CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS OR OBEYING GOD’S WORD? DECEPTION BY DESIGN

December 25 was celebrated by immoral, idol worshippers who prayed to a number of the 211 different gods that were revered by early Eastern/Western European and Middle Eastern civilisations, some of which would sacrifice their children in honour of these gods, thousands of years before Christ was born and even following his crucifixion.

This date originally marked the time of the winter solstice and already hosted two other related festivals, namely, natalis solis invicti (the Roman birth of the unconquered sun), and the birthday of Mithras (the Iranian Sun of Righteousness) whose worship was popular with Roman soldiers.

These idol worshippers held ritual festivals to celebrate the “rebirth” of the sun when the days began to lengthen, which is why the Roman Church decided on December 25th as the date to celebrate Jesus’ birth because the religious leaders of the day, wanted to enable an easier transition away from Idol Worship over to Christianity.

Designed by men as a tradition for Christians to observe, the Roman Church, combined Idol ritualism with Christianity and in doing so, is responsible for deceiving billions of Christians into believing that the celebration of Christmas is an instruction from God… It’s NOT.

The early Christians followed Jesus Christ’s example and teaching to the letter, and none of that included celebrating the day of his birth. There is no command to celebrate Christ’s birthdate found in all of bible scripture, not in Christ’s teachings, nor in the letters of the apostles who founded the church.

As Christians, we should desire to follow Jesus Christ’s examples and his teachings and that of his church, and nowhere do we find in Scripture that Jesus instructed us to celebrate his birthday. The apostles to whom the faith was delivered, translated that and transferred it to the church and followed Christ’s example in everything they did.

Christmas is accepted by most Christians as a time that focuses on the birth of Christ, gift-giving, family togetherness, music and decorations, eating special meals and singing Christmas carols, but the Bible doesn’t support this celebration.

Most Christians are unaware of this “But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:9). “For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men…And [Christ] said unto them, Full well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition” (Mark 7:8-9).

Jesus wouldn’t want us to celebrate Pagan Days as a means of honouring his birth. Admittedly a fairly bold statement, but God makes it very clear here…When the Lord your GOD cuts off from before you the nation which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, “How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.” You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to nor take away from it”. (Deuteronomy 12:29-32)

In the northern hemisphere, ancient civilisations brought evergreen trees, plants, and leaves into their homes upon the arrival of the winter solstice, in the third week of December as a symbol of celebrating the return of life at the beginning of winter’s decline. The Romans celebrated Saturnalia, and marked the winter solstice on December 25th in line with the Julian calendar. These celebrations were merged with the pagan practices of hanging mistletoe and a burning of the Yule log.

In Great Britain, the Druids also followed pagan ceremonies using trees and mistletoe, which was a symbol of the birth of a god. In the 16th century, the Germans began using trees as a symbol of hope for the coming of spring. The practise of bringing trees into homes began centuries before the birth of Christ as pagan celebrations which have evolved to being referenced as Christmas trees in our present times.

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)

It’s not going to be easy to extricate ourselves from a celebration, rooted in idolatry and ritualism that has been intertwined with religious practices, but we must put scripture above all else. We need to make the decision to put God and his word first as opposed to human traditions by worshipping GOD in spirit and in truth, as we have been instructed.

Jesus Christ came to form a new relationship with man that through his blood extends into all nations and to all people. Through Christ’s birth we understand how to have a relationship with GOD the father, we see his example of a perfect life and a perfect sacrifice. We see Christ’s death and his resurrection back to sprit life as a means and a way for mankind to have a chance to live forever in the family of GOD.

We need to move away from the traditions of Christmas and understand that they represent a false doctrine. Jesus spoke to those who claimed that they were true in their beliefs and reproves them for their hypocrisy in pretending to honour God, when really, they had no such design in their religious observances.