Archive The True Meaning of Christmas

krambman

Posts: 3,606

Dec 24, 2010 11:02am

This time of year the songs, movies, and TV specials all seem to have a different interpretation of what Christmas is all about. They say that it means spending time with family and friends, giving and receiving gifts, being thankful for what you have, and promoting peace on earth. All of these are good things, but none of them are really what Christmas is about. Christmas is a day that has been set aside to remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who some 30 years later would willingly die on a cross for the sins of the world before being raised from the dead three days later. This is the true meaning of Christmas.

1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) 5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."


16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Luke 2:1-20 (King James Version)

B

Be Nice

Posts: 1,120

Dec 24, 2010 11:45am

very true.

darbypitcher22

Posts: 8,000

Dec 24, 2010 11:47am

since I read this here, does it mean I don't have to go to church tonight now?

Hb31187

Posts: 8,534

Dec 24, 2010 11:49am

Sounds like a fairy tale for adults

THE4RINGZ

Posts: 16,816

Dec 24, 2010 12:14pm

Good story. I hope everyone here takes the message of Christmas to heart this year.

hangonsloopy

Posts: 1,291

Dec 24, 2010 12:46pm

Very true. Thanks Krambman. Merry CHRISTmas!

Murdski99

Posts: 399

Dec 24, 2010 12:59pm

god that was gay

Mulva

Posts: 13,650

Dec 24, 2010 3:03pm

It should be called Dionysusmas.

tk421

Posts: 8,500

Dec 24, 2010 3:25pm

Uh huh, sure. So, if this is the "true" meaning of Christmas, does that mean those that don't believe can't buy gifts for each other?

P.S. Hey Zues there wasn't born at the end of December.

S

Sonofanump

Dec 24, 2010 8:54pm

krambman;612552 wrote: she brought forth her firstborn son

So why does this phrase exist and later in the blessing of the gifts the priest states "ever virgin Mary"?

krambman

Posts: 3,606

Dec 25, 2010 12:20am

Sonofanump;612872 wrote:So why does this phrase exist and later in the blessing of the gifts the priest states "ever virgin Mary"?

Because the Catholic church claims that Mary remained her virgin her entire life, even though the Bible is very clear that she had other children, because we know that Jesus had younger siblings. The Catholic church claims that the word for brothers and sisters can also mean cousins, and that these were adopted siblings. Only the Catholic church holds this view, no Protestant churches believe that she remained a virgin. There's no Biblical basis that Mary remained a virgin her whole life. It developed as a tradition hundreds of years after the fact. Besides, even if she didn't ever have any other kids Jesus was still her firstborn son.

tcarrier32

Posts: 1,497

Dec 25, 2010 12:37am

true meaning of Christmas? How about the church attempting to convert pagans to Christians by implementing their new "holiday" at the same time Pagans were celebrating Saturnalia (the actual holiday that was not arbitrarily placed). Originally, Saturnalia celebrated the birth of Light and the Sun, and many of its traditions we now consider to be Christmas-y.

sounds correct.

now that thats out of the way, Christmas is a time to celebrate the fact that we are alive. We shouldn't need this holiday, but we have it. It's a damn shame we dont celebrate Saturnalia anymore, it was a pretty rowdy holiday. Complete with festive orgies.

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/46547

S

Sonofanump

Dec 25, 2010 12:10pm

krambman;612956 wrote:Because the Catholic church claims that Mary remained her virgin her entire life, even though the Bible is very clear that she had other children, because we know that Jesus had younger siblings. The Catholic church claims that the word for brothers and sisters can also mean cousins, and that these were adopted siblings. Only the Catholic church holds this view, no Protestant churches believe that she remained a virgin. There's no Biblical basis that Mary remained a virgin her whole life. It developed as a tradition hundreds of years after the fact. Besides, even if she didn't ever have any other kids Jesus was still her firstborn son.

Thanks.

S

Sonofanump

Dec 25, 2010 12:12pm

tcarrier32;612965 wrote:true meaning of Christmas? How about the church attempting to convert pagans to Christians by implementing their new "holiday" at the same time Pagans were celebrating Saturnalia (the actual holiday that was not arbitrarily placed).

Yes. Christ was born sometime in late spring. The Christians in order to celebrate without persecution moved the celebration to the same time the Romans were celebrating their largest feast.

ricola

Posts: 855

Dec 25, 2010 3:51pm

thanks krambman! Obviously many people chose not to believe that, but when judgement comes at least they can't say they "never heard" about it. Merry Christmas to all.

#1DBag

Posts: 786

Dec 25, 2010 5:05pm

Эти шлюхи должны иметь мои деньги!

Murdski99

Posts: 399

Dec 25, 2010 6:28pm

ricola;613203 wrote:thanks krambman! Obviously many people chose not to believe that, but when judgement comes at least they can't say they "never heard" about it. Merry Christmas to all.

yeah well, i'm going to a place full of blunts and booze, hot slutty women(diseases do not exist), and the best food you can eat. So have fun jumping around with some gay carpenter and virgin angels...and best believe your gay asses won't be getting into this heaven when you find out yours was a load of shit!

tcarrier32

Posts: 1,497

Dec 25, 2010 6:30pm

Murdski99;613244 wrote:yeah well, i'm going to place full of blunts and booze, hot slutty women(diseases do not exist), and the best food you can eat. So have fun jumping around with some gay carpenter and virgin angels...and best believe your gay asses won't be getting into this heaven when you find out yours was a load of shit!

AMEN! At least when the true judgement comes, they can't say "But, I didn't know!"

CenterBHSFan

Posts: 6,115

Dec 26, 2010 9:22am

Murdski99;613244 wrote:yeah well, i'm going to a place full of blunts and booze, hot slutty women(diseases do not exist), and the best food you can eat. So have fun jumping around with some gay carpenter and virgin angels...and best believe your gay asses won't be getting into this heaven when you find out yours was a load of shit!

tcarrier32;613246 wrote:AMEN! At least when the true judgement comes, they can't say "But, I didn't know!"

Well, if you don't believe in God and have no interest at all, then I wonder why you bother to even post anything on this thread much less reading it in the first place?

Heelz

Posts: 780

Dec 26, 2010 9:58am

I just took a Religion course in college and learned about the original version of why we celebrate Christmas with the trying to to convert Pagans but I believe the Jesus is Lord and savior and all of the Sunday school stuff that we are taught in Christianity its all how you take it. I dont think you can take everything in the Bible literally if you do than you will be so confused as the Bible has so many contradictions from the Old to the New testaments. If you really bother to read it.

S

Sonofanump

Dec 26, 2010 10:09am

Heelz;613570 wrote:I just took a Religion course in college and learned about the original version of why we celebrate Christmas with the trying to to convert Pagans but I believe the Jesus is Lord and savior and all of the Sunday school stuff that we are taught in Christianity its all how you take it. I dont think you can take everything in the Bible literally if you do than you will be so confused as the Bible has so many contradictions from the Old to the New testaments. If you really bother to read it.

I took a similar class. I think it was called Early Christianity in the Roman Empire. It was only a 200 level class, not sure if it was history or philosophy.

tcarrier32

Posts: 1,497

Dec 26, 2010 10:46am

CenterBHSFan;613559 wrote:Well, if you don't believe in God and have no interest at all, then I wonder why you bother to even post anything on this thread much less reading it in the first place?

Because I have an opinion on the subject, just like you surely do.

CenterBHSFan

Posts: 6,115

Dec 26, 2010 12:45pm

tcarrier32;613587 wrote:Because I have an opinion on the subject, just like you surely do.

True. But I never bash people like you or your thoughts because you don't believe.

Big difference in alot of ways.

Murdski99

Posts: 399

Dec 26, 2010 1:47pm

CenterBHSFan;613651 wrote:True. But I never bash people like you or your thoughts because you don't believe.

Big difference in alot of ways.

lol you never bash people? I've seen you bash gibby on here. Just because it's about jesus and religion, you get your panties in a bunch. Stay classy center

CenterBHSFan

Posts: 6,115

Dec 26, 2010 2:24pm

Murdski99;613720 wrote:lol you never bash people? I've seen you bash gibby on here. Just because it's about jesus and religion, you get your panties in a bunch. Stay classy center

But we're specifically not talking about other things. We are talking about Christmas. I never said I never bash people. I said I don't bash people for not believing.

Strawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww man points to ya!

I believe in God. You may or may not. I don't bash you for either. Understand now?