Omolola1: If JW's do not believe in new year, then they shouldn't observe the public holidays, dec 25_26 and Jan 1. They shouldn't even accept christmas bonuses that would be given to them at work.
Yet most JW's do this!

if they do not want to celebrate any thing its their choice. What i dont like about them is their attempt to force others to take their idea which is fueled by misinterpretations, misconceptions, misinformation, hatred and bigotry.

@gst101

So you dont think that "how he died for your sins and how you can remember him, if thats what the spirit tells you when you read those passages, is worth celebrating.

yes its worth celebrating!

even more than celebretion! but billions celebrating jesus birth today will easily not remember jesus in their everyday dealings, by freely-forgiving, not retaliating evil-for-evil, cheating, fornicating,slave for money rather than slave for christ because you cannot have two masters,so many choose slaving for money and despise christ, they loved money than their brothers, so what are you cellebrating? then ask yourself ....is celebrating jesus birth(which is not commanded) superceeds keeping his commands? will jesus be happy with those mere formalties?

ok, if you chose to celebrate the birth on Dec 25th, then can you say how old jesus was from his birth on the dec 25th, that jesus is..... 200yrs, 300yrs, 2,020yrs?,2,025yrs or 2,030 can you quickly mention precisely his age from that 25th of ?.

can you see now, that you do not even care to know the age of the celebrant!

WHAT IS MISSING IN WHAT WE CELLEBRATE IS 'THE AUTHORITY TO DO SO' God was very meticulous with the lifestyle and celebration of his people then when this was penned down;

Jeremiah 7:23

but I gave them this command: [size=14pt]Obey me[/size], and I will be your God and you will be my people. [size=16pt]Walk in all the ways I command you[/size], that it may go well with you.

1 Corinthians 4:6-

Now brothers and sisters I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying: DO NOT GO BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN....

this was also re-echoed in the NT (plappvile quoted earlier);

1 Corinthians 4:6-

Now brothers and sisters I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying: DO NOT GO BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN....

Many who felt that they do things to 'praise God' without his command were dealt with;

king Saul seperating big bulls for sacrifice for God from a land detestable to God, lets see what samuel has to say to saul on that;

1 samuel 15:22

But Samuel replied:[size=14pt] "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD?[/size] To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

other examples like king David beautifying the Ark of covenant without Gods command leads to the death of uzzah, a levi, until it was returned to status quo!

so, let us see what jesus commanded(an authority from jesus permmiting a celebration on his behalf) ;

Luke 22:19

19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

this was also re-echoed by paul in NT;

1 corinthians 11:24

and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; [size=14pt]do this in remembrance of me.[/size]"

when i read the scripture, i can see a celebration.

"suddenly, angels appeared from heaven singing glory to god in the highest and peace on earth to people of good will" (luke 2:13-14). So, on every 25th december when christians gather to praise god for the gift of a savior, be sure that God puts on his dancing shoes and he rejoices with them

''angels appeared from heaven singing glory'' does this statement authorises christians? no, the heavenly hosts including the angels are following Gods command,as they unfold in the birth of jesus,

so as humans, we should follow Gods Command and AUTHORITY, also work with his standards as written in the bible in oureverydaylife, we do not want to walk as if we are in the Dark. but PRINCIPLED ONES!

Omolola1

Omolola1: If JW's do not believe in new year, then they shouldn't observe the public holidays, dec 25_26 and Jan 1. They shouldn't even accept christmas bonuses that would be given to them at work.
Yet most JW's do this!

observe the public holidays

What you call public holidays , for majority of the Jws, they see it as an opportunity to preach,ok? they use the so called holiday to switch to another work; treasuring spiritual treasures 'in heaven' by engaging in house to house preaching! not a double-double-single ecomium literal prosperity campaign but a practical work in mathew 24:14!

shouldn't even accept christmas bonuses that would be given to them at work

im sure bonuses is a 'function of work' and if you are not putting your time and effort to work for an org, you cannot receive pay, to the company, there is nothing like christmas bonuses, maybe end of a calendar yr bonus, but since many see it as an opportunity to use the money for xmass, they tag it xmass bonus, and that remain their own opinion! end of a calendar yr bonus is a 'function of ones work' in a gainfully employed org.

gst101

if they do not want to celebrate any thing its their choice. What i dont like about them is their attempt to force others to take their idea which is fueled by misinterpretations, misconceptions, misinformation, hatred and bigotry.

attempt to force others to take their idea

can you prove these alledged attemts, and lets us evaluate what you term as 'force it on others' its a serious allegation! im interested in the use of force, pls prove it, im waiting!

gst101: when i read the scripture, i can see a celebration.

"suddenly, angels appeared from heaven singing glory to god in the highest and peace on earth to people of good will" (luke 2:13-14). So, on every 25th december when christians gather to praise god for the gift of a savior, be sure that God puts on his dancing shoes and he rejoices with them

Were the angels commemorating Jesus' birth or did you hear that after that day Jesus was born d angels gathered year in year out to observe the birth of Jesus just as you and many are doing??......my brother open that your bible and check well........besides Jesus wasn't born on dec 25th the pagan sun god was........smh!!!!!.............

Omolola1: If JW's do not believe in new year, then they shouldn't observe the public holidays, dec 25_26 and Jan 1. They shouldn't even accept christmas bonuses that would be given to them at work.
Yet most JW's do this!

How do you mean observe??.........are the company giving xmas bonuses or end of the year bonuses??.......isn't every staff entitled to end of the year bonuses??.........were the bonuses giving on xmas day??........

continued

[color=#000000][/color] Christmas is, of course, Jesus' birthday. However it is very unlikely Jesus was really born on 25 December! In ancient times most pagans held some kind of mid-winter festival. Instead of abolishing the old pagan festivals the Church took them over and 'Christianised' them. In 354 AD 25 December was fixed as the birthday of Christ.

In England Christmas was originally called Yule. The old Saxon word Yule meant mid-winter. However when the Saxons were converted to Christianity the word Yule came to mean Jesus' birthday. The word Christmas (Christ mass) was not used until the 11th century.

For most of history Christmas was just one of many festivals celebrated throughout the year. Until the 19th century Christmas was not particularly important in England.

Most of the things that make up a 'traditional' English Christmas were actually invented (or imported into England from other countries) in the 19th century. That includes Christmas trees, Christmas cards, Christmas crackers, paper decorations and, of course, Father Christmas or Santa Claus with his white beard and red costume.

During the 17th century and 18th century people continued to celebrate Christmas as they had done for centuries.

For centuries it was traditional to burn a Yule log in the fireplace at Christmas. In the 19th century it was also common to light a large Yule candle.

Boxing Day was originally a day when alms-boxes in churches were opened and the money was distributed to the poor. Later 'boxes' were given to servants.

Long before the 19th century people in England decorated their houses at Christmas with holly, ivy and mistletoe. However they also used many other plants, such as fir, yew and laurel. In the 19th century people began to use coloured paper decorations.

For centuries it was common to give Christmas gifts to friends and relatives at Christmas. However hanging out stockings to be filled with presents was first recorded in parts of England in the early 19th century. It became common in the late 19th century.

The first Christmas card was designed in 1843 by John Horsley. Before 1840 it would not have been feasible for ordinary people to send cards because of the cost of postage. However Rowland Hill introduced the penny post in 1840. By the 1860s Christmas cards were very popular in England.

Christmas crackers were first made in 1847 by a confectioner named Tom Smith. While in Paris he saw sugar almonds sold wrapped in tissue paper and he invented the Christmas cracker. He added mottos to the sweets (later these evolved into jokes). Smith added the 'bang' in 1860. Little gifts were also added to Christmas crackers.

DANILSA: Why Do Some People Not Celebrate Christmas?

Around the world, nearly two billion people celebrate Christmas each December 25, while at least 200 million others celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ on January 7. However, there are also millions who choose not to celebrate Christmas at all. Why?

For one thing, they may belong to a religion that is not part of Christendom. They may be of the Jewish, Hindu, or Shinto faith, to name a few. Others, such as atheists, agnostics, freethinkers, or secular humanists, view the Christmas story as a myth.

Surprisingly, though, a sizable number of people who believe in Jesus reject the Yuletide traditions. Why? They point to at least four reasons.

First, they do not believe that Jesus was born in either December or January. The Bible does not give a specific date. It simply states: “There were also in that same country shepherds living out of doors and keeping watches in the night over their flocks. And suddenly Jehovah’s angel stood by them, and . . . the angel said to them: ‘. . . There was born to you today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”​—Luke 2:8-11.

Facts point to Jesus’ birth at approximately the beginning of October when shepherds with their flocks would still spend the night in the fields. The countryside around Bethlehem experiences the coldest weather during the months of December and January. Hence, to keep them warm at night, flocks are herded into protective shelters.

A second reason: The only event Jesus specifically instructed his followers to commemorate was his death, not his birth, and this was to be done as a simple communion meal. (Luke 22:19, 20) Note, too, that the Gospels of Mark and John are silent about Jesus’ birth.

The only event Jesus specifically instructed his followers to commemorate was his death, not his birth

A third reason: There is no historical evidence that the early Christians celebrated the birth of the Christ. But they did memorialize his death. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) It was not until more than 300 years after Jesus’ birth that Christendom officially began to observe Christmas on December 25. Interestingly, in the mid-17th century, an act of parliament banned Christmas celebrations in England. In the United States, the Massachusetts General Court did the same. Why? The book The Battle for Christmas, says: “There is no biblical or historical reason to place the birth of Jesus on December 25.” It adds that to the Puritans, “Christmas was nothing but a pagan festival covered with a Christian veneer.”

That brings us to a fourth reason: The unsavory origin of the celebration itself. The roots of Christmas can be traced back to pagan Rome with its mixture of festivals for honoring the agricultural god Saturn and the sun god Sol Invictus, or Mithra. Anthropologists Christian Rätsch and Claudia Müller-Ebeling, coauthors of the book Pagan Christmas, write: “Like many pre-Christian customs and beliefs, the old feast commemorating the yearly return of the sun was rededicated to the birth of Christ.”

In view of the foregoing, can you see why true Christians do not celebrate Christmas?
WWW.JW.ORG

A very nice write up. Are u JW

DANILSA: Why Do Some People Not Celebrate Christmas?

Around the world, nearly two billion people celebrate Christmas each December 25, while at least 200 million others celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ on January 7. However, there are also millions who choose not to celebrate Christmas at all. Why?

For one thing, they may belong to a religion that is not part of Christendom. They may be of the Jewish, Hindu, or Shinto faith, to name a few. Others, such as atheists, agnostics, freethinkers, or secular humanists, view the Christmas story as a myth.

Surprisingly, though, a sizable number of people who believe in Jesus reject the Yuletide traditions. Why? They point to at least four reasons.

First, they do not believe that Jesus was born in either December or January. The Bible does not give a specific date. It simply states: “There were also in that same country shepherds living out of doors and keeping watches in the night over their flocks. And suddenly Jehovah’s angel stood by them, and . . . the angel said to them: ‘. . . There was born to you today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”​—Luke 2:8-11.

Facts point to Jesus’ birth at approximately the beginning of October when shepherds with their flocks would still spend the night in the fields. The countryside around Bethlehem experiences the coldest weather during the months of December and January. Hence, to keep them warm at night, flocks are herded into protective shelters.

A second reason: The only event Jesus specifically instructed his followers to commemorate was his death, not his birth, and this was to be done as a simple communion meal. (Luke 22:19, 20) Note, too, that the Gospels of Mark and John are silent about Jesus’ birth.

The only event Jesus specifically instructed his followers to commemorate was his death, not his birth

A third reason: There is no historical evidence that the early Christians celebrated the birth of the Christ. But they did memorialize his death. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) It was not until more than 300 years after Jesus’ birth that Christendom officially began to observe Christmas on December 25. Interestingly, in the mid-17th century, an act of parliament banned Christmas celebrations in England. In the United States, the Massachusetts General Court did the same. Why? The book The Battle for Christmas, says: “There is no biblical or historical reason to place the birth of Jesus on December 25.” It adds that to the Puritans, “Christmas was nothing but a pagan festival covered with a Christian veneer.”

That brings us to a fourth reason: The unsavory origin of the celebration itself. The roots of Christmas can be traced back to pagan Rome with its mixture of festivals for honoring the agricultural god Saturn and the sun god Sol Invictus, or Mithra. Anthropologists Christian Rätsch and Claudia Müller-Ebeling, coauthors of the book Pagan Christmas, write: “Like many pre-Christian customs and beliefs, the old feast commemorating the yearly return of the sun was rededicated to the birth of Christ.”

In view of the foregoing, can you see why true Christians do not celebrate Christmas?
WWW.JW.ORG

A very nice write up. Are u JW

[color=#000099][/color]Origin of Christmas - The Traditions and Controversies
For today's Christian, the origin of Christmas is, and should be, the birth of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Bible. Nothing more and nothing less. However, most of what we witness on December 25th each year has absolutely nothing to do with that blessed day, which probably occurred in late summer or early fall about 2,000 years ago. In fact, most of the customs and traditions of Christmas actually pre-date the birth of Jesus, and many of them are downright deceptive in their meaning and origin. Here are a few examples:

The date of December 25th probably originated with the ancient "birthday" of the son-god, Mithra, a pagan deity whose religious influence became widespread in the Roman Empire during the first few centuries A.D. Mithra was related to the Semitic sun-god, Shamash, and his worship spread throughout Asia to Europe where he was called Deus Sol Invictus Mithras. Rome was well-known for absorbing the pagan religions and rituals of its widespread empire. As such, Rome converted this pagan legacy to a celebration of the god, Saturn, and the rebirth of the sun god during the winter solstice period. The winter holiday became known as Saturnalia and began the week prior to December 25th. The festival was characterized by gift-giving, feasting, singing and downright debauchery, as the priests of Saturn carried wreaths of evergreen boughs in procession throughout the Roman temples.

Variations of this pagan holiday flourished throughout the first few centuries after Jesus Christ, but it probably wasn't until 336 AD that Emperor Constantine officially converted this pagan tradition into the "Christian" holiday of Christmas.

Origin of Christmas - What Really Matters?
The true origin of Christmas is filled with controversy and compromise. A quick study will reveal a number of disturbing roots that we haven't been able to cover in this brief article. In short, the Christmas holiday we celebrate today is indicative of Christianity's willingness to absorb the world's customs and traditions, and forget its simple roots in the historical reality of Jesus Christ. Christmas should be nothing more than a simple, yet wonderful reminder of Christ's humble beginning as a human child in this world. His birth merely set the stage for the power, glory, and salvation that would be revealed in His life, death, and resurrection! Whether it's December 25th, sometime in late September, or any other day of the year, we should use each and every opportunity to reflect on Jesus Christ and His message of hope for all of us.

Discover More Now!

ambrosini593: I believe they don't even celebrate birthdays also. Is it bad to say happy new year to them and then the next thing they go angry with you. What kind of religion that will not allow its followers to give thanks to God for seeing a new year. What kind of religion that believe in God and not Jesus.

AND WHO THE HELL IS ''JESUS''?? BEFORE THE WHITE MAN CAME WITH LIES ABOUT A ''JESUS'' OUR ANCESTORS KNEW AND BELIEVED IN THE ALMIGHTY CREATOR. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BELIEVE IN ''JESUS'' TO BELIEVE IN GOD, SO STOP IMPUTING THAT.