IT’S beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
Brethren, do you know how to properly face this pagan holiday? Here are some hints in this month’s Personal to help you avoid any Christmas chaos or confusion.
Here we are again – December. This world is gearing up for the BIGGEST holiday of the entire civic year – their Christmas season! Driving throughout my neighborhood at night seems like every other house is lit up to the point that the International Space Station can zero in on their house! Blow up plastic Christmas trees in every yard, Rudolphs, Donners, Blitzens, and Santa sleighs! In their living rooms, with their curtains wide open, stands a majestic Christmas tree that is worthy of the worship of Asherah, the ancient Canaanite fertility goddess – with tons of wrapped gifts underneath! To this world, the season is of “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
A time of the year when multiple millions of people think about a little “babe in a manger.” And yet others think about office parties, vacations, and tying one on! Still, millions of others actually await the stroke of midnight – when Santa Claus and his flying reindeer land on their roof! To a handful, Christmas reminds them of Jesus’ supposed birthday – but the vast, overwhelming majority, it merely means the biggest HOLIDAY of the entire year!
The Blind Leading the Blind
This Catholic Mass of Christ observance is so worldwide today, that most people will scowl at you – and some even harangue you – if they learn that you do not observe it. A great many devout religious people will even consider you blasphemous! Sadly, this world is blind to the living TRUTH OF GOD, and cannot see.
However, the LORD God commands His chosen begotten children – regarding this pagan celebration and its customs – to “’ Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues” – Revelation 18:4. The LORD God has told us, “Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel. 2) Thus says the LORD: ‘Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; …’” – Jeremiah 10:1-2.
We, as true Christians (as spiritual Israelites – Galatians 3:29) are not to have any communion with darkness. We are not to fellowship with the darkened ways of this world, or to participate in this world’s pagan customs and traditions. The LORD our God commands us –
“’ take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, … 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; …’” – Deuteronomy 12:29-32.
How SHOULD a true Christian handle the Christmas season? How should a true Christian act toward an unconverted person who does not understand the living truth of God, or for that matter, secular historical truth!?
What about entering a department store and meeting Santa Claus!? How should a true Christian properly greet him?
In this Personal, let’s go over some guidelines to help you properly handle the Christmas season – the LORD God’s Way.
‘Fear not, for I am with you’ – Isaiah 41:10
So often, a person who has just recently learned the truth concerning Christmas finds himself asking himself, “What should I do?” It seems strange not observing Christmas anymore. It makes me think of the holiday movie Christmas with the Kranks. They soon discover that they are considered pariahs in their decision to not celebrate Christmas – opting to treat themselves to a ten-day Caribbean cruise instead.
With many who decide to no longer participate in the darkness of the season's holiday, fear and doubt creep in, and they think, “What will my friends and relatives think!?”
But DO NOT allow those thoughts – so often inspired by Satan the devil – to take root and blossom fear and worry in your heart! For one thing – to the overall majority, Christmas isn’t that big of a thing, anyhow. Like Charlie Brown – who loudly asks if anyone knows what Christmas is all about – the overall majority of people worldwide DO NOT truthfully know. They too don’t care for the hustle and bustle – the frantic pace and the giving of gifts at Christmas. Again, to the overall majority, they have come to see that Christmas has become overly commercialized!
Have the Light of Life
Our Lord Jesus Christ says to us, brethren, “’ I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life’” – John 8:12.
He speaks of ‘light having come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.’ As you might or might not be aware – this world’s chief religious holiday is overflowing with petty thefts, burglaries, adulteries, murders, and drunkenness! Strange that at this time of the civic year, this world is filled with adulteries, drunkenness, and debauchery – more than at any other time! According to reports from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), two specific types of crime increase in December: robbery and personal larceny. These two crimes increase by approximately 20 percent during the last month of the year. 1
Also, too, several studies show you have a greater chance of dying on Christmas, the day after Christmas, or New Year’s Day than any other single day of the year. 2
However, it’s not that strange when you come to understand the REAL ORIGIN of Christmas. When you come to understand that this Mass of Christ stems from the ancient pagan Saturnalia – a time of wild and drunken sexual orgies, the celebration of the winter solstice in honor of the sun god of rebirth!
So, there is a proclivity in man to love darkness. Why!? Jesus says, ‘because their deeds [are] evil.’ And that is really hard to come to grips with – most people don’t understand that when a person comes to the truth of God one of the first realizations that they have to come to is that we are sinners. That we are breakers of God’s eternal law! Most people are oblivious to God’s law – they don’t even know what God’s law says. And they are oblivious to the fact that they are breaking God’s law – and with it comes a penalty. A death penalty.
Our Lord Jesus Christ also says to us, brethren, “’ You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. … 16) Let your light so shine BEFORE men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven’” – Matthew 5:14-16.
This is the KEY! Because it is useless to try and persuade that someone not keep Christmas because it’s “pagan.” For the most part – they DO NOT CARE! If you try to explain to your family and friends why you do not celebrate Christmas, you will likely only succeed in confusing them and alienating yourself. Often the quickest way to turn family and friends against you is to preach the Bible to them about the living Word of God, the Truth of God, and the ultimate Plan of God!
Therefore, when you learn the truth about Christmas, you should NOT immediately go to family and friends and “preach” about the pagan origin and the sin of keeping and celebrating the Mass of Christ. Listen to our Lord Jesus, “’ Let your light so shine BEFORE men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.’ Recall that I once spoke about when my wife and I visited Kartchner Caverns in Benson, Arizona. And how the tour guide in the pitch blackness of the cave lit a small match – and the tiny glow from that one match lit up the entire cavern! LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE! Light makes no sound. It doesn’t argue, scold, berate, preach, or blast forth like the alien spaceships in the 2005 movie War of the Worlds! Yet, it can illuminate and be an effective witness.
That is the Way we as true Christians should handle the Mass of Christ season! Let our light shine before others. When Santa Claus reached out and welcomed me into the department store, handing me a Christmas candy cane – I smiled back with kindness and accepted his small gift. When he followed after with a boisterous “Merry Christmas!” - I just simply answered, “Thank you.” I was kind, considerate, and friendly.
What about friends or relatives gifting you gifts? Almost every new convert faces this. First – contact your family and friends and politely and succinctly explain to them that you no longer celebrate Christmas and would prefer they not gift you any gifts. Maybe mention to them how you have come to realize how commercialized Christmas has become – and therefore you are no longer going to keep or celebrate it anymore. In some cases, a short explanation on these lines would be all you need.
But, something that you should NOT do is mention that Christmas is pagan. Because for most – you would first have to explain to them their question “What do you mean, pagan?” Doing so would likely rile a hornet’s nest of trouble! If you mention anything religious, they may press for a fuller explanation. Don’t bring religion into the conversation. Like I do in explaining why I do not eat pork, make it a personal matter – not a religious matter. Speak from the basis of your own personal convictions. You might say, “You know, I’ve done a little research, and I was surprised! I looked up the origin of Christmas on the Internet, and I found out that Jesus wasn’t even born on December 25th. It’s not even Christian. The ancient Romans observed it in honor of their sun god – and that the Roman Catholic Church adopted many of the customs from ancient pagans.
This kind of historical truth will go a long way in avoiding offence or strife. Yet, even when explaining these facts, however, emphasize that it is a personal decision – not a religious decision. DON’T ever try to give the listener the impression that you are trying to persuade them not to celebrate Christmas. If your listener is actually interested in the historical facts and wants to know more – we have several articles and an AI audio series on the subject of Christmas –
Teach Your Children
What about your children? The LORD God says –
“’ And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7) You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.’” – Deuteronomy 6:6-7.
Teach your children the TRUTH about Christmas. You could have a family secular and Bible study about the subject. It might be helpful to use our sermons, articles, and AI audio articles on the subject.
Also, be sure to explain that Satan the devil has deceived the whole world, and this is one of the main reasons why multiple millions of people keep and observe Christmas – cf. Revelation 12:9. You could mention that the LORD God – the family of God, which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ – has had mercy on you, and revealed the living TRUTH OF GOD to you, and that your family is going to obey the LORD God and not man – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6) In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” – Proverbs 3:5-6.
Also, you could throughout the year, demonstrate your love and affection for your children by surprising them with gifts. These types of gifts will come to mean much more than any “compulsory gift” at Christmas.
Your Unconverted Spouse
Brethren, if your unconverted spouse wants to keep and celebrate Christmas, do not hinder him/her. Don’t preach, nag, or argue. Don’t show disrespect or contempt because he/she doesn’t accept the TRUTH concerning Christmas.
Rather, you should strive to show honor and respect, regardless of his/her convictions. Always remember that the husband is the HEAD of the home –
“Wives submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23) For the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is the head of the Church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24) THEREFORE, just as the Church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything” – Ephesians 5:22-24.
The LORD God commands that wives be submissive to their husbands. And, I understand that this command from the LORD God does not fly in the face of this feminist world. Now, the man being the head of the family doesn't mean being a dictator. It means - cf.
"Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband" - 1 Corinthians 7:3.
"Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband" - Ephesians 5:33.
"Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered" - 1 Peter 3:7.
Often, however, some spouses may want you to participate in this Catholic Mass of Christ. In the case where your spouse tries to get you to do something contrary to our living God’s Word – the living Word of God tells us, “But Peter, and the apostles answered and said, ‘We MUST obey God rather than men’” – Acts 5:29, Challoner-Rheims Catholic Version.
Pray for wisdom! And use this blessed wisdom from the LORD God for understanding. Always show your spouse respect when you explain to him/her that you cannot engage in keeping or celebrating any Christmas festivities.
What About Family Christmas Dinner?
If you are invited to a family Christmas dinner – should you accept?
In most cases – sure, go and have a great time! The majority of so-called “Christmas dinners” are merely a family reunion. In fact, the overall majority are not held to commemorate or observe the Mass of Christ at all. Therefore, being invited to a family members home – or even a friends – for dinner, even though it’s occurring during the Christmas season, would not necessarily be wrong to accept and go.
What About Saying “Merry Christmas”?
As I spoke of earlier – this time every secular year, we come across the “department store Santa,” or, a “mall Santa” who begs for money for one cause or another. “Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!” – with a deep-throated laugh or chuckle, most associated with today’s Coca-Cola Santa Claus.
Again, what if someone wishes you a “Merry Christmas” – or in this more “let’s not offend anyone” United States of America, those that wish you a “Happy Holiday”!? In most cases, it’s not really necessary to respond back – because many people just merely say it out of habit. However, if a reply seems expected, you can confidently say, “Thank you” and leave it at that.
Interestingly, what came to my mind here was the story of Mordecai refusing to bow himself before Haman the Agagite – cf. Esther 3:5. Brethren, just thank them for the sentiment they express, but do not wish them a “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holiday” in return since the LORD God does not approve of this paganized Mass of Christ. This too reminds me of a question put forth to me the other day - "When someone is giving a prayer that you do not agree with, should you still say 'Amen' at the end of the prayer?" What do you think? Be sure to leave a comment.
Again, you certainly should not begin to preach to them, or berate them, or disrespect them. Just be friendly and smile, or even simply respond, “Thank you.” Most people are not actually expecting a reply.
Brethren, this Mass of Christ season affords God’s begotten children an opportunity to build godly character. If you use wisdom and common sense in handling this world’s holiday season, and think before you speak, you will succeed in thwarting any Christmas chaos or confusion.
Certainly with Satan the devil’s chief secular holiday comes challenges. But, it gives us a grand opportunity to exercise righteous judgment and wisdom in dealing with people. □
Bibliography:
1) HG.org. Understanding the Reality of Holiday-Related Crimes. Retrieved 12 Dec. 2023.
2) Christensen, J., Why do more people die at Christmas, New Year’s? CNN. Dec. 23, 2013. Retrieved 12 Dec. 2023.
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