Anybody else feel this way about Christmas?

[Elgama]

Originally Posted by KristofferUmfrey

The Lord commands us not to mix the heathen forms of worship from the cultures around us, with our worship of Him.

one of the many reasons I am a Latter Day Saint and not a Christian we are taught to respect and seek out the good wherever it may be. And that comes from the current prophet recently just to tired to find the talk. We are not taught to bring the good from our past with us.

If something brings us closer to Christ and increases our potential then it is worthy of our respect and usage.

-Charley

[KristofferUmfrey]

Originally Posted by Elgama

one of the many reasons I am a Latter Day Saint and not a Christian we are taught to respect and seek out the good wherever it may be. And that comes from the current prophet recently just to tired to find the talk. We are not taught to bring the good from our past with us.

If something brings us closer to Christ and increases our potential then it is worthy of our respect and usage.

-Charley

Be content in your pagan practices and justify them however you want. I've done my part in the topic and sounded the voice of wise counsel. God Bless.

[Elgama]

this was from President Hinckley but there has been something more recent by President Monson

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the responsibility is ours to observe the commandment to study and to learn. The Lord said: “Seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.” (D&C 88:118.)

He further made it clear that our search for truth must be limitless, that we are to learn “of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms.” (D&C 88:79.)

The Lord has given us the assignment to grow constantly toward eternity! None of us can assume that he has learned enough. As the door closes on one phase of life, it opens on another, where we must continue to gain further knowledge.

Ours ought to be an unending search for truth—a search that must include spiritual and religious truth as well as worldly knowledge. And as we grow and progress, let us look for the good, the beautiful, the positive.

LDS.org - Liahona Article - The Continuing Search for Truth

-Charley

[mightynancy]

I'm not casual about it - but I'm not rigid either. If a little girl sees her daffodils, once "dead", rising up again in life, and it helps her understand that our death is temporary thanks to Jesus Christ, I'm okay with that. We give her daffodils every year at Easter...she plants them in the garden, where they "die" and then rise up again the following spring. They come wrapped in Easter tissue, and are given at a particular time each year...and they inspire awe at creation and life and resurrection.

If a Christmas tree inspires warm feelings, and the glow of light brightens a dark winter, and brings peace to a heart, can't that breed charity and prayerfulness? How is that bad? It's the meaning in the heart, not the thing itself, that is important.

Moroni 7:13
But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.

I don't see how these symbols are different from the images of Christ and His temples that we are encouraged to have in our homes as reminders. I don't worship the painting of Christ, nor do I worship the edifice of the temple. These things are symbols that remind me of holier things.

[Elgama]

Originally Posted by KristofferUmfrey

Be content in your pagan practices and justify them however you want. I've done my part in the topic and sounded the voice of wise counsel. God Bless.

I know I am right with God - anything else from another person is their opinion. I may not agree with Santa Claus being taught as real but I sure don't think the another person who does use him is not progressing in God's eyes - its between God and themselves.

-Charley

[Hemidakota]

Originally Posted by mightynancy

We focus on Christ all year long. My kids understand that Christmas is a celebration of Christ's birth...but I don't confuse a festival (Christmas) with a holy day (say, Easter). All year, perhaps with more focus during the holidays, we learn of Christ and try to be like Him. I do let Christmas day itself be about the fun of giving and getting, though. When it falls on the Sabbath, of course we behave accordingly.

We embrace Santa Claus! When my older child let on that he knew, we shared some stories of Christmas miracles involving Santa Claus and his spirit. Now, my son is in the club, so to speak, and gets to get back up after "bedtime" and be helpful, sipping cocoa or eggnog with mom & dad. It's all good. He gets to "be" Santa a little now, which is fun.

Totally agree...I had smirked when Elder Lund mentioned in a meeting, that while shopping with his wife, he lost over an hour on not internally focused with the FATHER and the Son during that shopping spree.

[Hemidakota]

Originally Posted by Elgama

I know I am right with God - anything else from another person is their opinion. I may not agree with Santa Claus being taught as real but I sure don't think the another person who does use him is not progressing in God's eyes - its between God and themselves.

-Charley

" GO...GIRL FRIEND!!!!"

[Iggy]

SYMBOLS OF CHRISTMAS

CANDY CANE:
The shape of the cane used by the shepherds to lead his flock just as Jesus Christ leads us. The white represents the purity of Christ and the red is the blood he shed for us.

STAR:
The star lead people to the Christ child and was a sign to the world of the birth of the Savior.

WREATH:
The circle reminds us of eternal life that never ends.

CHRISTMAS TREE:
The evergreen represents eternal life and the shape of the tree points us to heaven.

HOLLY:
Represents the crown of thorns worn by Christ and the red berries, the blood drops.

MISTLETOE:
A sign for peace.

CANDLE:
Christ is the light of the world.

PRESENTS:
Heavenly Father gave the world the greatest gift, His son. We give gifts to others to let them know of our love for them.

[Elgama]

thanks Iggy - I will be using your post, my favourite is a Christingle - and orange with a candle stuck in it, red ribbon round, 4 sweets or peanuts,


Orange - the world
Red Ribbon - Blood of Christ
4 Sweets - 4 corners of the Earth, or Fruits of the Earth
candle - light of the world


-Charley

[Misshalfway]

Originally Posted by KristofferUmfrey

I'm baffled at how people are so casual about God's commands.

You are going to have to show me scriptural or conference addresses where we are commanded not to celebrate Christmas.

It doesn't matter to me the origins of some of our modern holidays. Things change. Meanings change. What was pagan in centuries past simply may not apply today. I am the master of my behavior and my worship. I know the difference between the letter of the law and the spirit. We don't live the law of moses anymore and I buck against hard line sentiment that pushes us into a realm of being so straight that we are crooked.

Christmas, the way we celebrate it inside the church in at least in my home, is a good good thing. Some of my fondest memories and even fun family stories have come from Christmas celebrations. There is a place for traditions. They strengthen families and testimony and communities. So, with all do respect to your view and your life position, I personally can't and won't live inside what I believe is a limited and even blind and almost overbearing view. And there is nothing whatsoever in the celebration of Christmas that is "casual" about God's commands. I think this is just a lot of misdirected and unnecessary guilt.