Dear Christmas Haters Group: when I posted on your wall, I had no intention of attacking your group as I fully accept that Christmas is a pagan/Roman Catholic festival. My main point was that when we believe passionately in something, we should take care that we correct fellow brethren in love, with gentleness and humility, avoiding causes of offence (Romans 14, Ephesians 4,32, Ephesians 4,15). This I felt was lacking in some of the responses. This is a public group with many public comments so people have a right to and will challenge you. WarriorfortheLord, we should humbly agree to disagree? However please be careful not to imply that people with a different view simply haven't studied the scripture enough (1Corinthians 10,12). Jeremiah (as Matthew Henry agrees) refers to idolatry in the same terms as Isaiah 40: "To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him? The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains. He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved." There are better verses to use to justify not celebrating Christmas than Jeremiah. Just because it sounds a bit like Christmas tree doesn't mean it is. I have said my piece. Can I suggest that you make your group private so as not to cause offence and I apologise if I have caused any offence to you all. I will not be posting again.
WarriorfortheLord... I happen to agree that Christmas, and other festivals are not appointed by God to be observed by man. However, Jeremiah 10 2-4 does not refer to Christmas trees but to the creation of idols and the practice of idolatry, which the Jews in captivity in Babylon were to be purged of. Strong doctrine and convictions are good, but they are nothing without love to our fellow Christians. Be patient with the brethren as per Romans 14. 1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.