How do you celebrate Christmas?

Christian ethics and theology with an Anabaptist perspective
Hats Off
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Re: How do you celebrate Christmas?

Post by Hats Off »

Z_DC wrote:Here is a video and a news story regarding how our congregation views Christmas.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryla ... story.html

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryla ... story.html
:clap: Nice!
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Wade
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Re: How do you celebrate Christmas?

Post by Wade »

Especially with those who do decorate and etc. for Christmas, how comfortable would you all be in a church with two little trees with lights, wreaths, and something about the gift of Christmas on a banner above the pulpit that also includes a picture of a child giving a brightly colored wrapped present?
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KingdomBuilder
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Re: How do you celebrate Christmas?

Post by KingdomBuilder »

Wade wrote:Especially with those who do decorate and etc. for Christmas, how comfortable would you all be in a church with two little trees with lights, wreaths, and something about the gift of Christmas on a banner above the pulpit that also includes a picture of a child giving a brightly colored wrapped present?
The picture thing seems weird. Never seen this before.
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Bootstrap
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Re: How do you celebrate Christmas?

Post by Bootstrap »

I rather like the Nine Lessons and Carols, which is a simple retelling of the Christmas story that alternates Bible readings and hymns. I haven't seen that much in Mennonite circles, though ...
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Josh
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Re: How do you celebrate Christmas?

Post by Josh »

Wade wrote:Especially with those who do decorate and etc. for Christmas, how comfortable would you all be in a church with two little trees with lights, wreaths, and something about the gift of Christmas on a banner above the pulpit that also includes a picture of a child giving a brightly colored wrapped present?
I wouldn’t care, outside of generally thinking churches and homes should be kept plain. But I don’t take particular offence to seasonal decorations if a church is not kept plain.
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Bootstrap
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Re: How do you celebrate Christmas?

Post by Bootstrap »

What would be good goals for a Christmas celebration? Suppose we had never heard of a Christmas celebration, but after reading the accounts in the Gospels we decided it would be a good thing to celebrate. What would you want that kind of celebration to accomplish?

To me, one of the most important things is that we actually read these passages from the Bible together. And I really like singing some of the Christmas carols, they are some of the best hymns we have, and they include a lot of the Christmas story.
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RZehr
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Re: How do you celebrate Christmas?

Post by RZehr »

We get together with family and usually have a gift exchange with a set dollar value of about $30. Sometimes we leave the adults out and just have a gift for each child. Sometimes the parents don't buy any gifts but the grandma will give gifts to the grandchildren. Books seem to be a common gift. We have a big meal. The children all play, and the adults might play or visit or debate Christmas. In the evening we might sing a few songs and have finger foods and leftovers. Usually there will be someone present that does not have family in the area to be with.
We might decorate the inside of the house with some greens and a poinsettia, and a nativity scene. No tree, or lights. Some might have a wreath on the door. Some will not decorate at all or give gifts.

In cases of large families spread across different states with different schedules and obligations it is very common to get together on the 24th or Saturday or Sunday instead of getting together on the 25th.
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gcdonner
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Re: How do you celebrate Christmas?

Post by gcdonner »

RZehr wrote:We get together with family and usually have a gift exchange with a set dollar value of about $30. Sometimes we leave the adults out and just have a gift for each child. Sometimes the parents don't buy any gifts but the grandma will give gifts to the grandchildren. Books seem to be a common gift. We have a big meal. The children all play, and the adults might play or visit or debate Christmas. In the evening we might sing a few songs and have finger foods and leftovers. Usually there will be someone present that does not have family in the area to be with.
We might decorate the inside of the house with some greens and a poinsettia, and a nativity scene. No tree, or lights. Some might have a wreath on the door. Some will not decorate at all or give gifts.

In cases of large families spread across different states with different schedules and obligations it is very common to get together on the 24th or Saturday or Sunday instead of getting together on the 25th.
Sooo, what does the Birthday Boy get out of all of this? So much of what is called Christmas is self centered. How do all the things above relate to Christ himself?

This year ask the question, "What did you give the Savior?" instead of, "What did You get for Christmas?"

Think about it?
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RZehr
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Re: How do you celebrate Christmas?

Post by RZehr »

gcdonner wrote:
RZehr wrote:We get together with family and usually have a gift exchange with a set dollar value of about $30. Sometimes we leave the adults out and just have a gift for each child. Sometimes the parents don't buy any gifts but the grandma will give gifts to the grandchildren. Books seem to be a common gift. We have a big meal. The children all play, and the adults might play or visit or debate Christmas. In the evening we might sing a few songs and have finger foods and leftovers. Usually there will be someone present that does not have family in the area to be with.
We might decorate the inside of the house with some greens and a poinsettia, and a nativity scene. No tree, or lights. Some might have a wreath on the door. Some will not decorate at all or give gifts.

In cases of large families spread across different states with different schedules and obligations it is very common to get together on the 24th or Saturday or Sunday instead of getting together on the 25th.
Sooo, what does the Birthday Boy get out of all of this? So much of what is called Christmas is self centered. How do all the things above relate to Christ himself?

This year ask the question, "What did you give the Savior?" instead of, "What did You get for Christmas?"

Think about it?
Who is the birthday boy of December 23, 24 or 25th?
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gcdonner
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Re: How do you celebrate Christmas?

Post by gcdonner »

RZehr wrote:
gcdonner wrote:
RZehr wrote:We get together with family and usually have a gift exchange with a set dollar value of about $30. Sometimes we leave the adults out and just have a gift for each child. Sometimes the parents don't buy any gifts but the grandma will give gifts to the grandchildren. Books seem to be a common gift. We have a big meal. The children all play, and the adults might play or visit or debate Christmas. In the evening we might sing a few songs and have finger foods and leftovers. Usually there will be someone present that does not have family in the area to be with.
We might decorate the inside of the house with some greens and a poinsettia, and a nativity scene. No tree, or lights. Some might have a wreath on the door. Some will not decorate at all or give gifts.

In cases of large families spread across different states with different schedules and obligations it is very common to get together on the 24th or Saturday or Sunday instead of getting together on the 25th.
Sooo, what does the Birthday Boy get out of all of this? So much of what is called Christmas is self centered. How do all the things above relate to Christ himself?

This year ask the question, "What did you give the Savior?" instead of, "What did You get for Christmas?"

Think about it?
Who is the birthday boy of December 23, 24 or 25th?
If you don't know, then why do you celebrate "his birthday"? As far as I am concerned it is the Winter Solstice celebration and has nothing to do with Christ.
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Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed
rightly dividing the word of truth
.
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