> > To be precise, one school of thought holds that Jesus of
> > Nazareth was born in the spring. Another is that he was
> most
> > likely born around the Feast of Tabernacles, which is in
> the
> > autumn. That was one of the pilgramage feasts, and all
> heads
> > of households would have been compelled to travel to
> > Jerusalem. With Bethlehem nearby (and possibly the census
> > ordered by Octavian Augustus) it was also convenient for
> > Jesus' circumcision in the Temple eight days after his
> birth
> > - and Tabernacles is an eight day feast. Another theory,
> > anyway...
> >
> > 1st Century Believers would have been aghast at the
> thought
> > of celebrating Jesus' birth, let alone the commercial
> nature
> > of the present holiday. They wouldn't even kneel before a
> > cross, since to them it was a very real symbol of horror.
> In
> > fact, they would not even call themselves "Christ-ians" -
> > since they did not attach anything of the Diety to
> anything
> > of the flesh. The term began in Antioch as a Roman slur.
> > Instead, they observed his death and resurrection, daily,
> by
> > breaking bread in each other's homes. Formal meetings were
>
> > usually on Sunday evening when poor people, slaves, and
> > priests could get away from work.
> >
> > Bruce raises a good question. We live in an age in which
> > saying "Merry Christmas" at Walmart is problematic.
> However,
> > as some of the other posters have suggested, if Believers
> > spent more time revealing our risen Lord instead of
> > delivering condemnation perhaps there would not be such
> > resentment. We tend to whine and tell the world how stupid
>
> > it is instead of offering a helping hand.
> >
> > As far as programming goes, if you're going to play
> > Christmas music, then play Christmas music. Be what you
> are,
> > or be something else.
> >
> > Jody
> >
> > > > > > Oh yes, let's all stop and shed a tear for the
> poor,
> >
> > > > > > picked-upon, completely helpless Christian
> minority
> > in
> > >
> > > > > this
> > > > > > country who never, ever gets what it wants.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Oh wait, I forgot, we're talking about the US.
> > > They're
> > > > > only
> > > > > > in charge of every branch of government and do
> their
> >
> > > > best
> > > > > to
> > > > > > run (ruin?) everyone else's life.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Give me a break.
> > > > >
> > > > > Please take your ignorant anti-Christian sentiments
> > > > > somewhere else. Your post has basically no point
> > other
> > > > than
> > > > > to be launching pad for a political rant (that none
> of
> >
> > > us
> > > > on
> > > > > Dallas board want to hear). Bruce was making a
> valid
> > > > point
> > > > > about political correctness (as it relates to
> > Christmas
> > > > > radio programming, nothing else) and a reference to
> a
> > > > > message currently running on-air at KLTY.
> > > > >
> > > > > Maybe one of the MoveOn.org forums would be a better
>
> > > place
> > > >
> > > > > for you.
> > > > >
> > > > > HR
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > You seem to be full of hot air yourself, Hurricane

> > > >
> > > Pretty much what I was going to say. They can criticize
> > > others but to criticize them is just down right
> unGodly

.
> >
> > >
> >
> Well Jody The history lesson is appreciated but a bit
> lengthy and was it necessary to present a point? Your last
> paragraph summed it up well.
>
Point well taken. The history lesson was merely designed to illustrate that Christmas observed in its current manner has very little to do with Christ. Not an awful thing, as it does call attention to the founder of the feast. As Paul would have said, in that Believers rejoice. But it's understandable why the season would exasperate others when those of us who do believe tend to behave another way the rest of the year. Formats or people, be what you are are - not
60%, but all the way.
One more history lesson - Tabernacles celebrated the tabernacle of Moses, through which God dwelled on earth with man. A good time for Jesus to be born if he was who he claimed to be. That would have put his conception at Hannukah, or the Festival of Lights - and the prophets referred to the Messiah as the light of the world. That's either an odd coincidence, an amazingly consistent concoction, or a well-concieved plan.
Jody