What could WT do if active Dubs celebrated Hanukkah ?

by wobble 13 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  wobble

  Happy Hanukkah to anybody celebrating !!!

  If Jesus and the Apostles and later Jewish Christians celebrated Hanukkah, what grounds could the WT have for objecting if active JW's today did likewise ?

  It would not be a returning to the things of the Mosaic Law as Hanukkah was not part of that, rather it would be a returning to part of first century Christian practice.

  SD7 or someone could have fun composing the article telling Dubs exactly why they cannot celebrate this rather lovely remembrance, as they cannot Christmas, in the 21st. century.
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  isaacaustin

  Wobble,

  The org tries to disqualify Roman 14 about some considering one day above others as applying to holidays by asserting that is is speaking only of the Jewish festivals. This logic would leave them susceptible to a JW conscienciously observing Hanukkah. Although most would not feel this way, since the WT constantly stresses that Jesus gave up the Jews and now JWs are followers of God's new org. I am sure a judicial committee would instead pursue the avenue of causing divisions, brazen coduct, etc.
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  blondie

  I bet some Jewish Christians celebrated. Paul even was advised by the elders in Jerusalem to practice Jewish customs.
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  wobble

  No need to be brazen about it Isaac, just use a stainless steel menorah !

  And thanks Blondie, this would be the same Elders, or GB, that JW's listen to now about blood would it not ? So the command to celebrate is plain to see !
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  isaacaustin

  LOL exactly Wobble!
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  Leolaia

  *** g90 12/8 p. 11 Hanukkah—Is It a “Jewish Christmas”? ***
  
  Hanukkah is the anniversary of a historical event that had major consequences for God’s ancient people. In fact, it is noteworthy that Hanukkah is mentioned in the Christian Greek Scriptures. We read at John 10:22, 23: “At that time the festival of dedication [Hebrew, chanuk?kah′] took place in Jerusalem. It was wintertime, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the colonnade of Solomon.” Clearly, this festival was already being celebrated in Jesus’ day and apparently by Jesus himself....

  But what of the festival itself? Since it commemorates an important event in the history of God’s people, should it be commemorated by Christians? ... Just as a shadow cast by an approaching object can alert someone to its arrival, the Law covenant was able to alert people to the arrival of the Messiah, or Christ. However, once this handwritten document had served its purpose, it was blotted out by God.—Galatians 3:23-25.
  
  Thus, the Law covenant and all related festivals came to an end from God’s standpoint at Pentecost 33 C.E. Indeed, the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by Roman armies in 70 C.E. soon underscored that fact. (Luke 19:41-44) So even though the rededication of the temple was an important event in the history of God’s ancient people, there is no reason for Christians to commemorate Hanukkah.

  It is pretty interesting that the Society tries to lump Hannukah with the festivals of the Law covenant as a "related festival" when in fact it is, as they said three times, a commemoration of a historical event. Also they only go (at least in this article) so far as to say that "there is no reason" for JWs to celebrate Hanukkah, not to say outright that it would be wrong for one to do so, or that one would be reproved or disfellowshipped for doing so.

  The Society also states in the article that there is no pagan connection with Hanukkah, yet misses the connection between the "Festival of Lights" and the many other winter solstice festivals that use lights (including modern Christmas) at a time of the year when the night is the longest.
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  yknot

  hmm I wonder what constitues 'celebrating'.....(thinking of the Shepherding book listing singing at a church)

  I made Rugelach on Hanukkah...... granted I didn't do it in a pinwheel or triangle roll up ....so maybe my quesadilla style cancels it all out

  (oh but ya it was dayummmmy good warm with a small helping of cinnamon vanilla ice cream)
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  wobble

  Most active Dubs find it difficult to justify not celebrating Christmas or birthdays if you say "So what ? " to their "pagan connections" bit.

  With this one they are really on a sticky wicket to condemn it as Jesus celebrated it , and the Apostles and it was not one of the prescribed Mosaic festivals, just one that remembered a historic event that was a triumph for true worship, what could be wrong with that ?

  Who wants to write and submit an article to "Awake" magazine entitled:

  "Hanukkah , why true Christians should embrace this celebration "

  ???
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  wannabefree

  there is no reason for Christians to commemorate Hanukkah

  Interesting.
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  wobble

  There is no reason for "Christians " (= JW's) to celebrate wedding anniversaries.

  But they do.

  I would say there is much more to spur a Christian on to take part in Hanukkah than in a W.A, which just remembers the night two virgins lost their status.