SCRIPTURE
ABOUT IDOL WORSHIP
Read the whole chapter of Ezekiel 8. Ezekiel
in a vision of God at Jerusalem is shown the image of
jealousy, the chambers of imagery, the mourners for
Tammuz, the worshipers towards the sun and God's wrath
for their idolatry. "Therefore will I also deal in
fury: mine eyes shall not spare, neither will I have
pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud
voice, yet will I not hear them" (vs. 18). II Cor.
5:17 (A new creature in CHRIST.)II Cor. 6:16-17 (What
agreement can there be between the temple of God and
idols? Leave idolatry and heathen worship; touch not
any unclean thing!) Eph. 4:25 (Reject all falsity.) I
Thes. 1:9 (Ye turned from idols to God.) I John 5:21
(Keep yourself from idols.)
SCRIPTURE
ABOUT SO-CALLED CHRISTIAN HOLIDAYS
Certain holidays got into the Christian
church by way of the Catholic Church. To keep the
country united, Roman emperors began to give Christian
meaning to pagan rituals. Ex. 22:18 (Thou shalt not
suffer a witch to live.) Ex. 23:13 (Make no mention of
the name of other gods.) Lev. 19:31 (To be defiled by
familiar spirits and wizards.) Duet. 18: 9-14 (The
abominations of the nations are to be avoided.) Jos.
23:7 (Neither make mention of the name of their gods.)
I Sam. 28:7-28 (The witch raised Samuel; Saul
fainted.)
Micah 5:12-13 (Cut
off witches, soothsayers and images.) Acts 13:6-11
(Elymas the sorcerer was struck blind.) Acts 16:16-19
(Casteth out a spirit of divination.) Romans 12:2 (And
be not conformed to this world.)Gal. 5:19-21 (He
reckoneth up the works of the flesh.) Eph. 6:12-13 (He
sheweth what they intend that preach circumcision.)II
Tim. 1:7 (For God hath not given us a spirit of fear.)
James 4:4-10 (God resisteth the proud.)
SCRIPTURE ABOUT MURMURING
To Murmur (in anger): (imagine, mourn,
mutter, roar, take away). See Strong's Concordance for
murmur, murmured, murmurers, murmuring and murmurings.
Isa. 8:11-22 (Israel's idolatrous practices) Isa. 8:19
(Wizards that peep and mutter) Isa.10:10-17 (Chirping
- chatter, peep, whisper) Isa. 10:14 (Or opened the
mouth or peeped) Isa. 59:3 (Tongue hath muttered
perverseness)
PREFACE
One of the purposes of the Lord JESUS coming
to earth was to establish His Church. We all know that
He was successful and we also remember the record of
how the early church walked full of boldness and
power, having their words confirmed with signs and
wonders. Today the majority of the church is a far cry
from the church the Lord JESUS started, both in
life-style and power.
Shortly after JESUS'
death, persecutions of the Believers began as Satan
began his plan to pollute what God had begun. Years
later the Devil began a religious system that he hoped
would replace the true church. The persecutions were
temporarily stopped, and a deal was offered to both
the Christians and pagans It went something like this:
let's stop fighting over our religious differences and
just Christianize the pagan gods and holidays. Both
sides gave a little so they could all live in peace.
By doing that, the Christian commitment and dedication
to JESUS CHRIST only would have been seriously
damaged. I beseech you brethren by the mercies of God
that you approach this material with a heart and mind
seeking the truth, and that you will prayerfully
consider the facts contained within these pages.
Remember that after the big compromise, the true
Believers didn't accept the new system, but chose to
go into hiding rather than deny their Lord and Savior.
Most people say that
Christmas is the celebration of JESUS' birthday, even
though more non-Christians participate than
Christians. JESUS told us that those who were like
Him, Christians, would be hated by all nations for His
name's sake (Matt. 10:22, 24:9; Mk. 13:13 & Lu.
21:17). Please note that JESUS said that His followers
would be hated by the world because of Him. If they
hate us because of Him, why do they celebrate His
birthday?
Let's look at what
it means to celebrate one's birthday. The word
celebrate means to perform (a sacrament of solemn
ceremony) publicly and with appropriate rites, to
honor by solemn ceremonies or by refraining from
ordinary business, to demonstrate satisfaction in
festivities or by other deviation from routine. Could
we say then, that in order to celebrate someone's
birthday, we should participate in activities that
reflect the person's life? Could we, at least, say
that in commemorating one's birthday our activities
should be restricted to such things that the honoree
would be pleased with?
A large majority of
the activities employed by people involved in the
supposed celebration of JESUS' birthday are public,
yes; but neither appropriate or solemn. So much of it
is outright sin; how can sin exhibit satisfaction in
JESUS CHRIST who is right the opposite of sin?
IS DECEMBER
25TH JESUS' BIRTHDAY?
There are many arguments concerning the date
of JESUS' birth. I personally believe that God
purposefully did not give us the day and date. Let's
examine the few clues we do have, in the Word of God,
and see if we can determine the season.
In Palestine,
December 25th is during the coldest time of the year.
"In Palestine winter includes part of autumn and the
seasons of seedtime and cold, extending from the
beginning of September to the beginning of March. The
cold of winter is not usually severe, though the north
winds are very penetrating from the middle of December
to the middle of February. Snow and hail during the
most winters fall on the hills." The weather during
Hebrew month Tebeth (December-January) is "...coldest
month; rain, hail and snow on higher hills, and
occasionally at Jerusalem" (Ungers Bible Dictionary,
pp. 1170). What the weather was like during this time
of the year is important in order to answer two
questions. Did Caesar Augustus have everybody to
return to his home town for a census during the
coldest time of the year? Tithing time was harvest
time according to the law of Moses (Ex. 23:14-19, Le.
23:1-10 & Deut. 16:16-17). Some say that tax time
was harvest time throughout the Roman Empire. It does
seem logical that the Roman governor would collect
taxes at the time of harvest (Lu. 2:1-7). More
importantly, with the weather being as it was during
that time of year, would the shepherd be in the field
at night as recorded in Lu. 2:8? We know that they
were in the field on the night of JESUS' birth, but
was that night during the middle of December? The Jews
built special places to house their flocks during the
cold and winter storms (Isa. 24:3, Nu. 32:16,24 &
36). "It was an ancient custom among Jews of those
days to send out their sheep to fields and deserts
about Passover (early spring), and bring them home at
commencement of the first rain," says the Adam Clarke
Commentary (Vol. 5, pp. 370).
These important
facts cast shadows of doubt over the traditional
teaching concerning the time of JESUS' birth in the
light of the Biblical account of the events that took
place during that time.
There are those who
say that they know that JESUS wasn't born on December
25th, but they set that day aside to celebrate the
birth of their Savior. They also say that they don't
celebrate it with sinful activities, but with things
that would please the Lord as an expression of their
love for Him. Please don't get caught up in your
personal feelings, let's remain honest, open and
objective about this position as we test the
Scripture.
There is absolutely
no Scripture in the entire Word of God to support
celebrating JESUS' birthday at any time. However, we
are told in the Word to keep the commandments that the
Lord has given us and not to add anything to them nor
take anything from them (De. 12:28-32, Mt. 5:17-19).
If Christmas is being celebrated because of real love
for JESUS, why are His commandments not being kept
(Jn. 14:21, 23 & 24)? John 13:34 commands us to
love one another, as He loved us. We are to love each
other the same way: black, white, rich or poor. He
commanded us to make miracle workers out of others and
to teach them to guard His words from loss or injury
(Matt. 28: 18-20). Check out the word, observe, found
in Matt. 28:20 in the Greek. He also commanded us to
heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and
cast out devils - for free (MT. 10:5-8).
If the motive for
celebrating Christmas stands on real love for the
Master, then according to His own words, that same
love will motivate you to keep His sayings. He gave us
specific instructions of what to do to remember Him by
(Lu.22:19). Most people begin preparing for Christmas
months in advance with unparalleled zeal and
enthusiasm. I wonder if they get half as excited when
it's time to take communion or if they even know when
the next time communion will be given at their place
of fellowship? The point is obvious. The excitement
and enthusiasm manifested during the Christmas season
is not an expression of love or gratitude directed
towards JESUS CHRIST. If it were true love and
gratitude to Him, you would be just as enthused about
doing the Word. Obedience is better than sacrifice
(Isa. 15:22-23).
Another very
important point we must explore is the fact that those
who celebrate Christmas didn't set December 25th aside
as the date to celebrate JESUS' birth. This date was
chosen about 1700 years ago. The sad part about this
is that billions of people are following this
tradition with very little, and in most cases, no
knowledge as to why and how Christmas came about.
Have you ever
wondered why people give presents at Christmas? What
about the Christmas tree and lights on trees and
houses? Have you ever wondered where they came from? -
Is it because the wise men brought gifts to JESUS? If
this is the case and you are following their examples,
then why do you give gifts to each other?
Let us continue our
search for the roots of this celebration the world
calls JESUS' birthday. The Encyclopedia Britannica,
Vol. 5, 1768 edition, says: "December 25th in Rome is
the date of a pagan festival chosen as the birthday of
the unconquered Sun (natalis solis invicts) which at
the winter solstice begins again to show an increase
of light. At some point before A.D. 336, the church at
Rome established the commemoration of the birthday of
CHRIST, the 'SUN' of righteousness on this date." The
evidence is contained in the chronography of A.D. 354
(an almanac for the use of Christians). The same
encyclopedia says on page 705 that, 'The traditional
customs connected with Christmas have been derived
from several sources as a result of the 'coincidence'
of the feast of the Nativity of CHRIST and the pagan
agricultural and solar observances at mid-winter." In
the Roman world, the Saturnalia was a time of
merry-making and exchange of presents. Christmas
festivities were indirectly influenced by these
customs. The fact that Christmas was celebrated on the
birthday of the unconquered sun gave the season a
solar background connected with the (kalends) of
January when houses were decorated with greenery and
lights, and presents were given to children and the
poor. To these solstitial observances were added the
Germanic-Celtic yule rites when the Teutonic tribes
penetrated into Gaul, Britain and Central Europe.
Yuletide brought its own tradition of feasting and
mortuary customs to combine with Roman solstitial and
traditional New Year rites. Special foods and good
fellowship, the yule log and yule cakes, greenery and
fir trees, wassailing, gifts and greetings all
commemorated different aspects of this festive season.
Fires and lights, symbols of warmth and lasting life,
have always been associated with the winter festival,
both pagan and Christian. Evergreens, as symbols of
survival, have long association with Christmas
festivities, probably dating from the eighth century
when St. Boneface completed the Christianization of
Germany and dedicated the fir tree to the Holy Child
to replace the sacred oak of Odin.
The Encyclopedia
Americana, Vol. 6, 1826 edition, says, "The reasons
for establishing December 25th as Christmas is
somewhat obscure, but it is usually held that the day
chosen was to correspond to pagan festivals that took
place around the time of the winter Solstice, when the
days begin to lengthen, to celebrate the 'rebirth of
the sun." Northern European tribes celebrated their
chief festival of Yule at the winter solstice to
commemorate the rebirth of the sun as the giver of
light and warmth. The Roman Saturnalia (a festival
dedicated to Saturn, the god of agriculture, and to
the renewed power of the sun) also took place at this
time. And some Christian customs are thought to be
rooted in this pagan celebration. It is held by some
scholars that the birth of CHRIST as "Light of the
World" was made analogous to the rebirth of the sun in
order to make Christianity more meaningful to pagan
converts.
The Christmas
Almanac, 1944 edition says, "Saturnalia and the
Kalends were celebrations most familiar to early
Christians, December 17-24 and January 1-3. But the
tradition of celebrating December 25th as CHRIST's
birthday came to the Romans from Persia. Mithra, the
Persian god of light and sacred contacts, was born out
of a rock on December 25th. Rome was famous for its
flirtations with strange gods and cults, and in the
third century the Aurelian established the festival of
Dies Invicti Solis, The Day of the Invincible Sun, on
December 25th. Mithra was an embodiment of the sun, so
this period of rebirth was a major day in Mithraism,
which had become Rome's latest official religion with
the patronage of Aurelian. It is believed that the
emperor Constantine adhered to Mithraism up to the
time of his conversion to Christianity. He was
probably instrumental in seeing that the major feast
of his old religion was carried over to his new
faith."
As you have just
read, we got the celebration of Christmas from the
Church of Rome, or as it is called today, the Roman
Catholic Church. The Church of the Lord JESUS CHRIST
has received many abominable customs from the Catholic
Church. After Constantine's makeshift conversion from
sun god worship to his form of Christianity, the
mixture began. Before that time, Christians were being
severely persecuted. Constantine Christianized his
entire army with one motion and stopped the
persecutions. Instead of doing away with the old pagan
customs, the names were changed to make them
attractive to the real Christians.
The Christians who
did not conform to the new state religion were
persecuted as pagans, and in later years as heretics.
See Foxes Book of Martyrs.
This is a brief
history of the birth of the Catholic Church. Now let's
see what the Catholic Church has to say concerning the
birth of Christmas. In The Catholic Encyclopedia under
the heading of Christmas, "According to the hypothesis
suggested by H. Userner developed by B. Potte (Les
Origines) and accepted by most scholars today, the
birth of CHRIST was assigned the date of the winter
solstice (December 25th in the Julian calendar;
January 6th in the Egyptian), because on this day, as
the sun began its return to the northern skies, the
pagan devotees of Mithra celebrated the Dies Natalis
Solic Invite (birthday of the invincible sun). On
December 25th, 274 A.D., Aurelian had proclaimed the
sun god principle patron of the empire and dedicated a
temple to him in the Campus Martius. Christmas
originated at a time when the cult of the sun was
piratically strong at Rome. This theory finds support
in some of the church fathers comparing the birthday
of CHRIST and the winter solstice. Indeed, from the
beginning of the Third Century 'Sun of Justice'
appears as a title of CHRIST (Botte, Les Orgines, p.
63). Through the substitution of Christmas for the
pagan festival cannot be proven with certainty, it
remains the most plausible explanation for the dating
of Christmas."
The festival
celebrated throughout the known world was called
Saturnalia before the name was changed to Christmas.
The name underwent several changes before finally
becoming Christmas, which means Mass of CHRIST. As a
matter of fact, before being Christmas, the festival
was called CHRIST Mass. Let's take an historical look
at this festival, Saturnalia, and see if it is in any
way similar to what is traditionally celebrated today
as the birthday of JESUS CHRIST.
The Encyclopedia
Americana, 1826 edition, says, "The great festival,
the Saturnalia, became the most popular of Roman
festivals, and its influence is still felt throughout
the western world. Originally on December 17th, it was
extended first to three and eventually seven days. The
date has been connected with the winter sowing season,
which in modern Italy varies from October-January,
remarkably like the Greek Kronia (see Cronnus), it was
the gayest festival of the year. All work and business
was suspended. Slaves were given temporary freedom to
say and do what they liked, and certain moral
restrictions were eased. The streets were infected
with a Mardi Gras madness, a mock king was chosen
(Saturnalia pinceos). The seasonal greeting 'I O
Saturnalia' was heard everywhere. Presents were freely
exchanged, principally wax candles and little clay
dolls (sigillaria). The cult statue of Saturn himself,
traditionally bound at the feet with woolen bands, was
untied, presumably to come out and enjoy the fun. The
influence of the Saturnalia upon Christmas and the New
Year has been direct."
DID YOU
RECOGNIZE THE SIMILARITIES?
1. All work and
business was suspended. 2. Slaves (employees) were
given temporary freedom. 3. Moral restrictions eased;
alcohol consumption even by children. 4. Sexual favors
were given as presents. 5. The mock king (Good Ole
Santa) is set up. His chair is elevated in department
stores. 6. "I O Saturnalia" was heard everywhere.
Merry Christmas is heard everywhere. 7. Evergreens
were used for decorations (symbols of rebirth and
fertility). 8. The boar (male pig) was killed and
eaten (symbol of Frey, god of regeneration). Is pig
the main meat on our Christmas table? 9. Yule log also
was symbol of continuing life. 10. Lights used to
dispel the growing darkness of the winter solstice.
The Encyclopedia
Americana, 1826 edition, says, "Burning the Yule log
was adapted to English custom by ancient Scandinavian
practice of kindling huge bonfires in honor of the
winter solstice. The idea of using evergreens at
Christmas time also came to England from pre-Christian
northern European beliefs. Celtic and Teutonic tribes
honored these plants at their winter solstice
festival, gave properties to the mistletoe (kiss
under) in particular. The evergreen holly was
worshiped as a promise of the sun's return."
The Christmas
Almanac also says about the boar's head that, "The
association of the boars head with Christmas probably
dates back to pagan times when the Germanic god Frey,
who cared for the fertility of the herds, was
symbolized by a boar. Therefore, at mid-winter to
ensure new calves and lambs in the Spring, a boar
would be sacrificed to the god. The sacrifice was
carried over into Christmas tradition as a
non-religious custom."
Notice how similar
Father Christmas of today is to the god Saturn of the
Roman Saturnalia. He is also very similar to our Santa
Claus. The Christmas Almanac says, "Although he is the
English equivalent of Santa Claus, Father Christmas is
rather different from our jolly elf and even further
removed from the original ascetic and holy St.
Nicholas. Father Christmas developed from several
pagan predecessors. The Roman Saturnalia celebrated
the brief return each year of the Golden Age when the
god Saturn returned to rule over Italy. Saturn was a
giant who came bearing good food and wine, joy and
revelry, and equality of all people. When carried into
the northern regions of Europe, Saturn probably
combined with the wild figure of Odin and his raging
host of spirits who swept across the land during the
winter. Thus, Father Christmas was never a Christian
religious figure, but symbolized rather, the arrival
of those secular pleasures which came from elsewhere
than the Christian tradition. He was always portrayed
as a giant, wearing a scarlet or green robe lined with
fur; crowned with holly, ivy or mistletoe; and
carrying the Yule log and a bowl of Christmas punch."
There is nothing
Christian about Christmas. Sure, religion has tried to
make it appear Christian, but anything like CHRIST
must line up with the Word of God and Christmas
doesn't. It is full of lies and hypocrisy, from Santa
to the giving of gifts to the nativity scene. The most
popular scene at Christmas, the nativity scene, says
that when the wise men presented gifts to JESUS, He
was in a stable. The bible says He was in a house
(Matt.2:11) and could have been as much as two years
old (Matt. 2:7-16). Why do you think Herod had babies
killed from two years old down? Most of the gift
giving is only to get something in return and the
small portion that is given to the poor is not
motivated out of real love; for if it was, the people
would give to the poor in the same manner all year
long.
Did you know it was
against the law to celebrate Christmas in the United
States for many years? The truth has been hidden from
us throughout the years but our forefathers knew of
its roots and who actually receives the worship during
this celebration.
The Christmas
Almanac says,"America was later in recovering from the
Puritan influence than England. Christmas was outlawed
in New England until the middle of the nineteenth
century. In 1856 Christmas Day was still an ordinary
work day in Boston and failure to report to a job was
grounds for dismissal. Classes were held in Boston
public schools as late as 1870. It was probably the
influence of immigrants from Germany and Ireland that
finally convinced the Yankees that Christmas could be
a harmless, pleasant, and even religious festivity.
The first state to declare Christmas a legal holiday
was Alabama in 1836. The last was Oklahoma in 1890."
In Christmas written
by Allen, page 108, "In 17th century England when
Puritans were in power, Christmas was illegal. Markets
were ordered to stay open and even the baking of fancy
pies and plum pudding were banned. On December 25th
all church doors were locked."
In 1659 a New
England law barred all Christmas observances. Many
Yankees did not accept popular Christmas festivities
until well into the 19th century.
The Puritans
objected to Christmas on these grounds: (1) it
detracted from the significance of the Sabbath, (2)
they objected to the fact that many of the customs
associated with Christmas had heathen origins and (3)
many people became riotous and drunken.
Year Book of Customs
by Allen, page 174, "Mistletoe was especially
connected with the winter solstice rites in
pre-Christian times, so much so that it is one
evergreen never allowed in the church. Yule log was
used in Scandinavia to honor the god, Thor."
Star in the East, by
Holzer, page 36: the fact remains that the use of any
form of greens in the Christmas service is entirely
pre-Christian and has nothing to do with the nativity.
The Druids sang chants to create a harmonious
atmosphere among the celebrants. The chants entered
into Christmas tradition and became caroling. Also on
page 38, "Bringing the tree inside the house and
dressing it in lights and other glitter really stems
from pre-Christian times. The tree ceremony is
Scandinavian rather than Celtic."
I know that many
Christians say that they disassociate themselves from
all of the lies and paganism of Christmas, but that,
my friend, you can't do. If you take the lies and
paganism out of Christmas, you'll have no Christmas,
for that's what it is made of. Remember (De.
12:28-32), you have no right to add to the
commandments that the Lord has given; you only have
the right to obey them.
HOW CAN A
SAINT AND A SINNER GET CAUGHT UP CELEBRATING THE
SAME "RELIGIOUS" HOLIDAY WITH THE SAME INTENSITY AND
ZEAL?
They are bound by
the same Christmas spirit. If you say that the Spirit
of God motivates you to celebrate Christmas, then what
motivates the man who rejects God and everything He
offers, to celebrate the same Christmas in very nearly
the same manner?
Be not unequally
yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship
hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what
communion hath light with darkness? And what concord
hath CHRIST with Belial? Or what part hath he that
believeth with an infidel? And what agreement has the
Temple of God with idols? For ye that are of the
Temple of the Living God; as God hath said, I will
dwell in them and walk in them; and be their God, and
they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among
them and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not
the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be
a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and
daughters, saith the Lord Almighty (II Cor. 6:14-18).
Many people wonder
why the church of today does not manifest the power of
the early church. One reason why is because of idol
worship. Too many Christians refuse to become new
creatures according to II Cor. 5:17-18 and hardly
anyone is willing to deny themselves, and those close
to them, the pleasure of things like Christmas, as
they are commanded to in Luke 14:20-35. If you don't,
you cannot be a disciple of JESUS CHRIST. We must be
separate from the world. Yes, we are in it but we are
not of it. Our religion must be pure and undefiled
before God the Father (James 1:21-27).
This little booklet
was written to expose one of Satan's traps and I hope
that I was able to shed some new light on an old
subject. It is important if we are going to worship
God in a manner that will be pleasing to Him. Meditate
on John 4:19-24. Can we worship anyway we choose or
has God prescribed a specific way? Consider the case
of Cain in Genesis 4.
In a course called
Origins of Religions at the local university, our
daughter was informed that the pagans used the tree as
a sacrificial pole. During the winter solstice
celebration, nine of everything was hung on the tree
including people. The purpose of the sacrifice was to
appease the sun and get it to return.
CHRISTMAS (Babylon
Mystery Religion & Christmas Almanac) Christmas
means a mass for CHRIST. Does CHRIST need a mass? Mass
is the celebration of the Eucharist. In
transubstantiation, the Catholic priest says that the
bread and wine do not remain but the entire substance
of the bread and wine is changed into the body of
CHRIST and into His actual blood respectively. How can
this be when He is seated besides the Father in
Heaven?
In ancient times
there was already a celebration in December. From
December 17 until January 6 was their Saturnalia. The
first day public ceremonies were held honoring Saturn
or Baal. The second day pigs were offered by families.
Trees, fires, cedars and oaks were worshiped.
JESUS CHRIST is
truth (John 14:6)! Almost everything associated with
Christmas is a lie. It is not a mass for CHRIST. Santa
Claus does not exist. The date of December 25 as
CHRIST's birth is most likely a lie. The brotherly
love at Christmas is fake. Some can hardly wait for it
to end.
The tree was
worshiped and decorated by many ancient pagan groups.
In the Bible at least ten times, the green tree is
associated with idolatry and false worship.
Druids used holly
and mistletoe in their ceremonies. They worshiped the
oak tree. Gilded nuts and balls or ornaments symbolize
the sun.
The yule log is the
dead stock of Nimrod, deified as the sun god, but cut
down by his enemies. The Christmas tree is Nimrod come
to life again. Nimrod was so evil, that at his death,
the leaders cut his body in twelve pieces and sent
them around the world so that his body could not be
recovered and worshiped!
For the customs and
ordinances of the people are false, empty and futile:
for one cuteth a tree out of the forest, the work of
the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck the
idol with silver and with gold: they fasten it with
nails and with hammer that it move not (Jer. 10:3-4).
These customs show how good and evil became mixed, and
worship of the true God became polluted.
Missionaries in the
sixth century were sent to the pagans in the Roman
ford. Finding June 24 very popular, they sought to
Christianize this day by calling it John the Baptist's
birthday. JESUS' name was easily fitted into this
holiday six months later on December 24. Romans
exchanged presents for Saturnalia in pagan Rome.
If God wanted us to
celebrate JESUS' birthday, I believe He could have
given us the date and told us how to do it. We are
only told to commemorate His death and resurrection
with the Lord's Supper until He comes. The early
Christians did this at every meeting. God gave exact
instructions to the people for every feast,
celebration or sacrifice; that includes dates and
activities.
God really got
specific in Exodus and Leviticus. He came down hard on
all occult practices. He even said to kill those that
practiced them.
America was later in
receiving from its Puritan influence than England.
Christmas was outlawed in New England until the mid
nineteenth century. In 1856 Bostonians were required
to be at work or they were dismissed. School classes
were held until 1870.
MUMMERY
Definitions - Mummer: n. (1) A person who
wears a mask or disguise for specifically, in England,
any of the masked and costumed persons who travel from
house to house, as at Christmas time, acting out short
pantomimes. (2) Humorously, any actor. Mummery: n.;
pl. mummeries, (OFr. mummery, from momer, to mum.) (1)
Performance by mummers. (2) Any show or ceremony
regarded as pretentious or hypocritical.
History - "Bands
of men and women in medieval and later England and
elsewhere, who, during periods of public festivity,
particularly at Christmas, dressed in fantastic
clothes and wearing masks or disguised as animals,
serenaded the people outside their houses or joined in
the revels within. In a more restricted sense the term
is applied to the actors in the old English rural folk
plays of St. George, etc.; and 'mumming' thus becomes
a contemptuous synonym for any form of stage-playing.
The origin of the word mummer (older spelling
'mommer,' Fr. momeur) is not satisfactorily explained,
but the verb 'to mum' means both to mutter and to be
silent, and 'mummer' apparently comes from one or both
of these senses. Mumming seems to have been a survival
of the Roman custom of masquerading during the annual
orgies of the Saturnalia. 'The disguising and mummying
that is used in Christmas time,' Langley writes in his
synopsis of Polydore Virgil, 'in the North parties
came out of the feasts of Pallas, that were done with
visors and painted visages, named Quinqatria of the
Romaynes.' Aubanus, writing of mumming in Germany,
says that 'in the Saturnalia there were frequent and
luxurious feastings amongst friends, presents were
mutually sent, and changes of dress made; that
Christians have adopted the same customs, which
continue to be used from the Nativity to the Epiphany:
that exchanges of dress too, as of old among the
Romans, are common, and neighbors by mutual invitation
visit each other in the manner which the Germans call
mummery.' Christmas was the grand season for mumming
in England. Some were disguised as bears, others as
unicorns, or wore deer's hide and antler's or ram's
horns. Mumming led to such outrages that Henry VIII
issued a proclamation declaring the wearing of a mask
or disguise a misdemeanor. Stow gives an account of an
elaborate mummery held in 1377 by the London citizens
to amuse the son of the Black Prince, then living at
Kennington (Survey, 1603, p. 97). In Scotland, where
mumming still exists at Christmas, Hogmanay, New
Year's Day and Handsel Monday, mummers are called
'guisards'. They usually present on these four nights
a rude drama called Galatian, which, in various
versions, is common throughout the Lowlands of
Scotland."
Comments: The
above was taken from dictionaries and encyclopedias
with the scripture from the Bible. The practices refer
to idolatrous and ungodly conduct. Some of the key
words researched are chirp, murmur, peep and mutter
uttered by people practicing the occult or talking
against God. Mummery is regarded as pretentious and
hypocritical. It is described as contemptuous, mutter,
annual orgies of the Saturnalia, unicorns, outrages,
rude drama, etc.
THE ART OF
TEACHING DISTRUST AND SELFISHNESS
Since I am older and have observed several of
my mistakes in child rearing and training, and have
seen a few of the consequences of them, I'd like to
submit some of my observations and conclusions to you
for your consideration.
One of the best
occasions to teach selfishness to children is
Christmas. Along with selfishness comes a myriad of
other demonic traits. Here's how it usually goes. On
his first Christmas he observes the occasion. He gets
many gifts; most don't interest him at all, but he
senses he is supposed to act like he wants and enjoys
everything. We act hurt if he does not love
everything. He learns to pretend he likes everything.
During the year there are other occasions to turn him
in on himself. At Easter: get all the eggs you can, be
the best, get the most, feel bad if someone gets more
than you, the tooth fairy will leave you something.
Then we really confuse him by telling him to share.
We neglect him by
allowing him to watch television programs he should
not see. Do you realize how difficult it is to remove
anything from your mind once you have seen it? Look at
the demonic infilling today's children get from the
programs they see. There are numerous acts of violence
in almost all children's cartoons today: hate, fear,
distorted reality (some teach that good is bad and
that bad is good, Isa. 5:20), violence, murder,
manipulation of others, greed, wanting, idol worship,
witchcraft. You say those are cute cartoons? Look at
them and see for yourself.
Long before
Christmas we start asking, "What do you want?" We go
to the toy store with them; they sense that it is very
important that they be pleased. We ask over and over,
"What do you want?" Each time we ask the question, we
send selfishness plus all his family of demons to our
children. Each year this ritual continues until the
young person gets the idea that his wants are the most
important thing in the world. When he is confronted
with the real world, he cops out - enter mind altering
substances, etc. We take other occasions to teach
selfishness: what about his birthday, tooth fairy,
Valentine's Day, etc.?
My
School-Teaching Observances - As the
holidays draw nearer, the children begin to express
the tensions they feel. They lose self-control, and
become restless, aggravated and agitated. They fight
and argue more, and show more selfishness, laziness,
day dreaming, pretense and procrastination. They brag
about what they will get; they intimidate those they
know will not get as good or as much as they will. The
competition between them becomes somewhat hostile. By
the time you've added your bit to their already loaded
mind, you are glad to see them off for a few days.
When I was a young
teacher, I did not have any idea what was going on.
After I received some DELIVERANCE, I returned to the
classroom for a few years and was amazed to understand
more of what was really going on. The first year I was
surprised to see my usually obedient, resourceful
workers acting strange and not at all their usual
selves. I was reminded to bind and loose in our
morning prayers. We would bind up all the obvious
demons (stupid, fighting, lazy, sloppiness, fantasy,
etc.) and it helped. The breakthrough did not come
until we began to take authority over idolatry, bind
up all the authority that idolatry held over them, and
loose upon them true worship of God (plus spirits of
strength, power, might, self control, loving kindness,
good learners, being smart, etc.) Then we saw a
gradual turning back to good work habits and good,
healthy attitudes.
Also, I would like
to share some results of my erroneous teachings. When
our daughter was about 6 to 8 years old, the lies we
had told her became exposed. For several days I
noticed she was acting strange. She seemed to leave
the room when I came in and made every effort not to
talk to me. She would still talk to her brother. I
asked him to see if he could find out what was wrong.
When he reported his conversation with her to me, I
was stunned. She had decided that I could not be
trusted. She had gotten a little upset when she caught
me in the first lie but now I had told her more than
one. How could she tell when I was lying? He tried to
explain that Santa Claus, the tooth fairy, and the
Easter Bunny were just pretending for children. Her
next question was, "How do I know when it's
pretending?" It looks like lies to me and it hurt when
I found out the truth. The worst thing was that she
told me not to lie. The results of this was that she
always questioned my advice and usually had to test
things to see if I had told her the truth. I had
reaped the results of lies and deception but the worst
part was to watch her struggle with believing me. I
had hurt someone very dear to me; something I would
never have done on purpose. Satan always paints his
lies beautifully. He never shows some one dying of
lung cancer in the cigarette ads.
What can we
do? - Father is the leader and the
responsibility is his. Mother should play on father's
team. Ahabs and Jezebels love traditions. Traditions
hold people in bondage. If you follow tradition, you
don't have to think or take responsibility for your
actions and failures. Maybe a new tradition should be
started in your family. How about living the Christian
life in such a way that (if I may use the word
Christmas) Christmas is everyday? If gifts are given,
why don't parents hold a conference and decide what
the children should have now. New interests, maybe a
life's career, can be generated by the proper gifts
given at the proper time. A child cannot know what is
best for him. He only knows what he wants; if he gets
all his wants, he usually ends up bad. Pro. 29:15, A
rod and correction bringeth wisdom, but a child left
to himself brings his mother to shame.
CONCLUSION
God is total reality; there is no fantasy or
play-acting in God! There is no unreality in the
Bible! Christians should not deal in any spiritual
fantasy. Fantasy is very simply a lie that is not from
God. God does not need any human circus or side shows
to sell and promote the kingdom of God! All it takes
is a straight forward application of the Bible with
signs, wonders and miracles following the true
teaching of the Word of God to attract people to
church. JESUS said if you don't believe me then
believe my miracles.
REFERENCES
1. Webster's New Twentieth Century Dictionary
of the English Language, unabridged, Second Edition,
1970. The unabridged dictionary is the best type of
dictionary to use to study spiritual origins of words
and practices.
2. The Holy Bible
containing the Old and New Testaments in the
authorized King James version along with "Strong's
Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible" with Greek and
Hebrew Dictionary.
3. The Encyclopedia
Britannica, a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature
and General Information, Eleventh Edition, 1910. The
best type of encyclopedia to study spiritual origins
is the older ones. The newer encyclopedias leave out
more and more about spiritual things.
4. The World Book
Encyclopedia and The New Family Encyclopedia.
5. This lesson was
adapted with his permission from Christmas - Pagan
Holiday or Christian written by Walley Naylor. It also
includes portions from lessons by Gene and Earline
Moody.
LIST OF
DEMONS FOR HOLIDAYS to be cast OUT as JESUS
commanded in Mark 16:17:
Abominations,
Abstinence of Lent, Adonis, Ahab, Asiris Eucharist,
Astarte, Baal, Bacchus, Black Sabbath Mass, Blessed
Palm, Willow & Olive, Bragging, Casting Spells,
Chambers of Imagery, Charms, Confusion, Cruel, Dead
Stock of Nimrod, Demonic Images, Demonic Manipulation,
Depression, Devil's Colors, Diana of Euphrates,
Disappointment, Distrust, Divination, Doubt, Druids,
Easter, Ego, Elves, Embarrassment, Envy, Eroticism,
Estre, Evil Competition, Fairies, False Healing
Powers, False Worship, Falsity, Familiar Spirits,
Fantasy, Fear, Fear of Failing, Fertility, Futility,
Goddess of Flowers (Flora), Greed, Halloween,
Harshness, Hate, Haunted Houses, Heathen Worship, Hot
Cross Buns, Hurt, Idol Worship, Idolatry, Image of
Jealousy, Ishtar, Jack-O-Lantern, Janus, Jezebel,
Joannes, Laziness, Liber, Lord of Dead (Shamhain),
Lust, Lying, Mass for CHRIST, May Pole, Misleading
Children, Mother of Mercury (Maia), Mourners for
Tammuz, Necromancy, Negative, Nimrod, Oannes, Occult
Supernatural, Occult Practices, Ostera, Pagan Rituals,
Pouting, Pressure, Pride, Queen of Heaven, Rebellion,
Reign of Evil, Reveling, Sacred Oaks, Sacred Egg,
Sacrifice to satan, Santa Claus, Satan Worship, Saturn
Worship (Saturnalia), Saturn, Selfishness, Shame,
Sorcery, Sun Worship, Tammuz, Traditions, Unclean
Things, Unclean Spirits, Unhappiness, Vanity,
Violence, Wanting, Witchcraft, Witches/Wizards,
Worship of Firs /Cedars and Oaks Honoring Dead Saints,
Worship of Rabbit