These are the days many people are preparing for the "Christmas" and "New Year" celebrations. For those of you living in the Western Judeo-Christian cultures, Christmas will be celebrated on December 25, 2012. And, for those of you living in the Eastern Judeo-Christian cultures Christmas will be celebrated on January 7, 2013 (Eastern Orthodox). For the rest of the world there will be no celebration at all on these days.
So, what is it we in the west and east Christian cultures are celebrating on those days? We both call it "Christmas" or "New Year's" in our own languages. But, just what does that mean? What truth or facts are inherent in the idea and celebration of these two so called, "Holidays"? Have you ever wondered why we have them or where they came from? Do they mean anything or are they just for fun?
Could it be possible that Christmas and New Year celebrations are in fact evil? Oh boy! Now I've got your attention!
Evil? Well, one does not often hear or associate that term with our so called, "Holiday Season." However, I submit in fact that it is true and they are evil. That in fact, they are Pagan in origin. That in fact, they are hated by God. That in fact, they are manmade idols and have nothing to do with God, Jesus Christ or what is Holy or part of the true Church.
Many people do not know the truth yet. Many do know but celebrate them anyway but by using human rationalizations and self-justifications. Most people just observe them because they were taught to or like to observe traditions of men. Some people mix all these with Christian religion. But, all these ideas and acts are in fact misunderstandings of the Truth. And, the Truth is, they have nothing to do with Jesus Christ!
You do not have to be a Christian or even a believer in God to understand the origins and history behind these so called, "Holidays." But, you do have to be a Christian (A disciple student follower) of Jesus Christ to really understand the Truth. For most people, Truth is not what we want. For most people, lies are what we like best. Lies are seemingly more fun than Truth. So, the lie that Christmas and New Year (And many other celebrated days of the year) have truth in "The Way" of Christ seems easier to believe and do than what is True and what God wants and pleases Him. And what does God want and what pleases Him? But, to love Him, Worship Him and do good; to have a "Heart" for God and not for idols. But, these so called "Holiday's" are in fact idols.
Am I saying not to celebrate these days? No, go on ahead and do it. They mean nothing to God even though He hates them and they are meaningless to Him. God still loves you anyway!
The primary point I wish to make is that doing evil brings evil consequences, just as doing good brings good consequences. To celebrate evil pagan days will bring evil consequences. And, that is what most people are doing on those days.
Now, I challenge anyone who calls themselves a Christian to comment on what I have written. We can prove that the human assumptions are not based on The Word of God, if you in truth want to know. And, I expect all my Melancholy temperament types of disciples to reply!
Dear Pastor Dale,
ReplyDeleteNow I am really concerned about what to do this year during the Xmas and NY days! I know what you are saying is true. I have studied these and other holidays to a great extent. Yet I am confused why God would want to throw the baby out with the bath water? Isn't it enough to believe in Jesus regardless of the holiday or event we choose to observe?
Thank you for your comments!
ReplyDeleteIf you are referring to the "Baby" as Jesus and the "Bathwater" as all other idolatrous things, then I would say YES to throwing the "Bathwater" away, but acknowledge Jesus as the "Baby." However, Jesus was not born on December 25th nor on January 7th, that is a pagan myth. If you celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ(On any day) it is really of lesser importance than to His death and resurection. To believe in Jesus is not enough. Even Satan and the demons believe in Him. You must believe and then ACCEPT Jesus at being in CONTROL of your life, then every day will be a celebration of Him!
But the three wise men gave gifts to Jesus when he was born so aren't we supposed to do the same at Christmas?
DeleteThe three wise men were symbolic (And actual men who were astrologers, Gentiles)of the Trinity of God. The gifts were for Jesus not for men. As was the custom of the times, a king would be acknowledged as a king with presentation of gifts. The gifts of Gold, Frankinsence and Myre were also symbolic as the three things God would do with Jesus and the part they would play in the Earthly Son of Man's visit here upon the earth (Materal Realm). The gifts were not given to men. The gifts were given to God's Son. Therefore, they were spiritual symbols of Chris'ts earthly mission, kingship, holiness through prayer and act and death and resurection. The Gold is the purest element known to man. The Frankancesnse and Myre are gifts of the Heart to God in sacrifuce by prayer and embalming. These and especially the spices were very valuable commodities in those days. It took more than 40 pounds of these spices to embalm Jesus after His death (40 is one of the Holy numbers). But, to answer your question simply, do as The Lord did. This Christmas (And everyday) give to the poor,the fatherless and widows 10% of your material blessings to man and give to God your Heart, Prayers and Life as a true offering and God. If you give to those whom you do not like all the better for you! What benefit is there in giving things (All which belong to God anyway) to your family and friends? Do not the heathen do the same?
DeleteI do not agree with this. People need to feel hope and love in their hearts, not always feel that whatever they do is evil. The holiday season is a time for joy, and yes, giving if so inclined. No one knows exactly when Jesus Christ was born, so the season was chosen as a time to celebrate the birth of Christ. What difference does it make when the honoring and joy in God and Jesus Christ takes place? I want to feel the joy every day, and hope for everyone else to as well.
ReplyDeleteIt is well for those who feel it in their hearts to celebrate regardless if anyone else feels the same way. Belief and faith need to remain stable. If someone tells you to go jump off a building you hopefully wouldn't listen. So don't worry about what to do about the holidays just because it is someone's opinion that it shouldn't be celebrated.
Thank you for your comments!
DeleteAnd I would add, So, don't worry about what to do about the holidays just because it is someone's opinion that it SHOULD be celebrated.
Thank you all for your comments!
ReplyDeleteJust to sum up, The Cultural Holidays we now celebrate are all based in fact upon historical evidence related to many different pagan beliefs. And, God is never pleased when His children worship such celebrations. His displeasure is written all throufg the Bible about such things being done.
It is especially important that any true follower of Jesus Christ abstain from such customs IF they cause offense to your conscience or to any other non-believer or new Christian believer. That is a sin.
However, these pagan celebrations, if practiced, will not cause a Christian believer to lose their Salvation. Salvation is gauranteed for all who believe the "Good News" about Jesus Christ (John 3:16). But, a true follower of the Lord Jesus will want to please The Father God. So, have the ATTITUDE that Jesus Christ was born as God incarnate (Human form)some two thousand years ago for the purpose of pleasing The Father God. His was a gift of sacrifice to His Father by being born human and dying a criminals death and being resurected again.
Some of us forget that it is not the DAY that is important. It is the ATTITUDE toward Christ Jesus's Grace and Love and incomprehensable gift to God for us sinners that is really to be remembered everyday.
Love is a decision more than an emotion or sentiment, that shows itself in appropriate right actions. Looking to God for constant help and forgiveness. If we love God and His Son Jesus we will want to do what He wants us to do. That's what Jesus did while He was here on earth. He gave himself as a sacrificial death offering of blood so that all people could be reconciled to God the Father and be saved for eternity later.
At Christmas and every other day we should be willing to offer ourselves in like manner out of gratitude for God's Grace we do not deserve, but we get as a free gift.
So, go on and give to God what is God's. Obey Him and not men and you shall be blessed always. Please read Romans 6:23 and Col. Chapter 1.