From Secular to Sacred

• From Santa to SaviorFrom Santa to Savior

• From Holiday to Holy DayFrom Holiday to Holy Day

• From Decoration to DevotionFrom Decoration to Devotion

• From Getting to GivingFrom Getting to Giving

From Holiday to Holy Day

Colossians 2:16-17Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

• WITH CONSCIOUS EFFORT WE CAN KEEP OUR FOCUS ON JESUS, THE “REASON FOR THE SEASON.”

Christmas andPagan Holidays

Samhain – Oct. 31 End of SummerCeltic New YearSpirits may visit as

the veil between This World and the Otherworld is the thinnest...

Christmas andPagan Holidays

Becomes Halloween All Hallows Eve All Saints Day

- Harvest Calendar

- Replacement

Secularized and adopted by Wicca

Christmas andPagan Holidays

Samhain – Oct. 31Yule – Winter Solstice – Dec. 21

Pagan Germanic – Darkest part of yearPlaced on Julian calendar - Dec. 25Became synonymous with Christmas

Christmas andPagan Holidays

Samhain – Oct. 31Yule – Winter Solstice – Dec. 21 Saturnalia – Dec. 17-23

Roman FestivalDedication of Temple

to the god SaturnFeasting and Merryment

Christmas andPagan Holidays

Samhain – Oct. 31Yule – Winter Solstice – Dec. 21 Saturnalia – Dec. 17-23

"We hold this day holy, not like the pagans because of the birth of the sun, but because of him who made it." (A theologian in 320 AD)

Christmas andSubstitute Holidays

Winter BreakKwanzaa

Christmas andSecular Holidays

Party TimeMaterialism - Gift-

giving

Christmas andJewish Festivals

Tabernacles Passover Firstfruits Pentecost Rosh Hashanah Yom Kippur Tabernacles

BirthSacrificial DeathResurrectionSending of Holy SpiritPossible RapturePossible TribulationPossible Glorious Return

Christmas andJewish Festivals

Feast of Tabernacles – September

Birth of Christ

While shepherds watched their flocks

Jesus “tabernacled” among us

John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Christmas andJewish Festivals

Feast of Tabernacles – September Birth of Christ While shepherds watched their

flocks Jesus “tabernacled” among us

Hanukkah – Feast of Lights – December Conception of Christ Visit of the Magi Jesus is The Light of the World

John 8:12

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Christmas andYour Celebrations

Your Testimony Witnessing to Family, Friends and

Others

1 Peter 3:15-16

• But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Psalm 126:5-6

• Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.

Christmas andYour Celebrations

Your Testimony Witnessing to Family, Friends and

Others

Your Gatherings Not a stumbling-block to others

Do all to the glory of God

1 Corinthians 10:31-32

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God- even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

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Please turn to this passage in your Bible.

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Isaiah 7:14

Born of a VirginTherefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

What Should We Do?

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