11/29/2008

Why I Don't Celebrate Christmas

[updated from a Moss Patch Newsletter article, November 1991]


As a Christian, I gave up Christmas many years ago when I became aware of the pagan roots of this celebration and diligently searched the Scriptures to see what the Bible had to say about it.

I learned from World Book Encyclopedia and other resources that Christmas is essentially a pagan holiday with a thin Christian veneer. Jesus was not born on December 25, but the pagans celebrated the Birth of the Unconquered Sun (Saturnalia) at this precise time of year, worshipping their gods with trees, yule logs, wassail, holly, mistletoe, and all the trimmings, right down to the Christmas goose. To make a long story short, in order to bring unconverted pagans into the Roman Catholic church long, long ago, the Church met them half way—letting them keep the pagan feasts that they enjoyed so much, and just “Christianizing” them. It does not sound like a bad idea to Christianize paganism until it is discovered that the Word of God specifically forbids it over and over again throughout the Bible.

For example:

“Learn not the way of the heathen...for the customs of the people are vain...” (Jeremiah 10:2,3).

“Take heed...that thou inquire not after their gods saying, How did these nations serve their gods? Even so will I do likewise.” (Deut. 12:30)

“...Abstain from pollutions of idols” (Acts 15:20).


As Alexander Hislop brings out in The Two Babylons, “The tendency on the part of Christians to meet paganism half way was very early developed. Tertullian, about the year 230, bitterly lamented the inconsistency of the disciples of Christ in this respect and contrasted it with the strict fidelity of the pagans to their own superstition:

‘By us, says he, ‘who are strangers to (Jewish) Sabbaths, and new moons, and festivals, once acceptable to God, the Saturnalia, the feasts of January, the Brumalia, and Matronalia are now frequented, gifts are carried to and fro, new year’s day presents are made with din, and sports and banquets are celebrated with uproar; oh how much more faithful are the heathen to their religion, who take special care to adopt no solemnity from the Christians.’”


Charles Halff, of the Christian Jew Foundation, in his booklet, “The Truth About Christmas” reports:

“The pagan history of Christmas has been well known throughout history. In fact, at one time the celebration of this pagan custom was forbidden by law in England. In 1644, Parliament declared Christmas to be unlawful; and, consequently, it was abolished. The English Puritans looked upon the celebration of Christmas as the work of Satan. At one time in early American history the observance of Christmas was illegal. A law was adopted in the general court of Massachusetts about 1650 which required that those who celebrated Christmas were to be punished. The statute read, ‘Whosoever shall be found observing any such day as Christmas...shall be subject to a fine of 5 shillings.’ The law’s preamble explained it’s purpose was ‘for preventing disorders...(by) observing such festivals as were superstitiously kept in other countries to the great dishonor of God and the offense of others.’ After the Mayflower pilgrims landed in 1620, the first December 25th was spent in labor and cutting down trees ‘in order to avoid any frivolity on the day sometimes called Christmas.’”


Nowhere in Scripture is there any indication that we are to celebrate the Lord’s birth. There are only two “birthday parties” mentioned in the Bible, Pharaoh’s (Genesis 40:20) and Herod’s (Matt. 14:6). Both were pagan celebrations and both had gruesome events associated with them—Pharaoh hung the chief baker, and Herod had John the Baptist beheaded!

Jesus said to remember His death (1 Corinthians 11:26) and look for His coming (Luke 12:37). Why do we add to His words in celebrating His birth? The Bible admonishes us not to add to the words of Scripture:

“Every word of God is pure...add thou not unto His Words, lest He reprove thee.” (Proverbs 30:5,6)


Some say, “Christmas is just a pleasant tradition. There’s no harm in it.” But Jesus says, “You make the Word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men. All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition,” (Mark, chapter 7).

As my sister once eloquently put it, “The only way we can ever express gratefulness to the One who paid such a dear price to save our souls is to respect His Word and obey His commandments. We cannot do that if we participate in any way in a pagan tradition such as Christmas.”

The Christmas tree is an abomination in the sight of God. There are many complex legends, but essentially the tree represents the slain god, Nimrod, reincarnated as Tammuz, the Babylonian messiah. Suffice to say that the Christmas tree is representative of a pagan idol, the very idol whose honoring is condemned as a great abomination in Ezekiel 8:14. We have heard well-meaning people remark, “So it has pagan roots; I do not worship the tree.” Yet what do they do with it. They drape it with garlands, just as the pagan priest honored his gods in Acts 14:13. They deck it with silver and gold, as the tree idol is decorated in Jeremiah 10:3,4. According to the dictionary, worship can simply mean “great honor and respect.” A plain little green tree seems to get the royal treatment during the Christmas season. It occupies the foremost place in the home where it will be noticed and admired even by passers-by from outside as it stands glistening in the window, bedecked with jewels and arrayed more gloriously than Solomon. If it’s not an idol, why are people so unwilling to give it up? It it’s not an idol, why do they sing “worshipful” songs to it? “O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches.” The “green tree” is mentioned ten times in the Bible and in every instance it is associated with idolatry.

The exchanging of gifts is also a pagan custom. Statues of gods and other trinkets were exchanged during religious festivals in heathen lands. Yet, to quote Albert James Dager, who has written on the subject of Christmas traditions in Media Spotlight, “There is certainly nothing wrong with giving gifts to family and friends out of love and genuine appreciation for what they have meant throughout the year. But it would be far better if those gifts were given spontaneously rather than under pressure to meet the social requirements of a pagan holiday. Here it is important to examine our motives. A gift in itself is certainly not evil. A gift given under pressure is a compromise to one’s conscience and is little more than a bribe.”

Mr. Dager also observes, “The atmosphere of the world during Christmas is evidence of its incompatibility with Christ. The media are filled with advertising and programming that turns Christmas into a hedonistic celebration. Jesus is so rarely mentioned that it’s obvious He has little to do with the day anyhow.”

Why is it that the world, that hates Christ, loves Christmas? Multitudes will accept Jesus as a helpless babe in a manger while rejecting Him as Lord of their lives. I cringe when I hear of ministers of the Gospel, after preaching the Christmas sermon, extend invitations to sinners to “ask the baby Jesus” to come into their hearts. There is no salvation in such a warped concept of surrender to the Living God.

To those who would say, “Let’s put Christ back in Christmas,” I would respond, He was never the “reason for the season” to begin with! Let the world have its tinseled, liquored up Christmas. “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”



Addendum:

Rabbinical Judaism likes to put “fences” around commandments. Why are Messianics so de-fence-less against Christmas? I often hear, “As long as you don’t worship the tree, it’s okay to have it.” Yet the commandment tells us not only “Do not worship idols,” but do not even have them around (Exodus 20:3-5). Does it not concern Messianics to consider what God thinks about the “mystery forms” of imagery claimed to be so harmless? Idols represent the enemy of our souls whether we see it that way or not. Did Yeshua redeem us so we could continue in the “chambers of imagery” that He abhors (Ezekiel 8). What is the difference between a marble statue of Zeus or a bedecked, gaudy tree prominently displayed? Would you place a Buddha in your living room? As long as you don’t worship it, why not? How about a Mary statue? If Messianics find holidays such as Christmas “neutral,” just what does comprise temptations to idolatrous practices in our generation? We are told to “flee from idolatry” (1 Cor. 10:14) but if there is no idolatry to flee from in our post-modern Judeao-Christian world, maybe these Scriptures are irrelevant? Our faith won’t be tested in the 21st century? Let us not be deceived!

Spend quality time with your family, play games with your kids, but try not to trample underfoot the commandments of God in the process. May the Wal-mart doorkeeper, trampled by the Christmas crowd, be a sobering and meaningful metaphor.

11/28/2008

Devolution

VALLEY STREAM, N.Y. (CBS) ― We're used to seeing scenes like this across the country -- people running, pushing, trying to get their hands on the great bargains. But on Friday – better known as "Black Friday" to millions upon millions of holiday shoppers across the country, a scene like this turned deadly as a mob stampeded over a security guard at a Long Island Wal-Mart.

The heavy glass and steel sliding doors were literally knocked off their hinges in the shopper-stampede-to-be-first. Then the wave of humanity caved in on defenseless Wal-Mart workers as they opened early -- 5 a.m. -- for the annual bargain hunting ritual that kicks off the morning after Thanksgiving.

"The crowd pushed so forcefully that they crashed the doors down and one of the workers from Wal-Mart was pushed to the floor as the crowd entered the store, many of them running," said Det. Lt. Michael Fleming of the Nassau County Police Department.

Cell phone video obtained by CBS 2 HD shows the 34-year-old part-time employee, hired as a holiday temp, who was crushed in the onslaught pronounced dead an hour later, as responding Nassau police and paramedics tried to save him, but were also jostled and pushed to the ground.

"The man got trampled, stomped on -- everybody banged through the doors," witness Terrence Howard said.

Witness Kimberly Cribbs said all those people who got in went right on shopping after the worker was run over.

"Oh yes, they're savages," Cribbs said.

As 2,000 customers surged ahead, several hundred began cutting the line creating mass chaos. Many bargain-hunters said they watched in horror.

"Pushing in, pounding through the doors to get TVs and electronics," Sean Newman said. "I will never do this again as long as I live. I wish I was never here this morning."

Three other shoppers and a 28-year-old pregnant woman who suffered minor injuries were also taken to hospitals for observation.

"I am happy to report that she did not miscarry and that baby will be okay," Det. Lt. Fleming said.

Eight hours later under police watch the Wal-Mart reopened.

Police have seized surveillance video. Some in the crowd may face criminal charges, amid questions if Wal-Mart's security was adequate as they promoted huge sales.

Wal-Mart issued a statement, which reads: "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time. We are working closely with the Nassau county police as they investigate what occurred."

http://wcbstv.com/local/walmart.worker.trampled.2.875747.html

11/05/2008

Ahavah/Agape.....A Song about Perfect Love

[Click on title of post or at sidebar link for music]

Pretty Amazing Grace
Music and Lyrics by Neil Diamond

Pretty amazing grace is what you showed me
Pretty amazing grace is who you are
I was an empty vessel
You filled me up inside
And with amazing grace restored my pride

Pretty amazing grace is how you saved me
And with amazing grace reclaimed my heart
Love in the midst of chaos
Calm in the heat of war
Showed with amazing grace what love was for

You forgave my insensitivity
And my attempt to then mislead you
You stood beside a wretch like me
Your pretty amazing grace was all I needed.

Stumbled inside the doorway of your chapel
Humbled and awed by everything I found
Beauty and love surround me
Freed me from what I feared
Asked for amazing grace and you appeared

You overcame my loss of hope and faith
Gave me a truth I could believe in
You led me to a higher place
Showed your amazing grace
When grace was what I needed

Look in a mirror I see your reflection
Open a book you live on every page
I fall and you're there to lift me
You share every road I climb
And with amazing grace you ease my mind

Came to you with empty pockets first
When I returned I was a rich man
Didn't believe love would quench my thirst
But with amazing grace you showed me that it can

In your amazing grace I had a vision
From that amazing place I came to be
Into the night I wandered
Wandering aimlessly
Found your amazing grace to comfort me.

Pretty amazing
(Repeat)

You overcame my loss of hope and faith
Gave me a truth I could believe in.
You led me to that higher place
Showed me that love..... and truth..... and hope...... and grace...... were all I needed.

11/01/2008

Worldview Challenge

Today begins a Worldview Challenge of sorts, reminiscent of the days of Elijah. My friend has agreed to read through the KJV Bible on the schedule I use, and I have agreed to read an Evolution book by Donald Prothero cover to cover, each of us giving fair-minded consideration of the perspective of the other. Which world view will win the war? Which is the Truth? Which is the Lie? This is the battle of the ages, the battle between good and evil. Which is the Good? Which is the Evil? We each think we know the answer to that question. It will be interesting to see whose perspective is changed over the coming weeks and months or if we both remain entrenched in our currrent views. Prayer support requested.

Here is the Bible Pathway devotional for today. Each day’s schedule can be accessed by clicking at the BP Daily Devotional link at my sidebar. I hope others will join us. I have used this method of thru-the-Bible reading for more than 20 years and it helps me remain in close fellowship with the LORD through His Word, learning something significant to greater understanding and obedience each time through the Bible.

May the Spirit of the LORD be encountered in the pages of the inspired Scriptures, convicting of sin and error, instilling faith to believe, providing comfort, and transforming lives.

Comments/Questions are welcome concerning the Bible readings and related topics.

Read John 1 - 3

Highlights In Today's Reading:

JESUS is the WORD; and the WORD who is GOD is JESUS — sent to mankind (1:1-2, 14)! Jesus is rejected by His own (1:9-11), but His believers are received of God (1:12-13). His first miracle is at a marriage event at Cana (2:1-11). He cleanses the Temple (2:13-25).

The Gospel of John introduces Jesus as the preexistent, Eternal Word who became one of us. In the beginning was the Word (as recorded in Genesis) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1).

Because of this, the Holy Spirit led John to recognize Jesus as God, that all things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made (1:3). And God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good (Genesis 1:31)

John portrays Jesus as the Son of God, the Creator of all things and the Perfector of our lives. But He was also known as a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3). He came unto His own, and His own received Him not (John 1:11). In fact, when He spoke of Himself as the fulfillment of prophecy, worshipers in His hometown seized Him, forced Him out of the synagogue, and attempted to kill Him (Luke 4:29). Even His family said of Him: He is beside Himself (Mark 3:21). Judas, one of the chosen Twelve, betrayed Him (John 18:2-3). And His own people, the Israelites, joined with the Romans, and nailed Him to a cross (Mark 14:53; 15:25; Luke 23:1,13,24-25; John 18:12-13).

None of us escape sorrows during our lifetime. But, in sorrow, we follow in the footsteps of our Savior as it is written: If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us (II Timothy 2:12). In fact, we should expect that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (3:12).

If ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy (blessed) are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled (I Peter 3:14).

If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ, happy (blessed) are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. . . . Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator (4:14,19).

We have the utmost confidence that our Savior and Creator never makes a mistake. Regardless of our suffering, sorrows, or tragedies we can be sure that all things (no exceptions) work together for good to them that love God (Romans 8:28).

P.S. If you think there is an exception, please read Romans 8:35-39.

Thought for Today:

It is a test of faith to trust God with our lives not knowing how it will work out.

Word Studies:

1:5 the darkness comprehended it not = did not appropriate it; the unbelieving world that cannot see its need for a Savior; 1:39 tenth hour = 4 p.m. by Jewish time, two hours before evening.

Cross References:

For John 1:23: See Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1. John 2:17: See Psalm 69:9.