Traditions

December 25^th – a day of many traditions. To many people, this is Jesus birthday. To some, it is the day a fat elf invaded their house and left gifts. To one group , it is a magical day of wonder. And there are others that view it as paganistic rituals perpetuated on the winter solstice.

This isn't to discourage you in what you do. It's simply a survey of a holiday – marred by my worldview.

The tradition my parents decided on was to not lie to their kids. So, I grew up not celebrating Christmas. A tradition that as I reached adulthood have decided is worth keeping with.

If you and your family do Santa Clause, you are aware it is a lie. Sure it's innocent and keeps wonder and magic of the holiday. Alongside the lie you tell your children, do you also tell them the Birth story of our Savior Jesus? As they mature and find out you lied to them about one, on what grounds should they trust you concerning the other? So I pose the question here: How much should you lie to your children about?

Secondly. There is no proof for it being Jesus' Birthday, and your nativity scene is probably wrong.

According to scripture, the only clue we are given on timeframe is in Luke 2, which tells us that the shepherds were in the field with their flocks. The latest this occurs is into the fall, September or October: Which sets the stage for His birth to have been during one of the Biblical feasts; Also known as God's holidays. All the other major aspects of Jesus' life were set by God's calendar, why would His birth be different?

Now, as for your nativity scene being wrong. 3 wise men- Biblically inaccurate. There was a caravan large and impressive enough to be stopped and questioned by the governor of the region as to their purpose. There is a train of thought that there may have been as many as 50 wise men.

They didn't see Jesus in the manger. After 8 days Jesus was circumcised, and after her purification: another 33 days she presented her offering of 2 turtledoves; an article of the law made for the poor that could not afford a lamb ( see Leviticus 12) and if the wise men had presented their gifts fit for a king, then Mary and Joseph could have easily afforded a lamb. There also is no Biblical proof for Mary to have had a donkey to ride, and knowing that they couldn't afford a lamb, it is reasonable to assume they didn't own a donkey.

My question here: Why then December 25?

I have not done the research on other traditions of this holiday . Like the tree, Which is possibly referenced in Jeremiah 10:3-4, although that passage is arguably referencing carved idols made of wood, silver and gold.

Anyhow, I like to do my research on these matters and decide if they are Christian. We certainly were never told to celebrate the day of Jesus birth. There are however Holy days that at least the children of Israel were told to celebrate forever, and every Major aspect of what God has done in history was based on those days. But we tend to disregard them, and say our traditions honor Christ....

Merry Christmas yall