An interesting tidbit -- Associated Press says that Gallup polls from 1994 to 2005 show that 84 percent of non-Christians say they celebrate Christmas.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the famous English preacher of the last century, wrote, "We have no superstitious regard for times and seasons. Certainly we do not believe in the present ecclesiastical arrangement called Christmas ... we find no scriptural word whatever for observing any day as the birthday of the Saviour; and consequently, its observance is a superstition, because (it's) not of divine authority ..." (Quoted from Metropolitan Pulpit Series, Pilgrim Publications: Pasadena, Texas, 1871, p. 1026).
From Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?
it is not something to lose sleep over, but I never celebrated Christmas per se. I had to observe it when I was pastor for the sake of the congregation, but I never celebrated it.
ReplyDeleteIn Spurgeon's Devotional Bible for Dec 25th it has a footnote...*Those who observe Christmas Day should read the portion upon page 486....which deals with the birth of Jesus. I don't know if that was Spurgeon's note or the publisher of the book.
Sometimes we can make a big thing out of nothing.
Cheers,
Jim
RLV,
ReplyDeleteJust curious, but do you have a set of the MTP?
JLS
Bro. Jim, it is something I don't lose sleep over either.
ReplyDeleteBro. Jason, I don't have a set of the MTP. I do receive the monthly Spurgeon sermon printed by Bath Road BC up Jim's way in Kingston, ON, Canada.
Yhe pastor of that church in Kingston is a graduate of the Toronto Baptist Seminary. A great church,in my opinion, but 80 miles from me.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Jim
Down here in Texas, 80 miles is just a hop, skip and jump! ;-D
ReplyDelete