What Is It About Christmas?
What Is It About Christmas?
By Mark Withey
Christmas. Why is it so magical and so full of fond memories? I recently watched a version of “A Christmas Carol” I hadn’t seen before. It got me thinking. Once you take away all the details and you look at the actual message of the movie, you realize it is evangelistic in nature. The main message seems to be: "Believe in Christmas". Another perfect example is the “The Polar Express”. It is the same message, only aimed at children. In fact this is the same message in many Christmas movies and television shows, perhaps even most of them. Why? Let’s break it down. Christmas has three main parts: The top or covering, the middle and the base or foundation.
First we’ll look at the top or covering. This layer is the layer that is magical to children. It includes Santa Clause, his magical sleigh with his magical reindeer and presents he puts under the tree which is decorated with lights, garnished with silver and gold, along with ornaments (some even extra special made by the children themselves or passed down from previous generations). It is magical to adults as well, with the warmth of a fireplace, lights, pretty decorations and figurines all over the house (inside and out), kind thoughts (even towards strangers as we wish them a “Merry Christmas”, because we have “good will towards men”), family gatherings, and sharing the experience with that special someone (but sadly those that don’t have family or that special someone can experience depression on Christmas and some even commit suicide).
After all the presents and glee, comes the delicious Christmas dinner with turkey or ham, and all the trappings. All this is wrapped up in the most important part about Christmas to Christians; the spiritual part. That Christmas is really all about the birth of Jesus, but did you know the earliest Americans who were Christians (Puritans) actually banned the celebration day making it illegal to celebrate it? If Christmas is really about Jesus Christ (Yeshua) why would they do that? Let's continue with our examination of it:
After all the presents and glee, comes the delicious Christmas dinner with turkey or ham, and all the trappings. All this is wrapped up in the most important part about Christmas to Christians; the spiritual part. That Christmas is really all about the birth of Jesus, but did you know the earliest Americans who were Christians (Puritans) actually banned the celebration day making it illegal to celebrate it? If Christmas is really about Jesus Christ (Yeshua) why would they do that? Let's continue with our examination of it:
The middle part is the Christmas tree itself, the mistletoe, the reef on the door, even the colors red and green. Mostly it is about the date December 25th. What is it about the date December 25th?
Now we must look at the base or foundation of Christmas, and it is here, by looking at the origins of the middle part, that we discover the truth about Christmas and what it is about the date December 25th. We discover origins that indicate most of it comes from paganism. In other words, from things pagans did to celebrate (worship) their pagan gods over time. So what about the date December 25th?
December 25th was the date no less than sixteen saviors were supposedly born (even to virgins) or reincarnated:
"Since all of the other impostors born on this date are just fairy tales and myths, then it makes it appear the true Messiah of the Bible is just another fairy tale myth as well. The book entitled “The World’s Sixteen Crucified Saviors” shows what the conspiracy of Satan is really all about and why December 25th strengthens the false claims of the Satanists, Atheists and New Age Occultists that the true Messiah is “nothing more than a pagan myth” or a “reincarnation of the pagan Christos for all religions.” – Maria Merola
"Since all of the other impostors born on this date are just fairy tales and myths, then it makes it appear the true Messiah of the Bible is just another fairy tale myth as well. The book entitled “The World’s Sixteen Crucified Saviors” shows what the conspiracy of Satan is really all about and why December 25th strengthens the false claims of the Satanists, Atheists and New Age Occultists that the true Messiah is “nothing more than a pagan myth” or a “reincarnation of the pagan Christos for all religions.” – Maria Merola
The truth is Jesus (Yeshua) was not born on December 25th. Most scholars believe He was born on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles* (as in ...He “tabernacled among us”). This can be backed up by scripture as well as astronomy (not astrology) from the star constellation and alignments that were in the sky on The Feast of Tabernacles in 3 B.C. (when Yeshua/Jesus was born). The reason there was no room at the inn is because The Feast of Tabernacles was one of the three Feast days (of seven) in which all males of the Twelve Tribes of Israel were required to gather in Jerusalem as commanded by The Most High God. This caused an overflow not only in the city of Jerusalem, but nearby cities (such as Bethlehem) as well.
The fact Yeshua was not born on December 25th, exposes a lie. Who is the father of lies? Satan/the devil/etc., is the father of lies. The truth is Yeshua being born on December 25th is also a distraction; A distraction from what? A distraction from His real birth date. When we look at His real birth date being the first day of The Feast of Tabernacles, we now have to ask ourselves what the significance of The Feast Of Tabernacles is, and when we do, new truths come to light.
*For more information on The Feast of Tabernacles and the rest of Yahweh's feast days, click HERE .
Another lie is the Feast of Tabernacles is only a Jewish holy day. The truth is it is not only for the Jews, but all of the people of The Most High God, which He calls The Children of Israel. Israel consists of twelve tribes, of which the tribe of Judah (Jews) is only one. According to scripture, ten of the twelve tribes had their identity removed (keeping the seventh day Sabbath and Yahweh's feast days/holy days, wearing tzitzits etc,) when they were taken captive, then “scattered among the nations”. When we accept what Yeshua did for us on the cross, we are grafted in. Grafted in to what? To Israel and the covenant that says Yahweh (The Most High God) is our God, and we are His people. We had better be one of the tribes, because there are twelve tribes and only twelve gates to the New Jerusalem according to scripture.
Are you beginning to see the significance? The things like keeping the Feast days (such as The Feast of Tabernacles), and keeping the commandments that we were always taught were “for the Jews”, are actually for us too. When I say keeping the commandments, I don’t mean the man-made rabbinical ones like those Yeshua went out of His way to break, but rather the ones He was referring to when He said “Moses spoke of Me”. This of course includes the commandments given at Mt. Sinai to the Children of Israel, to those who were “there” and those “not there” (that’s us folks).
One of the commandments (the fourth one) says to keep His Sabbath (the seventh day / Saturday on our modern Gregorian calendar) holy, but most Christians keep Sunday holy, or at least go to church on that day. Why? Because a Roman Emperor by the name of Constantine who was a sun god (mithras) worshiper (the origins of the Roman Catholic Church), changed the day from Yahweh’s day of worship (Saturday) to Sunday in order to honor the pagan sun god mithras.
I urge you to watch this video called "Sunburned" to test Christmas and how Yahweh feels about it according to scripture (Click HERE).
I urge you to watch this video called "Sunburned" to test Christmas and how Yahweh feels about it according to scripture (Click HERE).
From -Norman B. Willis of Nazarene Israel:
Christianity teaches that Yeshua was born in a manger on December the 25th, with donkeys and horses looking on, and Yeshua swaddled in a crib, on the hay. As romantic as this Roman Church version of the story sounds, it is far from the truth.
Consider for a moment that Israel’s children already fulfilled the Feast of Tabernacles once, when they dwelt in tabernacles (or booths) in the Wilderness in Sinai. The second fulfillment came when Yeshua was born. While the Christians tell us He was born on December the 25th, the truth is that He was born on the first day of the Fall Festival of Tabernacles, which is why Yochanan (or John) tells us: 14 And the Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us. [John 1:14]
Since Christianity does not value the Hebrew language, most Christians do not realize that in Hebrew, the word for a manger is the same as the word for a tabernacle. Thus, the account of Yeshua’s birth should actually read: 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a tabernacle, because there was no room for them in the inn. [Luqa (Luke) 2:7]
While Joseph and Miriam had come up to Jerusalem in obedience to the commandment in Torah, they originally intended to stay at an inn. This is because, while the Jewish rabbis teach the importance of keeping the commandments, they also teach that the highest commandment is the preservation of human life. The rabbinical ruling in that time was the same as it is today; that at any person who was pregnant, old, or sick did not actually have to sleep in a tabernacle (or a booth, or a ‘manger’), but that for health and safety’s sake, they could rent a room at an inn.
All of this came to pass so that Yeshua might be born in a tabernacle on the first day of the Fall Festival of Tabernacles, in prophetic fulfillment of the Command.
The feast of Tabernacles is an Eight-day festival.This is significant, because on the eighth day (known as Last Great Day) Yeshua would have been circumcised thereby keeping the commandment (as He kept all the commandments) and specifically the covenant of Abraham.
Contrary to Roman myth, Yeshua could not have been born on December the 25th. In the first place, December the 25th is the Roman festival of Saturnalia (or Bacchanalia). The Roman Church supposedly re-named this festival in honor of the Messiah, but this does not alter the fact that it is still a pagan festival; and the observance of even a re-named pagan festival is strictly prohibited by the Marital Covenant (Deuteronomy 12:30).
Second, if the Apostles had observed December the 25th, it would have been recorded. However, the word ‘Christmas’ appears nowhere in Scripture. Third, ‘December’ is not even a month on the Hebrew calendar. Why would the Apostles have kept a pagan festival date that does not even show up on their calendar?
Fourth, if the Father designated certain days for worship and rest at the time of the Creation (and then banned the keeping of all other festival days) then why would those days have changed at the coming of the Messiah? Indeed why, when none of the Prophecies speak of a change in the days of worship?
Deuteronomy 12:29-32 29When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land; 30Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. 31Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. 32What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
[Fifth, the shepherds did not stay out in the fields with their sheep at night during that time of year. They would have stopped doing that about two months prior, which would fall right about the time of The Feast of Tabernacles (September/October).]
So who was born on December 25th?
Google the origins of christmas. The truth is December 25 is the birth date of false Messiahs in the past and the supposed reincarnation date of several pagan gods.
On December 25th In 167 B.C. Antiochius set up an abomination image of zeus (the pagan god sun diety) in the Temple of YHWH, and claimed he was the reincarnation of zeus. He then gave himself the title Apiphonese. In Greek, the word apiphonese means "god manefest". He then sacrificed a pig on the alter defiling it. This is where the christmas ham comes from.
Another pagan anti-messiah to have had a birthday or reincarnation day on December 25th was nimrod, who claimed to be the pagan sun god. Nimrod was responsible for leading the building of the Tower of Babel, where he tried to be like the Most High (YHWH). He also sacrificed babies to the pagan god molech.
Yet another person claiming to be a pagan sun deity on December 25th was Nero Cesar. Nero Cesar tortured true believers (Nazarines, not Christians) and had them thrown to the lions for entertainment. He claimed to be a reincarnation of sole invictius, the sun god deity. - Norman B. Willis
The Traditions Of Christmas And Where They Come From
None of the aspects of the things that make up the traditions of Christmas are in the Bible. So where did they come from?
From “Shocked By the Bible” by Joe Kovacs:
Christmas Trees – About one hundred years before the birth of Yeshua, the prophet Jeremiah wrote this: 2Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3For 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. 4They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. Jeremiah 10:2-4
Mistletoe –
Mistletoe was revered by pagans for its fertility. It not only bloomed in the dark months of winter, but ancient Druids reportedly believed it to be the sperm of the forest gods, as its berries contain a liquid that bears a striking resemblance to human semen. Hence, the practice of kissing underneath it.
Holiday Colors –
The red, green and white were sacred to Druids.
Yule –
The word “Yule” is and ancient reference to the winter solstice, when heathens burned yule logs in honor of the pagan god of the same name.
Christmas Ham –
Many people eat a traditional Christmas ham, yet remain unaware that ancient heathens ate a pig on December 25 in honor of the Norse god Frey, who in mythology rode a boar.
Santa Clause-
Santa Claus comes from a pagan god with various heritages, ranging from the Greek god cronos (also known as father time) to olin, the Scandinavian allfather, who travels across the sky on an eight legged horse. Why is he dressed in white and red? The Coca-Cola corporation had a lot to do with that.
What About Paul?
You might say: “But according to Paul’s writings, the Torah/commandments were done away with!” Most Christians believe the word "fulfilled" means "done away with" or "abolished" but Yahshua Himself said to John the Baptist, concerning being baptized by him: ..."It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness"...(Matthew 3:13-15). Do you really think Yahshua was saying "it is fitting for us to abolish all righteousness"? That's ridiculous right? What is ridiculous is even though Yahshua speaking of the law and prophets says in Matthew 5:17 "I did not come to abolish, but fulfill", most Christians still believe He came to abolish them.
You might say: “But according to Paul’s writings, the Torah/commandments were done away with!” Most Christians believe the word "fulfilled" means "done away with" or "abolished" but Yahshua Himself said to John the Baptist, concerning being baptized by him: ..."It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness"...(Matthew 3:13-15). Do you really think Yahshua was saying "it is fitting for us to abolish all righteousness"? That's ridiculous right? What is ridiculous is even though Yahshua speaking of the law and prophets says in Matthew 5:17 "I did not come to abolish, but fulfill", most Christians still believe He came to abolish them.
Careful study of Paul’s writings in the Newer Testament seems to show contradiction. Why? Because it takes a scholar and someone very familiar with the Torah as well as rabbinic writings and rules (such as the Talmud) as well as history and the culture of his day, not to mention his audience, to understand his writings. Even Peter warned Paul’s writings were difficult to understand and misused on purpose to deceive, but Peter’s writings (which included his warning) were moved behind Paul’s writings by the church, so Peter’s warning would go unheeded.
Are you beginning to see what is going on? Do you see how crafty the enemy has been? Christmas is a brilliant distraction from one of the things YHWH Himself instructed us to do, which is to keep (celebrate) the Feast of Tabernacles.
Now that you know what christmas is all about, Here is a little truth on what Haunakkah is all about:
Hanukkah is the exact opposite of christmas. Though Haunakkah is not one of the seven Holidays Yahweh instructed us to keep, it is not intended to honor Yahweh directly (unlike the "Holy Day" Aaron created to honor Yahweh which was not instructed by Yahweh for him to do and thus it made Him quite angry.
Hanukkah honors the cleansing and re-dedication of the Temple in 165 B.C.E. The re-dedication followed one of the greatest military victories of all time. Against all odds, a rag-tag group of Israelites defeated seasoned Syrian-Greco soldiers who occupied their land. Impassioned men (most of whom were Jewish) fought for religious freedom under their leader, Judah Maccabee. Armed with little more than praise and worship, they freed Jersualem and the Temple.
Macabees overthrew the Romans/Greeks out of Jerusalem and cleansed the Temple, then re-dedicated it back to Yahweh. This process takes eight days, which explains why Hanukkah lasts eight days. As one zealous of His Fathers house (the Temple), according to scripture (John 10:22-23), it appears Yeshua Himself observed it.
The Feast of Dedication or Hanukkah begins on Kislev 25. Kislev is the ninth month of the biblical year and it usually falls in the months of November and December on the Gregorian Calendar. Hanukkah, sometimes spelled Chanukkah, means "dedication."
Hanukkah is believed by some scholars (such as James Trimm) to be the actual conception date of Yeshua. This is done by calculating according to His actual birth date being on first day of The Feast of Tabernacles, but also the very word Hanukkah in Hebrew can mean "the well of where souls come from". Interesting to say the least.
What About The Oil?
There is a story about sacred oil (dedicated only for use in the the lamp stand in the temple) lasting the whole eight days required to cleanse the temple when there was only enough for one day. This "miracle" is demonstrated in the lighting of a Hanukkiah, which is a lamp stand/menorah with eight stems plus a "server" candle stem (which some scholars believe represents Yeshua), instead of the normal six, plus a "server" candle stem. There is some controversy about the authenticity of this story, I will not state it as truth, but rather an interesting story as an aspect of Hanukkah since this website is about truth.
Though Hanukkah is not about gift giving, some families find it helpful to make it about gift giving for eight days (mainly to children) in order compete with the one or two days christmas offers, to make a smoother transition into celebrating Hanukkah rather than christmas knowing now that christmas has pagan roots and just about every aspect of it was designed to honor them rather than Yahweh.
What is even more interesting about the idea of celebrating Hanukkah, is according to Renewed Covenant (mistranslated as New Testament) scripture, we are now the temple, so Hanukkah is about cleansing ourselves (spiritually) and re-dedicating ourselves to Yahweh.
Many Christians want to know “God’s” will, but many would know YHWH’s will if they just picked up their Bibles and read it (especially the Old Covenant Writings wrongly translated as "Old Testament"). Instead the rely on teachers and preachers or the latest book to tell them what to think. The scriptures say this would happen saying in the last days people would depart from the faith and bring to themselves teachers who would tickle their ears (tell them what they want to hear).
Here is the test: Now that you know christmas is an honor and celebration to multiple pagan gods and their rituals, (while Hanukkah honors and remembers the cleansing and re-dedication of Yahweh's Holy Temple) and The Feast of Tabernacles not only is commanded by Yahweh for His people to keep but is also the actual birth date of The Messiah Yeshua, which one do you think Yahweh wants us to keep and observe? If you still want to celebrate Christmas, I dare you to consider what He thinks about it, by reading the "What Kind Of "Holiday Memories" Does God Have" page from the Table Of Contents, or by clicking HERE .
To learn the truth about easter and the Holy Day it was used (by man) to replace and distract you from, Click HERE