VirginiaHuguenot
Puritanboard Librarian
William Prynne, Histriomastix, said that Christmas ought to be "rather a day of mourning than of rejoicing."
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Isn't that just observing it in reverse?
I thought Christmas represents the birth of the Messiah, which I thought was a good thing.
-----Added 12/24/2008 at 12:51:25 EST-----
H. L. Mencken on Puritanism, "The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy."
Right, but if you mourn on that day, because others are merry, while you are not using that day for its intended purpose, it isn't exactly being treated like any other. To make a point of mourning on that day, seems more contrarian than indifferent.
So it was a cultural thing, is it still applicable?
The Puritans did not mourn Christmas "because others are merry." They mourned that evil was done on that day in the name of observing Christ's nativity, or rather, that Christ's nativity was observed without commandment from Christ to do so. That is an appropriate response to evil, even though their efforts were aimed at treating the day like any other. To be indifferent to evil was not their goal; one can be contrarian to evil uses of the day, and grieve over them, while at the same time, affirming in word and deed that it is, and ought to be, a day like any other. There is no true conflict between mourning evil that occurs on a particular day and striving to treat it as a regular day.
I can accept that explanation in general, but the statement originally quoted doesn't sound entirely like the explanation.
I can accept that explanation in general, but the statement originally quoted doesn't sound entirely like the explanation.
Though assuming it was a cultural ban for the sake of riotousness, drunkenness, debauchery, lasciviousness, fornication, etc. What difference is there between the celebration of the popish mass of Christ during the Puritan era, and the celebration of the popish mass of Christ today? Those acts which typified the mass during Puritan times typify it today.
I don't know of anyone who celebrates Christmas in this manner, not even my atheist, immoral god hating co workers.
-----Added 12/24/2008 at 01:38:49 EST-----
I would say if there is any sin at Christmas it is that it has become commercialized, not that it is a day to practice debauchery. This is why so many are trying to put Christ back into Christmas, like it was at the turn of the century not in the days of the reformation.
Though assuming it was a cultural ban for the sake of riotousness, drunkenness, debauchery, lasciviousness, fornication, etc. What difference is there between the celebration of the popish mass of Christ during the Puritan era, and the celebration of the popish mass of Christ today? Those acts which typified the mass during Puritan times typify it today.
I don't know of anyone who celebrates Christmas in this manner, not even my atheist, immoral god hating co workers.
They don't go out drinking on Christmas Eve and then spend Christmas day recovering and in gluttony? Up here it's all the rage. Parties at various bars and even some Christmas day parties. Smart people don't drive on the roads after 5PM Christmas Eve. Lots of drunk drivers arrested. And then of course there are the various December Christmas parties which have great booze bars. Lots of skimpy outfits as well. And then there is all the Christmas Eve shopping. If you want beer you buy it the week before Christmas. Liquor stores will be full today.
Isn't that just observing it in reverse?
"Observing" a day typically means setting it apart for the purpose intended. The Puritans inveighed against the day, which is to say that they grieved for the idolatry of it; they did not "observe" it in the sense that is usually meant by that word, but acknowledged it as a day to be lamented for what others did, and on their part, prayed against the impious setting apart of the day, while they strove to treat it as a day like any other.
Thanking God today that xmas is cancelled due to the snow!!
Isn't that just observing it in reverse?
"Observing" a day typically means setting it apart for the purpose intended. The Puritans inveighed against the day, which is to say that they grieved for the idolatry of it; they did not "observe" it in the sense that is usually meant by that word, but acknowledged it as a day to be lamented for what others did, and on their part, prayed against the impious setting apart of the day, while they strove to treat it as a day like any other.
That's funny, since Paul specifically said not to look down upon those who set one day above another.
The Romans did it out of weakness, the Galatians did it out of wilfulness and wickedness; and therefore the apostle handles them thus differently. This epistle is supposed to have been written some time before that to the Galatians. The apostle seems willing to let the ceremonial law wither by degrees, and to let it have an honourable burial; now these weak Romans seem to be only following it weeping to its grave, but those Galatians were raking it out of its ashes.
That's funny, since Paul specifically said not to look down upon those who set one day above another.
I thought Christmas represents the birth of the Messiah, which I thought was a good thing.
-----Added 12/24/2008 at 12:51:25 EST-----
http://truthandway.org/A_Christmas_Discourse.pdf
David, comparing scripture with scripture, I think it is pretty clear what Paul is talking about in Col. He does go to mention some other things but feasts, new moons, and sabbaths, being the Jews regular ceremonial days, is clear.
Now a happy Christmas to you all; and it will be a happy Christmas if you have God with you. I shall say nothing to day against festivities on this great birthday of Christ. We will to-morrow think of Christ's birthday; we shall be obliged to do it, I am sure, however sturdily we may hold to our rough Puritanism. And so, 'let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavend bread of sincerity and truth.' Do not feast as if you wished to keep the festival of Bacchus; do not live to-morrow as if you adored some heathen divinity. Feast, Christians, feast; you have a right to feast. Go to the house of feasting to-morrow, celebrate your Saviour's birth; do not be ashamed to be glad; you have a right to be happy. Solomon says, "Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment."
"Religion never was designed
To make your pleasures less."
Recollect that your Master ate butter and honey. Go your way, rejoice tomorrow, but in your feasting, think of the Man in Bethlehem; let him have a place in your hearts, give him the glory, think of the virgin who conceived him, but think most of all of the Man born, the Child given. I finish by again saying, ---
"A HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL"