Can a True Christian™ Give Christmas Gifts?

[BalthazarSpartacus]

This question troubles me, as it has become customary to give and receive gifts at Christmas time. I found this in Proverbs 15:

27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

And then, I found this, in Revelation 11:

7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

I am resolved now to give no gifts to people at Christmas, unless someone wiser than my poor self can offer other advice.

[Ezekiel Bathfire]

Re: Can a True Christian™ Give Christmas Gifts?

M't:2:7: Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, […]M't:2:8: And he sent them to Bethlehem, […]M't:2:9:[…] they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.[…] M't:2:11: And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

It appears that
(i)The Wise Men could not have been Christians because there was no Christ before His birth.
(ii)Even in His Awesome presence, they could not have gotten much of a feel for His Message.
(iii)He had a bit to go before temporarily dying.
(iv)The presents were to Jesus, not their friends and relations
(v)No further mention of presents at or around Christmas is made in the Bible.

However, and there’s always an “however,” we read,

M't:7:11: If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Yet is this not referring to the gifts of food, clothes warmth and the like – “everyday” gifts? And is Christmas mentioned? No.

Is there a specific time to give gifts? Yes, and I think we’ll be pretty certain to recognize that time:

Re:11:8: And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
Re:11:9: And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
Re:11:10: And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

[BalthazarSpartacus]

Re: Can a True Christian™ Give Christmas Gifts?

Indeed. You have offered the same verses from Revelation that I found. On further research, I found much regarding gifts to kings and the like, but no recommendation to give gifts to others, as most people do at Christmas.

Again, I am resolved to abstain from gift-giving, given the passages I have seen and understood in my child-like way.

When my family and friends remonstrate with me about this, I will read those passages to them and explain. Surely, they will understand at once.

[Ezekiel Bathfire]

Re: Can a True Christian™ Give Christmas Gifts?

Indeed. You have offered the same verses from Revelation that I found.

Indeed I did, Revelation is always worth a repetition. Praise!

When my family and friends remonstrate with me about this, I will read those passages to them and explain. Surely, they will understand at once.

I'm sure they will. Who could be so churlish as to actually take generosity of granted? We should expect no reward during our sojourn in the Vale of Tears.

[Larry Lee]

Re: Can a True Christian™ Give Christmas Gifts?

Boys! True Christians(tm) accept the blood sacrifice of Jesus Himself, and ask for nothing more. If, however, well-wishers in the TC(tm)'s general vicinity choose to bestow additional bon-mots of piety upon the TC(tm), who's to complain? It's not complicated.

[Mistress Cookie]

Re: Can a True Christian™ Give Christmas Gifts?

<< When my family and friends remonstrate with me about this, I will read those passages to them and explain. Surely, they will understand at once. >>

They will thank you mightily when they get your card, reading "A donation in your name has been made to the Landover Baptist Church".

Praise!

[JennyD]

Re: Can a True Christian™ Give Christmas Gifts?

We've already received the greatest Gift there is, of Eternal Life.

I'm thinking a "George Foreskin Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine" or "Lean Mean Fryer" is a bit of a letdown in comparison, aren't you?

[TC Patriot]

Re: Can a True Christian™ Give Christmas Gifts?

We've already received the greatest Gift there is, of Eternal Life.

I'm thinking a "George Foreskin Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine" or "Lean Mean Fryer" is a bit of a letdown in comparison, aren't you?

Praise!

[Pater Doit]

Re: Can a True Christian™ Give Christmas Gifts?

I don't support the bad christmasindustry, so I don't buy gifts. I don't accept them either.

[Jimmy-Roy Stewart]

Re: Can a True Christian™ Give Christmas Gifts?

<< When my family and friends remonstrate with me about this, I will read those passages to them and explain. Surely, they will understand at once. >>

They will thank you mightily when they get your card, reading "A donation in your name has been made to the Landover Baptist Church".

Praise!

Your so right miss cookie thats' what ive' been doing the kids dont' like it none but who asked them lol.