No where in scripture does is say to celebrate Christmas.

[freedomforall]

I love what has come to be known as Christmas. I enjoy all the pagan rituals and symbols whether they originate in Yuletide or Saturnalia or whatever. From Christmas trees to mistletoe to gingerbread men, I'm down with all of it. I especially like the British and Scandinavian traditions, they really bring out the contrast between the warmth and joy of humanity and the cold, dark winter solstice. It's all beautiful.

But it's true that nativity scenes don't really fit in with all of this. The Savior wasn't born during the winter solstice, of course—the early Catholic church just wedged it in there to piggy back on what was already one of the biggest festivals of the year. So I don't have any problem with Jesus taking a back seat during the holidays. I think it's great that some people want to eschew the paganism and commercialism and focus on the Savior during this time of the year. But I don't see it that way. I don't need the worship of my savior as a contrived reason for Yuletide any more than I need to shoehorn him into Valentine's day or the 4th of July.

Some holidays are truly holy days and I get that. I actually wish the LDS church did more with the liturgical calendar when it comes to Easter, concerning Passover and Good Friday and Ash Wednesday and Lent and all of that. But I'm perfectly fine with Christmas being pagan.

Jeremiah 10.

2 Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

It is not in the custom to do good!!! Interesting.

Is the putting up a tree and decorating it considered idol worship?

[kennyhs]

I'm afraid I'm a bit of a Scrouge when it comes to Christmas.
I cannot stand all of the commercialism and stupidness (I know the word should be stupidity but I think stupidness is more accurate) that surrounds it. I just cannot bear it.

The Lord asked us to do one thing in remembrance of him and that was to take the sacrament.
He didn't ask us to cut down a tree and decorate it (which originates with Nimrod), or to exchange presents, or to feast, or to eat egg shaped chocolate at Easter etc.
It's all ridiculous.

The three wise men presented gifts to baby Jesus. Is that ridiculous?
The Lord says to be charitable, and giving of gifts can be included in that command. Therefore, is it also ridiculous?
Going back to the three wise men, of course.

I think it's a beautiful sentiment. Nothing ridiculous about it. Did I miss the memo?

[freedomforall]

I'm afraid I'm a bit of a Scrouge when it comes to Christmas.
I cannot stand all of the commercialism and stupidness (I know the word should be stupidity but I think stupidness is more accurate) that surrounds it. I just cannot bear it.

The Lord asked us to do one thing in remembrance of him and that was to take the sacrament.
He didn't ask us to cut down a tree and decorate it (which originates with Nimrod), or to exchange presents, or to feast, or to eat egg shaped chocolate at Easter etc.
It's all ridiculous.

The three wise men presented gifts to baby Jesus. Is that ridiculous?
The Lord says to be charitable, and giving of gifts can be included in that command. Therefore, is it also ridiculous?
Going back to the three wise men, of course.

I think it's a beautiful sentiment. Nothing ridiculous about it. Did I miss the memo?

Yes, Robin Hood's. The memo was presented rather profoundly, right?

[David13]

Christ is the total center of my Christmas and always has been.
Now, I'm single and have no kids. And almost all of what was my childhood family is dead. So I don't get any presents for anyone, and no one gets any for me.
So I worship Christ and heavenly Father, as I do all year round.
dc

[kennyhs]

Christ is the total center of my Christmas and always has been.
Now, I'm single and have no kids. And almost all of what was my childhood family is dead. So I don't get any presents for anyone, and no one gets any for me.
So I worship Christ and heavenly Father, as I do all year round.
dc

I have a gift for you David 13.

" Merry Christmas," May God bless you all year long and throughout all eternity. You have found the truth, what better gift could you receive.

[jbeggs]

What we know as Christmas was typically a celebration of harvest and perhaps of a fertility deity. This happened to be a Woman. The myth goes that some Catholic priests saw it might be easier to convert Heathens if they also talked about Mary in regards to this celebration and the Savior.

In that sense, we are actually perpetuating a heathen celebration of harvest...with the added focus of the birth of our Lord.

I think one can do both, as it is traditional to be a time of family and giving (and plus, I know kids love to get presents whether its birthday, Easter, or Christmas...and I have to say...so do I), as well as time to remember that it has now been dedicated as a Christian time to remember our Lord and his birth and sacrifice in a most holy way.

Christmas certainly is a pagan holiday, as is Easter.

[Ezra]

I love what has come to be known as Christmas. I enjoy all the pagan rituals and symbols whether they originate in Yuletide or Saturnalia or whatever. From Christmas trees to mistletoe to gingerbread men, I'm down with all of it. I especially like the British and Scandinavian traditions, they really bring out the contrast between the warmth and joy of humanity and the cold, dark winter solstice. It's all beautiful.

But it's true that nativity scenes don't really fit in with all of this. The Savior wasn't born during the winter solstice, of course—the early Catholic church just wedged it in there to piggy back on what was already one of the biggest festivals of the year. So I don't have any problem with Jesus taking a back seat during the holidays. I think it's great that some people want to eschew the paganism and commercialism and focus on the Savior during this time of the year. But I don't see it that way. I don't need the worship of my savior as a contrived reason for Yuletide any more than I need to shoehorn him into Valentine's day or the 4th of July.

Some holidays are truly holy days and I get that. I actually wish the LDS church did more with the liturgical calendar when it comes to Easter, concerning Passover and Good Friday and Ash Wednesday and Lent and all of that. But I'm perfectly fine with Christmas being pagan.

Jeremiah 10.

2 Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

It is not in the custom to do good!!! Interesting.

Is the putting up a tree and decorating it considered idol worship?

Is decorating a wooden calf making it gold idol worshiping??

It can be. It all depends on the intent and desire behind it.

[Ezra]

God holds every animal life we take over our heads. I would imagin it's the same for plant life.

I have often thought about if God appreciates all the trees cut down and thrown away during Christmas.

[Robin Hood]

I have often thought about if God appreciates all the trees cut down and thrown away during Christmas.

I was thinking exactly the same thing this morning.

[skmo]

How's about getting back to the op.

I asked for traditions of those who are dedicating Christmas to Christ.

Have you ever seen the musical The Forgotten Carols? It's a beautiful story filled with a message about Christ. I would highly recommend it.

[kennyhs]

How's about getting back to the op.

I asked for traditions of those who are dedicating Christmas to Christ.

Have you ever seen the musical The Forgotten Carols? It's a beautiful story filled with a message about Christ. I would highly recommend it.

I went to that play last Christmas, loved it.

[Ezra]

How's about getting back to the op.

I asked for traditions of those who are dedicating Christmas to Christ.

Have you ever seen the musical The Forgotten Carols? It's a beautiful story filled with a message about Christ. I would highly recommend it.

I have not. Tell me about it.

[skmo]

A stodgy nurse has closed off her life other than at work. She is asked to check on an outpatient, Uncle John, while his family is on vacation. She checks his health and brings him his medicine. The man tells her stories when she visits about people he knew and their forgotten Christmas Carols. People like the Innkeeper who was ashamed to go to the Manger to see the new Savior because he was too greedy to be bothered by a pregnant woman. Like a shepherd who fell asleep and never heard the angels directing them to Bethlehem. Like a man named Joseph who was terrified because he'd been asked to raise the literal Son of God. It goes through a few twists and turns, laughs and tears, ending where you'd expect a gospel story to: In a beautiful chorus of song and hope.

By the way, she meets other people who have met Uncle John. They said the word that best described him was "beloved."