¿Fijeme Recto... Porqué Somos Que celebran Navidad... En Diciembre?  

Los cristianos celebran Navidad para conmemorar el cumpleaños de Jesás Cristo. Alguna vez alrededor 10-4 A.C., probablemente en la tarde del banquete de Tabernacles (octubre), en un establo en donde los corderos del passover fueron criados en la ciudad del pastor David, un muchacho nació a una virgen que fue descendida del muchacho dicho del pastor. En el comando de un á ngel, nombraron al muchacho Jesás. . It is fairly well established that Jesus was not actually born on December 25, but that this date coincides with the old Roman Calendars feast of Dies Natalis Invicti Solis -- the Day of the Birth of the Unconquered Sun (Saturn), which incidentally coincides with the Winter Solstice. . The Roman church chose to celebrate the birthday of Christ on 12/25, thus mixing the age old pagan traditions with the relatively new Christianity as a way of 'converting' souls to Christ, and making the celebration more palatable to the pagans. (1)

. Bah Humbug!!??!

. Some, however, have chosen to forego Christmas and its celebration altogether. . The religious world is more and more outspoken against the celebration of December 25th as the birth of Christ. . Staunch anti-Christmas advocates state: God does not simply allow you to excuse yourself from the Babylonian Christmas celebrations-- God says you cannot walk with those who DO observe it. . ... . Just walk on alone with your God and your few friends who are willing to observe Amos 3:3. . We often go visit someone who shares our zeal, for their home is not all full of pagan ritual trash. . Have a singing time, and sing hymns about the Blood of Jesus and his resurrection. (2)

. Tar And Feathers Anyone?

¿Cuá l Es Tan Un Padre Cristiano A hacer? . Tackle the next mall Santa s/he sees and tar and feather him? . Should a Christian insist that her/his child wears blinders and pretends not to see all the decorations around? . Should s/he stand on the rooftop and loudly condemn the heathens all around? . Or is there another option? . Well, Im glad you asked. . Before you make a bonfire in the backyard, and burn your tree and all the ornaments your friends, family and children so painstakingly created for you over the years, consider these truths:

• . The Bible does not command Christmas to be celebrated.
• . The earliest recorded Christmas celebrations were held around 313 AD.
• . The actual date of todays Christmas celebrations, as well as many of the accoutrements that accompany its celebration, stem from pagan sources.

. Hold on; dont light the match just yet. . Keep those stockings hanging over your fireplace; you are not yet done with your fact-finding mission!

. But What About All the Pagan Lore...Am I Doomed?

. So, youre kids are believing in Santa Claus and you are worried that little Johnny is doomed because he sat on the mall-Santas lap... . Please note that I do not advocate little children sitting on heavily made up strangers laps under any circumstance. . Nor do I particularly condone telling a child that Santa is real. . Within the right frame of reference, however, little Johnny is neither doomed nor up to his eyeballs in sin for visiting Santa. . If we remember correctly, God insisted that Disciples of Christ were free to eat any food they liked, and were no longer bound by Old Testament dietary laws or idol-worship abstaining practices. . Thus, if you enjoy having a tree sitting in your living room, this practice is not cheapened because a group of pagans thought of it first. . If you like to give gifts, do so! . The Bible is full of exhortations to encourage others, and how better to do it than with a gift or two! . If stockings over the fireplace are your thing, then hang them up! . If you insist on the guy in the red suit...do it if you must.

. Here are three simple ways of observing Christmas in a Christian fashion:

• . Celebrate it as the birthday of Christ, not as the season during which you are too busy to come to church, read your Bible, pray regularly, and encourage others
• . Be generous as always, remember as many people as you like with cards and/or gifts, but do not max out your credit cards and go into debt, thus ignoring the Biblical exhortations of proper stewardship
• . Decorate your house any way you like, but dont pray to your tree. . (wink)

. *Excerpts of this Article have been published previously at Suite101.com.

(1) . http://www.balaams-ass.com/journal/resource/abiah.htm
(2) . http://www.balaams-ass.com/journal/resource/xmastrad.htm

. Welcome to the Christian Parenting Corner from the world of this Christian poet and freelance writer. . Born and raised in Germany, and since 1988 living in the United States, this writer offers a global perspective to such controversial topics as Christianity, ethics, marriage, and religious parenting. Ella publica su trabajo en el compartimiento en linea de las familias, Suite101, el cristianismo para la vida, e Inspiriting. Para má s en ediciones cristianas de la familia, siéntase por favor libre entrarla en contacto con en sylviacochran@hotmail.com .