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Featured Christmas

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Sminasian, Nov 21, 2012.

  1. Sminasian

    Sminasian Member

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    Is it me? The thought of black friday sales and VIOLENCE that it produces just makes me sick. I am serious, it is repulsive to me. Who would want a gift from someone who was willing to take any and all means nessassary to get it? I think it is horrible. But thats just me. Gifts ARE part of Christmas, but what is a GIFT? It is something you give FROM YOUR HEART to someone you love. What comes from the heart? To me, it means something hand made, home made, thoughtful , meaningful gifts, that hold the true message of Christmas.

    I just really dont want to go Christmas shopping at the " stores" this year. It is not that I am being a scrooge, but I just cant stand to be in all that caos, all in the name of Christmas. I have decided to buy everyone on my list a gift from the Christian book store this year, wether they are saved or not, THAT is where I am shopping. I like giving to people, and I like to give from my heart. Last year I started making cookies, all kinds, fancy, not so fancy, etc , and gave them to my customers as a thank you. I COULD have given them free products or discounts, but I love my customers, and I have built a relationship with each and everyone of them. So, I like to give from my heart, something that took time and effort. I love my church family as well, and I will be making cookies for my friends there as well, the widows, etc..... THIS is what makes Christmas special. It really is NOT the gift, it is the thought, when are people going to realize this?

    My 7 year old grand daughter no longer believes in Santa, PRAISE THE LORD. Although Christ has ALWAYS BEEN the center of her Christmas, and I thank the Lord my daughter has done this, there was always that jolly ol man in the red suit who brought her hundreds of dollars of toys every year. Always in the background. This year, the presents are from mommy and daddy. Praise the Lord.

    Now , on to nativity sets. Some baptists love them, some dont. I happen to love having one up. I have a nice one that I display in the living room, in front of the fire place or under the tree, my grand daughter usually decides where we put it. But what about out door nativity sets? TRY TO FIND ONE. I know I am having a hard time even locating one. As much as I despise walmart, they used to have them. I went last week and they didnt have ONE. Lots of santas, flying reindeers, black holiday trees, etc.... NO NATIVITY sets. I am determined to find one this year if it kills me. A few years ago I told my mother that it wont be long before the ACLU says out door nativity sets offend people and we will be fighting to have them on our front lawns. Watch, it is just a matter of time. I say we should all put one up while we still have the chance.

    I know I am rambling on here, but I havent posted in a long time and I have so much built up on this topic, I just had to vent. :BangHead:
     
  2. righteousdude2

    righteousdude2 Well-Known Member
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    Praying for you....

    ...when i first joined the BB, I wrote in about the lack of decorations in restaurants [something i saw everywhere as a child], and I was ficiously attacked by members on this board.

    I can only pray for you, because if the same folks are around, i'm sure you will be hearing from them about this post, and you may not like what everyone says! :tonofbricks:

    :type:
     
  3. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Don't know if you have a BJ's store by you ...Cosco like because they got them.
     
  4. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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  5. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Wow...they still got those! My mom used to put them out. Now my brother( a Baptist pastor) keeps up the tradition. I might just order some...thanks f:smilewinkgrin::smilewinkgrin:eek:r the tip.:thumbs:
     
  6. mont974x4

    mont974x4 New Member

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    A few years ago I started setting a strict Christmas gift budget. My bride loves to shop for people and give gifts. In her desire to be a good steward with the budget I set she started going out for the Black Friday shopping. She actually enjoys it, and we have not had the violence issues that other places have.

    My bride has gone Thursday night, but after the family time is over the kids are in bed. I can't deal with the crowds, but I stay up until she gets home safe. This year I was disgusted to hear that stores are starting sales Thanksgiving morning. I asked my bride to pass on the deals and not go to the early sales and I explained to her my disgust. In fact, we had that discussion yesterday.

    Also, I have been slowly getting us to a minimalist, refocused, Christmas. We have a family supper with my folks and others on Christmas Eve. We have exchange gifts. I got the group to draw names and set spending limits. Supper is a time of reminding everyone of Christ's incarnation and why He came. It is a time of worship that includes Communion.

    A few years ago my bride and I went through our decorations and threw away all the Santa's (except for a small statue with him kneeling at a manger with Jesus in it) and all the angels. We cannot find any angel decorations that resemble what the Bible describes they look like.
     
  7. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    Agreed, but the sales don't produce the violence. That and other vices are in the hearts of the shoppers.

    Compare them with those shopping for kids for the Salvation Army and other charities. Now there's the spirit of Christmas!
     
  8. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    Sage advice.
     
  9. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    After thankgiving we will all await Aaron's Christina's cap! It's become tradition at BB. :laugh::laugh:
     
    #9 Earth Wind and Fire, Nov 21, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 21, 2012
  10. ktn4eg

    ktn4eg New Member

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    I personally don't "do Christmas," OTOH if any of my BB friends want to go "all out" for Christmas, then that's their option.

    In fact, the ONLY Christmas party I really enjoy going to is the one that's sponsored by Lighthouse Christian Camp ( www.lighthousechristiancamp.com ) near Center Hill Lake near Smithville in rural eastern middle TN.

    How it works is this: The underprivileged and/or dirt poor children from all over middle TN (and sometimes other places as well) are given a free week-long summer camping experience that they probably NEVER be able to afford.

    All during that all-expenses-paid-for week they get BONUS POINTS for doing various positive things. At the end of each summer camping period, each boy or girl's points are tallied up & converted into "play money" ['Monopoly Currency']. Then early each Dec LCC holds a Sat "Christmas Shopping Spree" where each camper is bussed back to the LCC campgrounds where he/she is given his/her earned money to buy anything he/she wants (depending on the amt on the price tag) from all sorts of donated gifts---BUT these gifts are not supposed 2 B for themselves, they are supposed to be used 4 gifts for their parents and/or siblings.

    Maybe this 66.5 YO is just 2 sentimental in his OLD age, but it thrills my heart 2 see those underprivileged children (most from "the projects") being able to BUY those gifts 4 their family in return for doing positive things at camp this past summer. :thumbs:
     
  11. JPPT1974

    JPPT1974 Active Member
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    So sorry that you were attacked. As wished that there were decorations all over the place. Not just Christmas trees but more of Nativity scenes. Praying in agreement!:1_grouphug:
     
  12. Bro. Curtis

    Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>
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    To me, Christmas is a perfect picture of the Catholic corruption of Christianity.

    Nativity scenes ? Can you show me a bible verse that says "build them", cuz I can show you plenty that say "don't".

    Where are we told to celebrate Christmas ? If we are to strive to be Christ-like ? Christ only celebrated the passover, a true miracle. I see no miracles in Christmas. The date of our savior's birth was never recorded. I don't believe the date of his death was either, but I'll save that rant for Easter.

    I don't see anything wrong with a family holiday, or even exchanging gifts. But forcing "Christian" displays that go against God's word, no thanks.

    It is also my opinion that a lot of support for these displays comes from a selfish desire to force our faith on others, or even rub it in their faces. I want no part of it.
     
  13. TadQueasy

    TadQueasy Member

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    I grow less and less interested in Christmas each year. The shopping stuff is definitely part of it, but it just the whole deal feels like a waste. We spend so much time on gifts and parties and stuff like that and we spend very little time really reflecting on the stated reason for Christmas.
     
  14. mont974x4

    mont974x4 New Member

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    Then make a change.


    I love the get togethers, shared meals, special services. We just keep Christ in the forefront. There's no need to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
     
  15. TadQueasy

    TadQueasy Member

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    I was using the term "we" as a collective term for our country. My family has made a change, we have pulled back in a lot of ways from Christmas. We do some family things and that is about. Not a lot of gifts, not a lot of parties. And we seem to pull back a little more each year.
     
  16. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Catholic corruption? And you see no beauty in incarnation!?! Really.
     
  17. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    I'm with you on that...Christ is at the forefront. Well said:thumbsup:
     
  18. Bro. Curtis

    Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>
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    What incarnation ?
     
  19. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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  20. Bro. Curtis

    Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>
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    I don't understand why you put up that link. Are you saying my refusal to celebrate Christmas means I deny Christ is the son of God ?
     
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