Babylon and Paganism

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I received a nice private post in response to my questions about the
holidays and I decided to just lay forth my feelings, pro and con on the
subject. They may be wrong or they may be right, but I think they will be
food for thought anyhow.

I do celebrate holidays. I think we are admonished to respect others
opinions on the subject, scripturally. I think this works both ways. I
don't think those who celebrate should be upset that some don't or vise
versa.

I think I see both sides of the issue. I understand why some would eschew
holidays because of the pagan origins. I think there may come a time in
our lives when God could ask us all to eschew them. Then again, maybe He
won't. 

One thing about holidays is that if you decide not to celebrate them, you
will affect more than just yourself. If you decide to not give presents,
not allow others to give you presents, not attend family get togethers,
others, who may not have the Holy Ghost often times do not understand.
They don't understand the choice to wear skirts and not cut hair either,
but it doesn't affect them quite so directly.

On the other hand, one thing that has bothered me about the holidays is
that saints can get so wrapped up in them. Sometimes the mere thought of
doing away with holidays is met with stiff resistance. Now, if the
reasons for the resistance are right, that's one thing, but if the
reasons are our own attachment to the euphoria and tinsel, I do question
that. Are we experiencing a great let down and feelings of depression
after the holidays because "it's over"? Our joy should come from God. I
think we can use the holidays to help show and point people to God and
let them understand the joy that we feel is *like* the joy around the
holidays, but if we are getting the same thing as the world with the
letdown of depression afterwards, I think we maybe should check our
priorities.

Do people get so caught up that abstinence is better? Well, maybe. It is
my opinion that we should always leave room for the Lord to change us and
mold us. If He were to ask us to do away with these holidays, then we
need to do it. If He doesn't ask, I think a willing heart is necessary
anyway. 

When we study the holidays we see that they are definitely pagan in
origin, but it still seems to me that it can be a good opportunity to
lift up the name of Jesus. So, to abstain or not? I respect the one and I
respect the other. Many have done a "partial abstinence" to try and clean
the holidays up. This would be a partial and yet not total separation.
Some would call that "self justification by compromise" and some would
call it "trying to love their fellow man and not offend him". It is my
opinion that the number one thing is that we have an open mind to the
Lord in what He would have us to do.

Any comments?

Lynne Yohnk
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