The Origins of Christmas ~PART 2

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Rella ~ I am a woman

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PART 2 OF 2 PARTS DUE TO TOO MANY CHARACTERS.

This is an article from Grace Centered Magazine.

SEE PART 1 for information regarding Jesus.

Now, how did this fat guy named “Santa Claus” come into being? He started out as the Scandinavian god “Odin”. He was the god of intoxicating drink, ecstasy, pleasure, war, magic, and knowledge of occult powers. He was worshipped by those living in the countries of Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland). “Odin” means “inspired one”
In time, he became popular in the Netherlands and in Germany. His name became “Sinter Klaus”. Odin would travel around the world on a white horse with 8 legs, this is where the 8 reindeer came into being pulling Santa’s sleigh. Santa Claus has a long white beard, so did Odin. He wears a red and white suit. Red, the color of war and blood, and white, imitating purity. Also, the “Ancient of days” in Daniel 8 had “Hair as white as wool.”
Odin would travel with his “dark helpers” or “black-jacks” or “Krampus” They were really demonic entities which were half goat, half human. This is where Santa’s elves came into being. They would travel visiting houses where children were and they would give gifts to obedient children and whip the disobedient children. Towns would hear of their coming because they wore “bells” around their necks, thus the song “jingle bells” came into being.
Santa Claus enters the house by a chimney, through the fireplace. The Druids believed in the goddess “Hertha” who also entered the homes through the fireplace. From the name “Hertha” we get the word “hearth” The Druids also placed “milk and cookies” by the fireplace as gifts to Hertha. Do you not see how paganism passes into modern tradition around this time of year?
Santa Claus is known to say “Ho, Ho, Ho”. Well, during the time of Shakespere, when the devil made his appearance in dramas and plays, he would announce his arrival with those same words. One of Satan’s nicknames was also “Old Nick” (sound familiar?)
Now, how do Santa Claus and Jesus/Yeshua compare? Contrast? Let’s see;
Santa Claus Yeshua/Jesus
Spirit of Christmas The Spirit of God/YHVH
All knowing (who’s been bad or good) All knowing
Writes names in a book, keeps a list Writes names in the Book of Life
Hair and beard, white as snow Hair, white as wool (Daniel 8)
Santa travels by night (darkness) Yeshua is “Light”
Gives you what you want Gives you what you need
Has mystical tree (Christmas tree) Tree of Life,
Loves children Loves children and ALL of us
Odin’s symbol was the Fir Tree, YHVH’s symbol is the Menorah (looks somewhat like a tree)
The Christmas Tree also has pagan origins. (Read Jeremiah 10:2-3). It talks about cutting down a tree in the forest, putting it on a stand and decorating it with gold and silver, and the pagans sang songs to the tree. Today, the song “Oh Christmas Tree” is popular. The prophet Jeremiah warns us NOT to follow these customs and traditions.
In America, the Puritans prohibited the celebration of Christmas, as they knew of these origins. This was put in writing on May 11th, 1659, and there was a 5 shilling fine for anyone found celebrating Christmas in any form or fashion. The first time Christmas was permitted was in the state of Alabama in 1836.
All in all, we know that the celebration is for the coming of Messiah Yeshua. Many people say “It isn’t the date, it’s the event” and that’s true. It makes more sense to understand that God made bare his “Holy Arm” (Isaiah 52:10).
“The LORD has made bare his Holy Arm, in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the YESHUAH of our God” (Salvation).
This happened in Beit-Lechem of Efrata. It isn’t about some big jolly fat man coming down the chimney into your house, rather the Creator of the Universe coming down dressed in flesh, bone, and blood and entering your heart.
I’m not saying to go over to grandma’s house and throw kerosene on her tree and burn it up shouting; “paganism!” No, that wouldn’t go over very well. This is a time to get together with family and friends, share a warm meal together, and listen to soft music. It isn’t a time to argue over Christmas traditions unless you are asked to do so. If that happens, you might share this, yet with love and not condemnation. Always pray that the LORD opens hearts to accept the truth and to dispel pagan traditions. Always remember that Yeshua is the reason for the season.
Yes, this is the season to remember Yeshua’s coming to earth from his kingdom above, even though it is celebrated a few months late. The best gift He gave us was himself, the gift of Salvation, available to ALL who reach out in faith and accept Him as LORD and Savior.
Please read; Leviticus 18:30; Deuteronomy 12:3-4; Mark 7: 7,8
Blessings. Ben Avraham
 
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ScottA

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PART 2 OF 2 PARTS DUE TO TOO MANY CHARACTERS.

This is an article from Grace Centered Magazine.

SEE PART 1 for information regarding Jesus.

Now, how did this fat guy named “Santa Claus” come into being? He started out as the Scandinavian god “Odin”. He was the god of intoxicating drink, ecstasy, pleasure, war, magic, and knowledge of occult powers. He was worshipped by those living in the countries of Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland). “Odin” means “inspired one”
In time, he became popular in the Netherlands and in Germany. His name became “Sinter Klaus”. Odin would travel around the world on a white horse with 8 legs, this is where the 8 reindeer came into being pulling Santa’s sleigh. Santa Claus has a long white beard, so did Odin. He wears a red and white suit. Red, the color of war and blood, and white, imitating purity. Also, the “Ancient of days” in Daniel 8 had “Hair as white as wool.”
Odin would travel with his “dark helpers” or “black-jacks” or “Krampus” They were really demonic entities which were half goat, half human. This is where Santa’s elves came into being. They would travel visiting houses where children were and they would give gifts to obedient children and whip the disobedient children. Towns would hear of their coming because they wore “bells” around their necks, thus the song “jingle bells” came into being.
Santa Claus enters the house by a chimney, through the fireplace. The Druids believed in the goddess “Hertha” who also entered the homes through the fireplace. From the name “Hertha” we get the word “hearth” The Druids also placed “milk and cookies” by the fireplace as gifts to Hertha. Do you not see how paganism passes into modern tradition around this time of year?
Santa Claus is known to say “Ho, Ho, Ho”. Well, during the time of Shakespere, when the devil made his appearance in dramas and plays, he would announce his arrival with those same words. One of Satan’s nicknames was also “Old Nick” (sound familiar?)
Now, how do Santa Claus and Jesus/Yeshua compare? Contrast? Let’s see;
Santa Claus Yeshua/Jesus
Spirit of Christmas The Spirit of God/YHVH
All knowing (who’s been bad or good) All knowing
Writes names in a book, keeps a list Writes names in the Book of Life
Hair and beard, white as snow Hair, white as wool (Daniel 8)
Santa travels by night (darkness) Yeshua is “Light”
Gives you what you want Gives you what you need
Has mystical tree (Christmas tree) Tree of Life,
Loves children Loves children and ALL of us
Odin’s symbol was the Fir Tree, YHVH’s symbol is the Menorah (looks somewhat like a tree)
The Christmas Tree also has pagan origins. (Read Jeremiah 10:2-3). It talks about cutting down a tree in the forest, putting it on a stand and decorating it with gold and silver, and the pagans sang songs to the tree. Today, the song “Oh Christmas Tree” is popular. The prophet Jeremiah warns us NOT to follow these customs and traditions.
In America, the Puritans prohibited the celebration of Christmas, as they knew of these origins. This was put in writing on May 11th, 1659, and there was a 5 shilling fine for anyone found celebrating Christmas in any form or fashion. The first time Christmas was permitted was in the state of Alabama in 1836.
All in all, we know that the celebration is for the coming of Messiah Yeshua. Many people say “It isn’t the date, it’s the event” and that’s true. It makes more sense to understand that God made bare his “Holy Arm” (Isaiah 52:10).
“The LORD has made bare his Holy Arm, in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the YESHUAH of our God” (Salvation).
This happened in Beit-Lechem of Efrata. It isn’t about some big jolly fat man coming down the chimney into your house, rather the Creator of the Universe coming down dressed in flesh, bone, and blood and entering your heart.
I’m not saying to go over to grandma’s house and throw kerosene on her tree and burn it up shouting; “paganism!” No, that wouldn’t go over very well. This is a time to get together with family and friends, share a warm meal together, and listen to soft music. It isn’t a time to argue over Christmas traditions unless you are asked to do so. If that happens, you might share this, yet with love and not condemnation. Always pray that the LORD opens hearts to accept the truth and to dispel pagan traditions. Always remember that Yeshua is the reason for the season.
Yes, this is the season to remember Yeshua’s coming to earth from his kingdom above, even though it is celebrated a few months late. The best gift He gave us was himself, the gift of Salvation, available to ALL who reach out in faith and accept Him as LORD and Savior.
Please read; Leviticus 18:30; Deuteronomy 12:3-4; Mark 7: 7,8
Blessings. Ben Avraham

That was nauseating! Those accounts of tradition origins may be good to know--but, was it ever stated In that painful exhortation why Christians and the church celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25th?

The point is...those are not the reasons Christians and the church celebrate on December 25th. And no, I did not go on to read all the posts--and hopefully someone has already stated what was apparently not stated in Parts 1 and 2 of this thread, but here is the simple reason Christians and the church celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25th:


To their credit, the fathers of the Catholic Church in Rome, Italy, began celebrating Christmas on December 25 in 336 AD to replace the pagan celebrations previously conducted during that season.
 

Rella ~ I am a woman

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That was nauseating! Those accounts of tradition origins may be good to know--but, was it ever stated In that painful exhortation why Christians and the church celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25th?

The point is...those are not the reasons Christians and the church celebrate on December 25th. And no, I did not go on to read all the posts--and hopefully someone has already stated what was apparently not stated in Parts 1 and 2 of this thread, but here is the simple reason Christians and the church celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25th:


To their credit, the fathers of the Catholic Church in Rome, Italy, began celebrating Christmas on December 25 in 336 AD to replace the pagan celebrations previously conducted during that season.
shrugsmiley.gif I did not write it , just posted it.

the Catholic Church in Rome, Italy, began celebrating Christmas on December 25 in 336

WHY... the only thing they succeeded in doing was to cause pagan influences coming into a celebration.

Were so many of the church partying the pagan way?

They should had declared those ideas were simply to be avoided.
 

ScottA

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View attachment 40155 I did not write it , just posted it.

the Catholic Church in Rome, Italy, began celebrating Christmas on December 25 in 336

WHY... the only thing they succeeded in doing was to cause pagan influences coming into a celebration.

Were so many of the church partying the pagan way?

They should had declared those ideas were simply to be avoided.

Oh good!

The fact that many of the present traditions have nothing to do with Christ, is not to the discredit of the church fathers, but should be considered a well intended attempt to expose pagans to Christianity--not the other way around. Those pagan traditions speak rather of the pagans not being won over in spite of the church. But the great commission was not to save, but to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. The saving, is God's part.

But it should also be noted that among the current "Christmas" traditions, there are many parent-like teaching tales intended for good and to get children use to the idea that being good for goodness sakes, and gifts coming from a loving fatherly character from on high lighting up the darkness, was something to be celebrated. Much of it is indeed, rather parable-like. What better way to soften the hearts and put a twinkle in the eyes of otherwise baby-sacrificing pagans? It could even be said that it has been a greatly effective means of evangelism bringing the story of Jesus to the ends of the earth.
 

JohnD

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Rome's ecumenical belief system in earliest phase. Conquest through peace (when tired of wielding the sword).