A link, to kick off your research, hammerhead [/quote]

You meant Jesus’ birthday, of course, but what the hell, it’s moot since both holidays as celebrated today are pagan in origin.

BTW, that article you linked to is full of misinformation, such as the statement that Wiccans are satan worshippers (how can you worship something you don’t even believe in?). I could go on but I don’t want to hog the page with a massive post. Though I suppose, since it would be about pagan god/desses it would fit the theme of “killing Christmas.” Anyway, the basic point, that the early Christian chuch adapted Pagan festivals to win converts, is the truth.

And I am just so tired of this “Christian persecution/war on Christmas” shit. Those people can put down anyone else they please as being “wrong” but heaven forbid (a figure of speech only) that anyone should disagree with them in the slightlest or try to present them with any criticism of anything they might do. Then it’s “You’re hateful, you hate Christians and Christianity!” No, I don’t hate Christians. I only hate that smug attitude of certain ones that they have a monopoly on the truth and are above reproach in all things so how dare anyone question them and not submit to their prosyletizing, and then they spew that whiny “we’re under attack” bullshit.

BTW, to me, “Happy Holidays” always INCLUDED Christmas, as well as New Year’s, as well as any other holiday anyone might choose to celebrate at this time of year. Trying to force everyone to say “Merry Christmas” is your own version of the PC that you ironically and hypocritically also whine about–it’s about thought control and telling people what they “have to” say. I may not agree with racial slurs, etc., but I also believe you can’t take away a person’s right to express themselves as they choose to, even if you don’t like it.

OK, I made this long after all by ranting :)

By the way, this thread is funny as fuck!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Have a cool Yule! (no Yule is NOT another word for Christmas, for those who don’t know.)

-WOX

“Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.
(Isa. 25:9)
“Christ’s birth was without worldly grandeur. He was born in a stable, cradled in a manger; yet his birth was honored far above any of the sons of men.
“Angels from heaven informed the shepherds of the advent of Jesus, while the light and glory from God accompanied their testimony.

“The heavenly host touched their harps and glorified God. They triumphantly heralded the advent of the Son of God to a fallen world to accomplish the work of redemption, and by his death bring peace, happiness, and everlasting life to man. God honored the advent of his Son. Angels worshiped him. “Angels of God hovered over the scene of his baptism, and the Holy Spirit descended in the shape of a dove, and lighted upon him, and as the people stood greatly amazed, with their eyes fastened upon him, the Father’s voice was heard from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in thee I am well pleased.”The Great Controversy by E.G. White

It is time that all the nations look up to the heavens for answers to this world’s perplexing questions. These perilous days point to the Good News. The righteous people of God have already won the war between good and evil.

For you see, discussing the celebration of Christmas would be remiss without the completeness of Christ’s second entrance into this world. This will be the world’s finest and final event. �Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. (Isa. 25:9)
The precious blood of our loving Savior has already paid the price. The cost was not cheap. For those who will receive the free gift of salvation and restoration are wise to the utmost.

When Jesus spoke to His disciples, he promised that He would return. “Let not your heart be troubled. You are trusting God, now trust in Me. There are many homes up there where my Father lives and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so that you can always be with me where I am. If this weren’t so, I would tell you plainly. And you know where I am going and how to get there.” (John 14:1-3)

Angels foretold Christ’s return and counseled the disciples. They watched our Savior depart from this earth. “It was not long afterwards that He rose into the sky and disappeared into a cloud, leaving them staring after Him. As they were straining their eyes for another glimpse, suddenly two white-robed men were standing there among them, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why are you standing here staring at the sky? Jesus has gone away to heaven, and some day, just as He went, He will return!’” (Acts 1:10-11)

When you love someone, you will miss him or her if they go way. In turn, that special someone will miss you. The Father’s heart longingly awaits the day to bring his family home.” I will be their God, and they will be my people.â€? (2 Corinthians 6:16)

What did Christ say concerning how He would come again? “At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” (Luke 21:27)

In God’s word there is no secret about His return. All who are alive shall see His second advent. “Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him.” (Rev 1:7)

Do you wonder what the people of this world will see and hear when He comes? “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” (I Thessalonians 4:16-17.)

The Lord’s coming will be visible. “For as the lightening comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of man.” (Matthew 24:27)

Christ gave warning to the church not to be deceived concerning His second coming. “At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ! or ‘There He is, do not believe it. For false Christ’s and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect, if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time. So if anyone tells you, ‘There He is, out in the desert,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here He is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.” (Matthew 24:23-26)

Who knows the exact time of Christ’s coming? “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:36)

Learn what Christ tells us to do. Don’t procrastinate. . “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:42)

God does not want us to be ignorant of anything concerning His word. There are special warnings that Christ has given that we might not be taken by surprise during this great event. “Watch out! Don’t let my sudden coming catch you unawares; don’t let me find you living in careless ease, carousing and drinking, and occupied with the problems of this life, like all the rest of the world. Keep a constant watch.” (Luke 21:34-36)

Have you ever wondered why Jesus is taking so long to return? It’s in the Bible. “A day or a thousand years from now is like tomorrow to the Lord. He isn’t really being slow about His promised return, even though it sometimes seems that way. But He is waiting, for the good reason that He is not willing that any should perish, and He is giving more time for sinners to repent.” (II Peter 3:8-9)

While Christians await Jesus, how should we live? The grace of God offers salvation to all men. His Word teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions. He wants us to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives, while we wait for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God.

What will this world be like when Jesus returns? “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:37-39)

What will be Christ’s special reward when He comes the second time? “For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what he has done.” (Matthew 16:27) “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” (Revelation 22:12)

Do you understand why Jesus must come back? “So also Christ died only once as an offering for the sins of many people; and He will come again, but not to deal again with our sins. This time He will come bringing salvation to all those who are eagerly and patiently waiting for Him.” (Hebrews 9:28)

At Jesus’ second coming, we will fully understand the reality of our salvation. This, too is in the Bible. “Now you have every grace and blessing; every spiritual gift and power for doing His will are yours during this time of waiting for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. And He guarantees right up to the end that you will be counted free from all sin and guilt on that day when He returns.(I Corinthians 1:7-8)

Christ’s first advent into a sin-filled world is not a complete narrative, without full understanding of His second coming. Now, the fullness of Christmas has been presented, “Rejoice and be glad therein.” (Philipians 1:18) http://bible.cc/philippians/1-18.htm

May God richly bless you, my brothers and sisters. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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Bible Gateway:

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BibleGateway.com : A searchable online Bible in over 50 versions This site provides translations in English and other languages. English translations include the NIV,NIV-UK.and the Amplified.

The Church In Study
http://www.amazingfacts.org/media/everlasting_gospel.asp

The Great Controversy–found in the Library of Congress http://books.google.com/books?q=The+Great+Controversy+The+Library+of+Congress&ots=mG_ZTi0YVz&sa=X&oi=print&ct=title

Marie Jon’ is a political and religious-based writer, and is the founder of http://www.DrawingClose.org — a sister website to RenewAmerica.us. Marie is a featured or guest writer whose work has appeared on many sites, including The New Media Journal, ChronWatch.com, Commonconservative.com, The Reality Check to name a few. She is a columnist for Capitolhillcoffeehouse.com, The Daley Times Post, RenewAmerica.us, The Conservative Voice, and Newsbull.com.

Marie brings a refreshing and spirited point of view that is reflected in her writings, as well as a genuine and spiritual opinion regarding God and his teachings. Marie is an active Christian, a nurse, a student, and a patriotic American.

Look into the mirror and repeat her name three time…

Another damned thick book! Always scribble, scribble, scribble! Eh, Mr. Gibbon?

OK, you got me. I lol’d. Greetings and leftover turkey nibbles to the lovely and lissome Mehitabel!

*digs through stuff on desk–dammit, I know there’s a preview button here SOMEWHERE*

After all, isn’t that more appropriate for Easter?

Answer: “Yes”

“Will you come to dinner?”

Answer: “Yes.” And “Both our grown kids are in town, and their spouses and one child. Oh, and some other house guests.”

Well, the more the merrier. We got off lucky yesterday, having only contriubted a bottle of wine to the big Malibu Thanksgiving Feast Under the Stars. So today we’re starting with the house cleaning, the dessert baking, the marinating of various meats in savory potions.

Cheers!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbTULjLtKP4

Kathleen: The kd lang is one of the *least* lame things in my iTunes. I am not exactly an Insufferable Music Snob, most of my purchases having been made on the basis of “Will this give me a migraine?”

sheesh.

OK, maybe it’s because I came in on the short bus, or maybe it’s because I expect a somewhat more sophisticated level of humor and/or snark here, but that didn’t strike me until now.

Next thing you know, a little old man will be chasing a bunch of bikini clad women through the site while “Yakety Sax” plays.