Wednesday, December 19, 2007

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:34-35

Friday, December 14, 2007

History and the idols of "Christmas" - Jeremiah 10:1-5

To me "Christmas" is a really weird concept to me. Winter would not have been as it describes in the bible around Yeshua's birth.

Plus there are more oddities to the "Christmas" holiday I dislike.

It appears that the holiday was adjusted to the celebration of Apollo which was at the same time as well as coinciding with the Pagan holidays, so the Pagans "wouldn't disrupt. More traditions come from Saturnalia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturnalia ) which I think is pretty insane. Only tradition I like about Christmas is the love.

Pretty crazy with all that in there, but looking into the Bible it looks like its been an issue for awhile;

1 Hear what the LORD says to you, O house of Israel. 2 This is what the LORD says:
"Do not learn the ways of the nations
or be terrified by signs in the sky,
though the nations are terrified by them.

3 For the customs of the peoples are worthless;
they cut a tree out of the forest,
and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.

4 They adorn it with silver and gold;
they fasten it with hammer and nails
so it will not totter.

5 Like a scarecrow in a melon patch,
their idols cannot speak;
they must be carried
because they cannot walk.
Do not fear them;
they can do no harm
nor can they do any good."

Jeremiah 10:1-5


It fits very well as I see it. I surly was told in school that Christmas was basically the way of nations!! It also fits with the adorn it with silver and gold and fasten with a hammer and nails so it will not totter! Sounds like Christmas to me! This goes on about how the trees were idols then the trees, which fits with the for mentioned - Evergreens are a pagan sign that Apollo (the sun) will return! Now days some pagans seem to think the same, but its normally not. I would still attribute it to the material aspects of Christmas! The presents are what people are looking forward to! Yeshua is put on the back burner for an expectation of gifts and material goods! The whole "Remember the Reason for the Season" is good! Thought I think we need to examine it more, and push out the material and old customs, for they are worthless just as it says. Remember Jesus/Yeshua, remember thats what the "Christ" of Christmas is, I think the old ways of Apollo, and Saturnalia need to be rejected, but thats not easy! Least we can do is amplify love and sharing of our Lord and Savior!

God Bless and Happy Holidays!