What About "The War On Holidays?"

[JLofton]

Hey!, what about "The War On Holidays," you know, by the pro-Christmas extremists who insist that no one greet them this time of year by uttering the word(s) "holiday/holidays?" C'mon, let's be fair and balanced, right? Huh? OK?

[principledpolicy]

John: I don't have a problem with them wishing me "happy holidays", as long as they answer the following question:

"And to which holiday are you referring?"

Seems fair to me....let's all understand just which "holiday(s)" we want you to be happy about, and which ones we are kicking to the curb in our mad-PC-hypersensitivity.

God rest ye, merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay....

And "Joyful birth of our one and only saviour, Jesus Christ!" (My reply to the above vacuous greeting of "happy holidays")

[Jeffrey Butler]

Originally Posted by JLofton

Hey!, what about "The War On Holidays," you know, by the pro-Christmas extremists who insist that no one greet them this time of year by uttering the word(s) "holiday/holidays?" C'mon, let's be fair and balanced, right? Huh? OK?

Something about Weapons of Mass Deduction...

[endangered]

Where would the Puritans stand? They outlawed Christmas didn't they? If a minister decorated his church he was fined or jailed.

[lastdaystruth]

I used to struggle with saying "Merry Christmas" because of the "-mas" part. Knowing that the Mass is blasphemy against the finished work of Christ. But then learning that the word mass itself when disconnected from its cathilic use simply means celebration. So when you say Christmas you are really saying "celebrate Christ."

"Happy holidays" as it used most often is really one of the most hypocritical things some one could say because it means HOLY day. maybe a good question to ask would be- "because of whom is this day holy?." and that is really the point. Set aside all the controversy about the fact that He was not born in December and all the pagan traditions that have crept in and then realize that the "war on Christmas" is really a war on CHRIST. It really bugs me that American retailers make the bulk of their yearly income around a day that was set aside to honor Christ and then are ashamed to speak his name.

We have taken to the streets in the war on Christmas. Try this sometime- Call up your local TARGET store and let them know that you would like to assemble in their foyer and sing some hymns about Christ and have a Scipture reading. How fast do you think you would hear a dial tone? Instead try this Call them up and say that you will be Christmas caroling in their area and would like to stop by. When you get there, sing some hymns about Christ (Hark the Herald-Joy to the world etc.. Be sure to sing ALL THE VERSES) and have a Scipture reading(Luke 2:1-14) We have done this at various stores for the past 3 years now and this is the first year that Target has let us come. One store, Goodys, acrually asks us to come inside and then shuts off the canned music for us. So instead of whining about the war on Christmas get out there and engage in some warfare for the King.

[J. Glenn Ferrell]

Originally Posted by endangered

Where would the Puritans stand? They outlawed Christmas didn't they? If a minister decorated his church he was fined or jailed.

Puritans (in both England and New England) nor confessional Presbyterians recognized so called "holy" days. The only special days to be recognized by the church were the Lord's Day and days of fasting or thanksgiving, the latter days called on the occasion of significant providential events.

There is no biblical warrant for special services connected with December 25th. Church meeting places should in general be simple and plain, without images or decorations. The pure preaching of the Word of God, the simple administration of the sacraments and the scriptural worship of God’s gathered people provide all the adornment needed for our assembly places. Faith comes by preaching, not by evergreen trees, colored lights, nativity pageants, or manger scenes with an idolatrous image of the Christ child.

While a Christian might resent the general hostile anti-Christian attitude of the ACLU and businesses, in truth, Christ NEVER WAS IN Christ-MASS.

The MASS is an idolatrous perversion of the biblical ordinance of the Lord’s Supper.

The church and individuals have the liberty to:

1. Preach and teach on the Incarnation and nativity of our Lord using the Scripture passages connected with these events any day they want.

2. Because of the attention given to this day by the general public, it provides potential evangelistic opportunities. I like SC's suggestion (on this thread) of singing carols at department stores and other public places, with reading of the word, and preaching if possible. Don't neglect such public witness other times of the year.

It is sinful for churches to cancel their public Lord’s Day services when the 25th of December falls on Sunday (as a number of mega-churches did last year), failing to remember what God commands- keep the Sabbath holy and assemble on His day- to commemorate what he has not commanded. I speculate some of these same evangelicals who protested department stores taking ‘Christ our of Christmas’ and “Merry Christmas out of the shopping experience’ were guilty of taking the Lord out of the Sabbath.

Individuals have the liberty to celebrate when they will, only without sin. Have a secular but sober celebration of the winter solstice, decorate with pretty lights, enjoy food and give gifts if you desire. Maybe, call it “Festivus” (featured in "The Strike" episode of the TV program Seinfeld), but don’t pretend you are doing something especially religious, beyond doing all things to the glory of God, as we always should.

I enjoy most the Sabbath like peacefulness and non-commercial nature of Thanksgiving. I’d give all the Christ-Masses, trees, colored lights, gifts and nativity pageants anyone’s ever experienced, if every Lord’s Day could be like that, without as much work in food preparation. I enjoy my neighbor’s lights; but will be glad when the traffic gets back to normal after the 25th.

To everyone a very merry 'Bah Humbug!' to the glory of God and His Son Jesus Christ. This year, don't neglect the Lord's Day on the 24th to prepare for your pagan-papist celebration on the 25th.

[angelawittman]

RE: Where would the Puritans Stand ?

May God bless you, Pastor Ferrell.

I agree wholeheartedly with everything you have said here. I am planning a "holiday" newsletter and would love to include this. Do I have your and TAV's permission to do so?

[J. Glenn Ferrell]

Originally Posted by angelawittman

RE: Where would the Puritans Stand ?

May God bless you, Pastor Ferrell.

I agree wholeheartedly with everything you have said here. I am planning a "holiday" newsletter and would love to include this. Do I have your and TAV's permission to do so?

You have my permission to include this or something else similar I might provide.

[angelawittman]

This is addressed to Mr. Ferrell, but you all may give your opinion.

What do you think of this essay by Rev. Chris Strevel on the Regulative Principle in Worship and celebrating Christmas?


IV. A Reformed Perspective on the Family Observance of Christmas

--by Rev. Chris Strevel

A. Christians must distinguish stated worship that is regulated by the positive commandments of Scripture and daily Christian living in which liberty of conscience is given by Jesus Christ.

If we are to gain clarity of thinking and peace of conscience in the area of Christmas observance, we must make a careful distinction between the religious observance of Christmas as a holy day and the observance of Christmas in our families and homes. Many Reformed Christians erroneously believe that if something is not commanded as a part of our religious worship, it is likewise forbidden in our daily lives. This is not an accurate application of the regulative principle of worship. The theological mooring of the RPW is that religious worship is a special activity in which we engage as Christians that is specifically regulated by Scripture. If we cannot find support for a given practice in the Bible, it is off-limits to us. Daily living is not bound by the same type of command. In Christ Jesus we are free to do whatever we desire provided our desires are not forbidden by Scripture, either expressly or by necessary consequence. We do not need positive commandment to eat biscuits, go to the zoo, or read a novel before it is permissible for us. This is the classic Reformed view on the Regulative Principle of Worship. In worship, we can only do what God commands. In every other area, we may not do what Scripture forbids, but are free within the bounds of Christian charity, the general framework of Scripture, and common sense to enjoy life as God's redeemed creatures. As families and nations, for example, we may celebrate Independence Day, but it would be sinful to turn our July 4th Lord's Day worship into a patriotic service. In our homes, we may enjoy "acting out" some of the more notable events in holy Scripture, but religious drama has nowhere been commanded by God for us to observe in Lord's Day worship. Accordingly, within certain limits, while we must resist observing "Christmas" as a religious holy day, it is a matter of Christian liberty for each family to determine how it will or will not observe Christmas within the home.

Paul's teaching to the Romans clearly supports this distinction between religious worship and daily living, and establishes the principle of Christian liberty in things not forbidden by Scripture.
In Romans 14 he notes the division that then existed in the churches between those who followed the Jewish calendar and dietary laws and those who did not. Paul's response to the dispute is clear -- in non- worship areas not forbidden by God as sinful, men are free to eat or not eat, observe or not observe according to their own convictions and preferences. The Jewish ceremonies were no longer a positive commandment of God in the same way as they were in the old covenant, and accordingly, Christians were free to observe or not observe them, in whole or part, according to their own preferences and common sense. They are not to be viewed, however, as necessary unto personal salvation or sanctified living. Paul forbade the Roman Christians to judge one another for personal choices in these areas.
Each man will give a justification before God for his decisions. Who are we to condemn a brother for whom Christ died who is living in the enjoyment of his liberty before God with a good conscience? At the same time, we are to live in love with one another and avoid placing a stumbling block in our brother's path. While Christ alone is Lord of the conscience and has left it free from the traditions of men, the strong in the church, those whose consciences allow them to eat and drink all things with joy before the Lord, must not encourage the weak to sin against their consciences. By analogy, the observance of Christmas in the home as a day of feasting, gift- giving, and home decoration is an area of liberty in which Christians are free to or not to engage in according to their own taste and convictions. God in Scripture has forbid none of these practices, either specifically or by application. Since our daily lives are not bound by the regulative principle of worship, we are free to enjoy God's bounty and the traditions of our culture without sinning against God.

But what about the pagan origins of Christmas observance or the sinfulness that so often accompanies it in our culture? Consider Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 10:23-33. The issue in Corinth was whether or not Christians could eat meat that had been dedicated to an idol in a pagan worship service. Such meat was usually sold in the meat markets the next day for a discounted price that made it attractive to the average consumer. Paul affirms that Christians may legitimately purchase and eat this meat. This was undoubtedly an astounding revelation to these early Christians. Paul's reasoning is clear and cogent. Everything belongs to God. He quotes Psalm 24:1 twice in this passage. Therefore the Christian may legitimately enjoy all of God's good gifts. It is true that unbelievers put God's good gifts to sinful uses. However, since an idol is nothing, Christians may even eat meat dedicated to idols, provided their consciences do not condemn them. Consider what this means for us.
First, simply because a certain event or object is put to an evil use does not make it off-limits for the Christian (naturalistic fallacy). Unbelievers tend to pervert every one of God's gifts, and we cannot allow their abuses keep us from enjoying what God has provided for our enjoyment and refreshment. If something is off- limits to us because the wicked are doing it or initiated it, then we should immediately boycott birthday celebrations, calling the days of the week by the names of ancient gods, watching the evening weather forecast, and many other such practices that had questionable if not wicked origins but are really indifferent in themselves. The Christian path in a given situation is not determined by choosing the opposite of what the wicked are doing. We live by Scripture. We may eat the same meat that the wicked dedicate to idols. We, however, dedicate it to its rightful Lord, the living God of heaven and earth. I believe Christmas with its attendant gift giving, feasting, and fun times is a similar issue. As noted above, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with gift giving. If so, why do Christians give gifts at birthdays, weddings, and graduations? There is nothing sinful about feasting. Jesus himself came eating and drinking. It is not sinful to decorate your home with trees and lights. It really doesn't matter, Paul teaches, why the wicked are engaging in such things. We are not liable for the evil choices and motives of the unbeliever, nor are we called upon to God to cease from a given practice or observance simply because unbelievers observe it as well. The Christian has much higher motives and concerns - the glory of God and the thankful enjoyment of God's good gifts.

B. Christians can legitimately observe "Christmas" by a family time of sharing, feasting, and home decoration.

Accordingly, because not forbidden by God in Scripture and consistent with the general principles of Scripture, I believe it is permissible and even enjoyable for the Christian to observe Christmas as a family time of sharing, feasting, home decoration, and any other legitimate way you can make the time enjoyable for your family. We feast at graduations, birthdays, weddings, and funerals. There is certainly nothing wrong with an end of the year celebration of God's bounty toward us. One does not have to bring in Santa Claus or the baby Jesus. It is foolish, however, to keep silent about either one of them. Many in our culture do attribute divine like status to Santa Claus. To the Christian, he is part of Western folklore, much like future generations will view Superman, Bugs Bunny, and Mickey Mouse. He is not real. He's like the idol in the Corinthian passage - a fictitious figure. The fact that others have a mistaken or exaggerated view of him or even worship him is really of no consequence to us, except that it ought to make us vociferous in calling our deluded culture to the true giver of every good and perfect gift, Almighty God. Likewise, it would be extremely separatistic not to teach your children that Christmas is the time of the year in which the Church has historically celebrated the birth of Christ since around the fifth or sixth century. You can then stress that neither the apostles nor the early church had any such practice, did not know or record for us the exact time of Christ's birth, and that since no such practice is commanded to us in Scripture, we do not religiously celebrate the event on a special day of the year. They will see nativity scenes and questionable public figures mentioning the "sweet baby Jesus," so you had better explain the situation to them in a way they can understand and appreciate. Remind them that we are thank God for the birth of his Son every day, and that we have been given a wonderful day each week in which to celebrate his person and work through divine worship, feasting, and holy rest. If enjoyed modestly, knowingly, and thankfully, the last two weeks of the year can be a profitable time for your family to rejoice in God's goodness, provision, and watchcare over the previous year, and anticipation of his faithfulness in the new.

C. Christians must not judge the practices of others in areas not forbidden by Scripture.

Differences in conviction and practice concerning Christmas is a good opportunity to remind ourselves that Christ through his apostles forbids us to judge our brothers in matters of Christian liberty. This has always been a great threat to the unity of the Body. Paul addressed the subject repeatedly in his epistles, in issues of drinking, observing the Jewish calendar, and eating meat sacrificed to idols. There is always the tendency to make our personal convictions in these areas normative for everyone else.
This is a tendency that we must avoid. It is true that these differences are undesirable and improperly handled weaken the brotherhood of the visible Church. Until all of us reach greater maturity in our Christian walks and understanding of the Christian faith, however, they will exist, and we had better become accustomed to it. How then do we exist in the Body? Maybe we should follow the evangelical model and start new congregation for every new occasion of disagreement that arises? This is not the solution. Rather, we should accept the reality that the Church will always have strong and weak Christians. The strong are the ones in Paul's epistles who ignored the Jewish ceremonies, ate meat sacrificed to idols, and drank wine. They perceived the great liberty that we have in Christ to enjoy God's good gifts without a twinge of guilt or uncertainty.
Christ has redeemed us both from the ceremonies of the old covenant and the tyranny of men. Others in the body, however, due perhaps to background, education, or personal conviction, cannot engage in these without a pang of conscience. They should not so act, then, Paul teaches, because whatever is not of faith is sin. Between these two groups in the Church, love must reign supreme. The strong must not flaunt their liberty in front of the weak. The verses in Corinthians do not mean that the strong cannot practice their liberty, lest the weak find out about it and become offended by them. It means that the strong must not exercise their liberty in a manner that encourages the weak to sin against their conscience. On the other side, the weak must not judge the strong. They must recognize and respect the opinions of these brothers, strive to understand their position, and bring their own position more in line with Scripture. It is necessary to note that Paul sides with the strong in the area of Christian liberty. He observed or refused to observe the Jewish ceremonies as the situation dictated. He ate and drank whatever was offered to him. Even if we cannot come to unity of believe and practice in issues like Christmas observance, let us endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, think charitably of one another, and endeavor as a congregation to reform our practices continually in the light of the Bible.

D. Christians must avoid the materialistic and debt-driven practices of our culture.

One common reservation expressed about family Christmas observance is its tendency to promote worldliness or materialism in adults and children alike. This is certainly a legitimate concern. The manner in which a large percentage in our culture spend beyond their means and lavish their family members with frivolous gifts or unnecessary luxuries will certainly promote a selfishness, materialism, and greed that are contrary to the explicit teachings of Scripture. The Christian family should have nothing to do with this. For a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions (Luke 12:15), and because riches make themselves wings and fly away (Prov.
23:5), we should not set our affections upon them (Matt. 6:19).
Scripture, moreover, regularly forbids a covetous, greedy, and discontented spirit (Prov. 1:19; Jer. 6:13; 1 Cor. 5:10,11; 6:10; Eph. 5:5). At the same time, God is the source of all legitimately derived prosperity. He promised to bless his people in the Old and New Testaments for faithfulness to his covenant (Deut. 28; Matt.
6:33; Mark 10:30). In the final analysis, moderation is to be observed in all things (1 Cor. 9:25; Phil. 4:5). We should also remember that it is not our prosperity that makes us covetousness.
It is the heart of man from which proceeds greed, covetousness, and all other sins (Mark 7:21-23). We are not environmentalists. Man is responsible to respond to his circumstances, good or ill, with a right attitude that leads him to honor God in them all. Accordingly, provided we make a moderate use of gift giving, give all praise to God for prospering us, and teach our children by precept and example to give thanks to the Lord for his goodness, we can enjoy a period of gift giving without the attached sins that are so prevalent in our culture. Again, I would remind you that if it tends toward greed and covetousness to give gifts during Christmas, we ought to avoid all occasions for gift giving throughout the year. As a matter of principle, I believe that Christmas time gift giving can be an extremely profitable teaching opportunity for ourselves and our children. Our children should be vividly reminded that every good gift comes from our heavenly Father. We deserve none of his bounty.
Every gift received, be it a new bicycle or a new sweater, should be one more incentive to love and adore our Lord and Savior who demonstrate such tangible kindness towards us. Properly observed with moderation, seasons of gift giving in the home can foster a sharing spirit, direct the heart in humble thankfulness, and provide those things are necessary for the body and home so that we can serve God more readily and ably.

E. Ebenezer Scrooge is not the Christian's role model during the last two weeks of the year.

There is undoubtedly a little of ol' Ebenezer in all of us as we contemplate the ridiculous consumerism, wistful emotionalism, and frivolity of the Christmas observances of our culture. The Spirit convicts us that such attitudes and practices are alien to the biblical worldview and undermine true piety before God. Be that as it may, it is equally sinful to act as if the truly Christian response to Christmas is to walk around with a scowl on our faces.
Calvin once wrote that Christians ought to embrace the world with a feeling of universal love. When we see the pathetic tendencies of men apart from Christ, what response do we make? Do we harbor ill will toward those who walk in darkness? Do we turn a deaf ear and blind eye to their desperate search for meaning and fulfillment?
These are hateful, separatist attitudes that are contrary to the good will of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the free offer of that gospel to all men. Without condoning sin, we ought to point the way to true joy and fulfillment not in a season, but in a person -- Jesus of Nazareth, the ascended Lord of glory. I'm afraid, however, that in attempting to destroy Christmas, we may be trying to beat something with nothing. For if our lives do not display the charity, happiness, and winsomeness that befits those professing faith in Jesus Christ and filled with his Spirit, we can rant and rave against commercialism and greed all we want. Our cries, however, will fall on deaf ears. We will win our culture not by lynching Santa Claus, but through a year long, loving, and persevering presentation of the wonderful good news of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. This, by the way, is the only way to defeat the sinful tendencies so often associated with the family observance of Christmas and the idolatry attached to the Church's observance. We must point men to life, light, and salvation through submission to Messiah the Prince. Only then will they give up materialism, unnecessary debt, and will-worship. May God fill our congregation with the love, grace, and peace of the triune God today and throughout the year, that all men will know that we are Christ's disciples by the love we have toward one another and the joy that we continually experience in hearing, believing, and living the good news of Jesus Christ.

--Excerpted from Strevel's larger article: "A Reformed Pastor's Thoughts on the Observance of Christmas"

http://www.covenant-rpcus.org/articles/show/16

[Originally posted at Reformed Christian Culture, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/reform...stianculture/]

[dalecosby]

Thanks, Angela for posting!
I found that quite helpful!

I would like to forward that to others.