Jesus Christ Is The Reason

For The Season

Hindus, Jews, Mormons, Pagans And Other Cults Celebrate It, While Despising Jesus As God

Manifest In The Flesh

X-mas, A World Wide Phenomenon

 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:

God was manifest in the flesh.... (I Tim. 3:16)

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matt. 1:23)

Everyday Persons Views On Christmas

    Secular: Dirtay Me says: I am a non-christian, as well as my family and most of my friends. We all celebrated secular Christmas. We buy presents for our family and friends. We exchange them on Christmas morning (or Eve). Our children think Santa is coming. We have a nice dinner with family and friends. Sound familiar? Its because we celebrate the same Christmas you do, minus the religious aspects. (So no Christmas mass, saying grace or believing anything the bible is real) Sometimes we like to call it Xmas or Giftmas, but its the same thing. (Celebration of Jesus Christ and He is not invited)

     Jewish: Well… I am Jewish. And if you are super judgmental   …stop reading now please! My Grandparents who are Jewish celebrated Christmas… (don't go to Church/Synagogue or anything) it's simply the most amazing day of the year that I love!! And my parents do that… So basically we wake up, open presents (at my mom's) then go to dad's and open presents then go to grandparent's and open presents and have an amazingly yummy brunch and hang out there and then go home and hang out then go to my aunt's for dinner. SO Jewish people ACTUALLY have amazing Christmas's! Some of my aunt's send me Hanukkah gifts though. It's a win-win situation. (Celebration of Jesus Christ and He is not invited)

     With the exception of those few who do NOT celebrate Christmas for religious reasons, we all, Christians and non-Christians alike, celebrate Christmas because we have to. It's the one holiday that is mandated by our culture, and to not celebrate is to be labeled a Scrooge or a Grinch. Simply put ...there is no way out. And that's probably one of the reasons for the stress (along with financial concerns and the mayhem) Why don't we stress over the Labor day, the 4th of July, or Easter? Because we don't have to participate if we don't feel like it, that's why. Some Christians are able to keep the focus on 'Christianity,' but it takes an effort. Non-Christians are in it for the cultural custom. But it doesn't matter. We can't get out of it even if we wanted to. (Celebration of Jesus Christ and He is not invited)

     Pagan: Janet W: I am a wiccan and celebrate the winter solstice (or yule) on 21st dec (22nd this year) this is the shortest day of the year. every day after this gets gradually longer so we see the dawn of the day after the winter solstice as the rebirth of the sun which we celebrate. however i also celebrate christmas day for my children until they are old enough to choose for themselves which path they want to follow. blessed be. (Celebration of Jesus Christ and He is not invited)

     Buddhists: My family is Lutheran and I am a Buddhist and we do Christmas, me included. Tomorrow is Bodhi Day for Buddhists, but I have never done it with anyone yet, I don't THINK its a gift giving holiday, and as such we Buddhists are getting killed in the winter gift giving holiday department so we might as well Buddhify Christmas as the old pagan holiday was Christofied into christmas. (Celebration of Jesus Christ and He is not invited)

     Athiest: As an Atheist I LOVE "Christmas." We have just as much reason (if not more) to celebrate it than Christians do. When you research the holiday season... really get into the history of the dates and all the Pagan and Roman holidays that existed once-upon-a-time around "christmas" throughout history, a complex story begins to emerge about the rise and fall of empires, and the things they do to control people. Its a story of humanity and our struggles to simply have a day to enjoy our friends and family. To enjoy some of the rewards that come from hard work, and celebrating the closing of the year on the shortest sun-lit days. Its a story of how the Roman empire forced people to lump their celebrating into a day called "sol inviticus" and how later in history the Catholic church did the exact same thing by forcing the date to celebrate Jesus instead, even though he was not born on December 25'th in order to shadow and nullify pre-existing celebrations and force people into converting to Christianity (Catholicism). It's about ancient traditions and the triumph of humanity that somehow survived through dark ages where the church unleashed a hell on earth, torturing people if not burning or just plainly outright killing people that did not agree with their ways. (Celebration of Jesus Christ and He is not invited)

     Athiest: Really, Atheists should celebrate the heck out of "Christmas," because in spite of all Christianity (Catholicism) has done to try and eradicate and warp the day (Christians (Puritans) even tried to ban Christmas in the 1600's because it was "too Pagan") ...The day is still here. We are proof that in spite of everything people have done in history, we're able to think freely for ourselves on what we want to believe. We will celebrate that which is important to us, and toss out the fluff. Take pride in "christmas" as a celebration of independence, because its truly something worth celebrating. That is the true magic of the holidays, that in spite of everything... its still here. (Celebration of Jesus Christ and He is not invited)

     Secular: It's not wrong to celebrate it at all. Some people stick to the religious aspects of the holiday, fine, that's their business. But if you're not religious or not a Christian, and you want to celebrate Christmas by being with family and being a giving person, that's just as good. Some more devout people (I have an aunt who'd be one of them) might disagree, and it might have once been true, but nowadays, Christmas is celebrated by a LOT of people, and not all of them are Christian. (Celebration of Jesus Christ and He is not invited)

Italy: La Befana a kindly old witch who brings children toys on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6. According to the legend of la Befana, the Three Wise Men stopped at her hut to ask directions on their way to Bethlehem and to invite her to join them. She refused, and later a shepherd asked her to join him in paying respect to the Christ Child. Again she refused, and when night fell she saw a great light in the skies. La Befana thought perhaps she should have gone with the Three Wise Men, so she gathered some toys that had belonged to her own child, who had died, and ran to find the kings and the shepherd. But la Befana could not find them or the stable. Now, each year she looks for the Christ Child. Since she can not find him, she leaves gifts for the children of Italy and pieces of coal (nowadays carbone dolce, a rock candy that looks remarkably like coal) for the bad ones. On the Italian holiday calendar December 25 isn't the only special day. Throughout December and January there are a number of religious holidays to mark the season. (Celebration of Jesus Christ and He is not invited)

      A Caganer is a figurine appearing in nativity scenes in Catalonia and neighbouring areas with Catalan culture such as Andorra, Valencia, Northern Catalonia (in southern France) and the Balearic Islands. It is most popular and widespread in these areas, but can also be found in other areas of Spain (Murcia), Portugal and southern Italy (Naples). The figure is depicted in the act of defecation. The caganer is a particular and highly popular feature of modern Catalan nativity scenes. It is believed to have entered the nativity scene by the late 17th-early 18th century, during the Baroque period. The eminent folklorist, Joan Amades, called it an essential piece and the most popular figure of the nativity scene. It can also be found in other parts of southwestern Europe, including Murcia, the region just south of the Valencia in Spain (where they are called cagones), Naples (cacone or pastore che caca) and Portugal (cagões). There is a sculpture of a person defecating hidden inside the cathedral of Ciudad Rodrigo, Province of Salamanca, though this is not part of a nativity scene. Accompanying Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the shepherds and company, the caganer is often tucked away in a corner of the model, typically nowhere near the manger scene. A tradition in the Catalan Countries is to have children find the hidden figure. (Celebration of Jesus Christ and He is not invited)

     The celebration of Christmas in Asia usually involves imported western traditions, but in Japan those traditions have been shaped by commercial interests. The holiday places special emphasis on romantic love, so it’s a day to spend with a sweetheart or spouse. Bakeries sell Christmas cakes as traditional sweetheart treats. And you might have to make reservations to get a table at KFC. Yes, Kentucky Fried Chicken. The fast food franchise let it be known that fried chicken is traditional for the Christmas feast. And so it is -in Japan. (Celebration of Jesus Christ and He is not invited)

     Krampus is a mythical creature recognized in Alpine countries. According to legend, Krampus accompanies St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) during the Christmas season, warning and punishing bad children, in contrast to St. Nicholas, who gives gifts to good children. When the Krampus finds a particularly naughty child, it stuffs the child in its sack and carries the frightened child away to its lair, presumably to devour for its Christmas dinner. In the Alpine regions, Krampus is represented as a beast like creature, generally demonic in appearance. Traditionally young men dress up as the Krampus in Austria, southern Bavaria and South Tyrol during the first week of December, particularly on the evening of 5 December, and roam the streets frightening children with rusty chains and bells. (Celebration of Jesus Christ and He is not invited)

     Caga Tió: Poop turrón, hazelnuts and cottage cheese, if you don’t poop well, I’ll hit you with a stick, poop log! A tradition of presenting Christmas presents, stemming from Catalonia, the autonomous community in northeastern Spain. The song, as seen below, is sung while using sticks to hit the log, which represents a mythological character, to make him expel the food that the family has been feeding him since the 8th of December. What’s expelled are the Christmas presents, hidden under a large blanket that covers the log’s behind! (Celebration of Jesus Christ and He is not invited)

     The Christmas season in Nigeria is filled with various festivals, all involving dancing and singing. Often, these include masquerades, sometimes involving taboos such as having the women cover their eyes to avoid seeing the masks worn by males. Some masquerades were inspired by local gods who would punish wrongdoers; this involves having the mask wearers flog the "bad" people with whips, an outlawed tradition that nonetheless continues being practiced in the villages. Most masquerades include a man walking on stilts. (Celebration of Jesus Christ and He is not invited)

     In the People's Republic of China, December 25 is not a legal holiday. However, it is still designated as a public holiday in China's special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, both former colonies of Western powers with (nominal) Christian cultural heritage. In the mainland, the small percentage of Chinese citizens who consider themselves Christians unofficially, and usually privately, observe Christmas. Many other individuals celebrate Christmas-like festivities even though they do not consider themselves Christians. Many customs, including sending cards, exchanging gifts, and hanging stockings are very similar to Western celebrations. Commercial Christmas decorations, signs, and other symbolic items have become increasingly prevalent during the month of December in large urban centres of mainland China, reflecting a cultural interest in this Western phenomenon, and, sometimes, retail marketing campaigns as well. (Celebration of Jesus Christ and He is not invited)

     In Indonesia Christmas is a popular festival and a national holiday, despite Christianity in Indonesia only accounting for 8% of the population. Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet of God, and because of this, many in Indonesia also celebrate his birth. Christmas is also popular among the animist and Hindu populations in Indonesia. In 2000, the feast was overshadowed by the Christmas Eve 2000 Indonesia bombings. (Celebration of Jesus Christ and He is not invited)

      Pagan Scandinavia also celebrated a winter festival called Yule, which was held from late December to early January. Yule logs were lit to honor the god "Thor." The holiday would continue until the Yule log burned out, which could take as many as twelve days. Thus this is where we get the "12 days of Christmas." (Celebration of Jesus Christ and He is not invited)

Pagan rituals in Christmas

Holidays
the Origins of Modern Christmas Celebrations
© Copyright Kathryn Capoccia 2002

    True Christians want and need to “worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23). Exodus 20:5, 34:14, and Isaiah 42:8 remind us our God is a jealous God who will not give His glory to another; without knowing the truth we may, in ignorance, give glory to that which is idolatrous, honor lies, and perpetuate pagan rituals. We may offend God at a time when we are attempting to exalt His grace toward fallen man through the birth of His Son, the Savior, Our Lord Jesus Christ. For a true Christian to ignore pagan rituals incorporated into a celebration of the Lord Jesus Christ is a blasphemy they will be held accountable for, no matter how many "friends" they keep from offending.

     While most of us observe some type of Christmas tradition, how many of us know of their origins? How many of us know why we call this season “Christmas?” Do we know why we celebrate it on the 25th of December? Why have a Christmas tree (see Jerm. 10:1-7)? What is the significance of the Christmas lights that decorate our trees, homes, and city streets? Who is Santa and why does he have the pre-eminence over the birth of Christ? For answers to these questions one must look to the past because Christmas is rooted in the history of both the pagan world and in ancient Catholicism (which is not true, Biblical Christianity).

     “Christmas” celebrations are foreign to the pages of Scripture: Biblically, Christmas does not exist. There is no account of Christians gathering to celebrate the birth of Christ to be found anywhere in the New Testament. Even the wise men in Matthew’s account, who sojourned in response to the appearance of the star in the sky, did not celebrate together about His birthday (Matt. 2:1-13); they traveled from their own country bearing gifts in order to worship the child (the Scriptures indicate this occurred long after Jesus was born—his family was living in a house, not a stable, and Jesus was as old as two years of age). People did not begin to celebrate the birth of Christ until the 2nd century AD. The Roman Catholic Church did not begin its “Feast of the Nativity” until AD 336.

     Even the word “Christmas” itself is not Biblical. The word derived from 4th century Roman Catholicism. The “mas” of Christmas comes from the Mass, or the blasphemous Eucharistic service of western Catholicism. That rite concluded with the words, “Ite, Missa Est” (“Go, as it is ended”), with Missa (dismissal) eventually becoming the name of the rite itself. The Old English word, “Christmas” dates from 1050 AD. The word derived from the phrase, “Christes Maesse,” or “Mass of Christ.” “X"-mas is a 13th century form of shorthand representing the full word “Christmas” (“X” as in the Greek abbreviation of Chi, from Khristos, Christ). The word, “Christmas,” did not find full usage until the 9th century AD. Christmas means the celebration of the blasphemous "Mass" of Roman Catholicism held on Dec. 25th celebrating their "christ," which is not the true Christ.

     December 25th is not the true birth date of Christ. This day was chosen to coincide with pagan, mid-winter festivals in order to unify pagan and Catholic worship celebrations within the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire encompassed a vast territory encircling the Mediterranean Sea, stretching from Europe, to Asia Minor, to the Middle East, and Africa. The mystery religions of the Near East, India, and Egypt had been spread to Europe by the Roman legions. The Norse, Teutonic, and Celtic beliefs had spread eastward via the same means. The various religious-pagan festivals were observed throughout the Empire at the same time.

      In Egypt, December 21st marked the date of the celebration of the death and resurrection of Osiris, the god of the underworld and judge of the dead, who was the husband of Isis. The end of the month saw the observance of the birthday (Dec. 26th) of Horus, son of Isis. In northern Europe, the Norse held a twelve-day feast of the solstice at the end of December. Greeks worshipped Apollo, Attis, Dionysus, Helios, Herakles, Perseus, and Theseus in December. December also encompassed the celebration of the Roman Saturnalia, or “Saturn (god of the grain harvest) Festival,” a seven-day fair and festival of the home which began on December 17th (Saturn’s birthday) and ran through the 23rd. December 25th, the winter solstice by the Julian calendar, the day of the least sunlight of the year, was the day on which many sun-worshiping pagans worshiped the sun (lest the sunlight should disappear altogether). They also held festivals shortly thereafter in gratitude for lengthening days.

     December 25th, had early been identified with both the Persian sun-god, Mithras, the "god of light, truth, and righteousness" (represented by a bull) and the Syrian god, Sol Invictus, (the unconquered sun)—celebrated with feasting, masquerades, a relaxation of order, and temporary role reversals. December 25th was also the birthday of the lesser known Phoenician sun and fertility god, Baal (who was also represented by a bull). After AD 274/5, the Emperor Aurelian combined the nativity/god-men/savior cult observances of Apollo, Attis, Baal, Dionysus, Helios, Hercules, Horus, Mithra, Osiris, Perseus, and Theseus into one. The Dies Natilus Invictus Solis (“Birthday of the Unconquered Sun”) celebrated on December 25th, is concerned with the death and rebirth of the sun. The "Mass of Christ" is held on December 25th. The false "christ" is placed in a monstrance as a sun-god and worshipped.

Roman Catholics blasphemously believe the above piece of bread, placed in a sun, is God and should be worshipped and adored. The X-mas is celebrated on Dec 25th, the same celebration date of Baal the sun-god.

     By AD 320, after the last of the Christian persecutions, the Roman Catholic Church had made December 25th the date of its Nativity celebration. Why December 25th? The deeply rooted Sol Invictus had not been eradicated, the Catholic Church purposefully chose to turn December 25th, the Natilis Invictus (“the birth of the sun”), into the birth day of the "Son" that is, of Christ, the son of God. The Catholic Church, aware that March 25th, the Spring Equinox, a pagan feast-day, had long been regarded as the “birth of Spring” among pagan peoples, therefore appropriated that date to mark the “Day of Announcement,” the day that the Virgin Mary conceived the Lord Jesus; adding nine months to March 25th making December 25th the birthday of Christ. The Catholics assigned a specific date to the birth of Our Lord that introduced a Christian holiday into the pagan celebrations occurring in December that coincided with the Natilis Invictus.

     Emperor Constantine, a pragmatic politician and “Catholic,” recognized the need to unify the diverse elements within his realm under the mantle of Catholicism. An article entitled, “Sacaea-Saturnalia,” quotes the authors of the book, Holy Blood, Holy Grail, in the following commentary on Constantine... “His primary, indeed obsessive, objective was unity—unity in politics, in religion, and in territory. A cult or state religion that included all other cults within it obviously helped to achieve that objective…in the interests of unity, Constantine deliberately chose to blur the distinctions among 'Christianity,' Mithraism, and Sol Invictus…”

     Constantine allowed Catholicism to effectively become the recognized religion of the Empire. In AD 336 he declared Christmas an official holiday of the Roman Empire, and Roman Catholicism’s “Feast of the Nativity” became the only approved Christmas activity. Even the city of Rome itself was celebrating Christmas by AD 354, Constantinople by 380, and Alexandria by 430. By AD 391 Catholicism formally became the state religion However, in the eastern sections of the Roman Empire Christmas observances weren’t adopted until the middle of the 5th century AD. (Celebration of Jesus Christ and He is not invited)

     Jesus’ birth took place between 6-4 BC. We know that this event occurred no later than 4 BC because King Herod, who had sought to kill the baby Jesus (Matt. 2:1-18), died in March/April of 4 BC. It could not have happened earlier than 6 BC because the governor of Syria, Publius Sulpicius Quirinius (Lk. 2:2), ordered to conduct a census of Palestine in 8 BC, but did not accomplish that task until 2-4 years later, perhaps because of political conflict between Rome and Herod. (A second census of Palestine was also taken by Quirinius in AD 6-9). However, their is not enough information to determine the actual anniversary.

     Some cannot even ascertain the season of Christ’s birth. The traditional view of the season has always been that our Lord was born sometime in the fall when the sheep were brought down from the high country to the fields near the towns, or perhaps in the spring when the flocks were being moved out of their winter shelters for the upper pasturelands. However, it has been shown that sheep for the Temple sacrifices were pastured all year in the fields surrounding Bethlehem. Therefore, the fact that shepherds and sheep were present at the time of Christ’s birth is not helpful in fixing the date. However, in the eternal scheme of things the date of our Lord’s birth is of relatively little significance—what is of importance is the fact that He did, indeed, become flesh as the first-born son of the virgin Mary, born in humble circumstances, wrapped in swaddling clothes and sleeping in a feeding trough.

     God is a jealous God and he will not share his glory with false gods. A true Christian will make sure, if they celebrate the birth of Christ, that Jesus will get all the glory. Most Christmas celebrations do not even mention Jesus. You can find Santa, whiskey and other spirits, ghost stories of Christmas past, the Grinch, eggnog, in Italy a witch brings presents to children on Christmas, and other such pagan festivities. However, Jesus has not been invited to His birthday celebration on most occasions. A true Christian will shun the false, pagan properties of "Christmas" and preach the true reason for the season; the birth of the Saviour of the world, the LORD God Almighty.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.