Picture of Xmas at Bethel any1?

Sorry, no scanner, and the only picture I found on the Internet is too dark to be helpful. But it led me to these quotes about Christmas in the Watchtower publications.

(I feel like Undisfellowshipped)

http://www.agsconsulting.com/htdbv5/zwt0234.htm

CREATION-DRAMA AT HOME

Notice in our issues of August 1 and 15 the description of the Eureka Drama X. Many of our readers may like to buy for themselves, their families or their friends, one of these outfits as a Christmas gift.

http://www.agsconsulting.com/htdbv5/zwt0222.htm

HOLIDAY REMEMBRANCERS

A LIST of our stock, suitable for Holiday Gifts, we are publishing a little earlier than usual this year. This will give those living at a distance ample time to forward their orders to us and have them filled in good season-- before the rush and congestion of the mails during the weeks immediately preceding Christmas. This will be a convenience to us as well. Those living near by would also do well to send their orders early.

As New Creatures in Christ Jesus our Gifts should in some sense always represent ourselves, and we believe the list below will be found to meet this requirement in a large degree. The prices are low--covering merely cost.

POEMS OF DAWN"

In our issue of Nov. 1, page 334, re new "Poems of Dawn," we neglected to mention that it has both an alphabetical index and a topical index. This is a feature which, we understand, some of the friends missed in our former edition.

The prices quoted are very low, permitting the books to be freely used as Christmas tokens. We can imagine very few Christmas gifts more appropriate. The book contains beautiful poetry suited to nearly every condition of the Christian's life.

The Watchtower, December 15, 1926, p. 371

"Student of the Scriptures also know that the birth of the babe Jesus did not take place in December; yet because of the general belief upon this point by most people, it seems to be an appropriate time to speak the truth concerning his birth and the purpose thereof. The Scriptural testimony, supported by extraneous facts, shows that the birth of Jesus occurred approximately October 1 st . The event is so important that it is always appropriate to call it to the minds of the people, regardless of the date."

"This review is perhaps as appropriate a lesson for the closing Sunday of the year as any, especially when we remember that all of these glories and blessings and privileges are ours because of the great redemption work accomplished by him whose entrance upon the work is celebrated by Christmas day. Although we cannot agree that this is the proper day for celebrating the birth of dear Redeemer, but must insist that it was about October first, nevertheless, since he did not intimate his desire that we should celebrate his birthday it is quite immaterial upon what day that event, of so great importance to all, is celebrated. Upon this day, so generally celebrated, we may properly enough join with all whose hearts are in the attitude of love and appreciation toward God and toward the Savior. . . . The habit of giving little remembrances one to another at this time of year seems to us specially appropriate" (Zion's Watch Tower, December 15, 1903, 457)

ZION'S WATCH TOWER, Dec. 01, 1904, pg. 364 :

"Even though Christmas is not the real anniversary of our Lord's birth, but more properly the annunciation day or the date of his human begetting (Luke 1:28), nevertheless, since the celebration of our Lord's birth is not a matter of divine appointment or injunction, but merely a tribute of respect to him, it is not necessary for us to quibble perticularily about the date. We may as well join with the civilized world in celebrating the grand event on the day which the majority celebrate - "Christmas day.""

ZION'S WATCH TOWER, Nov. 15, 1907, pg. 351: " "SCRIPTURE STUDIES" AS CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Dear Friends :- It might interest you to know that we are already offering the books for "Christmas gifts." We find that many secure their Christmas presents several months ahead, and that this month is the one in which many are very please to secure "such a beautiful, appropri- ate, and above all such a reasonable [in price] gift !" Often we can get orders for several sets in one home, in view of the fact that the books make such splendid gifts. Today we got more than one order on this ac- count. We mention this because we think it might help wonderfully during the next six weeks in securing orders from people who would perhaps not buy for their own use. We say "Many are taking them for gifts, and it is of course a compliment to a friend's in- telligence to give him a book, especially a work of this kind, and you get the entire three for only 98 cents!""

THE WATCH TOWER, Jan. 15, 1919, pg. 32 : " A MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE To THE DEAR FRIENDS EVERYWHERE:-

Grace, mercy and peace be multiplied unto you! Am taking advantage of an opportunity to dictate this note to extend to all the dear friends throughout the United Sates and Canada my heartfelt thanks for the great love bestowed upon us and manifested in the numerous Christmas presents which I and my associates have received, as well as cards, letters and messages of love. May the Lord bless you one and all ! I am unable to write you personally, and so am asking that this general message be given you. I am overwhelmed by you expressions of love, dear brethren. May the Lord re- ward you richly ! Your brother and servant by his grace. J. F. RUTHERFORD."

NOTE - J.F. Rutherford was the President of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, when the above letter was printed in the pages of The Watch Tower.

THE WATCH TOWER, Dec. 15, 1926, pg. 371:

"Students of the Scriptures also know that the birth of the babe Jesus did not take place in December; yet because of the general belief upon this point by most people, it seems to be an appropriate time to speak the truth concerning his birth and the purpose thereof. The Scriptural testimony, supported by extranous facts, shows that the birth of Jesus occured approximately October 1st. The event is so important that it is always appropriate to call it to the minds of the people, regradless of the date."

1975 YEARBOOK OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES, page 147 & 148:

"Yes, in those early days, dedicated Christians commemorated birthdays. Well then, why not celebrate the supposed brithday of Jesus ? This they also did for many years. In Pastor Russell's day, Christmas was celebrated at the old Bible house in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Ora Sullivan Wakefield recalls that Brother Russell gave members of the Bible House family five- or ten-dollar gold peices at Christmas. Mabel P. M. Philbrick remarks: "A custom that certainly would not be carried on today was the celebration of Christmas with a Christmas tree in the Bethel dining room. Brother Russell's usual 'Good morning, all' was changed to 'Merry Christmas, all.'""

THE WATCH TOWER, 01/15/1917, p 22:

"Following the election Brother Rutherford, addressing the the meeting, said in part:..."The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society is the greatest corporation in the world, because from the time of its organization until now the Lord has used it as his channel through which to make known the glad tidings...".

Blondie

Picture of Xmas at Bethel any1?

izobcenec

blondie

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