[Forrest]

Originally Posted by Harley

Php 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

We do not want the unbelieving world to ever question who it is that is the most important person in our life and the object of our true love. True?

Harley

Yes, true. Good thoughts Brother Harley.

[Bill]

To Aussiemama. That familyministries article is a very good one - it says several things I have thought on the subject. I think it should be remembered that most of the early Christians were working class people who only had days off work when their pagan bosses took pagan holidays so any Christian celebrations would have to be on those days. That timing would not make the Christian holidays evil. Regarding Halloween; Since I was a little kid in the late 50's and early 60's I was able to dress up as a demon or goblin and get candy from the neighbors without any sense of a connection with real evil satan-worship as is obvious today. I think what I did to celebrate halloween would probably be offensive to any serious occultist today just as native Americans find some sports mascots involving caricatures of Indians to be offensive. The articles' consideration of giving offense to a weaker brother was very good. I have had several experiences with people trying to control behaviour by presenting themselves as both a grieved brother and a strong Christian (capable of disciplining other Christians)simutaneously, which violates the Biblical statement.

Originally Posted by Bro. Parrish

I just want to say I DO celebrate Christmas, so if all of you will just kindly PM me I will give you a mailing address where you can send my gifts.

Well, brother, this is difficult. I actually ordered you one of those cognac-colored alligator skin Bibles, but since this site doesn't have PMs, I'll just have to keep it for myself.

And now, my Christmas greeting to all of you lovely peeps:

[Kiwi Christian]

Originally Posted by Vendetta Ride

And now, my Christmas greeting to all of you lovely peeps:

Fantastic! I love it, thanks!!

[Forrest]

Originally Posted by Vendetta Ride

And now, my Christmas greeting to all of you lovely peeps:

Way to go little girl!

[Jeremy]

More on the Christmas holiday.
http://www.king5.com/topstories/stor....201f8962.html

[stephanos]

Originally Posted by Vendetta Ride

Well, brother, this is difficult. I actually ordered you one of those cognac-colored alligator skin Bibles, but since this site doesn't have PMs, I'll just have to keep it for myself.

And now, my Christmas greeting to all of you lovely peeps:

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMEN!

Peace and Love,
Stephen

[stephanos]

Originally Posted by kittn1

One good poem deserves another........


Twas the Night Before Jesus Came
'Twas the night Jesus came and all through the house
Not a person was praying, not one in the house.
The Bibles were left on the shelf without care,
For no one thought that Jesus would come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And mom in her rocker with baby in her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the east there rose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and lifted the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here!
The light of His face made me cover my head--
It was Jesus returning, just as He said.

And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said, "It's not here" my head hung in shame.
The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.

With those who were ready He rose without a sound
While all the rest were left standing around.
I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I'd known that this was the night.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is now drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after all.

--AUDRY PATRICIA WOOLVERTON

http://http://www.biblebelievers.com/TwastheNite.html

This is great. I'm using this on Facebook. Hehehe

Love you all!

For Jesus' sake,
Stephen

[kittn1]

Santa Claus and Satan's Cause

The modern-day Santa Claus is an American version of Saint Nicholas, a fourth century Roman Catholic bishop from Asia Minor who was noted for his good deeds and gift giving. This tradition first spread throughout Europe, and then found its way to America by the early Dutch settlers.

Since God's word warns us to BEWARE of tradition (Col. 2:8), we shouldn't be surprised to find the Devil right in the middle of the world's most celebrated holiday. Lucifer's desire has always been to dethrone God and exalt himself (Isa. 14:12-15). He desires worship (Luke 4:7; II Ths. 2:3-4). Perhaps you've never thought of it, but please note how Satan robs the Lord Jesus Christ of His glory by spreading the Santa Claus tradition...



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SANTA IS ETERNAL
A child knows nothing of his beginning. To a child, Santa has just always existed.

JESUS CHRIST IS ETERNAL
"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." (Rev. 1:8)



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SANTA LIVES IN THE NORTH
Tradition holds that Santa Claus lives at the North Pole, a place ABOVE the rest of us.

JESUS CHRIST LIVES IN THE NORTH
"Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King." (Psa. 48:2)



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SANTA WEARS RED CLOTHING
Santa wears a red furry suit.

JESUS CHRIST WEARS RED CLOTHING
"And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God." (Rev. 19:13)



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SANTA HAS WHITE HAIR
Santa is always pictured as an old man with white hair like wool.

JESUS CHRIST HAS WHITE HAIR
"His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;" (Rev. 1:14)



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SANTA FLIES AROUND GIVING GIFTS
Santa has the ability to defy the laws of gravity and fly around giving gifts to people.

JESUS CHRIST ASCENDED AND GAVE GIFTS UNTO MEN
"But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men." (Eph. 4:7-8)



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SANTA IS COMING SOON
During the Christmas season it is emphasized over and over that "Santa is coming".

JESUS CHRIST IS COMING SOON
"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." (Rev. 22:20)



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SANTA IS OMNISCIENT
Children are taught that Santa "knows when you've been good, and he knows when you've been bad".

JESUS CHRIST IS OMNISCIENT
"The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." (Pro. 15:3) "And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?" (Mat. 9:4)



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SANTA IS OMNIPRESENT
Santa must be omnipresent, because he has the ability to visit over a billion homes in a twenty-four hour period. That's over 1100 per second!

JESUS CHRIST IS OMNIPRESENT
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Mat. 18:20)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SANTA IS OMNIPOTENT
He has the ability to carry presents for over a billion children.

JESUS CHRIST IS OMNIPOTENT
"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." (Mat. 28:18)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SANTA HAS SPIRIT HELPERS CALLED ELVES
Webster, 1828: "ELF...a spirit, the night-mar; a ghost, hag, witch"

JESUS CHRIST HAS SPIRIT HELPERS CALLED ANGELS
"Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him." (Mat. 4:11)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SANTA - SANAT - SATAN?

Sanat Kumara is worshipped by some new age groups as God. H.P. Blavatsky, the mother of the new age movement, said on page 350 of her book, The Secret Doctrine, Vol. 2: "The name isn't important. It is the letters". "Santa" has the same letters as "Satan"! According to G.A. Riplinger, "Ole Nick" is listed as the name of a fallen angel in the Dictionary of Fallen Angels. (New Age Bible Versions, Gail Riplinger, pg. 53)

Friend, don't glorify Satan by giving the glory and attributes of Jesus Christ to Santa Claus! Santa is a COUNTERFEIT GOD, and you are honoring Satan when you teach your children to believe in Santa! Christians should teach their children the TRUTH. We should glorify God by teaching our children about Jesus Christ and His saving grace!


Copyright © 1996 James L. Melton

http://www.biblebelievers.com/jmelton/SantaClause.html

[PB1789]

Originally Posted by PB1789

Hello Rolando! I understand your predicament/situation with the family and you being "different" from them this year. My dad was/is a twice a year Church attender and a Free Mason (boo-hiss), Mom was a "Jack-Mormon", and many of the cousins and sister are Mormons, so I was viewed as a bit wierd... No problem---Our Lord Jesus never promised us a "walk-in-the-park".

Okay... I've got an idea for you, since you want to follow Christ,,, at the same time maybe gently nudge your family members into following Him (instead of Mary and the Pope)... Keep focused on Christ by remembering the scripture found in Luke Chapter 1 and 2. Rich, Deep, Truths.

The Christmas hymns are full of great Christology/Theology. I'd suggest you go over to a website www.cyberhymnal.com and look/listen at the words to "Hark the Herald Angels Sing-Glory to the new born King" and many others in the Christmas section. "Oh little town of Bethlehem" , "Angels we have heard on high".

Now, another way of not doing the commercial/Santa thing is to find a Church that has Christmas Eve service and even Christmas Day service. You were R.C. so you might be comfortable in a formal Church setting--- no better thing to be doing on Christmas Eve than to be in a Church at the 11:00pm/Midnite service remembering the birth of our Saviour!

I googled for you and I found a couple nearby your home that will probably be open on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day. They are conservative and Traditional in what they believe. Phone/google them and get their service times/directions.

First Reformed Episcopal Church of New York. 317 East 50th Street

Redeemer Reformed Episcopal Church 734 Ocean Ave. Jersey City

There are also a couple of conservative Lutheran groups (synods) that might have a congregation within driving distance of where you live. Look for Wisconsin Synod and also Missouri Synod. Those two groups still believe in the Virgin birth of Christ. Beware---not all Lutheran Churches are conservative anymore, and sadly the synods have gone to using the NIV.

For this Christmas time... it would be a good witness if rather than being a grumpy "scrooge" guy, and making the family think that those "Born-Again" people have ruined their son... They saw you go to Church service and come back singing "Silent Night", and then you can say something like: "Hey family of mine--- Let me read out loud from St. Luke's Gospel about Mary and Joseph, and the shephards and baby Jesus..." Scatter some seeds Rolando. Never know what might grow--- .

BTW--- Many will tell you that Jesus wasn't born on Dec. 25th... So what! Remember the Saviour's Birth and tell folks "Merry Christmas"! Irritate a liberal and the nearby atheist, and the J.W.'s. Revelation 5:12

Bump. Rolando... You still out there ?