Author:
Misty
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Date Posted: 11:17:49 10/17/03 Fri
Hello,
Thank you for your report on the birth of Jesus. I found it interesting, especially with Christmas right around the corner. The more that true Christians know and understand, the better. I also have learned through research, very interesting and somewhat disturbing information. Even though some of it is disturbing, just knowing the truth for a change, has made me truly happy inside.
Did you know that Dec.25th is not Jesus actual bithdate? And did you also know that Christmas as we have been taught all of our lives, is not Bible based?
M’Clintock and Strong’s Cyclopedia says: “The observance of Christmas is not of divine appointment, nor is it of N[ew]T[estament] origin. The day of Christ’s birth cannot be ascertained from the NT, or, indeed, from any other source.” (New York, 1871), Vol.II, p.276
Luke 2:8-11 shows that shepherds were in the fields at night at the time of Jesus birth. The book Daily Life in the Time of Jesus states: “ The flocks….passed the winter under cover; and from this alone it may be seen that the traditional date for Christmas, in the winter, is unlikely to be right, since the Gospel says that the shepherds were in the fields” (New York, 1962), Henri Daniel-Rops, p.228.
The Encyclopedia Americana tells us: “ The reason for establishing December 25th as Christmas is somewhat obscure, but it is usually held that the day was chosen 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’….The Roman Saturnalia (a festival dedicated to Saturn, the god of agriculture, and the renewed power of the sun), also took place at this time, and some Christmas customs are thought to be rooted in this ancient pagan celebration.” (1977, Vol.6, p.666)
The New Catholic Encyclopedia acknowledges: “ The date of Christ’s birth is not known. The Gospels indicate neither the day nor the month….According to the hypothesis suggested by H.Usener ….and accepted by most scholars today, the birth of Christ was assigned the date of the winter solstice (Dec.25th in the Julian calendar, Jan.6 in the Egyptian), because on this day, as the sun began its return to northern skies, the pagan devotees of Mirtha celebrated the dies natalis Solis Invicti (birthday of the invincible sun). On Dec.25,274 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 particularly strong at Rome.” (1967), Vol.III, p.656.
Research for yourself my dear neighbor, I assure you, there is absolutely no record of the true birth date of Christ.
Did you know that the Wise men, or Magi, that were led by the star, were actually astrologers from the east?
Matt.2:1,2) Who but astrologers follow the stars? Although astrology is popular among people today, the practice is strongly disapproved in the Bible. Deut.18:10-12 “There should not be found in you anyone who….employs divination, is a practicer of magic or anyone who looks for omens….For everybody doing these things is something detestable to GOD”. Isa.47:13-15 To the Babylonians he said: “Let your astrologers, your star-gazers who foretell your future month by month, persist, and save you! But look, they are gone like chaff….So much for your magicians with whom you have trafficked all your life: they have stumbled off, each one his own way, and there is no one to save you.” (New English Translation)****Think: Would GOD have led to the newborn Jesus persons whose practices He Condemned? --------------Matt.2:1-16 shows that the star led the astrologers first to King Herod, and then to Jesus, and that Herod then sought to have Jesus killed. No mention is made that anyone, other than the astrologers, saw the “star”. After they left, GODS angel warned Joseph to flee to Egypt to safeguard the child.****Think: Was that “star” a sign from GOD or was it from someone who was seeking to have GOD’S Son destroyed? --------------At Luke 2:8-20, we find a much different picture. The shepherds were actually spoken to by GOD’S angel, telling them about the birth of our Savior, and that they would find the infant, bound in cloth bands and lying in a manger. Not only was there one angel speaking, but it says that there was a multitude of the heavenly army praising GOD and the birth of Christ our Lord and Saviour. ------ Nowhere in Luke’s version are the Magi spoken about. ------- Also note from Matthews version, that the Magi did not find the babe Jesus in a manger, as customarily depicted in Christmas art. When these astrologers arrived, Jesus and his parents were living in a house. As to Jesus age at that time, remember that, based on what Herod had learned from the astrologers, he decreed that all the boys in the district of Bethlehem two years of age and under were to be destroyed. Matt.2:1,11,16 ------------Notice also, that the shepherds did not come to Jesus, at his birth, baring gifts; instead, they repeated all that they had heard and seen from GOD’S angels.
The practice of Christmas gift giving cannot be based on what was done by the Magi, since the Bible does not show them arriving at the time of Jesus birth. Furthermore, they gave gifts, not to each other, but to the child Jesus, which was customary when visiting notable persons.
The Encyclopedia Americana states: “During the Saturnalia….. feasting prevailed, and gifts were exchanged.” (1977, Vol.24, p.299)
In many instances, this represents the spirit of Christmas.***** Sure we love, or at least should love, getting together with our extended families, sharing a family meal, talking about old memories, and of course, making new memories. But should we feel so obligated to add more financial burden to ourselves, on top of what we’re already burdened with?
It’s so true that there is more pleasure in giving than there is in receiving ( Acts 20:35). I have found more pleasure in giving a gift to someone when they least expect it, when no one else is around. The person that I’ve given the gift to, knows that I was thinking only of them, not them within a group of others. What a wonderful feeling, to know that someone thought you were so special, so as to see something they knew you would like, and they just so happened to have enough money in their pocket, to get it for you. Jesus did tell us at Matt.6:3,4, “But you, when making gifts of mercy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your gifts of mercy may be in secret; then your Father who is looking on in secret will repay you.” Gods word also says at 2Cor.9:7, “Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Grudgingly is defined as, “unwilling or reluctant, which suggests struggling against doing something one finds disagreeable or unpleasant, disapproves of, is afraid of, etc… “
Compulsion is defined as, the “act of compelling, which is to force a person to do something one wants, or to give in to something.” Thorndike-Barnhart High school Dictionary
Now really, how do you feel when you’ve pulled the name, of someone you honestly don’t think much of in the first place(you should work on this feeling), from a hat at work, and now you have to get that person a gift? Even if you did actually like this person, can you really find a place for them in your budget, with all of the other financial expectations at this time of the year? Can any common person, honestly say, that they are not doing so grudgingly and under compulsion?
Obviously, after reading Matt.6:3,4 and 2Cor.9:7, we can see that the spirit of Christmas gift giving does not bring real happiness, because it violates these precious Christian principles. Surely a Christian can give gifts to others as an expression of love at other times during the year, doing so as often as he wants to.
The World Book Encyclopedia states: “Depending on where they live, children are told that gifts are brought by Santa Claus, St.Nicholas, Father Christmas, Pere Noel, Knecht Ruprecht, the Magi, the elf Jultomten, or a witch known as La Befana. (1984, Vol.3,p.414)
Of course none of these stories are true, just as Dec.25th being the birth date of Christ has proven to be untrue, and the gift giving surrounding Christ’s birth is untrue.
****Think: Isn’t the opposite of the truth, in fact, a lie? Exactly where does a lie come from?
Heb.6:18 says that it is impossible for GOD to lie. Obviously then, Christmas as we’ve been taught, does not originate with GOD.
John 8:44 says that the devil is a liar, and he is the father of the lie.
****Think: So now who are we actually stressing ourselves out for: with the added time to our already hectic daily schedules, and having to scrape extra money from our already tight budgets, during this holiday?-----Notice how the truth in this instance sets you free from this kind of stress.
As history and the Bible have proven, Christmas traditions have actually been developed from lies mixed with pagan religious beliefs.
****Think:
What is a pagan?
Pagan is defined as," a person who is not Christian, a person who has no religion, heathen."
Heathen is defined as, "a person who does not believe in the true GOD of the Bible. People who are uncivilized or regarded as not enlightened believing in many gods or worshiping idols."
Romans 1:18-32 paints a very clear picture as to how our true GOD sees these people, as well as any that choose to follow in their paths.
Vs.25 shows how HE gives up those that exchanged the truth of GOD for the lie and venerated and rendered sacred service to the creation rather than the One who created.
John 4:23,24 “Nevertheless, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshippers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship Him. GOD is a Spirit, and those worshipping Him must worship with spirit and truth.”
****Think: How can a true Christian worship GOD in truth, if he continues participating in mans traditions that are based on lies?
Eph.5:10,11 “Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord; and quit sharing with them in the unfruitful works that belong to the darkness, but rather, even be reproving them.”------
****Think: Works like these are certainly unfruitful, do you honestly think that the people stricken with poverty are happy during these festive times? God loves all of his children, so why would he think that some children are more special than others, in that some recieved gifts while others did not,and some children feasted, while others were malnurished? If God is in fact Love, then this belief cannot possibly come from Him.
2 Cor.6:14-18 “What fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Be’lial? Or what portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever? And what agreement does GOD’S temple have with idols? ….’”Therefore get out from among them, and separate yourselves,” says the LORD,” and quit touching the unclean thing”’; ‘”and I will take you in, ….. and you will be sons and daughters to me,” says GOD the Almighty.’”
Genuine love for our Creator and a strong desire to please Him, will help a person to break free from unchristian practices that may have had emotional appeal. A person who really knows and loves our LORD, does not feel that by shunning practices that honor false gods, or that promote falsehood he is in any way deprived of happiness. Genuine love causes him to rejoice, not over unrighteousness, but with the truth. See 1Cor.13:6
Compare Exodus 32:4-10: Notice that the Israelites adopted an Egyptian religious practice but gave it a new name,” a festival to GOD”. But GOD severely punished them for this.
Today we see only 20th century practices associated with holidays. Some may appear harmless. But God had observed firsthand the pagan religious practices from which these originated.
Should not His view be what matters to us? He is after all, our Father.
Jesus said at Matt.19:14 & 18:3 “Let the young children alone, and stop hindering them from coming to me, for the kingdom of the heavens belongs to suchlike ones.” “Truly I say to you, Unless you turn around and become as young children, you will by no means enter into the kingdom of the heavens.”
****Think: Young children are open minded, and can certainly understand what makes logical sense. Let’s face it, the truth makes a lot more sense than a lie, therefore we teach our children not to lie. A young child accepting discipline is a young child accepting what is the best and safest way for him. To accept discipline is to let go of wrong thinking and therefore stop wrong actions,( that is, thinking and actions that can hurt us as well as others, and keep us from living a happy and fulfilling life.)
Certainly, our Heavenly Father wants no less for us.
I love you neighbor, and want you and your family to be happy and free from so many lies that have been spoken against our Father.
I promise that there is no human alive that can ever love you as much as Him, therefore he wants each of us to know and live in the truth.
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