Let’s find out about the origins of the day the world celebrates as the Lords birthday, and see who’s birth it was that was originally celebrated on Dec. 25th.
X-Mas
Having turned long ago from worshiping the one true God and creator of all things, many early cultures in the Roman empire had fallen into sun worship. Recognizing their dependence on the sun's yearly course in the heavens, they held feasts around the winter solstice in December when the days are shortest. As part of their festivals, they built bonfires to give the sun god strength and bring him back to life again. When it became apparent that the days were growing longer, there would be great rejoicing. They decked their halls with garlands of laurel and placed candles in live trees to decorate for the celebration of Saturnalia.
The 21st of December is the shortest day of the year. From that time the sun recommences its upward course, announcing that midwinter is passed and spring and summer are approaching. The Romans celebrated this change, under the title of "Saturnalia," by universal license and merrymaking.
Saturnalia
Sat`ur*na"li*a\, n. pl.
1. (Rom. Antiq.) The festival of Saturn, celebrated in December, originally during one day, but afterward during seven days, as a period of unrestrained license and merriment for all classes, extending even to the slaves.
2. Hence: A period or occasion of general license, in which the passions or vices have riotous indulgence.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary,
noun
1. An orgiastic festival in ancient Rome in honor of Saturn
2. The ancient Roman seven-day festival of Saturn, which began on December 17. (used with a sing. verb)
1. A celebration marked by unrestrained revelry and often licentiousness; an orgy.
American Heritage Dictionary
In Roman times, the best-known winter festival was Saturnalia, which was popular throughout Italy. Saturnalia was a time of general relaxation, feasting, merry-making, and a cessation of formal rules. It included the making and giving of small presents (Saturnalia et Sigillaricia), including small dolls for children and candles for adults.
During Saturnalia, business was postponed and even slaves feasted. There as drinking, gambling, and singing, and even public nudity. It was the "best of days," according to the poet Catullus.[7] Saturnalia honored the god Saturn and began on December 17. The festival gradually lengthened until the late Republican period, when it was seven days (December 17–24). In imperial times, Saturnalia was shortened to five days.
Natalis Solis Invicti
The Romans also held a festival on December 25 called Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, "the birthday of the unconquered sun." The use of the title Sol Invictus allowed several solar deities to be worshipped collectively, including Elah-Gabal, a Syrian sun god; Sol, the god of Emperor Aurelian (AD 270–274); and Mithras, a soldiers' god of Persian origin.[9] Emperor Elagabalus (218–222) introduced the festival, and it reached the height of its popularity under Aurelian, who promoted it as an empire-wide holiday.[10]
December 25 was also considered to be the date of the winter solstice, which the Romans called bruma.[6] It was therefore the day the Sun proved itself to be "unconquered" despite the shortening of daylight hours. (When Julius Caesar introduced the Julian Calendar in 45 BC, December 25 was approximately the date of the solstice. In modern times, the solstice falls on December 21 or 22.)
Before the Romans, the Greeks called this time of year Brumalia:
Brumalia
Brumalia was an ancient Greek solstice festival honoring Dionysus, generally held on December 25. The festival included drinking and merriment. The name is derived from the Latin word bruma, meaning "shortest day."
On the great day, December 25th itself, came the Brumalia (from bruma: "shortest day");the religious observance of the sun-worshipers. This was known also as Natalis Solus Invicti: the "Birth of the Unconquerable Sun"--the date when the day began again to lengthen.
This Greco/Roman "festival of Saturnalia and Brumalia" is really the celebration which was adopted by the early Christians and is now known as Christmas. With it have been accepted also ancient customs and superstitions from other nations.
It is significant that the Catholic Encyclopedia itself says--
"The well known solar feast of Natalis Invicti, celebrated on Dec. 25, has a strong claim for the responsibility of our Christmas date."
On this point, the Encyclopedia Americana says--
"In the fifth century the Western Church ordered Christmas to be celebrated forever on the day of the old Roman feast of the birth of Sol, (The Sun God)."
The decision to celebrate Christmas on December 25th was made sometime during the fourth century by church bishops in Rome (Some 400 years after the birth of Christ and approx. 300 years after the completion of the New Testament). They had a specific reason for doing so.
The Roman Church purposely chose December 25 with the intention that Christ’s birth would replace the birthday of the Sun. Thus, the 25th was chosen not because the date was confirmed to be the actual birth of Christ, but to replace the pagan holiday.
For the most part their efforts failed to make the people conform, and the heathen festivities continued. Today we find ourselves left with a bizarre mix of many ancient pagan customs and superstitions from other nations that characterizes our modern celebration of Christmas. Let’s look at just a few of them.
THE MISTLETOE
For example, the mistletoe bough is a remnant of an old ceremonial rite performed annually by the Druids, (The same people that gave us Halloween), by whom the mistletoe was not only held in reverence but also believed to possess wondrous curative powers. The ceremony consisted in the people's marching to the forest and gathering around the oak on which the mistletoe grew. The chief Druid clothed in white, climbed the tree and with a golden knife cut the plant; another priest standing with outstretched mantle caught it as it fell. Two white bulls brought for the purpose, and sometimes human beings as well, were then sacrificed as a propitiation to the savage god of the Druids.
The mistletoe cut by the priest was afterwards divided into small portions and distributed among the people, who hung the sprays over their doors to please and to protect their deities during the winter.
The ancient Celtics believed mistletoe to have magical healing powers and used it as an antidote for poison, infertility, and to ward off evil spirits.
Scandinavians associated the plant with Frigga, their goddess of love, and it may be from this that we derive the custom of kissing under the mistletoe.
HOLLY
In Northern Europe Christmas occurred during the middle of winter, when ghosts and demons could be heard howling in the winter winds. Boughs of holly, believed to have magical powers since they remained green through the harsh winter, were often placed over the doors of homes to drive evil away.
THE YULE LOG
The custom of burning the yule log has been transmitted from Scandinavian ancestors who kindled huge fires to their god Thor. The log was the center of the trunk of a tree that was dragged to a large fireplace where it was supposed to burn for twelve days. From this comes the twelve days of Christmas.
THE CHRISTMAS WREATH
The use of evergreens and wreaths as symbols of life was an ancient custom of the Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews, among other peoples. Tree worship was a common feature of religion among the Teutonic and Scandinavian peoples of northern Europe before their conversion to Christianity. They decorated houses and barns with evergreens at the new year to scare away demons, and they often set up trees for the birds in winter. For these northern Europeans, this winter celebration was the happiest time of the year because it signified that the shortest day of the year--about December 21--had passed.
CHRISTMAS GIFT GIVING
Gift giving is one of the oldest customs associated with Christmas: it is actually older than the holiday itself. The Romans, for example, celebrated the Saturnalia on December 17. It was a winter feast of merrymaking and gift exchanging. And two weeks later, on the Roman New Year--January 1, houses were decorated with greenery and lights, and gifts were given to children and the poor. As the Germanic tribes of Europe accepted Christianity and began to celebrate Christmas, they also gave gifts.
THE CHRISTMAS TREE
The origin of the Christmas tree is not definitely known, but it is believed to have come down to us from the Roman "Saturnalia," having been carried into Germany by the legions of Drusus, whose great exploits established Roman supremacy in Germany about 15 B.C. Thus we see that even the Christmas tree with its glittering pendants and pretty toys predates the birth of the Savior.
Starting with the day chosen to celebrate the birth of the Lord, Dec.25th, to ALL of the customs associated with X-mas….we find every last one of them are from ancient pagan practices.
When you get right down to it, there is nothing Christ like about X-mas. The holiday originated from ancient pagan practices that predate the birth of Christ. It calls for worship to other god’s, Samhain, “Lord of Darkness” and, Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, "the birthday of the unconquered sun.". It is a holiday made up of customs and traditions that have absolutely nothing to do with the birth of Christ. HOW CAN YOU CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE X-MAS? The sad part is that some will continue to do so knowing the truth.
So….what will YOU be celebrating this coming Dec. 25th? Will you be comfortable exchanging gifts knowing this day was also the day the ancients worshiped their sun god? Will the singing and merry-making be just as enjoyable knowing that this day was originally devoted to a period or occasion of general license, in which the passions or vices have riotous indulgence which also included orgies? And how about all of the decoration that will be hung? Will the wreaths, hollies, Yule-log and mistletoe bring memories of the birth of our Lord or will they remind you of things originally thought to have magical powers, used to ward off evil spirits?
And what about the one symbol most associated with the X-mas season…..the beloved X-mas tree? Did you know God gave us a specific warning about the use of this item? Remember the verse at the very beginning of this lesson I said we would be coming back to, “the customs of the people…” Jer. 10:3? Well let’s read the whole passage and see just what God had to say about this ancient practice.
What God Has to Say
Jer.10
[1] Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
[2] 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.
[3] 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.
[4] They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
[5] They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
God, through the mouth of Jeremiah, tells us NOT to learn the ways of the heathen, for their customs are VAIN!!! And what has the whole world learned? Just what God warned us against. Out of all the pagan customs we practice, and we engage in a whole lot of them, God gave us an example of the one that would become the most poplar in all of the world…..THE X-MAS TREE!!!!!!
You can not get a more accurate description than the one He gave us in the 10th chapter of Jeremiah. And this was almost 500yrs before the birth of Jesus Christ. So saying this practice has anything to do with the birth of our savior is just not true. Let’s look at it again:
Cutting a tree out of the forest with an axe. (vs.3)
Decking it with Silver and Gold. (vs.4)
Fastening it with nails and a hammer so that it moves not. (vs.4)
And watering it because it cannot move. (vs.5)
Is that not a dead on, perfect picture of our modern day X-mas tree? How awesome is our Lord!! On the accuracy of that (1) prediction alone, over 2000 yrs old, I just can’t see how anyone can doubt the legitimacy of the Holy Bible.
Now that we know the origins of the most poplar holiday celebrated all over the world, let’s read what the almighty God has to say about engaging in such practices and how we should govern our lives:
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
God tell us to avoid anything that may even appear to be evil.
3 John 1:11
11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
John tells us to not follow things that are evil.
Romans 12:9
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Paul tells us to abhor evil.
Deuteronomy 18:9-14
9 When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.
11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
13 Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.
14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.
REMEMBER: Only God can declare something an abomination. And ALL of the people mentioned above that partake in those things are an abomination to Him.
Ephesians 5:11-12
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
1 Timothy 4:1
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1 Corinthians 10:21
21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
Holidays with pagan origins are not doctrines of God, they are doctrines from Satan.
2 Corinthians 6:14-17
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
God tells us to separate ourselves from the customs of the world. What fellowship should you have with things once associated with idols and with darkness?
Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
1 Corinthians 11:1
1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Ezekiel 44:23
23 And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
Proverbs 22:6
6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Hosea 4:6
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
John 3:19-20
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Romans 13:12
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Ephesians 6:11-18
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
1 John 5:21
.21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
17 And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments;
18 Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel.
19 But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;
20 Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations.
So what more can be said? The origins of X-mas are pagan. Should you continue participating in the X-mas tradition? After all, “a rose by any other name is still a rose.” and paganism is still paganism, no matter how you try to cover it, even if you try to cover it with the name of Jesus. God’s word is true, He instructs us to avoid the appearance of evil and to separate ourselves from the, “the customs of the people…”.
Attaching Jesus name to a holiday originally observed as worship to “the lord of darkness”.
Going against God’s commandment and bringing a tree into your home and decorating it with silver and gold.
Saying Jesus was born on the 25th of Dec. when, in fact, that is the day still observed as the birthday of the
“Unconquered-Sun”.
Kissing under the mistletoe.
Exchanging gifts.
Decorating with Holly, Yule-logs and Wreaths.
Is this separating yourselves and avoiding the appearance of evil? Or have you made fellowship with those things that are considered an abomination to our God by attempting to cover them with, “… another Jesus, whom we have not preached,…” 2 Cor.11.?
.
X-Mas
Having turned long ago from worshiping the one true God and creator of all things, many early cultures in the Roman empire had fallen into sun worship. Recognizing their dependence on the sun's yearly course in the heavens, they held feasts around the winter solstice in December when the days are shortest. As part of their festivals, they built bonfires to give the sun god strength and bring him back to life again. When it became apparent that the days were growing longer, there would be great rejoicing. They decked their halls with garlands of laurel and placed candles in live trees to decorate for the celebration of Saturnalia.
The 21st of December is the shortest day of the year. From that time the sun recommences its upward course, announcing that midwinter is passed and spring and summer are approaching. The Romans celebrated this change, under the title of "Saturnalia," by universal license and merrymaking.
Saturnalia
Sat`ur*na"li*a\, n. pl.
1. (Rom. Antiq.) The festival of Saturn, celebrated in December, originally during one day, but afterward during seven days, as a period of unrestrained license and merriment for all classes, extending even to the slaves.
2. Hence: A period or occasion of general license, in which the passions or vices have riotous indulgence.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary,
noun
1. An orgiastic festival in ancient Rome in honor of Saturn
2. The ancient Roman seven-day festival of Saturn, which began on December 17. (used with a sing. verb)
1. A celebration marked by unrestrained revelry and often licentiousness; an orgy.
American Heritage Dictionary
In Roman times, the best-known winter festival was Saturnalia, which was popular throughout Italy. Saturnalia was a time of general relaxation, feasting, merry-making, and a cessation of formal rules. It included the making and giving of small presents (Saturnalia et Sigillaricia), including small dolls for children and candles for adults.
During Saturnalia, business was postponed and even slaves feasted. There as drinking, gambling, and singing, and even public nudity. It was the "best of days," according to the poet Catullus.[7] Saturnalia honored the god Saturn and began on December 17. The festival gradually lengthened until the late Republican period, when it was seven days (December 17–24). In imperial times, Saturnalia was shortened to five days.
Natalis Solis Invicti
The Romans also held a festival on December 25 called Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, "the birthday of the unconquered sun." The use of the title Sol Invictus allowed several solar deities to be worshipped collectively, including Elah-Gabal, a Syrian sun god; Sol, the god of Emperor Aurelian (AD 270–274); and Mithras, a soldiers' god of Persian origin.[9] Emperor Elagabalus (218–222) introduced the festival, and it reached the height of its popularity under Aurelian, who promoted it as an empire-wide holiday.[10]
December 25 was also considered to be the date of the winter solstice, which the Romans called bruma.[6] It was therefore the day the Sun proved itself to be "unconquered" despite the shortening of daylight hours. (When Julius Caesar introduced the Julian Calendar in 45 BC, December 25 was approximately the date of the solstice. In modern times, the solstice falls on December 21 or 22.)
Before the Romans, the Greeks called this time of year Brumalia:
Brumalia
Brumalia was an ancient Greek solstice festival honoring Dionysus, generally held on December 25. The festival included drinking and merriment. The name is derived from the Latin word bruma, meaning "shortest day."
On the great day, December 25th itself, came the Brumalia (from bruma: "shortest day");the religious observance of the sun-worshipers. This was known also as Natalis Solus Invicti: the "Birth of the Unconquerable Sun"--the date when the day began again to lengthen.
This Greco/Roman "festival of Saturnalia and Brumalia" is really the celebration which was adopted by the early Christians and is now known as Christmas. With it have been accepted also ancient customs and superstitions from other nations.
It is significant that the Catholic Encyclopedia itself says--
"The well known solar feast of Natalis Invicti, celebrated on Dec. 25, has a strong claim for the responsibility of our Christmas date."
On this point, the Encyclopedia Americana says--
"In the fifth century the Western Church ordered Christmas to be celebrated forever on the day of the old Roman feast of the birth of Sol, (The Sun God)."
The decision to celebrate Christmas on December 25th was made sometime during the fourth century by church bishops in Rome (Some 400 years after the birth of Christ and approx. 300 years after the completion of the New Testament). They had a specific reason for doing so.
The Roman Church purposely chose December 25 with the intention that Christ’s birth would replace the birthday of the Sun. Thus, the 25th was chosen not because the date was confirmed to be the actual birth of Christ, but to replace the pagan holiday.
For the most part their efforts failed to make the people conform, and the heathen festivities continued. Today we find ourselves left with a bizarre mix of many ancient pagan customs and superstitions from other nations that characterizes our modern celebration of Christmas. Let’s look at just a few of them.
THE MISTLETOE
For example, the mistletoe bough is a remnant of an old ceremonial rite performed annually by the Druids, (The same people that gave us Halloween), by whom the mistletoe was not only held in reverence but also believed to possess wondrous curative powers. The ceremony consisted in the people's marching to the forest and gathering around the oak on which the mistletoe grew. The chief Druid clothed in white, climbed the tree and with a golden knife cut the plant; another priest standing with outstretched mantle caught it as it fell. Two white bulls brought for the purpose, and sometimes human beings as well, were then sacrificed as a propitiation to the savage god of the Druids.
The mistletoe cut by the priest was afterwards divided into small portions and distributed among the people, who hung the sprays over their doors to please and to protect their deities during the winter.
The ancient Celtics believed mistletoe to have magical healing powers and used it as an antidote for poison, infertility, and to ward off evil spirits.
Scandinavians associated the plant with Frigga, their goddess of love, and it may be from this that we derive the custom of kissing under the mistletoe.
HOLLY
In Northern Europe Christmas occurred during the middle of winter, when ghosts and demons could be heard howling in the winter winds. Boughs of holly, believed to have magical powers since they remained green through the harsh winter, were often placed over the doors of homes to drive evil away.
THE YULE LOG
The custom of burning the yule log has been transmitted from Scandinavian ancestors who kindled huge fires to their god Thor. The log was the center of the trunk of a tree that was dragged to a large fireplace where it was supposed to burn for twelve days. From this comes the twelve days of Christmas.
THE CHRISTMAS WREATH
The use of evergreens and wreaths as symbols of life was an ancient custom of the Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews, among other peoples. Tree worship was a common feature of religion among the Teutonic and Scandinavian peoples of northern Europe before their conversion to Christianity. They decorated houses and barns with evergreens at the new year to scare away demons, and they often set up trees for the birds in winter. For these northern Europeans, this winter celebration was the happiest time of the year because it signified that the shortest day of the year--about December 21--had passed.
CHRISTMAS GIFT GIVING
Gift giving is one of the oldest customs associated with Christmas: it is actually older than the holiday itself. The Romans, for example, celebrated the Saturnalia on December 17. It was a winter feast of merrymaking and gift exchanging. And two weeks later, on the Roman New Year--January 1, houses were decorated with greenery and lights, and gifts were given to children and the poor. As the Germanic tribes of Europe accepted Christianity and began to celebrate Christmas, they also gave gifts.
THE CHRISTMAS TREE
The origin of the Christmas tree is not definitely known, but it is believed to have come down to us from the Roman "Saturnalia," having been carried into Germany by the legions of Drusus, whose great exploits established Roman supremacy in Germany about 15 B.C. Thus we see that even the Christmas tree with its glittering pendants and pretty toys predates the birth of the Savior.
Starting with the day chosen to celebrate the birth of the Lord, Dec.25th, to ALL of the customs associated with X-mas….we find every last one of them are from ancient pagan practices.
When you get right down to it, there is nothing Christ like about X-mas. The holiday originated from ancient pagan practices that predate the birth of Christ. It calls for worship to other god’s, Samhain, “Lord of Darkness” and, Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, "the birthday of the unconquered sun.". It is a holiday made up of customs and traditions that have absolutely nothing to do with the birth of Christ. HOW CAN YOU CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE X-MAS? The sad part is that some will continue to do so knowing the truth.
So….what will YOU be celebrating this coming Dec. 25th? Will you be comfortable exchanging gifts knowing this day was also the day the ancients worshiped their sun god? Will the singing and merry-making be just as enjoyable knowing that this day was originally devoted to a period or occasion of general license, in which the passions or vices have riotous indulgence which also included orgies? And how about all of the decoration that will be hung? Will the wreaths, hollies, Yule-log and mistletoe bring memories of the birth of our Lord or will they remind you of things originally thought to have magical powers, used to ward off evil spirits?
And what about the one symbol most associated with the X-mas season…..the beloved X-mas tree? Did you know God gave us a specific warning about the use of this item? Remember the verse at the very beginning of this lesson I said we would be coming back to, “the customs of the people…” Jer. 10:3? Well let’s read the whole passage and see just what God had to say about this ancient practice.
What God Has to Say
Jer.10
[1] Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
[2] 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.
[3] 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.
[4] They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
[5] They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
God, through the mouth of Jeremiah, tells us NOT to learn the ways of the heathen, for their customs are VAIN!!! And what has the whole world learned? Just what God warned us against. Out of all the pagan customs we practice, and we engage in a whole lot of them, God gave us an example of the one that would become the most poplar in all of the world…..THE X-MAS TREE!!!!!!
You can not get a more accurate description than the one He gave us in the 10th chapter of Jeremiah. And this was almost 500yrs before the birth of Jesus Christ. So saying this practice has anything to do with the birth of our savior is just not true. Let’s look at it again:
Cutting a tree out of the forest with an axe. (vs.3)
Decking it with Silver and Gold. (vs.4)
Fastening it with nails and a hammer so that it moves not. (vs.4)
And watering it because it cannot move. (vs.5)
Is that not a dead on, perfect picture of our modern day X-mas tree? How awesome is our Lord!! On the accuracy of that (1) prediction alone, over 2000 yrs old, I just can’t see how anyone can doubt the legitimacy of the Holy Bible.
Now that we know the origins of the most poplar holiday celebrated all over the world, let’s read what the almighty God has to say about engaging in such practices and how we should govern our lives:
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
God tell us to avoid anything that may even appear to be evil.
3 John 1:11
11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
John tells us to not follow things that are evil.
Romans 12:9
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Paul tells us to abhor evil.
Deuteronomy 18:9-14
9 When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.
11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
13 Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.
14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.
REMEMBER: Only God can declare something an abomination. And ALL of the people mentioned above that partake in those things are an abomination to Him.
Ephesians 5:11-12
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
1 Timothy 4:1
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1 Corinthians 10:21
21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
Holidays with pagan origins are not doctrines of God, they are doctrines from Satan.
2 Corinthians 6:14-17
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
God tells us to separate ourselves from the customs of the world. What fellowship should you have with things once associated with idols and with darkness?
Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
1 Corinthians 11:1
1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Ezekiel 44:23
23 And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
Proverbs 22:6
6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Hosea 4:6
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
John 3:19-20
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Romans 13:12
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Ephesians 6:11-18
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
1 John 5:21
.21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
17 And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments;
18 Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel.
19 But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;
20 Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations.
So what more can be said? The origins of X-mas are pagan. Should you continue participating in the X-mas tradition? After all, “a rose by any other name is still a rose.” and paganism is still paganism, no matter how you try to cover it, even if you try to cover it with the name of Jesus. God’s word is true, He instructs us to avoid the appearance of evil and to separate ourselves from the, “the customs of the people…”.
Attaching Jesus name to a holiday originally observed as worship to “the lord of darkness”.
Going against God’s commandment and bringing a tree into your home and decorating it with silver and gold.
Saying Jesus was born on the 25th of Dec. when, in fact, that is the day still observed as the birthday of the
“Unconquered-Sun”.
Kissing under the mistletoe.
Exchanging gifts.
Decorating with Holly, Yule-logs and Wreaths.
Is this separating yourselves and avoiding the appearance of evil? Or have you made fellowship with those things that are considered an abomination to our God by attempting to cover them with, “… another Jesus, whom we have not preached,…” 2 Cor.11.?
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ffice
