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To: DJ MacWoW

Yes but verses 3 & 4 clearly describes the Pagan tradition of putting up a tree and decorating it. This tradition was “Christianized” by the Roman Catholics and the history goes all the way back to Semiramis in Babylon.

After Nimrod’s death Semiramis promoted the belief that he was a god. She claimed that she saw a full-grown evergreen tree spring out of the roots of a dead tree stump, symbolizing the springing forth of new life for Nimrod. On the anniversary of his birth, she said, Nimrod would visit the evergreen tree and leave gifts under it. His birthday fell on the winter solstice at the end of December.

A few years later, Semiramis bore a son, Horus or Gilgamesh. She declared that she had been visited by the spirit of Nimrod, who left her pregnant with the boy. Horus, she maintained, was Nimrod reincarnated. With a father, mother, and son deified, a deceptive, perverted trinity was formed.

Semiramis and Horus were worshipped as “Madonna and child.” As the generations passed, they were worshipped under other names in different countries and languages. Many of these are recognizable: Fortuna and Jupiter in Rome; Aphrodite and Adonis in Greece; and Ashtoreth/Astarte and Molech/Baal in Canaan.

During the time between Babel and Christ, pagans developed the belief that the days grew shorter in early winter because their sun-god was leaving them. When they saw the length of the day increasing, they celebrated by riotous, unrestrained feasting and orgies. This celebration, known as Saturnalia, was named after Saturn, another name for Nimrod.

Jeremiah 10
3 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.

4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.


42 posted on 12/29/2013 2:51:23 PM PST by JohnKinAK
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To: JohnKinAK
Yes but verses 3 & 4 clearly describes the Pagan tradition of putting up a tree and decorating it

No. It doesn't. It speaks of idol worship, not decorations. Nobody carts around a Christmas tree to be worshipped.

Jeremiah 10: 1-5

Hear what the Lord says to you, people of Israel.
2 This is what the Lord says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations
or be terrified by signs in the heavens,
though the nations are terrified by them.
3 For the practices of the peoples are worthless;
they cut a tree out of the forest,
and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.
4 They adorn it with silver and gold;
they fasten it with hammer and nails
so it will not totter.
5 Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field,
their idols cannot speak;
they must be carried
because they cannot walk
.
Do not fear them;
they can do no harm
nor can they do any good.”

44 posted on 12/29/2013 3:01:06 PM PST by DJ MacWoW (The Fed Gov is not one ring to rule them all)
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To: JohnKinAK
After Nimrod’s death Semiramis promoted the belief that he was a god. She claimed that she saw a full-grown evergreen tree spring out of the roots of a dead tree stump, symbolizing the springing forth of new life for Nimrod. On the anniversary of his birth, she said, Nimrod would visit the evergreen tree and leave gifts under it. His birthday fell on the winter solstice at the end of December.

Here's a news flash: Alexander Hislop isn't inspired, his writings aren't Scriptural, he wasn't an archaeologist, and he did make stuff up -- like the above -- out of whole cloth. And he didn't have the foggiest clue about who and what the real Semiramis was, did, or "promoted".

Hislop belongs to the category of "cleverly devised myths" that Paul condemns in Scripture.

54 posted on 12/29/2013 6:29:25 PM PST by Campion ("Social justice" begins in the womb)
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