When Was Jesus Christ Really Born? - Part II
This article is about the birth of Jesus Christ. Many of the traditions
associated with Christmas are pagan and have nothing to do with Christ's
birth.
2. The Pagan Counterfeit of Jesus Christ's Birth
The word "Christmas" comes from the Old English phrase "Cristes maesse",
or "Christ's mass"(2). "The Catholic Church "celebrated the birth of Jesus
Christ in 336 AD, according to a Roman almanac...During the 4th century
the celebration of Christ's birth on December 25 was gradually adopted by
most Eastern churches....The reason why Christmas came to be celebrated on
December 25 remains uncertain," but most likely the reason was so that
early Catholics could "coincide with the pagan Roman festival marking the
birthday of the unconquered sun (winter solstice)"(2). "The giving of
presents was a Roman custom; while the yule tree and the yule log are
remnants of old Teutonic nature worship."(1)
First I would like to say that a Catholic is not a Christian. Many of the
teachings of the Catholic Church are rooted in pagan religions. (To find
more information on the history of the teaching of Catholic Church, visit
the Chick Publications web site at www.chick.com and click on the Alberto
series or write to Chick Publications P.O. Box 3500, Ontario, CA
91761-1100 and ask about information on the Alberto series). For current
information about the Catholic Church read our post titled "The One World
Religion Is Here."
The prophet Jeremiah warned the house of Israel against learning the way
of the heathen. Sadly many Christians are doing this very thing today. In
Jeremiah 10:1-4 it says "1 Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto
you, O house of Israel: 2 Thus 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. 3 For 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. 4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it
with nails and with hammers, that it move not." Notice how this scripture
sounds like many Christians who have Christmas trees in their home and
exchange gifts. These customs have nothing to do with the birth of Jesus
Christ but have their roots in pagan religions. Many Christians today need
to remove all these pagan practices out of their lives and glorify Jesus
Christ.
NOTES:
Note 1: reference at Unger's Bible Dictionary
Note 2: reference at web site :www.britannica.com
In the next post, I will start a new topic.
