*Thoughts on Holidays
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Posted by DaJahVeu [DaJahVeu] on November 26, 1999 at 06:41:12 {2lTH7z2znEJlXzGERuiMoEhE92Gn1k}:
In Reply to: Thoughts on Holidays posted by Searching on November 26, 1999 at 05:57:06:
I think the holidays for me, especially Christmas was the worst and most depressing time of year. I wasn't raised a JW, so I missed what we had in childhood. A little reasoning on the subject removes the fog that the WT feels necessary to take you by the hand and lead you through.
It is true that most holidays do have their origins in paganism. It is also true that many other things we do in life have their origin in pagan elements such as our calendar.The names of the days of the week and the months of the year are named after pagan deities. Do we become so preoccupied with paganism under every rock that we cease making appointments on certain dates because of a neurotic fear of paganism? The original meanings behind the calendar and holidays are long gone and are of no consequence today. They no longer have any effect on our daily lives. Symbols used in today's world and artwork on stationery, wallpaper, etc. are sometimes borrowed from pagan sources.
The Watchtower Society agrees with this! Note these statements from a 1976 Awake! article regarding the use of symbols such as the heart, the swastika, the cross, and others:
"What should be a Christian's attitude toward shapes and designs that have at some time or place been connected with false religion? … So the Christian needs to be primarily concerned about what? Not what a certain symbol or design possibly meant thousands of years ago or how it might be thought of on the other side of the world, but what it means now to most people where he lives. … With so many different designs having been used in false worship, if a person went to the trouble and took the time he might find an undesirable connection with almost every design he sees around him. But why do that? Would it not be needlessly upsetting? And is that the best use of one's time and attention?" -- Awake!, 12/22/76, pp. 12-15
The Awake article is emphasizing that,1) Symbolism in itself is not necessarily wrong to use, even if once used by pagans in false worship. 2) It is a waste of time and needlessly upsetting to concern ourselves with what something may have meant in times past or even elsewhere on the earth in our day and age.
The custom of the lighted Christmas tree originated with Martin Luther, someone even the Watchtower Society acknowledges was a great man of God. While walking in the moonlight and thanking God for sending his Son, he noticed an evergreen tree covered in Hoarfrost shining in the moonlight. He cut the tree down and brought it home where he decorated its branches with lit candles to remind all that Christ is the light of the word and that the tree is symbolic not only of the tree Christ died on, but the "tree of life" referred to in Revelation. The attempt of Jehovah's Witnesses and other groups to link the Christmas tree with Jeremiah 10:2-4 is cleared up when read in context -- it speaks of the building of a wooden statue that would be used as an object of worship and not a Christmas tree. A Christmas tree has never been worshipped and if someone was stupid enough to prostrate before one that does not mean it is an object of worship.
If Jehovah's Witnesses are going to boast that their members do not celebrate holidays and birthdays because they have pagan roots, they had better not use the names of the days of the week or the months of the year in conversation, or when dating checks or letters. If they do, they are just as 'guilty' as those they condemn for celebrating birthdays and holidays are.
Since God saw fit to have the angels sing and rejoice at the birth of Christ (Luke 2:13-14), and we are commanded to "honor the son even as we honor the father" (John 5:23) I see no need to make any apology for celebrating the birth of my Lord and Savior any day I choose. We also have the backing from Scripture for the observance of special days we feel brings honor to God (Colossians 2:16-23; Romans 14:5).
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