I Quit Christmas | Coffee Chat 

Legalism implies that we have to do things to earn our salvation through works. Please don't misunderstand me. There is NO salvation without faith in our Messiah, Jesus/Yeshua. We can not earn our salvation through acts, we display our salvation through them. "What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith but has no actions to prove it? Is such “faith” able to save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food, and someone says to him, “Shalom! Keep warm and eat hearty!” without giving him what he needs, what good does it do? Thus, faith by itself, unaccompanied by actions, is dead." James 2:14-17 “Don’t think that I have come to abolish the Torah or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete. Yes indeed! I tell you that until heaven and earth pass away, not so much as a yud or a stroke will pass from the Torah - not until everything that must happen has happened. So whoever disobeys the least of these mitzvot and teaches others to do so will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But whoever obeys them and so teaches will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven." Matthew 5:17-19

@@CosmopolitanCornbread Exactly! Jesus fulfilled every jot and tittle of the law because none of us could. The law was a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. Now we are in Christ and we no longer need that schoolmaster, we have graduated from the school of the law into the law of love and the grace of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. Abraham (the father of the Jews) believed God and it was accounted unto him for righteousness. He lived hundreds of years before the law of Moses was given. He was justified by his faith. I am also justified by faith in the works of the Lord Jesus. My works are as filthy rags next to His righteousness that He clothes me in. If we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh; not that I always do this, but as I do, I am empowered to walk above the law. Just as Jesus said, the law required a man not to commit adultery, but He said, if a man lust in his heart he has already committed adultery in his heart. The Lord calls us to a higher standard than the law, He writes the law on our hearts, so that we don’t have to always be trying to live a righteous life, it is in our spiritual desire to do so, written on our hearts. Again, I mean no disrespect, I only have a passion for the grace and power the infilling of the Holy Ghost brings in a believer’s life. It is a walk with God so much higher than endeavoring to obey the law. God bless!

Sister read the entire Bible. Jesus is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end. He is the Spirit of prophecy that directed His prophets to speak and write these words that make up the Word of God. God never, never changed His Commandments. Preachers that tell you that they were nailed to the cross are giving you cunningly devised fables. The ceremonial laws were nailed to the cross, the ordinances against us, but the Commandments stand. Isaiah 66:22-23 tells us we will keep the Sabbath on the earth made new. Jesus says in Rev. 22:14 that those who keep His Commandments will have right to the tree of life and enter into the gates of Heaven. Matthew 5: 16-21; Jesus says if anyone teaches not to keep them will be least in the Kingdom of Heaven; for Jesus did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill (keep) them. Research Babylonian culture with celebrating pagan gods with holidays. Tammuz is the sun god's child celebrating his birth on Dec. 25. Easter is Ishtar, the queen of heaven, goddess of fertility. Stay on your knees asking your Savior to send His Spirit of truth to guide you to all truth. He is the Truth, the Way, and the Life.

Thank you for sharing, I know where you been in your life. I or my sisters haven’t participated in any of the pagan holidays since myself 2014. My daughter and my sisters have not participated in any of the holidays as well for many years. If people knew where they came from where they originated from it has nothing to do with worshiping, our Father YHWH, and his son Yahshuwah in fact it’s opposite. I lost friends because I tried to educate them on the history of pagan holidays. Some people just cannot do this. It changes their life it changes all that they’ve ever known believed in but once one seeks the truth and finds it there is no going back . Shalom 🙏

@@cynthiafisher9907 , thank you for beautifully stated truth in both postings ❤

I understand how difficult it is. I have an adult niece that lives close to me and I think she is finally understanding, after 3 years of me not celebrating Christmas and Easter. I made such a big deal about these holidays before that, its been hard for those who believe that Christmas isn't really about the birth of Christ and that I now know the truth. Although I've explained the truth, she still wants to celebrate it, Last year I put my foot down and told her if she comes to see me at that time and gives me gifts to celebrate anyway, that I will be disgusted and to please honor my conviction. She came last year, said she got just a few things for me, they were in Christmas wrapping in a Christmas bag. I opened them, looked at them, told her thank you, and have donated them, to the homeless or those down on their luck; not wanting to hurt her feelings. However, if it happens this year, I won't even accept them. I stand with The Father and no one is going change my mind. He's the only One I will bend my knee to.

I quit celebrating Christmas several years ago and my arrangement with my grown son was that we give to one another any time all year round - with the exception of any helliday. At bdays, we give one gift. I just dont want any part of the pagan rituals.

👏

Also the scriptures plainly say...1 Corinthians 10:11 (KJV) 11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. those were examples of what to do and not to do. His moral law does not change.

Welcome! And thank you so much!

I feel the same way and I do the same thing! Everyone who do what they feel for them and there family. I look to hear how she feels and do judge and I love her for it.

@@happinesshomemade5855 In studying Heb. 11, you will find that each person saw what Yahweh said and acted in obedience to Him. Feeling had very little to do with it but instead 2 Corinthians 5:7 (AMP) 7 For we walk by FAITH/OBEDIENCE [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance. Faith is believing to the point of obedience according to the study of Hebrews 11, not feelings. Respectfully.

Proverbs 14:12 & 16:25 "There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof is the ways of death." Study to show thyself approved of God. Do not put your trust in man, but God. Rev.18 1-4 " Come out of Babylon My people!"

Just remember, our feelings have nothing to do with it. Obedience is what is required. Leave the heart and feeling out of following the Scriptures.

Yes, I am a Christian and I buy gifts for my grandbabies and kids. As long as you make it clear what Christmas is about and celebrate JESUS then I feel it's ok. 🙏

The Christmas tree is not my idol but just a chance to have lights and the colors that were present at the Birth of Christ Jeasus my Savior!

Angie, If I may share, some food for thought, as my Hebrew Scholar always tells me. : ) I was sent a message recently, about this same passage. The question that I was asked was: "Are we not supposed to have Christmas trees"? To share a bit of context (I've been walking out Hebrew Bible Study for over a decade, I studied Biblical Hebrew with a Messianic Believer. I will continue to walk out studying the scriptures to seek the Pearls of Wisdom, that come from the highest form of worship, Bible Study. I share this not to boast, but to bring further understanding.) So I shared a study on this same passage of scripture. I will share a portion here, maybe we can see something deeper. The following is an excerpt from a teaching about this portion of scripture. ((First, there is the immediate context of this passage. The very next verse, 10:5, goes on to say, "Like a scarecrow in a melon patch, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good." This passage and the passages that follow make it crystal clear that the "decorated tree" that Jeremiah was talking about in 10:3-4, was a tree that was cut down and made into an idol, a very common custom in the ancient world.)) ((Second, when we search the rest of the Old Testament, we find many other examples of trees being planted, cut down, or carved into idols. One of the most common examples of a tree idol was the Asherah, mentioned often in the Old Testament. Asherah was a pagan goddess that was worshiped throughout the Mediterranean world. She was considered to be the goddess of the sea, the consort of El, and the mother of Baal. She was always represented as a tree or pole, either planted or erected, then decorated. There are many warnings in the Old Testament about the Asherah tree. Isaiah 44: 14-19 gives a detail picture of how a tree was cut down and fashioned into an idol. From the foregoing, it is abundantly clear that the "decorated tree" to which Jeremiah 10 refers is an idol, very likely was Asherah.)) ((Those who continue to believe that the Christmas tree is pagan and sinful, even after having their conscience correctly informed, should not use them. For it is not right to sin against conscience. This is regrettable, however, since there is absolutely nothing wrong with using a Christmas tree.)) This is only a portion of the teaching of this verse, through Hebraic Insight. Angie, The LORD IS Good And Compassionate, HE knew you enjoyed putting up the tree. If HE told you, don't put it up, then you walk in obedience to what HE spoke to you. I only share this to bring context to a passage of scripture, that all too often is taken out of context. Shalom, Dear Sister.

What and where is the scripture of the biblical feast? I grew up keeping all the feast untill in the 90's. And we're do you find calling Jesus by other names? The Angel of God told Mary mother of Jesus, you shall call him Jesus! For he will become the Savior of the world

@@maryarcher8484 These are great questions-- you can find the Biblical feasts outlined in Leviticus 23 (though they appear elsewhere in the Bible too). Sabbath is one of those feasts and that is in multiple places including the 4th commandment. As for Jesus- there was no J in the Hebrew language or Aramaic which is what would have been spoken by Messiah and his followers. There also was no J in English until fairly recently. Jesus is a transliteration of His real name (which I pronounce Yeshua) to Greek. His name is something like Yeshua although there are different pronunciations due to transliteration from Hebrew to English. Yeshua means Salvation in Hebrew (so it makes the passage you referenced really come alive, doesn't it? Our Father is amazing!!). The name Jesus actually doesn't have any meaning. It's kinda like my name- it's Sara. You can call me Barbara and I will still know you are referring to me but my name is special to me because it's what my mom and dad decided to name me. Just like the Father gave Yeshua His name and communicated it to his mom Miriam through the Angel. I hope this all makes sense-- I just stumbled upon this channel through a magazine a friend lent me and saw your comment wasn't responded to so I wanted to help answer your questions as best as I can. Shalom!

Matthew 1 TLV 20 But while he considered these things, behold, an angel of ADoNAI appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Miriam as your wife, for the Child conceived in her is from the Ruach ha-Kodesh. 21 She will give birth to a son; and you shall call His name Yeshua, for He will save His people from their sins."

I read through either Bradford or Brewster's book. I can't recall, but I would recommend reading it. You would find that there is absolutely no mention of Sukkot, nor is there any shame in them eating unclean foods. They also didn't keep the sabbath on Saturday, but Sunday. The idea it was based on Sukkot is not much backed up with fact, but speculation.

@@hickoryhillinthebigwoods-r759 I’ll have to go back and check my references. It was in 2007. I appreciate your comment, I certainly was not saying they were trying to be Jewish, just that, from what I read, they appreciated the Sukkot feast and what it represented-thankfulness for the bountiful harvest having lived around them-becoming a type of inspiration for what they did.

@@MaribethAlexander No, it is okay. I keep the feasts too and the teacher of the online congregation I follow was saying the same. I shared my reading of the journals and thought with him. He went into a lot of other details concerning the sect of believers they may have been from and so on. Do we know for sure? No. We can only do the best we can based on how the Spirit leads us. I agree, there are definitely similarities in purpose. This walk is an amazing walk of searching out truth because we have been lied to for so long.

@@hickoryhillinthebigwoods-r759 it truly is an amazing walk. I thankful God brought people into our lives nearly 20 years ago who taught us a lot about Judaism and the feasts.

My Thanksgiving always is around Gratitude for my harvest since we take our gardens, crops & such off about this time in Canada.

Tracy one of the things that bothered me so much, was the amount of pressure people put themselves under. Trying to do “all the things” or even going into debt to do something our Father never asked us to do. It hurt my heart to see it. ❤️

Well said!

Agree❤

Jeremiah 10 is very self explanatory about using the tree as an idol decorating with gold and silver, propping it up with wooden stays to keep it upright. " Do not do what the heathen do!" Satan is subtle in leading God's people to follow cunningly devised fables. Study Babylonian culture and the gods they worshipped. God says to come out of Babylon in Rev. 18. The harlot and Mother of all harlots is Great Babylon. She speaks blasphemies against God, and wears out His saints. What church claims to be the Mother? She is decked in gold and pearls wearing scarlet and purple robes, and has a golden cup in her hands. Its the Roman Catholic system. Research the Saturnalia and what it is really about, and how the Pope adorns himself that time of year (Dec-Jan) with his red Saturn hat and scarlet robe. 2Thess.2 should open your eyes to who this man of sin and perdition is that sits on a throne, and is the Antichrist. Dont be a lukewarm Laodicean and think you know it all and in need of nothing.

Pagan idolatry is spiritual adultery.. My freedom in Yahushua does not give license to partake of that which is not of Him. It is my freedom to love and serve Him and my brothers and sisters in Him, sharing the fullest of joy in walking in His ways and not of the world. Be blessed 😊

It's a pagan custom from three pagan cultures. Roman , Celtic , and Norse it has got nothing to do with Christ avoid it

There were many seasons of miracles! Johns birth was a miracle, Elisabeth got pregnant just at the time God ment for her to? So he could be the one that would come before Jesus teaching the good news of the Kingdom of God!

Where do you find the word Chanukah? what does it mean? I do not mean to be hard hearted I'm just trying to understand, I know I don't have it in front of me now we're Paul or John says if all things were placed in the bible or book there would not be a book large enough to contain it! I know the words the prophets wrote were inspired by God! God says we are not to add or take away from the book Bible. There are many versions of the bible or translations when a passage states the same content, but just by a different writer it should say the same. If the translations changes the content to mean something that says something different that would be totally different. God did not make any mistakes! I know there are people out there that say there were different books left out of the original bible were do you find this instructions?

@@maryarcher8484 There is a brief mention in John 10:22-23 in our Protestant Bibles, where it mentions Jesus at the temple for the 'feast of dedication'. That is what is being referred to, and what is called Chanukah today (as well as the Festival of Light). The full story of the battle to save the 'faith' and reclaim the Temple in Jerusalem (rededicating it to God), is in the book of Maccabees, that you can find in the Apocrypha. This is in an article from the National Catholic Review: "Many people seem to believe Catholics “added” books to the Bible. They don’t seem to realize that Luther removed seven entire books and parts of three others from it for no other reason than that they didn’t fit his idea of “what God really wanted.” Luther claimed they celebrated Judaism and because he wanted to justify his challenging the authority of the Catholic Church, he threw them out." I was raised a Lutheran, so I am not Luther bashing here; but there are other troubling writings of his that are very anti-sematic; adding to his reasoning for removing the Maccabees from his version of the Bible.

@@Barbara-gy9jq There is a book Luther wrote, can't remember the title, but he was very much against the Jewish people that did not follow Jesus, the Messiah. Almost sounded like Hitler would have said. Was disturbing. God used him for a purpose, though, to expose the lies and hypocrisy in the oppressive Church of Rome. They would have burned him at the stake.

I'm 68, and when I found out there was no Santa at 9 yrs old, I too was livid. Then at 11 there is no Easter bunny! Thou shalt not bear false witness, lie. Those who love and tell a lie will not be in the Kingdom of God ( Rev. 21&22). Parents need to repent... I did. Its just cunningly devised fables.

Thank you friend. We are all just doing our best, and thankful for grace where we fall short :)

Yes!

Praying over those seeds you’re planting! 💕 I think it would be so much fun if us homesteaders could get together and celebrated them together!

Yes it would!

Good thoughts.

Never teach them the ways of the world are ok, God says to come out of the world!

💙 It feels like coming home. Bless you sister.

Ah yes, Shaggy’s tacos! She sure lives that place. LOL ❤️

Yes! There’s a lot of people who go on attack, and push others away. That is not going to make others want to see what we see. Living out our faith and being a light is a much better way. Better to make people curious and sincerely ask questions, than to try and shove something down their throats.

Honestly, I did not have any fellowship for some time. I participated in bible studies/groups but any time something was going on that was "holiday" related, I simply bowed out. Over time, the Father connected me with others who were like minded. For a long time though, I thought it was just me... only to learn there were countless others out there, also thinking it was "just them." :) Be patient, and be faithful. I am sure He will lead you to fellowship, when the time is right

Thank you :)

You could start in the book of John. It’s in the New Testament after Luke.❤️🙏❤️

You could start in the book of John. It’s after Luke.

The same way you would begin to study any book: in the beginning. That one simple thing is life changing!