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Pilgrim
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#54545 Wed Dec 13, 2017 4:55 PM
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Tom Offline OP
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Christmas
Almost every year, at this time of the year, there are Christians on both sides of the argument on whether as Christians we should celebrate Christmas at all. It is not my intention to open up that again; rather to point out one element I believe Spurgeon got right.
Looking down through history, at the Reformers and most of the Puritans I notice the majority view seemed to be against it.
Mainly because of their angst against the Roman Catholic Church "mass" and they believed it to be in violation of the RPW (Regulative Principle of Worship). Jumping ahead to the 1800's and reading about CH Spurgeon's view on Christmas. He seemed to have a love hate relationship with it. Earlier on in his ministry, he was not against it, in fact he often wished his congregation a happy Christmas. However, as the years went on, he seemed to be more and more against it.
He did however believe that Christmas was not going away anytime soon and preached very strongly how we should use it as a platform to preach the Gospel.
I am including a link to an article, that I believe shows his views.
http://thecripplegate.com/charles-spurgeons-love-hate-relationship-with-christmas/
The last paragraph especially.
Personally speaking, I am not set one way or another; but I am convinced Spurgeon was correct about using Christmas as a platform for evangelism.
Tom

Tom #54546 Wed Dec 13, 2017 5:44 PM
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Yes, it's the same old tired arguments by those who oppose any form of recognition of Christmas, especially those who claim it is a fabrication of the Roman Catholic Church which is spurious. I've stated my view on this many times over the years and will not repeat it here.

However, Dr. Paul Elliott has an excellent article concerning this subject here: Are Jehovah's Witnesses (And Some Christians) Right to Condemn Christmas?


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Tom #54547 Wed Dec 13, 2017 7:07 PM
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Pilgrim
As you probably noticed, my purpose in bringing this up, had more to do with evangelism at Christnas, than Christmas itself.
I did find it interesting however, that the Reformers did not celebrate Christmas. However, that probably shouldn't surprise me given the climate. They also preached that the pope was the "anti-Christ"; not just an "anti-Christ".

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Annie Oakley
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Hi Tom,

I would second Pilgrim's recommendation of Elliot's article on Christmas as it gives a refreshing perspective in contrast with what some argue each Christmas season. I don't know if you saw the quote that I recently posted in the forum for QUOTES a George Whitefield sermon on Christmas but I think you would like it.

Quote
Shall we yearly celebrate the birth of our temporal king, and shall that of the King of kings be quite forgotten? Shall that only, which ought to be had chiefly in remembrance, be quite forgotten? God forbid! No, my dear brethren, let us celebrate and keep this festival of our church, with joy in our hearts: let the birth of a Redeemer, which redeemed us from sin, from wrath, from death, from hell, be always remembered; may this Savior's love never be forgotten! But may we sing forth all his love and glory as long as life shall last here, and through an endless eternity in the world above! May we chant forth the wonders of redeeming love, and the riches of free grace, amidst angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, without intermission, for ever and ever! And as, my brethren, the time for keeping this festival is approaching, let us consider our duty in the true observation thereof, of the right way for the glory of God, and the good of immortal souls, to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ; an event which ought to be had in eternal remembrance.

This was taken from the sermon which we have here on The Highway and which you may enjoy reading once again. The Observation of the Birth of Chr...ns; Or the True Way of Keeping Christmas


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Tom #54554 Thu Dec 14, 2017 9:21 PM
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Will check out the link when I have time.
Thanks.

Tom #54555 Thu Dec 14, 2017 10:00 PM
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Annie Oakley
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Ha ha, Tom, I thought you were interested. Well, I'll tell you what, when I have time, I'll have a look at your link also. rofl


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chestnutmare #54558 Fri Dec 15, 2017 1:54 AM
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Tom Offline OP
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I did not mean to sound disinterested. In fact I am very interested and yet I need to make sure I can take the necessary time with it.
I tend to burn the candle at both ends sometimes.
Please except my apology.

Tom

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Just finished the article Pilgrim provided. It was actually quite a bit shorter than I thought it would be and I should have looked at it earlier.
I agree with the argument used by the author and might comment further after a second reading. Concerning the Reformers and Spurgeon not celebrating Christmas; perhaps if I was as close to the situation as they were, I might agree with them.

Tom


Tom #54560 Fri Dec 15, 2017 7:01 AM
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And here's another article by the same author, Dr. Paul Elliott on this subject entitled, Is Christmas Really 'The Mass of Christ'?.


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