Unravelling Christmas traditions from Pagan roots to the Sanctuary of Churches
Part one
Introduction
The so-called Christmas holiday has become one of the most anticipated holidays. This is because it promises to meet loved ones around tables enriched with all kinds of culinary delights, in a festive atmosphere as close to magic and dreams as possible. It’s the time when we show our appreciation and love to our loved ones, young and old, through gifts of all kinds. Days off and relaxation are the real reason we wait with great interest and pleasure for the Christmas Day festivities.
All these temptations are not bad in themselves, on the contrary, they are desirable and to be expected with great joy. Yet Jesus is now redundant for many.
Do you remember Him ripping open presents or saying grace at the dinner table?
We feast on food, yet He wants His Holy Spirit to be inside us so we dine eventually in eternity at the wedding supper of the lamb. This article is written with respect for the joy of each of us, but desiring things to be directed towards their true truthful meaning. The modern world would like to replace or even erase Jesus from everything including holidays. In this sense, this article highlights specific aspects related to this pagan mixed-up holiday. People who follow Christmas are knowingly and unknowingly following Satan.
There is nothing in the Bible for the month or time of the year for the birth of Christ. The 25th of December goes way way back to Babylon. Muslims do not believe the birth of Jesus Christ happened at Christmas, which is one reason why they do not celebrate.
The Egyptian God Horus was born on December 25th.
The Hindu God Mithra took birth in a Cave on December 25th.
Apollo was born on December 25th.
Baal was born on December the 25th.
December 25th has always been a day to conjure up spirits and Demons, just like Halloween.
Now the whole world empowers spirits and demons knowingly and unknowingly. Many don’t care full stop. The Christmas season brings joy to some yet the worst in others pushing anger, depression, greed, avarice, lack of patience, gluttony, drunkenness, selfishness and no grace.
Did Jesus, Paul and the Apostles celebrate Christmas?
The answer is categorically no!
Romans 12:2
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
The festive air that envelops Christmas often brings communities together, but beneath the tinsel and carols lies a history entwined with ancient pagan customs. As we delve into the roots of Christmas traditions, we find not only the rich tapestry of human history but also aspects that challenge traditional beliefs, including the appropriateness of Christmas trees in churches and the intriguing connections between holiday symbols and ancient pagan practices.
Christmas Trees: An Intrusion in Sacred Spaces?
While Christmas trees have become synonymous with the holiday season, their presence in churches has sparked debate. Detractors argue that the use of evergreen trees within church spaces represents an unnecessary fusion of pagan customs with Christian worship. The contention lies in whether these symbols of fertility and life have a place in the sanctity of religious buildings. The debate prompts reflection on the balance between cultural traditions and the preservation of sacred spaces.
The Pagan Roots of “Christmas”:
The very term “Christmas” itself bears traces of its pagan origins. In Old English, the word “Cristesmæsse” referred to the celebration of Christ, combining the elements “Crist” (Christ) and “mæsse” (Mass or festival). However, when we trace its linguistic roots, “mæsse” has ties to the Latin “missa,” used in the early Christian church to describe the Eucharistic service. Beyond its Christian connotations, “mæsse” likely derived from the pagan Roman festival of Saturnalia, emphasizing the amalgamation of diverse cultural influences in the evolution of Christmas.
Santa Claus: Unraveling the Anagram:
The jolly figure of Santa Claus, with his red suit and white beard, has long been associated with the spirit of giving during Christmas. However, an intriguing linguistic twist has drawn attention to the name itself. Santa Claus is an anagram for “Satan” with “Claus” rearranged. While this interpretation might be dismissed as coincidental, it adds a layer of mystery to the character and raises questions about the interplay between secular and religious elements in the holiday narrative.
Holly, Balls, and Tinsel: Symbols of Renewal and Protection:
The use of holly, with its vibrant red berries, dates back to Druidic traditions where it was believed to possess protective powers. The adornment of trees with ornaments, particularly spherical baubles, was an homage to the sun, representing the promise of its return during the winter solstice. Tinsel, with its shimmering allure, can be seen as a metaphor for the interconnectedness of all things, much like the threads of fate woven by ancient civilizations.
Gift-Giving: A Tradition Rooted in Generosity:
While the exchange of gifts is often associated with the Magi presenting treasures to the newborn Jesus, the act of giving during the Christmas season has deeper pagan roots. Roman celebrations of Saturnalia involved gift-giving as a symbol of goodwill and generosity. As we exchange presents beneath the tree, we participate in a tradition that transcends religious boundaries, embodying the spirit of giving that has persisted through the ages.
Jesus’ Birth and the Winter Solstice:
Contrary to popular belief, there is no biblical evidence pinpointing Jesus’ birth to December 25th. The selection of this date was a calculated effort by early Christians to coincide with existing pagan celebrations like Saturnalia and the winter solstice. By merging Christian festivities with established customs, the Church aimed to ease the conversion of pagans and foster unity within the growing Christian community.
Christmas cards:
Christmas cards themselves are a relatively modern tradition that became popular in the 19th century as a way to exchange festive greetings. The commercialization of Christmas, including the sale of cards, has indeed become a materialistic aspect, emphasizing consumerism over the original religious or communal meanings of the holiday.
The Yule log:
The Yule log is often associated with pagan traditions because it has roots in ancient winter solstice celebrations. In various pre-Christian cultures, people would burn a large log to symbolise the triumph of light over darkness during the darkest days of winter. As Christianity integrated and adapted many pagan customs into Christmas festivities, the Yule log persisted as a symbol of warmth and light, although its original pagan context is still acknowledged as a connection to ancient solstice rituals.
Mistletoe:
In pagan rituals, mistletoe was considered a symbol of fertility and vitality. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe originated from these ancient beliefs.
Feasting:
Winter solstice celebrations often involved feasting to commemorate the return of longer days. The Christmas feast shares similarities with these ancient practices.
Candles:
Have pagan associations during Christmas because they were traditionally used in pre-Christian winter solstice celebrations, symbolizing light and warmth during the darkest days. When Christianity spread, incorporating existing customs helped ease the transition, making candles a part of Christmas rituals.
Conclusion:
As we navigate the complex tapestry of Christmas traditions, it becomes evident that the holiday’s evolution involves a dynamic interplay between diverse cultural influences. Whether Christmas trees belong in churches and the linguistic connections between Christmas terminology and pagan celebrations offer opportunities for reflection. The choice of December 25th for Christmas has more to do with early Christian efforts to coincide with existing pagan festivals and symbolise the “birth of the sun.”
Additionally, the Bible does not provide details about Jesus celebrating his own birthday, and the focus of biblical narratives is on his teachings and mission rather than personal celebrations.
The modern celebration of Christmas as a Christian holiday, not a holy day with a focus on Jesus’ birth evolved. The main purpose of the work of the evil one is to hijack and twist with priority all of the truth, especially related to the person and the saving work of Jesus Christ. In this sense, the Christian holidays were not avoided either. God does not like mixed things, he does not like to share the glory with someone else. He withdraws when He is put in second place or when things do not honor him fully, truthfully and cleanly. What about Santa Claws?
1. Santa is an (anagram) of Satan.
“Old Saint Nick”, a common nickname for Santa Claus, is a nickname for the Devil or Satan.
2. Santa Claus replaces Jesus Christ as the center of attention of Christmas, effectively twisting the whole Spirit of Christmas and the whole point of what Christmas is all about. Children grow up believing in Santa Claus and fearing Santa and his judgment, replacing the fear of the Lord.
3. Santa is made out to be an omniscient being who can “see you when you’re sleeping” and “knows if you’ve been bad or good”. Santa keeps a list of the good children and bad children.
4. Santa is effectively a meaningless secularisation of Christmas in replacement of Jesus Christ, just so we can spend money, and get fat and lazy.
5. In addition to the empty secularization of the whole concept of Christmas, Santa represents a purely (materialistic) version of Christmas.
6. Children are conditioned to look forward to presents from Santa instead of remembering the birth and life of Jesus Christ.
7. Santa Claus is therefore an ideal (idol) for those who would profit from selling products around Christmas and his (image) is vigorously promoted by corporations and other interested parties.
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was making people believe he doesn’t (exist). Of course, no rational or sane adults believe in Santa Claus, yet they lie and trick their children that Santa exists. A child knows how to lie straight away, and we fuel the fire between fantasy and reality. December 25th was regarded as the birthday of the Iranian mystery God Mithra. In January the first houses were decorated with trees, greenery, candles and lights. Gifts were given to children and the poor. the Yule log stemmed from Germanic or Scandinavian paganism, and was incorporated into the tradition later as part of the winter solstice ritual.
During the fourth century, the Roman emperor Constantine “converted” to “Christianity” and changed the Sabbath-keeping from the seventh to the first day of the week. Sunday was the day they worshipped the sun as their god. This made it easier for the Romans to call their pagan December 25th winter solstice festival, in which they had celebrated the birth of the sun god, the birthday of the “Son of God.” Birthdays became lucrative in honouring yourself for a day, looking to receive rather than to give. It was only sinners who made great rejoicings over the day in which they were born into this world. In a word, Christmas continues because human nature deceives itself into practicing things that are not right because they are enjoyable.
In the absence of clear biblical instruction, the matter is entirely up to personal interpretation and the changing traditions of an ungodly culture. Without authentic biblical roots, there is nothing to define and describe how traditions such as Christmas should be observed if at all. Each person has a different reason for the season. God has already defined the way He would have man venerate Him in spirit and in truth, but truth is certainly absent in the celebration of Christmas and the propaganda on TV.
Pagans in Rome celebrated a weeklong period of bedlam and lawlessness between December 17-25. During this period of anarchy, no one could be punished for their vandalism and mayhem. An “enemy of the Roman people” was chosen to represent the “Lord of Misrule.” Besides human sacrifice using blood to paint things red. There was widespread drunkenness, public nudity, rape, gluttony, bestiality and other forms of sexual license. The green tree is mentioned thirteen times in the Bible, all linked with idolatry.
The modern Christmas tree is a fertility symbol.
Oaktree worship and groves of yews, were sacred places and more were planted to create new hallowed land. Understanding this truth, a true born-again Christian will not even consider celebrating Christmas, realising that these winter solstice celebrations are indeed Satan’s celebrations.
The choice is yours!
So is the promise of salvation!
The path to heaven is narrow!