Christmas Truth
or Xmas Traditions
This has to be a deep study as we go into this intriguing subject which has deceived the whole of Christianity and its surrounding world. Many students of the Scriptures have been confused by the writings of the church fathers throughout time. Let us ask questions and investigate this subject through their writings, history, prophecy, and the Sacred Scriptures.
There is no official date for Yahshua’s birth, but in 354 A.D. the Bishop of Rome started observing the “Christes Masse” festival on Dec. 25th. The date coincided with an established celebration of the Teutonic tribes in Northern Europe as a time for rejoicing at the sun’s return to the earth after the winter solstice. This festival for the sun god, or “Sol invictus” was officially recognized by the emperor Aurelian in 274 A.D. By celebrating Yahshua’s birth during the season of pagan ritual, the Christian church grasped the opportunity to turn heathens from sun worship to worshipping the “sun of the spiritual world.”
Because of the Teutonic taint — the customs which were originally pagan — associated with Christmas time, the holiday was banned by the Puritans from 1642—52. An official document condemned Christmas in the American colonies in 1659 and this jolly season was outlawed. In the 19th century, German and Irish immigrants brought to America the Christmas customs and traditions of their home countries and renewed the holiday’s popularity. By 1836, Christmas was a legal holiday in Alabama, and in most of the other states by the end of the 1800’s. Excerpts from an article in the Bradenton Herald, Dec. 24,1978.
There is no official date for Yahshua’s birth, but in 354 A.D. the Bishop of Rome started observing the “Christes Masse” festival on Dec. 25th. The date coincided with an established celebration of the Teutonic tribes in Northern Europe as a time for rejoicing at the sun’s return to the earth after the winter solstice. This festival for the sun god, or “Sol invictus” was officially recognized by the emperor Aurelian in 274 A.D. By celebrating Yahshua’s birth during the season of pagan ritual, the Christian church grasped the opportunity to turn heathens from sun worship to worshipping the “sun of the spiritual world.”
Because of the Teutonic taint — the customs which were originally pagan — associated with Christmas time, the holiday was banned by the Puritans from 1642—52. An official document condemned Christmas in the American colonies in 1659 and this jolly season was outlawed. In the 19th century, German and Irish immigrants brought to America the Christmas customs and traditions of their home countries and renewed the holiday’s popularity. By 1836, Christmas was a legal holiday in Alabama, and in most of the other states by the end of the 1800’s. Excerpts from an article in the Bradenton Herald, Dec. 24,1978.
The Legend of the Xmas Festival
The display of the nativity through the Xmas holidays pictures Mary, Joseph, and the babe with the three wise men and the shepherds. The Xmas legend which has been practiced for centuries is misrepresenting. The World Book Encyclopaedia tells how the three wise men and the shepherds followed the star to Bethlehem to the inn where the Messiah was born. Scripture only mentions the wise men, not “three”, that followed the star. The shepherds received a sign from heaven by an angel sent from Yahweh.
The Son was born and wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. And in the same country shepherds were abiding, keeping watch over the flock by night. The angel appeared and the high esteem of Yahweh beamed round about them, they were sore afraid. The angel announced the birth of the Messiah unto them. The sign that was given unto the shepherds: you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising Yahweh. Now the shepherds went into Bethlehem; they came with haste and found Mary, Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger, Luke 2:7—16.
When the Messiah was born in the days of Herod the king, there came wise men from the east inquiring where he, the King of the Jews, was born … Herod, when he had privately called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. (Notice it was some time later that they found the child.) ... And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother. (Note that the family was not at the inn, but residing in a house.) And the wise men fell down and worshipped him, and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh, Matt. 2:1,2, 7, 11,
The World Book Encyclopaedia states that the custom of giving gifts began in memory of the gifts that the shepherds and wise men presented to the Messiah, but the shepherds did not present gifts to the babe.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising Yahweh for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them, Luke 2:20.
History and Scripture do not reveal the exact date of the Messiah’s birth. The World Book Encyclopaedia, article on Christmas reads, “For more than 300 years, people observed his birthday on various dates. In A.D.354, Pope Liberius of Rome ordered the people to celebrate on Dec.25th. This date was chosen because the people of Rome were already observing it as the feast of Saturn (the name of a Roman god), celebrating “The birthday of the sun. (BAAL)”.
The word “Christmas” is derived from two words, Christ and mass. The word “Christ” was a Greek appellation given to the Saviour, and “mass” was derived from an anglo-saxon word “moessa” meaning holy day or feast. The word christ-mas itself shows us that it is a mixture of paganism and so-called Christianity.
Christmas is celebrated in most all countries as the birthday of Messiah. People take part in religious ceremonies, in observing “Peace on earth, goodwill toward men.” Many celebrate in social drinking and parties, the firing of loud fireworks, etc. Many people lose their lives at this time of year. The customs of exchanging gifts and decorating is commercialised religion. Stories have been told from generation to generation about the origin of Christmas.
The display of the nativity through the Xmas holidays pictures Mary, Joseph, and the babe with the three wise men and the shepherds. The Xmas legend which has been practiced for centuries is misrepresenting. The World Book Encyclopaedia tells how the three wise men and the shepherds followed the star to Bethlehem to the inn where the Messiah was born. Scripture only mentions the wise men, not “three”, that followed the star. The shepherds received a sign from heaven by an angel sent from Yahweh.
The Son was born and wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. And in the same country shepherds were abiding, keeping watch over the flock by night. The angel appeared and the high esteem of Yahweh beamed round about them, they were sore afraid. The angel announced the birth of the Messiah unto them. The sign that was given unto the shepherds: you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising Yahweh. Now the shepherds went into Bethlehem; they came with haste and found Mary, Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger, Luke 2:7—16.
When the Messiah was born in the days of Herod the king, there came wise men from the east inquiring where he, the King of the Jews, was born … Herod, when he had privately called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. (Notice it was some time later that they found the child.) ... And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother. (Note that the family was not at the inn, but residing in a house.) And the wise men fell down and worshipped him, and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh, Matt. 2:1,2, 7, 11,
The World Book Encyclopaedia states that the custom of giving gifts began in memory of the gifts that the shepherds and wise men presented to the Messiah, but the shepherds did not present gifts to the babe.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising Yahweh for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them, Luke 2:20.
History and Scripture do not reveal the exact date of the Messiah’s birth. The World Book Encyclopaedia, article on Christmas reads, “For more than 300 years, people observed his birthday on various dates. In A.D.354, Pope Liberius of Rome ordered the people to celebrate on Dec.25th. This date was chosen because the people of Rome were already observing it as the feast of Saturn (the name of a Roman god), celebrating “The birthday of the sun. (BAAL)”.
The word “Christmas” is derived from two words, Christ and mass. The word “Christ” was a Greek appellation given to the Saviour, and “mass” was derived from an anglo-saxon word “moessa” meaning holy day or feast. The word christ-mas itself shows us that it is a mixture of paganism and so-called Christianity.
Christmas is celebrated in most all countries as the birthday of Messiah. People take part in religious ceremonies, in observing “Peace on earth, goodwill toward men.” Many celebrate in social drinking and parties, the firing of loud fireworks, etc. Many people lose their lives at this time of year. The customs of exchanging gifts and decorating is commercialised religion. Stories have been told from generation to generation about the origin of Christmas.
The Traditions
Please find out yourself and read in the Old Testament that many years before Messiah was born, pagans really worshipped the tree.
Thus saith Yahweh, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 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. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good, Jer 10:2- 5.
These verses warn us not to learn the way of the heathen, and not to be followers of their customs because they are vain, useless, hollow, idle, empty, fruitless, senseless, pointless, futile, wasted, to no avail, and many more examples could be
Please find out yourself and read in the Old Testament that many years before Messiah was born, pagans really worshipped the tree.
Thus saith Yahweh, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 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. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good, Jer 10:2- 5.
These verses warn us not to learn the way of the heathen, and not to be followers of their customs because they are vain, useless, hollow, idle, empty, fruitless, senseless, pointless, futile, wasted, to no avail, and many more examples could be
used in place of the word “vain.” We ask you once again to read for yourself this entire chapter from your own Bible, and take note. Is not this a full description of the modern day Christmas tree? This festival affects most industries, because of the millions who buy products of all kinds for gifts.
In Revelation 18:8, 15 and 17 we read that by “great Babylon the merchants of the earth were made rich. Time will come that the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her, for no man bought her merchandise any more. Her plagues shall come in one day” (the fall of Babylon). “In one hour, so great riches have come to nought.”
History and Scripture bears witness that our Saviour was not born December 25th in mid-winter.
In Luke 2:1-16, we read Mary and Joseph had to go from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Bethlehem of Judaea to register for taxation. This journey would have been very difficult in the mid winter as the only transportation in those days was by animal such as camel, horse, ass or oxen or by foot. Also, taxes were usually paid in the fall of the year. Neither do shepherds tend their flocks in the open fields at this time of year.
The Xmas dinner with all its trimmings is also of paganism. When the mid-winter festival of celebrating in honour of their idols came around each year (December), it was known as the Saturnalia. Saturn was but another name for Nimrod, Tammuz, or “the hidden god”. This was a vile and immoral feast. It was a feast of drunkenness and debauchery (excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures of every kind). The merrymaking of this very season passed into the Roman Church and on down to our present civilization.
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans which things I hate, Revelation 2:15.
The Nicolaitans were members of an early religious sect, and followed the doctrine of Balaam. Their leader was Nicolas and Nicolas was a proselyte of Antioch, Acts 6:5. The word proselyte means one newly come (Greek). A new convert to some religious sect. Nicolaitane is a compound word of Nike and Laos in Greek. Nike is the name of the goddess of victory in Greek, whose function was to proselyte or evangelize for Zeus. Laos is the Greek word for laity, devotees, of followers.
But I have a few things against you, because you have them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before My children, to eat things sacrificed unto idols and to commit fornication, Revelation 2:14.
Therefore without any guesswork or speculation, we can identify Nike- Laos, Nike-Laity, or Nicolaitans with the fellow St. Nika-Laos, or Santa Claus, who appears every year in the month of December to remind us that the birthday of Zeus, Jupiter, Mithra, Nimrod, Baal, Addon, Apollo, Tammuz, and Bacchus, is the 25th, and is to be memorialised.
Is it not strange that there have been five popes named Nicholas. Saint Nicholas (C.E.300) was one of the most popular saints of the Christian church. He was extremely kind, and often going out at night taking gifts to the needy. Children were so fond of him and his habit of bringing gifts, that the custom of celebrating his feast day was maintained as we see each year when that season comes around.
In Matthew chapter 2, we read there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, asking where, He that is born to be King of the Jews could be found, because they had seen His star, and have come to worship Him. King Herod with his associates were troubled over this news, and enquired of the chief priests and scribes of the people demanding them to find out where the expected Messiah should be. They concluded even in those days using the Scriptures that He should be in the area of Bethlehem of Judah, Micah 5:2.
Then Herod privately called in these wise men to obtain the time of the sighting of this star they had seen, so he could estimate the child’s age. So he sent them to Bethlehem to search out the child and return to him with information of His whereabouts so he will be able to go and “Worship.” When they left the king the star reappeared and led them to the house where the child and the mother were. There they fell down and worshipped Him and gave him gifts consisting of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The Almighty warned them in a dream not to return to Herod but to return to their own country by a different route.
Later, Joseph was told to flee to Egypt with his wife and the young child. Then Herod made orders to slay all children up to two years old in the country. This illustrates the wise men were not at the birth place of Messiah but quite a few months later, if not a year after His birth, at His parents house.
The three types of gifts are very symbolic. The wise men must have had a very deep understanding with regard to our Saviour, These gifts revealed the threefold office as King, Priest, and Prophet which He was commissioned to perform.
In Revelation 18:8, 15 and 17 we read that by “great Babylon the merchants of the earth were made rich. Time will come that the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her, for no man bought her merchandise any more. Her plagues shall come in one day” (the fall of Babylon). “In one hour, so great riches have come to nought.”
History and Scripture bears witness that our Saviour was not born December 25th in mid-winter.
In Luke 2:1-16, we read Mary and Joseph had to go from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Bethlehem of Judaea to register for taxation. This journey would have been very difficult in the mid winter as the only transportation in those days was by animal such as camel, horse, ass or oxen or by foot. Also, taxes were usually paid in the fall of the year. Neither do shepherds tend their flocks in the open fields at this time of year.
The Xmas dinner with all its trimmings is also of paganism. When the mid-winter festival of celebrating in honour of their idols came around each year (December), it was known as the Saturnalia. Saturn was but another name for Nimrod, Tammuz, or “the hidden god”. This was a vile and immoral feast. It was a feast of drunkenness and debauchery (excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures of every kind). The merrymaking of this very season passed into the Roman Church and on down to our present civilization.
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans which things I hate, Revelation 2:15.
The Nicolaitans were members of an early religious sect, and followed the doctrine of Balaam. Their leader was Nicolas and Nicolas was a proselyte of Antioch, Acts 6:5. The word proselyte means one newly come (Greek). A new convert to some religious sect. Nicolaitane is a compound word of Nike and Laos in Greek. Nike is the name of the goddess of victory in Greek, whose function was to proselyte or evangelize for Zeus. Laos is the Greek word for laity, devotees, of followers.
But I have a few things against you, because you have them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before My children, to eat things sacrificed unto idols and to commit fornication, Revelation 2:14.
Therefore without any guesswork or speculation, we can identify Nike- Laos, Nike-Laity, or Nicolaitans with the fellow St. Nika-Laos, or Santa Claus, who appears every year in the month of December to remind us that the birthday of Zeus, Jupiter, Mithra, Nimrod, Baal, Addon, Apollo, Tammuz, and Bacchus, is the 25th, and is to be memorialised.
Is it not strange that there have been five popes named Nicholas. Saint Nicholas (C.E.300) was one of the most popular saints of the Christian church. He was extremely kind, and often going out at night taking gifts to the needy. Children were so fond of him and his habit of bringing gifts, that the custom of celebrating his feast day was maintained as we see each year when that season comes around.
In Matthew chapter 2, we read there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, asking where, He that is born to be King of the Jews could be found, because they had seen His star, and have come to worship Him. King Herod with his associates were troubled over this news, and enquired of the chief priests and scribes of the people demanding them to find out where the expected Messiah should be. They concluded even in those days using the Scriptures that He should be in the area of Bethlehem of Judah, Micah 5:2.
Then Herod privately called in these wise men to obtain the time of the sighting of this star they had seen, so he could estimate the child’s age. So he sent them to Bethlehem to search out the child and return to him with information of His whereabouts so he will be able to go and “Worship.” When they left the king the star reappeared and led them to the house where the child and the mother were. There they fell down and worshipped Him and gave him gifts consisting of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The Almighty warned them in a dream not to return to Herod but to return to their own country by a different route.
Later, Joseph was told to flee to Egypt with his wife and the young child. Then Herod made orders to slay all children up to two years old in the country. This illustrates the wise men were not at the birth place of Messiah but quite a few months later, if not a year after His birth, at His parents house.
The three types of gifts are very symbolic. The wise men must have had a very deep understanding with regard to our Saviour, These gifts revealed the threefold office as King, Priest, and Prophet which He was commissioned to perform.
Gold Represents Headship
Scripture
Dan. 2:37,38
O King you are the head of gold
Luke 1:31-34
Yahshua given power and authority
Eph. 5:23
Yahshua head of the body
Col. 1:18.
Preeminence in all things
Isaiah 9:6
The government shall be upon His shoulders
Zech. 9:9
Mark 11:10.
Frankincense is the Symbol of High Priest
Scripture
Comments
Exo. 30:34-38
Only pure frankincense for temple use
Rev. 5:8
It represents the prayers of the saints
Psalm 141:2
Let thy prayers be as incense
Luke 1:1-11
Praying without at the time of incense
1 Cor. 5:7
Heb. 10:12
Heb. 8:6
1 Peter 2:5
Heb. 7:25
Rom. 8:26
1 Tim. 2:1
Yahshua as our offering became our High priest
Myrrh is the Symbol of Yahweh’s Spirit
Scripture
Comments
Exo. 30:23-25
Anointing oil of pure myrrh
Luke 3:22
Yahshua received the Spirit
Rev.19:10
He was the Spirit of prophecy
Luke 4:1
He was filled with the Spirit
Acts 3:22
Yahweh shall raise up your Mighty One for a prophet
Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of Yahweh was upon me
Luke 4:18,19
I will put my words into his mouth
Exo. 28:41
Aaron and sons were anointed
Exo. 29:7
Anointing oil for the high priest
Psalms 133:2
Oil ran down Aaron’s garment
Lev. 8:12
Anointed with the Spirit to preach
Heb. 1:2
In these last days Yah has spoken unto us through His Son
Matt. 23:37-39
He foretold the destruction of his people in Jerusalem,
His death and resurrection to fulfil the plan of salvation
Looking unto Yahshua the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the torture stake, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of Yahweh, Heb 12:2.
Conclusion
On reading this article, you might ask: “Now what is there to replace this ‘family traditional season’ which, as you see, Almighty’s people should never have celebrated, if they remained in the knowledge of the Truth.” This is a very common question and a typically human one where we all want a replacement for anything we supposedly lost.
Well, how wonderful our Creator is. In His wisdom He gives us a set of Feast days in which we obtain far more meaning of our Saviour Yahshua the Messiah, when we observe them as He instructs us. They are all carefully listed down in your own Bible, Leviticus chapter 23.
Please note when you read this chapter, it will inform you that they are the Feasts Of Yahweh. They are not just Jewish feasts.
Note: Judah is only one of the tribes of Israel and Moses was to speak to all the children of Israel.
On reading this article, you might ask: “Now what is there to replace this ‘family traditional season’ which, as you see, Almighty’s people should never have celebrated, if they remained in the knowledge of the Truth.” This is a very common question and a typically human one where we all want a replacement for anything we supposedly lost.
Well, how wonderful our Creator is. In His wisdom He gives us a set of Feast days in which we obtain far more meaning of our Saviour Yahshua the Messiah, when we observe them as He instructs us. They are all carefully listed down in your own Bible, Leviticus chapter 23.
Please note when you read this chapter, it will inform you that they are the Feasts Of Yahweh. They are not just Jewish feasts.
Note: Judah is only one of the tribes of Israel and Moses was to speak to all the children of Israel.
-Elder Lionel Gets
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