Why there is no Place like Home during the Christian Holidays
Christian holidays can take the form of many different specified holidays. The Christians of the Roman Catholic Church, may celebrate holidays that other Christians do not celebrate, such as Ash Wednesday, Epiphany, Lent, Palm Sunday, St. Andrew's Day, St. Patrick's Day, and Twelfth Night, are not celebrated by the protestant Christian. Both the Catholic, and Protestant born-again Christian the world over celebrate some of the same Christian holidays, such as Advent, Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving.
The Bible warned early Christians to not celebrate or recognize certain pagan holidays that brought with them disobedience, drunkenness, immorality, and a disruptive spirit.
What Makes a Christian Family Different?
Many say that Catholicism and Christianity are the same, and there are just as many that oppose this notion. Christianity denotes a person, who believes Jesus died on the cross for their sins, was buried and arose on the third day. If a person believes this to be true and accepts Jesus into their heart they will than understand a newness of life and closeness to God, thus the Christian is born (again). The Bible states that no one can take this away from the saved person. This marks the beginning of the Christian life. Christians are taught through the Holy Scriptures that they can go directly to God, because they now have a personal relationship with Him.
There are certain doctrines in the Bible that define a Christian. There are many within the Catholic Church and Protestant church that cannot believe this doctrine. According to Biblical doctrine if a person does not accept Jesus, they are not a true born-again Christian, saved by gracethrough Jesus Christ.
Four Christian Holidays of the Year
Holidays are an extremely significant part of the Christian life. Born-again Christians of nearly all denominations celebrate three of the greatest holidays. Christians are happier if they can gather at home to celebrate these Christian holidays. There is no place like home for the Christian holidays. These sacred holidays call family members to be together and reminisce of bygone years, enjoying their own family traditions that define that family's closeness.
-Christmas
When Christians celebrate Christmas, it is not the same if they are unable to gather back home. Christians are celebrating the birth ofJesus Christ. Their focus is the events that lead up to the birth of the Lord and Savior.
The non-Christian will think nothing of taking Christ out of Christmas and denoting this sacred holiday as Xmas. The focus for the non-Christian is many of the pagan celebrations and they have no focus on celebrating the real reason the holiday. Non-Christians do not have the samebeliefs as the Christian, thus their focus may not be on home and tradition.
Many Christians may include fun and entertaining traditions such as Christmas decorations and have a beautiful tree adorned withall the trimmings and presents underneath. However, one will see a manger with a nativity scene as the focal point of their celebration to remind them and others what Christmas is all about.
Born-again Christians celebrate Christmas and keep it as a sacred holiday. A Christian never forgets the Reason for the Season by honoring the birth of Christ. The Christian may attend or be part of a sacred concert, a Nativity play, worship services and candlelight vigils. These activities beckon family members together.
Each family holds their own Christian traditions unique to their family. When brought up with these traditions, we tend to keep them and get some new ones along the way. Most want to be home for Christian holidays where the particular traditions of the family started and held forever close. Christian holidays are not same unless celebrated with members of their loving family.
-Advent
The time of Advent was first observed remarkably differently than it is today. Today it is a time of preparation for the birth of Christ at Christmas. Royal blue and purple are the Lord's colors and found in most Advent services. The Catholic Church may celebrate Advent differently than other religions, but the issue is the same. The Christian family may make up an Advent calendar for the children to enjoy during the season in anticipation of the birth of Christ.
-Easter
Easter is another Christian Holiday with a focus on the celebrations of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that Jesus was actually the one sent by God who came to Earth to save all who desired a closer walk with God. They believe he arose the third day after He was crucified. This belief is the center of the Easter celebration. The Bible states that if Jesus did not arise from the grave on the third day after he was crucified the Christian faith means nothing.
Christian families hold the Easter holiday sacred. Without this holiday, there would be no Christian faith. The Christian considers the Easter season, the resurrection of Jesus, as the most prominent holiday of the year. Christians believe the resurrection of Christ as one of most significant holidays of the year.
Christians all around the world teach their children the value of the Easter season and may include fun things for children, such as Easter baskets, and Easter egg hunts. Christians arise earlier on Easter Sunday to enjoy a sunrise worship service and breakfast at their church with Sunday worship service celebrating the resurrection of Christ. Christian families enjoy gathering together for Easter Sunday worship. They may arrange a family Easter dinner to enjoy at home.
As with Christmas, the Easter holiday brings Christian families together once again. Each family may combine their own traditions of how they plan the day. Easter egg hunts and Easter baskets may be on an afternoon agenda.
-Thanksgiving
This special holiday is considered a Christian holiday in America. It is not considered a significant Christian holiday. The Thanksgiving dinner for the Christian is to focus on all the blessings that God has shown our family members. It is a day to reflect on, and be grateful for everything we have. It is a day to recognize how fortunate we are in any circumstance in life. This is the time that some families find a need to help cook a Thanksgiving meal for the needy and enjoy a dinner with strangers.
Pagan Activities at Christian Holidays?
Many Christians believe it is appropriate to incorporate some fun and joy into their children's lives, as long as the child knows the real reason they celebrate the holiday. Other Christian families do not believe that these pagan activities should be included in their Christian holiday. Christian family traditions can all be different.
Some of the popular customs incorporated into a Christian holiday are of pagan sources and some Christians refuse to acknowledge any pagan customs. Other Christians view these traditions, as simply enjoyment and fun, such as the Advent calendar at Christmas, the Christmas tree, and Frosty the Snowman.
Many Christians view the Easter egg hunt and the Easter basket as only symbols of celebration and joy. These Easter activities never takethe focus off the resurrection of Jesus, in the life of the Christian. They will never replace the real reason why Christians like to gather at home forChristian holidays. Other Christians would not consider an Easter basket or an Easter egg hunt for the children. Both home gatherings are acceptable.
There is No Place Like Home for the Holidays
Home is the one place that beckons all Christians to gather during Christian holidays. This is the time to embrace family members and traditions. Home is where the heart always dwells at the holidays. It makes no difference how a Christian family decides to plan and celebrate their holiday. It makes no difference if one Christian family incorporates certain activities into their day and one does not. The one thing never changing for all Christians is the real reason the Christian holiday is celebrated.
