Posted on 12/25/2006 6:31:44 AM PST by DouglasKC
It's called the spirit of Christmas—the ringing of sleigh bells on a snowy night, Tiny Tim turning the heart of Scrooge in Charles Dickens' famous novel A Christmas Carol, Santa Claus and flying reindeer.
For many, it seems, the birth of Jesus takes a backseat to mythology, packed shopping malls and greed. Every year, signs in front of neighborhood churches remind people to put Christ back into Christmas—or proclaim "Jesus is the reason for the season."
But is He?
In his book 4,000 Years of Christmas: A Gift From the Ages (1997), Episcopal priest Earl Count enthusiastically relates historical connections between the exchanging of gifts on the 12 days of Christmas and customs originating in ancient, pagan Babylon. He shows that mistletoe was adopted from Druid mystery rituals and that Dec. 25 has more to do with the ancient Roman Saturnalia celebration than with Jesus.
Nowhere in the New Testament do we see Jesus' disciples observing His birthday.
In fact, as late as the third century the early Catholic theologian Origen declared that it was a sin to celebrate Christmas, viewing it as pagan.
First-century Corinth was a Greek city filled with polytheistic religions. Its customs included temple prostitution and priests who performed sacrifices to the pantheon of Greek and Roman gods.
The apostle Paul writes to the Church members there in 1 Corinthians 10:19-21: "What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons."
Paul clearly warns people to avoid having anything to do with pagan religious customs, labeling such actions "fellowship with demons"!
Familiar to early Christians was the Saturnalia, an ancient Roman festival celebrated during the last days of December in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture. Many ancient religions conducted festivals at that time of year, the time of the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere, when days are the shortest, to appease the various gods to restore the sun and bring an end to winter.
The Roman Saturnalia included drunkenness, debauchery and other practices diametrically opposed to the teachings of Christ. Yet this holiday would eventually develop into Christmas. What happened to change many Christians from Paul's practice of abhorring and resisting pagan forms of worship to accepting and participating in such practices in the name of Jesus Christ?
Tremendous forces pressured early Christians away from the apostles' original instruction to avoid mixing idolatry with the worship of the true God. Thousands of pagans, while outwardly converting to Christianity, refused to give up the rituals and ceremonies of their former religious experiences.
Dr. Count sums up this historical struggle: "To the pagans, the Saturnalia were fun.
To the Christians, the Saturnalia were an abomination in homage to a disreputable god who had no existence anyway. The Christians, moreover, were dedicated to the slow, uphill task of converting these roistering pagan Romans.
"There were many immigrants into the ranks of the Christians by this time, but the Church Fathers discovered to their alarm that they were also facing an invasion of pagan customs. The habit of the Saturnalia was too strong to be left behind. At first the church forbade it, but in vain. When a river meets a boulder that will not be moved, the river flows around it. If the Saturnalia would not be forbidden, let it be tamed" (p. 36).
The church adopted Dec. 25—the date of the Roman Brumalia, immediately after Saturnalia—as the date of Christ's birth (even though biblical evidence shows this cannot be the right time of this event).
This date also marked a great festival in Mithraism, the Persian religion of the sun god. In A.D. 274 Emperor Aurelian of Rome declared Dec. 25 to be the "birthday of the invincible sun." In time the Son of God, Jesus Christ, became indistinguishable from the pagan sun god in the minds of hundreds of thousands of converts throughout the Roman Empire.
Instead of standing as Christ's force for change in the world, nominal Christianity was changed by the pagan world it was supposed to transform!
Dr. Count relates: "There exists a letter from the year 742 AD, in which Saint Boniface ... complains to Pope Zacharias that his labors to convert the heathen Franks and Alemans—Germanic tribes—were being handicapped by the escapades of the Christian Romans back home. The Franks and the Alemans were on the threshold of becoming Christians, but their conversion was retarded by their enjoyment of lurid carnivals.
"When Boniface tried to turn them away from such customs, they argued that they had seen them celebrated under the very shadow of Saint Peter's in Rome. Embarrassed and sorry, Pope Zacharias replied ... admitting that the people in the city of Rome behaved very badly at Christmas time" (p. 53).
Over the subsequent centuries, Christmas absorbed customs from German, Scandinavian and Celtic paganism—such as the yule log, the decorating of evergreen trees and the hanging of mistletoe.
In the Middle Ages, Christmas observances in Europe continued the excesses of Saturnalia. Dr. Penne Restad, in Christmas in America: A History, writes of the moral debate that raged during that era:
"Some clergy stressed that fallen humankind needed a season of abandonment and excess, as long as it was carried on under the umbrella of Christian supervision. Others argued that all vestiges of paganism must be removed from the holiday. Less fervent Christians complained about the unreasonableness of Church law and its attempts to change custom. Yet the Church sustained the hope that sacred would eventually overtake profane as pagans gave up their revels and turned to Christianity" (1996, p. 6).
Sadly, it didn't happen. Following the Middle Ages, some Protestants tried reforming Christmas but created little real change. The English Puritans waged a war on Christmas observance as unchristian behavior. In 1659 the holiday was outlawed in Massachusetts, but proved so popular that it gained official approval again in 1681.
A U.S. News & World Report cover story, "In Search of Christmas," states: "When Christmas landed on American shores, it fared little better. In colonial times, Christ's birth was celebrated as a wildly social event—if it was celebrated at all . . . Puritans in New England flatly refused to observe the holiday" (Dec. 23, 1996, p. 60).
In more modern times many Christians have become concerned about the commercialization of the day that is supposed to celebrate the birth of the Son of God. With parades featuring Santa Claus sponsored by department stores, half-price sales, and incessant TV and radio commercials, Christmas obviously has become more about the accountant's bottom line than about worshipping God.
Many people approach the yuletide season with a vague longing for a Christmas that is more spiritual and less commercial. But is our fast-paced, greed-filled rendition of Christmas the real problem, or is there something wrong with Christmas itself?
Christmas has become such a central holiday of American culture that it's difficult to get anyone to step back and evaluate its Christian validity. You be the judge.
Here are the facts: Jesus wasn't born on Dec. 25. Christ's apostles rejected pagan ceremonies and rituals in their worship and told other Christians to likewise avoid them. The early Church didn't observe Jesus' birthday. The selection of Dec. 25 as Christ's supposed date of birth was based on the dates of the Roman Saturnalia and Brumalia—a time for worshiping the god Saturn.
Most Christmas customs—decorating the evergreen tree, use of mistletoe, exchanging of gifts, Santa Claus—come not from the Bible but from ancient pagan religions. For centuries Christianity tried unsuccessfully to rid itself of the paganism of Christmas. Throughout its history Christmas has inspired drunken parties, and the modern holiday is more about convincing children to harass their parents to buy toys than worshipping Christ.
What is your verdict? Some say, "But we can't take Christmas away from the children." Others: "As long as it brings people to Jesus, what does it matter?"
Earlier we saw Paul's instructions to Christians in pagan Corinth. He continues his instructions in his next letter to the Corinthians:
"For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? . . . Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? . . .
"Therefore 'Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you . . .' Therefore . . . let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 7:1).
Paul's point is very pertinent to Christmas. How can we claim to be honoring God with pagan customs and traditions that He forbids in His Word?
The crucial question is: How can we put Jesus back into the season when He was never part of it to begin with? It's a difficult question, isn't it? But it's one that's vitally important for you to answer. GN
Why did he do this? Was he angry? Why was he angry?
Ezekiel 22 gives us a good idea of the why of all of this anger of The Lord. (verse 8) "You have despised my holy things and desecrated my Sabbaths." (verse 15) says He will disperse us through the nations and scatter us to put an end to our uncleanness.
[Lamentations 5:19-22] tells us that the Israelites beg forgiveness and would seek restoration to "Our days of Old" (verse 21)....unless the Lord is angry with them beyond measure (verse 22).
[Isaiah 66:22-24] tells us that during the Millennium we will be observing one new moon to another and one Sabbath to another.....why shouldn't we now?
Sure it is. Those who worship false gods try to duplicate God's feast days. In this case, I believe it's referring to some of the tribes of Israel who slipped into idolatry. Maybe they had their own feast days and sabbaths...kind of like how the Roman church created their own feast days and sabbaths. Or they're talking about God's feast days, but corrupted by idolatrous practices.
***Sure it is. Those who worship false gods try to duplicate God's feast days. In this case, I believe it's referring to some of the tribes of Israel who slipped into idolatry. Maybe they had their own feast days and sabbaths...***
Yet when I read it I find that no sabbaths at all were kept. Hence the 70 years of exile. One year for each sabbath for the land.
"So what's the difference between golden calves and Christmas trees?"
1. Fires were built in the bellies of the golden calves and living human infants thrown on the flames.
2. A Christmas Tree is not an object of worship, but only a pretty decoration.
"He'll understand we're only trying to be holy"
Are you? Or is it that you think that's why other people celebrate Christmas?
I never imagined that religion was about "trying to be holy."
I don't have to face anything. Your example is totally without merit. I makes no sense, it is not biblical, it is not even rational.
There is absolutely no parallel betweeen worshipping Jesus at his birth, which is a biblical story, and turning cows into gold and worshipping them. Find me a story of Jesus cavorting with golden cows, and you've got something.
Until then your point is pointless.
Bullseye.
A Christmas Tree is no different than a potted plant or a hanging on a wall or an Easter lilly.
It has apparently in the past also been a teaching aid.
I am dead to the law by the body of Christ.
Those who want to continue living under it are more than welcome to do so.
In my case, I don't have to, and I won't. Jesus set me free from the law.
Horsefeathers.
You bow your head when you pray the same as do the Hindus.
Why do you follow Hindu customs?
You'll need to give me more letters than that.
I can fit Hillbilly in it, but alas, there is no "o" in Hillbilly.
I would never be a wheel of fortune contestant, would I?
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.--Colossians 2:16-17So, the OT festivals were to point to Christ. The purpose of observing or not observing a "day" as a "holyday" is an act of worship to the Lord. Thinking that observing a set of days in order to secure approval by God is to return to spiritual slavery. The most important uses of "day" in the New Testament are the Lord's Day (ie. meeting on the first day of the week rather than the seventh day of the week in commemoration of Jesus's resurrection from the dead and from the dead letter of the Law), the Day of the Lord (his return and judgment of the earth), and the current day, wherein we are supposed to hear his voice and not harden our hearts.
And [Jesus] said unto them, "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath."--Mark 2:27-28
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.--Romans 14:5-6
But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.--Galatians 4:9-11
Unfortunately those who observe it do it at the expense of the very same holy days that Jesus Christ created, observed, and commanded his followers to observe:
Not really, because, according to the New Testament:Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.--Colossians 2:16-17So, the OT festivals were to point to Christ. The purpose of observing or not observing a "day" as a "holyday" is an act of worship to the Lord. Thinking that observing a set of days in order to secure approval by God is to return to spiritual slavery. Requiring such observances (and circumcision) to show that one really believed was a mark of the Judaizers. Paul and the others dealt effectively with them.
And [Jesus] said unto them, "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath."--Mark 2:27-28
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.--Romans 14:5-6
But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.--Galatians 4:9-11
The most important uses of "day" in the New Testament are the Lord's Day (ie. meeting on the first day of the week rather than the seventh day of the week in commemoration of Jesus's resurrection from the dead and from the dead letter of the Law), the Day of the Lord (his return and judgment of the earth), and the current day, wherein we are supposed to hear his voice and not harden our hearts.
#72 is an excellent post and I amen it in its entirety.
Merry Christmas, Aruanan.
Those who don't celebrate Christmas probably don't celebrate the Lord's resurrection, either.
They are free NOT to do so, but they don't know it.
Some Pagan items adopted by Christians
Find me a story of Jesus putting up a Christmas tree, kissing under the missile toe, telling people about Santa Claus and drinking eggnog and then you've got something.
I don't know why you just can't admit that people celebrate Christmas because it's a tradition.
That verse doesn't mean what you think it does, especially when you put it back into context. This requires a long response, so bear with me.
1. Paul was combating a heresy within the early Christian church. He listed the hallmarks of this heresy:
Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.
Col 2:18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind,
Col 2:21 "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" Col 2:22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)--in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men?
So whatever Paul was addressing, it was composed of:
1. A philosophy
2. Deception
3. Tradition of men.
4. Elementary principles of the WORLD
5. Self-abasement
6. Worship of angels
7. Built around visions
8. Commandments of men
9. Teachings of men
God's holy days, Jesus's feast days, are NOT any of these. They are God given, teaching of God, NOT traditions of men. They aren't built around worship of angels.
Therefore Paul isn't saying that we SHOULD NOT observe God's holy days. Paul is saying that we shouldn't let these false teachers judge us on HOW we keep God's holy days. The only ones who should, and can, judge us is the body of Christ.
The sabbath was made for man. And Jesus is the Lord of the sabbath. The sabbath was created for man's benefit, partly so that we can know who the one, true God is. Look at the 4th commandment:
Exo 20:8 "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
REMEMBER to keep the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Why?
Exo 20:9 "Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
Exo 20:10 but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you.
Why is the sabbath important?
Exo 20:11 "For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.
And what is the sabbath a sign of?
Exo 31:16 'So the sons of Israel shall observe the sabbath, to celebrate the sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant.'
Exo 31:17 "It is a sign between Me and the sons of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed."
Indeed, Jesus DID create the sabbath for us.
Again, devoid of context, this is meaningless. The first thing to note is that chapter 14 is dealing with an issue of eating practices, not whether or not to observe the holy days that Jesus Christ created and observed. The proof of this is here.
1. In chapter 14, the following verses all directly mention eating practices:
Rom 14:2 One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only.
Rom 14:3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him.
Rom 14:6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.
Rom 14:15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.
Rom 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Rom 14:20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense.
Rom 14:21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles.
Rom 14:23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.
So out of 23 verse, a full 1/3 of them directly mention eating practices. The rest are pretty much support for these statements. The verse you mention even clarifies itself in the next verse.
The "days" Paul is talking about here are either days devoted to fasting and/or talking about meat sacrificed to idols and then consumed.
2. There are specific, greek words in scripture that designate God's holy days. These words ARE used in Colossians 2, but are NOT used here. The word is:
heortē
Of uncertain affinity; a festival: - feast, holyday
This word is ALWAYS used in scripture to designate God's feast days, as opposed to any other feast day.
For example:
Joh 10:22 At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem;
The "Feast of Dedication" is Hannakah. Hannakah isn't a God given feast day, although it is not condemned in the bible. But it is not a "heorte". The word is not used here.
What has happened is that you have been taught, out of context and out of historical perspective, that somehow these verses condemn or do away with observing festivals tha Jesus Christ created and commanded his followers to observe. You've been hoodwinked my friend.
All Jews carry those genes.
The "Tree of Life" is far, far more ancient than that.
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