Christianity Oasis Forum

[Lani]

happy holidays?

Hmmmm.... let us ponder this a moment...

Who do you think coined that saying?

Our Father in Heaven.... No!!
Christ Jesus... No!!....
The Holy Spirit... No!!

Who else matters?

Wait.... let's back up a minute.....

What are "the holidays" to which this greeting is referring?

Think about it a moment... Just Christmas?

Heavens no... this term is used to cover what the world calls "the holiday season"... that is :
The day after Thanksgiving (aka Black Friday... perfect nickname in my opinon)....to....New Years Day.... why? well you see... Money period....

Someone who knows how long ago started to commercialize the "holidays" it may have started with something like "Get your Christmas Shopping done early" then others followed suit.. well company one certainly couldn't entertain the idea of being equal with all the others merchandisers so they sought out to target another "holiday" say Hanukkah for example... then company b now on the band wagon said , "Ah I need to one up this guy so I am on top" Kwanzaa.... Now... how much space would a headline like "Start your Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa Shopping early" So.... some silly advertising person trying to make their way likely said "Holidays" and thus the term was born.. All driven by greed, worldly focus and money.

Black Friday... in my opinion is The PERFECT term for such a day... greed and ugliness are at the forefront. On what other "Commercial Holiday" do you hear of some poor soul being trampled to death trying to get a good deal on something they really DON'T need. Black = Darkness, yep it fits well.

Mind you I am focusing on only one facet of the commercialized worldly crud that has turned something truly beautiful into another way to make money... there is of course the worry about "offending" someone by saying "Merry Christmas" only to learn they are Jewish and celebrate Hanukkah... DUH! Offend them? Please.... embarrass yourself is more likely... and that is because you are using human thinking and worldly etiquette to interact with others... so Stop! Rather then get embarrassed Say, "Interesting.... Happy Hanukkah, pardon my lack of knowledge. I"d love to hear about some of your religious traditions regarding this celebration" ..... world Forbid people take time to apologize when wrong and more so, take time to learn about others..... None Sense!!! Plain and simple! Act out of Love, respond with Love, and know that you learn only when you seek.

Now, back to my point.... A headline titled "Holiday Shopping" or something of the like targets all religions and lack of religion alike... they could care less what y'all say to greet one another when giving the gifts you bought at their store. All they care about is the money you spend in that store.... the money that goes right in their pockets. bottom line. It is all about the almighty dollar. Sad but true.

If you look to the Bible... what sort of gifts were given? Wii's? Playstation? Cars? Expensive Jewelry? Flashy Clothes? Endless Toys to occupy time? No, No, No, No, No, .... NOPE!

"Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. "
But why these gifts? Let's look closer at each

Gold ~ needs no explanation

Myrrh ~ a gum resin from certain trees that was left to dry and later used to make perfume and incense. Myrrh was very valuable during the time of our Lord. Additionally, it was also used in Egypt as an ointment during embalming and as medicine to treat wounds or sores.

Frankincense ~ similar to Myrrh, is a gum resin also dried, though it comes from a different tree. It was used in incense during religious ceremonies.

Now.... really, when you look at these items... what would they compare to today? Do the Commercialized "MUST HAVES FOR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON" come close? NO Again!!!

Forgive me dear O Family if what I am sharing upsets you... but truth is MOST important. I've spent some time in chat recently.. and I hear... each time I am there.. someone say how stressful the "Holidays" are...

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Celebrate Christmas by being with your family and friends for the fellowship and praise gathering is meant to bring..... NOT for "Let's see who bought the nicest present"

My most enjoyable time in any evening is the time I spend here on Oasis. I am in my home, safe from worldly influence and free to share the Love and Grace our Father has bestowed upon me. We will not exchange gifts here, and through that hindrance, I pray y'all will see the true beauty of this ministry and of our Lord. Act out of Love to show your appreciation for all He has done and given with all who join together.

M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S ! ! ! !

Jesus Loves you... and so do I, God Bless!

Peace and Love in CHRIST,
Lani

[splash]

God bless you Lani!

I understand your frustration. When we travel to foreign lands to take the gospel to heathens we go expecting to be patient with those who don't understand the truth and have been deceived by false doctrine. When we travel to the mall, we need to go with the same attitude; getting prayed up and expecting opportunities for reaching out to the lost. The Holy Spirit has put this Bible story in my heart today, I think it's a good paralell of what we're facing here.

[color=red]Acts 17: 16While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, What is this babbler trying to say?

[Tam]

Amen Lani......... Tis the season to______________

Hey guys
I choose to celebrate Jesus everyday How about you?

I am blessed beyond measure everyday of my life and there is no money involved Just lots of unconditional love!