rastafarians and christmas?

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[PositiveVibrations]

do rastafarians celebrate christmas or something like it?

[Love_Sponge]

Greetings Positive Vibrations,

From what i have been reading Rastafari celebrate their christmas o the 7th January following the Ithopian Calendar..

Hope this helps you out i am still learning about the celebrations and all but as i am the only one in my family who is following the way of the Rastafari i am trying to set the idea of just being thankful that we are all together and as for presents slowly make them realise(my younger brothers and sister this is) that there is more to this day than just opening presents.

I have noticed each year parents struggling and stressing to get their children the lastest toy or gadget to make each christmas bigger and better but the children dont appreciate the true meaning of what christmas is about or even acknowledge the fact of how hard thei parents have worked to get the toy for them.I remeber the days when i would just a calendar and one doll and i was so thankful especially that i had my whole family around me at that time.

My mother is beginning to se that there is no need to go out and buy all sorts Xbox's and T.V's when they dont appreciate it and expect more and more...
Well these are just I views,

Stay blessed and open minded InI sure Jah shall continue to answer any questions you have as will the rest of us here on Nick's site if we can  


Jah Love One Love My Love

[rasfreeform]

Easy Positive Vibrations
                                  Nice one for bringing up the topic of christmas celebrations mate! Christmas celebrations according to the European ways have long struck I as a big mish-mash of self-contradiction. Even the date is incorrect as I overstand it, Christ was born in early january. Where is the connection between the birth, and a recently dead tree, which otherwise would have the potential to LIVE and enrich, for hundreds of years? Taking that into consideration, what are the implications of placing presents at the base of said DEAD, artificially supported tree? In how many cases are presents given out of a genuine desire to give? In how many cases are presents given because it's the done thing? What's the point of a season of goodwill, if not to excuse a lack of goodwill the rest of the year?

peace and blessings

[Molliebaz]

Greetings.  I personally do not celebrate Christmas, although I do give thanks for the birth of Jesus Christ.  I believe that Christmas celebrations on December 25th have become just a commercial event.  Most children these days associate the Christmas celebrations with Santa Claus and gifts and adults use it as an excuse for over indulgence in food, alcohol and office parties.  

Before Christianity came to England the "pagans" were celebrating the winter solstice or equinox in December.  Christianity was offered to them and to keep them sweet - they kept the date of the winter soltice feasts and adopted it as Christs's birthday.  Mistletoe was used by the Druids in these celebrations, and it has now found its way into the home and used for a lucky Christmas kiss.   Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert introduced the Christmas tree into England in the late 1800's likewise the Christmas cards.

Some rastas celebrate Christmas on 6th January.  This is the day that is often called twelvth night, or in France it is called La Fete du Roi - the feast of the kings.  It is also called Epiphany in the Christian religion - and is allegedly the day the 3 Kings or Wise Men visited Jesus  at the stable.  Some bible scholars say that the visit by the Kings/Wise Men did not take place till some time long after the birth of Jesus- but the nativity story has them all turning up at the stable at the time of the birth.

I personally do not decorate my home, nor have a huge feast or expect gifts.  It is nice to have the holiday break from work, and a good time to spend with friends and family and that is something to give thanks for.

[Ash-Tree]

Seen molly Respect.
It was the victorians who made it into all this Candles and Decorations, puding all that nonsense.
I do feel it is nice to have a family Gathering, but Christmass has become Very commercial and it upsets me wen i see the Children complaining because they did not get the same toy as so and so.

I Feel it has put alot of pressure on parents especialy to go out and feel the need satisfy there family with material things.

How about we save all the money, and we go for a family outing  .
Or we use that money to make the community beter seen. Create something instead of Responding to the latest commercial.

Ash-Tree

[joeyb]

Some bible scholars say that the visit by the Kings/Wise Men did not take place till some time long after the birth of Jesus- but the nativity story has them all turning up at the stable at the time of the birth.

For me, the nativity is fascinating because firstly, it isn't in the NT's most reliable gospel: Mark - only in the elaborations (i.e. Matthew/Luke). Some non-canonical gospels place Yeshua's birth in a cave as opposed to a manger: there are many variations in all these gospels. But what's most fascinting for me is the phenomenon of nativity plays: which have totally changed out view of the nativity. Here are some interesting differences that could be speculated upon:

1) There is no donkey in the original.
    It is just not mentioned, along with Mary's blue headscarf and many other presumed images.

2) There probably didn't stay in a hotel.
    Think about it. Joseph is returning to his home town because he has to take a census. Why on Earth would he go straight to a hotel as opposed to a relative/friend's house? It is his home town! And funnily enough, when looked into, the translation some versions give as 'Inn' is actually closer in Aramaic to 'guestroom,' i.e. the spare room of a relative/friend's house. The reason they may have given birth in the stable is because the 'spare room wasn't free on that night' or 'there was no room at the inn.' There goes the cruel innkeeper.

3) The 'Three Kings' didn't see the stable.
    For one, the 'three kings' are actually three Magi (royal astrologers), which draws up the notion of God using astrology: obviously important if you're interested in some of the cosmological facts that Fiyah and TREE are up on. The NT doesn't say they found him in the stable: in fact, it clearly says they didn't: a) they ask Herod where the 'newborn' child is, + b) they come to a 'house' where Mary nd her child are: not a stable.

The funniest twist has to be the donkey! How did he get such an important part?!? He's in every nativity play!!!!    

If anyone else has anymore nativity misconceptions (aside from just: its just a story) I'd be interested to hear them.

It was the victorians who made it into all this Candles and Decorations, puding all that nonsense.

C'mon, don't be grinchy! I love Christmas pud!

One

[Ash-Tree]

two white guys and 1 black guy.

[Snake_Eater]

Some bible scholars say that the visit by the Kings/Wise Men did not take place till some time long after the birth of Jesus- but the nativity story has them all turning up at the stable at the time of the birth.

For me, the nativity is fascinating because firstly, it isn't in the NT's most reliable gospel: Mark - only in the elaborations (i.e. Matthew/Luke). Some non-canonical gospels place Yeshua's birth in a cave as opposed to a manger: there are many variations in all these gospels. But what's most fascinting for me is the phenomenon of nativity plays: which have totally changed out view of the nativity. Here are some interesting differences that could be speculated upon:

1) There is no donkey in the original.
    It is just not mentioned, along with Mary's blue headscarf and many other presumed images.

2) There probably didn't stay in a hotel.
    Think about it. Joseph is returning to his home town because he has to take a census. Why on Earth would he go straight to a hotel as opposed to a relative/friend's house? It is his home town! And funnily enough, when looked into, the translation some versions give as 'Inn' is actually closer in Aramaic to 'guestroom,' i.e. the spare room of a relative/friend's house. The reason they may have given birth in the stable is because the 'spare room wasn't free on that night' or 'there was no room at the inn.' There goes the cruel innkeeper.

3) The 'Three Kings' didn't see the stable.
    For one, the 'three kings' are actually three Magi (royal astrologers), which draws up the notion of God using astrology: obviously important if you're interested in some of the cosmological facts that Fiyah and TREE are up on. The NT doesn't say they found him in the stable: in fact, it clearly says they didn't: a) they ask Herod where the 'newborn' child is, + b) they come to a 'house' where Mary nd her child are: not a stable.

The funniest twist has to be the donkey! How did he get such an important part?!? He's in every nativity play!!!!    

If anyone else has anymore nativity misconceptions (aside from just: its just a story) I'd be interested to hear them.

It was the victorians who made it into all this Candles and Decorations, puding all that nonsense.

C'mon, don't be grinchy! I love Christmas pud!

One

Respect on that post bro.

[Herbalist_rasta]

Greetings!
In I meditation recently, I reveals I that christmass season especialy in I society.
Corrupt and poison the meaning of the season. There is no longer love for one another  but hatred and greediness of Money is more abundant, People need money to celebrate christmass, and will do anything even to the point of taking advantage to the I's.
People do caroling for exchange of money, People long waited christmass to expect more material possesion in life, People use to buy christmass decorations, circle shape fruits, wine, fireworks, etc.. to celebrate christmass.. These are Capitalist products. People are brainwwash by capitalist to buy these things through advertisment and Santaclaus. Capitalist (babylon) made christmass for business, to earn profit.  Iman no help babylon.
Christmass to I  is the time of Loving one another as what Yeshua teached to love Jah and Love one another.
To I Christmass happens everday in I life, To reached as what Christ reached to be christ.
This Is only I opinion..


Bless
Herbalist

[Molliebaz]

Continuing on this subject about the season of goodwill - every year in U.K we have t.v. news broadcasts showing how some charity or other has opened their doors for the homeless and shows them enjoying a festive dinner wearing paper hats.   What about the rest of the year ??  The homeless deserve food and shelter 365 days a year, not just at Christmas.  People should have love in their hearts for fellow human beings each and every day, not for a feel good factor at Christmas.

[Wahine]

Well said Molliebaz. People should show love and support for others all year round not just at holidays. I thought it was great the other day. My youngest (who is 5) told her teacher that she didn't believe in christmas. Teacher asked if we had religious beliefs that meant my child couldn't participate in christmas festivities. I think it was just could she didn't want to do what the other kids were doing!
Christmas in my house.... we don't really get in to it at all. Both the kids know that it's all bout spending money that we don't have so they are over it i guess you could say.

[Ras Shawn Naphtali]

For those of you who observe the Holy Day of 7th January, I wish you a Blessed day.
 
 
http://www.ethiopianorthodox.org/english/indexenglish.htm
 
http://www.ehow.com/how_10775_celebrate-ethiopian-christmas.html
 
 
With RASpect,
 
Ras Shawn Naphtali

[InI_Scott]

Blessed New Year and Merry Christmas!

Hello Idren!

What a wonderful celebration yesterday.  This was my first observance of the birth of Chirst in the Eastern Orthodox tradition and it was so much more meaningful than what occured last month in my standard family holiday celebration/tradition.

Yesterday for me was filled with talk of Christ, Livity, readings from the scriptures and sharing of poems and other writings good friends wanted to share about HIM and reason therefrom.  All surrounded by the music of classic Jamaican reggae from the 70's and 80s (friend has a collection that looks like a record store in St. Cathrines).

Blessed love to you and yours.

Scott