Comments on: Simplifying Christmas Events & Building Traditions http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/11/simplifying-the-holidays-events-traditions.html Loving simple and natural living on a budget Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:06:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Rebecca http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/11/simplifying-the-holidays-events-traditions.html/comment-page-1#comment-5464 Rebecca Sat, 06 Dec 2008 21:52:11 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=2337#comment-5464 Christmas on a different note...you don't have to do anything!! Let me explain...after serving overseas as a Christian relief worker/missionary for years in Haiti, Mozambique, and India, and marrying a wonderful Christian man who grew up not "keeping" Christmas, gave me a much different perspective. Why give gifts when Jesus is our greatest gift, the magi brought Him treasures? We don't really do much for Christmas, but focus on Christ's coming a Savior, and it is the most relaxing and spiritual time for us. It is also so sad to see the waste of time and expense, and stress that most Christians and non-believers face at this time. It is interesting to see how much folks want to slow down and rethink, be intentional and less stressed about what they do and don't want to do over the holidays, so that's good. I just want to let you know that you don't have to celebrate the way the way the world does at all if you don't want to, and not to be trapped in cultural traditions of the Western materialistic world. If we look at church history and scripture we know that the apostles and most disciples of Christ throughout the ages acknowledged but never celebrated the Lord's coming, but looked towards His resurrection and ascension. In fact, true examinination of many of the traditions is frightening! Let's face it, we like the traditions and trappings and celebrations, and that's okay, but you don't have to partake if you don't want to, or choose to do something different. Hindus, Muslims, animists, and pagans, wonder why, when they are converted to Christ, we are "bowing" down to the idols of Christmas, and to look at Jeremiah 10 and see how the people put up a tree in their house, fastened it so it wouldn't totter, and then festooned it with gold and silver. Christians in other countries do not celebrate Christmas as we do here, except when they are influenced by our Western culture and it's materialism. Charles Spurgeon, the prince of preachers proclaimed, "what rubbish!". I'm not trying to be a grinch here or against it at all, just amazed that we don't really see other Christian perspectives or questioning of our practices even from soundly saved folks embracing good biblical doctrine. I believe it is because it is so entrenched in our culture. It is a good time for outreach and evangelism but beyond that we can let go of more and more if we choose to, and look towards the author and finisher of our faith instead. Blessings and Peace in Him :-) Christmas on a different note…you don’t have to do anything!! Let me explain…after serving overseas as a Christian relief worker/missionary for years in Haiti, Mozambique, and India, and marrying a wonderful Christian man who grew up not “keeping” Christmas, gave me a much different perspective. Why give gifts when Jesus is our greatest gift, the magi brought Him treasures? We don’t really do much for Christmas, but focus on Christ’s coming a Savior, and it is the most relaxing and spiritual time for us. It is also so sad to see the waste of time and expense, and stress that most Christians and non-believers face at this time. It is interesting to see how much folks want to slow down and rethink, be intentional and less stressed about what they do and don’t want to do over the holidays, so that’s good. I just want to let you know that you don’t have to celebrate the way the way the world does at all if you don’t want to, and not to be trapped in cultural traditions of the Western materialistic world. If we look at church history and scripture we know that the apostles and most disciples of Christ throughout the ages acknowledged but never celebrated the Lord’s coming, but looked towards His resurrection and ascension. In fact, true examinination of many of the traditions is frightening! Let’s face it, we like the traditions and trappings and celebrations, and that’s okay, but you don’t have to partake if you don’t want to, or choose to do something different. Hindus, Muslims, animists, and pagans, wonder why, when they are converted to Christ, we are “bowing” down to the idols of Christmas, and to look at Jeremiah 10 and see how the people put up a tree in their house, fastened it so it wouldn’t totter, and then festooned it with gold and silver. Christians in other countries do not celebrate Christmas as we do here, except when they are influenced by our Western culture and it’s materialism. Charles Spurgeon, the prince of preachers proclaimed, “what rubbish!”. I’m not trying to be a grinch here or against it at all, just amazed that we don’t really see other Christian perspectives or questioning of our practices even from soundly saved folks embracing good biblical doctrine. I believe it is because it is so entrenched in our culture. It is a good time for outreach and evangelism but beyond that we can let go of more and more if we choose to, and look towards the author and finisher of our faith instead. Blessings and Peace in Him :-)

]]> By: Lindsay http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/11/simplifying-the-holidays-events-traditions.html/comment-page-1#comment-5215 Lindsay Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:14:23 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=2337#comment-5215 Yes, we have and greatly enjoy the Jesus Storybook Bible! Karis isn't quite old enough yet to read through it all the way, but we love the clear and solid Biblical doctrine that it tells. Wonderful resource! Yes, we have and greatly enjoy the Jesus Storybook Bible! Karis isn’t quite old enough yet to read through it all the way, but we love the clear and solid Biblical doctrine that it tells. Wonderful resource!

]]> By: DeAnna http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/11/simplifying-the-holidays-events-traditions.html/comment-page-1#comment-5210 DeAnna Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:33:20 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=2337#comment-5210 Thanks for the ideas. Especially since our girls were born, we have simplified alot of Christmas. I always want us to have family traditions for them rather than just dragging them to every get together someone has. We love classic Christmas movies, but I can't say I buy a new one every year, we're stuck in a rut, my hubby and I love White Christmas, Holiday Inn and Christmas in Connecticut and we watch them every year. :) We do have several fun family outings that we all really enjoy and along with buying gifts for needy children, this year we want to include our neighbors in our outreach. Last year we wanted to do this, but due to an emotional Christmas (my aunt was very sick with cancer and died the day after Christmas) we didn't get to do everything we wanted. So this year, my girls and I will bake some goodies and we are going to go to each neighbor's house on our street and pass them out. I LOVE the idea of a Jesse tree. Have you ever read or seen the Jesus Storybook Bible? It is by far my favorite kids Bible book -- it does such a wonderful job in each story to point everything to Christ. My girls love it, we've used it to read to them at night and as soon as we're done, the girls barely want a break before we start it again. This would be great to go along with the tree. Thanks for the info. Thanks for the ideas. Especially since our girls were born, we have simplified alot of Christmas. I always want us to have family traditions for them rather than just dragging them to every get together someone has. We love classic Christmas movies, but I can’t say I buy a new one every year, we’re stuck in a rut, my hubby and I love White Christmas, Holiday Inn and Christmas in Connecticut and we watch them every year. :) We do have several fun family outings that we all really enjoy and along with buying gifts for needy children, this year we want to include our neighbors in our outreach. Last year we wanted to do this, but due to an emotional Christmas (my aunt was very sick with cancer and died the day after Christmas) we didn’t get to do everything we wanted. So this year, my girls and I will bake some goodies and we are going to go to each neighbor’s house on our street and pass them out. I LOVE the idea of a Jesse tree. Have you ever read or seen the Jesus Storybook Bible? It is by far my favorite kids Bible book — it does such a wonderful job in each story to point everything to Christ. My girls love it, we’ve used it to read to them at night and as soon as we’re done, the girls barely want a break before we start it again. This would be great to go along with the tree. Thanks for the info.

]]> By: Amyswandering http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/11/simplifying-the-holidays-events-traditions.html/comment-page-1#comment-5188 Amyswandering Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:11:18 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=2337#comment-5188 Thanks for all of the great ideas! Thanks for all of the great ideas!

]]> By: Kate http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/11/simplifying-the-holidays-events-traditions.html/comment-page-1#comment-5180 Kate Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:02:52 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=2337#comment-5180 My husband and I are taking our children to NYC for one night to see the Rockette's. Every year we host a Christmas party, this year it will be the first weekend in December. Since we are youth pastors we are having a Christmas concert. We just had auditions last night for a few solos. And I ordered our robes last nite as well. We will have our concert Christmas Eve. We really never did an Advent wreath, I now my mother did something similar. I've already started making cookie dough to freeze. I'll be making those cookies for a cookie exchange mid-December, another party we have at our home. My husband and I are taking our children to NYC for one night to see the Rockette’s.

Every year we host a Christmas party, this year it will be the first weekend in December. Since we are youth pastors we are having a Christmas concert. We just had auditions last night for a few solos. And I ordered our robes last nite as well. We will have our concert Christmas Eve.

We really never did an Advent wreath, I now my mother did something similar.

I’ve already started making cookie dough to freeze. I’ll be making those cookies for a cookie exchange mid-December, another party we have at our home.

]]> By: Lindsay http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/11/simplifying-the-holidays-events-traditions.html/comment-page-1#comment-5170 Lindsay Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:40:28 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=2337#comment-5170 I don't see why not. It may take a little more explanation. My younger siblings participated in the family readings from that age. I don’t see why not. It may take a little more explanation. My younger siblings participated in the family readings from that age.

]]> By: Julia http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/11/simplifying-the-holidays-events-traditions.html/comment-page-1#comment-5169 Julia Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:31:36 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=2337#comment-5169 Thanks for the recommendation. We have a 3.5 year-old son and I would love to do something like this with him...but would this book be too old for him? Thanks for the recommendation. We have a 3.5 year-old son and I would love to do something like this with him…but would this book be too old for him?

]]> By: MacKenzie @BRC Banter http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/11/simplifying-the-holidays-events-traditions.html/comment-page-1#comment-5166 MacKenzie @BRC Banter Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:48:43 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=2337#comment-5166 I remember my mom reading us Jotham's Journey. My older brother and I were already in our teens but my mom "convinced" us to listen for our little brother's sake as he was young enough that he wanted to hear it - and so did we, we just didn't want to admit it was still nice to listen to read alouds. I remember my mom reading us Jotham’s Journey. My older brother and I were already in our teens but my mom “convinced” us to listen for our little brother’s sake as he was young enough that he wanted to hear it – and so did we, we just didn’t want to admit it was still nice to listen to read alouds.

]]> By: Julie http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/11/simplifying-the-holidays-events-traditions.html/comment-page-1#comment-5164 Julie Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:11:38 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=2337#comment-5164 Last week, our women's ministry at church hosted "Redeeming the Season" - based on the book of the same title. The book is chock full of ideas pointing families to Christ. Last week, our women’s ministry at church hosted “Redeeming the Season” – based on the book of the same title. The book is chock full of ideas pointing families to Christ.

]]> By: Susan http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/11/simplifying-the-holidays-events-traditions.html/comment-page-1#comment-5163 Susan Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:11:31 +0000 http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?p=2337#comment-5163 I like the idea of being intentional about Christmas, and therefore not over-committing. I love "events", and so this year we're going to the Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, and a Boar's Head performance, but that's it - we don't do parties. I am done with shopping already, and the girls and I will have a baking day sometime in Dec. Thanks for sharing some helpful strategies! I like the idea of being intentional about Christmas, and therefore not over-committing. I love “events”, and so this year we’re going to the Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, and a Boar’s Head performance, but that’s it – we don’t do parties. I am done with shopping already, and the girls and I will have a baking day sometime in Dec. Thanks for sharing some helpful strategies!

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