Episode 225: The Vast Christmas Spiritual Conspiracy - A Fresh Approach (Part 1)
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ALL AGREE THAT CHRISTMAS IS A SECULAR HOLIDAY We will look into a number of issues. First is Xmas a Christian holiday? Why was December 25th chosen as the date ? What significance does this date hold? What spiritual concepts, if any, is the Devil trying to obscure from our view with the Xmas dates and traditions?   Christmas is secular. In 1990 the Solon , Ohio, school board banned all Christmas scenes etc. from school property. Enraged parents sued to regain Christmas and its trappings for their kids. The court concluded something remarkable. Christmas they said was secular. It was kept all over the world and in many religions. It was a secular worldwide holiday. They could retain it in the schools, if no Bible readings etc. or prayer was involved. This was fine with most of the people. The Bible portions of Xmas have always been overshadowed by many other worldly and commercial traditions anyway. December 25th is the date of the Roman Empire's Saturnalia, a rowdy, boisterous,decadent pagan winter solstice celebration. Many ancient religions had a winter solstice at the end of December. One existed among the Norsemen of Europe and among the Egyptians. Secular colleges, vehemently and eagerly still keep the winter holidays. They predate Christ by at least two thousand of years.   As a good historian, Luke provides some vital information about the time period surrounding Christ’s birth. First, in a long section from Luke 1:5,8 to 2:8, Zachariah, the priest was of the priestly course of Abia or Abijah which began June 18th and extended until July 1st. (See 1 Chronicles 24:10.) The courses of priests began at the Passover. The eighth course would be about three and a half months later which would occur in the summer. Zachariah's son John, was born six months before Jesus. This information allows us to calculate Elizabeth’s sixth month of pregnancy as December. John the Baptist then would be born in the spring. Note Luke 1:26-38. Six months later would have Jesus Christ born in the fall. The Bible has Fall and Spring Holy Days to celebrate Christ’s death and first and second coming.   The sheep were outside the barns at night when Christ was born inside, in the manger. It would be too cold, rainy and possibly, snowy, due to elevation to have sheep outside at night in the fields in the winter. See Luke 2:8.   Luke 2:8 (WEB) 8 There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.   It is clear that Christ was not born on December 25, on a cold, winter night. That date choice was a pagan influenced, political choice. If we really love Jesus Christ let’s worship Him in spirit and truth. The early Christian Church did not celebrate Christmas. The Bible does not mention Christmas. Early Christians did celebrate God’s Holy Days. The Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th Edition states that even as late as 245 A.D. The Catholic theologian, Origen still said that keeping Christmas was sinful.   WHY THE SATURNALIA WAS CHOSEN FOR THE CHRISTMAS DATE? Catholic scholars know that Christ was not born on December 25. This is the date of the Sun God's worship festival. It is the date on which the Sun supposedly begins its comeback. Light winning over darkness is what the ancient pagan Sun worshipers all over the world celebrated. The Roman Empire's version was the Saturnalia. December 25th was chosen as Christ's birth-date so that the pagans of the Roman Empire,who celebrated Saturnalia, could keep their holiday and also accept Christianity. They would not have to relinquish a celebration they loved to be Christians. Would God approve of this swap? Is using pagan customs to worship the true God acceptable to Him?   Mark 7:7-9 (WEB) 7 But in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. 8 "For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the traditions of men--the washing of pitchers and cups, and you do many other such things." 9 He said to them, "Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.   Christ clearly asserts that he does not wish to be worshiped using human and pagan traditions as the method. Why are pagan customs and traditions abhorred by God ?   Deuteronomy 12:30-31 30 take heed to yourself that you not be ensnared to follow them, after that they are destroyed from before you; and that you not inquire after their gods, saying, How do these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. 31 You shall not do so to Yahweh your God: for every abomination to Yahweh, which He hates, have they done to their gods; for even their sons and their daughters do they burn in the fire to their gods.   They have abominable practices! What is so abominable about cute, pagan customs? A closer look at the Saturnalia will revealed why it is an abomination. Saturnalia was known for rowdy behavior including :   Widespread intoxication and lawless free for all. Sexual orgies including going house to house singing naked. Any woman outside on the streets of Rome was fair game. Very brutal human sacrifices. Murdering a chosen enemy on Saturnalia in a gruesome fashion was part of the last day. Later centuries saw Catholics persecuting Jews, instead, on this date.

  The courts of Rome were closed for the eight days of light and Saturnalia. Dress codes were relaxed. Therefore, anything was allowed. It was a free for all. Wild debauchery was the spirit of the Saturnalia. People of the empire would not give up this celebration therefore it was brought into Christianity. The spirit of the pagan season attempts to pollute the majesty and wonder of the birth our Savior and remove, if possible, its deep and profound importance to our salvation.   Many are now saying why not put Christ back into Christmas. They mean well. However the Biblical accounts of Jesus' birth are overwhelmed by the Christmas spirit and traditions. What do I mean? It is hard to get most of the public to focus on the heroism of Mary and Joseph during Jesus' birth because of all the paganized traditions. This includes all the commercialism of Xmas. People are fixated on shopping, decorating trees, lights, mistletoe, and gifts. Retailer are caught in the Christmas trap. They now must promote feverishly shopping and buying things for parties and gifts. If they do not they will probably go bankrupt. Most retailers must make 60% of their profits during the Christmas shopping spree period. Santa Claus overshadows the entire period. Santa Claus possibly has a direct link to biblically forbidden pagan doctrines. St. Nicholas is the origin of Santa Claus. Note what warning Christ gives   Revelation 2:14-15 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans "which I hate" .   The cult of the Nicolaitans is the source for Santa Claus. The cults activities are compatible with the Roman Saturnalia. Anciently Santa was a common name for Nimrod. He was the fire god who came down chimneys and also had infant sacrifices burned to him. Our Santa comes from Saint Nicholas. Who was stern and warned children about bad conduct and wore a black suit. Poems and modern day marketing changed him into jolly St. Nick in a bright red costume and a bright smile (Coke Cola promotions).   CAN WE PUT CHRIST BACK INTO CHRISTMAS? Realize that normally there are a thousand references to Santa at Christmas to one reference to Joseph or a hundred times more references than to Mary. Any nominal Christian pastor trying to put Christ back into Xmas has an uphill struggle. The lights and the Xmas tree shine so bright that a serious Biblical discussion is nearly drowned out by all traditional activities. The three wise men did not give gifts to each other they gave gifts to the recently born King. Gifts under the tree are pagan not Christian. The tree is the source of sustenance in the Norsemen pagan tree worship.   Jeremiah 10:4-5 4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it not move. 5 They are like a palm tree, of turned work, and don't speak: they must be carried, because they can't go. Don't be afraid of them; for they can't do evil, neither is it in them to do good."   Do any of us really believe that most experience during this season more 'Love' than more 'Greed'. Do we have more of the Biblical records of the Messiah's birth or more Santa and lights and decadent avarice and greed. It is usually spiced up with an increase in drinking. Is the Devil distracting us from even deeper and more spiritual insights? It is surprising that no reference in the New Testament to a Christmas celebration exist! The Apostles would never have used the Saturnalia to worship Jesus.