Saw this today… I think I really like it.
We have no superstitious regard for times and seasons. Certainly we do not believe in the present ecclesiastical arrangement called Christmas. First because we do not believe in any mass at all, but abhor it, whether it be sung in Latin or in English: Secondly, because we find no scriptural warrant whatever for observing any day as the birthday of the Savior; and consequently, its observance is a superstition, because not of divine authority. C.H. Spurgeon – 24/Dec/1871
For a well thought out disagreement, check out Bob Kauflin’s blog Mostly it centers around Romans 14:
“One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord.” Rom. 14:1-6a ESV
December 7, 2005 at 12:54 pm
mmmmm…
good thoughts, and wise posting of balancing point! i agree though, i like spurgeon’s quote alot more though. but so that i don’t become a fool, i’ll remember romans 14:1-6 as well.
December 7, 2005 at 1:10 pm
Ya, the balance was really helpful for me.
I guess my main beef is that most people don’t take the time/effort to become “convinced in their own mind” they just do something because “that’s the way it’s always been done…”
Does that make sense?
December 7, 2005 at 2:08 pm
you betcha.
mostly because i’m a family head now, i feel alot more responsibility to lead correctly, and to not blindly accept anything i’ve grown up with. i’ve spent alot of time really going over all the things sarah and i do and spend money on, making sure that we do them in faith and confidence, not habit or norm.
i can’t drop christmas like spurgeon hinted at in faith, so i wont. but i also can’t teach santa, shop like a consumer whore, or decorate my house with secular things to celebrate my savior’s birth, in faith.
“convinced in his own mind” is the key, i think you’re right.
ps. sorry i used a naughty word. :(
December 7, 2005 at 7:18 pm
what word, faith?
December 8, 2005 at 7:30 am
no, i was talking about “whore”, but i guess “faith” can be pretty offensive too.
December 8, 2005 at 7:31 am
Whore is a naughty word?
December 8, 2005 at 10:30 am
i’d say it’s as offensive to some (or more than) “faith” is.
x3watch (accountability software) definately thinks it is.
any passionate* consumers out there would think so in the context i used it.
anyway, i meant naughty more in the context that it being used on your site might get the users of x3watch in trouble if they read your blog… naughty.
December 9, 2005 at 1:12 pm
Spurgeon is clearly reacting to Roman Catholicism and elevating tradition to be equal to or greater than Scripture. In light of that, his words bear their truest meaning. He is not dissing Christmas as much as the rationale behind celebrating Christmas. Now that Christmas is a normative, time-honored celebration of Christ’s birth and not a subservient gesture to Catholic church, I think that it’s far more appropriate and honoring to God for us to celebrate it.
So Matt, are you planning on taking down your Christmas tree and refusing to exchange gifts this Christmas or are you just being a Scrooge?