Christmas

by lancelink 1 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  lancelink

  For years as a JW I believed that Christmas and everything associated with it was bad.
  But lately I have been looking at different beliefs, and reading books of the Bible in their entirety (not just convenient verses).
  
  I was amazed at the way Bible stories taught by the JW's change when the entire chapter is read !
  One of my favorites lately is the birth of Jesus, ALWAYS the "wrong" beliefs of the world seemed to be highlighted when this story was discussed at the hall, or in smaller groups, celebrating the birth is wrong,,,,
  
  yet while looking at the watchtower site this evening I ran across the verses posted below :
  
  
  Luke 2:8-14 describes what followed: "There were also in that same country shepherds living out of doors and keeping watches in the night over their flocks. And suddenly Jehovah's angel stood by them, and Jehovah's glory gleamed around them, and they became very fearful. But the angel said to them: 'Have no fear, for, look! I am declaring to you good news of a great joy that all the people will have, because there was born to you today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, in David's city. And this is a sign for you: you will find an infant bound in cloth bands and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there came to be with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying: 'Glory in the heights above to God, and upon earth peace among men of goodwill.'"
  
  The angels celebrated and were happy, who dictates that people here on earth are wrong and will not receive Gods favor if they
  imitate the angels?
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  WingCommander

  Ding-ding-ding! We have a winner!
  
  This is the very verse that got me thinking about Christmas in a different light. After all, the JW's are all about keeping things clean and the way they were 2000 years ago. You know, the whole, "well, 1st Century Christians didn't observe these things." Well, Luke sure seems to show that even the angels in heaven rejoiced, so how could us mere mortals rejoicing and celebrating be wrong? Conclusion from research and common sense: it's not wrong!
  
  Wait until you start getting into the Star of Bethlehem. JW's teach (and I was brought up to believe) that the Star of Bethlehem was created by Satan to lead the evil Wise Men to Jesus to kill Him. Wrong! There are several threads on here that use the Bible to PROVE that it was actually Jehovah that used the Star to guide the GOOD Wise Men to Jesus to bestow upon Him the very gifts that would help Joseph move his family into Egypt, as previous biblical prophets had written would happen. Now, how did Joseph afford to flee into another country? Well, he had all of the valuable gifts the Wise Men gave them. See? Jehovah really does PROVIDE, doesn't he? Also, if the Wise Men were there to kill Jesus, would Jehovah have even have left them get anywhere near Jesus? I don't think so.
  
  These, and many other issues will start to stick out to you. Go luck with your research and understanding, and remember, we cannot rely upon our own understanding to read the Bible, we must use prayerful consideration to God as well.
  
  Regards,
  
  Wing Commander