I have studied nearly every major religion/group in history. Inculding the religious practices of the nations surrounding Israyl throughout history...
Christmas matches every pagan rite of mystery babylon sun worship.
Christmas
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I have studied nearly every major religion/group in history. Inculding the religious practices of the nations surrounding Israyl throughout history...
Christmas matches every pagan rite of mystery babylon sun worship.
What was the origin of the Christmas tree? As much as I would like to embrace as fact the oft- quoted story that Martin Luther was the first to set up a Christmas tree (or at least a lighted one), I cannot -- for the story is pure legend.5 Many years of intensive Luther scholarship has turned up nothing to support it.6 There is scholarly consensus, however, that the Christmas tree originated in Germany. Indeed, the earliest record of an evergreen tree being used and decorated (but without lights) for Christmas is 1521 in the German region of Alsace.7 Another useful description has been found among the notes of an unknown resident of Strasbourg in 1605, who writes that "At Christmas they set up fir trees in the parlors at Strasbourg and hang thereon roses cut of many- coloured paper, apples, wafers, gold-foil, sweets . . ."8 Some fifty years later (about 1650) the great Lutheran theologian Johann Dannhauer wrote in his The Milk of the Catechism that "the Christmas or fir tree, which people set up in their houses, hang with dolls and sweets, and afterwards shake and deflower. . . Whence comes this custom I know not; it is child's play . . . Far better were it to point the children to the spiritual cedar-tree, Jesus Christ."9
Several conclusions can be gleaned from these quotations. First, we are told some of the items with which the first Christmas trees were decorated: paper roses, apples, Communion wafers, gold, foil, sweets, and dolls. Second, even in 1650 a noted scholar like Dannhauer did not know the origin of Christmas trees. Third, not all Christians approved of these trees, even in the beginning. Fourth, the first Christmas trees, as far as we know, did not have lights. According to Weiser, the first mention of lights (candles) on a Christmas tree is in the seventeenth century.10
From the mid-seventeenth century on the Christmas tree slowly grew in popularity and use. However, it was not until the beginning of the 19th century that the use of the Christmas tree grew into the general German custom that it is today. Also at this time it spread to the Slavic people of eastern Europe. The Christmas tree was probably first used in America about 1700 when the first wave of German immigration settled in western Pennsylvania. During the War of Independence, Hessian soldiers supposedly set up Christmas trees.11 It is widely held that the Christmas tree was first introduced into France in 1837 when Princess Helen of Mecklenburg brought it to Paris after her marriage to the Duke of Orléans. The Christmas tree made its royal debut in England when Prince Albert of Saxony, the husband of Queen Victoria, set up a tree in Windsor Castle in 1841.12 After this it grew in popularity, though in 1850 Charles Dickens was still referring to it as a "new German toy."13 But from where did Christians get the idea of the Christmas tree? Was it a new idea or was there a historical custom upon which they were building?
Karas has amply demonstrated that evergreens have been a symbol of rebirth from ancient times. Bringing greenery into one's home, often at the time of the winter solstice, symbolized life in the midst of death in many cultures.14 The Romans decked their homes with evergreens and other greenery during the Kalends of January.15 Living trees were also brought into homes during the old German feast of Yule, which originally was a two-month feast beginning in November. The Yule tree was planted in a tub and brought into the home.16 However, the evidence just does not exist which shows that Christians first used trees at Christmas as a symbol of rebirth, nor that the Christmas tree was a direct descendent of the Yule tree. On the contrary, the evidence that we have points in another direction. The Christmas tree appears to be a descendent of the Paradise tree and the Christmas light of the late Middle Ages.17
From the eleventh century, religious plays called "mystery plays" became quite popular throughout Europe. These plays were performed outdoors and in churches. One of the most prevalent of these plays was the "Paradise play." The play depicted the story of the creation of Adam and Eve, their sin, and their banishment from Paradise. The play would end with the promise of the coming Savior and His Incarnation (cf. Gen. 3:15). The Paradise play was simple by today's standards. The only prop on stage was the "Paradise tree," a fir tree adorned with apples. From this tree, at the appropriate time in the play, Eve would take the fruit, eat it, and give it to Adam.
Because of abuses that crept into the mystery plays (i.e., immoral behavior), the Church forbade these plays during the fifteenth century. The people had grown so accustomed to the Paradise tree, however, that they began putting their own Paradise tree up in their homes on Dec. 24. They did so on Dec. 24 because this was the feast day of Adam and Eve (at least in the Eastern Church). The Paradise tree, as it had in the Paradise plays, symbolized both a tree of sin and a tree of life. For this reason, the people would decorate these trees with apples (representing the fruit of sin) and homemade wafers (like communion wafers which represented the fruit of life). Later, candy and sweets were added.
Another custom was to be found in the homes of Christians on Dec. 24 since the late Middle Ages. A large candle called the "Christmas light," symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world, was lit on Christmas Eve. In western Germany, many smaller candles were set upon a wooden pyramid and lit. Besides the candles, other objects such as glass balls, tinsel, and the "star of Bethlehem" were placed on its top.18
Though we cannot be certain, it seems highly likely that the first Christmas trees that appeared in Germany in the early sixteenth century were descendants of both of these customs: the Paradise tree and the Christmas pyramids and lights. The Paradise tree became our Christmas tree. Decorations that had been placed on the pyramids were transferred to the Christmas tree.
For many Christians the Christmas tree still retains the symbolism of the Paradise tree. The tree reminds us of the tree in Eden by which Adam and Eve were overcome and which thrust them into sin. But more importantly, the tree reminds us of the tree by which our sin was overcome, namely the tree upon which Christ Jesus was crucified. Is it a stretch to refer to the cross as a tree? Hardly, for this is the language of the New Testament itself! For example, Paul writes in Galatians 3:13, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree" (quoting Deut. 21:23). And Peter writes, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." Therefore, the Christmas tree is a wonderful symbol and reminder of our salvation and forgiveness through Jesus Christ!
Some other interesting facts about the Christmas tree, some of which I haven't yet substantiated from the sources (so use at your own risk!) are:
Several conclusions can be gleaned from these quotations. First, we are told some of the items with which the first Christmas trees were decorated: paper roses, apples, Communion wafers, gold, foil, sweets, and dolls. Second, even in 1650 a noted scholar like Dannhauer did not know the origin of Christmas trees. Third, not all Christians approved of these trees, even in the beginning. Fourth, the first Christmas trees, as far as we know, did not have lights. According to Weiser, the first mention of lights (candles) on a Christmas tree is in the seventeenth century.10
From the mid-seventeenth century on the Christmas tree slowly grew in popularity and use. However, it was not until the beginning of the 19th century that the use of the Christmas tree grew into the general German custom that it is today. Also at this time it spread to the Slavic people of eastern Europe. The Christmas tree was probably first used in America about 1700 when the first wave of German immigration settled in western Pennsylvania. During the War of Independence, Hessian soldiers supposedly set up Christmas trees.11 It is widely held that the Christmas tree was first introduced into France in 1837 when Princess Helen of Mecklenburg brought it to Paris after her marriage to the Duke of Orléans. The Christmas tree made its royal debut in England when Prince Albert of Saxony, the husband of Queen Victoria, set up a tree in Windsor Castle in 1841.12 After this it grew in popularity, though in 1850 Charles Dickens was still referring to it as a "new German toy."13 But from where did Christians get the idea of the Christmas tree? Was it a new idea or was there a historical custom upon which they were building?
Karas has amply demonstrated that evergreens have been a symbol of rebirth from ancient times. Bringing greenery into one's home, often at the time of the winter solstice, symbolized life in the midst of death in many cultures.14 The Romans decked their homes with evergreens and other greenery during the Kalends of January.15 Living trees were also brought into homes during the old German feast of Yule, which originally was a two-month feast beginning in November. The Yule tree was planted in a tub and brought into the home.16 However, the evidence just does not exist which shows that Christians first used trees at Christmas as a symbol of rebirth, nor that the Christmas tree was a direct descendent of the Yule tree. On the contrary, the evidence that we have points in another direction. The Christmas tree appears to be a descendent of the Paradise tree and the Christmas light of the late Middle Ages.17
From the eleventh century, religious plays called "mystery plays" became quite popular throughout Europe. These plays were performed outdoors and in churches. One of the most prevalent of these plays was the "Paradise play." The play depicted the story of the creation of Adam and Eve, their sin, and their banishment from Paradise. The play would end with the promise of the coming Savior and His Incarnation (cf. Gen. 3:15). The Paradise play was simple by today's standards. The only prop on stage was the "Paradise tree," a fir tree adorned with apples. From this tree, at the appropriate time in the play, Eve would take the fruit, eat it, and give it to Adam.
Because of abuses that crept into the mystery plays (i.e., immoral behavior), the Church forbade these plays during the fifteenth century. The people had grown so accustomed to the Paradise tree, however, that they began putting their own Paradise tree up in their homes on Dec. 24. They did so on Dec. 24 because this was the feast day of Adam and Eve (at least in the Eastern Church). The Paradise tree, as it had in the Paradise plays, symbolized both a tree of sin and a tree of life. For this reason, the people would decorate these trees with apples (representing the fruit of sin) and homemade wafers (like communion wafers which represented the fruit of life). Later, candy and sweets were added.
Another custom was to be found in the homes of Christians on Dec. 24 since the late Middle Ages. A large candle called the "Christmas light," symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world, was lit on Christmas Eve. In western Germany, many smaller candles were set upon a wooden pyramid and lit. Besides the candles, other objects such as glass balls, tinsel, and the "star of Bethlehem" were placed on its top.18
Though we cannot be certain, it seems highly likely that the first Christmas trees that appeared in Germany in the early sixteenth century were descendants of both of these customs: the Paradise tree and the Christmas pyramids and lights. The Paradise tree became our Christmas tree. Decorations that had been placed on the pyramids were transferred to the Christmas tree.
For many Christians the Christmas tree still retains the symbolism of the Paradise tree. The tree reminds us of the tree in Eden by which Adam and Eve were overcome and which thrust them into sin. But more importantly, the tree reminds us of the tree by which our sin was overcome, namely the tree upon which Christ Jesus was crucified. Is it a stretch to refer to the cross as a tree? Hardly, for this is the language of the New Testament itself! For example, Paul writes in Galatians 3:13, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree" (quoting Deut. 21:23). And Peter writes, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." Therefore, the Christmas tree is a wonderful symbol and reminder of our salvation and forgiveness through Jesus Christ!
Some other interesting facts about the Christmas tree, some of which I haven't yet substantiated from the sources (so use at your own risk!) are:
- The first retail Christmas stand was set up by Mark Carr in New York City in 1851;
- Franklin Pierce was the first president to introduce the Christmas tree to the White House in 1856 for a group of Washington Sunday School children;
- The first lighted Christmas tree in public was in Boston in 1912;19
- The first national Christmas Tree was lighted in the year 1923 on the White House lawn by President Calvin Coolidge.
- by Richard P. Bucher
J
JesusistheChrist
Guest
Just so you know, I don't celebrate "Christ Mass" and I fully agree with you that it finds its origins in pagan Sun worship. That agreement aside, what you cited earlier from Jeremiah chapter 10 wasn't speaking about a "Christmas tree", contextually.
OK, I misunderstood your view, sorry.
Yes I have heard that, but seeing how this tree worship goes way back I find it hard to believe. I mean every tradition has a counterpart from babylon to christmas, so at bare minimum I would see it as an adaptation. Which is the same in practice, and practice is reality, as it is a literal action. As of course the customs do change over time.
J
JesusistheChrist
Guest
Believe me, I've been preaching against the pagan origins of "Christ Mass" for at least the last 14 years or so...possibly longer.
I'm not denying that tree worship goes way back. Instead, I'm simply pointing out that that portion of scripture from Jeremiah chapter 10 wasn't speaking of such. Again, contextually, it was speaking of "trees" or "stocks" which were made into idols/graven images/false gods and then overlaid with silver and gold. As such, I discourage anyone from using that portion of scripture as an alleged "proof text" against "Christ Mass trees". Again, don't get me wrong...I don't celebrate "Christ Mass", but my wife and children still do. In fact, and this might interest you, I twice attended Jonathan Cahn's church in NJ several years ago around this time of the year and he was wishing everyone a "Merry Messiah-Mas" from the pulpit. Knowing his Jewish roots, I approached him after the service and asked him how he could possibly do the same. To his credit, he was very gracious and approachable and we actually had a very good chat during which he assured me that he doesn't believe, not even for a single second, that Jesus was born anywhere near the date of December 25th. Furthermore, he is the one who actually helped me put to rest this whole idea that Jesus was somehow born on the Feast of Tabernacles...something which I had once considered myself. Anyhow, Cahn has recently come out with a new video entitled "The Mishkan Clue" (I haven't seen it yet) in which he apparently outlines when he believes Christ was actually born. Having spoken with Cahn directly myself, I know that he believes that Jesus was born on the same day which I believe He was born on.Hizikyah said:
T
Tintin
Guest
He also could have been born around september, those days wheats was collected and, more important than that X-day, is His sure return to save and judge.
Jeremiah 10:3-4
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. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
it is like their cutting every man's and childrens body and then decorated it w/ anything fancies just like they did to our Jesus Christ our King who is chosen to be our redeemer.. but as priest Aaron said about the Golden cow when Moses got back from Mt. Sinai that this people are bound to mischief
Exodus 32:22
21 And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?22 And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.
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. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
it is like their cutting every man's and childrens body and then decorated it w/ anything fancies just like they did to our Jesus Christ our King who is chosen to be our redeemer.. but as priest Aaron said about the Golden cow when Moses got back from Mt. Sinai that this people are bound to mischief
Exodus 32:22
21 And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?22 And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.
I don't think Jesus nor Paul had Christmas in mind when they said those things. I see the world wanting to take Christ out of Christmas all the time. No longer is socially accepted or politically correct to say Merry Christmas, or to have a Christmas tree in schools or in public (the tree is a symbol of Christ on the cross, btw) (or you can't call it a Christmas tree anymore, have to call it something else). Christ is truly the reason for the season. I see the world trying to take that out of Christmas. It's not socially accepted anymore.
Giving gifts at Christmas is a symbol of the greatest gift God gave man, His son, thus this is the reason for gift giving (although it shouldn't be limited to one day a year, it should be give as you can give whenever you can give). Although, Christmas is an open door to spring the Gospel on to unbelievers, family and friends because we gather together. Yes, the world has corrupted Christmas, but that doesn't mean I can't give thanks to God for sending His son.
BTW, we do celebrate Christ's work on the cross at Easter, with the main focus on His Ascension. Easter and Christmas both involve atonement. The birth of Christ born of a virgin is a glorious illustration of God's love towards men. Christ's atonement has many facets you know! One begin the joyful cheer of a savior being born.
All you Christmas bashers really need to give it a rest.
Can an application be made here in Romans 14 in regards to Christmas?
The Law of Liberty
14 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord;[a] and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose[b] and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.[c]11 For it is written:
“As I live, says the Lord,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.”[d]
12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
If someone decides to observe this day unto the LORD, what is it you?!?!?
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Yahchanan (John) 4:24, "Yahweh is a Spirit and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth."
Mattithyah 15:8-9, "These people draw near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me. But in vain they do worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."
Yeremyah 7:9-10, "Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, vow falsely, burn incense to Baal, follow hinder gods you know nothing of, And then come and stand before Me in this House upon which My Name is called, and say; We are saved! Saved to do all these abominations?"
Mark 7:13, "Making the Laws of Yahweh of no effect through your tradition you have handed down! And many other similar things you do."
Deuteronomy 12:29-32, “When Yahweh your Father cuts off the nations from in front of you, and you displace them and live in their land, Be careful not to be ensnared into following them by asking about their gods, saying: How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do the same. You must not worship Yahweh your Father in their way, for every abomination to Yahweh, which He hates, they have done to their gods. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods. Whatsoever I command you, be careful to observe and do it, you shall not add to it, nor take away from it."
2 Kings 17:33-34, "They were taught how they might worship Yahweh, but instead they worshiped their own gods according to the customs of the nations from which they had been brought. To this day, they continue to practice their former pagan customs. They do not reverence Yahweh, nor do they follow the statutes, ordinances, Laws, and commandments which Yahweh had commanded the children of Yaaqob, whom He named Israyl."
ECCLESIASTES 1:4,9-11, "4 One generation passes away, and another generation comes; but the earth remains the same forever. 9 That which has already been, will be yet again. That which has already been done, is what will yet be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. 10 Is there anything of which it may be said: Look! This is new? It has already been in ancient times, well before us. 11 There is no memory of former generations, so there will be no memory of generations which will yet come by those generations who will come afterward."
Ezekiyl 8:13-14, "He also said to me: Turn yet again, and you will see greater abominations that they are doing. Then he brought me to the door of the gate ofYahweh's House, which was toward the north; and behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz."
Tammuz, Sumerian Dumuzi, in Mesopotamian religion, god of fertility of Sumer in the 3rd and 2nd millennia bce... (britannica.com)
After Nimrod's death, his so-called mother-wife, Semiramis, propagated the evil doctrine of the survival of Nimrod as a spirit being. She claimed a full-grown evergreen tree sprang overnight from a dead tree stump, which symbolized the springing forth unto new life of the dead Nimrod. On each anniversary of his birth, she claimed, Nimrod would visit the evergreen tree and leave gifts upon it. December 25th, was the birthday of Nimrod. This is the real origin of the Christmas tree."
-The Plain Truth About Christmas by David J. Stewart
Yes - see the thing is we worship God's Son and not the mysterious babylonian sun.
But if one does a ritual that is of pagan origin, and not of Yahweh;
"You must not worship Yahweh your Father in their way" Deuteronomy 12:29-32
Whatever Christmas was associated with and whichever gods were worshipped on that day at whatever point in time is utterly irrelevent to the general person who celebrates Christmas not to give worship to a Roman or Pagan deity, but just because it's an excuse to celebrate. There's no worldwide Apollo worship going on, it's just fun-time for the kids.
For a follower of the Creator this is unacceptable;
"You must not worship Yahweh your Father in their way" Deuteronomy 12:29-32
Christmas is about gimme, gimme, gimme, for the vast majority of children. Materialisim, a quality the Messiah did not promote (Mt 6:19*), so how could this day be suitable for anything dealing with the Messiah. It not His birthday, it's against His principles, and it has pagan origins...
*Mt 6:19, "Do not store up treasures for yourselves upon earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal; For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
gimme, gimme, gimme
[h=2]
[/h]Materialism and the Modern U.S. Christmas
Materialism and the Modern U.S. Christmas by Russell W. Belk
Interpretive Consumer Research, 1989 Pages 115-135
MATERIALISM AND THE MODERN U.S. CHRISTMAS
Russell W. Belk, University of Utah
[h=2]
[/h]Materialism and the Modern U.S. Christmas
Materialism and the Modern U.S. Christmas by Russell W. Belk
Interpretive Consumer Research, 1989 Pages 115-135
MATERIALISM AND THE MODERN U.S. CHRISTMAS
Russell W. Belk, University of Utah
Hey, Jesus never advocated state funded educational systems which mean our children must be locked against their will in a room six hours a day learning thought patterns which further the mantra ''more money makes a valid human being''. Please forgive me if I'm thankful for three weeks holiday where kids get to have some stuff and feel better about themselves.
I'm sorry, but Christmas is not the root of materalism and consumerism -- currency, Western educational systems and the capitalist measurement of the value of a human life against financial worth are. Tackle those problems and the ''Christmas dilemma'' evaporates.
No winter solstice day justification for the follower of Yahweh. Besides that I agree with everything you said.
WWJD?
