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COGwriter<\/a><\/p>\n Here are excerpts from an LCG<\/a> commentary:<\/p>\n Luke 2:1-8 tells us that Jesus was born during the time of the Roman census when the shepherds were still abiding in the fields at night. But, the shepherds were not<\/em> out at night in the fields anywhere close to December 25th! In ancient Palestine, because of heavy winter rainstorms, the shepherds always brought their flocks in from the countryside by no later than mid October<\/em>. As Ezra 10:9-13 makes clear, by December ancient Palestine was bitter cold and rainy! So, why<\/em> is Jesus\u2019 birth celebrated on December 25?<\/p>\n The fact is that winter solstice celebrations<\/em> preceded Jesus\u2019 birth by more than 2,000 years; all the way back to ancient Babylon and the Babylonish \u201cmystery religion\u201d devoted to worshiping Baal. To honor Nimrod, reborn<\/em> as the infant Tammuz, Semiramis (Nimrod\u2019s widow) claimed that a beautiful evergreen tree sprang overnight from a dead tree stump! The ancient Babylonians then began to utilize the evergreen tree during the winter-solstice to celebrate Nimrod reborn as the sun-god!<\/em> This tradition lived through the centuries, manifesting in ancient Egyptian winter solstice festivals, Roman Saturnalia<\/em> celebrations and Persian Mithras<\/em> worship! And ancient Israel adopted this pagan custom thousands of years ago (Isaiah 57:5)!<\/p>\n Notice, 2 Kings 17:10, \u201cThey set up for themselves sacred pillars and wooden images on every high hill and under every green tree<\/em>.\u201d And, describing how wicked king Ahaz adopted this Babylonish worship, 2 Chronicles 28:2-4 recounts, he \u201cburned his children in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations \u2026 and he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills and under every green tree<\/em>.\u201d…<\/p>\n The vast majority of those who celebrate Christmas are friendly, sincere, but deceived<\/em> people. But, it is no secret that Christmas is of pagan origin and was not celebrated by the early post-Apostolic church. The Catholic Encyclopedia<\/em> admits these very facts! \u201cChristmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church \u2026 the first evidence of the feast is from Egypt.\u201d<\/p>\n Does it really matter? Yes it does! Jesus is not<\/em> \u201cthe reason for the season\u201d \u2013 Baal is. True Christians are forbidden<\/em> from adopting pagan customs<\/em> to honor God (Deuteronomy 12:29-32, Jeremiah 10:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:15) and are commanded to \u201ccome out of\u201d this Babylonish system (Revelation 18:4)! God the Father and Jesus Christ are of the same mind (John 10:30), and in Their eyes these pagan celebrations are \u201cabominations\u201d (Jeremiah 10:3-4; Ezekiel 8:13-14)!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n While most people equate the Christmas-New Year’s season with family gatherings, gifts, parties, and religious stories, a pagan worship season is its basis.<\/p>\n The Apostles and their immediate real converts did not celebrate Christmas, New Year’s, or even birthdays.<\/p>\n Jesus really is not the reason for the season. And while some will object and say that despite that, Jesus is discussed so it is a good thing, perhaps Jesus words here will give some pause for thought:<\/p>\n 3 “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?…6…Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. 7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:<\/p>\n 8 “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, The Christmas season is not biblically enjoined for Christians and certainly is based upon doctrines and traditions of men. Traditions that are condemned in various parts of the Bible.<\/p>\n Some articles of possibly related interest may include:<\/em><\/p>\n What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days?<\/a> Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them?<\/p>\n Is January 1st a Date for Christians Celebrate? <\/a>Historical and biblical answers to this question about the world\u2019s New Year\u2019s day.<\/p>\n Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays?<\/a> Did biblical era Jews celebrate birthdays? Who originally celebrated birthdays? When did many that profess Christ begin birthday celebrations?<\/p>\n Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible?<\/a> This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" COGwriter Here are excerpts from an LCG commentary: Not the reason for the season By Wyatt Ciesielka | Many people realize that Jesus Christ was not born anywhere near December 25 and that Christmas is rooted in ancient paganism, but will still proclaim that Jesus is \u201cthe reason for the season.\u201d Is this true? Who […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,6,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9324","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-church-history","category-cog-news","category-doctrine"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n
Not<\/em> the reason for the season<\/h3>\n
By Wyatt Ciesielka |<\/div>\nMany people realize that Jesus Christ was not born anywhere near December 25 and that Christmas is rooted in ancient paganism, but will still proclaim that Jesus is \u201cthe reason for the season.\u201d Is this true? Who<\/em> is really being celebrated on December 25? Why<\/em> the evergreen tree? And most importantly, is Jesus Christ really pleased?<\/em><\/div>\n\n
\nAnd honor Me with their lips,
\nBut their heart is far from Me.
\n9 And in vain they worship Me,
\nTeaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'” (Matthew 15:3,6-10, NKJV<\/p><\/blockquote>\n