Commentary: A Celebration to Demons!

“What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20) RATHER, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to DEMONS and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.” – 1 Corinthians 10:19-20.

The month of January (in Latin, Ianuarius) was named after their god Janus in the Roman pantheon.

So, since the LORD God──the very CREATOR God that every Protestant and Catholic alike claims to worship──does not begin a new year on January 1st, what is the origin of January 1st being New Year’s!?

In the year of our Lord 46 BC, Roman general, statesman, and later dictator of the Roman Empire, Julius Caesar (12 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC) declared that Ianuarius 1st would mark the beginning of a new year! All of Rome (and a great many in Roman conquered lands) prayed to Janus ── their god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, passages, frames, and endings. In Bulfinch’s Mythology, he is listed as “A solar deity; a doorkeeper of heaven and patron of the beginning and end of things. He had two faces, one for the rising sun and one for sunset. The first month of the year was named for him. The gates of his temples were kept open in times of war. He was the builder of the Janiculum which Aeneas saw when he set foot on Italian soil.” 1 They would pray to this false god when they wanted something new in their lives (such as resolutions).

So, the very month of JANUARY as well as Julius Caesar’s New Year is not of the LORD God! And, nowhere is it within God’s living word ── the Holy Bible.

Notice what the historian and first theologian to write in Latin (who was a heretic follower and who did not have the proper canon, and was a trinitarian), Tertullian wrote about winter celebrations, such as Saturnalia, in the late second century AD ──

“The Minervalia are as much Minerva's, as the Saturnalia Saturn's; Saturn's, which must necessarily be celebrated even by little slaves at the time of the Saturnalia. New-year's gifts likewise must be caught at, and the Septimontium kept; and all the presents of Midwinter and the feast of Dear Kinsmanship must be exacted; the schools must be wreathed with flowers; the flamens' wives and the ædiles sacrifice; the school is honoured on the appointed holy-days. The same thing takes place on an idol's birthday; every pomp of the devil is frequented. Who will think that these things are befitting to a Christian master, unless it be he who shall think them suitable likewise to one who is not a master? …

But, however, the majority (of Christians) have by this time induced the belief in their mind that it is pardonable if at any time they do what the heathen do, for fear the Name be blasphemed. … To live with heathens is lawful, to die with them is not. Let us live with all; let us be glad with them, out of community of nature, not of superstition. We are peers in soul, not in discipline; fellow possessors of the world, not of error. But if we have no right of communion in matters of this kind with strangers, how far more wicked to celebrate them among brethren! Who can maintain or defend this? … By us, … the Saturnalia and New-year's and Midwinter's festivals and Matronalia are frequented — presents come and go — New-year's gifts — games join their noise — banquets join their din! Oh better fidelity of the nations to their own sect, which claims no solemnity of the Christians for itself! … not Pentecost, even it they had known them, would they have shared with us; for they would fear lest they should seem to be Christians. We are not apprehensive lest we seem to be heathens!” 2

What Tertullian appears to be saying is that by observing Christmas (formally known as Saturnalia) and the New Year’s celebrations, Christians appear as heathens ── following after pagan gods and goddesses! True Christians SHOULD NOT be celebrating days that actually honor pagan gods and goddesses! New Year’s was observed to honor their goddess Strenua ── a goddess of the new year, purification, and wellbeing. She had a shrine and grove at the top of the Via Sacra.

Brethren, celebrating January 1st as a new year is celebrating for and with demons! Because it’s origin is from paganism.

And, how is New Year’s celebrated today? The traditions vary around the world. As an example: In Spain, revelers eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight, one for each chime of the clock. Each grape represents a month of the coming year, and eating them is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. In Japan, the New Year, or Oshogatsu, is a time for purification and renewal. Temples ring their bells 108 times to symbolize the cleansing of 108 earthly desires, according to Buddhist beliefs. And, in Denmark, people literally break into the New Year—by smashing plates! Residents hurl old dishes at the front doors of friends and family as a gesture of affection and good wishes. 3

In the  United States of America, along with other  Western cultures, many people still make New Year’s resolutions. The very expression “strenas diabolicas observare” roughly translates from Google Translate to “to observe diabolical tricks.” So, it is highly likely that New Year’s resolutions ── Interestingly, a study found the practice of resolution setting may be more common in the U.S., as similar polls in Sweden found just 12% to 14% of people set goals for the new year. 4 ── originate from their goddess Strenua – of “purification and well-being.”

When Is the New Year?

The LORD our God has declared to all that the month of Abib/Nisan will be the FIRST MONTH OF A NEW YEAR ──

“Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2) ‘This month [Abib/Nisan] shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you.’” – Exodus 12:1-2.

This month is equivalent to late March/early April. In the year 2025, the LORD God’s new year begins March 29th at sunset.

Again, January 1st is not the beginning of a new year for the LORD our God ── or any true follower of Christ Jesus! □

Bibliography

1 Bulfinch's Mythology, Bulfinch, T., Janus - Dictionary and Index, Crown Publishers, Inc., © 1979, pg. 917.

2 Tertullian, On Idolatry – Chapters X, and XIV. – New Advent - https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0302.htm.

3 Sarkar, O., New Year Traditions Around The World: A Celebration Of Cultures, ZeeNews, Retrieved 30 Dec. 2024.

4 Oscarsson M, Carlbring P, Andersson G, Rozental A. A large-scale experiment on New Year's resolutions: Approach-oriented goals are more successful than avoidance-oriented goals. PLoS One. 2020;15(12):e0234097.

Additional Things To Think About...

A Roman 'Mark' !? - Back in Rome, in the times before our Lord Jesus Christ, the Roman government MARKED people by branding them on their hands and on their foreheads – like a tattoo.

Are We Insane? - More and more people are becoming insane!

Blessing or Curses? - IT IS my understanding that of all the remnants of the churches of God – the Intercontinental Church of God has had the most confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths!

Do They Have God's Spirit? - With a heathen person or a tax collector, you sure don’t want to be around them.

Fluffy Fake Religion - This is exactly what the self-professing Christians are all about. They love their fluffy fake religion and claim it to be Christian, ...

A Great Crisis Strikes Judah! - In the land of Judah, the nation of Israel was confirmed as a nation in 1948. And, it was fully established as such in 1968. So, 75 years ago, the tiny nation in Palestine, Israel, was recognized as a nation. 

The LORD God Does Not Change! - If the LORD God – the family of God which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ – places Their wrath in a certain way onto a nation, a country, or a province, that has done certain abominable things that are against Their divine will thousands of years ago, make no mistake about it, the Eternal our God will do the same to the wicked nations, countries, and provinces in this 21st century world – this present evil age!

Personal From... Christmas Challenges

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 –

● ChristMas - It's Origin

● 'In Vain They Worship Me!'

● When Does God's New Year Begin?

● Commentary: X-Mas

● The Truth Concerning Christmas - AI Audio Article Series

● Commentary: Happy New Year?

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.

Commentary: Happy New Year?

by Guy C. LaMar

You also have the ability to listen to this article:

COJCOM · Commentary: Happy New Year? - Audio Article

Here are various sources on this so-called New Year.

The Encyclopædia Britannica (1998):

“The earliest-known record of a New Year festival dates from about 2000 BC in Mesopotamia, where in Babylonia the New Year (Akitu) began with the new moon after the spring equinox (mid-March) and in Assyria with the new moon nearest autumn equinox (mid-September).”

The Encyclopædia Americana (1999):

“Among ancient peoples the beginning of the year was determined by one of various events, such as the spring or autumnal equinox or the winter or summer solstice. In Egypt, for example, beginning about 2773 BC, the year began with the heliacal rising of Sirius, which coincided with the start of the flood period of the Nile and came not long after the summer solstice.”

So, the ancient Egyptians, Phoenicians (think modern Lebanon) and Persians (think Iranians today) began their new year with the autumn equinox (September 21), while the Greeks, until the 5th century BC, observed their new year with the winter solstice (December 21).

The World Book (2001) states –

“Many ancient peoples … performed rituals to do away with the past and purify themselves for the new year. For example, some people put out the fires they were using and starting new ones. …

In early times, the ancient Romans gave each other New Year’s gifts of branches from sacred trees. In later years, they gave gold-covered nuts or coins imprinted with pictures of Janus, their god of gates, doors, and new beginnings. JANUARY was named after Janus, who had two faces – one looking forward and the other looking backward.”

The Encyclopedia Britannica (1998):

“By the Roman republican calendar, the year began on March 1st; after 153 BC the official date was January 1st, and this was confirmed by the Julian calendar (46 BC).

In early medieval times most of Christian Europe regarded March 25th (Annunciation Day) as the beginning of the year, though for Anglo-Saxon England New Year’s Day was December 25th.”

Now, the Celts (which historically included the Gauls, Celtiberians, Gallaecians, Galatians, Britons, Gaels, and their offshoots) celebrated the new year on November 1, marking the end of summer and the harvest, and the beginning of the cold, dark winter ahead. Truly, a precursor to All Hallows' Eve – better known as Halloween – in which they would build “sacred” bonfires to scare off evil spirits and to honor their sun god.

So, since Roman Catholic leaders falsely assumed that our Lord Jesus Christ was born on December 25th, they also erroneously assumed His mother Mary conceived Him on March 25th – nine months before.

Days and Customs of All Faiths (1957):

“March 25th is called the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary…It celebrates the occasion when the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the young Jewish maiden and announced to her that she was to be the mother of Jesus…Although the Church began very early to commemorate this event, the date itself cannot have been fixed before the date of Christmas was established, which was sometime late in the fourth century. The two dates are dependent on each other, because they must normally have been nine months apart…Then, reaching all the way back, people decided that this was not only the day on which Christ’s earthly life began -- it was the day everything began, the day of Creation itself. From here it was a very short step – an almost unavoidable one – to the idea that March 25th must be the beginning of the year, and from the twelfth century until the calendar reform in 1752, March 25th was New Year’s day”

Brethren and friends, as you should plainly see, the true history of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day is smothered and deeply rooted in pagan traditions. It originated in the minds of men.

The very first month of God’s sacred calendar is called in His living word, Abib/Nisan. The definition of Abib from the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible is “head (of grain), already ripe, but still soft – green ears of corn.” Later, the Jews would call this month Nisan – the first month of the Canaanite calendar. God's New Year for 2022 is April 2, 2022 on the Gregorian calendar.

God’s New Year for the world begins in the spring, when things are coming alive. Not in the dead of winter, when things are dormant. □

Additional Commentaries and Articles:

Commentary: Long Life - Now, why were humans living so long!? [...]

Personal From... present evil age of technology - We certainly are living in spooky times. [...]

There Is A Generation - The only thing necessary for evil actions to take place is for “good” people to do NOTHING. [...]

When Does God's New Year Begin? - Let me begin today by asking these questions – “How did the celebration of New Year’s ever begin!?” 

WHEN WAS CHRIST BORN? - Unfortunately, the date of Jesus Christ’s birth has been a topic of much controversy for centuries.

When Does God's New Year Begin?

A crowd gathered in New York City's Times Square at midnight during its annual "ball drop". (Attribution: Anthony Quintano)

Greetings Everyone! You, dearest friends in Bangladesh, Belgium, Malawi, Canada, France, and around the world – welcome to the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries, I’m your host Leonard V. Johnson.

Let me begin today by asking these questions – “How did the celebration of New Year’s ever begin!?” “Why is the beginning of a new year placed in the dead of winter!?” “Where did this custom originate!? Did it come from Almighty God!?”

THE majority of our peoples just assume that the celebration of New Year’s is a Christian custom. But did this practice of “watching the ball drop” come from God’s living word – the Holy Bible!? Who has the authority to say when a new year begins!?

Well, let us for this article – get to the heart of the answer!

In ancient Rome, the New Year’s festival was bound to a festival called Saturnalia - an ancient Roman festival and holiday in honor of the god Saturn, held on the 17th of December of the Julian calendar and later expanded with festivities through to the 23rd of December. Now, if you haven’t already, be sure to read the article “ChristMas … It’s Origin.”

Marduk

In the book “4000 Years of Christmas: a gift from the ages” Earl W. Count writes: “Mesopotamia, is the very ancient Mother of Civilization. Christmas began there, over four thousand years ago, as the festival which renewed the world for another year. The ‘twelve days’ of Christmas; the bright fires and probably the Yule log; the giving of presents; the carnivals with their floats, their merrymakings, and clownings, the mummers who sing and play from house to house; the feastings; the church processions with their lights and song – all these and more began there centuries BEFORE Christ was born. And they celebrated the arrival of a new year!” 1

So, in a nutshell – that is how it began! The celebration of New Year’s actually began in ancient Babylon in Mesopotamia. And, it began as a pagan custom of worshiping the sun – 4000 years BEFORE the birth of Jesus Christ!

The celebration of New Year’s is NOT commanded in God’s living word. Our Lord Jesus Christ nor the original apostles NEVER observed it. And, the prophet Moses actually forbade it to be celebrated!

It’s IMPORTANT to properly understand, because Almighty God says, “’ Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; … For the customs of the peoples are futile; …’” – Jeremiah 10:2, 3, NKJV.

“The first day of Saturnalia shifted during the lifetime of Rome; at all events, it began around the middle of December, with the cry, ‘Io Saturnalia’ – Ho Saturnalia!’ – and continuing until January first. In its midst was December twenty-fifth, the day, as the Romans calculated, when the sun was at its lowest ebb, …” 2

It was actually Emperor Julius Caesar of Rome, who instituted the New Year’s festival on January 1st on 46 B.C. with the adoption of the Julian calendar. Yet, how did this pagan festival ever saturate itself into the modern Gregorian calendar!?

Well, here is the answer – from the very same book! The very history of this world’s Mother Church – from about A.D. 375. A period when Emperor Constantine the Great imposed “Christianity” upon the Roman world.

“Io Saturnalia! To the pagan, the Saturnalia were fun. To the Christians, the Saturnalia were an abomination in homage to a disreputable god who had no existence anyway. … There were many immigrants into the ranks of the Christians by this time, but the Church Fathers [meaning, the Roman Catholic Church] discovered to their alarm that they were also facing an invasion of pagan customs. The habit of Saturnalia was too strong to be left behind. At first, the Church [meaning, the Roman Catholic Church] forbade it, but in vain.” 3

Modern-day Mardi Gras is a holdover from Saturnalia

So, rather than resist, they just integrated these pagan customs!

“The Church Fathers [again, meaning the Roman Catholic Church] now sought to point the festival toward the Christian Sun [sic] of Righteousness. … The Church finally succeeded in taking the merriment, the greenery, the lights, and the gifts from Saturn and giving them to the Babe of Bethlehem. … The pagan Romans became Christians – but the Saturnalia remained!” 4

But, modern so-called Christians have gone even further!

Instead of presenting presents to this “Babe of Bethlehem,” on the day that they incorrectly assume He was born, this world is busily exchanging gifts among themselves! Jesus Christ is not only forgotten at Christmas time – unless you count the Peanuts cartoon “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Charlie Brown asking if anyone knows what Christmas is all about; Linus says he does and recites the supposed meaning – the birthday of Jesus Christ – but is not so much as toasted among the partying of New Year’s Eve!

In October 1582 Pope Gregory XIIIth imposed the Gregorian calendar and reinstituted the pagan Roman date of January 1st. All Roman Catholic countries accepted this new calendar at once! Sweden, Germany, Denmark, and England – all the ancient Druid customs finally acquiesced in the 1700s!

But friends – what does Almighty God have to say about New Year’s!? Does He condone observing a pagan festival!? Or practicing pagan-originating customs in the name of Jesus Christ!?

Turn with me in your Bible to the Book of Deuteronomy the 12th chapter, God says –

Verse 29 – “’ When the LORD your God …’”

Now, does not this world’s so-called Christians consider Him to be their God!? And, if you think that this command was for only the Jews – think again! Be sure to read Minister Michael C. Garrett’s seven-part series “God’s Promises To Abraham.” A vital KEY to help unlock the identity of the American and British peoples!

“ … ‘cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, …’”

Verse 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.’”

Friends, these very customs and rites were indeed practiced in ancient Canaan, Syria, and Babylon, and ancient Rome – including a New Year’s festival!

When Does God Begin the New Year!?

Now, it was Almighty God who created the entire known universe! He set His heavenly bodies in motion creating a “master clock” in which true time is determined. Note: Just recently read a great article in which scientists from MIT have developed what they believe is the most accurate atomic clock ever constructed. Be sure to check it out! Recall, God says, “’ Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years.’” – Genesis 1:14 NKJV. So the earth’s rotation regulates the length of a day and the lunar phases dictate the length of a month. And the orbit of the earth around the sun – sorry Aristarchus of Samos – dictates the length of a year. However, only the very Creator of the universe has the authority to set the dates of the beginning of a new year! Not the likes of Pope Gregory XIIIth – who reduced the average year from 365.25 days to 365.2425!

God’s sacred calendar actually begins in the spring – not in the dead of winter!

Let us turn now to the Book of Exodus chapter 12 –

Verse 1 – “Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2) ‘This month [the month of Abib/Nisan (March-April)] shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the FIRST MONTH OF THE YEAR to you.’”

So, the very first month of God’s sacred calendar is called in His living word, Abib/Nisan. The definition of Abib from the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible is “head (of grain), already ripe, but still soft – green ears of corn.” Later, the Jews would call this month Nisan – the first month of the Canaanite calendar.

Friends, your very Bible speaks of a great false Church – a religious system – which would “intend to change times and law” – Daniel 7:25 NKJV. And, as we saw earlier – indeed they have! This world’s religious system – from which as I stated in the article “ChristMas … Its Origin,” originally came from Nimrod who is mentioned in Genesis 10:8-11. No man has the authority to change God’s “master clock.”

Satan the devil – the “god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4 NKJV) – has very cleverly deceived this world into believing a new year begins on January 1st! The very name January is named after the Roman god Janus – a god of beginnings and transitions and, even to this day, is being venerated in modern movies like The Tourist, a rather innocuous movie starring Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp!

The very same pagan practices which God condemns in His living word are being perpetuated in our modern world – today! The very same festivals of paganism that were adopted by the house of Israel are today an integral part of our societies!

In the Book of 2nd Kings chapter 17, we read of the very reason why God allowed first the kingdom of Israel and second the kingdom of Judah to go into captivity –

Verse 13 – “Yet the LORD testified against Israel and against Judah, by all of His prophets, every seer, saying, ‘Turn from your evil ways, and KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS and My statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets.’”

Verse 15 – “And they rejected His statutes and His covenant that He had made with their fathers, and His testimonies which He had testified against them; they followed idols, became idolaters, and went after the nations who were all around them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them that they should not do like them. 16) So they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, made for themselves a molded image and two calves, made a wooden image and worshiped all the host of heaven [meaning, the angels], and served Baal. 17) And they caused their sons and daughters to pass through the fire, practicing witchcraft and sooth-saying, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger.”

Verse 18 – “Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight; there was none left but the tribe of Judah alone.”

So, what was the result of the kingdom of Israel following the customs of the pagan nations around them!?

Verse 20 – “And the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel, afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of plunderers, until He had cast them from His sight. … 23) until the LORD removed Israel out of His sight, as He had said by all His servants the prophets. So Israel was carried away from their own land to Assyria, …”

And friends, the kingdom of Israel has NEVER returned as a nation to the land of Palestine!

The kingdom of Israel – according to our Lord Jesus Christ was ‘lost’ (see Matthew 15:24)! They were, in essence, eventually assimilated upon their release and migration into Northwestern Europe. And, the chief peoples among them have become the United States of America and the United Kingdom and Commonwealth nations (today and formerly). Again, if you haven’t already read our seven-part article “God’s Promises To Abraham” do so immediately.

Well, does the LORD our God change!?

No. He warns, “’ For I AM the LORD, I do not change.’” – Malachi 3:6 NKJV; see also Hebrews 13:8.

So, speaking to the modern nations of the house of Israel today, Almighty God says, “’ As for you, O house of Israel,’ thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Go, serve every one of you his idols – and hereafter – if you will not obey Me; but profane My holy name no more with your gifts and your idols.” – Ezekiel 20:39 NKJV.

In essence, God is saying, ‘If you want to engage in Christmas, New Year’s festivals, St. Valentines Day, Ash Wednesday, Mardi Gras, Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day – and all the other pagan holidays and festivals, go right ahead; but don’t you dare say that I endorse it!’

Almighty God continues to WARN the modern-day nations of Israel against their holidays of paganism! Look at Hosea chapter 2 –

Verse 11 – “’ I will cause all her mirth to cease, Her feast days [the feasts which the people chose], Her New Moons [marking the beginning of a pagan New year], Her Sabbaths – All her appointed feasts.’”

Now, God isn’t speaking of His original instituted feast days – He’s speaking of those feasts that the people had acquired from the nations around them.

Verse 13 – “’ I will punish her For the days of the Baals [Bā’ălim; Baal (/ˈbeɪ.əl/), properly Baʿal, was a title and honorific meaning "lord" in the Northwest Semitic languages spoken in the Levant during antiquity. From its use among people, it came to be applied to gods] to which she burned incense. …’”

The very same punishment awaits any nation today which forsakes Almighty God’s law as revealed in His living word – the Holy Bible – and turns to the customs of other nations!

“Come Out From Among Them!”

New Year’s celebration truly began and originated from ancient Babylon under the ruler Nimrod – the very one who began to be “a mighty hunter [against] the LORD” cf. Genesis 10:8-9. Indeed, this grandson of Ham, who was a son of the patriarch Noah, was the true founder of the Babylonish system which has dominated the world ever since! Nimrod built the Tower of Babel in ancient Babylon. The very first post-diluvian kingdom was made by Nimrod, in Sumeria, Mesopotamia, where the main body of the human-race had set up camp. He overthrew the post-diluvian Semitic-line and established a Hamitic “monarchy,” as the world’s first king. 5 And, sadly, it is practiced by nearly everyone today on the face of the earth! Satan the devil has indeed deceived the whole world! – cf. Revelation 12:9.

It was indeed adopted by a very powerful and world-girdling church mentioned in bold letters in Revelation 17:5 –

“MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH”!

In Revelation 18:3 we are told, “For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication [spiritual fornication] with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” Including, of course, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and her Commonwealth nations, Canada, Australia, New Zealand - and even including Judah (the nation known today as Israel)!

And we are WARNED by Almighty God –

Verse 4 – “And I heard another voice from heaven [the atmosphere] saying, ‘Come out of her [out of this modern-day Babylon and out of these worldly churches], my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.”

But friends, Almighty God has sent His ministers to warn this world – to cry aloud and spare not, and to show His PEOPLE THEIR SINS! – cf. Isaiah 58:1.

Punishment will not be forever withheld! Be sure to read “’ Blow the Trumpet’!” – for I grieve in my spirit within my body, and this dream by night troubles me.

May God help you to HEED THIS WARNING, and forsake the pagan practices of this world! □

Bibliography:

1) Count, W.E. and Count L.A., 4000 Years of Christmas: A Gift From the Ages, Ulysses Press, Berkeley, California, © 1997, pp. 24-25. https://archive.org/details/4000yearsofchris00coun/page/n7/mode/2up. Retrieved 26 December 2020.

2) Ibid, 33.

3) Ibid., 36.

4) Ibid., 36, 37, 38.

5) Hughes, D. Ancient Sumeria Nimrod’s Story, 2005. https://realityroars.com/history/middle-east/ancient-sumeria-nimrods-story.html. Retrieved 14 December 2020.

Additional Items of Related Interest:

ChristMas ... Its Origin - Once again we are faced with this eight-decade-old question – “Where did Christmas come from!?”

Feast of Trumpets - 2020 - ‘A memorial of blowing trumpets.’

'Tell My People Their Sins' - the LORD God is instructing the prophet Isaiah to lift up his voice like a trumpet.

Be Not Defeated - have you ever felt defeated by sin!? Does sin get the better of you – sometimes!?