December 17, 2013

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Genesis 50:20, NIV)

Put Christ In Your Christ-Mas

For many Christians, Christmas is that one time during the year that the birth of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is celebrated. Incredibly, as with many if not most unscriptural traditions, Christians at large are unaware of the origins of Christmas and just as disturbing, have not given thought to the alignment of their behavior with their Savior except through mild lip service. The allure of Christmas traditions and festivities, the love affair with more Stuff, the opportunity to buy the kids what mommy and daddy didnt have, and the tendency of Christians to blindly follow traditions, is enough to cause unconscious abandonment of any sense of responsibility for making Jesus the reason for the season. Without concern or awareness regarding the origin of Christmas or the birth date of Christ, many believers unwittingly and blindly resurrect what is perhaps one of the most ill-conceived pagan holidays ever to be adopted by Christendom. The Origin of Christmas: The History of Christmas, by Author Lawrence Kelemen, is one of the most thorough and well researched articles on the Origin of Christmas, and is included here for your study. The following is the full article by Mr. Kelemen (highlighted):

The History of Christmas by Lawrence Kelemen Roman pagans first introduced the holiday of Saturnalia, a week long period of lawlessness celebrated between December 17-25. During this period, Roman courts were closed, and Roman law dictated that no one could be punished for damaging property or injuring people during the weeklong celebration. The festival began when Roman authorities chose an enemy of the Roman people to represent the Lord of Misrule. Each Roman community selected a victim whom they forced to indulge in food and other physical pleasures throughout the week. At the festivals conclusion, December 25th, Roman authorities believed they were destroying the forces of darkness by brutally murdering this innocent man or woman. The ancient Greek writer poet and historian Lucian (in his dialogue entitled Saturnalia) describes the festivals observance in his time. In addition to human sacrifice, he mentions these customs: widespread intoxication; going from house to house while singing naked; rape and other sexual license; and consuming human-shaped biscuits (still produced in some English and most German bakeries during the Christmas season). In the 4th century CE, Christianity imported the Saturnalia festival hoping to take the pagan masses in with it. Christian leaders succeeded in converting to Christianity large numbers of pagans by promising them that they could continue to celebrate the Saturnalia as

Patrick Weaver Ministries: Put Christ In Christ-Mas

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Genesis 50:20, NIV)
Christians. The problem was that there was nothing intrinsically Christian about Saturnalia. To remedy this, these Christian leaders named Saturnalias concluding day, December 25th, to be Jesus birthday. Christians had little success, however, refining the practices of Saturnalia. As Stephen Nissenbaum, professor history at the University of Massachussetts, Amherst, writes, In return for ensuring massive observance of the anniversary of the Saviors birth by assigning it to this resonant date, the Church for its part tacitly agreed to allow the holiday to be celebrated more or less the way it had always been. The earliest Christmas holidays were celebrated by drinking, sexual indulgence, singing naked in the streets (a precursor of modern caroling), etc. The Reverend Increase Mather of Boston observed in 1687 that the early Christians who first observed the Nativity on December 25 did not do so thinking that Christ was born in that Month, but because the Heathens Saturnalia was at that time kept in Rome, and they were willing to have those Pagan Holidays metamorphosed into Christian ones. Because of its known pagan origin, Christmas was banned by the Puritans and its observance was illegal in Massachusetts between 1659 and 1681. However, Christmas was and still is celebrated by most Christians. Some of the most depraved customs of the Saturnalia carnival were intentionally revived by the Catholic Church in 1466 when Pope Paul II, for the amusement of his Roman citizens, forced Jews to race naked through the streets of the city. An eyewitness account reports, Before they were to run, the Jews were richly fed, so as to make the race more difficult for them and at the same time more amusing for spectators. They ran amid Romes taunting shrieks and peals of laughter, while the Holy Father stood upon a richly ornamented balcony and laughed heartily. As part of the Saturnalia carnival throughout the 18th and 19th centuries CE, rabbis of the ghetto in Rome were forced to wear clownish outfits and march through the city streets to the jeers of the crowd, pelted by a variety of missiles. When the Jewish community of Rome sent a petition in 1836 to Pope Gregory XVI begging him to stop the annual Saturnalia abuse of the Jewish community, he responded, It is not opportune to make any innovation. On December 25, 1881, Christian leaders whipped the Polish masses into Anti-Semitic frenzies that led to riots across the country. In Warsaw 12 Jews were brutally murdered, huge numbers maimed, and many Jewish women were raped. Two million rubles worth of property was destroyed.

The Origin of Christmas Customs:

The Origin of Christmas Tree Just as early Christians recruited Roman pagans by associating Christmas with the Saturnalia, so too worshippers of the Asheira cult and its offshoots were recruited by the Church sanctioning Christmas Trees. Pagans had long worshipped trees in the forest, or brought them into their homes and decorated them, and this observance was adopted and painted with a Christian veneer by the Church. The Origin of Mistletoe Norse mythology recounts how the god Balder was killed using a mistletoe arrow by his rival god Hoder while fighting for the female Nanna. Druid rituals use mistletoe to poison their human sacrificial victim. The Christian custom of kissing under the mistletoe is a later synthesis of the sexual license of Saturnalia with the Druidic sacrificial cult. The Origin of Christmas Presents In pre-Christian Rome, the emperors compelled their most despised citizens to bring offerings and gifts during the Saturnalia (in December) and Kalends (in January). Later, this ritual expanded to include giftgiving among the general populace. The Catholic Church gave this custom a Christian flavor by re-rooting it in the supposed gift-giving of Saint Nicholas (see below). The Origin of Santa Claus Nicholas was born in Parara, Turkey in 270 CE and later became Bishop of Myra. He died in 345 CE on December 6th. He was only named a saint in the 19th century. Nicholas was among the most senior bishops who convened the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE and created the New Testament. The text they produced portrayed

Patrick Weaver Ministries: Put Christ In Christ-Mas

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Genesis 50:20, NIV)
Jews as the children of the devil who sentenced Jesus to death. In 1087, a group of sailors who idolized Nicholas moved his bones from Turkey to a sanctuary in Bari, Italy. There Nicholas supplanted a female boon-giving deity called The Grandmother, or Pasqua Epiphania, who used to fill the children's stockings with her gifts. The Grandmother was ousted from her shrine at Bari, which became the center of the Nicholas cult. Members of this group gave each other gifts during a pageant they conducted annually on the anniversary of Nicholas death, December 6. The Nicholas cult spread north until it was adopted by German and Celtic pagans. These groups worshipped a pantheon led by Woden their chief god and the father of Thor, Balder, and Tiw. Woden had a long, white beard and rode a horse through the heavens one evening each Autumn. When Nicholas merged with Woden, he shed his Mediterranean appearance, grew a beard, mounted a flying horse, rescheduled his flight for December, and donned heavy winter clothing. In a bid for pagan adherents in Northern Europe, the Catholic Church adopted the Nicholas cult and taught that he did (and they should) distribute gifts on December 25th instead of December 6th. In 1809, the novelist Washington Irving (most famous his The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle) wrote a satire of Dutch culture entitled Knickerbocker History. The satire refers several times to the white bearded, flying-horse riding Saint Nicholas using his Dutch name, Santa Claus. Dr. Clement Moore, a professor at Union Seminary, read Knickerbocker History, and in 1822 he published a poem based on the character Santa Claus: Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in the hope that Saint Nicholas soon would be there Moore innovated by portraying a Santa with eight reindeer who descended through chimneys. The Bavarian illustrator Thomas Nast almost completed the modern picture of Santa Claus. From 1862 through 1886, based on Moores poem, Nast drew more than 2,200 cartoon images of Santa for Harpers Weekly. Before Nast, Saint Nicholas had been pictured as everything from a stern looking bishop to a gnomelike figure in a frock. Nast also gave Santa a home at the North Pole, his workshop filled with elves, and his list of the good and bad children of the world. All Santa was missing was his red outfit. In 1931, the Coca Cola Corporation contracted the Swedish commercial artist Haddon Sundblom to create a coke-drinking Santa. Sundblom modeled his Santa on his friend Lou Prentice, chosen for his cheerful, chubby face. The corporation insisted that Santas fur-trimmed suit be bright, Coca Cola red. And Santa was born a blend of Christian crusader, pagan god, and commercial idol. Author: Lawrence Kelemen Can We Convert A Lie Into The Truth? Many have asked the question of whether or not Christmas can be celebrated today with a new meaning or a new mind that gives God the glory converting what was once a pagan worship into a Symbolic celebration of the birth of Christ. There are various opinions regarding Christmas but the thrust of the question, I feel, goes to intent and practice. Many of us claim that, Jesus is the reason for the season, but this is lip service. While professing that Jesus is the reason for the season, weve done little if anything, behaviorally, to suggest a true and meaningful celebration of our Lord and Savior. In 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 (NIV), the Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians regarding the Believers Freedom:
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I have the right to do anything, you saybut not everything is beneficial. I have the right to do 24 anythingbut not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of 30 others If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank 31 God for? So whether you eat or drink or whatever 32 you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the 33 church of God even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

Patrick Weaver Ministries: Put Christ In Christ-Mas

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Genesis 50:20, NIV)
While clearly the origin of Christmas was not related to or concerned with God, what was meant for evil can be used for good in my opinion. Dogs were used to attack blacks during the Civil Rights Movement but that doesnt stop the same animal from being used as a Seeing Eye dog. Evil has as much to do with how something is used as it does with who is using it guns dont kill people, people kill people. Power in Martin Luther Kings hands united people, while power in Adolf Hitlers hands killed people. Turning something used for evil into something used for God requires behavior to agree with your Savior in order for God to receive the Glory. We must be careful to not allow ourselves to give God lip service. Your truth, your heart and your behavior must line up with the reason for the season, and not the reason for more stuff. God knows the heart beloved: Matthew 7: 22-23 (NIV) -- 22 Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles? 23 Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers! Doing good with a false heart is just as harmful to your soul as doing wrong with a right heart. Do all things in Jesus name for the glory and the honor of God beloved. Whether Christmas or any other ritual including manmade/church rituals, know the truth and do not rely on ignorance to guide your intentions. We cannot continue with innocent ignorance regarding the origin and the intent of Christmas, or the birth date of Christ. When it comes to our faith, we cannot do what the world does and give God the glory beloved. God commands us saying, "Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you" (2 Corinthians 6:17, NIV). Know that your Savior was not born on December 25th. The bible does not give us a birth date for Christ. However, what can be determined in the bible is that it is impossible for Christ to have been born in the month of December. Many scriptural references can provide simple clarity and confirmation that Christ was not born in December. For example: The bible states that shepherds were in the fields watching their flocks at the time of Jesus' birth (Luke 2:7-8). Shepherds were not in the fields during December. Most accounts put Jesus birth month in the summer or early fall which would coincide with the events surrounding his birth. Since December is cold and rainy in Judea, it is unlikely that the shepherds would have been in the fields tending to their flocks as opposed to seeking shelter. Also, Joseph and Mary came to Bethlehem to register in a Roman census (Luke 2:1-4). Such censuses were not taken in winter, due to temperatures often being below freezing. Freezing winter temperatures would have made walking to Bethlehem in the month of December nearly impossible. To honor God and to bring new meaning to Christmas beloved, meaningful and authentic behavior must be aligned with our claim that, Jesus is the reason for the season. Professing with your mouth that Jesus is the reason for the season but denying him in your heart and behavior is hypocrisy beloved: Matthew 15:8 (NIV) These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 2:15-16 (NIV), They demonstrate that God's law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. This will take place on the day when God judges people's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. Understand beloved, you do not have to burn up your Christmas tree, take back your gifts, or break up your Mary J. Blige, Frank Sinatra and Donny Hathaway Christmas CDs but do not say that Jesus is the reason for the season and deny Christ by reporting that Santa is the reason for the blessings Gifts. Denying Christ is not only hypocritical but clearly defends the pagan ritual. It is not simply a matter of banning or eliminating the traditional Holiday symbols, it is a matter of leaving Christ out of the Holiday or making the Holiday simply about more stuff By their fruit you will recognize them (Matthew 7:16, NIV). For those who choose to participate in Christmas festivities, dont give God lip service, give God the glory! Dont just celebrate Christmas, commemorate the birth of Jesus by turning your heart and hands into gifts from God. Give the season meaning by demonstrating the goodness, the kindness and the mercy of God to the world. 5 Ideas For Making Jesus The Reason For The Season: 1. Give God the glory in your Christmas stories.

Patrick Weaver Ministries: Put Christ In Christ-Mas

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Genesis 50:20, NIV)
Dont sell out Christ by giving Santa the credit for the blessings. Have the courage and the conviction to tell your children how good God is and that He alone, not Santa, is greatly to be praised Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it (Proverbs 22:6, NIV). 2. For every gift you receive, give something away. Bless someone less fortunate with your overflow Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:6-7, NIV). 3. For every gift you give, give God a prayer over that person's life. Whatever is done on Christmas day should be a symbol of the love and life that you hope for yourself and others all year long. Praying for others is not a season or an event beloved, prayer is a way of life I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people (1 Timothy 2:1, NIV). 5. Give God THANKS! In addition to traditional ornaments, hang Thank You notes on your Christmas tree. Have each family member living in your house of age to write, write what they are thankful for on their paper ornament(s), and hang them on the tree. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV): give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Dont simply celebrate Christmas beloved, commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ with behavior that agrees with your Savior. You are a light unto the world, when your heart and hands become an extension of God, many lives are saved and God receives the glory. Truth is food for the soul and useful for correction beloved. We cant do better unless we know better. This truth should be given as a gift to every Christian and every person you love. Make the reason for the season be about Jesus beloved. Share and be blessed.

Patrick Weaver

4. Give 10 cents out of every dollar you spend on stuff trying to make the same people happy that you give to all year long. Give 10% of what youre blessed with to someone who is less fortunate -- that's right, if you spend $300 on stuff, bless somebody with $30. If you don't have the extra $30 dollars after buying more stuff, either give $30 worth of stuff away so you can make room for more stuff, or give at least 30 minutes of your time encouraging, helping anybody that needs a cheerful giver such as yourself. Matthew 25:35-36 (NIV):
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For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and 36 you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Patrick Weaver Ministries: Put Christ In Christ-Mas