Christmas
and New Year Holidays
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Dear Friends, These are
just one each of the many E.G. White references to Christmas and New Year
holidays. There is one wherein Ellen White and Willie, her son, gave gifts to
the children of a family and that was when Willie was an adult. It would be
well for all to go to the White Estate Website and search the words Christmas
and New Year. http://egwwritings.whiteestate.org/nxt/gateway.dll?f=templates$fn=default.htm$vid=default This is quite
a thorough treatise on Christmas and the Bible: http://answers.org/holidays/isgodaginxmas.html Chap.
Seventy-Seven – Christmas Christmas as a
Holiday.--"Christmas is coming," is the note that is sounded
throughout our world from east to west and from north to south. With youth,
those of mature age, and even the aged, it is a period of general rejoicing,
of great gladness. But what is Christmas, that it should demand so much
attention? . . . {AH 477.1} The twenty-fifth of
December is supposed to be the day of the birth of Jesus Christ, and its
observance has become customary and popular. But yet there is no certainty
that we are keeping the veritable day of our Saviour's birth. History gives
us no certain assurance of this. The Bible does not give us the precise time.
Had the Lord deemed this knowledge essential to our salvation, He would have
spoken through His prophets and apostles, that we might know all about the
matter. But the silence of the Scriptures upon this point evidences to us
that it is hidden from us for the wisest purposes. {AH 477.2} In His wisdom the
Lord concealed the place where He buried Moses. God buried him, and God
resurrected him and took him to heaven. This secrecy was to prevent idolatry.
He against whom they rebelled while he was in active service, whom they
provoked almost beyond human endurance, was almost worshiped as God after his
separation from them by death. For the very same purpose He has concealed the
precise day of Christ's birth, that the day should not receive the honor that
should be given to Christ as the Redeemer of the world--one to be received,
to be trusted, to be relied on as He who could save to the uttermost all who
come unto Him. The soul's
478 adoration should be given to Jesus as the Son of the infinite
God. {AH 477.3} The Day Not to Be Ignored.--As the
twenty-fifth of December is observed to commemorate the birth of Christ, as
the children have been instructed by precept and example that this was indeed
a day of gladness and rejoicing, you will find it a difficult matter to pass
over this period without giving it some attention. It can be made to serve a
very good purpose. {AH 478.1} The youth should be
treated very carefully. They should not be left on Christmas to find their
own amusement in vanity and pleasure seeking, in amusements which will be
detrimental to their spirituality. Parents can control this matter by turning
the minds and the offerings of their children to God and His cause and the
salvation of souls. {AH 478.2} The desire for
amusement, instead of being quenched and arbitrarily ruled down, should be
controlled and directed by painstaking effort upon the part of the parents.
Their desire to make gifts may be turned into pure and holy channels and made
to result in good to our fellow men by supplying the treasury in the great,
grand work for which Christ came into our world. Self-denial and
self-sacrifice marked His course of action. Let it mark ours who profess to
love Jesus because in Him is centered our hope of eternal life. {AH 478.3} The Interchange of Gifts as Tokens of
Affection.-- The holiday season is fast approaching with its interchange
of gifts, and old and young are intently studying what they can bestow upon
their friends as a token of affectionate remembrance. It is pleasant to
receive a gift, however small, from those we love. It is an assurance that
479 we are not forgotten, and seems to bind us to them a little
closer. . . . {AH 478.4} It is right to bestow upon one another
tokens of love and remembrance if we do not in this forget God, our best
friend. We should make our
gifts such as will prove a real benefit to the receiver. I would
recommend such books as will be an aid in understanding the word of God or
that will increase our love for its precepts. Provide something to be read
during these long winter evenings. {AH 479.1} Books for Children
Are Recommended.--There are many who have not books and publications upon
present truth. Here is a large field where money can be safely invested.
There are large numbers of little ones who should be supplied with reading.
The Sunshine Series, Golden Grains Series, Poems, Sabbath Readings, [NOTE:
REFERENCE IS MADE IN THIS ARTICLE TO NONCURRENT PUBLICATIONS. AS THE
PRINCIPLES SET FORTH IN THIS CONNECTION ARE APPLICABLE TODAY, THESE SPECIFIC
REFERENCES ARE LEFT IN THE ARTICLE.] etc., are all precious books and may be introduced
safely into every family. The many trifles usually spent on candies and
useless toys may be treasured up with which to buy these volumes. . . . {AH
479.2} Let those who wish
to make valuable presents to their children, grandchildren, nephews, and
nieces procure for them the children's books mentioned above. For young
people the Life of Joseph Bates is a treasure; also the three volumes of The
Spirit of Prophecy. [NOTE: EARLY E. G. WHITE BOOKS PRECEDING THE PRESENT
"CONFLICT OF THE AGES SERIES."] These volumes should be placed in
every family in the land. God is giving light from heaven, and not a family
should be without it.
480 Let the presents you shall make be of that order which will
shed beams of light upon the pathway to heaven. {AH 479.3} Jesus Not to Be
Forgotten.--Brethren and sisters, while you are devising gifts for one
another, I would remind you of our heavenly Friend, lest you should be
unmindful of His claims. Will He not be pleased if we show that we have not
forgotten Him? Jesus, the Prince of life, gave all to bring salvation within
our reach. . . . He suffered even unto death, that He might give us eternal
life. {AH 480.1} It is through Christ
that we receive every blessing. . . . Shall not our heavenly Benefactor share
in the tokens of our gratitude and love? Come, brethren and sisters, come
with your children, even the babes in your arms, and bring your offerings to
God according to your ability. Make melody to Him in your hearts, and let His
praise be upon your lips. {AH 480.2} Christmas--a Time
to Honor God.--By the world the holidays are spent in frivolity and
extravagance, gluttony and display. . . . Thousands of dollars will be worse
than thrown away upon the coming Christmas and New Year's in needless
indulgences. But it is our privilege to depart from the customs and practices
of this degenerate age; and instead of expending means merely for the
gratification of the appetite or for needless ornaments or articles of
clothing, we may make the coming holidays an occasion in which to honor and
glorify God. {AH 480.3} Christ should be
the supreme object; but as Christmas has been observed, the glory is turned
from Him to mortal man, whose sinful, defective character made it necessary
for Him to come to our world.
481 {AH 480.4} Jesus, the Majesty
of heaven, the royal King of heaven, laid aside His royalty, left His throne
of glory, His high command, and came into our world to bring to fallen man,
weakened in moral power and corrupted by sin, aid divine. . . . {AH 481.1} Parents should keep
these things before their children and instruct them, line upon line, precept
upon precept, in their obligation to God--not their obligation to each other,
to honor and glorify one another by gifts and offerings. {AH 481.2} Turn Thoughts of
the Children Into a New Channel.-- There are many things which can be devised
with taste and cost far less than the unnecessary presents that are so
frequently bestowed upon our children and relatives, and thus courtesy can be
shown and happiness brought into the home. {AH 481.3} You can teach your
children a lesson while you explain to them the reason why you have made a
change in the value of their presents, telling them that you are convinced
that you have hitherto considered their pleasure more than the glory of God.
Tell them that you have thought more of your own pleasure and of their
gratification and of keeping in harmony with the customs and traditions of
the world, in making presents to those who did not need them, than you have
of advancing the cause of God. Like the wise men of old, you may offer to God
your best gifts and show by your offerings to Him that you appreciate His
Gift to a sinful world. Set your children's thoughts running in a new,
unselfish channel by inciting them to present offerings to God for the gift
of His only-begotten Son.
482 {AH 481.4} "Shall We Have
a Christmas Tree?"--God would be well pleased if on Christmas each
church would have a Christmas tree on which shall be hung offerings, great
and small, for these houses of worship. [NOTE: REFERENCE IS MADE IN THIS
ARTICLE TO CURRENT BUILDING PROJECTS. AS THE PRINCIPLES SET FORTH IN THIS
CONNECTION ARE APPLICABLE TODAY, THESE SPECIFIC REFERENCES ARE LEFT IN THE
ARTICLE.] Letters of inquiry have come to us asking, Shall we have a
Christmas tree? Will it not be like the world? We answer, You can make it
like the world if you have a disposition to do so, or you can make it as
unlike the world as possible. There is no particular sin in selecting a
fragrant evergreen and placing it in our churches, but the sin lies in the
motive which prompts to action and the use which is made of the gifts placed
upon the tree. {AH 482.1} The tree may be as
tall and its branches as wide as shall best suit the occasion; but let its
boughs be laden with the golden and silver fruit of your beneficence, and
present this to Him as your Christmas gift. Let your donations be sanctified
by prayer. {AH 482.2} Christmas and New
Year celebrations can and should be held in behalf of those who are helpless.
God is glorified when we give to help those who have large families to
support. {AH 482.3} A Tree Laden With
Offerings Is Not Sinful.--Let not the parents take the position that an
evergreen placed in the church for the amusement of the Sabbath school
scholars is a sin, for it may be made a great blessing. Keep before their
minds benevolent objects. In no case should mere amusement be the object of
these gatherings. While there may be some who will turn these occasions into
seasons of careless levity, and whose minds will not receive the divine
impress, to other minds and characters
483 these seasons will be highly beneficial. I am fully satisfied
that innocent substitutes can be devised for many gatherings that demoralize.
{AH 482.4} Provide Innocent
Enjoyment for the Day.--Will you not arise, my Christian brethren and
sisters, and gird yourselves for duty in the fear of God, so arranging this
matter that it shall not be dry and uninteresting, but full of innocent
enjoyment that shall bear the signet of Heaven? I know the poorer class will
respond to these suggestions. The most wealthy should also show an interest
and bestow their gifts and offerings proportionate to the means with which
God has entrusted them. Let there be recorded in the heavenly books such a
Christmas as has never yet been seen because of the donations which shall be
given for the sustaining of the work of God and the upbuilding
of His kingdom. {AH 483.1} January 5,
1882 A Happy New Year By Mrs. E. G. White. Another year of
life is now in the past. A new year is opening before us. What will be its record?
What will we each inscribe upon its spotless pages? The manner in which we
spend each passing day will decide this question. Fathers and mothers, while
you wish your children a Happy New Year, will you strive in the fear of God
to make it a happy year? Will you seek to lead your dear ones to the true
source of peace and joy? Will you consecrate your own hearts to God, that you
may exert a sanctifying influence upon your children? Will you separate them
from sin and sinners, and by living faith connect them with God? {ST, January
5, 1882 par. 1} It should be the
work of every parent to cultivate all that is good, and true, and noble, in
his children. It is his duty to correct their faults, to restrain their
waywardness, even as the Lord required Eli to restrain his sons. Fathers and
mothers, make the word of God your guide in the education of your children,
ever considering what will be for their future good, rather than what is for
your present convenience. The mother may bestow upon her daughters an
education that will be invaluable, by training them to bear their share of
the family burdens. The father may give his sons a capital of more worth than
gold or lands, by teaching them to love useful employment, instead of seeking
happiness in idle amusements or dissipation. Parents, now is the time to form
in your children habits of industry, self-reliance, and self-control; to
cultivate economy and business tact. Now is the time to teach them courtesy
and benevolence toward their fellow-men, and reverence and love for God. {ST,
January 5, 1882 par. 2} You may make a
happy new year for your children, if you faithfully discharge your duty. Home
should be the most sunny and attractive spot on earth; and it may be made
such by pleasant words and kind acts, and, underlying all, a steadfast
adherence to the right. {ST, January 5, 1882 par. 3} By their neglect to
exercise proper restraint, many parents are creating great unhappiness for
their children. The youth who are left to constantly seek for pleasure in
amusement or selfish gratification are not happy, and never can be happy
while following this course. Fathers and mothers, teach your children that
the only way to be truly happy is to love and fear God; and enforce the
lesson by your example. Let them see that the peace of Christ is ruling in
your heart, and that his love pervades your life. Practical religion is the
need of the present hour. You cannot teach this to your children unless you
possess it yourselves. {ST, January 5, 1882 par. 4} Let us enter upon
the new year with our hearts cleansed from the defilement of selfishness and
pride. Let us put away every sinful indulgence, and seek to become faithful,
diligent learners in the school of Christ. A new year opens its unsullied pages
before us. What shall we write upon them. {ST, January 5, 1882 par. 5} Children, you greet
your father and mother with a "Happy New Year," but will you make
it a happy year to them? It is in your power to do this. Your conduct, more
than everything besides, will make a happy or an unhappy year for your
parents. You may cause their hearts to throb with joy or pain. Whatever dishonors your Saviour, whatever causes a stain upon your
character, brings anxiety and distress to the heart of godly parents. You
cannot give them a happy new year if you live only for self-gratification.
{ST, January 5, 1882 par. 6} Seek to begin this
year with right purposes and pure motives, as beings who are accountable to
God. Ever bear in mind that your acts are daily passing into history by the
pen of the recording angel. You must meet them again when the Judgment shall
sit and the books shall be opened. {ST, January 5, 1882 par. 7} How often your lips
utter the kindly greeting, "I wish you a happy new year," and then
in a few moments speak impatient, fretful words. How many children are ever
ready to dispute about trifles, unwilling to make the smallest sacrifice for
others. To such the new year will bring no real happiness. They may indulge
in boisterous mirth, but their hearts know no peace nor joy. Will you not
come with penitence and humility to Jesus, that he may cleanse you from the
impurity of sin, and fit you for his heavenly kingdom? All who do this will
have the happiest new year that they ever experienced. It will bring joy in
Heaven and joy on earth. {ST, January 5, 1882 par. 8} Many have been
seeking some rare gift to bestow upon their friends. Will you not, children,
bring to Jesus the gift which he prizes above all others--the gift of your heart?
While others at the holiday season adorn themselves to please the eye of
their friends, will you not seek the adorning which Heaven values--the
ornament of a meek and quiet spirit? If we bring to God the first gift, the
value of every other is enhanced; for love makes it not merely a passing
compliment, but a precious offering. From the softened heart in which the
peace of Christ abides, will flow forth sincere wishes, kindly words and
deeds, and worthy, appropriate offerings. {ST, January 5, 1882 par. 9} Many are the gifts
and greetings that have been exchanged on New Year's day, by parents and
children, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, friends and
acquaintances. When it is over, many feel a sense of relief. They have
discharged their duty in bestowing presents, and smiles, and compliments for
the occasion, and there the matter is supposed to end. The next day, and the
next, and onward to the end of the year, bring fretful, passionate words,
faultfinding, recrimination, and careless neglect of the dear ones of the
household. Oh, such a new year is one that angels will be grieved and ashamed
to register. It is anything but happy. Friends and relatives bestow a gift of
sorrow, a burden of unkindness, that crushes out hope, and makes the grave
look desirable. {ST, January 5, 1882 par. 10} Do we truly wish
our loved ones a happy new year? Then let us make it such to them by
kindness, by sympathy, by cheerfulness, by unselfish devotion. If we connect
with God, the source of peace, and light, and truth, his Spirit will flow
through us as a channel, to refresh and bless all around us. This may be the
last year of life to us. Shall we not enter upon it with thoughtful
consideration? Shall not sincerity, respect, benevolence, mark our deportment
toward all? {ST, January 5, 1882 par. 11} Let us withhold
nothing from Him who gave his precious life for us. Fathers and mothers,
bring to him your children, in the freshness and bloom of youth, and devote
them to his service. Let us all consecrate to God the property he has intrusted to us. Above all, let us give him ourselves, a
free-will offering. Let us do his will, live for his glory, and he will give
us a Happy New Year.
{ST, January 5, 1882 par. 12}January 5, 1882 A Happy New Year - By Mrs. E. G. White. - Another year of
life is now in the past. A new year is opening before us. What will be its
record? What will we each inscribe upon its spotless pages? The manner in which
we spend each passing day will decide this question. Fathers and mothers,
while you wish your children a Happy New Year, will you strive in the fear of
God to make it a happy year? Will you seek to lead your dear ones to the true
source of peace and joy? Will you consecrate your own hearts to God, that you
may exert a sanctifying influence upon your children? Will you separate them
from sin and sinners, and by living faith connect them with God? {ST, January
5, 1882 par. 1} It should be the
work of every parent to cultivate all that is good, and true, and noble, in
his children. It is his duty to correct their faults, to restrain their
waywardness, even as the Lord required Eli to restrain his sons. Fathers and
mothers, make the word of God your guide in the education of your children,
ever considering what will be for their future good, rather than what is for
your present convenience. The mother may bestow upon her daughters an
education that will be invaluable, by training them to bear their share of
the family burdens. The father may give his sons a capital of more worth than
gold or lands, by teaching them to love useful employment, instead of seeking
happiness in idle amusements or dissipation. Parents, now is the time to form
in your children habits of industry, self-reliance, and self-control; to
cultivate economy and business tact. Now is the time to teach them courtesy
and benevolence toward their fellow-men, and reverence and love for God. {ST,
January 5, 1882 par. 2} You may make a
happy new year for your children, if you faithfully discharge your duty. Home
should be the most sunny and attractive spot on earth; and it may be made
such by pleasant words and kind acts, and, underlying all, a steadfast
adherence to the right. {ST, January 5, 1882 par. 3} By their neglect to
exercise proper restraint, many parents are creating great unhappiness for
their children. The youth who are left to constantly seek for pleasure in
amusement or selfish gratification are not happy, and never can be happy
while following this course. Fathers and mothers, teach your children that
the only way to be truly happy is to love and fear God; and enforce the
lesson by your example. Let them see that the peace of Christ is ruling in
your heart, and that his love pervades your life. Practical religion is the
need of the present hour. You cannot teach this to your children unless you
possess it yourselves. {ST, January 5, 1882 par. 4} Let us enter upon
the new year with our hearts cleansed from the defilement of selfishness and
pride. Let us put away every sinful indulgence, and seek to become faithful,
diligent learners in the school of Christ. A new year opens its unsullied
pages before us. What shall we write upon them. {ST, January 5, 1882 par. 5} Children, you greet
your father and mother with a "Happy New Year," but will you make
it a happy year to them? It is in your power to do this. Your conduct, more
than everything besides, will make a happy or an unhappy year for your
parents. You may cause their hearts to throb with joy or pain. Whatever dishonors your Saviour, whatever causes a stain upon your
character, brings anxiety and distress to the heart of godly parents. You
cannot give them a happy new year if you live only for self-gratification.
{ST, January 5, 1882 par. 6} Seek to begin this
year with right purposes and pure motives, as beings who are accountable to
God. Ever bear in mind that your acts are daily passing into history by the
pen of the recording angel. You must meet them again when the Judgment shall
sit and the books shall be opened. {ST, January 5, 1882 par. 7} How often your lips
utter the kindly greeting, "I wish you a happy new year," and then
in a few moments speak impatient, fretful words. How many children are ever
ready to dispute about trifles, unwilling to make the smallest sacrifice for
others. To such the new year will bring no real happiness. They may indulge
in boisterous mirth, but their hearts know no peace nor joy. Will you not
come with penitence and humility to Jesus, that he may cleanse you from the
impurity of sin, and fit you for his heavenly kingdom? All who do this will
have the happiest new year that they ever experienced. It will bring joy in
Heaven and joy on earth. {ST, January 5, 1882 par. 8} Many have been
seeking some rare gift to bestow upon their friends. Will you not, children,
bring to Jesus the gift which he prizes above all others--the gift of your
heart? While others at the holiday season adorn themselves to please the eye
of their friends, will you not seek the adorning which Heaven values--the
ornament of a meek and quiet spirit? If we bring to God the first gift, the
value of every other is enhanced; for love makes it not merely a passing
compliment, but a precious offering. From the softened heart in which the
peace of Christ abides, will flow forth sincere wishes, kindly words and
deeds, and worthy, appropriate offerings. {ST, January 5, 1882 par. 9} Many are the gifts
and greetings that have been exchanged on New Year's day, by parents and
children, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, friends and
acquaintances. When it is over, many feel a sense of relief. They have
discharged their duty in bestowing presents, and smiles, and compliments for
the occasion, and there the matter is supposed to end. The next day, and the
next, and onward to the end of the year, bring fretful, passionate words,
faultfinding, recrimination, and careless neglect of the dear ones of the
household. Oh, such a new year is one that angels will be grieved and ashamed
to register. It is anything but happy. Friends and relatives bestow a gift of
sorrow, a burden of unkindness, that crushes out hope, and makes the grave
look desirable. {ST, January 5, 1882 par. 10} Do we truly wish
our loved ones a happy new year? Then let us make it such to them by
kindness, by sympathy, by cheerfulness, by unselfish devotion. If we connect
with God, the source of peace, and light, and truth, his Spirit will flow
through us as a channel, to refresh and bless all around us. This may be the
last year of life to us. Shall we not enter upon it with thoughtful
consideration? Shall not sincerity, respect, benevolence, mark our deportment
toward all? {ST, January 5, 1882 par. 11} Let us withhold
nothing from Him who gave his precious life for us. Fathers and mothers,
bring to him your children, in the freshness and bloom of youth, and devote
them to his service. Let us all consecrate to God the property he has intrusted to us. Above all, let us give him ourselves, a
free-will offering. Let us do his will, live for his glory, and he will give
us a Happy New Year.
{ST, January 5, 1882 par. 12} |