When we think about Christmas the first thing that comes to mind is Santa Claus-shopping malls full of people and presents under the Christmas tree. A Season full of joy and hope. But the last time I read my bible there was no Santa Claus there.
We all know that Jesus is the reason we celebrate the season. God came to earth so that we could have a relationship with Him. He was born in a manger and died on a cross, so that we could experience new life in Him.
So, what does Christmas mean to you? Is it just another religious Holiday? A time to spend with family and friends? Tell us what Christmas means to you by clicking on the comments link below. Don't be afraid. Every comment has value here at Bible Group Online. You can even post a comment under anonymous.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Talk Tuesday - Is Santa in the Bible?
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4 comments:
So, as stated in the post, Christmas is obviously a time to celebrate and give thanks for what God has done for us by giving us His Son.
For me personally, it is also a time to give thanks for the members of my family and God's preservation over the years. Holidays like Christmas can take on not necessarily a "new" meaning, but definitely "added" meaning when you do lose someone in your family like we lost our Dad 10 years ago. It made all of us appreciate each other more and make the effort to spend time together as a complete family and enjoy each others company while we have the chance, not taking things for granted.
We've developed a sort of tradition of spending Christmas at my sister's place from Christmas Eve till at least Boxing Day. The morning of, we read the Christmas story, give thanks in prayer, open presents, eat a late brunch, enjoy each others company all day (I have a blast with my niece and nephew...as long as itis doesn't hit me after the brunch!) and in the evening we watch White Christmas, usually curled up in front of the fireplace.
I might add that it is also time where ever we can to remember those that are not spending Christmas in as fortunate a situation as we have been and to be conscious of that throughout the time spent in each other's company.
I have a question if anyone has ever researched the inception of the idea of "Christmas"? How and when did it become something we celebrate in this ritualistic way (i.e, the tree, the presents, the feasting, etc.)?
Janelle,
Check out this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas
it has some good info.
Sosoblessed, what a blessing your Christmas tradition sounds like! Although I'm sorry about your Dad.
I am not too sure of the answer to Janelle's question, but a quick Internet search via Google revealed a few things about a mish-mash of various pagan Traditions in Europe and Rome that eventually all got incorporated into the details and traditions commonly associated with Christmas now. A number of various elements got added over a number of years ... it wasn't a sudden "launch" of a specific celebration "style" to follow.
I enjoy the Christmas season, especially when we prepare and sing special celebratory/worship songs at whatever church I'm attending. I enjoyed Christmas growing up, and still do now, although it is difficult for us to get all the family in the same place at once, because we live in three countries. This makes is a bit sad as I'm always missing somebody! But I'm thankful we are all alive and well, and we can always call whoever is missing and catch up by phone.
In terms of the comment about what God would be like if He was like Santa, I never thought of that before now! This is a powerful word to share with people to get them to re-think the idea of Santa in the first place ... God knows when we are sleeping and awake, whether we are bad or good, but is abundantly generous to us in spite of ourselves... Where would we be, and what would life be like, if we each got what we deserved, each time we did it, whether good or bad?
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