It’s a good question to ask and worth thinking about. I would probably look at it from multiple angles and ask questions such as:
Is there a violation of scripture?
Is there a violation of conscience?
Will this cause another believe to stumble?
Does this give the appearance of evil? To Christians? To non-Christians? 1 Thess 5:22
Is this being done in secret or am I using a freedom to cover up evil? 1 Pe 2:16
Back on the Christmas topic, another way of looking at it is following the “Argument of the Beard”. If we start with the hypothetical assumption that American Christmas is reenacting a pagan ritual, which elements of the tradition do we need to remove for it to no longer be pagan? Lights, trees, gift giving? Family dinners? Are certain songs bad? What if we replace telling Santa stories with telling the story of the birth of Jesus Christ the savior of the world?
I like your question and think it’s worth thinking about,
Thank you. Whilst I probably can't give those fair questions you pose a full answer I would say that if one number 1 was correct then all the rest surely must follow.
Is number 1 correct? I know Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for steadfastly retaining their customs and traditions against their better judgement but I don't think it particularly applies here.
Col 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
Given that Christmas is December the 25th which was the Winter Solstice in the Roman Calendar (according to Wiki) and that the Winter Solstice was celebrated in the Pagan world it probably fits the description of "a tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world (ie principles such as seasonal things - like the shortest day). Has the notion of Christmas been the result of Christians being cheated through philosophy and empty deceit? Dunno. I dunno if Christmas would be amongst the things referred to in Colossians. The chapter is about Philosophy and Legalism.
In answer to your paragraph, the first thought that came to my mind in response was that it ought to be Christianity that is removed, rather than any of the traditional xmassy (or pagan) elements. If Christmas day was just a pagan celebration rebranded and shoehorned into Christian tradition then it would seem to make more sense to me to remove the falsity of it rather than the origin. Christianity in a sense is an interloper into this celebration. A cuckoo, if you catch my drift.
Having said that, I think like you've sort of said it's taken on a life of it's own wherein the original meanings of the holiday are no longer the current meaning.
It's definitely an interesting inquiry. None of the above represent a definite position of mine, I'm just exploring the subject with you and will reserve judgement
It’s a good question to ask and worth thinking about. I would probably look at it from multiple angles and ask questions such as:
Back on the Christmas topic, another way of looking at it is following the “Argument of the Beard”. If we start with the hypothetical assumption that American Christmas is reenacting a pagan ritual, which elements of the tradition do we need to remove for it to no longer be pagan? Lights, trees, gift giving? Family dinners? Are certain songs bad? What if we replace telling Santa stories with telling the story of the birth of Jesus Christ the savior of the world?
I like your question and think it’s worth thinking about,
Thank you. Whilst I probably can't give those fair questions you pose a full answer I would say that if one number 1 was correct then all the rest surely must follow.
Is number 1 correct? I know Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for steadfastly retaining their customs and traditions against their better judgement but I don't think it particularly applies here.
Col 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
Given that Christmas is December the 25th which was the Winter Solstice in the Roman Calendar (according to Wiki) and that the Winter Solstice was celebrated in the Pagan world it probably fits the description of "a tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world (ie principles such as seasonal things - like the shortest day). Has the notion of Christmas been the result of Christians being cheated through philosophy and empty deceit? Dunno. I dunno if Christmas would be amongst the things referred to in Colossians. The chapter is about Philosophy and Legalism.
In answer to your paragraph, the first thought that came to my mind in response was that it ought to be Christianity that is removed, rather than any of the traditional xmassy (or pagan) elements. If Christmas day was just a pagan celebration rebranded and shoehorned into Christian tradition then it would seem to make more sense to me to remove the falsity of it rather than the origin. Christianity in a sense is an interloper into this celebration. A cuckoo, if you catch my drift.
Having said that, I think like you've sort of said it's taken on a life of it's own wherein the original meanings of the holiday are no longer the current meaning.
It's definitely an interesting inquiry. None of the above represent a definite position of mine, I'm just exploring the subject with you and will reserve judgement