Saturday, November 22, 2008
HELP ME!!!
Is the celebration of Thanksgiving an act of Idolatry if participated in by Christians? Speaking of Holidays, what about christmas trees? Isn't having a christmas tree an implicit sanction of a pagan practice? Aren't we called to be "set apart?" Where should we draw a line? Should we as christians draw a line? Are there any scriptures which inform these areas? HELP ME!!!
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In 1863 Abraham Lincoln said: "It has seemed to me fit and proper that [the gifts of God] should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens . . . to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens."
ReplyDeletePsalm 100 talks about how we are to give thanks to the Lord. Verse 4 of the 5-verse hymn says, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." True worship has a thankful heart.
Holidays can be celebrated, but you need to have God in your heart. Use the holiday as a time for worship and a time to be thankful. Use a thanksgiving feast to be thankful for God. Use a Christmas tree to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. You can keep it from being Idolatry, when you are keeping God above in your heart and mind, always.
Many things in our society are based on tradition. holidays are one of those things. many celebrate holidays such as thanksgiving and Christmas, because they want to get together with their family, or they are looking forward to gifts and food. although these are both acceptable reasons, we as Christians should focus our holidays on Christ. I do think we should draw a line somewhere its just very hard to define where. in this holiday season it is very easy to make things your idols. Such as focusing on the preparation, the gifts, your want, and even your own family, these all can become idols. So all in all juts make sure God is the center of your thoughts, actions, and deeds.
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas Tree Farm network says this about the christmas tree:
ReplyDeleteThe fir tree has a long association with Christianity, it began in Germany almost 1,000 years ago when St Boniface, who converted the German people to Christianity, was said to have come across a group of pagans worshipping an oak tree. In anger, St Boniface is said to have cut down the oak tree and to his amazement a young fir tree sprung up from the roots of the oak tree. St Boniface took this as a sign of the Christian faith. But it was not until the 16th century that fir trees were brought indoors at Christmas time.
I think its a nice story that kinda ties in what we believe. . .
I don't think its worng to have a christmas tree. What I do think is wrong is forgetting christ who is "the reason for the season"!
(ps. does anyone hate that saying as much as I do?) =]
Technically, the people who had the first Thanksgiving were Christians. Over the years, the pagans adopted this holiday too. For Christians that point of Thanksgiving shouild be to praise God for His many blessings. As long as that is the reason why we celebrate it, I see nothing wrong with the holiday. In fact, we should be practicing Thanksgiving on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas tree was actually brought about by a monk, like Alex said. The purpose was to show the Germans the concept of the Trinity. Unfortunately, people began worshipping it and calling it "the God tree". In this case, it was not a good idea to be using the Christmas tree. Although, it is still pretty cool, the comparison that the monk mad, and can be used to remind us of "the reason for the season". As long as we aren't worshipping the tree, and we keep in mind the true meaning of Christmas, I think it's fine to have a Christmas tree in your house. (http://www.christmasarchives.com/trees.html)
We as Christians are called to be set apart. The line is drawn by the Bible, prayer and fellowship. 1Tim. 1:3-11, Col. 3:15-17, and Eph. 4:17-24
i don't know of any verses in the Bible that are against thanksgiving. as christians, this is a day that can be specifically set apart for us to thank God for everything he's done in our lives. I also dont think there is anything against christmas decorations, manger scenes, or trees in the Bible. It's a simple way to get into the christmas spirit.
ReplyDeleteThanksgiving is a time that was meant to give thanks to God for the things he has given to us. The holiday was invented by the pilgrims who were giving thanks to God because he had given them a good year and plenty of food. I do not think thanksgiving is an idol unless you dont think about what God has done for you and thank Him for it.
ReplyDeleteChristmas trees are not a bad thing in Christmas. They are not idols unless you choose to let them be idols. If you forget about the real meaning of Christmas (that Jesus was born) then it is an idol.
Thankfullness towards God and one another is something that God calls us to have. Therefore, we should be thanking one another and thanksgiving is a day to do so.
ReplyDeleteAs for celebrating Christmas and the special traditions we have along with this, i think that if these traditions are getting in the way of you remembering the true meaning for celebrating, then you should stop. However, if you are still focusing on the birth of Jesus Christ and the true meaning of christmas. I dont see how having a christmas tree is sinful.
Lets review what Idolatry is. It's worshiping false god's over God (putting a priority over God). Thanksgiving is a time where family and relatives get together, eat food, and say what one's thankful for. This tradition came way back when the "New World" was found, we made friends with the indians and had a feast being thankful for the new world and whatnot. (Tradition made official by Abraham Lincoln.) I think this tradition is anything but idolatry. I would encourage this practice in America because its a great time for fellowship and thankfulness. A christmas tree isn't satanic or idolatrious in itself. One should know they make ornaments of Jesus. What's so bad about putting up a tree and putting Jesus ornaments on it? I also think this is great. I conclude that yes, we are supposed to be set apart, but you're on the wrong subject, my phantom friend. We are supposed to be set apart from sin but not from acts of fellowship.
ReplyDelete