Some people are not filled with the Holy Spirit so they do not understand the Lord’s word. They do not know the Lord’s heart either.
They have a Pharisaical spirit. Lacking love and joy in their lives.
The Lord delights in those who celebrate Him. Those who judges others who celebrate the Lord are unhappy souls who try to take others down to their unhappy world.
If you were to actually know me, you would find that I am anything but unhappy. Baptized in the Spirit 31 years ago.
So shepherds went to see their new born Messiah. No mention of birthday celebrations. Actually there are 2 mentions of birthday celebrations in the scripture. Pharaoh’s and Herod’s. Two ungodly kings that had someone executed on their birthdays.
Some people are filled with the Spirit of YHWH and considered to be of Beelzebub. So who is of the Pharisaical spirit to accuse someone of judging when they are just relaying what the scripture teaches?
Matthew 10 25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
Shalom
Matthew 12 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
Worship is not only about spirit, but spirit and truth. The traditions of men cause the truth to be compromised or ignored. This makes for vain worship.
John 4 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Mark 7 6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men…
Christmas is not truth.
Shalom
Bo, I am glad you are happy. It just seems like you get really upset with people who celebrate the Lord on Dec. 25. (Which I know it is not Jesus real birthday.) The reason why I like Christmas is because I get to talk about the Lord with my unsaved family members without them getting all uptight. That is why I wish Christmas was everyday that way I can use the word Christmas as a tool to talk to the unsaved world or family members about Jesus and they would be more open to hear about Him.
I just want everyone to know about the Lord. I know how Jeremiah felt. In Jeremiah 20:9
But if I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
Believe it or not Bo, I think you are okay. Even if we may disagree with some issues.
Blessings Peace to you.
Shalom Debbie!
Love that in Luke, Pamela!
It will be part of what I read my grandchildren when we celebrate, not the Lord’s birthday, since that was probably earlier, in the Fall, but the day the Star of Bethlehem shone directly over the house, by God’s power, and revealed the Lord to the Magi who had sought Him from a great distance. They found the Lord, at last! That’s worth rejoicing over. Basically, we’ll celebrate His advent into the world — sort of like a birthday, but not literally a birth date, and more than your typical birthday, it heralded the arrival, the incarnation of the Word as flesh. Against such, there is no law indeed.
If you scroll back to a few posts of mine, you can read the development of my understanding about the Star of Bethlehem (Sheila brought it up early in the thread) and how at this this family will have changed our focus of 12/25; so I won’t reiterate here — just if you’re curious, it’s back there.
There are some “Christmas Carols” that I consider so moving, even sacred music, such as “Heark the Herald Angels Sing” and various others. Some Carols have pagan roots, such as “Deck the Halls” but one can easily weed those out; I’m so glad for Google.
I don’t know if I would actually consider it quite a “directive” myself, but I know what you mean about the sense of a certain time as most appropriate for Carols about the holiness of the Lord (they actually told them to call him “Yeshua” and “for he will save” is pronounced yoshia in Biblical Hebrew, so it was a word pun. I learned that from Nehemia Gordon, Ph.D., who studied that). Yeshua, yoshia!
Bo’s right, too, in that they are played only at that time of year, and they are part of our cultural experience. I’m a little hesitate about the term “directive,” but…that’s not something I need to attempt to judge.
& Thanks for sharing !
And speaking of typos (‘:
“I’m a little hesitate” -> I’m a little hesitant
“and how at this this family will have changed our focus” -> and how at this time this family will have changed our focus
Sheila, You argue from silence when you say that, “Nothing points to temporary booths already being erected.” If you were in labor and very close to delivery, would you want your husband to take the time to build a makeshift hut or just get you to the nearest warm and dry barn. The lack of mentioning a thing does not necessarily mean that it is not present. All I can say to this, Bo, is that the Lord, or, His family would not have begun His life on earth by disregarding one of the major feast days and commandments of the LORD, would they? I can’t accept that explanation. Bo–“If there were a lack of dazzling things to look at and materialism (lust of the eyes), fleshly indulgences of eating and partying (lust of the flesh), and peer pressure (pride of life), it would be different.” You’re making major assumptions concerning me that are not true. And, I’m certain they are not true of many others, either. My husband and I are not falling down to our puny tree and worshipping it; we’re not decking the halls with holly in remembrance of whoever it was; we’re not honoring anyone other than our Savior. All the feast days are prophetic, which makes me want to look up all the more often, as we are told to do, and see the signs in heaven that would accompany His return. The fact that the Israelites and others worshipped the stars, and as some use astrology today, has thrown us off the track. His first and second advent, were, and will be again, accompanied by “signs in the heavens”. I’m going to keep abreast of what’s going on in the Sun, moon, and stars, as He admonished us to do. And because it’s the “last” thing our adversary would want us to do…Honor and celebrate and worship the Lord, and “look up to the heavens when we see the signs on earth ‘begin’ to come to pass.”
Thank you, all, for your prayers and wishes! I left a quick explanation in “end times” discussion. It’s a good feeling to know we can disagree and still hold each other up in prayers and as extended family as we are part of the same Body. I may only be the little toe nail–but, I’m in there!
I am not even going to correct typos, as there will probably be many to come. Unless, as I did once, it completely changes the meaning. I am still somewhat froggy, but, I feel well enough to engage again on a limited basis. I’ve gotten behind in other obligations too.
“FROGGY”!!??
That is so funny, it hurts to laugh that hard.
😮
Given the emphasis on OT law being demanded of Christians, I recommend the following articles:
There’s more of the same on this site as well. Enjoy!
We have one judge. So as we all share our highly personal views and takes, it’s important to remember: we are not each other’s. Thank God!
I’m not suggesting that my [evolving] approach is the pattern; and I hope you’re [whoever you might be] are not suggesting that yours should be mine. Though we might ‘take a page’ from this one or that…
Just so each one is convinced in his own mind and, in his own conscience, certain, before the ultimate and only judge that matters.
Just for the record…. I could care less if anyone judges me. I got nothing to fear or to hide. I know who I am in Christ.
Love you Lord. 🙂
There is another possibility about the festival of booths being the time of His birth. It may be this. If, as the Lord says, He tells the end from the beginning, then, the dwelling in booths may be that the Lord was forced into temporary shelter at His birth. As the Israelites were forced to take temporary shelter in the wilderness after their birth as a nation fleeing Egypt. (?) In pointing to Christ in the feasts of the Lord, we have the reason for them. The Passover blood of the lamb on the doorposts pointing to the blood of Christ on the door of our hearts.
Honestly, I see the Lord in all the festivals and that He could have been born, as some say, at the “Head of the Year”, or, as Rabbi’s state that various historic people in the Bible died on the same day they were born is a possibility; I don’t know. I guess we won’t know until He tells us.
Forgive me, please, I should have edited the earlier and previously prepared response. While I think I feel better, I’m probably not exactly clear headed yet and I intend to leave off any other posts until I am.
Love the profound quote you shared, Debbie, in Jeremiah 20:9.
I’m fascinated by the idea, Sheila, of the feasts of the LORD corresponding to the life of Jesus. Even if you felt a little fuzzy today, know that you are still bringing some light. I’m going to study that next. ( :
I can see the Divine wisdom in not allowing us to know the exact date of Christ’s birth. Man would only use that knowledge to make that day a day of atrocitices in order to blatantly disrespect the Most High.
We can rest assured that we do have God’s blessings in the way we show him honor and love during the Christmas season.
A Word of Warning – Giving credence to paganism’s pratices, beliefs and customs, as anti-Christmas worshipers like to do, not only violates God’s Holy Word, but it IS a form of Satanic worship!
Joshua 23:7 …neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:
Everything of this earth belong to God, so why reserve or give any of it to long lost forgotten satanic worship? Its like constantly trying to compare a living God to mickey mouse that is no more than a fabrication of man’s imagniation.
1 Corinthians 10:26 For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.
The only thing I need to behold is glory of God’s creation, and the holiness of His Word!
Isaiah 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
Pamela, well said! The above is filled with dozens upon dozens of posts designed to communicate what you just said in one! Good on ya!
Pamela,
Did you know that Easter is derived from a pagan godess’ name…Estarte?
Shalom
Sheila,
It goes like this. Joseph and Mary arrive on 7/14 of the Biblical calendar. There is no room in the inn. They go to the barn. At dusk the day changes to 7/15…first day of the feast of tabernacles. Y’Shua is born that night. Maybe no tabernacles are mentioned as they are supposed to be built on the 15th not the 14th. So they did not disobey YHWH. They kept the feast. I was in no way saying that they didn’t.
Shalom
Pamela,
Actually, the evidence for that is questionable if you actually critically examine the sources instead of getting your teaching from a dot com. Keep doing what you’re doing – bless we the Lord!
Bo,
Looking forward to hearing you on the show tomorrow. You and Dr. Brown know each other’s positions well enough by now that you should be able to get to the main course of the issue real fast and skip the appetizers.
Thank you, Tom, for your very encouraging words.
Bo, the meaning behind the Biblical use of the word Easter is very beautiful to me. It’s late where I’m at right now. Give me time to gather my thoughts for I am not really a fast writer, ok.
And if we get chastised by Dr. Brown for going off subject – It’s all your fault!
“A Word of Warning – Giving credence to paganism’s practices, beliefs and customs, as anti-Christmas worshipers like to do, not only violates God’s Holy Word, but it IS a form of Satanic worship!” – Preceding post
God has not changed His mind about pagan practices. He did not invest in teaching generations of His people to keep separate from them only to soften His position and embrace them. He expects us to know what they are so that we, too, will separate ourselves from these.
To turn away from the teachings of God to succumb to social pressure to participate in any present-day custom-keeping which stems from idolatry is to make a clear choice. It’s the same choice that King Solomon made when he relaxed over his foreign wives’ desires for altars for their idols. Perhaps he thought it wasn’t a big deal, as long as in his own mind, he kept it straight and didn’t acknowledge their gods. But we know, don’t we, the outcome of that decision. Causing Israel to stumble for his example was also part of the charge laid at his feet.
You’ve got that completely upside down — reversed! — to respect and honor God’s position on paganism is not “Satanic worship” at all. Pagan customs which derive from idol worship have no appropriate place in honoring the King of Kings.
Misguided and ignorant notions in the Church have further developed into modern misconceptions which only encourage a disregard for the grave lessons revealed in the first half of the Bible.
I find it interesting that Christians around the world often get attacked and persecuted at Christmas time, be it by Hindu radicals or Muslim radicals. These hostile groups clearly associate Christmas with Christianity, and I seriously doubt that God looks down on His precious, persecuted saints at such times and chastises them for not having their calendar right! (BTW, I don’t have time to follow the posts here, nor will I be replying to this one. However, since I noticed that the posts were still flying here, I thought I’d mention this in light of recent news.)
My position is only against those elements of Christmas which stem from idolatry. I do not consider the entire holiday idolatrous by any means, as my previous posts show.
1 John 5:21:
“Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.”
Romans 11:19-21:
“You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.”
Can the Church commit without consequence what was grievous to God when committed by the children of Israel? Even baking cakes with the image of a foreign goddess?
Or, in common terms, should a second wife flagrantly do the things for which the first wife was divorced?
Romans 11:22:
“Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.”
I would rather be blessed any day by false accusations of “legalism” from a compromised, adulterous Church than flattered by her adherents.
Pamela,
You quoted: “Joshua 23:7 …neither make mention of the name of their gods…”
Using Easter as a name for the day is doing just that.
My point wasn’t to get off topic, but to show that there is long tradition of being disobedient to YHWH’s word in this area, and we are either blind to the fact or conveniently ignore our transgressions. The same goes for Xmas. Many, many ignored transgressions in the mix.
Shalom
Sheila,
I like the signs in the heavens just fine. It is just wrong to use YHWH’s signs in conjunction with a pagan calendar. It is the sin of mixture. 12/25 is a false way of determining dates. A false way of celebrating any Holy thing. Use the Biblical calendar with the star signs and then you may have something.
Shalom
Tom,
I see no one trying to make Christians keep OT law. I see people proclaiming obedience to YHWH’s eternal instructions, but carnal minds not being able to humbly submit.
Romans 8 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Christmas is of the flesh. Pride and rebellion cause Christmas to flourish. Humility and obedience cause YHWH’s true Holy days to be practiced. Being led by the Spirit causes us to fulfill YHWH’s law. It does not cause us to love Christmas.
Shalom
I think Dr. Brown needs to hear that from you on the air.
Call the show.
Hark, is this a broken record I hear?
Varied opinions are what make internet forums interesting; they should challenge one’s “comfort zones.”
If Dr. Brown only wanted an echo chamber, he wouldn’t allow diverse expression on his forum.
Hark the herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled” Joyful, all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies With the angelic host proclaim: “Christ is born in Bethlehem” Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King!”
Christ by highest heav’n adored Christ the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold Him come Offspring of a Virgin’s womb Veiled in flesh the Godhead see Hail the incarnate Deity Pleased as man with man to dwell Jesus, our Emmanuel Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King!”
Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings Ris’n with healing in His wings Mild He lays His glory by Born that man no more may die Born to raise the sons of earth Born to give them second birth Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King!”
Excellent song.
Found this interesting bit of history about it:
““Hark the herald angels sing” Christmas Carol was written by Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley founder of the Methodist church, in 1739.
A sombre man, he requested slow and solemn music for his lyrics and thus “Hark the herald angels sing” was sung to a different tune initially.
Over a hundred years later Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) composed a cantata in 1840 to commemorate Johann Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press. English musician William H. Cummings adapted Mendelssohn’s music to fit the lyrics of “Hark the herald angels sing” already written by Wesley.
Do you know that wind chimes are also an object that Satan uses? So if anyone has wind chimes get rid of them.
In the Chinese culture, windchimes, bells, or other noise makers were used to detect spirits. Since most people can’t see spirits, these noise makers will ring when spirits were present. It was also another way to keep spirits away from the home, using the energy of sound.
I would highly recommend not using chimes on 12/25 to supposedly get rid of the evil spirits. Now turning the tv off and renouncing all pagan customs and getting rid of pagan symbols would probably get rid of them, but it would have nothing to do with the fact that it happened to be the 25th day of the 12th pagan month.
Shalom
Bo, Are you serious? You have no TV? Your missing out on a great TV show. ‘Survivors’. Got to purchase a TV. Season of Survivors starts in Feb. Still have time to purchase one.
Won’t go off topic again. Promise. (couldn’t resist)
No TV…Makes for a great family and close relationships. Is there really anything on there that is not friendship with the world? Maybe that’s why almost everybody likes Christmas…they are being brainwashed by their one-eyed idol.
Shalom
I’m grateful to my parents that they raised us with out a TV; it made a world of difference. We read; we used our imaginations in play.
TV is used for “social engineering purposes” as should be obvious anyway. Want to further the gay agenda? Design a television show which embraces it. It’s the ultimate promoter.
Now that I’m an adult, I have one, but I watch it pretty judiciously. Even so, sometimes I have to just turn off certain programs midstream because they offer up something offensive.
TV underscores many things we as believers don’t actually believe, but there it is, broadcasting it 24/7.
It could be used for great good, but unfortunately, it isn’t.
You’d think 12/25 was all about shopping, by TV, and I think that’s the number complaint I hear from people: Christmas has become too commercial.
should be “number one complaint”
What do you think a computer is? Idol material perhaps?
It’s certainly addicting! ( :
I think I’ll be in virtual rehab for at least a few days ( :
Bo,
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Timothy 3:16
Yes all scripture…even:
Deuteronomy 12 30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. 31 Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. 32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
Xmas is adding to thereto and attempting to worship YHWH the way the pagans worshiped their gods.
Here is more scripture that instructs us in righteousness:
Sabbath: Leviticus 23 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts. 3 Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.
Passover and Unleavened Bread: 4 These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. 5 In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD’S passover. 6 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread…
Firstfruits: 11 And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it…
Pentecost: 15 And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete…
21 And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations…
Trumpets: 24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation…
Atonement: 27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls… 28 And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God. 29 For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. 30 And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.
Tabernacles: 34 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD. 35 On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein…
37 These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations…
All scripture? All means all, that’s all all means.
Shalom
Revelation 3:7 …he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
Revelation 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it:…
In other words…
The Christmas Celebration is an open door that you will never be able to shut!
The exact recurring date of Christ’s birthday is a shut door that you will never be able to open!
All these things are greater than you, BO! All you can ever do is continually to bother a handful of people on a blog whenever these events come by. I guess the next irritation on your list for you is Easter.
When do you ever give glory and praise to God? Don’t say ‘Shalom’ to me! Give God your love, praise and thankfulness!
Some people are not filled with the Holy Spirit so they do not understand the Lord’s word. They do not know the Lord’s heart either.
They have a Pharisaical spirit. Lacking love and joy in their lives.
The Lord delights in those who celebrate Him. Those who judges others who celebrate the Lord are unhappy souls who try to take others down to their unhappy world.
If you were to actually know me, you would find that I am anything but unhappy. Baptized in the Spirit 31 years ago.
So shepherds went to see their new born Messiah. No mention of birthday celebrations. Actually there are 2 mentions of birthday celebrations in the scripture. Pharaoh’s and Herod’s. Two ungodly kings that had someone executed on their birthdays.
Some people are filled with the Spirit of YHWH and considered to be of Beelzebub. So who is of the Pharisaical spirit to accuse someone of judging when they are just relaying what the scripture teaches?
Matthew 10
25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
Shalom
Matthew 12
24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
Worship is not only about spirit, but spirit and truth. The traditions of men cause the truth to be compromised or ignored. This makes for vain worship.
John 4
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Mark 7
6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men…
Christmas is not truth.
Shalom
Bo,
I am glad you are happy. It just seems like you get really upset with people who celebrate the Lord on Dec. 25. (Which I know it is not Jesus real birthday.) The reason why I like Christmas is because I get to talk about the Lord with my unsaved family members without them getting all uptight. That is why I wish Christmas was everyday that way I can use the word Christmas as a tool to talk to the unsaved world or family members about Jesus and they would be more open to hear about Him.
I just want everyone to know about the Lord. I know how Jeremiah felt. In Jeremiah 20:9
But if I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
Believe it or not Bo, I think you are okay. Even if we may disagree with some issues.
Blessings Peace to you.
Shalom Debbie!
Love that in Luke, Pamela!
It will be part of what I read my grandchildren when we celebrate, not the Lord’s birthday, since that was probably earlier, in the Fall, but the day the Star of Bethlehem shone directly over the house, by God’s power, and revealed the Lord to the Magi who had sought Him from a great distance. They found the Lord, at last! That’s worth rejoicing over. Basically, we’ll celebrate His advent into the world — sort of like a birthday, but not literally a birth date, and more than your typical birthday, it heralded the arrival, the incarnation of the Word as flesh. Against such, there is no law indeed.
If you scroll back to a few posts of mine, you can read the development of my understanding about the Star of Bethlehem (Sheila brought it up early in the thread) and how at this this family will have changed our focus of 12/25; so I won’t reiterate here — just if you’re curious, it’s back there.
There are some “Christmas Carols” that I consider so moving, even sacred music, such as “Heark the Herald Angels Sing” and various others. Some Carols have pagan roots, such as “Deck the Halls” but one can easily weed those out; I’m so glad for Google.
I don’t know if I would actually consider it quite a “directive” myself, but I know what you mean about the sense of a certain time as most appropriate for Carols about the holiness of the Lord (they actually told them to call him “Yeshua” and “for he will save” is pronounced yoshia in Biblical Hebrew, so it was a word pun. I learned that from Nehemia Gordon, Ph.D., who studied that). Yeshua, yoshia!
Bo’s right, too, in that they are played only at that time of year, and they are part of our cultural experience. I’m a little hesitate about the term “directive,” but…that’s not something I need to attempt to judge.
& Thanks for sharing !
And speaking of typos (‘:
“I’m a little hesitate” -> I’m a little hesitant
“and how at this this family will have changed our focus” -> and how at this time this family will have changed our focus
Sheila,
You argue from silence when you say that, “Nothing points to temporary booths already being erected.” If you were in labor and very close to delivery, would you want your husband to take the time to build a makeshift hut or just get you to the nearest warm and dry barn. The lack of mentioning a thing does not necessarily mean that it is not present.
All I can say to this, Bo, is that the Lord, or, His family would not have begun His life on earth by disregarding one of the major feast days and commandments of the LORD, would they? I can’t accept that explanation.
Bo–“If there were a lack of dazzling things to look at and materialism (lust of the eyes), fleshly indulgences of eating and partying (lust of the flesh), and peer pressure (pride of life), it would be different.”
You’re making major assumptions concerning me that are not true. And, I’m certain they are not true of many others, either. My husband and I are not falling down to our puny tree and worshipping it; we’re not decking the halls with holly in remembrance of whoever it was; we’re not honoring anyone other than our Savior. All the feast days are prophetic, which makes me want to look up all the more often, as we are told to do, and see the signs in heaven that would accompany His return.
The fact that the Israelites and others worshipped the stars, and as some use astrology today, has thrown us off the track. His first and second advent, were, and will be again, accompanied by “signs in the heavens”. I’m going to keep abreast of what’s going on in the Sun, moon, and stars, as He admonished us to do. And because it’s the “last” thing our adversary would want us to do…Honor and celebrate and worship the Lord, and “look up to the heavens when we see the signs on earth ‘begin’ to come to pass.”
Thank you, all, for your prayers and wishes! I left a quick explanation in “end times” discussion. It’s a good feeling to know we can disagree and still hold each other up in prayers and as extended family as we are part of the same Body. I may only be the little toe nail–but, I’m in there!
I am not even going to correct typos, as there will probably be many to come. Unless, as I did once, it completely changes the meaning. I am still somewhat froggy, but, I feel well enough to engage again on a limited basis. I’ve gotten behind in other obligations too.
“FROGGY”!!??
That is so funny, it hurts to laugh that hard.
😮
Given the emphasis on OT law being demanded of Christians, I recommend the following articles:
http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1355-is-the-law-of-moses-torah-still-binding
http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/485-did-christ-abolish-the-law-of-moses
http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/23-the-law-of-moses-some-metaphors-considered
There’s more of the same on this site as well. Enjoy!
We have one judge. So as we all share our highly personal views and takes, it’s important to remember: we are not each other’s. Thank God!
I’m not suggesting that my [evolving] approach is the pattern; and I hope you’re [whoever you might be] are not suggesting that yours should be mine. Though we might ‘take a page’ from this one or that…
Just so each one is convinced in his own mind and, in his own conscience, certain, before the ultimate and only judge that matters.
Just for the record….
I could care less if anyone judges me. I got nothing to fear or to hide. I know who I am in Christ.
Love you Lord. 🙂
There is another possibility about the festival of booths being the time of His birth. It may be this. If, as the Lord says, He tells the end from the beginning, then, the dwelling in booths may be that the Lord was forced into temporary shelter at His birth. As the Israelites were forced to take temporary shelter in the wilderness after their birth as a nation fleeing Egypt. (?) In pointing to Christ in the feasts of the Lord, we have the reason for them. The Passover blood of the lamb on the doorposts pointing to the blood of Christ on the door of our hearts.
Honestly, I see the Lord in all the festivals and that He could have been born, as some say, at the “Head of the Year”, or, as Rabbi’s state that various historic people in the Bible died on the same day they were born is a possibility; I don’t know. I guess we won’t know until He tells us.
Forgive me, please, I should have edited the earlier and previously prepared response. While I think I feel better, I’m probably not exactly clear headed yet and I intend to leave off any other posts until I am.
Love the profound quote you shared, Debbie, in Jeremiah 20:9.
I’m fascinated by the idea, Sheila, of the feasts of the LORD corresponding to the life of Jesus. Even if you felt a little fuzzy today, know that you are still bringing some light. I’m going to study that next. ( :
I can see the Divine wisdom in not allowing us to know the exact date of Christ’s birth. Man would only use that knowledge to make that day a day of atrocitices in order to blatantly disrespect the Most High.
We can rest assured that we do have God’s blessings in the way we show him honor and love during the Christmas season.
A Word of Warning – Giving credence to paganism’s pratices, beliefs and customs, as anti-Christmas worshipers like to do, not only violates God’s Holy Word, but it IS a form of Satanic worship!
Joshua 23:7 …neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:
Everything of this earth belong to God, so why reserve or give any of it to long lost forgotten satanic worship? Its like constantly trying to compare a living God to mickey mouse that is no more than a fabrication of man’s imagniation.
1 Corinthians 10:26 For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.
The only thing I need to behold is glory of God’s creation, and the holiness of His Word!
Isaiah 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
Pamela, well said! The above is filled with dozens upon dozens of posts designed to communicate what you just said in one! Good on ya!
Pamela,
Did you know that Easter is derived from a pagan godess’ name…Estarte?
Shalom
Sheila,
It goes like this. Joseph and Mary arrive on 7/14 of the Biblical calendar. There is no room in the inn. They go to the barn. At dusk the day changes to 7/15…first day of the feast of tabernacles. Y’Shua is born that night. Maybe no tabernacles are mentioned as they are supposed to be built on the 15th not the 14th. So they did not disobey YHWH. They kept the feast. I was in no way saying that they didn’t.
Shalom
Pamela,
Actually, the evidence for that is questionable if you actually critically examine the sources instead of getting your teaching from a dot com. Keep doing what you’re doing – bless we the Lord!
Bo,
Looking forward to hearing you on the show tomorrow. You and Dr. Brown know each other’s positions well enough by now that you should be able to get to the main course of the issue real fast and skip the appetizers.
Thank you, Tom, for your very encouraging words.
Bo, the meaning behind the Biblical use of the word Easter is very beautiful to me. It’s late where I’m at right now. Give me time to gather my thoughts for I am not really a fast writer, ok.
And if we get chastised by Dr. Brown for going off subject – It’s all your fault!
“A Word of Warning – Giving credence to paganism’s practices, beliefs and customs, as anti-Christmas worshipers like to do, not only violates God’s Holy Word, but it IS a form of Satanic worship!” – Preceding post
God has not changed His mind about pagan practices. He did not invest in teaching generations of His people to keep separate from them only to soften His position and embrace them. He expects us to know what they are so that we, too, will separate ourselves from these.
To turn away from the teachings of God to succumb to social pressure to participate in any present-day custom-keeping which stems from idolatry is to make a clear choice. It’s the same choice that King Solomon made when he relaxed over his foreign wives’ desires for altars for their idols. Perhaps he thought it wasn’t a big deal, as long as in his own mind, he kept it straight and didn’t acknowledge their gods. But we know, don’t we, the outcome of that decision. Causing Israel to stumble for his example was also part of the charge laid at his feet.
You’ve got that completely upside down — reversed! — to respect and honor God’s position on paganism is not “Satanic worship” at all. Pagan customs which derive from idol worship have no appropriate place in honoring the King of Kings.
Misguided and ignorant notions in the Church have further developed into modern misconceptions which only encourage a disregard for the grave lessons revealed in the first half of the Bible.
I find it interesting that Christians around the world often get attacked and persecuted at Christmas time, be it by Hindu radicals or Muslim radicals. These hostile groups clearly associate Christmas with Christianity, and I seriously doubt that God looks down on His precious, persecuted saints at such times and chastises them for not having their calendar right! (BTW, I don’t have time to follow the posts here, nor will I be replying to this one. However, since I noticed that the posts were still flying here, I thought I’d mention this in light of recent news.)
My position is only against those elements of Christmas which stem from idolatry. I do not consider the entire holiday idolatrous by any means, as my previous posts show.
1 John 5:21:
“Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.”
Romans 11:19-21:
“You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.”
Can the Church commit without consequence what was grievous to God when committed by the children of Israel? Even baking cakes with the image of a foreign goddess?
Or, in common terms, should a second wife flagrantly do the things for which the first wife was divorced?
Romans 11:22:
“Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.”
I would rather be blessed any day by false accusations of “legalism” from a compromised, adulterous Church than flattered by her adherents.
Pamela,
You quoted:
“Joshua 23:7 …neither make mention of the name of their gods…”
Using Easter as a name for the day is doing just that.
My point wasn’t to get off topic, but to show that there is long tradition of being disobedient to YHWH’s word in this area, and we are either blind to the fact or conveniently ignore our transgressions. The same goes for Xmas. Many, many ignored transgressions in the mix.
Shalom
Sheila,
I like the signs in the heavens just fine. It is just wrong to use YHWH’s signs in conjunction with a pagan calendar. It is the sin of mixture. 12/25 is a false way of determining dates. A false way of celebrating any Holy thing. Use the Biblical calendar with the star signs and then you may have something.
Shalom
Tom,
I see no one trying to make Christians keep OT law. I see people proclaiming obedience to YHWH’s eternal instructions, but carnal minds not being able to humbly submit.
Romans 8
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Christmas is of the flesh. Pride and rebellion cause Christmas to flourish. Humility and obedience cause YHWH’s true Holy days to be practiced. Being led by the Spirit causes us to fulfill YHWH’s law. It does not cause us to love Christmas.
Shalom
I think Dr. Brown needs to hear that from you on the air.
Call the show.
Hark, is this a broken record I hear?
Varied opinions are what make internet forums interesting; they should challenge one’s “comfort zones.”
If Dr. Brown only wanted an echo chamber, he wouldn’t allow diverse expression on his forum.
Hark the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
“Christ is born in Bethlehem”
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Christ by highest heav’n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin’s womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris’n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Excellent song.
Found this interesting bit of history about it:
““Hark the herald angels sing” Christmas Carol was written by Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley founder of the Methodist church, in 1739.
A sombre man, he requested slow and solemn music for his lyrics and thus “Hark the herald angels sing” was sung to a different tune initially.
Over a hundred years later Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) composed a cantata in 1840 to commemorate Johann Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press. English musician William H. Cummings adapted Mendelssohn’s music to fit the lyrics of “Hark the herald angels sing” already written by Wesley.
Source: http://www.carols.org.uk/hark_the_herald_angels_sing.htm
– there should be a quotation mark at the end as it came from that source directly –
Yes Debbie…just don’t do it on a pagan feast day with pagan customs.
Shalom
Yes Ruth the song is beautiful.
Thanks for noting that Charles Wesley wrote that song. Interesting indeed.
Dr Brown quoted John Wesley in his book “How Saved Are We? He is a very interesting man of God. He accomplished a lot for God’s kingdom.
Thats funny Bo we both said “yes” the same exact time.
In my family, anyway, sacred choral music in, mistletoe out:
http://www.essortment.com/all/mistletoehistor_rljx.htm
I don’t do a mistletoe either.
Post #360.
Do you know that wind chimes are also an object that Satan uses? So if anyone has wind chimes get rid of them.
In the Chinese culture, windchimes, bells, or other noise makers were used to detect spirits. Since most people can’t see spirits, these noise makers will ring when spirits were present. It was also another way to keep spirits away from the home, using the energy of sound.
I would highly recommend not using chimes on 12/25 to supposedly get rid of the evil spirits. Now turning the tv off and renouncing all pagan customs and getting rid of pagan symbols would probably get rid of them, but it would have nothing to do with the fact that it happened to be the 25th day of the 12th pagan month.
Shalom
Bo,
Are you serious? You have no TV? Your missing out on a great TV show. ‘Survivors’. Got to purchase a TV. Season of Survivors starts in Feb. Still have time to purchase one.
Won’t go off topic again. Promise. (couldn’t resist)
No TV…Makes for a great family and close relationships. Is there really anything on there that is not friendship with the world? Maybe that’s why almost everybody likes Christmas…they are being brainwashed by their one-eyed idol.
Shalom
I’m grateful to my parents that they raised us with out a TV; it made a world of difference. We read; we used our imaginations in play.
TV is used for “social engineering purposes” as should be obvious anyway. Want to further the gay agenda? Design a television show which embraces it. It’s the ultimate promoter.
Now that I’m an adult, I have one, but I watch it pretty judiciously. Even so, sometimes I have to just turn off certain programs midstream because they offer up something offensive.
TV underscores many things we as believers don’t actually believe, but there it is, broadcasting it 24/7.
It could be used for great good, but unfortunately, it isn’t.
You’d think 12/25 was all about shopping, by TV, and I think that’s the number complaint I hear from people: Christmas has become too commercial.
should be “number one complaint”
What do you think a computer is? Idol material perhaps?
It’s certainly addicting! ( :
I think I’ll be in virtual rehab for at least a few days ( :
Bo,
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Timothy 3:16
Yes all scripture…even:
Deuteronomy 12
30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
31 Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.
32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
Xmas is adding to thereto and attempting to worship YHWH the way the pagans worshiped their gods.
Here is more scripture that instructs us in righteousness:
Sabbath:
Leviticus 23
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.
3 Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.
Passover and Unleavened Bread:
4 These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.
5 In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD’S passover.
6 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread…
Firstfruits:
11 And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it…
Pentecost:
15 And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete…
21 And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations…
Trumpets:
24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation…
Atonement:
27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls…
28 And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.
29 For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.
30 And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.
Tabernacles:
34 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD.
35 On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein…
37 These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations…
All scripture? All means all, that’s all all means.
Shalom
Revelation 3:7 …he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
Revelation 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it:…
In other words…
The Christmas Celebration is an open door that you will never be able to shut!
The exact recurring date of Christ’s birthday is a shut door that you will never be able to open!
All these things are greater than you, BO! All you can ever do is continually to bother a handful of people on a blog whenever these events come by. I guess the next irritation on your list for you is Easter.
When do you ever give glory and praise to God? Don’t say ‘Shalom’ to me! Give God your love, praise and thankfulness!