This day of celebration has been around since the days of Nimrod, far before the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. It was a time of giving gifts to one another.
They would even celebrate using a tree. They would cut one down, nail a couple of boards to the bottom, then decorate it. So what, you might think. Surely the Bible doesn't even mention anything about this being wrong, does it?
"Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
"For the customs of the people [are] vain: for [one] cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
"They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not."
Jeremiah 10:2-4
"For the customs of the people [are] vain: for [one] cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
"They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not."
Jeremiah 10:2-4
Hmmm. The Lord commands that we "Learn not the way of the heathen", yet many proclaimed Christians jump all over the place to do just that.
What else is used in christmas...how about holly. Everyone loves having holly wreaths. Of course, most people never bothered to find that holly (the red berries in particular) was used in pagan rituals to symbolize the menstrual blood of the queen of heaven.
Of course, there's also mistletoe, where the berries are symbolic of semen of the sun-god. And the kissing tradition dates from the use of mistletoe in temples as part of the sanctioned prostitution, which was part of the celebration.
And we won't even get into the yule log, the candles on the trees (which are electric nowadays) and all the rest. Instead, we'll just ask two simple questions: Where did christmas get attached to Christianity and is it really the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
The first question can be answered in the short form with one word: Constantine.
Emperor Constantine decided on day that all the Roman Empire would be "Christian." What a nice man, one decree and everybody is converted. Well, it doesn't work like that, and the people did not want to part with their celebrations, such as Saturnalia and Natalis Solis Invicti, where you had drunken parties, gift exchanges, public orgies and such. So, Constantine decided to combine the pagan holidays with new, Christian titles. So, the winter celebrations were combined into christ-mass. Other holidays, such as aster (easter) would follow suit. The result is an unholy mix of pagan and Christian. You probably wouldn't drink a glass of water if a portion of it was rat poison. So, should Christians have anything to do with this mixture?
What else is used in christmas...how about holly. Everyone loves having holly wreaths. Of course, most people never bothered to find that holly (the red berries in particular) was used in pagan rituals to symbolize the menstrual blood of the queen of heaven.
Of course, there's also mistletoe, where the berries are symbolic of semen of the sun-god. And the kissing tradition dates from the use of mistletoe in temples as part of the sanctioned prostitution, which was part of the celebration.
And we won't even get into the yule log, the candles on the trees (which are electric nowadays) and all the rest. Instead, we'll just ask two simple questions: Where did christmas get attached to Christianity and is it really the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
The first question can be answered in the short form with one word: Constantine.
Emperor Constantine decided on day that all the Roman Empire would be "Christian." What a nice man, one decree and everybody is converted. Well, it doesn't work like that, and the people did not want to part with their celebrations, such as Saturnalia and Natalis Solis Invicti, where you had drunken parties, gift exchanges, public orgies and such. So, Constantine decided to combine the pagan holidays with new, Christian titles. So, the winter celebrations were combined into christ-mass. Other holidays, such as aster (easter) would follow suit. The result is an unholy mix of pagan and Christian. You probably wouldn't drink a glass of water if a portion of it was rat poison. So, should Christians have anything to do with this mixture?
"Learn not the way of the heathen"
You decide.
As you might guess, the second question above has already been answered, but let's add a point or two.
As you might guess, the second question above has already been answered, but let's add a point or two.
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night."
Luke 2:8
Luke 2:8
By the end of the month of September and the first of the month of October, the shepherds are no longer abiding in the fields. That one verse ends any question as to christmas being the birthday of Jesus. It wasn't.
Now, here's a pop quiz for you. Where in the Bible are we either asked or commanded to remember the birthday of Jesus?
Answer: We aren't.
Think about it for a minute. Jesus is the Son of God. He has been alive and with God FOREVER! He temporarily took on the role of human in order to live the life of a perfect sacrifice for the sins of His people. So, how do you, in good faith, celebrate the birthday of a person described as:
Now, here's a pop quiz for you. Where in the Bible are we either asked or commanded to remember the birthday of Jesus?
Answer: We aren't.
Think about it for a minute. Jesus is the Son of God. He has been alive and with God FOREVER! He temporarily took on the role of human in order to live the life of a perfect sacrifice for the sins of His people. So, how do you, in good faith, celebrate the birthday of a person described as:
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
Heb. 13:8
Heb. 13:8
Jesus was much more insistant that we remember Him in this manner:
"And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake [it], and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave [it] to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many."
Mark 14:22-24
Mark 14:22-24
Now, some people will wish to remind me of this passage of Scripture:
"Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days]:"
Col. 2:16
Col. 2:16
To this I must answer: I am in no wise judging any person. That is not my job, nor is it my right. I merely am teaching about the days that some see as Christian. If, after reading this information, you can of pure heart and in a respectful spirit continue to celebrate christmas as the world does, then that is your decision.
If, on the other hand, you can see the mixing of truth and lie as something to be avoided, then you are now responsible to God Almighty and our Lord Jesus Christ for what you do from this point forward.
Grace and Peace....
If, on the other hand, you can see the mixing of truth and lie as something to be avoided, then you are now responsible to God Almighty and our Lord Jesus Christ for what you do from this point forward.
Grace and Peace....
