When I was a kid and found out there was no Santa clause from my neighbor I was devastated. I went in and asked my mom to tell me the truth. She is a Christian. She said it’s just a fun thing for kids. I said to her you lied to me. So as an adult I decided not to lie to my kids because I didn’t want them to think I was a liar and they might think I was lying about God. Tell your children the truth!
I was the same and felt my mum had lied, she felt awful poor mum. I obviously forgave her but I decided to also tell my children the truth, they've been fine about it and we just enjoy the day together.
Hi Heidi, we dont celebrate christmas because of Jesus but still on the 25th as a family we do the roast dinner and give gifts which I'm not sure how this can be stopped as I do enjoy doing these things still, but starting to feel guilty that we seem to all feel obligated that we have to buy for each other and yes I would be happy for it not to continue like you said, but this would be awkward regarding non christian family members.
I was raised with the understanding that Christmas is pagan. I have been celebrating it because my adult kids and grandchildren, as well as my sisters and their families celebrate it. I hate it, find it to be stressful, and could easily walk away were it not for my family. What I’ve gotten from your videos is that my family is my idol. I need to love God more than my family and do what I know to be true in spite of their ridicule! THAT is hard! Does anyone else struggle with this?
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth… John 1:14 JOY to the world!! Hallelujah!! Thank you Jesus!! A reason to celebrate in this season and every season!❤️
You handled this topic with so much thought. Thank you, Heidi. We celebrate Christmas, but Ive DEFINITELY been convicted around the hyperconsumerism for decades. I focus on giving and serving...a reminder to me to glorify God all year long with what He has blessed me with and to use it for His glory. But not everyone can walk that fine line at Christmas. I understand the insane pull of materialism.♥️🇨🇦
You really having me think about this and ask myself the reality of our traditions as I continue to pursue a more simplified non-hurried life that has more space to just be with God rather than “do” for Him. Thank you for your boldness to share.
It's so very interesting to me how the Holy Spirit convicts different people differently. I have not been at all convicted to stop celebrating Christmas, and, instead, it has become an incredibly precious time of really zeroing in on Christ and his fulfillment of God's promises and prophesies. Can I celebrate and learn about these things at other times of the year? Yes! And I do. But the Lord has ordered our lives in such a way that the advent season is just such a special and precious reminder of Him. I look forward to your thoughts on Hanukkah!
That sounds lovely, but did you ever pray and question what does our Lord and Savior think about it? If this season is all about Him, What does He think? Especially since December 25 is rooted in so much evil… just a thought.
@Estella0707 I have! And, at this point in my life, the Holy Spirit has not convicted me to stop celebrating Christmas. I have, once again, learned so much and encountered His glory in new ways this season. I am thankful that every single day is the Lord's and there is nothing that He cannot redeem
I️ have a serious question? How can the Holy Spirit convict people in different ways if the Bible says for everyone to speak the same language and their be NO divisions amongst each other
@amybowling3720 this is a great question! Here is my understanding: in 1 Corinthians Paul is writing to the church of Corinth because he has heard that they have been arguing amongst themselves about whose teaching they follow, and he is reinforcing that what matters most is that they follow Jesus. The ESV translation says "1 Corinthians 1:10 ESV [10] I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment." And he goes on in verses 12 and 13 to say "What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" Paul is specifically referring to what many in the church would call a "salvation issue" or a "closed handed issue" here. As Christians we must agree fully that it is Christ who saves, being the spotless Lamb of God who was slain for us. The church of Corinth was getting hung up on what today could be likened to the differences between denominations. Personal convictions and denominational differences regarding things that are not explicitly addressed in scripture are what we might call "open handed issues." They are not directly linked to the concrete truth of salvation. For example: whether you believe in a literal 6 day creation or in the day=age idea; infant baptism; using juice vs wine for communion; partaking in some alcohol vs complete abstinence. None of those differences affect salvation. The Holy Spirit guides us based on what He knows is best for each individual. In this same letter Paul goes on to tell the Corinthians "1 Corinthians 10:23 ESV [23] “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up." Certain things are more likely to lead certain people to sin. In this particular passage, Paul is discussing eating meat that has been sacrificed. He basically says there are times when you can and times when you shouldn't, it's not a hard and fast rule, but he ends the chapter by saying "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." It would be so much easier if scripture laid out all of these great areas in black and white, but I believe what Paul is saying is to keep the main thing the main thing and seek wisdom from the Holy Spirit for everything else.
Oh I grew up in a household like you are speaking of , very legalistic , trying to defend my points and persuade others to do as I did. Now at 68 Jesus has taken on a wonderful journey and I no longer feel a need to defend my opinion or impose them on others. I now live a new life as Jesus gently leads me into new insight and freedom. We now celebrate Jesus everyday but especially at Christmastime. What a wonderful opportunity to inspire others to celebrate Jesus, the Savior of the world. We decorate our home very old fashioned with lots of candles, garland, wreaths, manger scene, advent candle, lots of soft instrumental Christmas music. It is all about Jesus. It's transforming. Lots of lights, joy and lots of peace. A taste of heaven. A month long celebration. It's wonderful. Our grandchildren will have this memory of their grandparents coming to a stable home with lots of love, because of Jesus. He is our Savior and I'm so thankful we can celebrate this time together as a nation and world to come together to acknowledge Jesus and maybe one person will come to know Him because of a Christmas program or gathering. When the world is celebrating Jesus for one day out of the year I want to be in on it even a leader. I want others to know Him personally so they might learn to trust Him. He has a new life to give you to live each and every day.
Christmas is my favorite holiday, because it reminds me of Jesus and the love you have for your family. I love all the lights, music and food and get togethers memories you make with your love one. My girls no the true meaning of Christmas. They have alway new when they were little, and yes I played Santa when they were little. You celebrating Christ. A lot of people come to Christ and get saved on Christmas. But everyone has there on way of doing thing. How does your church do Christmas? We do the Hanging of the greens that starts our journey to the birth of our Savior. We have a Christmas play , and fellowship with each other, we do stocking stuffer for our Sunday school classes. We buy for the nursing home people who don’t have anybody. It is about Christ giving us the ability to Celebrate and give to other.
Thank you. This has been on my heart for a long time. Having your spouse on board though is huge. Im still praying. Also, just a comment about the vesre regarding dont ket others judge you on the days, the context was regarding fasting not days we choose to observe festivals or even Sabbath for that matter. We , protestant Christian continue to follow many things the catholic church changed. 😢
When I was a kid I grew up celebrating Christmas the Santa, Rudolph and all, then I became a Christian and became rather legalistic and stop celebrating Christmas after a couple of years I realized how legalistic I had become and I also gain more knowledge about Christmas you know, pagan origins and not Jesus birthday. However I realized Paul words, which hit me personally when he said not to used your freedom to sin and even though some things are not sinful are not necessarily beneficial. I also reflected on do all things to the honor of God. Christmas is a season of giving but unfortunately many people have turned it into a season of indulgence. I believe is a matter of the heart, a season only brings out what’s already in the persons heart all year round. I myself keep Christmas not like I used to when I was growing up but more in gratitude and even though is not Jesus birthday I am relief he came and die for my sins all of my sins. Plus we’re supposed to be dead to this world, keep not keep, it shouldn’t make a difference we are dead to it. it shouldn’t have a hold on any believer, nothing should have a hold on a believer other than God himself. Jesus set me free. By the way I am a pescatarian by choice but if I want to I can eat a big steak tomorrow it doesn’t matter as long as I do it to the honor of God.
I have not watched your channel long. I am a Christian. I have accepted Christ as Savior . I guess as you talk more about this, I wanted to bring up something. your one child mentioned how important he thought birthdays were. He also mentioned how you all make birthdays special. So if you use that in regard to what we are talking about here. If a person enjoys celebrating Christmas say just like a person enjoys celebrating their birthday what is the difference. When I say this it is meaning on a persons birthday they get gifts say or them may have a bunch of yummy foods etc. AT Christmas that happens too. The big difference I feel is where is God. If we are Christians and we celebrate our birthday or say Christmas and if we know and believe God blesses us with our lives and also the finances to give gifts etc is that wrong. Kinda like say I will use another example. You mentioned one time you enjoy to sit down and Have a glass of Wine. Me personally I do not drink . At one time I used to think drinking period was a sin but then I learned it was drunkiness the Bible spoke about and haveing a glass of Wine was not sin. So for me I just do not feel comfortable drinking alcohol period. I must admit I have tasted it here and there when someone will say try this. I will but I can not just sit there and drink a glass of it. So i guess what I am trying to say in all of this is each person may feel different about different holidays. You may celebrate the holy day holidays and have food , desserts light certain candles. Some people may celebrate Christmas and decorate but it all comes down to where is Christ in all of this. Kinda like the birthday thing again Where is Christ in celebrating say my birthday. I am the one getting the goodies so where is Christ in it. We choose to make him part of that day to say thank you for another day of life. It is like with Christmas we choose to put him in it even if it is not his actual birthday. I mean I never was a santa person anyway. To me gifts I would give to my kids I would say from us or Jesus. I knew all things come from God. So I am not trying to be nasty in anyway. I just thought I would bring up some thoughts. Have a great day.
@bparker5039 I guess I am a little confused at where your shedding light because yes I understand all your saying but when you mentioned birthdays you said your not bringing God into it. Well I disagree . God is the creator of all life and we should be thanking him for another year of life. Birthdays don't have to celebrated and neither does Christmas etc. The point is it all comes down to one's heart and it is between them and God as I know that is what Heidi was saying. If a person can Celebrate Christmas and keep christ the center the best they can why would it be wrong if you are celebrating him. I realize many do not celebrate him. I think what happens many times is each person honestly has their own convictions on things and each person does have different convictions. Unless of course the Bible says it is a sin and then it is period. I was just using g some examples in my comment to say there are things I may not do because for me I do not feel comfortable but someone else may . Like a glass of wine for example. I am not a person to sit down and have 1 glass of wine but someone else may be. That is not a sin to drink one glass but for me I avoid it.
Thank you for opening my eyes to this because for several years I had questioned "WHY" as I was putting up all the decor around the house, the tree and all the trimmings. Now, I agree with everything you're saying and understand why I wasn't feeling "right" about it. Celebrating Christmas was just something we all grew up doing, right? So now I'm in the process of boxing up all my many years of Christmas accumulations to donate to Salvation Army! I just decided to put up a small winter decor on our mantle with fresh-cut cedar branches and holly berries, along with a string of white lights. That's it! Hubby is fine with it and agrees with me not doing it anymore. Looking forward to more videos on this, especially the ones that tell more about the holy days and how to embrace them.
Every family has to decide what to do regarding the Holidays. I also think Christians need to remember we can agree to disagree. If parents are idolatrous and are greedy and covetousness, kids will be. Kids learn from their parents.
I appreciate the reminder to keep the main thing, Jesus, the main thing. Good advice to check our hearts, follow our own conscience, remain united. The most glorious events in history, Jesus death and resurrection would not be possible without His birth. I read the book of Luke starting today, it has 25 chapters which brings us to Christmas Day having read the whole account of our Glorious Savior. Hallelujah!!
This is a great video for the people. You are speaking the truth , God bless you 🌅 Me and my house had been asking the same questions and we decided to stop celebrating all the traditional festivals of the world ❤️ We got rid of our Christmas tree and other worldly things and the light of the Lord our God in Heaven has filled those areas and blessed us for coming to him in truth, God bless Amen
The part of Santa Claus giving gifts to children was inspired from the true story of St. Nicholas of Myra who gave gifts to poor children in his ministry to point to how God gives us gifts like Jesus being born.
Very loosely based..look up the viking god Oden and then try to convince us ..Santa Claus is a anagram for satan. . Plus we are talking about a Catholic figure..so how is that a ok to celebrate? Coco cola really made the Santa clause we know now and also look up Molech and how he has a red lap and people would sacrifice their children on hot coals on his lap...Do we celebrate man or Yahushua? .Lucifer comes bearing gifts and is a false light....doesn't mean he is all good ..
Interestingly enough though , if you dig into the story, there is no proof st. Nick ever existed. St. Nick was also another nickname for the devil in those times. ....St. Nick was actually removed from the list of saints later on because they couldn't prove his existence. 🤷
Same here. I still have gone to my Son's family gathering and bought he and my grandchildren gifts to not offend them but starting this year even that will stop. It's been 3 or 4 years for me as well btw.
My husband i have recently been feeling convicted about christmas as we have really dug into the terrifying roots. So as of this year tree is up and decorated...i literally cried at the overwhelm of it even being in my house. Needless to say...this will be our last christmas. We have four kids and have NO idea how we will break this to our families. The kids i know will be understanding...but how to tell everyone else....i know they will immediately think we have lost our minds...then will assume we have some secret judgment against them...which is no at all true. But we will be spending this next year in prayer and preparation for next years news...
Also we will be studying hanukkah for school...we homeschool. The book of maccabees (maybe mispelled) I've not ever heard of until this year...which I see the story of the oil comes from right? Is hanukkah in the bible also?
Just don't become so rigid and legalistic where you look for everything fun to be a sin. So many Christians go too far in the direction of everything being wrong. It will breed rebellion in your kids. Teach them that celebration of Christmas isn't a sin if it isn't idolatrous in someone's heart. I respect each Christians decision regarding Christmas, but I have seen first hand some parents go way too far....it will hurt their kids.
No gifts. Being giving through the Year is more important Family time going to church celebrating the birth of Jesus and what he has done. Knowing his life and what I learn from him. Was not always like that but learning about him change my life.
Beautifully explained and thanks for speaking on this topic again. You cannot make a pagan holiday beautiful no matter what you tell yourself. You can’t make a pagan holiday holy. We’re so rooted in our upbringings and what we’ve been trained to do from birth that it feels wrong not to do it. Go pray and ask God what he wants if you seek the truth you will truly find. Do not think with emotions love by guidance and confirmation from God.
☕️ While I do agree with you on a lot regarding Christmas, I always thought Santa Claus came from St. Nicholas. "Sinterklaas" is Dutch for St. Nicholas. The tradition of Santa and gift-giving came from Dutch immigrants in New York in the 18th century. Even the famous poem from the 1800's, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, paints a very Santa Claus picture but refers to him as St. Nicholas. The tradition of gift-giving (while most definitely over-commercialized today) stems from stories of Bishop Nicholas' generosity in the 300's AD. And while he would have been Catholic, yes, he gave away everything he owned and devoted his life to helping others, especially the poor. He was even imprisoned for being a Christian. And while evergreen boughs have ties to ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and other pagans, the story that inspired the Christmas tree origins dates to the 700s. Pagans in what is now Germany were preparing to sacrifice an oak tree to one of their gods. (An oak tree, not an evergreen tree.) An English missionary took an ax to the oak tree. The pagans were quite impressed that their god did not strike the missionary down. When he told them a nearby evergreen tree was a holy tree, that became a symbol for them of their newly found conversion to Christianity. I have no idea why he told them the evergreen tree was holy, but wouldn't this make the evergreen tree a symbol of pagans' conversion to Christianity? While none of these stories are Biblical, I do think they are rooted in Christian tradition and history. And while I don't think they deserve to be placed beside and especially not overshadowing a celebration that God sent us a Savior, I'm not sure that Christmas traditions have much rooted in paganism. Instead, I think it's mostly Christian tradition-tradition, not Biblical teachings, yes-that has been overrun with commercialism. It also seems-I did a little bit of research-that the date of December 25th as Jesus’ assumed birthday actually began in groups of North African Christians well before Constantine. Early church fathers seemed to also have calculated Jesus’ birth as December 25 because that is 9 months after March 25-the assumed date of his death and also conception. Is the idea of a winter birth problematic for other reasons? Yes. But could it not simply be coincidence that the dates are the same? I’m definitely not trying to persuade you to celebrate Christmas. Nowhere in the Bible does it say we should celebrate the birth or our Savior. But I don’t think there are as many pagan roots as people say. ☕️☕️ I’d love to hear your thoughts on these non-pagan traditions and stories. ☕️☕️ (And I feel like I should put a disclaimer-while I do celebrate Christmas, I could really do without all the things besides our family’s extra Bible reading during this season and Christmas church service.) ☕️
My mother loved Christmas. We grew up with all the traditions. I never liked the materialism, but I've started having convictions about it this year. I don't want to do it anymore, but my kids love it. My wife didn't grow up Christian, and while she has been baptized and come to believe, I know she doesn't share my conviction. I'm praying for wisdom, discernment, and courage, because I think it'll tear my family apart if I tell them I don't want to do Christmas anymore.
Keep in prayer and be obedient to God on how he convicts you to lead your family. God used my husband to encourage me and I took down all of our decorations 2 weeks before Christmas. That was only GOD. Christmas was always my favorite holiday! But God answered his prayer and showed me it was an idol in my heart too.
The why was my biggest questions. Totally agree. We went through so much of the same. And taking the why to the Lord even about the Holy Day and where is Jesus in them All. And how to glorify Him in those today❣️🫶
Ahhh I finally get it!!! So I'm a Grinch 💚🤣🤣🤣😅 Jk yeah totally get that... I think it's such a place to start... removing those things that we are most attached to but aren't necessary to focus on Christ. Just try it!!!!
This is much a matter of conscience and conviction. Each individual should do the research for themselves, not take somebody else's word for it. Christmas for me has changed significantly over the last several years. I don't do all the stuff. The date of December 25 actually was originally based on the service of Zachariah in the temple. The alleged pagan roots aren't actually based on primary sources.
Heidi, I was noting down your questions, when a realization hit me: When my kids find out one day, that I lied to them about Santa, will they lose faith in everything I have told them? Will they wonder if GOD is another "made up sky man" like Santa? It hurts to admit, but I think I have to come clean.
God started speaking to my husband and I about celebrating all American Holidays and Birthdays. They’re very much consumer driven and focused on self instead of Jesus. Just curious if God has spoken to you about birthdays too? It’s only mentioned twice in the Bible. Thank you! 😊
The three greatest events listed in the Bible are Jesus Birth, Jesus Death and Jesus Resurrection. Without his incarnation, there is no atonement death and glorious victorious resurrection. You say your family celebrates Sukkot, but are you focusing on the incarnation? Lets not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Keep Christmas as Just the incarnation, but don’t keep the incarnation from your family just because you disagree on the exact day.
Those are certainly great events but for those of us who celebrate The Feast of Tabernacles, we do not focus on His birth, but on the Lord's Return and the coming Kingdom of God.. I don't celebrate Christmas but I learned about the Lord's Holy Feasts From Perry Stone, He has a book titled Code of the Feasts.. I learned more from him than anyone and he celebrates Christmas.. It is very dear to his wife Pam they do a lot of ministry during this time. So I am not against anyone celebrating.. Perry Stone has a friend, Bill Cloud, who also teaches about the Holy Feasts, his channel is Jacob's tent.. He doesn't celebrate Christmas but he and Perry are great friends.. They don't see eye to eye about the rapture either, lol.. But they don't let it get in the way of their friendship.. ❤
Heidi, Thank you for spelling SUKKOT out on the screen. 😊😊 Also, one of the sweet ladies in our community shared the spelling in response to my comment yesterday.
I have always wondered why people didn’t celebrate Christmas, I have a lot of JW family members and so I looked into it. December 25th was celebrated as Christmas by the first Christians “The real reason for the selection of Dec. 25 seems to have been that it is exactly nine months after March 25, the traditional date of Jesus' crucifixion. … As Christians developed the theological idea that Jesus was conceived and crucified on the same date, they set the date of his birth nine months later.” Even the name is Christ-mass. It was first officially announced by Pope julius I in 336 AD but Christians were already celebrating it. There’s a lot of misinformation about Christmas and the Catholic Church which is a shame. The orthodox churches believe the same doctrines as well are they pagan too?
I was never big on Christmas because my mom died when I was 17. Now, my daughter is grown and off on her own, so I don’t do the the Christmas thing as much. She is not a Believer,but, I raised her with the truth about Santa because I hated that my parents lied to me about that. I wasn’t Ms. Christmas but I did try to make it special for her. Now, I have what I like to call a 3ft winter tree with blue and white lights and a nativity with Mary Joseph and Jesus. That’s enough for me. I buy gifts just for 4 people. I give Christmas cards to people who I don’t buy gifts for. I have a friend that goes all out, but she enjoys it. I just try to focus on Christ, rather than all the ‘extra’ that’s not important to me. It’s less stressful for me and I deal with enough anxiety as it is…
Romans 14 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks Nothing wrong Celebrating Christmas everyday should be in honor of the Lord while Christmas isn't a biblical holiday doesn't mean you can't enjoy the time with friends and family if putting tree up convicts you don't put it up. If giving gifts convict you don't exchange gifts or limit it to a small gift. You can still enjoy some man made traditions as long as you are not sinning against Lord. Just remember when Christ came he was fulfillment of the law and his blood is what saves you deciding to celebrate Christmas and celebrating Jewish holidays is not going to save you. If we go by not doing anything of the world stop celebrating birthdays, that's is not God Honoring by that criteria it's a world thing. Also Hanukkah which Heidi celebrates is not mentioned in the Bible its a man made holiday like Christmas Think God wants you to enjoy your time here on Earth and your fellowship with friends and family. As long as it doesn't become a distraction , or causes you to sin. One last thing when you do these traditions make God honoring and gives thanks to him that he has given you the grace and the means to enjoy this time.
@Nygar1 - My response is a copy & paste comment I made to others that I'm sending to you in response to your comment. *First Response* @gospelbaptist263 - Okay, unforeseen events took place that caused me to be a day late in my response. You said, It's interesting that you would quote that verse which is OBVIOUSLY talking about making an IDOL and comparing it to a Christmas tree. That's a bit of a stretch You're right about one thing in that statement, it's obvious that scriptural quote is talking about making an IDOL. Now let's get into the "stretching" & "comedy" in all of this idol worship. Correct me if I'm wrong, rituals/practices are "performed" In order to worship something or someone. Rituals/practices are performed when celebrating Christmas right or wrong? Now tell me something @gospelbaptist, which ritual/practice do you perform on Christmas as a Christian is original from any other pagan ritual/practice? Chopping down a tree with an "axe" then decorating that same tree with silver & gold? Not according to Jeremiah 10:3-4 (Authorized King James Version) 3 For the CUSTOMS of the people are VAIN (self-serving/pointless): for one cuts a TREE out of the forest, the work of the hands of the WORKMAN, with the axe (What's stretchy is interpreting that last line as a craftsman CARVING out an idol from the tree. Umm ... Who uses an AXE to carve out ANYTHING? And why did the modern Bible translators change the word "workman" to "craftsman"? Those words have two DIFFERENT meanings). 4 They DECK (decorate) it with SILVER and with GOLD; they FASTEN it with NAILS and with HAMMERS, that it MOVE NOT (Hmmm ... those rituals/practices don't seem too ORIGINAL from pagan rituals/practices in worshiping their false gods.) So, when you said, Also I know not of any Christian celebrating Christmas who worships their tree. That's quite a comical thought 😂 Welp, if you're performing the SAME rituals/practices on the tree that the pagans performed to worship their god/idol (the tree), then yes, you & many Christians are IGNORANTLY worshiping the tree. But you & many Christians are no longer ignorant to the reasons behind the opposition towards Christmas celebration. A celebration that was once illegal in this country. So now you'll be held responsible for what you know. You said you never mentioned anything about Santa. I don't see in my original comment where I accused you of bringing up Santa. Santa was brought up to make a point. If God exists (and He does exist) then coincidence doesn't exist. Santa/Satan come on now. Suicides (death) are at its HIGHEST during the Christmas season. DEATH reigns during the celebration of Christ's BIRTH? Remember, coincidence does not exist. And regarding your last statement, the "majority" of the secular world still rejects Jesus, & celebrates Christmas for the lights, glitz, glamour, gifts, & family gathering. Now family gathering in itself isn't a bad thing. But gathering as a family to perform pagan practices to "honor" Jesus ain't it. I don't have any issues with celebrating Jesus' birth. Just take out the paganism from your celebration." *Second Response* @gospelbaptist263 - So let's play the game of days don't matter to God. Would you bring up that same scripture if Jesus' birthday was celebrated on Halloween instead of December 25th? Or if a certain day/date was annually celebrated for the past 5k years that recognized the creation of the Satan, would you bring up Romans 14:5-6 if Christians chose to annually celebrate Jesus' birth on the same day Satan's creation is celebrated? Context my friend - context. Problem for a lot of Christian these days is that they don't understand the meaning of being "Set Apart". Pay reeeaaaal close attention to how you feel in your spirit today & tomorrow. Search within you if you can feel the Set Apart One (The Holy Spirit) celebrating with you, or if later on tonight/tomorrow you feel the Holy Spirit's grief. Orrrr, if you feel empty after taking part in all the festivities. *Third Response* @alexandrialum643 Says - So God can't use songs about Jesus and time spent with family and stories about His birth to draw me closer to Him? Literally we read scriptures about His birth and celebrate HIM on Christmas! So...does Jesus manifest in your bedroom and HIM ALONE literally draws you closer? Sorry...but there's this Person called the "Holy Spirit" and He draws me closer to Christ all the time. So good for you for seeing visions of "Christ Alone" manifesting in your bedroom - I'm not as fortunate to witness such a spectacle so I have to depend on the Holy Spirit, AND Worshipping Him through song, AND spending time in His presence with family AND hearing stories about His birth ON CHRISTMAS. Not everyone is as fortunate to have those literal manifestations as you apparently do Nothing wrong with songs about Jesus. I play "Christmas" songs about Jesus throughout the year. "Oh Holy Night" is my favorite. Playing & singing songs about our God aren't origins of pagan practice. Time spent with family & stories about His birth isn't a pagan practice. But to clarify something for you, spending time with family & telling stories about Jesus' birth is not the standard God set in getting closer to Him. You're way off the mark on that one. But I got a question for you, you only get closer to Jesus only one time a year? Your desire to get closer to Jesus isn't daily? Will you have this same energy for Christmas as a way to honor Jesus after today passes? And the following days after tomorrow? Okay, that was more than one question - my bad. Your flesh is gonna feel good about celebrating Christmas. But make sure to check if you can sense how the Holy Spirit is feeling right now during your celebration. Especially tomorrow check on sensing the Holy Spirit. Do you feel an emptiness? Do you even feel the Holy Spirit's presence in you? I honestly don't know the answer to those questions. But it's a good way to determine whether or not God is in agreement with your celebration of Christmas. May God continue to lead you on the narrow path.
My daughter is grown and converted to othidox jewish. The parts of Christmas that I like are the lights and decor. This year we decided to not get a tree that blocks our beautiful bay window. We are decorating focusing on that window. We are not going overboard on gifts. I purchased "experiences" more than physical gifts. I would love to get the family on board to take a trip over Christmas instead. Once we have grandbabies, things will probably change anyway. For now we are a blended family and still celebrate Christmas with my daughter and SIL But christ is barely mentioned except for in our hearts. It is all about gifts. This year, it feels excessive.
@@HeavenlyMindedHome I am enjoying this topic and hearing the Q&A of opinions. The more I dive into my relationship with Christ the more I see the ommercialism of pegan rituals like a tree that has been interlinked with celebrating Christ's birth. I love a beautfully decorated tree. But celebrating Christ's bithday is not cancelled if we don't have a tree.
I have been doing a lot of research and searching on should we or shouldn’t we. Yes it was transformed from a pagan holiday but we aren’t pagan that’s not why we are celebrating it today. No it’s not Jesus birth but is it ever a sin to celebrate his birth? Nope, also more people are open to hearing about the lord around Christmas which is a great thing. Yes it could be over idolized you need to be careful but it’s not a sin to celebrate. I don’t think it’s wrong either to not celebrate. Also we don’t see in the Bible that we should celebrate the Holy days and how really is that different as long as the Lord is the Center of either of the celebrations that’s what matters.
I also want to say I’m not judging anyone or think Heidi is wrong or saying that she’s telling everyone they have to follow what she says. I appreciate your videos and that you’re not judging others. I also appreciate the topics you discuss because it makes me and I’m sure many others to stop and research and pray. I’m telling you I am growing and learning more from your videos then from the church sermons I attended, I’m hungry for the truth and Gods word not motivational speakers. I’m looking for a church that will teach me the Bible not tell me what happened in their lives and how they took a certain verse to apply to their situations. So thank you! I just wanted to clarify because sometimes why we write doesn’t come across how we want to say it.
It is in Leviticus 23 where we celebrate the Biblical Holy Days, They are the appointed feasts of the Lord.. They were declared statutes forever throughout generations.. And we are modern day Israel, we are no longer gentiles.. We have came out of the nations.. 'For if you belong to Messiah you are Abraham's descendants, heirs.. ~Gal 3:29' Both Jew and non-Jew who are in Messiah are the chosen remnant of Israel..
@@desertinbloom702 yes but my point is we told are not told biblically that we have to celebrate them, it says right in Colossians 2:16-17 tells us, “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. So we can celebrate them if we choose absolutely but we are bound to it. So my point was whether we choose to celebrate Christmas or the holy days it the same. Now obviously the holy days all point biblically to Jesus and I get why Heidi choose to celebrate it. I don’t think celebrating Christmas is a sin is what I mean.
You should check out this video that gives Biblical and historical evidence of Xmas originating from pagans roots and what God has to say about it. UA-cam Chanel: Sound The Battle Cry Video: The Biblical Case Against Christmas
I could argue many feel the same way about the seasons of the Lord's Holy days-- it's sad to see such deeply rooted Biblical appointed times ignored by the body of Christ. Talk about bah humbug! 😩
@@HeavenlyMindedHome I would just be thankful to have celebrated Christmas as a child and grow up knowing who The Lord Jesus is. Take away Christmas and most of the world wouldn't know. Col 2:14-17 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Verse 16 is very interesting and we have to be careful in lifting up what some would call "biblical feasts" as they would appear to have been done away with now that the Messiah has come. Also you cannot acknowledge the Father without the Son (1st John 2:23) so by lifting up the Lord Jesus and celebrating the biblical account of His birth it pleases the Father. Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. - a very joyous thing. Merry Christmas to all 😁
@@spirituallysafe 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:1-2, 10-11 It sure looks like it. Merry Christmas.
I can give you a Christian reason why you should watch Superman movies; because Superman was based on Jesus. Am I idolizing Superman or am I reminding myself of how majestic, heroic, and kind Jesus is?
If Jesus was here now would he be celebrating Christmas ? I think he’d only be celebrating God’s holy days. That’s what He did when he walked on this earth.
Are the fictional stories C.S. Lewis wrote idolatry too? I believe you are just ignorant of where Christmas traditions came from (i.e. St. Nicholas of Mrya who was called Cinter Claus in Scandinavia, for example). The entire idea of Santa Claus always pointed to Jesus' birth in that an all knowing fatherly figure who knows when you have been bad or good would give you gifts like He did on Christmas with His son. We hang ornaments on trees because that is suppose to represent Jesus hanging on the tree for our sins because we ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good & evil. We wrap presents because Jesus was wrapped in swaddling cloths when He was in the manger. You are listening to atheist conspiracy theories about the history of Christmas. By saying that Christmas celebrations about present giving or the Christmas tree don't directly deal with Christ's birth, you are saying that Jesus telling parables was idolatrous because we shouldn't praise the Good Samaritan because by doing that we are not praising God.
Autistic Lutheran carnivore, she was just explaining her own feelings. If you checked your heart with the 4 questions she asked, then good for you. You have justified your actions. Just because you don’t agree with her, doesn’t make her ignorant. In fact, your hostility is an indication you might have an idol you are holding on to. If it was that important to attack her like that, you might want to check yourself again.
C.S. Lewis had gnostic and new age ideals... It says many false Messiahs will arise... Yes I have read some of his books and seen the movies and even had a very kind teacher read one of his books at school...
Please help me with this situation!! When I was a kid, I always grew up knowing Jesus, and it was not about Santa. My parents always told me the truth. Yesterday was my birthday and I received a call from my children's teachers, they confronted me about my children denying that a elf that was preseted to them came from the North Pole ad tat it was not real. The teachers didn't like that and prior to the call he said to me that one of them told my son not to ever say that in front of the other children and that the elf is real and Santa is real. I told them again the truth, that the elf is not real and santa's not real. I told them, I was not going to lie to my children and make them believe that it's actually real, to us only God is real.So they asked me to tell my children not to speak out loud about their faith and what they don't believe in. I told them that as much as I talk to them about it at home about keeping out to ourselves and respecting others believes, we can't fully control what they do or say at school. I can tell them to listen and to follow instructions, but I can't control if they do or not. They told me that they are not allowed to talk about God or Jesus in the school. So, during Christmas, they can't mention Jesus or the Nativity or anything that relates to God. They say they can only speak about Santa and how he brings gifts and the elf in the north pole, etc. My husband is not a believer, so he's not 100% in agreement with me, but I told him yesterday that next year they are going to a Christian school . I wanted to do homeschooling, but he is against that. He wants them to socialize with other children. I'm in a tough spot because I can't make the decision on my own since he's also the father of my children. So, I need help finding the right Christian school for them. Could you help me find the right Christian school for them? I would quit Christmas if I could find it, but my husband is against it.
I have questioned the cultural celebration for last several years. I do not see it as something that is God's purpose for us as His children. Unity with the Father & each other through Yeshua as our Redeemer. We are created to worship & obey God, being holy and having a reverent fear of God. Holiness appears to be foreign to our mindset. I long for Truth, forsaking tradition if it is in conflict with the Lord's intentions for us. The totality of Shalom.
The main reason we celebrate Christmas is because it’s christ birthday . Yes he was born in September sometime but we celebrate It on December 25. We celebrate Jesus because he’s our lord and savior he came to give those eternal life that choose to love him and give them there heart and follow his ways and leave this world behind. The lord knows your heart. So I don’t know what decorating for Christmas has to do with anything. We decorate are homes for many occasions making our home look nice and cozy or just Comfortable really has nothing to do with your love for the lord. I mean even churches decorate for Christmas they even have Christmas parties and give gifts to one another. Still that has nothing to do with loving the lord. Or celebrating his birthday just the thought of you saying you quit Christmas is disturbing to me and the fact that you were suggesting to others to quit Christmas is also disturbing there’s nothing wrong with decorating your home the Lord knows your heart and if you celebrate Christmas by celebrating the birth of Jesus there’s no reason to not celebrate it. We need to celebrate our lords birthday and this is the day that was chosen to celebrate it. So merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. And by the way Sin is all the Same in GODS eyes. There is no different to him.
Why are you trying to get people to stop celebrating the birth of Christ? You say you’re not but in a way you are trying to convince people to do that. Having a tree is not idolatry, I don’t know anyone who worships the tree. It’s not disgusting at all. Loving the Christmas season is also not idolatry. You say decorating is not spending your time glorifying God , ok you spend time applying your makeup and decorating your face and does that glorify God??? You just kinda contradict yourself a lot . You decorate your home we see. You only want to see how Christmas is bad and don’t do this on Christmas and not see that you do this stuff everyday .
Sorry the point was missed on you- I ask myself these questions about all areas of life all the time, as I shared in the video. ☺️ To God be the glory for all of us! 🙏🏼Taking 5 minutes in the morning to get myself ready and honor my husband by giving him my best and spending attention to the things he prefers… absolutely that honors God to honor my husband! Making a cozy home that my family appreciates in a way that is simple and honoring being a good steward of the resources we have.. absolutely that honors God! Ask these questions about everything… and respond accordingly. 🙏🏼💕
My 2 cents, lol. What's worse... Making Christmas an Idol or calvinist denying Jesus's death on the cross for the majority of mankind? 🤔 Anything can be idolatry is true. Calvinism is idolatry because it creates a different Jesus and different Gospel. Many are deceived by calvinism and don't even know it. Calvinist have a hard time saying this verse at 14:20 in its entirety, so I'll display it. 1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the WHOLE WORLD! Since it's the Christmas season, here's another verse why Jesus was born... Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for EVERY MAN! A few more verses disproving calvinist who try to limit Jesus's atonement on the cross. John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the SIN OF THE WORLD. Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will JUDGE THE WORLD in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof HE HATH GIVEN ASSURANCE UNTO ALL MEN, in that he hath raised him from the dead. 1 Timothy 2:4-6 Who will have ALL men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself A RANSOM FOR ALL, to be testified in due time. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath APPEARED TO ALL MEN, John 1:7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that ALL MEN THROUGH HIM MIGHT BELIEVE. Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon ALL men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the FREE GIFT CAME UPON ALL MEN unto justification of life. If you're a calvinist, you must change the definition of all, every, and world to keep belief in your idol. Examine yourself and see if you're guilty of calvinism idolatry.
@heavenlymindedhome It's ironic that you hearted my comment when you believe the opposite of those verses. You believe Jesus didn't die on the cross for everyone. You believe Jesus's atonement is limited. Yes or no question. Did the Jesus you follow die on the cross for Adolf Hitler, Jeffrey Epstein, and Osama Bin Laden?
@@holly782 Are you praying to the idol god of calvinism who already determined every future comment I will make or the God of the Bible? How about you answer the question I asked to Heavenly Minded Home in my second comment. I would like to know your answer.
What exactly are you celebrating? Who do you worship? This is GOD'S response. Read COLOSSIANS 2:16, 20. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in RESPECT of an HOLIDAY, or of the new moon, or of the SABBATH DAYS...Why are ye subject to ordinances of men?..After doctrines of men? v.22
calvinism? If so we need to be careful because this group lacks a lot of Grace and is very rigid in beliefs making other christians feel they are not walking with the spirit. I love your channel but I have a taste of calvinism hidden behind click bate christian teaching.
I don’t claim to be any label- and yes- some claiming that label can be absolutely ridiculous… as with any group. But certainly not what you’re gonna find here. That’s absurd! Our biblical statement of truth can be found here: www.heavenlymindedhome.com/we-believe-and-teach
When I was a kid and found out there was no Santa clause from my neighbor I was devastated. I went in and asked my mom to tell me the truth. She is a Christian. She said it’s just a fun thing for kids. I said to her you lied to me. So as an adult I decided not to lie to my kids because I didn’t want them to think I was a liar and they might think I was lying about God. Tell your children the truth!
I was the same and felt my mum had lied, she felt awful poor mum. I obviously forgave her but I decided to also tell my children the truth, they've been fine about it and we just enjoy the day together.
Hi Heidi, we dont celebrate christmas because of Jesus but still on the 25th as a family we do the roast dinner and give gifts which I'm not sure how this can be stopped as I do enjoy doing these things still, but starting to feel guilty that we seem to all feel obligated that we have to buy for each other and yes I would be happy for it not to continue like you said, but this would be awkward regarding non christian family members.
I was raised with the understanding that Christmas is pagan. I have been celebrating it because my adult kids and grandchildren, as well as my sisters and their families celebrate it. I hate it, find it to be stressful, and could easily walk away were it not for my family. What I’ve gotten from your videos is that my family is my idol. I need to love God more than my family and do what I know to be true in spite of their ridicule! THAT is hard! Does anyone else struggle with this?
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth…
John 1:14
JOY to the world!!
Hallelujah!!
Thank you Jesus!!
A reason to celebrate in this season and every season!❤️
Amen-- just like we'll see in the fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles! Amen!
You handled this topic with so much thought. Thank you, Heidi.
We celebrate Christmas, but Ive DEFINITELY been convicted around the hyperconsumerism for decades. I focus on giving and serving...a reminder to me to glorify God all year long with what He has blessed me with and to use it for His glory. But not everyone can walk that fine line at Christmas. I understand the insane pull of materialism.♥️🇨🇦
You really having me think about this and ask myself the reality of our traditions as I continue to pursue a more simplified non-hurried life that has more space to just be with God rather than “do” for Him. Thank you for your boldness to share.
It's so very interesting to me how the Holy Spirit convicts different people differently. I have not been at all convicted to stop celebrating Christmas, and, instead, it has become an incredibly precious time of really zeroing in on Christ and his fulfillment of God's promises and prophesies. Can I celebrate and learn about these things at other times of the year? Yes! And I do. But the Lord has ordered our lives in such a way that the advent season is just such a special and precious reminder of Him. I look forward to your thoughts on Hanukkah!
Amen!
That sounds lovely, but did you ever pray and question what does our Lord and Savior think about it? If this season is all about Him, What does He think? Especially since December 25 is rooted in so much evil… just a thought.
@Estella0707 I have! And, at this point in my life, the Holy Spirit has not convicted me to stop celebrating Christmas. I have, once again, learned so much and encountered His glory in new ways this season. I am thankful that every single day is the Lord's and there is nothing that He cannot redeem
I️ have a serious question? How can the Holy Spirit convict people in different ways if the Bible says for everyone to speak the same language and their be NO divisions amongst each other
@amybowling3720 this is a great question! Here is my understanding: in 1 Corinthians Paul is writing to the church of Corinth because he has heard that they have been arguing amongst themselves about whose teaching they follow, and he is reinforcing that what matters most is that they follow Jesus. The ESV translation says "1 Corinthians 1:10 ESV
[10] I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment." And he goes on in verses 12 and 13 to say "What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" Paul is specifically referring to what many in the church would call a "salvation issue" or a "closed handed issue" here. As Christians we must agree fully that it is Christ who saves, being the spotless Lamb of God who was slain for us. The church of Corinth was getting hung up on what today could be likened to the differences between denominations. Personal convictions and denominational differences regarding things that are not explicitly addressed in scripture are what we might call "open handed issues." They are not directly linked to the concrete truth of salvation. For example: whether you believe in a literal 6 day creation or in the day=age idea; infant baptism; using juice vs wine for communion; partaking in some alcohol vs complete abstinence. None of those differences affect salvation. The Holy Spirit guides us based on what He knows is best for each individual. In this same letter Paul goes on to tell the Corinthians "1 Corinthians 10:23 ESV
[23] “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up." Certain things are more likely to lead certain people to sin. In this particular passage, Paul is discussing eating meat that has been sacrificed. He basically says there are times when you can and times when you shouldn't, it's not a hard and fast rule, but he ends the chapter by saying "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." It would be so much easier if scripture laid out all of these great areas in black and white, but I believe what Paul is saying is to keep the main thing the main thing and seek wisdom from the Holy Spirit for everything else.
Oh I grew up in a household like you are speaking of , very legalistic , trying to defend my points and persuade others to do as I did. Now at 68 Jesus has taken on a wonderful journey and I no longer feel a need to defend my opinion or impose them on others. I now live a new life as Jesus gently leads me into new insight and freedom. We now celebrate Jesus everyday but especially at Christmastime. What a wonderful opportunity to inspire others to celebrate Jesus, the Savior of the world. We decorate our home very old fashioned with lots of candles, garland, wreaths, manger scene, advent candle, lots of soft instrumental Christmas music. It is all about Jesus. It's transforming. Lots of lights, joy and lots of peace. A taste of heaven. A month long celebration. It's wonderful. Our grandchildren will have this memory of their grandparents coming to a stable home with lots of love, because of Jesus. He is our Savior and I'm so thankful we can celebrate this time together as a nation and world to come together to acknowledge Jesus and maybe one person will come to know Him because of a Christmas program or gathering. When the world is celebrating Jesus for one day out of the year I want to be in on it even a leader. I want others to know Him personally so they might learn to trust Him. He has a new life to give you to live each and every day.
Christmas is my favorite holiday, because it reminds me of Jesus and the love you have for your family. I love all the lights, music and food and get togethers memories you make with your love one. My girls no the true meaning of Christmas. They have alway new when they were little, and yes I played Santa when they were little. You celebrating Christ. A lot of people come to Christ and get saved on Christmas. But everyone has there on way of doing thing. How does your church do Christmas? We do the Hanging of the greens that starts our journey to the birth of our Savior. We have a Christmas play , and fellowship with each other, we do stocking stuffer for our Sunday school classes. We buy for the nursing home people who don’t have anybody. It is about Christ giving us the ability to Celebrate and give to other.
Thank you. This has been on my heart for a long time. Having your spouse on board though is huge. Im still praying. Also, just a comment about the vesre regarding dont ket others judge you on the days, the context was regarding fasting not days we choose to observe festivals or even Sabbath for that matter. We , protestant Christian continue to follow many things the catholic church changed. 😢
When I was a kid I grew up celebrating Christmas the Santa, Rudolph and all, then I became a Christian and became rather legalistic and stop celebrating Christmas after a couple of years I realized how legalistic I had become and I also gain more knowledge about Christmas you know, pagan origins and not Jesus birthday. However I realized Paul words, which hit me personally when he said not to used your freedom to sin and even though some things are not sinful are not necessarily beneficial. I also reflected on do all things to the honor of God. Christmas is a season of giving but unfortunately many people have turned it into a season of indulgence. I believe is a matter of the heart, a season only brings out what’s already in the persons heart all year round. I myself keep Christmas not like I used to when I was growing up but more in gratitude and even though is not Jesus birthday I am relief he came and die for my sins all of my sins. Plus we’re supposed to be dead to this world, keep not keep, it shouldn’t make a difference we are dead to it. it shouldn’t have a hold on any believer, nothing should have a hold on a believer other than God himself. Jesus set me free. By the way I am a pescatarian by choice but if I want to I can eat a big steak tomorrow it doesn’t matter as long as I do it to the honor of God.
I have not watched your channel long. I am a Christian. I have accepted Christ as Savior . I guess as you talk more about this, I wanted to bring up something. your one child mentioned how important he thought birthdays were. He also mentioned how you all make birthdays special. So if you use that in regard to what we are talking about here. If a person enjoys celebrating Christmas say just like a person enjoys celebrating their birthday what is the difference. When I say this it is meaning on a persons birthday they get gifts say or them may have a bunch of yummy foods etc. AT Christmas that happens too. The big difference I feel is where is God. If we are Christians and we celebrate our birthday or say Christmas and if we know and believe God blesses us with our lives and also the finances to give gifts etc is that wrong. Kinda like say I will use another example. You mentioned one time you enjoy to sit down and Have a glass of Wine. Me personally I do not drink . At one time I used to think drinking period was a sin but then I learned it was drunkiness the Bible spoke about and haveing a glass of Wine was not sin. So for me I just do not feel comfortable drinking alcohol period. I must admit I have tasted it here and there when someone will say try this. I will but I can not just sit there and drink a glass of it. So i guess what I am trying to say in all of this is each person may feel different about different holidays. You may celebrate the holy day holidays and have food , desserts light certain candles. Some people may celebrate Christmas and decorate but it all comes down to where is Christ in all of this. Kinda like the birthday thing again Where is Christ in celebrating say my birthday. I am the one getting the goodies so where is Christ in it. We choose to make him part of that day to say thank you for another day of life. It is like with Christmas we choose to put him in it even if it is not his actual birthday. I mean I never was a santa person anyway. To me gifts I would give to my kids I would say from us or Jesus. I knew all things come from God. So I am not trying to be nasty in anyway. I just thought I would bring up some thoughts. Have a great day.
@bparker5039 I guess I am a little confused at where your shedding light because yes I understand all your saying but when you mentioned birthdays you said your not bringing God into it. Well I disagree . God is the creator of all life and we should be thanking him for another year of life. Birthdays don't have to celebrated and neither does Christmas etc. The point is it all comes down to one's heart and it is between them and God as I know that is what Heidi was saying. If a person can Celebrate Christmas and keep christ the center the best they can why would it be wrong if you are celebrating him. I realize many do not celebrate him. I think what happens many times is each person honestly has their own convictions on things and each person does have different convictions. Unless of course the Bible says it is a sin and then it is period. I was just using g some examples in my comment to say there are things I may not do because for me I do not feel comfortable but someone else may . Like a glass of wine for example. I am not a person to sit down and have 1 glass of wine but someone else may be. That is not a sin to drink one glass but for me I avoid it.
I've been watching your biblical Womanhood from 4 years ago it is such a blessing thank you so much
Thank you for opening my eyes to this because for several years I had questioned "WHY" as I was putting up all the decor around the house, the tree and all the trimmings. Now, I agree with everything you're saying and understand why I wasn't feeling "right" about it. Celebrating Christmas was just something we all grew up doing, right? So now I'm in the process of boxing up all my many years of Christmas accumulations to donate to Salvation Army! I just decided to put up a small winter decor on our mantle with fresh-cut cedar branches and holly berries, along with a string of white lights. That's it! Hubby is fine with it and agrees with me not doing it anymore. Looking forward to more videos on this, especially the ones that tell more about the holy days and how to embrace them.
It's amazing isn't it when we start asking those questions? Your set up this year sounds lovely! 🥰 XO
Every family has to decide what to do regarding the Holidays. I also think Christians need to remember we can agree to disagree. If parents are idolatrous and are greedy and covetousness, kids will be. Kids learn from their parents.
Great questions we should be asking ourselves daily.
I appreciate the reminder to keep the main thing, Jesus, the main thing. Good advice to check our hearts, follow our own conscience, remain united. The most glorious events in history, Jesus death and resurrection would not be possible without His birth. I read the book of Luke starting today, it has 25 chapters which brings us to Christmas Day having read the whole account of our Glorious Savior. Hallelujah!!
This is a great video for the people. You are speaking the truth , God bless you 🌅
Me and my house had been asking the same questions and we decided to stop celebrating all the traditional festivals of the world ❤️ We got rid of our Christmas tree and other worldly things and the light of the Lord our God in Heaven has filled those areas and blessed us for coming to him in truth, God bless
Amen
The part of Santa Claus giving gifts to children was inspired from the true story of St. Nicholas of Myra who gave gifts to poor children in his ministry to point to how God gives us gifts like Jesus being born.
Very loosely based..look up the viking god Oden and then try to convince us ..Santa Claus is a anagram for satan. . Plus we are talking about a Catholic figure..so how is that a ok to celebrate? Coco cola really made the Santa clause we know now and also look up Molech and how he has a red lap and people would sacrifice their children on hot coals on his lap...Do we celebrate man or Yahushua? .Lucifer comes bearing gifts and is a false light....doesn't mean he is all good ..
🥴
Interestingly enough though , if you dig into the story, there is no proof st. Nick ever existed. St. Nick was also another nickname for the devil in those times. ....St. Nick was actually removed from the list of saints later on because they couldn't prove his existence. 🤷
The Lord convicted me 3 years ago. I took my tree straight to the trash.
Same here.
I still have gone to my Son's family gathering and bought he and my grandchildren gifts to not offend them but starting this year even that will stop.
It's been 3 or 4 years for me as well btw.
Same here also, ..Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.. ❤
My husband i have recently been feeling convicted about christmas as we have really dug into the terrifying roots. So as of this year tree is up and decorated...i literally cried at the overwhelm of it even being in my house. Needless to say...this will be our last christmas. We have four kids and have NO idea how we will break this to our families. The kids i know will be understanding...but how to tell everyone else....i know they will immediately think we have lost our minds...then will assume we have some secret judgment against them...which is no at all true. But we will be spending this next year in prayer and preparation for next years news...
Also we will be studying hanukkah for school...we homeschool. The book of maccabees (maybe mispelled) I've not ever heard of until this year...which I see the story of the oil comes from right? Is hanukkah in the bible also?
Just don't become so rigid and legalistic where you look for everything fun to be a sin. So many Christians go too far in the direction of everything being wrong. It will breed rebellion in your kids. Teach them that celebration of Christmas isn't a sin if it isn't idolatrous in someone's heart.
I respect each Christians decision regarding Christmas, but I have seen first hand some parents go way too far....it will hurt their kids.
I think I’m going to ask these questions to my family after we watch the Grinch! So good to check our hearts ❤️
LOVE that!
@@HeavenlyMindedHome I appreciate you so much 💗 thank you for being authentic & genuine!
I appreciate your challenging questions! This is so good!
No gifts. Being giving through the Year is more important Family time going to church celebrating the birth of Jesus and what he has done. Knowing his life and what I learn from him. Was not always like that but learning about him change my life.
Beautifully explained and thanks for speaking on this topic again. You cannot make a pagan holiday beautiful no matter what you tell yourself. You can’t make a pagan holiday holy. We’re so rooted in our upbringings and what we’ve been trained to do from birth that it feels wrong not to do it. Go pray and ask God what he wants if you seek the truth you will truly find. Do not think with emotions love by guidance and confirmation from God.
☕️ While I do agree with you on a lot regarding Christmas, I always thought Santa Claus came from St. Nicholas. "Sinterklaas" is Dutch for St. Nicholas. The tradition of Santa and gift-giving came from Dutch immigrants in New York in the 18th century. Even the famous poem from the 1800's, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, paints a very Santa Claus picture but refers to him as St. Nicholas. The tradition of gift-giving (while most definitely over-commercialized today) stems from stories of Bishop Nicholas' generosity in the 300's AD. And while he would have been Catholic, yes, he gave away everything he owned and devoted his life to helping others, especially the poor. He was even imprisoned for being a Christian.
And while evergreen boughs have ties to ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and other pagans, the story that inspired the Christmas tree origins dates to the 700s. Pagans in what is now Germany were preparing to sacrifice an oak tree to one of their gods. (An oak tree, not an evergreen tree.) An English missionary took an ax to the oak tree. The pagans were quite impressed that their god did not strike the missionary down. When he told them a nearby evergreen tree was a holy tree, that became a symbol for them of their newly found conversion to Christianity. I have no idea why he told them the evergreen tree was holy, but wouldn't this make the evergreen tree a symbol of pagans' conversion to Christianity?
While none of these stories are Biblical, I do think they are rooted in Christian tradition and history. And while I don't think they deserve to be placed beside and especially not overshadowing a celebration that God sent us a Savior, I'm not sure that Christmas traditions have much rooted in paganism. Instead, I think it's mostly Christian tradition-tradition, not Biblical teachings, yes-that has been overrun with commercialism.
It also seems-I did a little bit of research-that the date of December 25th as Jesus’ assumed birthday actually began in groups of North African Christians well before Constantine. Early church fathers seemed to also have calculated Jesus’ birth as December 25 because that is 9 months after March 25-the assumed date of his death and also conception. Is the idea of a winter birth problematic for other reasons? Yes. But could it not simply be coincidence that the dates are the same?
I’m definitely not trying to persuade you to celebrate Christmas. Nowhere in the Bible does it say we should celebrate the birth or our Savior. But I don’t think there are as many pagan roots as people say.
☕️☕️ I’d love to hear your thoughts on these non-pagan traditions and stories. ☕️☕️
(And I feel like I should put a disclaimer-while I do celebrate Christmas, I could really do without all the things besides our family’s extra Bible reading during this season and Christmas church service.) ☕️
My mother loved Christmas. We grew up with all the traditions. I never liked the materialism, but I've started having convictions about it this year. I don't want to do it anymore, but my kids love it. My wife didn't grow up Christian, and while she has been baptized and come to believe, I know she doesn't share my conviction. I'm praying for wisdom, discernment, and courage, because I think it'll tear my family apart if I tell them I don't want to do Christmas anymore.
Keep in prayer and be obedient to God on how he convicts you to lead your family. God used my husband to encourage me and I took down all of our decorations 2 weeks before Christmas. That was only GOD. Christmas was always my favorite holiday! But God answered his prayer and showed me it was an idol in my heart too.
The why was my biggest questions.
Totally agree.
We went through so much of the same. And taking the why to the Lord even about the Holy Day and where is Jesus in them All.
And how to glorify Him in those today❣️🫶
Ahhh I finally get it!!! So I'm a Grinch 💚🤣🤣🤣😅 Jk yeah totally get that... I think it's such a place to start... removing those things that we are most attached to but aren't necessary to focus on Christ. Just try it!!!!
This is much a matter of conscience and conviction. Each individual should do the research for themselves, not take somebody else's word for it. Christmas for me has changed significantly over the last several years. I don't do all the stuff. The date of December 25 actually was originally based on the service of Zachariah in the temple. The alleged pagan roots aren't actually based on primary sources.
Heidi, I was noting down your questions, when a realization hit me: When my kids find out one day, that I lied to them about Santa, will they lose faith in everything I have told them? Will they wonder if GOD is another "made up sky man" like Santa? It hurts to admit, but I think I have to come clean.
God started speaking to my husband and I about celebrating all American Holidays and Birthdays. They’re very much consumer driven and focused on self instead of Jesus. Just curious if God has spoken to you about birthdays too? It’s only mentioned twice in the Bible. Thank you! 😊
It makes sence to me
Thank you for this video. SO helpful. Can’t wait for the contentment videos in the HMH
I'm SUPER excited for this!
Christmas is when we celebrate the Birth of our Lord and Savior !
Do so with praise and glory then! 🙌🏼
Interesting that he told is to Remember him at Passover. Never mentioned remembering His birth.
The three greatest events listed in the Bible are Jesus Birth, Jesus Death and Jesus Resurrection. Without his incarnation, there is no atonement death and glorious victorious resurrection. You say your family celebrates Sukkot, but are you focusing on the incarnation? Lets not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Keep Christmas as Just the incarnation, but don’t keep the incarnation from your family just because you disagree on the exact day.
Those are certainly great events but for those of us who celebrate The Feast of Tabernacles, we do not focus on His birth, but on the Lord's Return and the coming Kingdom of God.. I don't celebrate Christmas but I learned about the Lord's Holy Feasts From Perry Stone, He has a book titled Code of the Feasts.. I learned more from him than anyone and he celebrates Christmas.. It is very dear to his wife Pam they do a lot of ministry during this time. So I am not against anyone celebrating.. Perry Stone has a friend, Bill Cloud, who also teaches about the Holy Feasts, his channel is Jacob's tent.. He doesn't celebrate Christmas but he and Perry are great friends.. They don't see eye to eye about the rapture either, lol.. But they don't let it get in the way of their friendship.. ❤
Heidi, Thank you for spelling SUKKOT out on the screen. 😊😊 Also, one of the sweet ladies in our community shared the spelling in response to my comment yesterday.
I have always wondered why people didn’t celebrate Christmas, I have a lot of JW family members and so I looked into it. December 25th was celebrated as Christmas by the first Christians “The real reason for the selection of Dec. 25 seems to have been that it is exactly nine months after March 25, the traditional date of Jesus' crucifixion. … As Christians developed the theological idea that Jesus was conceived and crucified on the same date, they set the date of his birth nine months later.” Even the name is Christ-mass. It was first officially announced by Pope julius I in 336 AD but Christians were already celebrating it. There’s a lot of misinformation about Christmas and the Catholic Church which is a shame. The orthodox churches believe the same doctrines as well are they pagan too?
Thank you for your boldness
I was never big on Christmas because my mom died when I was 17. Now, my daughter is grown and off on her own, so I don’t do the the Christmas thing as much. She is not a Believer,but, I raised her with the truth about Santa because I hated that my parents lied to me about that. I wasn’t Ms. Christmas but I did try to make it special for her.
Now, I have what I like to call a 3ft winter tree with blue and white lights and a nativity with Mary Joseph and Jesus. That’s enough for me. I buy gifts just for 4 people. I give Christmas cards to people who I don’t buy gifts for.
I have a friend that goes all out, but she enjoys it.
I just try to focus on Christ, rather than all the ‘extra’ that’s not important to me. It’s less stressful for me and I deal with enough anxiety as it is…
Amen! It can be such a difficult time of year. BIG (((hugs)))!
Romans 14
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks
Nothing wrong Celebrating Christmas everyday should be in honor of the Lord while Christmas isn't a biblical holiday doesn't mean you can't enjoy the time with friends and family if putting tree up convicts you don't put it up. If giving gifts convict you don't exchange gifts or limit it to a small gift. You can still enjoy some man made traditions as long as you are not sinning against Lord. Just remember when Christ came he was fulfillment of the law and his blood is what saves you deciding to celebrate Christmas and celebrating Jewish holidays is not going to save you. If we go by not doing anything of the world stop celebrating birthdays, that's is not God Honoring by that criteria it's a world thing. Also Hanukkah which Heidi celebrates is not mentioned in the Bible its a man made holiday like Christmas Think God wants you to enjoy your time here on Earth and your fellowship with friends and family. As long as it doesn't become a distraction , or causes you to sin. One last thing when you do these traditions make God honoring and gives thanks to him that he has given you the grace and the means to enjoy this time.
Amen!
@Nygar1 - My response is a copy & paste comment I made to others that I'm sending to you in response to your comment.
*First Response*
@gospelbaptist263 - Okay, unforeseen events took place that caused me to be a day late in my response.
You said, It's interesting that you would quote that verse which is OBVIOUSLY talking about making an IDOL and comparing it to a Christmas tree. That's a bit of a stretch
You're right about one thing in that statement, it's obvious that scriptural quote is talking about making an IDOL. Now let's get into the "stretching" & "comedy" in all of this idol worship.
Correct me if I'm wrong, rituals/practices are "performed" In order to worship something or someone. Rituals/practices are performed when celebrating Christmas right or wrong? Now tell me something @gospelbaptist, which ritual/practice do you perform on Christmas as a Christian is original from any other pagan ritual/practice? Chopping down a tree with an "axe" then decorating that same tree with silver & gold? Not according to Jeremiah 10:3-4 (Authorized King James Version)
3 For the CUSTOMS of the people are VAIN (self-serving/pointless): for one cuts a TREE out of the forest, the work of the hands of the WORKMAN, with the axe (What's stretchy is interpreting that last line as a craftsman CARVING out an idol from the tree. Umm ... Who uses an AXE to carve out ANYTHING? And why did the modern Bible translators change the word "workman" to "craftsman"? Those words have two DIFFERENT meanings).
4 They DECK (decorate) it with SILVER and with GOLD; they FASTEN it with NAILS and with HAMMERS, that it MOVE NOT (Hmmm ... those rituals/practices don't seem too ORIGINAL from pagan rituals/practices in worshiping their false gods.)
So, when you said, Also I know not of any Christian celebrating Christmas who worships their tree. That's quite a comical thought 😂
Welp, if you're performing the SAME rituals/practices on the tree that the pagans performed to worship their god/idol (the tree), then yes, you & many Christians are IGNORANTLY worshiping the tree. But you & many Christians are no longer ignorant to the reasons behind the opposition towards Christmas celebration. A celebration that was once illegal in this country. So now you'll be held responsible for what you know.
You said you never mentioned anything about Santa. I don't see in my original comment where I accused you of bringing up Santa. Santa was brought up to make a point. If God exists (and He does exist) then coincidence doesn't exist. Santa/Satan come on now. Suicides (death) are at its HIGHEST during the Christmas season. DEATH reigns during the celebration of Christ's BIRTH? Remember, coincidence does not exist.
And regarding your last statement, the "majority" of the secular world still rejects Jesus, & celebrates Christmas for the lights, glitz, glamour, gifts, & family gathering. Now family gathering in itself isn't a bad thing. But gathering as a family to perform pagan practices to "honor" Jesus ain't it.
I don't have any issues with celebrating Jesus' birth. Just take out the paganism from your celebration."
*Second Response*
@gospelbaptist263 - So let's play the game of days don't matter to God. Would you bring up that same scripture if Jesus' birthday was celebrated on Halloween instead of December 25th? Or if a certain day/date was annually celebrated for the past 5k years that recognized the creation of the Satan, would you bring up Romans 14:5-6 if Christians chose to annually celebrate Jesus' birth on the same day Satan's creation is celebrated? Context my friend - context.
Problem for a lot of Christian these days is that they don't understand the meaning of being "Set Apart". Pay reeeaaaal close attention to how you feel in your spirit today & tomorrow. Search within you if you can feel the Set Apart One (The Holy Spirit) celebrating with you, or if later on tonight/tomorrow you feel the Holy Spirit's grief. Orrrr, if you feel empty after taking part in all the festivities.
*Third Response*
@alexandrialum643 Says - So God can't use songs about Jesus and time spent with family and stories about His birth to draw me closer to Him? Literally we read scriptures about His birth and celebrate HIM on Christmas! So...does Jesus manifest in your bedroom and HIM ALONE literally draws you closer? Sorry...but there's this Person called the "Holy Spirit" and He draws me closer to Christ all the time. So good for you for seeing visions of "Christ Alone" manifesting in your bedroom - I'm not as fortunate to witness such a spectacle so I have to depend on the Holy Spirit, AND Worshipping Him through song, AND spending time in His presence with family AND hearing stories about His birth ON CHRISTMAS. Not everyone is as fortunate to have those literal manifestations as you apparently do
Nothing wrong with songs about Jesus. I play "Christmas" songs about Jesus throughout the year. "Oh Holy Night" is my favorite. Playing & singing songs about our God aren't origins of pagan practice. Time spent with family & stories about His birth isn't a pagan practice. But to clarify something for you, spending time with family & telling stories about Jesus' birth is not the standard God set in getting closer to Him. You're way off the mark on that one. But I got a question for you, you only get closer to Jesus only one time a year? Your desire to get closer to Jesus isn't daily? Will you have this same energy for Christmas as a way to honor Jesus after today passes? And the following days after tomorrow? Okay, that was more than one question - my bad.
Your flesh is gonna feel good about celebrating Christmas. But make sure to check if you can sense how the Holy Spirit is feeling right now during your celebration. Especially tomorrow check on sensing the Holy Spirit. Do you feel an emptiness? Do you even feel the Holy Spirit's presence in you? I honestly don't know the answer to those questions. But it's a good way to determine whether or not God is in agreement with your celebration of Christmas.
May God continue to lead you on the narrow path.
Blessings! Where can I join the godly contentment study please? So excited in this time of ultra commercialism.
Thank you 😊
My daughter is grown and converted to othidox jewish. The parts of Christmas that I like are the lights and decor. This year we decided to not get a tree that blocks our beautiful bay window. We are decorating focusing on that window. We are not going overboard on gifts. I purchased "experiences" more than physical gifts. I would love to get the family on board to take a trip over Christmas instead. Once we have grandbabies, things will probably change anyway. For now we are a blended family and still celebrate Christmas with my daughter and SIL But christ is barely mentioned except for in our hearts. It is all about gifts. This year, it feels excessive.
I'm so sorry, friend! BIG hugs! Continuing to pray as you seek to find those ways to pull the focus away from the world. (((hugs)))
@@HeavenlyMindedHome I am enjoying this topic and hearing the Q&A of opinions. The more I dive into my relationship with Christ the more I see the ommercialism of pegan rituals like a tree that has been interlinked with celebrating Christ's birth. I love a beautfully decorated tree. But celebrating Christ's bithday is not cancelled if we don't have a tree.
I have been doing a lot of research and searching on should we or shouldn’t we. Yes it was transformed from a pagan holiday but we aren’t pagan that’s not why we are celebrating it today. No it’s not Jesus birth but is it ever a sin to celebrate his birth? Nope, also more people are open to hearing about the lord around Christmas which is a great thing. Yes it could be over idolized you need to be careful but it’s not a sin to celebrate.
I don’t think it’s wrong either to not celebrate. Also we don’t see in the Bible that we should celebrate the Holy days and how really is that different as long as the Lord is the Center of either of the celebrations that’s what matters.
I also want to say I’m not judging anyone or think Heidi is wrong or saying that she’s telling everyone they have to follow what she says. I appreciate your videos and that you’re not judging others. I also appreciate the topics you discuss because it makes me and I’m sure many others to stop and research and pray. I’m telling you I am growing and learning more from your videos then from the church sermons I attended, I’m hungry for the truth and Gods word not motivational speakers. I’m looking for a church that will teach me the Bible not tell me what happened in their lives and how they took a certain verse to apply to their situations. So thank you!
I just wanted to clarify because sometimes why we write doesn’t come across how we want to say it.
It is in Leviticus 23 where we celebrate the Biblical Holy Days, They are the appointed feasts of the Lord.. They were declared statutes forever throughout generations.. And we are modern day Israel, we are no longer gentiles.. We have came out of the nations.. 'For if you belong to Messiah you are Abraham's descendants, heirs.. ~Gal 3:29' Both Jew and non-Jew who are in Messiah are the chosen remnant of Israel..
@@desertinbloom702 yes but my point is we told are not told biblically that we have to celebrate them, it says right in Colossians 2:16-17 tells us, “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
So we can celebrate them if we choose absolutely but we are bound to it.
So my point was whether we choose to celebrate Christmas or the holy days it the same. Now obviously the holy days all point biblically to Jesus and I get why Heidi choose to celebrate it.
I don’t think celebrating Christmas is a sin is what I mean.
@@juststeph6940 No worries.. There is a lot of good done during the holiday season.. ❤
Can you give bible verses to help me explain this to my family members
You should check out this video that gives Biblical and historical evidence of Xmas originating from pagans roots and what God has to say about it.
UA-cam Chanel: Sound The Battle Cry
Video: The Biblical Case Against Christmas
@misrecuer2 Thank you
So many bah humbugs everywhere. 😂
Joy to the world folks, the Lord is come
Agree!!!!
I could argue many feel the same way about the seasons of the Lord's Holy days-- it's sad to see such deeply rooted Biblical appointed times ignored by the body of Christ. Talk about bah humbug! 😩
@@HeavenlyMindedHome
I would just be thankful to have celebrated Christmas as a child and grow up knowing who The Lord Jesus is. Take away Christmas and most of the world wouldn't know.
Col 2:14-17
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Verse 16 is very interesting and we have to be careful in lifting up what some would call "biblical feasts" as they would appear to have been done away with now that the Messiah has come.
Also you cannot acknowledge the Father without the Son (1st John 2:23) so by lifting up the Lord Jesus and celebrating the biblical account of His birth it pleases the Father.
Luke 2:11
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
- a very joyous thing.
Merry Christmas to all 😁
Did the early Christians celebrate Christmas? 🤔
@@spirituallysafe
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2:1-2, 10-11
It sure looks like it.
Merry Christmas.
I can give you a Christian reason why you should watch Superman movies; because Superman was based on Jesus. Am I idolizing Superman or am I reminding myself of how majestic, heroic, and kind Jesus is?
Now sure how you get to that… 🤔😄
The apostles never taught christmas or celebrated it and was never a practice till the roman catholic church
The one day a year we celebrate with the unbelievers think about that for a second
If Jesus was here now would he be celebrating Christmas ? I think he’d only be celebrating God’s holy days. That’s what He did when he walked on this earth.
Are the fictional stories C.S. Lewis wrote idolatry too? I believe you are just ignorant of where Christmas traditions came from (i.e. St. Nicholas of Mrya who was called Cinter Claus in Scandinavia, for example). The entire idea of Santa Claus always pointed to Jesus' birth in that an all knowing fatherly figure who knows when you have been bad or good would give you gifts like He did on Christmas with His son. We hang ornaments on trees because that is suppose to represent Jesus hanging on the tree for our sins because we ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good & evil. We wrap presents because Jesus was wrapped in swaddling cloths when He was in the manger. You are listening to atheist conspiracy theories about the history of Christmas. By saying that Christmas celebrations about present giving or the Christmas tree don't directly deal with Christ's birth, you are saying that Jesus telling parables was idolatrous because we shouldn't praise the Good Samaritan because by doing that we are not praising God.
Autistic Lutheran carnivore, she was just explaining her own feelings. If you checked your heart with the 4 questions she asked, then good for you. You have justified your actions. Just because you don’t agree with her, doesn’t make her ignorant. In fact, your hostility is an indication you might have an idol you are holding on to. If it was that important to attack her like that, you might want to check yourself again.
You guys are just too dumb to talk to.
C.S. Lewis had gnostic and new age ideals... It says many false Messiahs will arise... Yes I have read some of his books and seen the movies and even had a very kind teacher read one of his books at school...
@@frankielynn7praying for you ❤
Please help me with this situation!!
When I was a kid, I always grew up knowing Jesus, and it was not about Santa. My parents always told me the truth. Yesterday was my birthday and I received a call from my children's teachers, they confronted me about my children denying that a elf that was preseted to them came from the North Pole ad tat it was not real. The teachers didn't like that and prior to the call he said to me that one of them told my son not to ever say that in front of the other children and that the elf is real and Santa is real. I told them again the truth, that the elf is not real and santa's not real. I told them, I was not going to lie to my children and make them believe that it's actually real, to us only God is real.So they asked me to tell my children not to speak out loud about their faith and what they don't believe in. I told them that as much as I talk to them about it at home about keeping out to ourselves and respecting others believes, we can't fully control what they do or say at school. I can tell them to listen and to follow instructions, but I can't control if they do or not. They told me that they are not allowed to talk about God or Jesus in the school. So, during Christmas, they can't mention Jesus or the Nativity or anything that relates to God. They say they can only speak about Santa and how he brings gifts and the elf in the north pole, etc. My husband is not a believer, so he's not 100% in agreement with me, but I told him yesterday that next year they are going to a Christian school . I wanted to do homeschooling, but he is against that. He wants them to socialize with other children. I'm in a tough spot because I can't make the decision on my own since he's also the father of my children. So, I need help finding the right Christian school for them. Could you help me find the right Christian school for them? I would quit Christmas if I could find it, but my husband is against it.
I have questioned the cultural celebration for last several years. I do not see it as something that is God's purpose for us as His children. Unity with the Father & each other through Yeshua as our Redeemer. We are created to worship & obey God, being holy and having a reverent fear of God. Holiness appears to be foreign to our mindset. I long for Truth, forsaking tradition if it is in conflict with the Lord's intentions for us. The totality of Shalom.
No mine wouldn't. They are not living for the Lord as of yet
The main reason we celebrate Christmas is because it’s christ birthday . Yes he was born in September sometime but we celebrate It on December 25. We celebrate Jesus because he’s our lord and savior he came to give those eternal life that choose to love him and give them there heart and follow his ways and leave this world behind. The lord knows your heart. So I don’t know what decorating for Christmas has to do with anything. We decorate are homes for many occasions making our home look nice and cozy or just Comfortable really has nothing to do with your love for the lord. I mean even churches decorate for Christmas they even have Christmas parties and give gifts to one another. Still that has nothing to do with loving the lord. Or celebrating his birthday just the thought of you saying you quit Christmas is disturbing to me and the fact that you were suggesting to others to quit Christmas is also disturbing there’s nothing wrong with decorating your home the Lord knows your heart and if you celebrate Christmas by celebrating the birth of Jesus there’s no reason to not celebrate it. We need to celebrate our lords birthday and this is the day that was chosen to celebrate it. So merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. And by the way Sin is all the Same in GODS eyes. There is no different to him.
Why are you trying to get people to stop celebrating the birth of Christ? You say you’re not but in a way you are trying to convince people to do that. Having a tree is not idolatry, I don’t know anyone who worships the tree. It’s not disgusting at all. Loving the Christmas season is also not idolatry. You say decorating is not spending your time glorifying God , ok you spend time applying your makeup and decorating your face and does that glorify God??? You just kinda contradict yourself a lot . You decorate your home we see. You only want to see how Christmas is bad and don’t do this on Christmas and not see that you do this stuff everyday .
Sorry the point was missed on you- I ask myself these questions about all areas of life all the time, as I shared in the video. ☺️ To God be the glory for all of us! 🙏🏼Taking 5 minutes in the morning to get myself ready and honor my husband by giving him my best and spending attention to the things he prefers… absolutely that honors God to honor my husband! Making a cozy home that my family appreciates in a way that is simple and honoring being a good steward of the resources we have.. absolutely that honors God! Ask these questions about everything… and respond accordingly. 🙏🏼💕
@@HeavenlyMindedHome I can respect that :) have a blessed day
My 2 cents, lol. What's worse... Making Christmas an Idol or calvinist denying Jesus's death on the cross for the majority of mankind? 🤔
Anything can be idolatry is true. Calvinism is idolatry because it creates a different Jesus and different Gospel. Many are deceived by calvinism and don't even know it.
Calvinist have a hard time saying this verse at 14:20 in its entirety, so I'll display it.
1 John 2:2
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the WHOLE WORLD!
Since it's the Christmas season, here's another verse why Jesus was born...
Hebrews 2:9
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for EVERY MAN!
A few more verses disproving calvinist who try to limit Jesus's atonement on the cross.
John 1:29
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the SIN OF THE WORLD.
Acts 17:31
Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will JUDGE THE WORLD in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof HE HATH GIVEN ASSURANCE UNTO ALL MEN, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
1 Timothy 2:4-6
Who will have ALL men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself A RANSOM FOR ALL, to be testified in due time.
Titus 2:11
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath APPEARED TO ALL MEN,
John 1:7
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that ALL MEN THROUGH HIM MIGHT BELIEVE.
Romans 5:18
Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon ALL men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the FREE GIFT CAME UPON ALL MEN unto justification of life.
If you're a calvinist, you must change the definition of all, every, and world to keep belief in your idol. Examine yourself and see if you're guilty of calvinism idolatry.
@heavenlymindedhome It's ironic that you hearted my comment when you believe the opposite of those verses. You believe Jesus didn't die on the cross for everyone. You believe Jesus's atonement is limited.
Yes or no question. Did the Jesus you follow die on the cross for Adolf Hitler, Jeffrey Epstein, and Osama Bin Laden?
@@naturematt4340sorry I just need to hop on here real quick and ask a question.... Do you know anything about this ministry? A&P?
@@naturematt4340I'm praying for you ❤🙏
@@holly782 Are you praying to the idol god of calvinism who already determined every future comment I will make or the God of the Bible?
How about you answer the question I asked to Heavenly Minded Home in my second comment. I would like to know your answer.
@@holly782 A simple yes or no answer to this question is fine. Did Jesus die on the cross for Adolf Hitler, Jeffrey Epstein, and Osama Bin Laden?
What exactly are you celebrating? Who do you worship? This is GOD'S response. Read COLOSSIANS 2:16, 20.
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in RESPECT of an HOLIDAY, or of the new moon, or of the SABBATH DAYS...Why are ye subject to ordinances of men?..After doctrines of men? v.22
calvinism? If so we need to be careful because this group lacks a lot of Grace and is very rigid in beliefs making other christians feel they are not walking with the spirit. I love your channel but I have a taste of calvinism hidden behind click bate christian teaching.
I don’t claim to be any label- and yes- some claiming that label can be absolutely ridiculous… as with any group. But certainly not what you’re gonna find here. That’s absurd! Our biblical statement of truth can be found here: www.heavenlymindedhome.com/we-believe-and-teach
Is worshipping Trump idolatry? Because if so I’m in big trouble.
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