Watchtower's annual Christmas edition - such hypocrisy!

by ozziepost 74 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  ozziepost

  OTWO:

  Yep, we all have opinions, that's why it's a discussion board.

  Did you actually limit the guest's posts because he disagreed with you?

  Nope. Why ask it?

  Anyway, this is now off topic so let's get back to the hypocrisy of the Borg, eh?
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  OnTheWayOut

  Okay, back to the original first post in this thread:

  ....yet each year they publish a Christmas edition of the Watchtower magazine!

  What is on the cover of the a current Watchtower magazine that makes it a "Christmas" issue?
  I read your link and that's not a magazine, that's not current.

  I won't say that they never did this in the past, and I don't know that they aren't doing it this year.
  Just show us what you are calling them hypocrites for by stating that "yet each year they publish a
  Christmas edition of the Watchtower magazine!" Your link is not published each year.
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  ozziepost

  OK, one more time for emphasis:

  • Each year the WTS publishes a WT with a Xmas theme, often with a cheesy Xmas flavor. The 'official' line is that it's topical to take the householders' interest and make it easier to 'place™". When i spent time in bethel I know it was referred to as the Christmas issue. Check your bound volumes.
  • The WTS have said that their site features articles from the current magazines.
  • Yesterday their site featured a banner ad for the article for which I provided a llink.
  • Today it's 'mysteriously' not appearing on the banner page.

  Whether there is or isn't a picture on the print copy or whatever is immaterial given the above.

  Anyone who was half-decent dub knows what I'm referring to.
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  OnTheWayOut

  Ozzie, I said I was outta here on that controversial subject, but I want to clear something up.

  Guest01210 sent me this PM and said I could post it if I wanted to:

  Thanks for your honesty and candor. Seems that I am again not able to post. All I wanted to do is find out where ozziepost got the idea that the Watchtower has a special Christmas edition this year. There isn't one!
  
  Guess I'll have to wait till tomorrow to post again ... I'm now limited to 5 posts a day. That's what happens when you stand up to bullies .. ah well.
  
  Feel free to post this if you like ... since I'm not allowed. Take care.

  You seemed to indicate that he was using up his posts, like he was limited.
  Then you said to me that you did not limit him because......

  Are you using some other loophole to limit his posts and just trying to mislead us, or
  is he really not limited in his posts? Why did you act as if he had just about used them
  up if he wasn't limited? Inquiring minds want to know.

  Since I was dragged back into this, just tell us what was wrong with his posts that you
  determined that he was a troll, as I did read them and didn't see any of what you saw, then
  tell us how you knew he was limited in his posts today and almost done.
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  OnTheWayOut

  BTTT.

  If you are still here, Ozzie, let's hear it.
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  stillajwexelder

  ***

  w03 12/15 p.3 Jesus’ Family—Who Were They?***

  IN MANY parts of the world, during December you often see scenes of the infant Jesus in the tender care of his mother, Mary, and his adoptive father, Joseph. Such family scenes may attract even those who do not profess to be Christians. Since the focus is on Jesus, what do the Scriptures tell us about Jesus’ human family?

  Jesus had a most interesting family background. He was born to a virgin named Mary, thus becoming a member of the human family. According to the Bible, his life was transferred from heaven to Mary’s womb through holy spirit. (Luke 1:30-35) Before the miraculous conception of Jesus was announced, Mary had become engaged to a man named Joseph, who was thus to become Jesus’ adoptive father.

  After Jesus’ birth, Joseph and Mary had other children, Jesus’ half brothers and sisters. That is evident from the question inhabitants of Nazareth later asked about Jesus: "Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us?" (Matthew 1:25; 13:55, 56; Mark 6:3) We can conclude from this that Jesus’ immediate family consisted of his parents, four brothers, and at least two sisters.

  However, some today do not believe that Jesus’ brothers and sisters were children of Joseph and Mary. Why? "The Church," says the NewCatholicEncyclopedia, "from its earliest days taught that Mary was always a virgin. In view of this, then, there can be no doubt that Mary did not have any other children." The same reference work claims that the words "brother" and "sister" can refer to "some one or ones united in a religious or other common bond" or to relatives, perhaps cousins.

  Is that really the case? Even some Catholic theologians, disagreeing with the traditional doctrine, support the view that Jesus had fleshly brothers and sisters. John P. Meier, former president of the Catholic Bible Association of America, wrote: "In the N[ew] T[estament] adelphos [brother], when used not merely figuratively or metaphorically but rather to designate some sort of physical or legal relationship, means only full or half-brother, and nothing else." Yes, the Scriptures indicate that Jesus had brothers and sisters who were born to Joseph and Mary.

  The Gospels mention other relatives of Jesus, but let us now focus on Jesus’ immediate family and see what we can learn from them.
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  stillajwexelder

  ***

  w04 12/15 pp.3-4 A Birth to Be Remembered***

  A

  Birth to Be Remembered

  ‘Unto you is born this day a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.’—Luke 2:11, "King James Version."

  SOME two thousand years ago, a woman in the town of Bethlehem gave birth to a male child. Few local residents realized the significance of this birth. But some shepherds, who were spending the night with their flocks in the field, saw a multitude of angels and heard them sing: "Glory in the heights above to God, and upon earth peace among men of goodwill."—Luke 2:8-14.

  The shepherds then located Mary and her husband, Joseph, in a stable, just as the angels had indicated they would. Mary, who named the child Jesus, had laid him in a manger, or feeding trough, in the stable. (Luke 1:31; 2:12) Now, two thousand years later, about a third of all mankind professes to follow Jesus Christ. And the events surrounding his birth form the basis of a story that has likely been told more often than any other in human history.

  Spain, a country with a strong Catholic tradition and a flair for traditional fiestas, has developed many ways to commemorate that unique night in Bethlehem.

  The

  Spanish Christmas

  Since the 13th century, the Nativity scene has been one of the most familiar aspects of Spanish celebrations. Many families make a small representation of the manger in which Jesus was laid. Clay figures depict the shepherds and the Magi (or "three kings"), as well as Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. Larger Nativity scenes with almost life-size figures are often set up near town halls during the Christmas period. Francis of Assisi apparently initiated this custom in Italy to direct people’s attention to the Gospel account of Jesus’ birth. Franciscan monks later popularized it in Spain and many other countries.

  The Magi play a prominent role in Spanish Christmas celebrations, much like Santa Claus in other countries. The Magi supposedly give presents to Spanish children on January 6, DíadeReyes (Day of the Kings), as the Magi, according to popular belief, brought presents to the newborn Jesus. Few people are aware, however, that the Gospel account does not mention how many Magi visited Jesus. Rather than being kings, they are more accurately identified as astrologers. Moreover, after the visit of the Magi, Herod killed all boys in Bethlehem "from two years of age and under" in his attempt to murder Jesus. That implies that their visit took place quite a while after Jesus’ birth.—Matthew 2:11, 16.

  Since the 12th century, some Spanish towns have put on a live theatrical representation of Jesus’ birth, including the visit of the shepherds to Bethlehem and later that of the Magi. Nowadays, most Spanish cities host a cabalgata, or parade, every January 5, during which the "three kings" ride on elaborate floats through the city center, distributing candies to onlookers. Traditional Christmas decorations and villancicos (carols) serve to enliven the festive occasion.

  Most Spanish families like to have a special supper on Christmas Eve (December 24). The traditional food includes such items as turrón (sweets made from almond and honey), marzipan, dried fruits, roast lamb, and seafood. Family members, even those who live far away, may make a special effort to come together for this occasion. During another traditional meal, on January 6, the family eats a roscóndereyes, a ring-shaped cake of "the Kings" that has a sorpresa (small figure) hidden inside. A similar custom in Roman times enabled a slave whose portion contained the hidden item to be "king" for a day.

  "The

  Happiest and Busiest Time of the Year"

  Whatever local customs have developed, Christmas has now become the world’s principal festive occasion. TheWorldBookEncyclopedia describes Christmas as "the happiest and busiest time of the year for millions of Christians and some non-Christians throughout the world." Is that a good thing?

  Clearly, the birth of Christ was a historic event. The fact that angels heralded it as a harbinger of "peace among men of goodwill" clearly testifies to its significance.

  Nevertheless, "in the early days of Christianity, the Nativity was not celebrated as a festival," points out Spanish journalist Juan Arias. If this is the case, where did the Christmas celebration come from? What is the best way to remember the birth and life of Jesus? In the following article, you will find the answers to those questions.

  [Footnote]

  La

  SagradaEscritura—TextoycomentarioporprofesoresdelaCompañíadeJesús (The Holy Scripture—Text and Commentary by Professors of the Company of Jesus) explains that "among the Persians, Medes, and Chaldeans, the Magi formed a priestly class that promoted occult sciences, astrology, and medicine." Nevertheless, by the Middle Ages, the group of Magi who went to see the young Jesus had been canonized and given the names Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthasar. Their remains are allegedly housed in the cathedral of Cologne, Germany.
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  stillajwexelder

  ***

  w05 12/15p.3 The Holiday Season — Will It Be All You Want It to Be?***

  The

  Holiday Season — Will It Be All You Want It to Be?

  "Peter [the Great] ordered special New Year’s services held in all the churches on January 1. Further, he instructed that festive evergreen branches be used to decorate the doorposts in interiors of houses, and he commanded that all citizens of Moscow should ‘display their happiness by loudly congratulating’ one another on the New Year."—PetertheGreat—HisLifeandWorld.

  WHAT are you looking forward to during what many call the holiday season? People around the globe say that this season centers on Christmas, the traditional day of Christ’s birth, but it also includes the New Year’s celebration. So it is an extended holiday period. Both parents and children may be on vacation during this time, so it would seem to be an ideal occasion for families to spend time together. Others, though, refer to this season as "the Christmas season," since they wish to honor Christ at this time of year. Perhaps you too feel that this is the most important aspect of the season.

  Whether it be to honor Christ, enjoy one’s family, or both, millions of husbands, wives, and children worldwide await this time with keen anticipation. What about this year? Will it turn out to be that special time for the family, and is it special for God? If there is a family gathering, will it be all you want it to be, or will you be disappointed?

  Many who look forward to the religious aspect notice that both Christmas and New Year’s are often celebrated with anything but the spirit of Christ. Rather, the holiday season becomes merely a time for receiving gifts, an excuse for a party that may include conduct that dishonors Christ, or primarily a reason for a family reunion. Many times, such a gathering is marred by one or more members overindulging in food and alcohol, sparking arguments that all too often provoke domestic violence. You may have noted that, or it may even have been your experience.

  If so, it may seem to you that very little has changed since the time of the Russian Czar Peter the Great, described at the outset. Disturbed by the current trend, many wish that the holiday season could be a time for deep religious reflection and wholesome family association. Some even campaign for a change, employing such slogans as, Jesus is the reason for the season. But can a change be effected? And would this truly bring honor to Christ? Are there reasons for taking a different view of the holiday season?

  To find satisfying answers, let us view the situation through the eyes of people of one nation who should have special reason to appreciate this time of year.
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  stillajwexelder

  ***

  w06 12/15 p.3 The Christmas Spirit All Year Round?***

  The

  Christmas Spirit All Year Round?

  "Glory in the heights above to God, and upon earth peace among men of goodwill."—Luke 2:14.

  MILLIONS of people are familiar with these words of God’s angels announcing the birth of Jesus to shepherds who were watching over their flocks by night. At about the date that the churches claim that Jesus was born, many nominal Christians make a special effort to improve their behavior. The seasonal attention to joy, peace, and goodwill—qualities mentioned in the angelic proclamation—is often referred to as the Christmas spirit.

  Such positive sentiments even attract people who attribute no religious significance to Christmas. They too appreciate the warm feelings that the celebration seems to foster. Where Christmas means time off from school or work, the holiday offers people an opportunity to relax, to spend time with their families and friends, or simply to enjoy themselves. Of course, many sincere people view Christmas principally as a time to honor Jesus Christ.

  Whatever significance they attach to Christmas, most are willing to admit that any positive feelings engendered by the holiday are often short-lived. People quickly revert to their normal pattern of behavior. An essay entitled "The Spirit of Christmas," published by the Royal Bank of Canada, stated: "All too many ‘Christians’ only qualify for that description conceptually for a few weeks every year, oozing good will towards their fellow men until after the New Year, when they can go back to their dog-eat-dog existence and their indifference to the plight of other human beings." What is "essentially wrong" with the Christmas spirit, continued the same letter, is that people do not have it "all year round."

  Whether you agree with that analysis or not, it does raise important questions. Will people ever be capable of manifesting generosity and understanding toward one another on a permanent basis? Is there any realistic hope that the angelic proclamation on the night of Jesus’ birth will be fulfilled? Or is the hope of true peace nothing more than a dream?
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  stillajwexelder

  Now please forgive me - I am a little stupid but I have just pasted the first article in the December 15th Watchtower for the years 2003, 2004, 2005 ,2006 and again I may be a little stupid but there does seem to be a CHRISTMAS theme to all of them - I may be wrong but it is just possible that ozzie is right and I smell WT hypocrisy here. Then again, I may be wrong