Christmas-----what do you think??

Christmas has long been a spiritual enigma, a veritable thorn in the side of those who respect Bible authority. Certainly, there is no Biblical authority for celebrating Christmas as a religious holiday. Where the Bible is silent, we, too, must be silent if we are to be true to ourselves and to our God. (I Peter 4:11; Matthew 15:9)

There is a growing tendency in the religious world today to bind upon Christmas the traditions of men. When one refuses to accept those traditions, they are branded as peculiar, narrow-minded and legalistic. A case in point is the religious celebration of Christmas. Repeatedly we are barraged by the news media and religionists to "put Christ back in Christmas.' Frankly, Christ was never in Christmas!

Some scholars admit that they do not know the exact date of Christ's birth. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, pg 726 states "concerning the date of Christ's birth, the Gospels give no help." The Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol. 5, pag. 642 records "The exact day and year of Christ's birth have never been satisfactorily settled." The Encyclopedia Americana, Vol. 6, pg. 623 concurs "...no certain knowledge of the day of Christ's birth existed." The Everyman's Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, pg. 641 agrees "It is, however, certain that the time now fixed (Dec. 25) could not by any possibility have been the period of Christ's birth, as December is the rainy season in Judea." The following statement is taken from Vol. 2, pg. 276 of McClintock & Strong's Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological & Ecclesiastical Literature: "The observance of Christmas is not of divine order, nor is it of New Testament order. The date of Christ's birth cannot be ascertained from the Bible or any other source."

The early Christians did not know when Christ was born, for there is no record of a special date of it being observed. In the second century, a controversy arose over the reality of the human Christ. Some Christians began celebrating a feast day on January 6 as the baptismal date of Christ to prove that Christ was only a phantom nature, that He was a divine spirit only. To counteract this false practice, other Christians began to celebrate on January 6 and later on December 25 the coming into the world of the divine spirit as a physical entry....thus Christ's birthday.

Exactly when this practice began is not known;however, "....in the year 354, by order of Bipshop Liberious of Rome, December 25 was adopted." (World Book Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, pg. 1425) Other historians have assigned such dates as March 25, April 19 or 20, and May 20. Six dates out of 12 months, in which some people, some time, some where have celebrated Christmas. In all probability, December 25 is not the birthdate of Christ because shepherds were tending their flocks in the field, and this would have been close to the growing season, not winter.

The term/name Christmas is of Catholic origin. "The name is derived from the medieval Christes Masse, the Mass of Christ." (Encyclopedia Americana) The Catholics had a special "mass" (their corruption of the Lord's Supper) for Christ and so they called it "Christ-Mass." In time it was shortened to Christmas. The religious observance of Christmas is a mixture of Catholicism/Romanism, paganism and heathenism. I do not believe that the name Christmas, even though of Catholic origin, perpetuates the erros of this ecclesiasticism any more than when I use the terms Sunday, Monday, Wednesday or Saturday I am perpetuation a belief in the false gods after which they were named. These words no longer convery their exclusive earlier meanings, and thus, Christmas signifies to many of us no more than a holiday.

The use of a tree is also shrouded in oblivion. Heathens used it first. Gradually it became associated with the festivites of the "Christmas season." About the same could be said of Santa Claus or St. Nick. Present day gift-giving grew out of the custom of feeding the poor and contributing to the needy.

The emphasis of the New Testament is upon the death of Christ and the benefits we may obtain therefrom, not upon His birth. God has ordained that His people never lose sight of the appropriate celebration for the church every first day of the week...Sunday, the Lord's day; when we remember His sacrifice, His cross, His death, His burial, His triumphal resurrection to assure our salvation. (Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; Acts 20:7, Icor. 11:23-29) This is the Gospel and the Good News is JOY! The world must be told that Christ is not a figment of one's imagination, a ghost, a historical misnomer....HE LIVED! CHRIST LIVES TODAY!

I think it important that we notice a few facts about the birth of Christ. Christ was born of a virgin in the fulfillment of Prophecy. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23) Christ was born in Bethlehem. (Matthew 2:1) Our saviour was born in a manger. (Greek "Phathan" ..English "Crib" , Luke 2:7) Christ was named by God: Emmanuel, Jesus, Saviour, Christ the Lord. (Matt. 1:21-23; Luke 2:11) Shepherds were in the field at night. Angels sang to them and they came and saw Jesus. (Luke 2:8-18) Wise men came from the East (bringing gold, frankincense and myrrh) to worship the King of the Jews. (Matt. 2:1-11) It is noteworthy that the wise men did not see Christ in the manger, but in a house. (Matt. 2:11)

God did not leave us to guess what we are to do in worship. The Bible clearly indicated how and what Christians are to worship. "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. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:23-24) Christians are to sing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16), pray (James 1:506; 5:13-16; Hebrews 4:16; I Thess. 5:17-`8), give (Luke 6:38; ICor. 16:1-2; II Cor. 8:1-5, 9:-6-9), Observe the Lord's Supper (Matt. 26:26-29, Acts 20:7; ICor. 11:23-29), preach/teach (Acts 20:7; I Cor. 1:21; Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:14-10, 42, 46). Nowhere does the Bible remotely suggest the religious celebration of the birth of Christ, and had God intended such, He would have made known the date and what to do in worship on that day. (2Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3)

I am personally appreciative that there is a day ovserved by Americans as "Independence Day" and another as "Thanksgiving." There is something wholesome and beneficial about these customs. There is nothing unscriptural about having turkey on Thanksgiving. The fact that it is NON-scriptural does not make it UN-scriptural. There is a distinct difference in ebing NON-scriptural and UN-scriptural. Church buildings (meetinghouses), baptistries, song books, etc. are NON-scriptural, but not UN-scriptural.

Much of the custom of "Christmas" is non-scriptural. Anything connected with it that even borders on un-scripturalness should be eliminated! Whatever is non-scriptural, but not un-scriptural falls in the class of Romans 14:13-23 & I Cor. 8. Giving gifts, decorating a tree, putting on a red suit and cotton whiskers, giving parties, using bright lights and leave of holly, Non-religious Christmas cards and song, and visiting relative are a welcome release from the tensions of daily stress and improves human relations. The custom in itself serves a good purpose. We respect the opinions of other who differ on the subject, but will not be bound by them.

We should be a Christian's attitude toward Christmas? We should attach no religious significance to this holiday season! We must teach our children that all religious traditions of Christmas are FALSE! Using Christmas as a national holiday to exchange gifts and visit with family and friends is NOT wrong. It is an opportunity to strengthen family ties, teach unselfishness and promote cheer and goodwill as can be done on the other occasions such as birthdays, etc. Finally, it is proof of the divinity of Christ to find Him so popular over 2000 years after his birth that the civilized world wants to celebrate His birth, whether it knows the date or not. Thank God for our Lord and His coming into the world by virgin birth. We shall continue teaching His Truth, regardless of "Christmas."

But....December 25 is NOT the birthday of Jesus; never has been never will be!

Written by Edgar C. Beard
Our preacher....




I'm SURE this will stir up alot but I would still like to hear your comments. Those of you who DO celebrate Christmas as Jesus' birthday have you just done it because everyone else does or have you actually researched it for yourself?
I will tell you my opinion on Saturday night!

Working

I am working on a post about Christmas. My preacher wrote an AMAZING article Sunday and I am in the midst of typing it. Hopefully I will have it posted by tonight! Be sure to check back and read the article.....it really is good :)
Happy Wednesday :)

Random thoughts

1. I have started 4 posts in the last 2 days and just can't seem to finish them.

2. Although, I do atleast 1 load of laundry every day, my laundry room is filled to the top..........it's filled with clean clothes because I have this HORRIBLE habit of not folding and putting up when they get done. Poor Graham has to sort through 5 baskets to find clothes for work. My goal today is to put it all up.

3. Addie spent the night with Graham's parents Friday night, we all went to the LV parade on Saturday, then Graham and I took her to my parents for Saturday night. We had a WHOLE weekend alone and we were asleep both nights by 10:30! Wow how your life changes when you have a kido :)

4. Josh (Ellie's dad), Ellie, Addie and I all searched for over 20 minutes yesterday for Ellie's shoe.............I am STILL looking for it! She is a pretty good hider!

5. Graham's last day of work is Friday, and then he will be off for 2 weeks. I hope we don't kill each other :o (JK ofcourse)

6. I am making a pot roast with carrots, mashed potatoes, homemade bread, sweet tea and an apple cake for dinner tonight (to make up for Graham having to search for clothes to wear :)

7. I went grocery shopping last night.......I saved $120!! And I spend just under $200 and got about 3 weeks worth of food! I was so proud when I got home..........Graham didn't say good job or anything..........he was mad because I bought the wrong kind of peanuts! You see what I live with???ARG!!!

8. I have to mail Christmas cards today.

9. I think I like this random post stuff :)

10. I am TRYING to find a new phone but really having a hard time spending $100 on a phone! Plus the whole $30 a month data thing (which we already pay for Graham's Iphone HE HAD TO HAVE). I think when you have been a customer for more than 10 years they should give you a phone for free!!

11. I guess I should get off here and make the girls something for breakfast, Addie should be up soon :)

Have a great day!!

Better pictures for Miranda!

Here is a better close up!

Beyond words!

Last night Graham and I took Addie with us to the mall to get a few more Christmas presents. We shopped around for awhile then I told him I wanted to look at a new cell phone (I'm due for an upgrade). After FALLING IN LOVE with this:

Graham says Why don't you wait just alittle longer and MAKE SURE this is the one you want. He REALLY made me mad. EVERY time Graham wants something he just goes and buy it, (Iphone is a good example. He wanted it I told him it was too much but he got it anyway!)but if I ever want anything it's always, we don't have the money for that, Are you sure you want that one, Are you going to break it. Just whatever he can say to make me rethink it because he knows I wont get it if I rethink it.

Well all the way home I was mad. I brought up the other things that were bothering me too. Like, I know that he talks to people all day and is tired of it when he gets home.........but I talk to 2 year olds! I NEED him to ask me how my day was and atleast ACT like he is paying attention to me when I tell him funny things the girls do all day. I have just really felt neglected this week and I wanted him to know he hurt my feelings.

We got home and I was getting something to drink, I turned around in the kitchen to see Addie walking towards me with a long box. She gave it to me and I just held it. I said to him, "First of all, you can't give me my Christmas present because I'm mad at you, and two you got me that Lens for my camera! " He was beaming from ear to ear and said, "Open it." Echoed by Addie, "Open Mommy!"

I have NEVER been so shocked in my life! (When Graham proposed, I knew what he was doing) He really got me this time. See ever since we have been together I have showed and talked about tennis bracelets. How one day when we are rich I want one. It is one of three pieces of jewelry I have ever asked for. First I wanted an engagement ring, and then I wanted a pearl necklace (to match my pearl ring, earrings, and bracelet) and a tennis bracelet. We have looked at them before but I am VERY picky. I love Antique looking jewelry. The Bracelets I have found that look antique are always like $10,000. Okay maybe not that much but out of our price range.

When I opened the box and saw the diamonds smiling back at me I closed it! Ha, like on a movie where they are so suprised that they close it. I didn't think that really happened. I opened it again and I may have screamed...................REALLY loud.......and CRIED really hard! I went through, we can't do this.....you already got me a lense.....WE CAN'T DO THIS! But his perfect smile said it was okay! It's amazing how his smile can make me not worry!

I'm sure you figured it out but he got me a tennis bracelet. A VERY beautiful tennis bracelet. That ALMOST puts my wedding set to shame,lol!

I know I know these pictures aren't the best but if you click on them you can see it better!

I am SOOOO excited!

(Note: Graham did GREAT, I was in tears all night. But he is still introuble for hurting my feelings. Buying me a nice gift doesn't change the fact that he has ignored me all week :) OKAY OKAY, so he is in just alittle bit less trouble :))

Oh Headbands.....How I love thee......

I LOVE HEADBANDS! There I said it! I may actually have alittle problem with it.....yesterday, after Addie had pulled them ALL out and was trying them on I decided to count them. I have 53 headbands. I have every color you could imagine, I have big flashy ones, and so discrete ones. I have them with huge bows on top, huge flowers, and there are several I have made myself with ribbon and hair-ties. I LOVE LOVE LOVE them! My problem though??? I stay at home 85% of the time so why in the world do I have a small fortune in headbands?
I have this black one with the huge flower............I. LOVE. THIS.. I think it is too cute, Graham on the other hand HATES it. He HATES them all, but what do boys know, right?

The bottom one is one I NEEEEEED. No really I NEED it!

Random Thoughts

1. I started using a lip gloss last week and now my lips are so dry? I can't figure it out, but I am SO addicted to the lip gloss I can't stop using it, therefore my lips just get dryer and dryer :(

2. Addie ate diaper rash cream on Monday and again on Tuesday. Trust me, after the first time I hid it in a drawer in her closet. Although, she has NEVER gotten in that drawer before she did yesterday to find the cream!
(NOTE: poison control says she will be fine!)

3. I can't remember for the life of me getting out of school for flooding??? yet it seems they get out all the time for it now. I guess they deserve it, since they have so many days built in that they don't get back....what's up with that?

4. I am officially a crazy woman, I have planned a sleep over plus make 100s of cookies the nest day for all the girls on my side of the family. There will be 8 girls from the age of almost 2 to 13 over here! I am SO EXCITED! We are going to watch girly movies, eat junk food and play!! Then get up and make ALL KINDS of sweet treats!!

5. I am getting better at blogging in the mornings before Ellie gets here and Addie gets up!

6. Lately When I look at my hubby I realize I have totally married the most WONDERFUL man in the world. And he just gets HOTTER and HOTTER every day :)

It's Christmas time in the city!

Saturday night I dressed Addie up to take pictures infront of the tree (we were bored). She was really funny she kept laying on the floor posing. Everytime I would put my camera down she would get it, give it to me and go lay or sit infront of the tree. Can we say future supermodel??

Snow in Tennesse in DECEMEBER???WHAT??

Can I just say that it is AWESOME that we live within 5 miles of each of our parents?? Friday Graham wanted to go hear a band downtown so we just let Addie spend the night with my parents. So easy, packed a bag in like half a second and ran her down there! It's SO NICE! That is the MAIN reason we are having a hard time looking to move into a bigger house. The bigger houses here are just too expensive so we would need to move about 20 minutes away to get what we want.

Anyways, so Graham and I went downtown to hear this guy sing. He was REALLY good, but he didn't start playing till 10:30! That is past my bedtime. We still had a good time hanging out together!

When we came home about 2:15 (am, yes it was LATE!!) it was just starting to snow. The weather guys said it would lay but they say that alot and we get NOTHING. So we try and not get our hopes up.....................BUT when I woke up at 7:30 Saturday morning it was all white!! PERFECT AND WHITE! Ofcourse I jumped out of bed, got ready and went to get Addie from mom's, thinking she would be so excited about playing in the snow. WRONG!

I hurried because I knew the snow would melt soon. This was one morning that I could have slept till 11 or 12 even BUT no I got up and went to get my sweet little girl. My sweet little girl that did this when we took her to see the snow

She is crying! She Cried MOST of the time. THere was about a 2 minute span where she thought it was fun to throw snowballs at mommie..........
Then Addie realized the snow was WET and that was the end of that! All that trouble getting ready, getting her ready for 10 minutes outside!

Can we say HORRIBLE BLOGGER??

I TRY TRY TRY to blog. But when I have a second to sit down I find myself looking on Facebook or just sitting still and watching TV. I really thought the older Addie got the more time I would have to do things while she was playing. But she is just so DARN cute when she says, "Mommie, Play Pleaaaassseeee!" I can't resist! How IN THE WORLD while I have time for baby number 2? I really feel like I am ready for it but it makes me sad to think of the one-on-one time I will be missing with Addie!

Let's see, I don't think I even posted pictures from Halloween? How bad am I? Addie was a Autumn Fairy! It has been very important to me to MAKE her costumes every year. And I found a picture of this one on a blog and made my own. Ofcourse, it turned out completely different from the picture I was going on BUT I thought she was so cute!

Thanksgiving has never been a big holiday for me. While growing up I ate EVERY sunday with my WHOLE family. So it's really just another 'sunday dinner' except it is on Thursday and we eat alot more food. That's it! Well last year we had to go to my family at 12, leave there and drive to Ooltewah by 2 and eat with the Jones' side (dottie's side), and then Friday night we ate with The Hines. It was HARD to do with a 9mth old. Especially My 9mth old who has been on a VERY strict schedule since she was maybe 3 or 4 weeks old. Needless to say, when the Jones' were getting together WAY before Thanksgiving and the Hines' were doing it later or not even at all I wasn't too upset. Then the Sunday before Thanksgiving my family decided to go to Sherwood (my whole family is from there) instead of doing dinner at papa's. The timing was ALL wrong and would totally mess up Addie's naptime so we decided not to go (And because it's just another day to me). So that morning my parents and Cale came over for breakfast and I made Pumpkin pancakes, apple cider syrup and coffee. Then Graham's parents and brother and sis-in-law came over for dinner. It was VERY NICE to stay at home ALL DAY!

Now it is the beginning of December and Santa has got, sorry Made all of the things that Addie wanted (or.........Mommie wanted Addie to get), and I really only have 3 or 4 more gifts to buy for family! I've even wrapped them all too! I'm pretty proud of myself! Well, for wrapping, I totally overdid Addie's Christmas so much that I went back and pulled things out to give her for her birthday! But I think she will be really excited about her Big present! I am so excited for this christmas because Addie will hopefully be a blast! I can't wait for her to open presents on Christmas morning,and help me make cookies and cakes and candy and all the other cooking and baking I seem to do this month!

Last Saturday we put up our Tree and Addie was such a help. She helped string the lights and she was the best ornament hanger there ever was! The only problem is that she won't leave the tree alone now........she keeps rearranging the ornaments! We made a pink and black tree to go in her room complete with pink lights! I am VERY excited about it!

Sorry I don't have any pictures at the moment of it :)