Christ our King

[gerryh]

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

 

[L Gilbert]

I still think it's odd that Christ's birth was changed from lambing season (which is usually in March (the shepherds watching their flocks at night thing)) to December.

 

[Dexter Sinister]

Nobody knows when Jesus was born, no date is given in scripture, though the internal evidence there does suggest the spring alright. The early church didn't consider his birth date important, what mattered was just that he was born, Christmas celebrates the advent of god on earth, not specifically Jesus' birthday. Christmas itself has always been secondary to Easter, that's when the really important things happened. The Christmas season to the church is, and has always been, only 12 days long, the Easter season is, and has always been, 50 days long. It was the 4th century church that stuffed Jesus into December 25th, possibly trying to pre-empt pagan festivals like the Roman Saturnalia and the winter solstice celebrations.

 

[Chiliagon]

Nobody knows when Jesus was born, no date is given in scripture, though the internal evidence there does suggest the spring alright. The early church didn't consider his birth date important, what mattered was just that he was born, Christmas celebrates the advent of god on earth, not specifically Jesus' birthday. Christmas itself has always been secondary to Easter, that's when the really important things happened. The Christmas season to the church is, and has always been, only 12 days long, the Easter season is, and has always been, 50 days long. It was the 4th century church that stuffed Jesus into December 25th, possibly trying to pre-empt pagan festivals like the Roman Saturnalia and the winter solstice celebrations.

if only he had an IPAD, he could have watched Porn while he waited....

 

[DaSleeper]

Comments on the OP.....from gratuitous to ridiculous! go figure:roll:

 

[gerryh]

Comments on the OP.....from gratuitous to ridiculous! go figure:roll:

I expected it.

 

[Dexter Sinister]

So did I, but I don't think post #3 fits anywhere on that gratuitous to ridiculous scale.

 

[gerryh]

So did I, but I don't think post #3 fits anywhere on that gratuitous to ridiculous scale.

No it didn't, and I gave you a thumbs up because it wasn't.

 

[Goober]

No it didn't, and I gave you a thumbs up because it wasn't.

As did many others. My opinion- it was an excellent post.

 

[L Gilbert]

Christmas itself has always been secondary to Easter, that's when the really important things happened.

? How much had the dude done after he was born (according to the myth)? How much after death? I think Christians that think easter is more prominent are looking at it backwards.

The Christmas season to the church is, and has always been, only 12 days long, the Easter season is, and has always been, 50 days long.

wow! There's nothing like long-suffering deaths.

It was the 4th century church that stuffed Jesus into December 25th, possibly trying to pre-empt pagan festivals like the Roman Saturnalia and the winter solstice celebrations.

Ah. Beating the Joneses, so to speak. Petty.

 

[Retired_Can_Soldier]

if only he had an IPAD, he could have watched Porn while he waited....

I was wondering how long it would be before some disrespectful A-Hole would make a comment in a thread that is clearly not meant to harm or provoke such behavior.

 

[gerryh]

? How much had the dude done after he was born (according to the myth)? How much after death? I think Christians that think easter is more prominent are looking at it backwards. wow! There's nothing like long-suffering deaths. Ah. Beating the Joneses, so to speak. Petty.

wow.

 

[Dexter Sinister]

I think Christians that think easter is more prominent are looking at it backwards.

Easter is more prominent within the church than Christmas, in society at large maybe not so much. Easter is about Jesus' death and resurrection and the promise to return, with all that means for Christians about redemption and salvation. It's at the core of the Christian belief, you hear it over and over again in Christian services, Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Christmas is important to Christianity, certainly, as the OP indicated, but Easter much more than Christmas is the defining event in the church calendar.

 

[DaSleeper]

I believe that the OP in this thread was written as a spiritual story of the season, not an attempt to convert anyone, or change anybody's belief system.....Something similar to Bear's Bob Welsh story.
Why some people feel the need to analyse and then others, the need to decimate such a story is beyond reason.
Are some people so insecure in their beliefs.................?

 

[SLM]

I think some must just salivate around the Spriituality & Philosophy sub forum just waiting for any chance to cut down anything that is said, regardless of whether it's deserving of being cut down or not. I sincerely don't get that.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

I think some must just salivate around the Spriituality & Philosophy sub forum just waiting for any chance to cut down anything that is said, regardless of whether it's deserving of being cut down or not. I sincerely don't get that.

Kinda makes the existence of the subforum useless if all topics wind up the same way.

 

[SLM]

Kinda makes the existence of the subforum useless if all topics wind up the same way.

You could make an argument for that about almost all the subforums without too much difficulty. But some topics more than others become more predictable in what will be said. Where it irks me at times is when it's uncalled for. Of course that's based on my personal judgement.

I guess what I'm getting at is I think tone should carry some weight in how one should respond to something. But based on the subject matter, that kind of goes out the window for some people.

I've no doubt the OP knew exactly what would transpire when he started the thread.

 

[talloola]

all subjects that appear here seem to end up in debate, guess that is what a debate forum is.

no subject is immune.

just saying merry xmas can end up in a debate.

there is so much debate on this forum it is comical and interesting.

 

[gerryh]

I've no doubt the OP knew exactly what would transpire when he started the thread.

I posted the verses because it is the season to celebrate Christs birth. There was no "ulterior" motive on my part. That being said, I did know that some posters would not be able to let it go. However, I'm not going to NOT post a thread because of the brain dead.

 

[L Gilbert]

Easter is more prominent within the church than Christmas, in society at large maybe not so much. Easter is about Jesus' death and resurrection and the promise to return, with all that means for Christians about redemption and salvation. It's at the core of the Christian belief, you hear it over and over again in Christian services, Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Christmas is important to Christianity, certainly, as the OP indicated, but Easter much more than Christmas is the defining event in the church calendar.

The reasoning still escapes me. I mean, the guy purportedly died for everyone's sins, so that should have been the end of the god's vengeful activities. What's left should be the messages that the live dude shared with people. If the dude was real and actually did come back, what would be his plans, revisiting what he taught before? Dying again to cover people's sins? Once wouldn't be enough?
But then, religious reasoning has always been a bit eccentric, I guess. Can't see it changing any (at least not very soon).

Anyway, Gerry, I was just commenting and questioning about the oddities. I wonder if it's possible to have my birthdate changed from Feb to Sept. I prefer the fall over the winter.