will bless their daily private Bible reading and prayer life, and that they will have good sound doctrine.
2
You can pray that they will be full of the Holy Spirit and that God will bless their ministries so that many more people will come to faith in Jesus for God’s glory, and that they will feed God’s sheep and disciple them properly.
3
You can pray that they will be humble, that they will remember how many Christian leaders in the past have fallen, and that they will have a very healthy fear of the Lord.
4
You can pray that God will protect them and the ministry God has given them from:
Pride
Love of fame
Love of money
Desire for the approval of people rather than the approval of God
Being worried about offending people
Compromising God’s Word
Sexual temptation
Demonic attacks
Persecution (from outside the Church and inside the Church)
5
You can pray for their PHYSICAL HEALTH and that God will heal all their health problems.
6
You can pray for their MENTAL HEALTH. Pastors and Christian workers often have stress and battle discouragement and depression. Please God touch them and heal them of all mental and emotional problems and distress.
They can also sometimes be hurt by the people they serve or by other Christian leaders - so we can pray that this won’t happen but that if it does that God will heal these wounds and strengthen His servants to forgive each other and that God will restore unity for His Glory.
7
You can pray that God will bless and protect their families.
Satan often attacks Christian workers by attacking their loved ones.
So you can pray that their family members will all have a good walk with God, have good sound doctrine, that God will protect them all from demonic attacks, that God will also bless and protect their physical and mental health, heal them of all infirmities, and that God will bless all their family relationships so that there is peace and love in their families.
You can pray that God especially blesses and protects all areas and parts of their marriages, so that they will not be tempted to look elsewhere.
Also please God bless their marriages especially so that they can be a model and example for other Christians.
8
You can pray that God will abundantly bless and protect the finances of the ministries and also the personal finances of God’s servants (especially finances needed for health or medical expenses).
You can pray that they always have abundant finances so that they can always do every good work God wants them to do.
9
You can pray that God blesses and protects the relationships between Christian co-workers in ministries - so that no jealousy or strife or bitterness takes root. That they will all have Christian unity and that their focus will be on God getting all the glory and rejoice in any and all work for God.
10
You can pray that God prevents any technical or logistical or legal or any type of problems for their ministry, but if they have any such issues/problems that God will help them resolve/fix and totally solve and remove these problems.
11
If it’s an internet (e.g. TH-cam) ministry you can pray that God will help the videos spread on those platforms and get many views and that God will use the videos to bring many people to repentance and faith in Jesus.
12
You can pray that God will help Christian leaders be good shepherds of Jesus’ sheep and continue to feed Jesus’ sheep, and that they will not only convert people, but also disciple new converts so that they can grow and develop and mature in a healthy and supported way.
13
You can pray that God will give them the heart of a servant.
14
You can pray that God gives them wisdom and helps them and powerfully guides them when making all decisions and plans.
15
You can pray that if they make mistakes or sin that God will grant them humility and repentance and restore them.
16
You can pray that more Christians will pray consistently for Christian leaders/pastors/shepherds/workers/ministries.
***********************
You could make a list of pastors/ministries you want to support and pray for them regularly.
Jesus said:
“ when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:6
13 more BIBLICAL prayer points for praying for the LOST:
Jesus and Paul actually told us specifically what to pray for on several occasions:
1
“pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified”
2 Thessalonians 3:1
-------
2
Jesus said we should pray for more labourers.
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore PRAY earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”"
Matthew 9:37-38
Jesus said:
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore PRAT earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."
Luke 10:2
-------
3
We can pray for more opportunities to share the Gospel, and for God to open more doors for effective work:
"pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains."
Colossians 4:3
“because a great door for effective work has opened to me”
1 Corinthians 16:9
-------------------------
4
We can pray that God will give us all the right words to say.
"Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,"
Ephesians 6:19
-------
5
We can pray that God will give all Christians the boldness to share the gospel.
"Lord... grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness... And when they had prayed... they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness."
Acts 4:29-31
------------------------
6
We can pray that Christians will speak boldly RELYING ON THE LORD:
“they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord”
Acts 14:3
-------------
7
We can pray for God to draw more people to Jesus and to grant more people to come to Jesus.
Jesus said:
"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them"
John 6:44
Jesus said:
“No one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”
John 6:65
--------------------------
8
We can pray that God will REVEAL the reality and truth about Jesus to more people.
"Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not REVEALED to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in Heaven."
Matthew 16:16-17
"At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and REVEALED them to little children."
Matthew 11:25
---------------------------
9
We can pray that God will teach more people.
Jesus said:
"It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’
Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him COMES TO ME."
John 6:45
--------------------------
10
We can pray that God will open more hearts to attend to His message.
"The Lord opened her heart to attend to the things being spoken by Paul."
Acts 16:14
-------------------------
11
We can pray that God will open more eyes to see and open ears to hear so that they would turn to God and God would heal them.
Jesus said:
"I send thee (Paul), TO OPEN THEIR EYES, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."
Acts 26:17-18
“while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand…..
OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES,
HEAR WITH THEIR EARS,
UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART, AND RETURN,
AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.’
But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.”
Matthew 13:13…16
“The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The Lord has made both of them.”
Proverbs 20:12
----------
12
We can pray that God in his mercy and generosity will bring more prisoners out of spiritual dungeon into the freedom and light of Jesus Christ.
“proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.”
Luke 4:18
“a light to the nations,
To open blind eyes,
To bring out prisoners from the dungeon
And those who dwell in darkness from the prison.”
Isaiah 42:7
----------
13
We can pray that God will grant more people repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth:
“in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth”
2 Timothy 2:25
---------
14
We can pray that we will have more of God's love in our hearts for the lost so that we will not be afraid to share the Gospel, but that God's love in us will override any fears and make it automatic that we share the gospel in love.
If there was a frozen lake, you wouldn't want to go swimming in it.
But if a small child fell in, you would automatically dive in to save them.
We can pray for love that will cause us to act.
-------------------------
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
Colossians 4:2
Jesus told us multiple times throughout Scripture to watch and pray always.
Jesus followed the Jewish law and Jewish holidays. Not just any holiday. Romans 14...Jesus didn't say it. Not a big deal if it doesn't become idolatry and say you are not a Christian if you don't celebrate Christmas. I don't expect others to follow my personal conviction that was urged by the Holy Spirit to stop celebrating Christmas. It is my personal choice. It's good for families. Good to see people and the world stop fighting because it's Christmas. I just don't do it. I am a convert from other religion and Christmas gets too close to idolatry in my own personal space, so I stay away from it. Anybody who can tolerate it, they can do it, sure, if the name of Christ is mentioned and some people get saved, sure go ahead and do it. Just don't call me a heretic.
Deuteronomy 12:4
“Do not worship the LORD your God in the way these pagan peoples worship their gods.
Deuteronomy 12:30
Do NOT fall into the trap of following their customs and worshiping their gods. Do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations worship their gods? I want to follow their example.’
Jeremiah 10:2
Thus saith the LORd, Learn not the ways of the heathen.
I really don’t like how things like this can cause division between Christians. Those who camp on legalism imply they’re true followers of Christ and the those who camp on grace tend to get irritated and fight for their freedom in Christ. It’s okay to have discussions though if they’re loving and focused on God’s word.
You're right, in general, it's not wrong to celebrate holidays. And the passage you quoted does strongly imply that. But also, when you read in context of what the entire chapter was about. It wasn't just about "special days or holidays" it was also about beliefs of what you can and can't eat and how what you may be doing could cause your brother/sister to stumble. But in general, the scripture is clear on the general message. Whatever you do (based on the context of scripture), do it unto the Lord. Because whatever is not of faith, is sin. Read the whole Romans 14 chapter. Good video nonetheless.
Good comments.
The scripture quoted was written 200 years before the Emperor of Rome created xmas as a political move to create peace between the Roman pagans & the growing Christian population. In context, Paul was referring to Jewish sabbaths & holy days being made law for gentiles. Jesus celebrated Hanukkah and observed all Jewish holy days and Sabbaths...because He was Jewish.
@@chickintruth but that’s okay, because God knew the future 200 or 2000 years later. As All scripture inspired by God, he knew the Bible would be used for more than the current one generation.
@@Prin_Cess_007 Sure, if that be the case; (and i agree with you)..then we must consider all 66 books to be as relevant and foreshadowing. One very good example would be Jeremiah 10:2. Bless you.
@@chickintruth except that’s the old testament and for Jewish. Just as the tribulation is for Jacobs trouble. All scripture is relevant and can be learned from, but only the New Testament applies to the gentiles that are now grafted in :)
We celebrate our own bibrthdays and that's not mandated in the Bible, and how much more important than our birth is the birth of Jesus?!?!
Thank you Brother Pastor 🙏 have a wonderful Christmas 🎄 🙏 ❤️ 🙌 💙
I believe it's ok to Celebrate holidays so as long as Christ is the center of that day as HE should be everyday.
Day before yesterday a church group I am part of decided to go "caroling" . We would hit a nursing home and homes of some shut-ins. One of members decided to dress as santa claus.
Is this the compromise I thought it was or is it generally acceptable to mix secular with obviously a "church" related activity.
Btw, the church decorated the building with at least 9 trees including 6 in the "sanctuary" with three on the speakers platform alone. Photos with santa will be available in the vestibule after morning service.
I feel these detract from the message of Christ. Being alike to the world's standards in music and message is compromise.
@@tableu9704 agree with you entirely about the false fire..
when I said holidays I meant like taking the spouse out for a nice dinner on Feb 14th. Like resurection Sunday without the bunny and eggs. and honoring passed service members on memorial day. Waving the flag and fireworks on July 4th and our labor force on labor day, thanksgiving turkey and family, and Christmas day without the tree and such with family talking about Christ's birth.
Honoring a commitment to GOD not only these days, but the other 355+ days of the year.
Holidays are what the secular world does for days off and maybe getting drunk. Christians should be about God's business regular days, but these days especially.
@Tableú Romans 14
New King James Version
The Law of Liberty
14 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; [a]and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died [b]and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of [c]Christ. 11 For it is written:
“As I live, says the Lord,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.”
12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another [d]anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
@@davegink9222 Pretty much... Quote from the video " you want to celebrate it? ok.... You don't want to? Ok. All that you do, do unto the Lord.
@@nunyabiznuss3040 exactly!
@Tableú 🤣🤣🤣 Nice try. I twisted nothing. Romans 14 is plain and easy to understand. Good grief. I suggest you heed his instructions and advice. And who is talking about Santa Claus? No one here that I’ve seen. And even if they are, give it a rest. What matters is if they are giving glory and honor to God. And he knows what’s in their hearts. I just hope you don’t destroy that. Because that’s gonna look a lot worse for you than for them.
Thank u!
Christmas was being celebrated by Christians as early as 100 AD -
According to the Liber Pontificalis, Pope St. Telesphorus (125-136) instituted the tradition of celebrating midnight Mass, which means Christmas was already being celebrated. St. Theophilus (AD 115-181), bishop of Caesarea, stated, “We ought to celebrate the birthday of Our Lord on what day so ever the 25th of December shall happen.” [Magdeburgenses, de orign Festorum Chirstianorum].
As an ex-witch I do not celebrate it. But I'm tired of people making a big deal out of it
As an ex vampire...I totally agree....
So can I join the muslims and do ramadan?
I disagree with your interpretation. I encourage you to revisit the Bible and seek guidance from someone knowledgeable in its teachings. I believe what you are teaching is contrary to biblical principles.
I was just wondering how people cope with being ridiculed for speaking about Jesus Christ. I cant explain it but this last year I just want to tell people we all can be saved! It's not from a place of judgment but excitment. I suddenly feel free and want other people to experience this. So far I have only spoke of Jesus when the topic comes up, for example someone was sad about something they did, I spoke about how she can be forgiven. I was mocked and laughed at. (I think I was surprised to agree she was a fool and terrible). I'm new to this and just wondering how people work through this.
Luke 6:22-23 ❤️
Why not actually teach what he taught?
It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication.
John 10:22 NLT
It says he was there, at the time of Hanukkah, not for Hanukkah. It doesn't say that he was there to celebrate Hanukkah at all.
I agree.
Really, that would be like saying an anti Christmas person is celebrating Christmas because they were walking through the mall during a Christmas sale.
You might want to consider Jeremiah 10:1-5
1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
Also if you are going to use Hanukkah is "not in the bible" but Jesus celebrated it, you would be wrong in that assumption. Jesus did indeed celebrate Hanukkah, however it is in the book of Maccabees which was originally part of the bible until the Catholic church deemed it "not cannon". Hanukkah is biblical hence why Jesus celebrated it. Hanukkah has a rich history of Yah's oppressed people (most notably the Maccabees) rising up against an evil ruler and taking back the defiled temple. "For Antiochus the unexpected conquest of the city (Jerusalem), the looting, and the wholesale slaughter were not enough. His psychopathic tendency was exacerbated by resentment at what the siege had cost him, and he tried to force the Jews to violate their traditional codes of practice by leaving their infant sons uncircumcised and sacrificing pigs on the altar. These orders were universally ignored, and Antiochus had the most prominent recusants butchered."
- Flavius Josephus, The Jewish War, Book 1.34-35
All Christians need to understand there has been many important and significant books removed from our current bible by the Catholic church. Rome is evil do some research. The traditions of God are for ALL His people, not just the "Jews"
Macabees is not in the Bible. The Catholics think it is in the Bible, but Jews have never considered it Scripture.
He did a whole video about Christmas trees and Jeremiah 10.
Yes I just heard this about Maccabees today!
@@susanalday4368 yeah they are interesting books. It's nice to see the fulfilment of the prophecies found in Daniel. But Catholics are mistaken when they consider the book Scripture because it is just history. It wasn't written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14 is an encouragement to gentiles who are leaving behind their pagan holidays and taking up God's days, to not let people judge them. And to also stop judging people when some decide to fast weekly, or monthly, or every other Tuesday, and to not assume you're holier than another, because there is nothing in the Bible telling us to fast on any schedule.
If Paul abolished God's days, we should forsake Paul. But, he didn't, he was entirely Jewish and still observed God's holy days throughout his life.
You can't say "forget the date" and then argue for Christmas. The date was chosen so Christians could do the pagan traditions without feeling guilty, and so the Catholic Church could bring pagans in without them having to give up paganism. It's not at all the same as observing Hanukkah, which isn't based on a pagan holiday and didn't incorporate pagan traditions.
If Romans 14 is saying it's ok to celebrate pagan holidays as long as you are celebrating it to the Lord what is the problem with Christmas? Why doesn't the passage apply to Christmas?
My goodness. Paul is talking about weak believers that think that one day is more important than another or that think that is forbidden to eat meat scrificed to idols. Than Paul says how the strong believer must treat the weak.
Purim was added after the law was given.
Amen
Christmas was celebrated on 25th December because in the early Christian era that was the winter solstice that has traditionally been a pagan day of worship, the return of Sol Invictus, the invincible sun. When a new religion comes along its easier to remake the old pagan festivals into new ones. That's why Easter is celebrated when it is, it was the old pagan spring fertility festival. That's why, thousands of years later the two important fertility symbols have still been retained, eggs and bunny rabbits! So it was real easy to make them over to suit the new religion to celebrate the birth, death, and resurrection of the new Jesus myth.
I am under the understanding these holidays have pagan origins or connections to other entities given reverence…..I’m not sure just that verse alone provided clarification to what is behind man made celebrations, seems like it’s more layers to it. I wish that breakdown could’ve been provided
It’s really sad people say Jesus died to set us free to worship like the pagans! God does not want us to worship Him like the pagans worship their gods!!
HalleluYAH.
Im tired of belivers going to do pagan celebrations and saying its Christian. uhhhgg. To steal a pagan holiday and the repackage it as Christian and then lie to kids ,especially, about those stolen holidays is a wicked thing.
@@lightoftheworld5455Christmas and Easter aren’t pagan
My biggest issue with the holidays and the Christian Church is that most pastors don't represents both sides of the truth. The winter solstice is a pagan holiday hijacked by the Catholic Church. The holidays are stricken by consumerism, major debt, depression, a higher use of drugs and alcohol and suicide. I think Christmas gives many Easter/ Christmas going 'christians' a false hope of salvation especially when the pastor doesn't use that opportunity to witness. Christians adorn their house with pagan things like Yule logs, mistletoe, trees, ivy, holly, candles and Santa Claus.. Having said that... God uses all things for good. However once you know the truth... I have a hard time with it. It's hard to unsee it. When I go into churches that decorate for Christmas.... why not decorate with goats heads, blood and pentagrams..... and say.... "well this is different"... "we don't look at it in the same way".... "pagans don't own the market on bloody goat heads". Kind of hypocritical when you get right down to it....