The Origin of Christmas
This truth, if accepted, will lead you into a deeper understanding and relationship with Jesus as you and your family incorporate true Biblical events into your calendar days to remember each year. In America, we celebrate events that are shameful, sinful, and sometimes originated with pagan roots, such as Halloween. It is time Christians understand what the holidays they are celebrating really mean. They might determine to discontinue them and begin celebrating great historical events that the first century Christians celebrated—miracles Jesus wanted His Bride to remember. This reality could cause some of you to be upset, mad and even depressed momentarily as you are awakened to the truth. You are faced with a decision of whether to ignore it by pretending it’s really not applicable for today so that you can continue with the philosophies and traditions with which you were raised. (Colossians 2:8). I am convinced that nothing makes people manifest anger and hostility more quickly than the controversy of traditions, philosophies and holidays with pagan roots taught by men and birthed by demons. (Matthew 15:9; 16:12; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; Revelation 2:14; Colossians 2:20-22; Hebrews 13:9; Mark 7:7-9 etc.)
Brethren, the following Scriptures are so vital for understanding, reception and unity. James 1:19-20, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” Galatians 4:16, “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?”
I constantly hear people say, “if it is not in the Bible then we should not accept it.” “If it is not in the Bible then we should not teach it.” “If it is not in the Bible then we should not do it.” Some of these people are very good sincere people, while others are proud, self-righteous and ignorant.
Personally, I have always looked forward to the Christmas holiday season, but did you know that Christmas is not found anywhere in the Bible? Did you know that nowhere in the Bible are we instructed to celebrate the birth date of Jesus? Did you know that the first century Church did not celebrate the date of Jesus’ birth? Did you know that December 25th is not the true birth date of Jesus? On December 25th, I am with my family and we are drawn closer to one another and our faith in Jesus Christ. I teach them and we remember the events and miracles of Jesus throughout the year during the times they actually took place. Worship, praise, testimonies, prayer, Scriptures and communion are all part of the holidays as the priest of the home leads the family into the ways and understanding of God. PTL
Now these truths that you are about to read should not cause you to separate from family or friends, or to leave the fellowship of the brethren to which you belong. I still attend and support churches and ministries that celebrate Christmas, or put up a Christmas tree, as long as other issues dealing with righteousness, holiness and sin are still correct. Differing opinions on holidays, or one’s belief in pre-, mid- or post-tribulation rapture should not separate brethren. These are not salvation or eternal life issues such as continual sin in adultery, abortion, homosexuality, et cetera! I definitely believe in the rapture, but does one’s friendship or relationship in ministry depend on which position they take? God forbid that such doctrine unessential to our salvation could cause dissension! Jesus is very saddened over how the enemy uses such nonsense to cause division between the brethren.
As I mentioned earlier, Christmas is not found in the Scriptures. In fact, “The early Americans refused to allow the pagan holidays of Christmas and Halloween; both were illegal in America the first fifty years.”1 Many of you know that Halloween is a very pagan holiday, but fewer realize that Christmas also has very pagan roots. “Bible scholars and knowledgeable historians concur that Jesus the Messiah was not born at the pagan festival of the Saturnalia, on December 25th, but at the Hebrew/Christian Feast of the Tabernacles, which is in the fall of the year.”2 Again, Christmas is not found in the Bible and Christmas should not arouse emotions to separate people who decide to teach others the true origin of Christmas. I personally believe we do not see a genuine powerful revival in America because most Christians compromise on every issue to avoid rejection, criticism and persecution as finally most of the Christians did 300 years after Jesus ascended.
“In year 325, Constantine adopted ‘Christianity’ as the official religion of the Eastern Roman Empire, called Byzantium.”3 “Constantine was the son of a Roman emperor. After his father died, he felt he was the rightful heir to the throne of the Roman Empire...So, Constantine took his army and marched against Rome. He had the support of the pagans because he himself worshiped Baal, the sun god. Constantine was vastly outnumbered by the army of his enemy, Maxentius, which stood between him and the throne. He needed the support of the Christians to be victorious. History tells us that a sign of the cross appeared in the sky promising victory for Constantine and his army. He had this cross put on the shields of his soldiers. However, this cross was the Ankh, a symbol for the sun god and NOT the cross representing the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Constantine succeeded in gaining the support of the Christians and took over as Emperor in 312 A.D. He now professed to be a ‘Christian’ and sprinkled his soldiers with water, making them instant ‘Christians.’ There was no true repentance and forgiveness for sin nor profession of faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. This entire ritual was A FARCE!...When Rome conquered the world, the various forms of Babylonian religion were absorbed into the Roman Empire, becoming what is known as PAGAN ROME. Emperor Constantine was successful in uniting Christianity at Rome with the pagan Babylonian religion (Baal worship). In 325 A.D. he set up the ‘Council of Nicaea’ and presided as the ‘Summus Pontifex’ (the official title of a pope).”4