Re: Do not celebrate Christmas!

I am a member of an old forum, I have been a member since 2007. The forum focus is on a Judaeo Christian world view.

Every year on the forum there is the hotly debated subject of the Pagan origins of of December 25th AKA “Christmas Day”. This year is no different.

This is a screen shot of the post that the following is a reply to:

---

My reply to the discussion:

I agree that December 25th on the Gregorian calendar is indeed a day of celebration and of Mass’s that have their roots in pagan culture and worship of “gods”.

A preamble /  ramble 🙂

I write this as Christian, a Rev. in Canada, a bishop in fact with a very, very, very, small but nationally recognised church. I say this not to impress you, in fact I cringe at how grandiose it sounds and on a forum like GLP I am reluctant and loathe to do so (I do not need the trolling), none the less it is the truth and it is said to serve as context for my position and my understanding of “The Spirit and The Letter of The Law”. Capiche?

To further put my understanding in context I will share that I was, as a child brought up in a family that was locked into the “Jehovah’s Witnesses”. Christmas was forbidden, vilified, it is one of that sects distinguishing tenements / doctrines of their faith as you may well know of them. My position does not come only from the Seminary, it comes with decades of reading and research on the pagan origins of festivities B,C, and A,D,, pre and post Gregorian calendar for the 25th day of December. Some of the best work that the “Jehovah’s Witnesses” have published has been on an exhaustive researching of the Christmas paganism and festive hedonism.  I do not agree with all their “written treatments”  of the Word and on all the research / source materials but, the research and source materials cited are world class. Since the early 2000’s I have not referenced any of their materials, the internet opened up the world archives to all of us on the pagan origins of oh so many Babylonian and  “holy” Roman Empire practices.

End Ramble 🙂

This is not addressed to non believers, this is not about consumerism, gifts, merchandise, food, booze, or religion this is about “feasting” unto God for His Salvation made Manifest in the Flesh and those whom God knows loves Him.

“This is the day that The Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

First of Satan does not own this solar / cosmic calendar “day”.
Stop giving “it” more press, and give glory to God.

It comes down to intention.

Sitting down to dinner, communing one with another, “breaking bread” and having a “mass” on any day is pleasing and acceptable to the Lord if it is not to be a day or time of solemn fasting and prayer for you (as the Lord leads you).

Matthew 18:20; “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”- Emannuel/Yeshua”

^^Sounds Like a Christmas to me.

100’s of millions of gatherings are happening all over the world this day December 25th 2024, they are in reverence happening in the name of The Lord. Truly every day is Christmas or a Mass of Christ, we all know it.

I pray that they touch base with him this day, that “The Reason for The Season” is not lost on them and they feel the holy spirit working in them and in their midst’s.

So if this the truth, that this is a day of feasting, celebration, hope, peace, fellowship, charity and love for those celebrating Christmas on this day, not celebrating or paying hommage to idols then what is the controversy?

How many are thinking about Jesus let alone the “sacred trees” of Northern European / Norse mythology such as Yggdrasil when they are off to buy a tree and decorations? How many are wickedly cackling with glee inside that they get to worship a tree and stick it to God?

How many are thinking about Jeremiah 10:1-4 when Christmas tree shopping? So they even know it and if so it’s context

Jeremiah 10:1-4 “Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.”

Idolatry! 

Christians are not carrying idols or effigies to use in the celebration of the “Birth of Tammuz” or to worship their pantheon of “gods” placing cunningly crafted idols of “gods” AKA Christmas Tree Ornaments, placing the ornament / idol of the “god” that they most want to please or need help from higher than the other pantheon of “ornament gods”. We all have to keep Idolatry out of our lives and in check everyday not just December 25th.

Some of the “seasons” traditions are not all pagan, they are  / were practical.

Deck the Halls…

In times past without the benefit of indoor plumbing let alone a toilet / washroom you would want to have some Cedar and Pine bows decking the halls… To cover the smells, to “spruce up” the place <— Not Pagan at all, back in the days before Airwick / fresheners and the Paint Dept @ Home Depot this is how you “spruced up”. Wreath on the door? It’s a Welcome mat.  A freshly cut pine tree with some candy and popcorn strung all around it, treats for the kids and guests to nibble on and enjoy not to mention the fact that the tree, the wreaths, bows and garlands  took precious man hours to create and hang, that it looks festive,  and that it helped mask the smell of peoples BO and the horses they rode to dinner on LOL!

---

There is many things I  / we could point out around the pagan observances of old that are traditionally held on December 25th. I say December 25th and not Christmas because they are truly not one in the same for Christians.

For instance if your birthday is December 21st., and those who love you celebrate you and your birthday are the really just celebrating the winter solstice, a decidedly important “pagan day”?  I think not.

I would not be at all surprised if the Three Wise Men that came to The Lord on the Day of His birth (that day we know is not December 25th on the  Gregorian calendar) did not keep account of and observed that day year over year in some way or fashion even to take a cup of wine and raise to heaven, to God for His Salvation Came and Comes.

---

How do I navigate all of this?

I explain sometimes the origins of December 25th AKA “Christmas”during Christmas, at Christmas time / day when I am celebrating Christmas with them. That’s how I deal with it, I mention it when it comes up and is organic. I do not make it awkward, they know I have no guilt or shame in breaking bread, sharing gifts and time together, so they know I am not trying to cast doubt on their faith or to induce guilt / shame in them.

I know those that will come to Christmas dinner / functions and rail on about the rampant paganism in the “church”… “Christmas Day” is one of those things that “religious” people with use as a pretext to espouse on their exulted knowledge about the problems in the church, Christmas Day is for them “Heresy Hunting Day”, any Romans  / Pagans / Heathens they are not safe, they are only feasting with you so that they might educate you. In a way I do that too 🙂

For some this is what Christmas Day looks like. In 1 Cor. 8-10, the apostle has shown an idol is nothing, and so eating food sacrificed to idols cannot be sinful in itself. He gives considerations why such meat should not be eaten in certain circumstances so as to avoid giving offence, 10:32

So for those whose conscious are vexed by December 25th AKA Christmas then I refrain from the topic. I have family that are still “JW’s” and still even more who are not but are still under the yolk of JW doctrine, scared by it some might actually say .

When I share it with a Christians during Christmas time I bring it back around to this: “This is the day that The Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it.” We know who we rejoice in and give thanks to that day, and every day we do so.

The Way, The Truth, The Life. God has called those who will worship him in the spirit of freedom and truth, don’t let frivolous striving on the customs of men beset you.

Wishing each of you the very best.

Rev. John

---