Posted on 12/04/2005 7:27:20 AM PST by DouglasKC
One day, years ago, someone asked me why I kept Christmas. "The Bible says to keep it," I responded. "Somewhere in the Gospel of Luke, it speaks of the nativity scene. An angel told some shepherds that were keeping their sheep in the fields at night that the baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem. I think they went to see Jesus at that time.
"That was the first Christmas! And that's why I keep Christmas, because the Bible supports Christmas, the birthday of Jesus Christ."
"That's not true and here's why," my friend replied.
I soon learned that the Bible didn't teach Christmas. I also found that its origins have nothing to do with the Bible. It was an important lesson about things I'd long assumed to be true.
Just because some 2 billion people—roughly 1 billion Catholics and another billion in Protestant faiths—observe Christmas, does that make it right? Does it really matter one way or the other?
Why do so many people observe it?
If you were asked, "Why do you celebrate Christmas?" how would you respond? Many would say Christmas honors the birthday of Jesus. Others feel that Christmas is a good Christian family get-together. Many do it simply because they've always done it.
Christmas can appear tantalizing to the eye and ear. People appear happy, generous, full of good cheer. Twinkling lights decorate many houses. Santa Claus and his reindeer are pictured as poised to lift off from snow-covered front yards or rooftops, although in the southern hemisphere and tropics there is no December snow. The colorful, peaceful-appearing Christmas scene can be intoxicating, addicting.
Shoppers pack stores, browsing for gifts they hope to buy at bargain-basement prices. Soaring strains of "White Christmas," "Silent Night" or "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" resonate everywhere.
The December weather of the northern hemisphere might be frightful outside, but the feeling and warmth inside is delightful. Christmas trees with twinkling lights and bright, sparkling ornaments create a mystical and glowing environment. Entire families want to experience the special mystery that only comes with the Christmas season. There is no religious holiday quite like it for the millions everywhere who observe it.
Was Jesus really born on Dec. 25?
But stop and ask yourself: Was Christ really born on Christmas Day? After all, the Bible nowhere tells us the day of His birth.
In fact, most credible secular historical writings tell us that Christmas, more than 200 years after Jesus' death, was considered sinful: "As late as A.D. 245 [the early Catholic theologian] Origen . . . repudiates as sinful the very idea of keeping the birthday of Christ" (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th edition, 1910, Vol. 6, p. 293, "Christmas").
In A.D. 354, a Latin chronographer mentioned Christmas, but even then he did not write about it as an observed festival (ibid.).
There is no biblical evidence that Dec. 25 was Jesus' birth date. In fact, the Bible record strongly shows that Jesus couldn't have been born then.
For example, Luke tells us that the shepherds were keeping their sheep in the fields at night when Jesus was born. "And she [Mary] brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night" (Luke 2:7-8, emphasis added throughout).
But late December is Judea's cold and rainy season. Would shepherds actually keep their fragile flocks out in the open fields on a cold late-December night near Bethlehem?
No responsible shepherd would subject his sheep to the elements at that time of year when cold rains, and occasional snow, are common in that region.
"The climate of Palestine is not so severe as the climate of this country [England]; but even there, though the heat of the day be considerable, the cold of the night, from December to February, is very piercing, and it was not the custom for the shepherds of Judea to watch their flocks in the open fields later than about the end of October" (Alexander Hislop, The Two Babylons, 1959, p. 91).
Luke also tells us that Jesus was born at the time of a census ordered by the Roman emperor (Luke 2:1-3). The Romans were brilliant administrators; they certainly would not have ordered people to journey to be registered at a time of year when roads would have been wet and muddy and traveling conditions miserable. Such a move would have been self-defeating on its face.
The belief that Jesus was born on or around Dec. 25 simply has no basis in fact, even if 2 billion people have accepted it without question. As the famous playwright George Bernard Shaw said, "If 50 million people believe a foolish thing, it's still a foolish thing."
Does Christmas really honor Christ?
If the Christmas holiday is an important celebration to honor the birth of Jesus Christ, why is it nowhere mentioned in the Bible? Why didn't Christ instruct His closest followers, His 12 chosen apostles, to keep Christmas? Why didn't they institute or teach it to the early Church?
Before you answer, consider that Jesus gave great authority to His 12 apostles, assuring them that they will hold positions of great importance and responsibility in His Kingdom (Matthew 18:18; 19:28; Luke 22:29-30). But since Jesus never taught His apostles to keep Christmas, nor did they ever teach it to the Church though they had years of opportunity to do so, shouldn't that make us question whether Christmas is something Jesus really wants or appreciates?
So how did Christmas become such a widespread practice if the Bible doesn't sanction it, if Christ didn't observe it and if He never taught His disciples and the early Church to celebrate it?
True origins of Christmas
Most people never stop to ask themselves what the major symbols of Christmas—Santa Claus, reindeer, decorated trees, holly, mistletoe and the like—have to do with the birth of the Savior of mankind. In
the southern hemisphere summer climate of December, few people question why they observe a Christmas with northern hemisphere winter scenery!
The fact is, and you can verify this in any number of books and encyclopedias, that all these trappings came from ancient pagan festivals.
Even the date, Dec. 25, came from a festival celebrating the birthday of the ancient sun god Mithras. (If you'd like to learn more about the origins of the many customs and symbols associated with Christmas, request our free booklet Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Keep?)
Jesus never told His followers to celebrate Christmas, but He did warn us not to adhere to false, man-made religious doctrines: "And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men" (Mark 7:7). The truth is, Christmas and other non-biblical religious holidays constitute vain or empty worship of Christ.
The Catholic Encyclopedia indicates that the Christmas season came from an ancient midwinter festival that occurred at the time of the winter solstice. Interestingly, the previously noted Origen, despite the early period in which he lived (ca. 182-251), never even mentioned it (The New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1967, Vol. 3, 1967, and "Christmas and Its Cycle," The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913, Vol. 3, "Christmas").
Tertullian, another Catholic theologian who lived at about the same time (ca. 155-230), referred to compromising Christians then beginning to join in the pagan midwinter festival celebrated in the Roman Empire, which eventually evolved into what is now Christmas:
"The Saturnalia, the feasts of January, the Brumalia, and Matronalia are now frequented; gifts are carried to and fro, new year's day presents are made with din, and banquets are celebrated with uproar; oh, how much more faithful are the heathen to their religion, who take special care to adopt no solemnity from the Christians" (Tertullian in De Idolatria, quoted by Hislop, p. 93).
In time Catholic religious leaders added solemnity to this pre-Christian holiday by adding to it the Mass of Christ, from which it eventually came to be known by its common name of "Christmas."
A matter of whether, not what
The purpose of The Good News magazine is to share with you the living truth of Jesus Christ. A true Christian cannot decide what he will obey, only whether he will obey God's truth.
We strive to publish God's pristine truth; people who read that truth have to decide what to do about it and whether they will honor it. Our commission from Jesus Christ is to teach the truth of God and to welcome as disciples and fellow workers those few who hear and obey the truth. We hope the truth about Christmas starts you on the road to true happiness and God's purpose for you.
History shows that Christmas does not represent Christ. It misrepresents sound biblical teaching and is in opposition to God's truth. God wants us to worship Him in truth (John 4:23-24), not fable.
In Deuteronomy 12:28-32, God told His people to worship only in the ways He commanded, telling them "Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it." He explicitly ordered them not to copy or adopt the religious practices of the pagans, calling such practices "abomination[s] . . . which He hates."
Yet hundreds of millions of men, women and children unwittingly observe Christmas, not knowing or caring from where it came. They assume that 2 billion Christians can't be wrong or that it doesn't matter how we worship God so long as our intentions are good. But why should we think we honor God or please Him when we worship contrary to His commands?
Crucial questions only you can answer
The crucial question is, do we worry more about what others think or about what God requires? Also, can other human beings give us salvation? If honoring God's truth determines our salvation, then why honor men over God?
Jesus Christ said to those who appeared religious but denied the power of His true teaching, "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46; compare Matthew 7:21). Since Christ is opposed to Christmas, why would any thoughtful Christian observe it?
Walking in Jesus' footsteps in a world that doesn't is never easy. But it is much better and eminently more rewarding than following the empty ways of the world.
God tells us in 1 John 2:15-17: "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." GN
You never did apologize but the one you just posted seemed real sincere. /sarcasm. By the way, I've already accomodated a couple of freepmail requests. Consider yourself exposed.
I would love to see that email, II. That guy drives me nuts.
thanks, bonfire
He created every day on the calendar, sir. To brand particular days as "pagan" is an insult to the God who made them.
Protestantism, however, has many doctrines, each apparently true.
You don't have just one doctrine, you have whatever doctrine the pope in power at the time says is true. It's changed and changed many times, all without biblical support.
I totally support your right to do that.
Colossians 2:16 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:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
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Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 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. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
And what of circumcision?
Certainly. But just a couple of weeks ago you were passing yourself off as someone raised as a Catholic who shook the dust from your feet and left Catholicism for whatever you're into at present. So, which is it?
I currently attend services with United Church of God.which is the originator of this article.
Oh, David Hulmes' bunch. That explains it.
Historically that's true for much of Christianity. But the biblical text and context indicates that the ceremony of bread and wine should be done once a year, on Passover.
The association of the sacrifice of Christ with Passover is well documented. Christ says:
Luk 22:15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
Then he says:
Luk 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Since Passover is a yearly, commanded by God, created by Christ occurrence, it makes sense that Christ was saying to do this once a year, on Passover. If we follow his example, he didn't do it more than once or on any other day but Passover.
What about "as often"?
1Co 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.
The point isn't to tell us how often...that's already known.
The phrase translated "as often" can, and often is, translated "every time". For example, the Message bible:
1Co 11:26 What you must solemnly realize is that every time you eat this bread and every time you drink this cup, you reenact in your words and actions the death of the Master. You will be drawn back to this meal again and again until the Master returns. You must never let familiarity breed contempt.
The Good News Bible and God's Word bible translate it similarly. The point isn't how often, but what is being show every time you do it.
Sorry, my point mustn't have been clear. Of course there's nothing wrong with the day of December 25. What's wrong is the pagan idolatry associated with the name of Christ that is celebrated on that particular day of the year.
You need to do some studying. I don't think David Hulme has been around since 1995 or 1996. From what I understand, he attempted to consolidate power around himself much the same as leaders of the old (and current) WWCG did and do. He was booted by the board of UCG and went on to form another group.
But, you are leaving out the fact that the old covenant and laws were replaced by the gift of the Holy Spirit and the promise of eternal life in Christ. So, the passover, as such is no longer celebrated by Christians. We now celebrate the eucharist.
I know that Seventh Day Adventists and some other sects don't agree with this, and I am not going to argue interpretations because there is no point. No minds will be changed. I don't criticize their beliefs and I don't expect members of other sects to try to change my beliefs.
Agreed, but you're reading a lot into here. First off, holy days ARE, not were, ARE a shadow of things to come. Certainly that's true. The sabbath (a holy day) portends the millenial rule of Christ. The Feast of Trumpets portends, is a shadow of, the return of the King, Jesus Christ, to earth.
The context of Collosians 2 is not letting anyone judge you in HOW you are keeping the holy days, not whether or not you are keeping them. If you do a word study on "meat" and "drink" you'll see that they are more properly translated as "eating and drinking". They (the members of the Colossians church who were keeping the holy days of God) were being criticized for celebrating the holy days in too celebatory of a manner.
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 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. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
I know you're an honest person when it comes to scripture research Quester. Compare the greek for "holy day" in Colossians 2:16. Do a Strongs search and see that when that word is used it always refers to the holy days God created.
Then compare Romans 14. The term for "holy day" is never used. Then read all of Romans 14. If you're honest, you have to come away with the impression that Chapter 14 is focused exclusively on eating and drinking practices. Practically every other verse mentions eating or drinking, including verse 6, the one you cited. The "days" referred to are days associated with eating and drining. They could be pagan days where animals were sacrificed and the meat later sold in markets, or it could be referring to fast days instituted by the Pharisees (Luke 18:12).
Either way it's highly unlikely that it's referring to God's Holy Days. Their "bible" at the time was what we call the old testament. There's no way it could have been understand to mean what you're suggesting without causing a huge controversy in the church.
The United Church of God, as with its predecessor, the Worldwide Church of God, denies the doctrine of the Trinity. Their take on the Holy Spirit is an excercise in confusion, but in their opinion, the concept of the Trinity is "pagan".
In scripture, certain and specific things were altered by the new covenant. These things are spelled out specfically in the books of the the new testament. Most of this is in Hebrews were animal sacrifices are replaced by the sacrifice of Christ and the Levitical priesthood and it's associated rites are replaced by a new better priesthood with Christ as everyone's high priest. However, nowhere does any book of the bible say that we are to stop celebrating or observing the feasts that God created. Quite the contrary, if we, as Christians, follow Christ, our leader, then we will observe the feasts as he did and as told to us in scripture.
I know that Seventh Day Adventists and some other sects don't agree with this, and I am not going to argue interpretations because there is no point. No minds will be changed. I don't criticize their beliefs and I don't expect members of other sects to try to change my beliefs.
My intent isn't to criticize and I try to carefully choose my words to avoid personal criticism. Sometimes I'm not successful and if that happens I'm sorry. My intent is to share information that needs to be shared and that will be helpful to a large number of people.
Good luck, God bless and thanks for the discussion.
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