Christmas
Duty of the Priest in O.T.

Ezekiel 44:23-24
And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the
unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. 24
In controversy they shall stand as judges, and judge it according to My
judgments. They shall keep My laws and My statutes in all My appointed
meetings, and they shall hallow My Sabbaths.

This principle applies today for the royal priesthood. We need to be
able to teach the difference in the holy and unholy and understand God's
appointed meetings. There are several celebrations in our society that
are claimed to be in service to God. What is the relationship of the
Christian to them? Are they pleasing to God or not?

Matthew 7:21-23 - We cannot just say something is "in the name of Jesus"

Mark 7:5-9 - We worship in vain when we practice doctrines of men Four
Main Time Periods of Religious Celebration in the Pagan Year. Paganism
worships the creature rather than the Creator. Sun became a major object
of worship. 1.      The Winter Solstice. (Dec. 22) The day or time
surrounding it in the winter when the days are shortest and the nights
are longest.  The general belief among pagans is that the sun dies
during winter solstice, and then rises from death. These celebrations
were in honor of the sun's resurrection. This is generally a time of
drunkenness and revelry. 2.      Vernal Equinox (March 21) This is the
day or period of days in spring when the days and nights are of
approximately equal length. This is a time of celebrating new life, the
resurrection of nature from the dead, and it has typically featured
fertility rites, merrymaking, and often centered on sexual activity.
This was a time to honor the fertility gods and goddesses (Pan, Isis,
Demeter, Venus). Symbols of fertility and new life, have always been
featured in these pagan festivals, including eggs. Rabbits were used as
symbols of vigorous sexual activity and reproduction. 3.      The Summer
Solstice. (June 21) This is the time in midsummer when the length of day
is greatest and night is shortest. The shortest night (June 21) was
known in Britain as Midsummer Night and was a time of great drunkenness
and sexual orgies. 4.      Autumn Equinox (Sept. 23) The period of time
when the day and nights are the same length. This was generally a time
of celebrating harvest and the dying of nature. The emphasis is on
death.

There were many other pagan celebrations, but most revolved around these
four main time periods and was centered on worship of the creature
rather than the Creator.

During the apostasy prophesied by the Apostles, the church adopted many
of the pagan practices and gave them new labels. From some of these
compromises we now have Halloween, Easter and Christmas.

Christ was not born Dec. 25. Luke 2:8 Now there were in the same country
shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by
night.

In Israel shepherds never stayed in the fields in December because it
was much too cold. They left the fields in mid-October or November at
the latest. Shepherds came without any recorded gifts.

Common scene during Christmas is three wise men coming to the manger to
give gifts to Jesus. The wise men came to a house over a month later.
(Matt. 2:11) Luke 2:22-23 Now when the days of her purification
according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to
Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of
the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the
LORD"),

Lev. 12:2-4 Minimum time required was 41 days

This would take place before the Wise men came. They would not have gone
into Jeru salem after Herod was searching for them.  They went to
Jerusalem,  then returned to Bethlehem and were staying in a house (with
relatives?) when the wise men came - Matt 2:11. (They may have been
waiting for Mary and the baby gain strength for the trip home) They fled
the country at that time. There was no time to go to Jerusalem after the
wise men left.

There is no record of early Christians ever observing the birth of
Christ. They did not celebrate anyone's birth. Origen (died 255 A.D. -
wrote first known Bible commentary by a Christian) "In the Scriptures no
one is recorded to have kept a feast or held a great banquet on his
birthday. It is only sinners who make great rejoicings over the day in
which they were born into this world."
	
It is one of the earliest additions to the scriptures by the "church".
        The first recorded Christmas was celebrated somewhere around 336
        A.D. 1.      There was disagreement over which day to celebrate
        at first (Dec. 25, Jan. 6, March 23). Liberius, Bishop of Rome,
        ordered Dec. 25 to be observed as birthday of Jesus in 354. 2.
        It was introduced in Constantinople in 379. 3.      In 386,
        Chrysostom said that Christ was actually born on Dec. 25. (The
        first known recorded claim) 4.      Christians in Egypt resisted
        Christmas at first, but generally accepted the practice by 431
        A.D.

Christmas did not come from any one source, but a blending of several
different customs and practices. Celebration of the Winter Solstice was
almost a universal practice. It was considered to be the rebirth of the
sun as the days began to get longer. The apostate church blended all of
these celebrations together. Instead of celebrating the birth of the
SUN, they claimed to be celebrating the birth of the SON.

Roman festival of Saturnalias was the most influential on the Roman
church. It was a celebration in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture
and the rebirth of life on earth as the days began to grow longer. The
festival lasted from Dec. 17 - 24, with gifts exchanged, especially on
the last two days. Then on Dec. 25, they celebrated the "Natalis Solis
Invicti" i.e., "Birth of the Unconquerable Sun" as the days began to
lengthen and the sun began to regain its dominance. Dec. 25 was also the
birthday of: 1.      Bacchus (or Dionysus) - god of wine, 2.      Osiris
- Egyptian god of vegetation. Osiris was murdered and his body was
thrown in the Nile or some say he drowned in the Nile. He came back to
life as a tree and he waters the ground so man might have crops. 3.
Apollo - Greek god of light 4.      Mithra - the Persian god of light

All the birthdays involved pagan feasts commemorating the victory of the
sun god over the god of darkness at the winter solstice or the rebirth
of earth after death. Drunkenness and fornication were the highlights of
these feasts, similar to many modern day Christmas parties today. "The
pagan festival (Brumalia, Dec. 25), with its riot and merry-making was
so popular that Christians were glad of an excuse to continue its
celebration with little change in spirit or manner." New Schaff-Herzog
Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge,

        "The exact day and year of Christ's birth have never been
satisfactorily settled, but when the fathers of the church in AD 340
decided on a date to celebrate the event, they wisely chose the day of
the Winter Solstice, which was firmly fixed in the minds of the people
and which was their most important festival." Encyclopedia Brittanica

Other Traditions Brought In By Catholicism The Christmas Tree Many
stories are told concerning the origin of the Christmas tree. The
practice of decorating evergreen trees was around centuries before the
birth of Jesus. Evergreen trees have been worshipped as symbols of life,
fertility, sexual potency and reproduction and were often set up in
houses as idols. 1.      In Egypt, Osiris died and his body was revived
as a green tree. During a festival, the Egyptians erected a tree and
decorated it. The feast celebrated the annual cycle of dying and revived
vegetable life and became identified as the birthday of the Sun. The
feast was held on Dec. 25. 2.      Some believe the Christmas tree has
its origin with the use of the palm tree in worship of the goddess Isis.
3.      The Romans decorated trees with trinkets and toys during
Saturnalia. "The use of evergreens to decorate homes at Christmas time
has an unmistakable pre-Christian origin.             During the
celebration of the Roman Saturnalias, laurel and other greens and
flowers were used extensively for processions and house
decoration, In northern Europe, evergreens, because they did not
die in the winter time, became symbolic of eternal life and were almost
objects of worship." Collier's Encyclopedia, Christmas, pg. 404 4.
Druids tied golden apples on tree branches during their winter
celebrations. 5.      When the pagans of Northern Europe became
"Christians" they made their sacred evergreen trees part of the
Christmas festival and decorated the trees with nuts and candles (carry
over from sun worship. 6.      Since evergreens stayed green throughout
the dead of winter, the Germans looked upon them as especially gifted
with life. To honor the tree spirit or the spirit of growth and
fertility, greenery was widely used in their winter festivals. Mistletoe
1.      This was a symbol of friendship and peace to the Romans. 2.
This plant was sacred to the Druids and was worshipped by them. They
believed that if it was held over a woman's head she was powerless to
resist anything they wanted to do to her. From this comes the toned down
practice of hanging it over doorways and the tradition that if a girl is
caught under the mistletoe she may be kissed and may not resist. If the
Mistletoe had berries it was considered to be more potent by the Druids
because it was bearing fruit in the winter while everything else seemed
dead. 3.       Mistletoe and holly were used because, not only did they
remain green, but they also bore fruit during the winter. They were used
to honor the spirits of fertility. The Yule Log 1.      This comes from
Scandinavia where the pagan sex and fertility god Jul or Jule pronounced
"Yule" was honored in a 12 day celebration in December. A large single
log (generally considered a phallic idol) was kept with a fire against
it for 12 days, and different sacrifice to Jul was offered in the fire
on each of the 12 days. 2.      These 12 days are sometimes called
Yuletide and are now more commonly known as the 12 days of Christmas.
The gifts on the 12 days of Christmas come from the offerings made on
each of these days to the god Jule. Santa Claus Modern day Santa Claus
is a composite of many traditions, none have anything to do with
Christianity. (The modern image of a jolly overweight man bearing gifts
to all is an American invention) 1.      Many pagan societies have
worshipped a hearth god, dressed in red who came down the chimney to
bless those who pleased it and to curse those who didn't. Food and drink
often were left for him on the hearth or mantel as an effort to please
him. There are hearth gods dressed in red still worshipped today in
India and China. 2.      Saint Nicholas was bishop of Myra in Asia Minor
during the fourth century and was famous for bringing gifts to children.
During the Middle Ages he was known as the patron and guardian of little
children. His name "Saint Nicholas" has been blended into the Santa
Clause tradition. "Saint Nick" is really a reference to this Catholic
"saint", not "Santa Claus". 3.      In some European nations, "Saint
Nick" is still dressed in a Catholic Bishop's outfit. 4.      The Dutch
name for Saint Nicholas was "Sinter Klaas" and developed into the
English "Santa Claus".

If we teach our children to believe in Santa Claus we must lie to them.
        a.      We teach them that there is a supernatural being who can
        travel the world in one night, b.      is accompanied by other
        special beings (elves), c.      who judges them according to
        their deeds and rewards those who have been good.

Children are often disappointed when they discover the truth. Once they
have been lied to, why should they be so trusting when we tell them
about another supernatural being who watches over them and is going to
reward those who are good? When praising God, Hezekiah said: Isaiah
38:19 The living, the living man, he shall praise You, as I do this day;
The father shall make known Your truth to the children. Giving gifts
(Not from Scripture) Matthew 2:11 And when they had come into the house,
they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and
worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented
gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

People in the east never approached the presence of kings without a
present in their hands. Even the Queen of Sheba presented Solomon with
gifts.

Libanius describing Saturnalias - fourth century Everywhere may be
        seen... well-laden tables... The impulse to spend seizes
        everyone. He who through he whole year has taken pleasure in
        saving... becomes suddenly extravagant... A stream of presents
        pours itself on all sides. Christmas in Ritual and Tradition

In colonial America there were no Christmas celebrations, and up to the
1800's there were laws in most of New England and other areas against
Christmas celebrations. Christmas was not accepted until the Irish and
German immigrants came in large numbers. They were considered to be
pagan and a reproach to the Lord. Christmas and instrumental music were
accepted by the Protestant groups during the same time as they
assimilated Catholic religious practice into their lives. Christmas has
nothing to do with Christianity. It Is "Vain Worship" With all the time
and money spent on Christmas, very few have time for the truth.
Celebration of birth, not authorized by God nor desired. God wants us to
remember the purpose for which He was born into the world - to die for
our sins. Pay the penalty we deserve. Commit ourselves completely to
Him. But We Do It In Jesus' Name! The Golden Calf was "to the Lord"
Exodus 32:5 So when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it. And Aaron
made a proclamation and said, "Tomorrow is a feast to the LORD." They
were going to worship Jehovah, but not according to the pattern He
delivered. As a result, the nation was nearly destroyed. Deuteronomy
12:29-32 When the LORD your God cuts off from before you the nations
which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their
land, take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them,
after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire
after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their gods? I
also will do likewise.'  You shall not worship the Lord your God in that
way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to
their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to
their gods. Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall
not add to it nor take away from it.

The principle of not adding to or taking away from God's Word still
applies today! Rev. 22:18-19 God told us how to worship Him. We are not
allowed to change His instructions.

Idolatry is false religion and is nothing - 1 Cor. 8:3-13. Yet, it is to
be avoided! In the sense of reality, an idol was a nothing, there was
nothing behind it, except humanity's imagination, Isaiah. 44:9-20.

Idolatry is man made religion that has nothing to do with submission to
the Creator, Rom. 1:18-25 God has always wanted His people to stay away
from it and not imitate it in any way. God's Command to Israel: Numbers
33:50-53 Now the LORD spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the
Jordan, across from Jericho, saying, Speak to the children of Israel,
and say to them: 'When you have crossed the Jordan into the land of
Canaan, 52 then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from
before you, destroy all their engraved stones, destroy all their molded
images, and demolish all their high places; you shall dispossess the
inhabitants of the land and dwell in it, for I have given you the land
to possess.

Could they keep any of these images and worship God through them? That
same warning appears in the NT for saints today to not be associating or
look like false religion 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 And what agreement has
the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God.
As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be
their God, And they shall be My people." Therefore "Come out from among
them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I
will receive you." I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons
and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

Paul told them idolatry was nothing in 1 Cor 10 - yet in 2 Cor. 6 - Come
Out! Christmas is a false religious practice. It was begun by pagans,
and adopted and modified by an apostate church. How can a true Christian
participate in that which is false, even in fun?

There is no instruction by God to observe the birth of Jesus in any way.
Whenever Satan can get the world to focus on the birth and ignore the
death, then he has people focusing upon that which makes no demands of
them... just try to get someone to repent of false religion at that time
of year and see how far you get! To busy celebrating His birth! The main
focus, regarding accountability and demands to obey God's Word are given
on the basis of the death of Jesus for our sins - 2 Cor. 5:14-21.

The joke of the Season: (a deliberate lie told to unsuspecting, trusting
        children) You better watch out, you better not cry; Better not
        pout, I'm telling you why- Santa Claus is coming to town He's
        making a list and checking it twice; Gonna find out who's
        naughty and nice - Santa Claus is coming to town He sees you
        when you're sleeping, he know when you're awake, he knows if
        you've been bad or good - so be good, for goodness sake! Oh! You
        better watch out, you better not cry; Better no pout, I'm
        telling you why - Santa Claus is coming to town!

Reality is no joke - Jesus is coming to town. 



Wayne Wells wayneliz@twave.net http://users.twave.net/ncc
1 Corinthians 8 - 10 and Christmas

There has been a change of thinking on Christmas for me. Raised being
taught it is a religious holiday, the birthday of Christ. Enjoyed the
presents, family getting together. Later, turned against Christmas. Some
because of the pressure of gift giving, buying one of similar value or
greater than someone else. Feeling obligated to buy someone a gift even
though you rarely even saw that person through the year. When I became a
Christian, I understood we are to not add to nor take away from God's
Word. When I applied this principle to Christmas, I decided to do away
with it completely. Went to Florida after getting out of the Navy.
There, most Christians argued for observ ing Christmas in a
non-religious manner. Still have the tree, lights, gifts, but not in
obser vance of birth of Christ. I changed and participated in this.
Years later, became uncom fortable with this. I have tried to properly
apply the principles of the Bible the best I can. I have tried to keep
personal feelings from influencing my decisions. I realize I have been
repulsed by much Christmas activity I have seen and also have memories
of Christmas' that were thoroughly enjoyed. I do not want to deprive my
children of any pleasure I was able to enjoy when I was their age. I do
not want to bind where God has not bound nor partici pate in anything
God does not want me to participate in. Christmas is never directly
addressed in Scripture. We must properly apply the principles that are
revealed. God's law provides direction for everything to do with life
and godli ness, including the observance of Christmas.

Last lesson: Christmas is a false religious holiday. It has come into
its modern form by an apostate church assimilating the religious
practices of pagans and giving them new labels. If Christians get
involved in observing Christmas as the birth of Christ, it is no
different than the Jews taking on the religious practices of the
Canaanites and Egyptians and saying they were still worshipping Jehovah.
Deuteronomy 12:29-32 When the LORD your God cuts off from before you the
nations which you go to dispos sess, and you displace them and dwell in
their land, 30 "take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to
follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do
not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their
gods? I also will do likewise.' 31 "You shall not worship the LORD your
God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they
have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in
the fire to their gods. 32 "Whatever I command you, be careful to
observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.

Scriptures clearly teach that to observe Christmas in a religious sense
is wrong. This should be clear. To participate in religious activities
is to add to the Scripture and doing what is not authorized. Greenwood
Park CoC - BG, KY Sign out front - "A Child is born" All the traditional
religious symbols: baby in a manger, shepherds, wise men, angels, star
should be avoided in all our activities at Christmas.

What about the non-religious observance of Christmas? Can Christians
have a tree, put lights on their house, hang stockings? Christmas is so
ingrained in our society that schools shut down, paid holidays for
nearly everyone, so it is a traditional and convenient time for families
to get together. But what should they do when they do get together? Need
to understand 1 Cor. 8 - 10.  Context: eating meats offered to idols -
which were nothing!

8:1     Now concerning... 7:1, 12:1 He is now addressing problems they
        wrote about.  first wrote concerning problems they
        weren't asking. (Division, Fornication, taking brethren to
        court). He quotes what they are saying. 1. 7:1 "It is good for a
        man to not touch a woman" (God didn't say that) 2. 8:1 "We know
        that we all have knowledge"  (indication of their puffed up
        attitude)

        When an animal was offered in sacrifice to an idol, only a small
        part, such as the legs wrapped in fat or the
        intestines, was burnt in the fire on the altar. The remaining
        meat was eaten by the one making the sacrifice and
        his friends  or those invited to the sacrifi cial feast.
        Question: What should Christians do when their friends invite
        them to these feasts?

        They are saying that since they know the idol is nothing, why
        can't they go to some temple and eat? Reason:
        Others among them still have problems with it. They grew up
        worshipping many gods and have now left them to worship Christ
        alone. Yet old habits and beliefs die hard. They recognize that
        Christ is supreme, but also feel that the idol is still real.

8:2-3   Knowledge alone puffs one up in pride. Must have love. 2 Timothy
        2:19 :...The Lord knows those who are His... 8:4-6 We
        know... 8:7     But not all know... Many Gentiles did regard the
        idols as proper objects of worship even though the Christians
        understood they were not. 8:8 Meat makes no difference, but we
        can harm others 8:9-10 Someone may see you and begin to worship
        the idol because of your influence. 8:11-12 Sin against brethren
        and Christ. 8:13    It is not worth it, even when by itself, the
        idol is nothing. Isn't that the weak brother's problem? Why
        should I give up something that is not wrong
        just because someone else can't handle it? Why should I have to
        give up something that I have the right to do? Example of Paul -
        Chap. 9 9:1-2   Others may reject Paul as an apostle, but at
        least the Corinthians knew he was real He worked there for 1«
        years (2 Cor. 12:12).

9:4-5   He has the right to eat and drink like anyone else. He has the
        right to marry a Christian   like anyone else but does not.

9:6-11  He has the right to be supported but gives up that right. He is
        a soldier fighting in a spiritual struggle. Paul is planting
        churches, sowing the seed. Paul is tending the flock of God,
        guards, protects, builds up He has provided a service and should
        be compensated for his efforts just as any one else
        providing any other service.

9:12    He had the right, but did not use it. Many have abused this
principle in all gener ations in all religions.  No one could
accuse him of preaching for the money. (2 Pet. 2:1-3)

9:13-14 His right to be supported by brethren comes from directions from
        God's Word. "Directed"  (NASV) is from diatasso (dee-at-as'-so)
        Translated "commanded" in NIV and NKJV. You can't get a stronger
        "right" than something commanded by God! Yet Paul still chose to
        not use this right.

9:15  I have used none of these things.

9:16-18 He is under compulsion. He has received grace, Christ appeared
        to him and personally sent him to the Gentiles. All
        are under a compulsion to teach but to do it "full-time" is
        voluntary. Paul was directed by Jesus to go. He must
        go. He wanted to go "beyond the call of duty" and do
        it without support. He was never satisfied with doing with just
        what he had to do.

9:19    Paul is free from all men, He serves only God. What did he do
        with his freedom? Became a slave to others. Why? So he could
        teach more! This was his overriding concern.         Not doing
        what he wanted to do, but doing what would help others the most.

        He conformed to others all he could as long as he did not
compromise serving God.     He became all things to all
people. Not the attitude that this is the way that I want to live
and if you don't like it - too bad! Why did Paul live like this? 9:22
"That I may by all means save some." Paul was giving up rights he had to
help others, serving them before self. 9:23 AND... (nasv) Paul
wanted to be saved and was taking no chances! 9:24-27 Shows the concern
he has for himself for being faithful. Corinthians seem to have the
attitude that they are not in danger and they are free to live as they
please. After all Paul had done, he recognized that he too could be
lost.

Chap. 10 -  "FOR" shows a connection with the previous teaching. He does
not want them to be ignorant, not just of the facts, but how they apply
to Chris tians today.  Israel is a shadow of Christianity and there are
many valuable lessons we must not ignore. 10:6 Craved food in Egypt,
were given quail, and destroyed for their greedy attitude. 10:7 Golden
calf, 10:8 Fornication with the Moabite women 10:9 Complained about
manna 10:10 Probably complained after the death of Korah, Dathan and
Abiram - Num 16. 10:11-12 This is for our instruction

10:14   "Therefore..." The answer to their question of Idols. This
        statement in 10 14 widows not make any since unless we consider
        the context all the way back to Chapter 8.

10:16-22        To partake of the Lord's Supper is a sharing in the body
        of Christ. You do not want to participate in eating meats
        sacrificed to idols because of the fellowship with
        the demons behind the false religion.

10:23-26        Our Father owns this world. We can partake of our
Father's creation.

10:27-33        We must be concerned more with the affects of our
        actions on others than we are concerned with
        what we want to do. This must be our attitude if we are to be
        disciples of Christ. Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you
        which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God,
        did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made
        Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and
        coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance
        as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of
        death, even the death of the cross. Application to Christmas The
        tree is nothing. The decorations are nothing. There is nothing
        intrinsically evil about cutting a tree down in the winter and
        bringing it in your home and putting light bulbs on it.
        Christians are not celebrating in honor of Saturn, Isis,
        Dionysis or even the birth of Christ. Why not celebrate?

Not all have this knowledge.  We understand, but most of the nation does
not. In spite of the ACLU, most consider it a religious observance.
More attend church services on Easter and Christmas than any other time.
Those raised in church and never observed it religiously may not
understand as much as ones raised in denomination just how much
Christmas is considered a religious obser vance.

What affect do our actions have on others? Are we taking a stand against
a false religious service or do we compromise? There was false religion
in Elijah's time. Do you think Elijah would have decorated a tree during
the winter solstice after the custom of the Egyptians? He could tell
everyone that he really wasn't observing the birth of Osiris even if it
looked that way. Do you think Elijah would have done this?

Isaiah 65:11 But you are those who forsake the LORD, Who forget My holy
mountain, Who prepare a table for Gad, And who furnish a drink offering
for Meni. (NKJV)

Gad probably refers to the sun god and Meni refers to the moon god of
the Arabians. The Sabeans of Arabia celebrated the birth of Meni on Dec.
24. KVJ translate "Meni" as "Number". Meni means number, but the moon
was used to number the seasons. Jerome, commenting on this passage
(Isaiah 65:11) as late as the fourth century (1,000 years after Isaiah)
said that it was the custom so late as his time in all cities especially
in Egypt and at Alexandria, to set tables, and have a time of feasting
to celebrate Meni in the last month of the year.

Do you think Isaiah would have a great feast on Dec. 24, go through some
of the outward motions of celebrating the birth of Meni, and tell his
friends that even though it looked like he was celebrating the birth of
Meni, he really wasn't. He only enjoyed the holiday.

How about Josiah? After his reforms in 2 Kings 22 -23, do you think he
later kept some of the practices of the false religions because he
enjoyed the holidays? he would make sure he told everyone it was a
non-religious observance! But would he even have the outward practice?
Numbers 33:50-53 Now the LORD spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by
the Jordan, across from Jericho, saying, 51 "Speak to the children of
Israel, and say to them: 'When you have crossed the Jordan into the land
of Canaan, 52 'then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land
from before you, destroy all their engraved stones, destroy all their
molded images, and demolish all their high places; 53 'you shall
dispossess the inhabitants of the land and dwell in it, for I have given
you the land to possess.

Could they keep any of these images and worship God through them?

Question:       By our going through all the motions of observing
Christmas, are we encouraging others to continue in false
religious practices or does it better enable us to be able to show them
the seriousness of the sin of adding to or taking away
from God's Word?

Decorations and gift giving may be lawful but that is not the point. The
point is - how will it affect others? What will my influence be? All our
actions are not to be governed merely by what we want to but what affect
it will have on others. 

We must ask if what we do will build up, edify, strengthen and encourage
the church. God's glory is to be our primary concern, not what we want
to do ourselves. Give no reason for stumbling. We are not living as
Christians to be pleasing ourselves but for the purpose of saving as
many as we can.

We are not to offend Jews, Greeks, or Christians. The reason: that they
might be saved. We to be followers of Christ 11:1 Are we taking living
as a child of God as serious as we should?

Paul told them idolatry was nothing in 1 Cor 10 - yet in 2 Cor. 6 - Come
Out! 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 And what agreement has the temple of God with
idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I
will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they
shall be My people." 17 Therefore "Come out from among them And be
separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will
receive you." 18 "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons
and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty."

Questions: 1.      Can you imagine Paul doing something that made it
        look like he was a worshiper of Osiris or Apollo? He could then
        tell others that he really wasn't worshipping them, it only
        looked that way. 2.      While he was in prison in winter,
        waiting for Timothy, do you think the Roman Christians would
        bring him a decorated tree during Saturnalias to cheer him up?
        3.      Paul knew Saturn was nothing, but would he be gift
        shopping during that season? 4.      Athens was the cultural
        center of the world in the first century. Many would go admire
        the great works of art created by man. Paul's reaction to some
        of the greatest artwork in the world was not admiration. Acts
        17:16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was
        provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to
        idols.

The lights and decorations may be pleasant to look at, but are we able
to remember what they represent? Have we lost the ability to be stirred
up by deceptive and false religion that blinds people to the truth and
causes them to be lost? Are we provoked or do we embrace?

There has never been a time that Christmas was not a religious holiday.
It has always been a FALSE holiday. The shift in this nation is going
back to paganism. Recently heard on the radio of a "Winter Solstice"
concert in Charlotte. What if our nation follows the lead of Al Gore and
returns to worship of nature and Christmas makes a full circle back to a
celebration of the sun instead of the son. Will Christians be able to
participate in that?  They could tell their pagan friends "We're not
really worshipping the rebirth of the sun, it just looks like it."

On page 260, Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit Al Gore
praises the fact that "the prevailing ideology of belief in prehistoric
Europe and much of the world was based on the worship of a single earth
goddess" and went on to say how terrible it was that "organized goddess
worship was eliminated by Christianity".

One is just as false as the other. 

1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed
lest he fall. 

Why have we reached the point where "Churches of Christ" have signs out
by the road saying "A child is born" at Christmas?

1 Cor. 10:31 - 11:1



Wayne Wells wayneliz@twave.net http://users.twave.net/ncc