D20 Discovery Trip into Xmas Myth

20.1 The Invitation

Christmas is about to be celebrated by all and sundry and this is the right time to launch D20 Discovery Trip into Xmas Myth. This trip portends failure concerning shocking unwelcomed facts on Christmas. It is celebrated by everyone because it is a gazetted public holiday in most nations. The previous trip, D19 Discovery Trip into Halloween Celebration revealed Halloween celebration is unknowing delving into the dark side of life. Since Halloween is the second highest-grossing commercial holiday, second only to Christmas, then  Christmas surely  demands our investigation our attention. If it is true, then we can take action to stop perpetuating this Christmas myth, especially in the wake of current awareness about the manipulators of fake news. Christmas is about the celebration of the birthday of Christ/ Christ’ and theonly source of truth (Jn 14:6; 8:32) is the Bible which is infallible (Mat 5:18; Jn 5:39), and the most published book. According to Guinness World Records as of 1995, the Bible is the best-selling book of all time, with an estimated 5 billion copies sold and distributed.

The goal of D20 is to make us think about whether the traditions we take part in are biblical or are they worldly.  Most Christians blindly take part in traditions that they do not know the history of and that are not found anywhere in the Bible as Christmas is a Pagan Holiday. Christmas is a hoax, but how many will believe this truth? It is essential to test everything with the Bible to find out what is true.

Christmas is a tradition of men, the way of Gentile nations.  Jesus is not the reason for the season, but Tammuz and Lucifer. All along it is celebrating Satan not Jesus. (Mk 7:13. ) This is Bibical truth and historic facts. Based on the signs of the times, the world is about to get out of control in the hands of worldly leaders and there is not much time left to stop perpetuating Christmas celebration.

CONTENTS

20.1 The Invitation; 20.2 The Annual Celebration of Christmas; 20.2.1 The Historical Perspective; 20.2.1.1 Christ was not born on December 25th;  20.2.1.1.1 Oldest Record was "Spring"; 20.2.1.1.2 Clues from Bible Texts; 20.2.1.1.2.1 Temple Priests Duty Roster of Zacharias; 20.2.1.1.2.1.1 First of two Possibilities- August or September; 20.2.1.1.2.1.2 The Second Possibility – March or April; 20.2.1.1.2.1.3 The Consensus on Practical Reasons; 20.2.1.1.2.1.4 Christmas Celebration Denounced in Pulpit; 20.2.1.1.2.1.5 Conception of the Son of Man; 20.2.1.1.2.1.5.1 The Feast of Tabernacles; 20.2.1.2 Pagan’s Sun Worship; 20.2.1.2.1 The Christian Christmas; 20.2.1.2.2 The American Experience; 20.2.1.2.3The British Tradition; 20.2.1.3. Santa Claus; 20.2.1.4 The Catholics Meaning of Christmas; 20.3 The Manifestation of Evil Agenda; 20.4 The Remedy for Christmas; 20.4.1 Using Drama in Christmas Outreach; 20.4.2 Sabbath School and Sabbath Special Feature;

D20 Discovery Trip into Xmas Myth

20.2 The Annual Celebration of Christmas

Christmas is one of the most beloved holidays around the world, and is celebrated in over 160 countries. Christmas is a civil holiday in many countries, and is celebrated by both Christians and non-Christians alike. If Christmas is really "all about Christ", then why do so many non-Christians love to celebrate it?

“The Christmas holiday has always been less about celebrating the birth of Jesus than about commerce, religious dominance, civic power, and heavy drinking. For centuries, in Europe and stateside, the Christmas spirit was actually about imbibing spirits.

Christmas is really a multicultural mash-up of pre-Christian and Pagan holidays, and what Stephen Nissenbaum, in The Battle for Christmas, calls “an invented tradition”: “customs that are made up with the precise purpose of appearing old fashioned.”

In fact, Christmas as we know it today is only a couple of centuries old, a byproduct of the industrial revolution and shifting social classes. But since, it has been inextricably linked with consumerismand even current intentions to legally protect Christmas from being removed in America.

This year, Americans may spend more on Christmas than they have since 2007, a Gallup poll revealed. The National Retail Federation expects holiday sales to hit $630.5 billion in 2015, accounting for around 20% of annual retail spending, and at least a small chunk of our almost $18 trillion GDP. - https://qz.com/573339/the-truth-about-christmas/   

Don’t be disgusted by that. That truly is the modern Christmas spirit. This article was written three ago before the proliferation of on-line shopping. How much more extravagant and lavish it should be this Christmas as this season of merry making is being perpetuated!

20.2.1 The Historical Perspective

The Bible gives no direct reference to when Jesus was born, which wasn't a problem for early Christians, Nissenbaum said. The Christmas holiday has always been less about celebrating the birth of Jesus than about commerce, religious dominance, civic power, and heavy drinking. It wasn't until the fourth century that church leaders in Rome embraced the holiday. Christmas is really a multicultural mash-up of pre-Christian and Pagan holidays, and what Stephen Nissenbaum, in The Battle for Christmas, calls “an invented tradition”: “customs that are made up with the precise purpose of appearing old fashioned.”

The approach here is to provide the historical perspective by compiling written information first in justifying that Christ was not born on December 25th., and then providing clues from the Bible with two possibilities and the author’s preferred preference together with the understanding of the Christian community.  However, the truth that Christ’s birthday was on the September 29th, 4BC.is also provided  to testify that to the discerning this truth could be found with the help of the Holy Spirit. The fact that it was not openly revealed by the disciples who must have known is because the Messiah must be seen in the true light as God who is from everlasting to everlasting.  . :

20.2.1.1 Christ was not born on December 25th 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ-FG_zDhW4  (14:00) Was Jesus really born on December 25th (Christmas Lies). Published on Dec 20, 2014 by UNLEARN the lies)

The birthday of Christ was not an issue in the first and second century). It was not until the very end of the second century that it is even mentioned anywhere. “There were, however, many speculations in the 2nd century about the date of Christ’s birth. Clement of Alexandria, towards its close, mentions several such and condemns them as superstitions” (Encyclopedia Britannica) (There is a purpose and reason that Jesus birthday is not to be remembered and celebrated as in hindsight and reflection we are able to discern it inculcates the wrong values viz: event veneration rather than the person, the image instead of the person, etc. However, the diligent seeker will be enabled to know the truth needed for the occasion. The paramount truth is Christ is timeless and is from everlasting to everlasting.)

20.2.1.1.1 Oldest Record was "Spring"

The earliest record we have of any date being selected comes from Egypt around 200AD, nearly 200 years after the death and resurrection of Christ. According to Clement of Alexandria, certain Egyptians assigned the date of Messiah’s birth to the 25th day of Pachon, which is approximately May 20 on our calendar. It is also important to note that Clement ridiculed them for being overly curious for trying to set a date for the birth of Christ. This means that the oldest Date that anyone trying to set a date for the birth of Messiah was in the Spring, and it was met with opposition from other Christians. This fact is striking and should cause us to at least wonder why the disciples and earlier believers had no interest in discussing the birthday of their Messiah for the first 200 years.

Writings in the 3rd to 5th centuries had proposed several different dates: dates in March or April; with January and November being a popular month. Why did It created much excitement  yet  met with total silence for the first 200 years of Christianity? His disciples must know and yet did not emphasize celebrating Christ’s birthday. One of the theologians who rejected the birth celebration of Christ was Origen of Alexandria. “ As late as 245 Origen, in his eighth homily on Leviticus, repudiates as sinful the very idea of keeping the birthday of Christ as if he were a king Pharaoh.”- Encyc Britannica. “of all the holy people in the Scriptures, no one is recorded to have kept a feast or held a great banquet on his birthday. It is only sinners(like Pharaoh and Herod) who make great rejoicings over the day on which they were born into this world below.”- Catholic Encyc

20.2.1.1.2 Clues from Bible Texts.

Although Christians everywhere observe this day as the birthdate of Christ, we know that He was definitely not born on December 25th, nor at any time during the winter season. At least two factors make this quite evident. Note what the Bible records concerning the time  of Jesus’ birth:

a) “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night” (Luke 2:8). As these shepherds were watching their sheep by night in the open fields, the angel came to them with the message of the birth of Christ. It has well been established that the shepherds of Judea did not themselves abide, nor did they keep their flocks in these open fields any later than about the end of October, due to the piercing nature of the winter wind, rain and cold.“The shepherds always bring their flocks in from the mountain slopes and fields not later than the fifteenth of October.” Obviously, the birth of Christ could not have occurred at late in the winter season as December 25th.

b) The Bible records that at the time of Christ’s birth, Caesar Augustus had decreed that “all the world should be taxed … and all went to be taxed, every one into his own city” (Luke 2:1,3). It was because of this tax that Joseph traveled to Bethlehem, “To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being with child” (vs. 5). While in Bethlehem, unable to secure a room in which to lodge, Mary delivered her child in a stable behind an inn.

Certainly this could not have occurred in the winter, since travel at that time of year was very difficult. Caesar would not have ordered such a taxation then since it would have been virtually impossible for everyone to comply. Travel was so bitterly hard and hazardous during the deep winter season that Jesus himself told the people to pray that their flight at the end of this age would not be in winter,  “But pray ye that your flight be not in winter…” (Matthew 24:20). In fact, history records that these taxations always took place at the end of harvest, which was sometime in September or October, a much more logical time for taxation and travel. Obviously, Christ could not have been born on December 25th. His birthdate was probably sometime in the fall of the year, but no exact day can be determined.(for the majority.)

20.2.1.1.2.1 Temple Priests Duty Roster of Zacharias

The Gospels do give one clue that is very helpful in determining the season of Messiah’s birth. In the Gospel of Luke, we are told that Zacharias was serving as a priest in the temple during the appointed time for the division of Abijah, His wife was a daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division  that Gabriel appeared before him (Luk 1:5,8). This is one of the most significant clues for the timing of the birth of John the Baptist and ultimately the birth of Yeshua..

If we can find out when the division of Abijah served in the temple then we can calculate nine months out to the birth of John the Baptist, and likewise calculate the birth of Yeshua, six months later. There were twenty-four priestly divisions serving in the temple in rotation ( 1 Chr 24:7-18)  so there were two possible times during that year Zacharias might have served in the temple. The Scriptures make no mention of when the division of Abijah served. This information is recorded in the Mishnah, which explains that the rotation began with the first division serving at the first Sabbath of the month of Aviv, and since Abijah was eighth in the list, Zacharias   would have served on the 8th Sabbath. However, all the priests were required to serve in the temple on Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot, which means that those weeks were suspended for the Feast and resumed afterward.

20.2.1.1.2.1.1 First of two Possibilities- August or September

By calculating it out and taking the Feasts  into consideration, this would place Zacharias service during May or June if he was serving  in the first rotation ( should be the second as the seventh month is the Jewish new year)  and placing the birth of John nine months later , around the time of Passover and therefore Jesus , six months later in November or December  ( Hanukkah - the feast of Dedication) (The Bible tells us Jesus was conceived in the sixth month of Elizabeth‘s pregnancy – Luk 1:36)  This would place Jesus birth sometime in August or September. Around the time of the Fall Feasts (Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles. Because of this, some people believed that Jesus was born on the Feast of Tabernacles (for John said that “ The Word became flesh, and tabernacle among us” “full of grace and truth.”((Jn 1:14). However, this is not very likely since everyone would be in Jerusalem for the Feast, including Mary and Joseph. It is more likely that his birth could have been on the Day of Trumpets, because trumpet announce something. The Day of Trumpets is the time when kings were anointed., and it also announce the coming of the Day of Atonement, signaling the people to repent. (Another important aspect not considered here is the circumcision of Jesus on the eighth day as the basis for the gathering in rejoicing on the eighth day of the feasts of tabernacles, that makes the first day of the Feast of Ttabernacles as the most probable day of Yeshua ‘s birth discussed jn par 20.2.1.1.2.1.5- Conception of the Son of Man.)

20.2.1.1.2.1.2 The Second Possibility – March or April

But if Zacharia served in the second rotation, then John would have been conceived around the time of Hanukkah, and born around the time of Fall Feasts, which would place the birth of Yeshua during the Spring, around the time of Passover. We can make the same deduction that Jesus was probably not born on Passover, because His parents would have been in Jerusalem with everyone else during the Feast. It is interesting that shepherds were watching their sheep near Bethlehem, because these might have been the sheep that were used in the Temple service during the Passover. Apparently, the year-old lambs that were killed for Passover were born and raised in Bethlehem. Is it possible that the Lamb of Yahweh was born at the same place and time as the lambs that were used during the Passover sacrifices at the Temple? (as John the Baptist  pointed to Jesus exclaiming “behold the Lamb of God- Jn 1:36.)

20.2.1.1.2.1.3 The Consensus on Practical Reasons  

We cannot know for sure if Jesus was born in the Fall or Spring, but we can be say with confidence  that Jesus was not born in the middle of Winter. So if He was not born in  winter, why was 25th selected as the date for this celebration?

According to the Holman Bible Dictionary: “ No evidence remains about the exact date of the birth of Christ. The December 25 date was chosen as much for practical reasons as for theological ones. Throughout the Roman Empire, various festivals were held in conjunction with the winter solstice. In Rome, the Feast of the Unconquerable Sun celebrated the beginning of the return of the sun. When Christianity became the religion of the Empire, the church either had to suppress the festivals or transform them. The winter solstice seemed an appropriate time to celebrate Christ's birth. Thus, the festival of the sun became a festival of the Son, the Light of the world.” - Holman Bible Dictionary -Christmas. (All reference sources come to the same conclusion that the date of December 25th was selected to replace the birthday of the Roman Sun-god.)  

Pagans worshipped all sorts of things including the Sun, Moon, Stars, trees, animals, and  even man made idols. However, Sun-god worship was one of the most popular forms of paganism.I t can be found in Ancient Egypt, Persis, Greece, and Rome. Many myths in the Sun worship cults placed the birth and death of the Sun in the Winter, because the days were shorter and darker that time of the year. But after the winter solstice the days start getting longer which caused the pagans to believe that the Sun was born or reborn in the middle of winter each year. That is the real origin of the December 25th date.

20.2.1.1.2.1.4 Christmas Celebration Denounced in Pulpit

This was the discernment from Charles Spurgeon, the renowned preacher in the 19th Century, on Christmas celebration by Christians:

"We have no superstitious regard for times and seasons. Certainly we do not believe in the present ecclesiastical arrangement called Christmas. First, because we do not believe in any mass at all, but abhor it whether it be sung in Latin or in English. Secondly, because we find no Scriptural warrant whatever for observing any day as the birthday of the Saviour; and consequently, it's observance is a superstition, because not of divine authority. Superstition has fixed most positively the day of our Saviour's birth, although there is no possibility of discovering when it occurred. It was not till the middle of the third century that any part of the Church celebrated the birth of our Lord; and it was not till long after the western Church had set the example, that the eastern adopted it. Because the day is not known, probably the fact is that the "holy" days were arranged to fit in with the heathen festivals. We venture to assert that if there be any day in the year of which we may be pretty sure that it was not the day on which our Saviour was born, it is the 25th of December. Regarding not the day, let us give God thanks for the gift of His dear Son.- C.H. Spurgen Dec 24, 1871

Even the Roman Catholics are compelled to admit, that “The date of Christ’s birth is not known”  There is not one single reference in all 66 books of the Bible, and not one mention in early church literature pinpointing the date of Christ’s birth. Obviously, God did not want us to know the date Christ was born! We must remember that the Son of God pre-existed from eternity with the Father. Perhaps for us to affix a “date of birth” to Christ who always was, is to detract from His divinity. One thing is certain; if God wanted the church to celebrate the birth of His Son, He would have told us to do so! Reasonable minds can only conclude that the reason the Bible is silent on the subject, is because it was never God’s intention for Christ’s birthday to be celebrated!

20.2.1.1.2.1.5 Conception of the Son of Man

(Adapted from the Companion Bible, Appendix 179)

The Temple Priestly Courses of ministry were changed every week, beginning each with a Sabbath. The reckoning commenced on the 22nd day of Tisri (seventh month). This was the the eighth and last day of the Feast of Tabernacles = the “Great day of the Feast” -Jn 7:37 and was a Sabbath (Lev 23:30. Therefore the two yearly ministrations of Abiah will be : First ministration from 12-18 Chisleu – December 6-12; The second ministration from 12-18 Sivan – June 13-19.

The revelation to Zacharias in the Temple as to the conception of John the Baptist (Luk 1:5,7,11,19) took place between 12-18 Sivan (June 13-19), in the year 5 BC. It took him time to reach home by 21/22nd June for the miraculous conception of Elizabeth to take place on or about 23rd  of Sivan with his birth on 7th Nisan= Mar 28-29, 4 BC.

Six months later was the miraculous “Begetting” conception by the Holy Spirit of the “Son of Man” on 1st Tebeth = December 25th 5 BC. ( Luk 1:26,27,3134,35-38) with the birth of Jesus on 15th Tisri = September 29 in the year 4 BC.

Satan had to come out with a counterfeit day or at least a mask  with the Festival Day  from the pagan Calendar and altering all other feasts which stand as vindications. Hence “Lady Day” – Mar 25, is associated with the” Annunciation”  and June 24 as “ the nativity of John the Baptist”. The Festival of Michael and All Angels” is the mask placed on Sep 29, as the true birth day of Christ (Similarly, the Catholics Easter festivities are based on human traditions that are so removed from the meaning of the Passover, the Feast of Unleaven bread and the Feast of First Fruit.)

December 25th to the discerning Christians must now be the commemoration of the conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary by the Holy Spirit. This is one of the marvels and goodness of God in His work for the salvation of man.  

20.2.1.1.2.1.5.1 The Feast of Tabernacles

Christ’s birth was revealed by the angel of the Lord (Archangel Michael) to the shepherds on 15th Tisri  (Sep 29, 4 BC) on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles. The annunciation was made by Anel Gabriel to Mary (Mat 1:18; Luk 1: 31,35)    The word became flesh and tabernacles with us (Jn 1:14 ) meaning tabernacling in the human flesh in the fashion of a man. The circumcision of our Lord took place on the eighteen day, the last day of the Feast ( “Great Day of  the Feast:*- Jn 7:37) ( Note-Tabernacles had eight days ,the Feast of Unleaven Bread had seven days, and Pentecost had one – Lev 23.) (As my testimony to glorify God, I (65 years old) was baptized on October 7th 2006, 15th Tisri - Feast of Tabernacles at the Ark, former house church in Woodgrove, Singapore. It was providentially postponed from a week earlier. I was a free thinker, until on retirement decided to search for happiness that brought me to the truth of SDA.)

The Feast of Tabernacles was the crowning feast of the Jews. It was the closing gathering of the year. It was God's design that at this time the people should reflect on His goodness and mercy. With sacred song and thanksgiving the worshipers celebrated this occasion.

(Note *: It is significant to know that Jesus attended the last Feast and He taught until the last, "that great day of the feast*." The morning of this day found the people wearied from the long season of festivity. Suddenly Jesus lifted up His voice, in tones that rang through the courts of the temple:  "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." The condition of the people made this appeal very forcible. They had been engaged in a continued scene of pomp and festivity, their eyes had been dazzled with light and color, and their ears regaled with the richest music; but there had been nothing in all this round of ceremonies to meet the wants of the spirit, nothing to satisfy the thirst of the soul for that which perishes not. Jesus invited them to come and drink of the fountain of life, of that which would be in them a well of water, springing up unto everlasting life.  {DA 453.4}) 

“The services of the last day of this feast were of peculiar solemnity, but the greatest interest centered in the ceremony that commemorated the bringing of water from the rock. When in a golden vessel the waters of Siloam were borne by the priests into the temple, and, after being mingled with wine, were poured over the sacrifice on the altar, there was great rejoicing. . . . On this occasion, above all the confusion of the crowd and the sounds of rejoicing, a voice is heard: "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink." The attention of the people is arrested. Outwardly all is joy, but the eye of Jesus, beholding the throng with the tenderest compassion, sees the soul parched and thirsting for the waters of life. . . .  {TMK 105.2} 

The gracious invitation, "Come unto me, and drink," comes down through all the ages to our time. And we may stand in a position similar to that of the Jews in the time of Christ, rejoicing because the fountain of truth has been opened to us, while its living waters are not permitted to refresh our thirsty souls. We must drink. . . .  {TMK 105.3}

(For more see FoC7 - http://www.wakeupow.com/159912043 : whole section 6.3 The Beginning of Redemption - par 6.3.1.2 The Birth of Jesus; par 6.3.1.2.1The Birth Day of Jesus; par 6.3.1.2.1.1 Tishri 15th, Feast of the Tabernacles; par 6.3.1.2.1.2“The Course of Abiah”; par 6.3.1.2.2 The Year of His Birth; par 6.3.1.2.2.1 Star Cannot Be Dated; par  6.3.1.2.2.2 Death of Herod Dated in 4 B.C.; par 6.3.1.2.2.3 The 70 weeks Prophecy of Dan 9:24; par  6.3.1.2.3 The King is Born; par 6.3.1.2.3.1 The Saviour Born in a Manger; par 6.3.1.2.3.2 The Shepherds received the Good Tidings; par 6.3.1.2.3.3 The Story of Bethlehem – par 6.3.1.2.5.1.6 Return to Nazareth )

20.2.1.2 Pagan’s Sun Worship   

(From  F13 Watch& pray Update, par 5.3.2 The Historical Perspective  at http://www.wakeupow.com/159912052)

In Catholic theology, we’re all celebrating Jesus’s birthday on Dec. 25, but scholars have long noted that there’s no mention of this date in the Bible. What made the date attractive to Christian leaders was that December had for centuries been a prime party month. In many areas of Europe, December meant feast time. Pagan sun worshippers celebrated the winter solstice, the beginning of the end of those dark days. (December 25th was the most widely recognized and celebrated holiday of ancient times among the idolatrous nations. This day was universally recognized and celebrated as the birthday of the sun god, Mithra, who also was known by other names in different parts of the world. The birthday of other sun gods such as Osiris, Horus, Hercules, Bacchus, Adonis, Jupiter, Tammuz, Saturn, etc., was celebrated on December 25th also. Christmas originated with pagan sun worship!  The Norse celebrated Yule from the winter solstice through January, burning big logs and feasting until they’d turned to smoldering ash (Yule log). The Romans’ Saturnalia, the week before the solstice, consisted mostly of drinking and eating, and businesses were shuttered so even the lowest echelons of society could join in the fun.

20.2.1.2.1 The Christian Christmas

In the 4th century, church leaders, elbowing to get a little more traction in the religious marketplace, agreed to mark Dec. 25th , just after the solstice, as the Christmas date. It’s basically like tagging a new show onto a hit lineup. Or, as Nissenbaum writes, Christmas is “nothing but a pagan festival covered with a Christian veneer.” (History records just how firmly entrenched these heathen celebrations had become in society, and when the Roman Catholic church could not persuade the public to give up these idolatrous practices, they adopted them! The Catholic church adopted every pagan aspect of this abominable custom, including the date, and simply renamed it. Now instead of representing the birth of Tammuz or Saturn (or any of the sun-gods), it was supposed to celebrate the birth of Christ. They mixed Christianity with paganism! “It was in the fifth century that the Roman Catholic church commanded that the birth of Christ be observed forever on December 25th, the day of the old Roman feast of the birth of Sol—one of the names of the sun-god.”No honest investigator could deny these plain facts. When you celebrate Christmas, you are actually participating in an ancient sun-worship ritual. It is nothing less than sacrilegious idolatry!) (It is an abomination to God, to take a thoroughly idolatrous holiday, and with all of its attending practices and customs, simply change the name and call it “Christian”. There is nothing Christian about Christmas! It is 100 percent pagan. One author has well noted: “Christmas looks out at us from the shadow of the groves of the Druids who knew not Christ, and it is dear to those who now renounce the name of Christian. The Christmas log, is but the Saxon Yule-log burning on the English hearth, and the blazing holiday temples of Saturn shine again in the illuminated Christian churches. It is the pagan mistletoe under which the Christian youth kisses the Christian maid. It is the holly of the old Roman Saturnalia which decorates Bracebridge Hall on Christmas Eve. The huge smoking baron of beef, the flowing oceans of ale, are but survivals of the tremendous eating and drinking of the Scandinavian Walhalla. The Christian and ante-Christian feeling blend in the happy season and the Christian observance mingles at every point with the pagan rite. It is not easy to say where the paganism ends and the Christianity begins.”

20.2.1.2.2 The American Experience

By the 17th century, Christmas had become such a bacchanalian affair that it seemed downright un-Christian. “When the Puritans came to power in England, the first year they ran things they banned the celebration of Christmas,” Nissenbaum told me. “Ostensibly the reason was biblical, but everybody said this holiday is just too raunchy.” Between 1659 and 1681 it was illegal to celebrate Christmas in Massachusetts; doing so incurred a five-shilling fine. But even the Puritans couldn’t kill it. In the early 19th century in the US and in many places in Europe, the annual parties raged on, continuing some version of the social inversion theme. In America, and specifically in New York, an almost conscious rebranding of Christmas got underway. Many scholars believe that Christmas as we know it today was institutionalized between 1800 and 1880.

“The main stakeholders in [the reinvention of Christmas] were prosperous people who were living in nice houses with nice lawns and probably gates surrounding them,” Nissenbaum says. The elite, he says, helped developed new rituals to get Christmas off the street and into the home, away from the nice houses and nice lawns.

According to The Battle for Christmas, newspapers, generally owned by the wealthy elite, began reporting Christmas shenanigans as crime, not as a social norm, and stories of Santa Claus—a figure borrowed and shaped from European versions, including Saint Nicholas of Myra and the Norse god Oden—became enmeshed in the Christmas myth. Writers like Washington Irving, Charles Dickens, and Clement Clarke Moore furthered a simultaneously new and nostalgic depiction of Christmas, though it was nostalgia for a time that never was.

20.2.1.2.3 The British Tradition

Prince Albert, after marrying Queen Victoria in 1840, helped to popularize in England the German tradition of decorating evergreens. Soon after the image of the royal family before their Christmas tree was published in 1848, Americans caught Christmas tree fever (and gave birth to the modern tinsel industry).

20.2.1.3. Santa Claus (http://www.faithfulword.com/tracts/The_Shocking_Truth_about_Christmas.pdf )

The modern Santa Claus is a direct descendent of England's Father Christmas, who was not originally a gift-giver. However, Father Christmas and his other European variations are modern incarnations of old pagan ideas about spirits who traveled the sky in midwinter.

Some would have us to believe that America’s jolly Santa Claus was once Saint Nicholas, a kindly old saint who generously gave gifts to the needy. The facts of history however, prove otherwise. Actually there is no valid evidence that any “St. Nick” ever existed (in spite of Roman Catholic tradition). But the customs and traditions from which Santa Claus evolved, trace him back to Odin or Saturn – the sun-god himself! Santa has been called by many names in different countries down through the centuries, but the customs that surround him have remained steadfastly the same. He has always been “an old, old, very old gray-bearded gentleman, and this is as it should be for his age is immense. Once he was Odin … But when Christianity drove away the old gods, he remained, and appeared again as St. Nicholas.” He “is always someone mysterious and shadowy, outside the run of ordinary human experience. His home is far away in Heaven or at the North Pole or in some remote country from which he comes on horseback, or in a sleigh drawn by reindeer. He may come secretly by night, or openly in the winter daylight, accompanied by a train of masked demons and strange animal forms. Often he is associated with fire, entering the house by the chimney, or leaving gifts by the hearth” (remember, he’s a sun-god), and “like the ancient gods from whom he is descended, he can read the heart and knows the hidden thoughts and actions of those he visits.”27  

Shockingly, the first “Santa” can be traced all the way back to a Carthaginian deity, a huge bronze idol whose fat swollen belly was an oven, and whose arms were extended making a “lap” or an “altar”, to which parents brought their children, and laid them on that lap to be roasted alive! As an act of devotion to their false god, they sacrificed their own children. In the ancient custom, the children themselves were the presents the parents gave to “Santa.” That gives a whole new significance to the act of bringing your children to Santa, and sitting them on his lap, doesn’t it? Did you realize, that in so doing you were re-enacting an actual scenario of ancient child sacrifice? )-Ref b

In England in 1644, parliament banned Christmas, calling it “the Profane Man’s Ranting Day”. The Puritans disapproved of the Catholic implications of “Christ’s Mass” and the worldliness associated with the holiday.Even here in America, it was once against the law to celebrate Christmas, and anyone caught doing so was fined. “In 1659, Massachusetts passed a law fining anyone caught celebrating Christmas. Throughout New England, Christmas was suppressed.”Although the Catholic influence was hard to suppress for long, and those laws were repealed some 20 years later, public schools remained open in Boston on December 25th  until 1870. “In the United States traditional Christmas customs were at first suppressed (as in England under the Commonwealth), because of the Puritan objection to them as pagan in origin, but since the middle of the 19th  century the celebrations have become increasingly popular and commercialized. ”Today few Americans know that Christmas was once outlawed in their country. Of course, we are not suggesting that laws be passed banning Christmas; only that sincere Christians honestly decide whether they should participate in such an unscriptural pagan festivity (participating for a benevolent motive as we know the truth).

20.2.1.4 The Catholics Meaning of Christmas  (http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org/tracts/tract4.html )

Most people think that the word, "Christmas" means "the birth of Christ."  By definition, it means "death of Christ". The World Book Encyclopedia defines "Christmas" as follows:  "The word Christmas comes from "Cristes Maesse", an early English phrase that means "Mass of Christ." (1.) Page 537 of the Catholic Encyclopedia says, "In the Christian law, the supreme sacrifice is that of the Mass."  It goes on to say, "The supreme act of worship consists essentially in an offering of a worthy victim to God, the offering made by a proper person, as a priest, the destruction of the victim." (2) By perverting the Christian practice of the Lord's Supper (Mat. 26:26-28; I Cor. 11:23-27), the Catholic Church has created the Mass, which they believe to be a continual sacrifice of Jesus Christ:

 "Christ...commanded that his bloody sacrifice on the Cross should be daily renewed by an unbloody sacrifice of his body and blood in the Mass under the simple elements of bread and wine." (The Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 10, Pg. 13, Article: "Mass, Sacrifice of")

Jesus never made such a command. If you'll check the above references in Matthew 26 and I Corinthians 11, you'll see for yourself that the Lord's Supper is a MEMORIAL and a SHOWING of Christ's death until He comes again. It is not a sacrifice. The Catholic Encyclopedia states the following:

In the celebration of the Holy Mass, the bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ. It is called transubstantiation, for in the Sacrament of the Eucharist the substance of bread and wine do not remain, but the entire substance of bread is changed into the body of Christ, and the entire substance of wine is changed into his blood, the species or outward semblence of bread and wine alone remaining." (Vol. 4, pg. 277, Article: "Consecration")

In essence, the Mass is the ceremonial slaying of Jesus Christ over and over again, followed by the eating of his flesh and the drinking of his blood.  The Mass is the death sacrifice, and the "Host" is the victim.  This is official Roman Catholic doctrine, and "Christmas" is a word that they invented.  Therefore, what is so merry about the pain, bleeding, suffering and death of Jesus Christ? Satan has done quite a    job of getting millions of so-called "Christians" to blaspheme.  What a deceiver he is. -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhQa4zSYGP0 (Hebrews chapter 10 tells us that we are “sanctified through the offering of the body of Christ once for all,” (Jesus made the FINAL sacrifice on Calvary), not over and over again at every Mass. - see The Truth About The Catholic Church)

The Catholic Church teaches that the "Holy Mass" is a LITERAL EATING AND DRINKING OF THE LITERAL FLESH AND BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST. The priest supposedly has the power to change the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. -

By uncovering the truth about Christmas origins and customs, we may realize that it is not the innocent Christ glorifying celebration that it seems on the surface. Instead we may discover sinister implications in many Christmas practices, and origins heavily steeped in ancient pagan idolatry. Once you know the shocking truth about Christmas, as the facts are presented in this pamphlet, you may well wonder whether Christians should celebrate it at all! As a matter of fact, for all of the reasons presented here, many sincere Christians have forsaken this holiday altogether. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

 20.3 The Manifestation of Evil Agenda

Some of the consequences in perpetuating the celebration ( worshiping the wrong God) can be discerned in social news media as follow:

1. Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Square, (24th Dec’2015).  

Let us briefly quote what the head of the religious world says from a Vatican translation of the text of the homily Pope Francis gave this evening (24th Dec’2015) when he celebrated Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Square – at http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-francis-christmas-eve-homily  

“Today, the Son of God is born, and everything changes. The Saviour of the world comes to partake of our human nature; no longer are we alone and forsaken. The Virgin offers us her Son as the beginning of a new life….” (Practically the whole world looks to St. Peter’s Square on Christmas Day where they devotedly accept the perpetuated lie.)

2. CNN hypes children’s book portraying Santa Claus as gay, ‘married’ to another man Dec 20, 2017 Lifesite (hypnosis ) They are saying that Christmas is a holy day and people are desecrating Christmas  So we need a law to force people to honour Christmas. This is testing the field. Because the celebration of Christmas and Sunday keeping  rests on the same foundation which is man- made tradition. . If you honour Christmas it is a stepping stone to honour Sunday.

This is foretold by Ellen White: “When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result.”  {GC 445.1}

3. ‘War on Christmas’ : House Republicans introduce bill to protect holiday Yahoo

“Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives — (1) recognizes the importance of the symbols and traditions of Christmas; (2) strongly disapproves of attempts to ban references to Christmas; and (3) expresses support for the use of these symbols and traditions by those who celebrate Christmas.” (It is a stepping stone for a law to protect Sunday because we are desecrating Christmas and Sunday with all these various things. How did it become a legal public holiday? It is also a preemptive to preventing its likelihood when people come to realise the truth about Christmas.)

Confirmation from Papacy: Legal public holiday-  Vatican Radio Archive on Sunday and other holy days of obligation

On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, believers must refrain from “engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy to the Lord’s Day (612)  the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass; they are also to abstain from those labors and business concerns which impede the worship to be rendered to God, the joy which is proper to the Lord’s Day, or the proper relaxation of mind and body (canon 1247).

Laudato Si #286: Public authorities have to ensure that for reasons of economic  productivity, citizens are not to denied time for rest and divine worship. Employers have tan analogous obligation regarding their employees (616) Christians , in respect of religious freedom and of the common good of all, should seek to have Sundays and the Church’s Holy Days recognized as legal holidays “They have to give everyone a public example of prayer respect and joy and defend their traditions as a precious contribution to the spiritual life of society

4. Donald Trump : “We are stopping cold attacks on judeo-Christian values’ https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2017/10/13/donald-trump-we-are-stopping-cold-the-attacks-on-judeo-christian-values/

“America is a nation of believers and we are strengthened and sustained by the power of prayer,” he said, quoting the Founding Fathers and the founding documents of the United States. “How times have changed, but you know what? They’re changing back again,” he added

“In America, we don’t worship government. We worship God,” Trump said.

He also previewed the Christmas season, vowing that he would support the use of the word “Christmas” again.

“We’re saying Merry Christmas again,” he vowed. “We will defeat every evil, overcome every threat, and meet every single challenge,” he said. “We will defend our faith and protect our traditions.” (Lets make America great by defending the faith and protect  Roman Catholic traditions.

5. Hungary: Governments should be ‘Dedicated to Christian values” that made Europe great - Nov 1 , 2017

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that after decades of being under the control of “anti-Christian, internationalist powers” the country needs a government “based on the teachings of Christ” which “made Europe and the Hungarians great”.

Speaking at a celebratory event marking the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, the conservative Fidesz party leader said that it was a duty of his government to protect “the ways of life that have their roots in Christianity”, including human dignity, the family, the nation, and faith communities, adding that Christian Europe needs a spiritual and intellectual renewal.(He failed to realise that he is actually getting out of reformation and stepping back into the Dark Ages.)

After decades of oppression under Communist rule, the Hungarians’ emergence from the collapsed Soviet Empire led them to look to their Christian heritage to frame their constitution which begins: “God bless the Hungarians!”

6. Return to Christian Roots- New Polish PM

New Polish PM sees return to Christian roots as only way to stop Europe’s decline – Dec 14, 2017 https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/new-polish-pm-sees-return-to-christian-roots-as-only-way-to-stop-europes-de

Speaking about Polish mining and the problematic EU climate policy, he said, “we want to transform Europe.” He digressed that his dream is to “re-Christianize Europe”.  Morawiecki specified that, “unfortunately, in many places, not only are Christmas Carols not sung, but churches are empty, and some are even turned into museums.” ( If they can get a law to protect annual holy day is a step for civill leaders to enact law to protect weekly holy day

(See  https://www.pinterest.com/pin/573223858800916394/ )for an overview of signs of the times concerning the progression toward the enforcement of Sunday laew in America.)  ( See also Wp5Tc, trinity Lies, par5.8.4.5.2.3.4 Significance of “153 Fishes”; 5.8.4.5.2.3.4.1 ”153 Fishes” is Prophetic Sign; 5.8.4.5.2.3.4.1.1The Wholeness Embodied in 153; 5.8.4.5.2.3.4.1.2 The Eight Signs in John’s Gospel; 5.8.4.5.2.3.4.1.2.1 The First and Eight Pair; 5.8.4.5.2.3.4.1.2.2 Outline of John 21: 1-17; 5.8.4.5.2.3.4.1.2.3 Overview on Prophetic Significance;  at  http://www.wakeupow.com/440101187 )

20.4 The Remedy for Christmas (From F13, par 5.3.2.2 Evidence and Testimony)

(Drama and the SDA Church - Lawrence R. Hawkins, M.D. College Place, Washington, - http://www.temcat.com/014-Drama/Drama-&-SDA.pdf -)

Every human being is involved in spiritual war­fare and we are called to testify to the reality of the fact that we are spiritual prisoners of war. Jesus’ followers are given the privilege of witnessing about the salvation Jesus has won. The episode in Luke 10:17–20 seems to link the work of witnessing that Jesus entrusts to His people with power over Satan in this great controversy. The work of witnessing erodes the power that Satan has over the people of this world and gives humankind opportunity to resume their original work of expanding the borders of God’s kingdom. Even though Satan continues to terrorize the world, and though we should not ignore his lethal attempts to deceive and destroy, he has been defeated by means of Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross. Followers of Christ are fully aware of Satan’s unrelenting plot to deceive and destroy, yet do so without the fear that such consciousness may engender.

The remedy is to totally eradicate this practice of celebrating Christmas which is giving homage to the Sun god invented by Satan for this world to worship him in place of the true God. There are two aspects, that of individual action and the other concerns the work of the Church.  

The individual must be born again. We seek communion with God, the first thing in the morning. after prayer for the presence of the Holy Spirit, to spend at least one hour a day in reading the Bible as the only way to know God’s will and to draw nearer to Him. We must seek to die daily to self so as to let Jesus live in us that we reflect His love to help others. This is the only safeguard against the wiles of Satan and we will be able to overcome sin. The truth will set us free and from celebrating Christmas.

The work of the Church is crucial in fostering support and unity as a family of God’s children. There is the sanctuary where we gather on Sabbath weekly to receive godly messages that will strengthen our faith and cause us to be united as one to share the three angels’ messages for calling God’s people out of spiritual Babylon. The leadership and the guidance provided together with what it practices need to be reviewed and reflected on in order to stay fully connected to the true mission of God. It is this aspect to which we will focus discussion on the celebration of Christmas and how it is connected with other evil arenas spawned by Satan to enslave man.

Satan’s work is to lead men to ignore God, to so engross and absorb the mind that God will not be in their thoughts. The education they have received has been of a character to confuse the mind, and eclipse the true light. Satan does not wish the people to have a knowledge of God; and if he can set in operation games and theatrical  performances that will so confuse the senses of the young that human beings will perish in darkness while light shines all about them, he is well pleased. —Review, March 13, 1900. (Emphasis Supplied)

Here are some counsels from the above reference that may provide some light on how to be more conscious of the way we treat Christmas as an opportunity for witnessing. We need now to point souls to the uplifted Saviour by sharing the truth about Christmas that Dec 25th was the conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary and His birth day was Dec 25th, 4 BC. We must not perpetuate the lie by celebrating Christmas and all its practices. Notice that this article was published as we cross over into the Twenty-First Century. The best remedy for the ills of Christmas is for each individual to seek the truth in the word of God and the truth will set you free to stop celebrating Christmas (Jn 8:28-32) Take action now. Now is the time of salvation ( Rom 13:11).

The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Prov. 29:18). Satan will work ingeniously, in different ways and through different agencies, to unsettle the confidence of God’s remnant people in the true testimony.-- Letter 12, 1890. Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p. 48:

20.4.1 Using Drama in Christmas Outreach

One of the most powerful elements of worship that has become extremely divisive is music. From the ancient Roman orgies and primitive tribal war dances, to the insane behavior at modern concerts and sporting events, pagan music with its heavy, syncopated rhythms has been used to excite carnal passions and wild behavior. Many Christian churches have now embraced this same music. And it’s not just the loud “Christian rock.” I have seen whole congregations that look like they have been mesmerized through the New Age music with shallow, repetitive lyrics sung over and over. If Jesus tells us not to pray in vain repetition, then it is likely He does not want us singing that way either (see Matthew 6:7).

Another element invading modern Christian worship is drama. I have no moral problem with using some visual aids to help people better understand Bible truth. God asked prophets like Ezekiel and Jeremiah to do this (see Jeremiah 32:14 and Ezekiel 5:1-4). But some argue that this justifies the dramatic stage productions with raucous applause that are making their way into our churches.

Seventh-day Adventist churches and institutions are increasingly using theatrical productions (drama) and contemporary Christian music in an attempt to draw and hold youth and satisfy the desire of the "baby boomer" and "GenX" generations. It is time for parents, pastors, and institutional leadership to review the stand they have taken on drama. The question that must be answered is, “What is the inspired counsel given to this church concerning the use of drama and is it applicable for today?" (The drama “His Story” was Christmas 2018  program conducted in an SDA church, Singapore)

There is an abundance of theatrical performances in our world, but in its highest order it is without God. We need now to point souls to the uplifted Saviour. Deceptions, impositions, and every evil work are in our world. Satan, the wily foe in angel’s garments, is working to deceive and destroy. The object of the death of Christ was to declare His righteousness, and no man, woman or child can do this in his own strength, or by his own words. 11MR, p. 338

The problem is that many professed Christian have become so over-stimulated from a steady diet of movies, TV, and videos that simple, reverent worship service without drama, drums, and dancing deacons seems boring by comparison. Many now come to church to be entertained rather than to give their worship, praise, songs, and offerings. (The reader is to refer to Elder Batchelor’s October 2000 newsletter.)

20.4.2 Sabbath School and Sabbath Special Feature

Some claim that the old methods of Sabbath morning special features and a class study of the Sabbath School lessons no longer works. The youth do not study their lessons and are not interested in studying the Scriptures using the Sabbath School lessons. When the “traditional” approaches to the Sabbath morning sessions are used, the youth do not come back. Therefore, new approaches are needed. These methods include the use of drama to entertain, and refreshments to entice them to come on Sabbath morning.

Sabbath School teachers are finding that few parents have family worship and fewer still neither encourage their children to have or nor have for themselves a vital and regular daily, personal, private devotion. Recent surveys in the lower division show that even fewer parents study the Sabbath School lessons with their children even one time during the week.

Many young people are so saturated with the entertainment industry, that Bible study and church seem dull and boring. Thus, the clamor for celebration-style worship with its music and drama.

Today, youth are surrounded and consumed by the materialism that permeates our Western culture and the relativism that has infiltrated many avenues of their lives. With these “isms” have come a blurring of Biblical absolutes.

They are part of the computer generation, a new breed that requires new approaches and new methods. Many have told us that they wanted to put their faith into action, but they don’t know how. They don’t know the reasons behind many church doctrines. They know little about Adventist Church history. They say they want to be challenged when they come to church, not hear the same old ideas all the time,” says Royson James in “Cityscapes,” entitled “Dear Pastor ...” in the May, 1999, World Edition Review.

In order for GenXers* to serve the church, they need to know the message they want to share. Many of this generation of young men and women—some to be our future leaders, are without a clear knowledge of Adventist history and the mission of our church. (Almost eighty percent of our youth have left the church-in Noth America) . The knock-on effect is on the Millennials will be worse than their parents in the understanding of God’s word. The suggested Remedy is provided in F13 par 5.3.3.1.2.  - F13 Watch&Praying Update, par 5.3 Understanding on Truth about Christmas http://www.wakeupow.com/159912052 5.3.1 The Traditional Understanding; 5.3.2 The Historical Perspective; 5.3.2.1 The Reality of Spiritual; 5.3.2.2 Evidence and Testimony; 5.3.3 Celebrating with Drama5.3.3.1 Purpose of Sabbath School; 5.3.3.1.1 Perceived Problems; 5.3.3.1.2 The Suggested Remed;5.3.3.1.3 The Resultant Transformation)

(Note: Generation X or Gen X* is the demographic cohort following the baby boomers and preceding the Millennials. Demographers and researchers typically use birth years ranging from the early-to-mid 1960s to the early 1980s. The next generation is the Millennials* (also known as Generation Y), born between 1984 and 2005, have embraced the digital age, using technology to relax and interact with others. Social media is a big deal for them; it is a lifeline to the outside world.)  The millennials are the future of this country and this world. If millennials can’t put their smartphones down for one second to have a normal conversation, then who knows what’s going to happen to real-life human interaction?       

Significantly, a 2018 report from Pew Research Centera defines  Millennials as those born from 1981-1996 (open to date recalibration), choosing these dates for "key political, economic and social factors", including September 11th terrorist attacks. This range makes Millennials 5-20 years old at the time of the attacks so "old enough to comprehend the historical significance". (In the context of eschatology and Bible prophecy* timeline, it is most apt with the next cohort being Gen Z (last-in-line) alluding to the end generation of world history.(This is an indictment from even the demographers who did not draw from eschatology*. It is God’s handwriting on the wall while the last king of Babylon, Belshazzar were eating and drinking. In that night he was slain and lost Babylon to the Medes and Persians (Dan 5:3-31) (From D17- Social Media Enchantment, par 17.1.1.5 The Millennials  at www.discoverylifediy.com/441400672 )

(The end pg 19/19 , posted on Dec 16, 2018 by Tsc at singtsc@yahoo.com )

 Check out latest post meant for  Christmas reading Wp5Tc1 Exposing the Perpetuated Fakes of Satan, principally Christmas at WpT5c1 at http://www.wakeupow.com/440101188

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