The Truth About Christmas
Hundreds of millions of people around the
world celebrate Christmas on December 25th.
But do we really even know how, why, or exactly
when this cherished tradition began?
From the baby in the manger, of course, you say.
Or, it’s Jesus that’s the Reason for the Season.
Really?
Or how about,
“Let’s Keep Christ in Christmas!”
That sounds really good, but was He
ever really there in the first place?
You will be surprised at just what the
Bible really has to say..., just as I was.
Hold on to your seats because
if you really do not know, as I didn’t,
I’m about to rock your whole world!
So, where did the world’s most
popular holiday come from?
What are the roots?
Most people never reflect on or investigate
why they believe and practice what they do.
(I know I sure didn't.)
In a world filled with customs and traditions,
few of us ever seek to understand or
research the origin of things.
Most of us just accept common practices
without questioning them at all, just
choosing to do what everyone else has
always done, what we have been
taught... it’s called “Family Tradition“.
We follow along as we’ve been taught,
assuming what we believe and do is right.
We take our beliefs for granted and
never take the time to prove them.
No where is this more true than
the observance of Christmas, Easter,
New Years, Halloween and Valentines Day.
Millions keep these days without even
knowing why or where they originated.
Most suppose they are found in the Bible,
that God backs them because they see so
many professing Christians observing them.
Surely, hundreds of millions can't be wrong!
Right?
What does the Bible and history really teach us?
You will be shocked!
To find the truth of any biblical matter,
we must be willing to open our Bible
and honestly accept what it says.
The majority of people stoutly defend what
they have merely assumed is right or biblical.
They read with prejudice anything
that contradicts cherished beliefs.
If you are going to take the time to read this,
you’re gonna have to read it with an open mind.
The Bible is profitable for correction;
for all who are willing to accept it;
for all who truly want to serve and
please God. (2 Timothy 3:16)
The Bible also states “Prove all things…”
(1 Thessalonians 5:21).
Ask God to guide you, to help you
prove what He says in His Word.
No matter how comfortable a lifelong
practice may be, we should always
base it on proof, hard evidence and on
what God says, instead of assumptions.
We are going to examine some of
man’s holidays and their origins.
What follows is but the barest
beginning of all that could be told.
First is Christmas.
This worldwide tradition is thought to
be a wonderful time focused on giving,
family, beautiful music and decorations,
special foods and singing traditional carols.
All this is supposedly centered around
the worship of Jesus Christ and
His Birth on December 25th.
But where did Christmas come from?
What is the origin of Santa Claus, mistletoe,
Christmas trees, holly reefs, Yule logs,
and exchanging gifts?
There is no mistaking the source
of the modern Christmas celebration.
Nearly all aspects of it have their
roots in Roman Custom and Religion.
Encyclopedia Americano reveals: “Christmas
was not observed in the first centuries of
the Christian Church since the Christian
usage in general was to celebrate the death
of remarkable persons, rather then their birth.
A feast was established in the memory
of Christ’s Birth in the 4th century.
“In the 5th century, the Western (Roman Catholic)
church ordered the feast to be celebrated on the
day of the Mithraic rites of the birth of the sun
and at the close of the Saturnalia, as no certain
knowledge of the day of Christ’s Birth existed.”
Now the Encyclopedia Britannica under Christmas:
“In the Roman world, Saturnalia, December 17th,
was a time of merrymaking and exchanging of gifts.
December 25th was also regarded as the
birth date of the Iranian mystery god,
Mithra, the Sun of Righteousness.
On the Roman New Year, January 1st, houses
were decorated with greenery and lights, and
gifts were given to children and the poor.”
“To these observances were added the German
and Celtic Yule rites when the Teutonic tribes
penetrated into Gaul, Britain and central Europe.
Food and good fellowship, the Yule log and
Yule cakes, greenery and fir trees, gifts and
greetings all commemorated different
aspects of this festive season.
Fires and lights, symbols of warmth and lasting
life have always been associated with the
winter festival, both pagan and Christian.”
What could be plainer?
Where did the Christmas Tree come from?
Notice: The Christmas tree is from Egypt,
and it’s origin dates from a period long
anterior to the Christian Era.
How many know that the Christmas
Tree long preceded Christianity?
Most aspects of Christmas are not
referred to in the Bible.
Of course the reason is
they are not from God.
They are not part of the way He
wants people to worship Him.
The Christmas tree, however,
is mentioned in the Bible.
We know what men think about it.
Here is what God says: “Thus says the Lord, learn
not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed
at the signs of heaven (the stars); for the
heathen are dismayed at them.” (Jeremiah 10:2)
Yes, millions ignore this plain statement
of God and read their horoscopes every day.
“For the customs of the people are vain; for one
cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands
of the workman, with the axe.” (Jeremiah 10:3)
“They deck it with silver and with gold; they
fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it
move not. They are upright as the palm tree…”
(Jeremiah 10:4-5)
This description is obvious. God directly refers
to the Christmas tree as the way of the heathen.
Just as directly, He commands, “Learn not the
way of the heathen…” calling these customs vain.
The most common justification one will hear
regarding this holiday is that people have
replaced old pagan intents and customs
by asserting they are now Christian.
For instance, many say they are honoring
Christ in their Christmas keeping.
The problem is God does not say that
keeping this tradition is acceptable to Him.
In fact, He plainly commands against it.
Christmas keeping dishonors Christ.
You will see God considers everything
about it to be an abomination.
Many seek to put “Christ back in Christmas“,
but was He ever really there in the first place?
When placed together, facts, history and
Scripture reveal to us a very powerful
picture of truth that cannot be denied.
And whether we want to believe it or not,
this holiday and all of its customs predate
the birth of Jesus by thousands of years.
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