The origins of Christmas traditions

EDITOR: Are you an open-minded person? Will you be guided by the Word ofYahweh? Do you allow the Bible to correct you? If you can answer ‘yes’ to all these questions, then I urge you to read this article carefully. Check the facts for yourself, then make up your mind.

Why December 25th?

There is a wide range of evidence that suggests thatYahshua the Messiah was not born during the winter, but rather in the autumn. Who came up with this date forYahshua’s birth date, and why was this date set? If careful research is done in credible encyclopedias, you will find that this date is closely linked to Roman and Greek mythology, along with ancient idol and sun worship.

It was Julius Sextus Africanus, a Christian historian, who first set December 25th as the birthday of the Messiah, over 200 years after Yahshua was born. He was known to mix mythology with the Bible.

Ancient Idol Worship

Several Christmas traditions are linked to the Roman festival called Saturnalia, as well as sun worship.

The customs of feasting on pork, drinking alcoholic beverages, and decorating houses with greenery and lights are all connected to different ancient Roman festivals, which involved the worship of Saturn, the Sun, and an ancient Iranian idol called Mithra.

The Mother and Child

At the celebration of Christmas each year, you will observe the mother-and-child figures in the nativity scene frequently in use.

How is it that this same scene was used in almost every pagan culture throughout history? It traces back to Nimrod, the son of Cush (Genesis 10:8).

He was worshipped in ancient times, and mythology says that he was reincarnated in his new son (sun), Tammuz. Why is the image of the mother and child used so religiously, even as if it were an idol? We were instructed byYahshua the Messiah to remember His death at the Passover every year. We proclaim His death until He comes (1 Corinthians 11:26). We do this because it was not the birth of Yahshua the Messiah that will save us, but His death upon the tree of Calvary and His righteous life, which was lived as an example for us. A child cannot save the world, but the righteous, dynamic teacher of Nazareth will be the captain of our salvation.

Christmas Trees

Several sources have linked Christmas trees to Nimrod worship, tree and Asherah worship, Baal worship, Saturnalia, and Druidical worship. What does AlmightyYahweh say about this custom? Turn to Jeremiah 10:2-5, “Thus says Yahweh, Learn not the way of the nations, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the nations are dismayed at them. For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cuts 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 moves not. They are like a palm tree, of turned work, and speak

not: they must necessarily be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good.”

We are clearly instructed here by our Creator not to learn and practice these idolatrous customs. It is sad that people today, not knowing what they’re doing, are perpetuating such heathen practices.

Santa and Reindeer

Where did the man in the red suit, who is to represent the Spirit of Christmas, originate?

‘Santa Claus’ is reputed to have been a contraction of the name ‘Saint Nicholas.’ Encyclopedia Britannica states that nothing certain is known of the life of Saint Nicholas except that he was probably bishop of Myra in the 4th century. Over the years, stories of Saint Nicholas were mixed with Nordic folktales of a magician who punished naughty children and rewarded good children with presents. This resulted in the image of Santa Claus which is popular today. Saint Nicholas is also called St. Nick at times. We must guard ourselves, because St. Nick may be related to Old Nick (a nickname for Satan the adversary).

Perhaps St. Nick is also related to Nike.

Nike was the evangelist of Zeus in Greek mythology. Let us also remember the Nicolaitans in Revelation 2:6 and Revelation 2:14-16.

Yahshua the Messiah says that he hates the works and teachings of the Nicolaitans. This indicates that these people taught false doctrines.

What about the reindeers? The stag was used as a symbol of the mighty Nimrod, who professed himself to be a g-d, and was worshipped by his Babylonian followers.

Final Thoughts

In the Assemblies ofYahweh, it is our aim to live as closely as possible to our Heavenly FatherYahweh each day. We aim to live simple lives, abstaining from activities with which this worldly society around us amuses itself, especially when they can be proven to be false and linked to idolatry. Remember Yahshua’s words in Matthew 4:10, when Satan tried to tempt Him to worship him, “Get you hence, Satan: for it is written,You shall worshipYahweh your Elohim, and him only shall you serve.” Let us dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly toYahweh andYahshua, not mixing truth with error.

“You cannot drink the cup of Yahshua, and the cup of demons.

You cannot partake of the table of Yahshua, and of the table of demons. Or do we provokeYahshua to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?” 1 Corinthians 10:21-22.

Ulrika Sutherland