Passover / Easter | Halloween

THE TRUTH ABOUT HOLIDAYS:

THE FACTS OF CHRISTMAS

In mid December 1971, my wife and I were at some friend's house with several other people practicing Christmas carols and having good Christian fellowship. We talked on many subjects that night. Just before we were going to leave, the subject of Christmas decorations came up. The hostess said she wished she had purchased a stockpile years ago because the price had jumped so in the last few years. I thought to myself, isn't it terrible how commercialistic Jesus’ birthday had become.

We had just gotten into the car and headed home and I asked my wife where we got and why do we use Christmas decorations? She said she didn't know. I was going to ask the preacher the next time I saw him.

Well, the next day I went to work. I went into the office to catch up on some sow records and paper work in general. I turned on the radio and a little while later, The World Tomorrow came on the air. DON'T GET EXCITED - I'm not an Armstrongist, and I know more about him than the average Christian. Let me say that just because he's Armstrong doesn't mean he can't speak some truth. Anyway, I wasn't paying too much attention when suddenly I noticed he was talking about Christmas. I can't remember the subject word for word, but he made some pretty bold statements. My first reaction was, "Oh boy, there he goes again." The longer I listened, the more bold his statements became. Things like, Christmas as we know it, isn't His birthday, and even backed it up with scripture as to the probable time of the year. (Ezra 10:9,13 sheds some light on this). Think what you will about Armstrong, but he's the first one to tell me the truth about the THREE wise men going to see the baby Jesus in the manger - IT NEVER HAPPENED. And a few other things by the way - The wise men, and not necessarily three, came to a house where they found Jesus as a young child with his mother. Matthew 2:11 (Notice he wasn't a babe.)

He had to be at most two years old, because Herod had all the boys in the area killed up to the age of two. Matthew 2:16-18. The church plays had me and millions of other people believing a lie, or at best a partial lie. By way of example, I received a monthly question and answer publication from a certain California based ministry. One of the questions was, "Where in the Bible can you find the names of the three wise men? I've read the Bible through twenty-one times and have never run across their names." Are you ready for the answer? "No, the names of the THREE wise men are not found in scripture." I beg anyone to show me anywhere in the whole Bible, that there were even THREE wise men, period. This person read the Bible 21 times and is still in a fog about the basics. Not to mention the man that gave that person the answer. He is the head of a good-sized ministry. I believe we should be as accurate as possible when talking about or teaching the Bible. Like I mentioned before, the church plays had me and millions of other people believing a lie. We take a truth, make it a lie, so little kids in the church can tell others about Christ. God, in Proverbs 12:22 says, "Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD.” Does it seem right to use a lie to promote Jesus to an unbelieving world? The Bible says that Satan is the father of lies. John 8:44. Anyway, Armstrong went on to say that the Christmas celebration came from the pagan past. He also offered proof from the encyclopedia. Needless to say I was shocked, not to mention a little defensive, so I looked it up. Sure enough he was right. The heathens worshipped the trees, the sun, and anything and everything under the sun, except God. Prove it to yourself, read the details about the origins of the tree, decorations, and the myths that surround the origin of this day that most Christians hold so dear.

“Put Christ back into Christmas,” is something we hear every year. You can’t put Christ into something he wasn’t designed to go into; it is an impossibility. He was never there in the first place. The basic Christmas celebration was celebrated long before Christ. It was adopted by some well meaning albeit misguided (in knowledge of scriptures) Christians. Basically speaking, Christmas came into existence when the Romans changed the worship that the heathens were practicing, from the sun god to the Son of God. This change was made to take the heathens mind off totally pagan celebrations, and other gods, and turn them to Christianity, thus filling the churches with unregenerated people. Jesus and all he stood for is trashed by the paganism and the materialism of Christmas. No matter how well intended, does that make it right? Remember, our present day Christmas is a combination of different forms of paganism, which makes it all the worse. Deuteronomy 12:29-32 says that God hates the abominations that the heathens do to their gods.

This next bit of information came to me through the book THE BIBLE AND TOMORROW'S NEWS, by Charles C. Ryrie, a Scripture Press publication, Pages 118 and 119. "Alexander Hislop, in his book THE TWO BABYLONS, points out that the chief feature of the religion of Babylon was the cult of mother-child worship. This system was instituted by Nimrod's wife Semerimus, who said that her son Tammuz was the fulfillment of Genesis 3:15." (It has also been said elsewhere that Semerimus was not only Nimrod's wife but also his mother. Tammuz was the Babylonian Adonis, consort of Syrian Venus, whose worship was celebrated in wild immoral indulgence.) "Semerimus symbolized this with a figure of a mother holding a child in her arms. Furthermore she adopted the title QUEEN OF HEAVEN, and taught that salvation was through her." Sound familiar? "This religion appeared in one form or other in Phoenicia, Pergamous, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. It came into the experience of Israel through Jezebel and was severely condemned by the prophet Jeremiah-44:16-19,25. Ezekiel reveals that this evil, apostate worship found it's way into the very sanctuary of God."

"The Roman emperor Constantine, who, like the Caesars, was national high priest, introduced the mother-child worship cult into the Christian Church (Hislop's term) when he sanctioned Christianity. This continues, under the guise of religion, to this present day." If God didn't care for that type of activity then, why would he now? Basically speaking, "Christmas" and Christianity weren't combined, or started, until around 312 A.D.

This next bit of information came from the World Book, "Ch," page 416. "In A.D. 354, Pope Liberius of Rome ordered the people to celebrate (Christmas) on December 25th. He probably chose this date because the people of Rome already observed it as the Feast of Saturn, celebrating the birthday of the sun." Nowhere in the Bible did they celebrate it, (Jesus' birth) nor was it commanded. As a matter of fact the date was more covered up than not.

A lot of other "traditional" things got involved in the celebration, like mistletoe, holly wreaths, holly berries, yule logs, and many other things, all relating back to paganistic practices. The yule log and the holly wreath, for instance, were both associated with winter solstice celebrations more that 2000 years B.C.

In light of this I don't see how we, in clear conscience, can use these things to celebrate the birth of Jesus. You may ask, “How can these things of God's created beauty be wrong to use if we don't mean them that way?” If you read 2 Kings 18:4 you'll see that in the revival of Hezekiah, he removed the high places, broke the images, and cut down the groves, (trees-carved or decorated into Asherah) that God created for other uses. Now read in Deuteronomy 16:21, "Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the of the Lord." Even though God made the trees, they were used in conjunction with pagan worship and God didn't want his people to have anything to do with them related to the altar. The trees weren't bad in themselves, but it's what they stood for after man got done remodeling them.

Before Constantine introduced the pagan holidays and combined them with Christianity, he should have at least read one of the fifty Bibles he ordered to be printed, in which he could have found out that the birth of Jesus was closer to either September or April. A decree from Caesar Augustus would not have gone out for people to be taxed in the winter. The following scripture should help prove the point. Ezra 10:9,13 9.Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; (Dec. 20th) and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain. 13. But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand without... Luke 2:1, 3 1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 3. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

It should be obvious to anyone that being high priest didn't put Constantine in an instant seat of spiritual knowledge. Moreover, when he became a "Christian," I don't think he could have possibly gotten past the novice stage as mentioned in 1 Timothy 3:6, before assuming his duties as high priest. This gives you greater understanding into the importance of America's separation of Church and State. Having fifty Bibles produced was a very good thing, but he over extended his "zeal" by introducing mother-child worship into the church. It seems obvious that he was one of the first "numbers" men or one of the first involved in the ecumenical movement. This is to say that he liked lots of people in church and he was one of the many that think it's okay to stoop to the world's level to preach the Gospel. There is a difference between stooping to the world's level and preaching at its level.

One of the biggest endorsements against Christmas is the fact that God did cover up the date. He knows the heart of man. Why take something bad and try to make it good. (The obvious thing is that it's fun). Take Thanksgiving for instance. That was a special day of thanking God for the harvest and the many blessings He had given them throughout the year. To show you how the ungodly business element is trying to take God out of Thanksgiving, so as not offend the unchurched, you will hear, "This is the time of the year that we give thanks for the many blessings we receive throughout the year. GIVE THANKS TO WHAT OR TO WHOM?" They just say giving thanks. This way the only ones it offends is God and alert Christians. Even though many don't know the real meaning, and it's now more associated with football, over eating, and Alka-Seltzer, than thanking God, that doesn't change the original meaning. It doesn’t change it from good to bad, even though it may fit into the class of Isaiah 1:13-14. 13. BRING NO MORE VAIN OBLATIONS; INCENSE IS AN ABOMINATION UNTO ME; THE NEW MOONS AND SABBATHS, THE CALLING OF ASSEMBLIES, I CANNOT AWAY WITH; IT IS INIQUITY, EVEN THE SOLEMN MEETING. 14. YOUR NEW MOONS AND YOUR APPOINTED FEASTS MY SOUL HATETH: THEY ARE A TROUBLE UNTO ME; I AM WEARY TO BEAR THEM. (No wonder they stoned the prophets). I think this passage applies very well to the frivolous externalistic way the world worships God with lip service and not the heart. This includes a great deal of so called Bible preaching churches today. With Christmas, we've taken something bad from the beginning and tried to make it good, so we can tell others about Christ. It's kind of like one boxer trying to get closer to his opponent by leaning into a left hook. Taking man's past performance through the centuries into account, what do you think God thinks of His appointed day? If it started out good, it would still be good, even though man might have just possibly made a commercialistic venture out of it.

I thought to myself, how could so many be deceived and partake in such a pagan celebration? We know worshipping other gods is wrong, because the Bible tells us so. Are we any different than the heathens when we celebrate something religious that God didn't ordain? We don't even bother checking with His Word to see what it is we are doing. We should be looking back through history in conjunction with the Bible to see that the path we are walking on is in fact the straight and narrow one we read about in Matthew 7:13-14. It would pay us to be more like the Bereans. They checked the scriptures daily to see if what Paul and Silas were saying was true. Acts 17:11. We also ignore the admonition in Ecclesiastes 5:1, which advises us to, “Guard your steps as you go to the house of God, and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil.” (NAS). Don’t think you are doing God any favors by celebrating something He has not ordained and especially if it came from the pagan past. Cain’s offering of grain should also prove the point.

We reject the various cult religions, and accept something as bad or worse than them. A lot of cults today go supposedly in the name of Christ. They have even "misquoted" scripture to back up their belief.

Some people use the excuse that Christmas is a good witness, and people can be led to the Lord if they come into church to see a Christmas play, which as I pointed out earlier, is a partial lie. A lie that the church has carried on through the centuries. When you tell someone the truth according to the Bible, they all but call you a liar. That's kind of ironic. The people in church believing and practicing the lies are honest God loving people, and the ones knowing and practicing the truth are misled misfits.

Doesn't it seem possible that God would rather have His people work with Christmas diligence 365 days a year? It seems to me that a lot of people are slipping into eternity that could have benefited from a 365-day witness instead of the once a year mode. (Oh, excuse me, I forgot all about the Easter bunny.) What about those that never go into a church? It's my guess that through the work of preachers, teachers, evangelists, missionaries, and faithful witnesses, that there are a lot more led to the Lord than carried by the Christmas and Easter seasons. In my case it was an evangelist that brought me back to Christ. None of the Christians around me took the time to mention Christ, with or without the holidays. They were more than willing that someone else do that task.

As mentioned before, what about the people that NEVER go to church? How are they to hear the Word if you and I never tell them? We point our fingers at them and say, there's no excuse for not hearing the Word. If we won't tell them, who will? They sure won't hear much about Christ in the secular world.

Don't think people don't influence other people. This person I know and I, were discussing the various issues and she came across with, "What would the parents and relatives think if we quit having Christmas?" This is quite a popular response, by the way. People are more concerned with what other people think, than what God thinks. It's kind of like what happened in John 12:42-43, concerning the chief rulers that believed on Jesus but because of the Pharisees would not confess Him lest they be kicked out of the synagogue.

Knowledge of Christ and the fact he was born is one thing, and BELIEF is quite another. There are a lot of churchgoers that intellectually believe, but not from the heart. The word "believe" in the Greek means to "trust." It's not a head belief that SAVES, but a heart trust. A lot of these churchgoers have not trusted Jesus as their personal Saviour. They're in Christmas plays from the time that they are old enough to take part; they attend church all their lives and they still go to hell. What happened? Please don't try to sell me on the, "it can be a good witness" thing. The plan of salvation should be presented more than once or twice a year. We should quit leaning on the church to do what God has given us to do.

Christmas, for the most part is failing to do what it is suppose to do. How low are we suppose to go in giving out the gospel? Are we supposed to lower our standard of service to Christ as a means of getting our foot in the door? I think the over-all picture of the Bible says NO. James 1:27 tells us to keep ourselves unspotted from the world.

I will admit, there is a fervor in the work about that time of year, but it drops off just in time for the New Year's parties, not to mention the ones a few days earlier carried out in Christ's name. Because of the nature of the season and the need to whoop it up, there is a huge increase in the number of injuries and deaths in accidents on the world's highways, broken homes, suicides, divorces, stealing, debt, and all the other ungodly things that increase around that time of the year. These are characteristics of the world, not Christians. I would say God's, as well as the rest of the world's net gain is a negative around that time of the year. The total COST of the Christmas season would stagger the mind. I would say God's work is severely hampered that season-more than helped. What about all those New Year's resolutions, most of which have been made without a thought of Jesus? There are a lot of churchgoers that live for those year-end parties and all the activities that come with them. There are a lot of people that pass into eternity because of the highway slaughter, at least in part, due to those parties, as well as traveling to be "together".

The amount of money spent on trash each year would be enough to supply churches and missionaries with an abundance of things they really need. With the use of the money spent on toys, trees, cards, wrapping paper, and all the other stuff, the word of God would go a lot further than it does on Christmas alone, to say the least.

I believe that Christmas is indirectly responsible for the LOVE of materialism in this world today. Our children see toys, and we see gadgets, that according to the dealer, we just can't live without; or, to be really happy - get this.

If I'm wrong, and we are supposed to celebrate Christmas, I believe we should give food and clothes and other necessities, not garbage. If our children weren’t expecting toys and junk that they virtually discard or break after a week, they wouldn't be let down. They would be happy to get clothes and other necessities if we taught them those values. I saw an add on TV from one of the hamburger chains that said something like, "Getting a gift certificate for a meal, sure beats getting underwear." The ironic thing is they attack something as basic as underwear. It's true, you can't eat underwear, but you can't wear a hamburger either. If we truly do esteem Christmas and Easter as holy, we shouldn't be cluttering them up with commercialism. This whole celebration "mentality" proves my point; that we in this (so called) CHRISTIAN NATION hold very little, except materialism, in high regard.

Do you really think Jesus likes his name so closely associated with materialism, something He stayed so far away from? The Bible teaches us to be different from the rest of the world. We have let the world put us into their mold. Or should I say we have hopped into the mold. That same world, has always been against God and His goodness; they proved that by killing the prophets and finally His Son. God gave us His son as a gift of eternal life, and the same people that drove in the nails, gave us our present day celebration, which by the way, we so eagerly accept. Most people don't even know where Christmas came from. They blindly accept family tradition. When confronted with the truth they say, "Well, as long as we mean good, that's all that matters." That may be all that matters to the human mind, but what does God think? Let's also remember Deuteronomy 12:29-31; 16:21 and Isaiah 1:13-14.

Try suggesting that instead of giving each other gifts, everybody put their money to work for the Lord. GOOD LUCK! People have more joy in giving material things than spiritual things. If it's truly God's day, then anything that takes our minds off God is counter productive. Where is our mind when we are ripping open those presents? Christmas is a bit like putting one foot in the world and the other in the kingdom of God. It's a bit like trying to serve two masters. Even the two days that we do give God are wrapped up in the gratification of flesh. I don't like using the name of Jesus as an aid to push materialism. The story of Jesus cleansing the temple should be an indication to us that materialism is materialism and spiritual is spiritual. We say, "Isn't it terrible how commercialistic Christmas is?" and then join right in and take part in that which we knock. The only real change to the pagan part of the holiday comes with the addition of the scriptures, and the facts concerning Jesus. Leave it to man to make it one of his APPOINTED FEASTS, so to speak.

It's hard to say how many souls could be led to the Lord, and how many needy children could be fed or clothed with the billions of dollars spent on junk, if we would instead dedicate that money to the Lord's work. There are quite a few private and church funded programs that give away food and clothes at Christmas time. That's fine, but what about the rest of the year? They get a taste of the good life and then they are tossed back out in the cold. It seems to me that helping the poor around Christmas time is just a way of clearing their conscience and fooling themselves into thinking they've served God.

Pictures of Jesus kind of fit into this same category. I think it's pretty silly to be making pictures of Jesus when we don't even know what he looks like. There are many versions on the market today; which one is correct? I seriously doubt if any of them are. There were artists in those days, and if God wanted us to have a likeness of Jesus, He could have "COMMISSIONED" someone to sculpt or paint an image. If you're one of those who need a picture to strengthen your faith, your faith must be pretty weak. If you have one around as a point of identify, there is a better way, and one that is less offensive to God.

It would be like a man founding a company many years ago. Then some dedicated present day employees get together and say our entry way needs a picture of our founder. So they sit down and hash out a sketch of what he MUST have looked like. You know, kind of like Darwin did with evolution. They then commission an artist to paint a rather large picture of their founding president. Does this sound a little foolish? Well just imagine how foolish the world will or should feel when its founder comes back and sees an image that He never left behind.

People are going to say, "Does it really matter? It's done for God's glory. As long as your heart is in the right place, that's all that really matters." If Christmas isn't really accurate, but can be done for God's glory, why not find a spot in the middle of this country, build an exact scale model of the birth place of Jesus and as far as that goes a garden tomb, so a lot of less well-to-do TV preachers could bring a birth or a resurrection sermon FROM THE VERY PLACE THE EVENT OCCURRED. You say, how stupid can you get? You and I both know that the preacher who would do such a thing would be branded a phony, and the press would tear him apart. Well, does God view pictures of Jesus, Christmas, Easter and Halloween any differently?

The Bible teaches that we are to give and not expect something in return. Luke 6:32-36 touches on this principle. Whether it is love or material gifts that we give, we shouldn't be expecting something in return. The one main feature with Christmas is, that if somebody that has given doesn't get something in return they would be crushed. With Christmas that is the way it has to be, because that's the way it started out, that is, as a RECEIVING day. One of the traditions was that someone cut down an evergreen tree and the next day a young tree sprung up in its place and it had gifts hanging on it. Let's not forget Santa Claus. He gives and never has received. Another couple of elements the fun-loving world has given to Santa, is, omnipresence and omniscience - and we teach it to our kids. "You better not pout, you better not cry, you better be good I'm telling you why, Santa Clause is coming to town. He knows when you are sleeping, he knows when you're awake, he knows if you've been bad or good so be good for goodness sake." Can he truly cover the whole world dropping off gifts, in one night? If the Ten Commandments have any relevance to our lives today, Santa should not be in our houses at all, because he is truly another god.

It has been said that I am like the soldier that is out of step, but thinks everyone else is. In my defense let me ask; "In comparing the total world population, are the saved or the unsaved in step with God's plan?" If you are a Christian knowing the truth, you say, "The ones that trust Jesus, of course." Now, considering there are more non-Christians than there are Christians in this world, who is out of step? As long as we are stepping, lets take it a step further. What about the witnessing Christian? I believe there are a lot more non-witnessing Christians than witnessing Christians. According to God's Word, who is out of step? You can clearly see that following the majority is not always the wisest thing to do. Remember, we are on the narrow path. Let's look to history for more proof:

Around the 15th century Copernicus told the world that the earth wasn't the center of the universe, but the sun was. Boy, was he out of step. He, by the way, didn't try to make a big deal out of it for fear of death. Most everybody at that time thought the earth was the center of the universe, including one of the reformation leaders, Martin Luther. He blasted Copernicus for his ignorance. If I'm out of step, you had better dig up as much proof as you can to convince me; because the Bible, historic facts, and my reasoning tell me that there is better than a 50/50 chance I'm right.

Going back a little further in history (1 Kings 19:1-18) (specifically 10, 14, 18) I can empathize with the prophet Elijah lamenting that he thought he was the only one who had not bowed down to Baal. Well, God set him straight on that account - there was a whopping (facetiousness mine) seven thousand in all the millions of Israel that hadn’t bowed down to Baal. I think there are a lot of God’s people that don’t celebrate the various so-called Christian holidays and celebrations but I also think that there are many more that do.

At this point I want to add some scripture and comments that further point out how wrong I think Christmas is, in God's eyes. Through the revealing of these scriptures, I hope to relate some of the sinful things done by the type of people that God destroyed by the thousands - which should encourage us to be different. Let me say that these passages were written to Israel and the early church and aren't being quoted to make you think they were directly for us concerning Christmas. By and large, they apply in the spiritual sense. God gave us 66 books, and if you check it, there are many spiritual lessons within them for us today. Most of the Old Testament was written to Israel, but they were written so all generations and ages would benefit from them; otherwise, why would we have and use them today?

Genesis 4:4-7

4. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5. But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7. If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

I think this is one of the best examples of doing things your own way and thinking you are bringing glory to God. If God wants something done (animal sacrifice for instance) a grain offering, no matter how sincerely intended, will not be acceptable.

Exodus 8:25-32

25. And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land. 26. And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the Lord our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us? 27. We will go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the Lord our God, as he shall command us. 28. And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me. 29. And Moses said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will intreat the Lord that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, to morrow: but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the Lord. 30. And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the Lord. 31. And the Lord did according to the word of Moses; and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one. 32. And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.

In vs. 27 Moses said, we must go three days journey and sacrifice to God. Pharaoh said (28) go, but not so far away. Scofield's Bible notes have an interesting footnote in that connection. "The compromises proposed by Pharaoh are urged upon the Christians today. The first says in effect: be a Christian if you will, but not a narrow one - stay in Egypt. Invariably it ends in world-conformity, world-pleasing, and seeking the world's money for God (Psa. 50:9-17) (2 Cor. 6:14-18; Gal. 1:4.)" Anything we do must be at His direction and under His conditions.

Exodus 30:9 Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon.

Scofield has an interesting note concerning this verse. "...Two prohibitions are given concerning worship: (1) No "strange" incense is to be offered. This speaks of simulated or purely formal worship. (2) No "strange" fire was permitted. This refers to the excitation of "religious" feelings by merely sensuous means, and to the substitution for devotion to Christ of any other devotion, as to religious causes or sects..." I don't know how any Bible-believing Christian cannot see through the materialism and the paganism to what Christmas is really about. It is not about God's gift to the world. It is to satisfy sensuous materialistic worldly needs - all in the name of Christ.

Exodus 30:33-38

33. Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people. 34. And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: 35. And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy: 36. And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy. 37. And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the Lord. 38. Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.

The children of Israel were warned not to make the perfume used in worship of God, for their own use. Scofield has a fitting note in this connection also: "What is condemned here is making worship a mere pleasure to the natural man, whether sensuous, as in beautiful music to please the ear, or eloquence, merely to give delight to the natural mind." If that doesn't describe the Christmas celebration to a tee, nothing does.

Exodus 32:5. And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, Tomorrow is a feast to the Lord.

Can they really proclaim a "feast unto the Lord" using that golden calf and expect God to bless them? Verses 1-8, tell us what they were doing and what God thought about it. In vs. 7, God says they have "corrupted themselves."

Leviticus 10:1-2,10

1. And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. 2. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. 10. And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;

I think Christmas, Easter and Halloween fit into this same category. Today God's punishment is not the same as then but if it is wrong to celebrate any of the formerly pagan holidays, you had better believe judgment is already working or will soon come to pass.

Leviticus 18:1-30

I will not print all the scripture from these passages but please try to read them from your Bible. 3. After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. 4. Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the Lord your God. 5. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the Lord.

The scripture goes on to describe some of the things they did, and the warnings for those that do them. Considering we get the Christmas and Easter celebrations from that kind of people, what do you think God's reaction will be?

Leviticus 22:25 Neither from a stranger's hand shall ye offer the bread of your God of any of these; because their corruption is in them, and blemishes be in them: they shall not be accepted for you.

The scriptures have great spiritual applications for us today if we are willing to follow them. The basic point is that God never, through a vision or commandment, or through His prophets or apostles, verbally or in the scriptures, told us to practice or celebrate such things. I say this in complete knowledge of how much fun it is, and how it seems to be a right kind of thing to do.

Numbers 15:9 Then shall he bring with a bullock a meat offering of three tenth deals of flour mingled with half an hin of oil.

Let me ask a question. Why not six (6) tenth deals of flour, and one full hin of oil? Would it not bring even more glory to the offering? What God has asked, we should give. We should not lean to our own understanding.

Deuteronomy 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

This, as well as Revelation, is the answer to Num. 15:9. There is a time for giving over and above, and a time to do what we are told.

Deuteronomy 7:25-26

25. The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the Lord thy God. 26. Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.

Is silver or gold bad? No, but in it's pagan connection it was to be completely avoided. Taking the book of Romans into account, concerning DAYS and MEAT, we have to look back to Deuteronomy's example when considering yule logs, the holly wreath and berries, mistletoe, trees, Santa, and all the rest. Most people will have a hard time understanding the evil implications of these Christmas items that they've grown up with. But nevertheless we must look back in time and take note of the origins, fully realizing that the apostasy not only moves fast, but can move at a very slow rate also, which makes some of these things seem harmless. Take notice of the word, cursed. Was that just an empty word or does it mean that which it implies. Let me just say, that the curse that started in Genesis is not lifted until Revelation. (See: CURSED). Grace is grace, but let's not abuse it.

Deuteronomy12:4 Do not worship the Lord your God in the way these pagan peoples worship their gods. (New Living Translation)

This says it all. There is no such thing as “freedom of religion” when it comes to God. It’s either His way or the highway.

Deuteronomy 12:13-14,31-32.

13. Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest: 14. But in the place which the Lord shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee. 31. Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God: for every abomination to the Lord, which He hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. 32. What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Back then, there were designated places to worship God (13-14). 31-32 says there are certain practices we are not suppose to do. Also note the warning about adding to or diminishing from. If you are going to enquire of God or worship him, you have to do it in His way.

Deuteronomy 15:21 And if there be any blemish therein, as if it be lame, or blind, or have any ill blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto the Lord thy God.

Bringing this up to the twentieth-century; how can we worship God with that which the heathens and pagans worshipped their gods? Does God accept it? I have my doubts. No matter how sincere you are, even if done through ignorance, it is still not acceptable to God.

Deuteronomy 16:21-22

21. Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the Lord thy God, which thou shalt make thee. 22. Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the Lord thy God hateth.

As mentioned earlier, the people were not to plant a grove of trees near the altar of the Lord. How could trees God created be bad? The same way the CREATION God once declared as GOOD, could be put under the curse; because of the sinfulness of man. See additional notes on ASHERAH in any good Bible dictionary.

1 Samuel 6:19 And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the Lord, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the Lord had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter.

The birthday of Jesus has been concealed. Matthew Henry has a timely note that deals with finding out things God didn't intend for us to know. "...but really to gratify a sinful curiosity of their own, which intruded into those things that God had thought fit to conceal from them. Note, It is a great affront to God for vain men to pry into and meddle with the secret things which belong not to them, Deut. 29:29; Col. 2:18." If you are scratching your head and wondering how this ties in with Christmas, ask yourself what was really wrong with the men of Bethshemesh looking into the ark. The Philistines did and didn't suffer near as much for it as they did. The answer is - with knowledge comes responsibility. We Christians have been told what is right and wrong. We should have the good sense to practice what we know to be true.

This next portion is a bit long, but failure to do what God said and making excuses for that disobedience (in part) cost a king his kingdom.

1 Samuel 15:1-35

1. Samuel also said unto Saul, The Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the Lord. 2. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. 3. Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. 4. And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah. 5. And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley. 6. And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye shewed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. 7. And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt. 8. And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. 9. But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. 10. Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, 11. It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night. 12. And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal. 13. And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the Lord: I have performed the commandment of the Lord. 14. And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? 15. And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed. 16. Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the Lord hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on. 17. And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel? 18. And the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. 19. Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord? 20. And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and have gone the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal. 22. And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 24. And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. 25. Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord. 26. And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel. 27. And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent. 28. And Samuel said unto him, The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou. 29. And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for He is not a man, that He should repent. 30. Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord thy God. 31. So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the Lord. 32. Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past. 33. And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal. 34. Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul. 35. And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the Lord repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.

This is the story of Saul's incomplete obedience. A further example that we should not do things based on our own understanding, but follow the Word of the LORD to the letter as much as possible. Saul went to battle against the Amalekites, and God told him to destroy all they had, MAN, WOMAN, INFANT, SUCKLING, OX, AND ASS; but Saul spared Agag the King, the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, fatlings, lambs, and all that was good. Then comes his reasoning - he saved them so that he could SACRIFICE THEM UNTO GOD. Well, guess what? God didn't want any part of it. Verses 23-35 are not very pretty.

2 Samuel 6:3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.

Sounds pretty innocent, right? Wrong! Read the rest of the scripture. Then read Exodus 25:14, Numbers 4:1-15, and 1 Chronicles 15:2,12-15 - the instructions and the manner in which they should have carried the ark. King David, unfortunately for Uzzah, learned the way of the heathens. The ark was to be borne by the priests, not carried on a cart. Remember when the Philistines sent away the troublesome ark, drawn by cows that delivered it to the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite? 1 Samuel 5 and 6 will fill you in on the story. Scofield has an interesting note: "The story of David's new cart and its results is a striking illustration of truth that blessing does not follow even the best of intentions in the service of God except that service is rendered in God's way. It is a constant point of failure. God had given explicit directions how the ark should be borne, but David adopted a Philistine way of doing service to Christ." Scofield says, "The church is full of Philistine ways of doing service to Christ."

Just because the church has been full of Philistine ways of doing service for longer than we and our parents have been on earth, doesn't mean we will be unaccountable for our actions. It's an OLD FAMILY TRADITION, and EVERYBODY'S DOING IT, doesn't cut it in God's book. All those truly saved as a result of the "Philistine" way of service, will enter heaven. The ones doing the service may be very surprised at what little reward they get for doing all that work. God is CALLING OUT his Church - CALLING OUT, should give us a hint of the type of service we should be doing.

1 Kings 12:32-33

32. And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made. 33. So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.

Here's just another act of worship by a misguided, over zealous person. We today look at this and say, "Boy! What a heathen he was," and look right across the paganism we are practicing at the direction of Pope Liberius in A.D. 354.

2 Kings 13:6 Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who made Israel sin, but walked therein: and there remained the grove also in Samaria.
This one will tie into the next.

2 Kings 15:3-5

3. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done; 4. Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places. 5. And the Lord smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king's son was over the house, judging the people of the land.

Once you start something it's pretty hard to stop, especially if it's fun and appeals to the flesh.

2 Chronicles 19:2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord.

This scripture is one of the most striking reasons that we have to be led by the Spirit of God when giving time or money to the poor; or should I say so-called poor. There is poor, and then there is the "cursed" poor. There are many people giving money and assistance to people that God has cursed. (See: Cursed). On the news recently, (1991) there was a story of a Pentecostal Church that put up a homeless family in their church for a while. To make a short story even shorter, the family ran up a three thousand dollar ($3,000) phone bill calling 900-number, sex lines.

2 Chronicles 25:2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.

This is a quite common theme in the history of Israel. The reason it is so common is because human nature is attracted to things of the flesh. Good people sometimes do bad things just as sometimes bad people do good things. I think part of the reason they hung onto the idol worship is because of the division it would have caused if they got rid of it. The other part is that they wanted to "cover all the bases." They were looking for a guarantee to happiness and success.

2 Chronicles 26:18 And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord God.

Here is another case of over zealousness. Saul did the same thing just after he came into power (1 Sam. 13:10) and was rejected from office.

Nehemiah 10:31 And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and that we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.

Oh, that God's people would avoid doing the world's business at the Christmas season. It is only an abiding family tradition because everybody keeps on doing it.

Psalms 94:20 Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?

Even if things are the law of the land, that doesn't make them right. An example would be abortion.

Psalms 101:6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
I think just about all Christians will claim this scripture. I also think there is a difference between God's version of faithful and walk in a perfect way. The Bible is full of warnings, and most of them are to believers.

Psalms 106:34-35

34. They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the Lord commanded them: 35. But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.
We are not admonished to destroy pagan nations today, but we are still obligated to not learn their ways. I am looked down on for not practicing a form of paganism that Christians learned from the heathen. They scarifice their children to materialism and traditions that the Bible does not teach. They think they are righteous because they don't sacrifice their children to Molech like the heathen did. I wonder how many people claiming Christianity have or permit or endorse abortions each year. Those that do have somehow justified that act of murder. How many of them turn around every year and say merry Christmas and God bless you?

Psalms 145:18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
This is a very powerful statement. Christmas, Easter and Halloween are not truth. They are lies around the truth of Christ that promote paganistic materialism and mind numbing traditions. Also see Mat. 7:21-23. We must do things His way to be considered His. I believe that the church is going through the tribulation. I believe the church mired down in the world is the reason why. That dross has to be purged with "fire."

Ecclesiastes 5:1 Guard your steps as you go to the house of God, and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. (NAS).
If you look at where Christmas came from and how it was introduced to, and accepted by the “church(es),” you can see what a rebuke this is. We have to remember that Christmas is a ceremony that God never called for.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
Nothing could be closer to the truth, especially as the last half of this scripture pertains to Jesus' birth and death. His birth does nothing for us. His death and resurrection seals our salvation. I think God went to great pains to hide the actual birth date of Jesus and on the other hand went to great pains to give us the actual season and day of his death, but we ignore that for the sake of a nifty three-day over-the-weekend package.

Isaiah 1:11-14 (The whole chapter should be read)

11. To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me?... 12. When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? 13. Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. 14. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.
Those few verses should say a mouth full to us today. Even that which we were taught to do can become a burden to the Lord if our heart is not with him. What about doing that which we were NOT told to do? We may not have shed blood with our hands but we can do plenty of other offensive things.

Isaiah 9:15-17

15. The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. 16. For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed. 17. Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
I know that the teaching of Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny is not done in the spiritual sense, but they are lies indeed, and it has everything to do with the over-all celebration. How can lies and nonsense bring glory to God?

Isaiah 43:24 Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.
"But thou hast made me to serve with thy sins," is a very strong example of how lies and nonsense used to bring glory to God only serves to involve Him in something that He would have nothing to do with if left to Himself. I think this has to be one of the reasons why some Christians feel so alone and abandoned by God. This, in turn, could lead to more pouring on of the flesh (to fill up that empty hole) and a further feeling of abandonment. There are probably a lot of TV preachers trying very hard to bring glory to God that in fact cause Him much shame.

Isaiah 48:1 (Once again this was written to Israel, but spiritually applies to all who call themselves God's children). 1. Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness.
How many Christians fit this category today? I wonder if our deeds and actions are backing up our verbal commitment to Christ?

Isaiah 55:8-9

8. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
I think this one speaks for itself.

Isaiah 60:6 The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord.
The late J. Vernon McGee who, I believe, celebrated Christmas said that he thought there were a lot more than three wise men who came to worship Jesus and give gifts. I think this verse proves that point and also ties into Matthew 2:1 and 11.

Isaiah 66:3 He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
I don't mean to step on toes, but I think when we use pagan celebrations to bring glory to God, we fit right smack in the middle of this passage.

Jeremiah 6:13,15

13. For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. 15. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord.
This dealing falsely starts somewhere and gradually gets into the condition that this scripture mentions. That's one of the reasons why I'm so concerned about the church adopting and celebrating pagan holidays. I see the emphasis placed on materialism and the joy that the ungodly elements bring. Those things are a step in the direction AWAY from the true worship of God. As a matter of fact, according to the 1974 World Book, C-Ch, page 416, the Christmas celebration got so bad in England that the Puritans did away with the observance of Christmas by law in 1643. This certainly doesn't mean that some or even most people didn't celebrate it with sincerity, but as mentioned before, sincerity doesn't justify doing something that shouldn't be done in the first place. If Christmas can be a WITNESS as some say; what or how do you classify the celebration of Holy Evening, which takes place the day before ALL SAINTS' DAY, better known as HALLOWEEN. Many Christians practice this one too. (See: HALLOWEEN.)

Jeremiah 7:18 The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.
Please read the whole chapter, especially 1-20. It points to God's rebuke of materialism, especially when involved with matters of worship. Verse 18 and Jeremiah 10:3 & 4 (below) reminds me of the busyness of cutting the tree, decorating it, wrapping presents, sending out cards, making all sorts of food, preparing for the parties, and all the other activity that comes with the season, all of which have nothing to do with the birth of Jesus. Also notice, "that they may provoke me to anger". Were they really trying to make God mad, or were they doing this in their ignorance, or with the idea in mind that it really didn't matter to God? Which, if that is the case, does not abate God's anger.

Jeremiah 7:30 For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the Lord: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.
A church I used to attend hung Christmas decorations in the main sanctuary. A lady member that rarely came to church gave them. Although the pastor didn't really agree with it - it was allowed because she made a sizable donation every year.
While reading through Unger’s Bible Dictionary I came across the word pollution. It centered on meat offered to idols. UBD Pg. 875. Re: Pollution. In reference to flesh offered to idols and it finding its way into the shambles, for public sale: “Of course this flesh, having been offered to idols, was an abomination to the Jews; and any use of it was thought to infect the user with idolatry. The Council of Jerusalem directed that converts decline invitations to such feasts, (how Unger got this from v. 28, I do not know) and refrain from the use of such meat, that no offense might be given (Acts 15:28.)” (Emphasis mine) Please allow me to say that the reference extends from v. 28 through v. 29. That which I underlined should be a given. We as Christians should have no part of those feasts that are tied to idolatry, which is exactly what we do when we participate in the Big Three.

Concerning the underlined portion: I certainly think it is implied by the whole tenor of these verses and that of 1 Cor.10:25, (“Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake,”) that we should purposely avoid using meat that we know has been offered to idols. In this case, ignorance is bliss.

There are basically two ways to look at this subject. (1) It really doesn’t matter if we eat the meat that has been offered to idols, in the sense that meat is meat with all of its nutritional value no matter how it was killed. (2) If meat that is knowingly offered to idols does take on the effect of being polluted, it is because of man’s stupidity and the rebellion toward God which those sacrifices represent. It’s a matter of principle, identity and spiritual integrity. We must be careful not to give anything credence that would possibly offend God. If we should boycott anything that would offend God, then these of the simplest nature should be the easiest to do. But because we don’t meet up to that standard is why we have I John 1:9. Make no mistake, we will be held accountable for that which we do wrong.

Jeremiah 9:5 And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.
I think this has at least a mild application to the teaching of Santa, and the long hours spent shopping and getting ready for the BIG DAY.

Jeremiah 10:2-5

2. 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. 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. 5. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
This is not meant to be taken out of context. The people mentioned here were actually making idols out of wood, to worship. People celebrating Christmas are not worshipping the trees they decorate but they are doing the same types of things those pagans did, that worshipped trees and the stars of heaven. The first verse (1) admonishes us not to learn the way of the heathen. As mentioned before, most of the "fun stuff" concerning Christmas comes directly from pagan people worshipping the "sun god."

Ezekiel 5:11 Wherefore, as I live, saith the Lord God; Surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also diminish thee; neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity.
A Christmas tree is just as detestable as is statues of people or beasts.

Ezekiel 20:39 As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.
I had to look at several other translations to really get the meaning of this passage. It was like they left a word or two out. This passage reminds me of Revelation 3:15-16,..."I will spue thee out of my mouth." The bottom line is the bottom line; "but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols."

Ezekiel 22:26 Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.
To my way of thinking this is exactly what is going on when you combine pagan celebrations with the Christian facts.

Ezekiel 33:31 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.
Over the years I have talked to quite a few people that agree with me about the paganism and materialism involved in Christmas, but go right ahead and keep using the pagan traditions and promoting materialism themselves. Within the last couple of years I have noticed some stores putting up Christmas decorations before Halloween, and these same people will risk life and limb to go and bash elbows with the masses to beat the Christmas rush.

Ezekiel 44:23 And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
The sad part is, that Bible reading and believing people should know the difference between holy and profane already.

Amos 5:22-27

22. Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. 23. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. 24. But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. 25. Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel? 26. But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves. 27. Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus, saith the Lord, whose name is The God of hosts.
I think the Christmas celebration is tantamount to the same thing. It started out as sun worship and just throwing scripture at it won't change things in God's eyes.

Zephaniah 1:5-7

5. And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the Lord, and that swear by Malcham; 6. And them that are turned back from the Lord; and those that have not sought the Lord, nor inquired for him. 7. Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God: for the day of the Lord is at hand: for the Lord hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.
If the pagan celebrations are considered bad news by God, you can see that the people could be in a bit of trouble. I don't know what the Lord has in mind for punishment but as I look around the Christian community I have seen a lot of heartache and pain suffered by them and we haven't even hit the judgment yet.

Haggai 2:11-14

11. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying, 12. If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No. 13. Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean. 14. Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean.
This is just one more Old Testament example of doing something bad and meaning it to be good. That which is unclean cannot be made clean by even a host of good intentions or desires.

Zechariah 7:2,5-6

2. When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regemmelech, and their men, to pray before the Lord, 5. Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? 6. And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?
The people thought they were worshipping God, but since He asks the question, we can only surmise that they weren't. I can't over emphasize the fact that they thought they were worshipping correctly.

Malachi 1:8,13

8. And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts. 13. Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the Lord.
If you really look at where Christmas came from you will see that it is a sick and lame offering to the Lord. Its only real appeal is to materialistic people, proven out by the number of non-Christians that celebrate it. Christians too, can be pulled into that rush for materialism, but it is justified by the fact that we are celebrating the birth of Jesus; a celebration that God never told us to do and moreover, true Christians, slowly year by year, started to celebrate the Roman Catholic holiday mandated (by Pope Liberius-A.D. 354) date, December 25th.

Matthew 2:1,11

1. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 11. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
This has already been talked about earlier but please notice that there aren't three (3) wise men mentioned in the scripture and if Isaiah 60:6 really ties into the prophesy of Jesus, there were a lot more than that. It is really doubtful whether Herod would have paid any attention at all to three men looking for the Messiah, but many men with a long string of camels would have caused quite a stir.

Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
This is just another proof that we don't really know the date of Jesus' birth. It's also another proof the pagan world is no friend to God.

Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
The Bible can never keep us from the weak and beggarly elements of this world if our traditions are at odds with His Word.

Mark 11:17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Most churches are decked out in some form or other, with symbols of paganism. Even Christians get caught up in the race for materialism. I dare say that paganism and materialism are equal to or even worse than a den of thieves.

Luke 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
If I'm wrong about the Christmas celebration and where it came from I will no doubt suffer a strong rebuke for being such a nit-pick. But if I'm right, and God has showed me that it is wrong, then I would say anyone refusing to hear me would be in the above category.

Luke 12:56-57

56.  Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? 57. Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?
If we are qualified to judge the "time," why do we have such a difficult time judging that which God once hated, as bad?

Acts 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men.
With the celebration of Christmas, this can only be half true. I think not celebrating will be pleasing to God, but non-Christians and celebrating Christians will be less than kind in their thoughts and comments. The biggest of which is: "What about the kids." That reminds me of when the spy came back to Joshua with the report on the promised land, and the people using the possible death of their kids as an excuse for not going in to possess it. The harm done to kids from celebrating Christmas is no doubt worse than not celebrating it at all. I'm speaking in terms of passing along traditions that tend to psychologically and physically blind one to the truth of the Bible. The more of the world we let into our lives, the more of Christ we keep out.

Romans 3:7-8

7. For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 8. And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
I think this is a very important passage. By using materialistic and/or paganistic practices we are using untruths, lies and abominations to bring glory to God, and the people that would do such things; if they don't deserve hell, surely deserve going through the tribulation for the purging of that dross. If they don't go through the tribulation, surely they don't deserve much in the way of rewards.

1 Corinthians 2:4-5

4. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit and of power: 5. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
If we have to use things like Christmas to bring people to the Lord, we truly lack the Spirit of God. All that does is bring a bunch of non-believers into the churches causing a built-in weakness. Those kind of people then go after, and bring in non-Christian beliefs and ideas. That is how the social gospel got off the ground in the churches today. Social centered and not Christ centered.

1 Corinthians 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
Those weaknesses which I mentioned above, could very well be called leaven and fit into this category.

1 Corinthians 10:7,20-21 (These verses fit real well with Ezekiel 22).

7. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 20. But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
Considering the source of most of the Christmas celebration, I don't think there is much doubt WHERE it comes from. Doesn't it seem funny that the Bible and prayer got kicked out of school while Christmas and Easter survived? They are however, reverting back to pagan-winter and spring pageants. If Christmas and Easter were anywhere near the witness that the Bible and prayer are, you can bet they would be out too. If Christmas were of God, do you think the world would have anything to do with it?

1 Corinthians 11:2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
I really don't think Paul, or any of the rest of the disciples celebrated the birth of Jesus, and I know for sure that they didn't pass it along or include it in the important ordinances of which he speaks.

2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
There are many ways of corrupting the Word of God that are even worse than Christmas. But Christmas is as about as far as you can get from "speaking in Christ."

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15. And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16. And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 18. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Scofield has a note on vs. 17 that says in part ..."the underlying principle is that in a moral universe it is impossible for God to fully bless and use His children who are in compromise or complicity with evil...separation is not from contact with evil in the world or church, but from complicity with and conformity to it."

Galatians 1:14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Paul at one time was very zealous, but very wrong concerning traditions. Man made traditions corrupt the Word.

Galatians 4:8-11

8. Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. 9. 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? 10. Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. 11. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
I refer back to the comment on Mark 7:13.

Galatians 5:9. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
Here again we have the warning.

Philippians 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ;
Paul tells us to approve (or in the Greek-TEST) things that art excellent; "that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ." Paul has given us the key: SINCERE and without OFFENSE. Most everybody I know that celebrates Christmas does it sincerely, but do they do it without offense? Judging where the customs and traditions came from, I seriously doubt it. Considering the apostles never told, nor commanded us to celebrate the birth of Jesus, in contrast to the Lord's Supper and baptism, where do we get our authority to do it? We have no authority such as we do for baptism and the Lord's Supper, which both happen to date all the way back to the beginning of the church. Remember that Christmas and the church basically came into contact around 300 A.D. Even the churches that celebrated it at various times have pretty much fallen into line with Pope Lieberius' December 25th day of celebration. Pope Liberias could very well have chosen the 25th so-as-to tie Christmas into Hanukkah as well as the various pagan celebrations, in attempt to bring the parties closer together.

Henry M. Morris, in his book, Many Infallible Proofs, pages 31-34, says, "Christian churches almost everywhere of almost all denominations, practice two most remarkable ceremonies. ...These two ceremonies are, what are commonly known as the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper." ..."The churches could have never been persuaded to begin practicing by books or by teachers who told them they had already been practicing them since the days of Christ, if in fact they knew otherwise." Well, Mr. Morris, somehow, someway, the church let down its guard. Either through persecutions, peer pressure, lust of the flesh or a combination of the three, something not presented in scripture got into the very heart of almost all the churches of yesterday and today.

H.H. Halley, author of Halley's Bible Handbook, published by Zondervan, (the new revised edition) says of "church apostasy," pp 668-669,"and, even now, in our enlightened age, the Gospel of Christ, in its original beauty and simplicity and purity, in many sections of the Church, still is buried and hid from view by the rubbish of forms and doctrines heaped upon the Church, through the ages, by the world and the devil. It is a terrible sin to corrupt the Church. All the ungodly shall be destroyed. This is an unceasing note of scripture. But one of the worst sins is, in the name of Christ, to foist lies upon the Church in substitution of Christian truth."

If the ungodly will be destroyed for their activity, surely the Christians practicing ungodly deeds will suffer strong rebuke and loss of rewards. 1 Peter 4:17-18, is a timely warning for Christians. Verse 17, For the time is come that the judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? Verse 18, And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? This is another reason while I think the church deserves to go through the tribulation.

Philippians 3:17-19

17. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19. Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Let's be a follower of Paul, who never taught us to do those "earthly things" that are considered normal today.

Colossians 2:8,18

8. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 18. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.

This is just another example of what the "fleshly mind" can get us into, and doing things that we were not told to do.

1 Thessalonians 2:3 (NIV) For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.
I include this one because all we should be doing is presenting the Word of God in its purity and not trying to bribe anyone to come to Christ by appealing to the flesh.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
This doesn't seem to leave much room for pagan traditions. The Scofield Bible has a note from Revelation chapter one:"as Jezebel brought idolatry into Israel, so Romanism weds Christian doctrine to pagan ceremonies." If that doesn't tell it all, nothing does. The 1917 Scofield Reference Bible tells it like it is. That is why this note and most of the other notes I have quoted from C.I. Scofield, that step on the toes of paganizers were removed from "The New Scofield Reference Bible." (See: Scofield: Old vs. New).

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
The word, depart, for all intents and purposes, means apostasy.

2 Timothy 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Here's another great truth. I was all but called a liar when I told someone that there weren't necessarily three wise men, and the wise men went to see Jesus in a house and not a manger. The church plays have taken the truth and twisted it for the sake of winning the lost to "The Way, The Truth, and The Life," otherwise known as Jesus.

James 2:15-16

15. If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16. And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doeth it profit?
The magic words here are, "daily food." It seems like people giving to the poor two or three times a year, around the holidays, fulfills their obligation to this scripture. I don't think so. If you care enough or are led to do it several times a year, you should do it every day.

James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
If it is true in the physical world, it is even more true in the spiritual world. I consider Christmas spiritual adultery. It is most surely spiritual idolatry, which is a friend-of-the-world, if there ever was one.

1 Peter 4:4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
No truer words were ever spoken. People have been generally nice to my face, but you hear reactions from people that just don't understand. They consider you a brick short of a full load. All for NOT practicing something God never told us to, not to mention teaching lies such as the Santa myth.

Revelation 2:20-26

20. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 25. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
This is a very powerful portion of scripture. It is talking to people that lived about 1000 years after Jezebel. I want to repeat the note from Rev. 1:20 that I quoted in 2 Thess. 2:15: "as Jezebel brought idolatry into Israel, so Romanism weds Christian doctrine to pagan ceremonies."

Verses 22-23 are a contradiction if there is a pre-tribulation rapture. Verse 22 says, I will cast her and them into the great tribulation, except they repent. Verse 23 says, and all the churches shall know...How can the churches “know” if they had been raptured?

Isn't it strange that non-Roman Catholics gladly celebrate a Roman Catholic produced holiday. Christian doctrine has truly been combined with pagan customs that the largely unbelieving world accepts with great joy. It only goes to prove that if you do something long enough, loud enough, it will - in not too many years, become a normal activity of the world. I say, as a conservative Christian, if those Roman Catholic traditions (Halloween, Christmas and Easter) are good enough for the rest of the world, why not practice others?

People say a lot in defense of Christmas. One is the joy or the spirit of giving. Another is, it gets people into church that don't come all the time. There are as many reasons as there are people. As also mentioned before, the joy of the season brings a lot of headaches. There are too many places to go, too many people to see, too many cards to send, too many activities, including church, and all that goes on there. One of the reasons they put up with all this is family and peer pressure. They don't want people to think they don't love Jesus, or that they're not a good Christian. Probably a bigger reason than that is, that they, Christian or non-Christian don't want to suffer ridicule, so into the mold they go. They in turn, point a finger at anyone outside that mold of conformity. The thing that really astounds me is when they look at you like you are possessed by the devil, for NOT celebrating a pagan celebration.

Another thing people say, which proves that their eyes are on man and not God is; "How could the great Bible teachers, preachers, and evangelists be so deceived if there were really anything wrong with it?" Remember how Martin Luther blasted Copernicus? Man and tradition said the earth was the center of the universe so he climbed on the bandwagon. Worse yet, he thought he had scriptural justification - Joshua 10:13. He was wrong.

Remember what Isaiah 9:15-17 says, 15. The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. 16. For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed. 17. Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

I have talked to several different pastors on this subject. Their reasons for a "defense" of Christmas were about the same. They all knew about the pagan origin, and that Jesus birth wasn't on December 25th, but went right on with it. I had some pretty strong words in my rough draft, but while revising it, it dawned on me what might be happening. I said that if preachers were convicted about Christmas they would go right on with it anyway. They were afraid they would lose their audience, and would have to go out and work with their hands like the Apostle Paul had to do. You have to admit, that not many pastors would be in their present churches if they had nothing to do with Christmas and Easter celebrations. That criticism may be true in some cases, but then I remembered in the Bible where Israel demanded a king. 1 Samuel chapter 8, God didn't want them to have a king. God was their leader and that should have been good enough. As God told Samuel, "for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them." That is one of the saddest scriptures in the whole Bible. Their neighbors had kings over them and they wanted one too. They were a hardheaded and hard-hearted people. Nevertheless God granted their request.

A similar thing happened back in Moses’ day. God said there was to be no divorce. Genesis 2:21-24, Mark 10:1-12. Due to the hardness of the people’s hearts, Moses said they could write a bill of divorcement. Once again, due to this hardness there was a change. We can see that God's divine will differs from His permissive will. Anyway, as I was reconsidering my words, it came to me that if God were to convict all preachers about pagan celebrations, who would be left to preach to the people? They have put their spiritual development in the hands of another man. They need someone to tell them what the Bible says, because they don't study enough to find out on their own. The people would kick their main hope for Bible understanding right out the door. I still say it isn't right, but what could God do under the circumstances. Those preachers however are still responsible for their actions, and will be accountable for that which they do. I think it should be pointed out that, as far as I know, H.H. Halley, Henry Morris, and C.I. Scofield all celebrate(ed) Christmas. Their words are powerful, and I don't think they even realize the importance of those words as they pertain to the celebration of well-accepted pagan traditions.

Speaking of traditions, I heard the story of a daughter asking her mother why she cut the ends off the roast before cooking it. The mother said because her mother did it. Upon asking her grandmother why she did it, she in turn said, because her mother did it. Upon asking the great grandmother why it was done, she said, so the roast would fit into the roaster. Nobody bothers to ask why something is done; they just keep going on with it. If that's not bad enough, they look at the person that refuses to paganize their lives as a misfit fanatic.

If God is using Christmas, it's because He can't use His people the way He would like. Therefore the preachers and evangelists are not deeply convicted about it for the sake of the work that is being done.

I am however, worried about the outcome of the churches. Remember what happened to King Saul? Let's also not forget the reigns of the successive kings up to the time of the captivity. Most were bad and brought Israel down to very low points in history. I hope something equally as bad doesn't befall the Church. The apostasy is ever moving and the end of churches that are overcome by the world, the flesh and the devil will not be good. Revelation chapters 2 through 3 give but a few of the many warnings found throughout the Bible.

The most good that comes out of Christmas is the few souls that get saved. The Lord rejoices over everyone that comes to Him, even though the method is wrong. This next example is a little strong, but it serves to prove a point. If a man went into a whore house, bought the services of the woman inside, and afterward told her about Christ, and she repented of her sins, accepted Jesus as her savior, turned away from that way of life and became a strong Christian witness, would she be accepted of God? She would. Does God agree with the way it was done? I say no. You can see that there is a wrong way of doing a right thing. Christmas fits into the same category. It's not as drastic as the above example, but wrong just the same.

In conclusion, the purpose of this chapter is to explain my position on not celebrating Christmas, and to get people to question traditions that they so eagerly accept. I see much more evidence that we SHOULD NOT be celebrating, than to the contrary. The reaction to my stand has been from scorn to pity. Rest assured, my stand is not in defiance of God and Christianity, but in COMPLETE support. My main interest is on pleasing God, not man. I am not asking for you to agree with me, but to respect my opinion and decision, based on the facts. I've looked at a lot of information pro and con. Based on those facts and the Bible, I've made my choice to try and serve God in spirit and in truth. If you feel that I'm wrong, then you pray every day that God would have me believe what is at least a partial lie. Pray that he would make me forget that it is a blend of Roman Catholicism, paganism and materialism. Pray that He would not only make me forget where it comes from, or out of, but also, what he thought of the people that did the abominations which He hated. I refuse to celebrate the sun god no matter what name they link to it. Christmas is a sacrifice or a celebration that God has not asked for. It’s like sacrificing a sow on the altar. It gets pretty far from the admonition in Eccl. 12:13-14. 13. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. If God told us to do it, I would be doing it. Remember this: Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. AMEN

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