Anyone who dares to call themselves a Christian, had better agree, that the Bible (and no other book) is the exclusive manual for Christian living, right? So I will give some verses from all over Scripture, that I hope will provide some insight regarding the behavior of the multitude toward obeying the true faith.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, But the folly of fools is deceit.
Proverbs 14:8
The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps.
Proverbs 14:15
There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 14:12
Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. Jeremiah 17:5, 7, 9,10
For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, Hebrews 3:14
Mencius lived in China around 372-289 B.C. and was a social and political philosopher, proponent of ethics, and was a disciple of Confucius. Now, I realize that this man was not a biblical scholar, nor was he saved, and though I don't normally agree with what unsaved men have to say about biblical matters, nevertheless, Mencius' words regarding beliefs and traditions are quite true and actually agrees with Scripture in this case, and of course, also with common sense.
"To act without clear understanding, to form habits without investigation, to follow a path all one's life without knowing where it really leads, such is the behavior of the multitude" - Mencius circa 300 B.C.
The Multitudes Claim: "Jesus is the reason for the season."
Their ignorance, regarding the origin of their favorite holy days, actually puts them in danger of practicing syncretism, something God loathes. Ultimately, they are completely ignorant of Scripture and the true way of Jesus Christ, and so they celebrate an ancient and wicked holy day, dedicated to a winged sun god, and the horned stag god (which are one in the same), but in order to make it doable, they make it a feast unto the Lord by changing all the names and give it Christian decorations, as evidenced in this picture where the rhyme: "Jesus is the reason for the season" is placed up against an idolatrous evergreen tree. Again, I must inform you that ignorance is not a good defense for idolatry dear reader, as far as Jesus is concerned, especially since we live in the information age, where we have access to zillions upon zillions of pieces of information (if we desire to search for it) at the push of a button. And because to whom much is given, much is required, that means Jesus isn't going to take innocent ignorance as a good excuse for joining in idolatrous celebrations, any more than he will concerning the justification attempts of willful ignorance, which is of course, much, much worse.
Yes, for some Christians who are innocently, or even willfully ignorant of the true origins of this idolatrous holy day, Christmas is a wondrous time of year for them. All idolatrous holy days are seductive to the senses, if they weren't, then no one would want to join in the festivities. It's revelry features eye catching twinkling lights strung on homes and trees, that when lit after sunset, sparkle like jewels on black velvet. Smokey and spicy scents fill the chilly air, just as surely as the spreading of the gospel is at the top of every Christian's priority list this time of year, instead of gift giving and receiving, right (wink wink)? On this one day, their hearts are filled to overflowing with peace and goodwill toward their fellow men, as the magical words "Merry Christmas" are uttered.
However, there are also those who can be considered to be the more militant soldiers of "Christ's Mass", those who take what is supposed to be about celebrating the peace and goodwill of Jesus' birth so seriously, that they are willing to declare war and "put the hurt" on those who commercialize it with the likes of Santa and his eight tiny reindeer. These sad souls are usually featured on the Fox channels, only to be ridiculed by the likes of John Stewart. But these ignorant souls don't even consider that the day of Christ's birth, is not specifically given in Scripture, and it is never mentioned as a holy day to be honored. To be perfectly honest (and to cut to the chase) the only holy day we Christians are specifically commanded to remember by our Lord, is that of Jesus' death, burial, and Resurrection. NEWS FLASH: "Hey Christians ...the pagans and idolaters called, and they want their winter solstice holy day back, the one that you stole from them. I say Let them have it!"
Communion, Not Christmas
However, I want to make it clear that the Catholic Eucharist is not the same as the memorial meal Jesus instituted and demonstrated for his disciples at the last supper. Communion is a commemoration of the finished work, that Jesus performed once and for all on the cross, where he appeased God's requirement of the death penalty for all sinners. The elements of the bread and wine are only symbolic of Jesus' body and blood. While in contrast, the Catholic Eucharist, is the reenactment of Jesus' actual murder, each and every time the mass is performed. The Roman Catholic Church also teaches the heresy of transubstantiation, which is a big word meaning that the elements become the literal body and blood of Christ, through the ceremony of the Mass. So, in a way, the priest who performs the mass is a serial 'mass'murderer, and even a cannibal if you think about it.
Anyway, getting back to the reasons why Christians celebrate Christmas...not only is it because they are ignorant of the Scriptures and history, but it is also because they value the traditions of man above the commandments of God. Again, it is communion that a Christian is commanded to keep until the Lord comes, and not Christmas (the supposed commemoration of his birth), but even as important as his birth was, it pales in comparison to his victory over sin and death, by making peace between a sinless God and sinful mankind possible. And since the Catholic hierarchy (from the Pope to the lowest priest) have made the crucifixion of Jesus into a weekly blood bath of sorts, of course they see nothing wrong with grafting in the yearly idolatrous winter holy day of Saturnalia, onto their idolatrous tree of Babylonian mystery religion.
Keep Jesus Out Of ChristMASS
God Hates Syncretism
Honestly, who did he think he was fooling? Were God and Moses fooled, or were they very happy about this syncratic escapade of theirs? Not hardly. God had the Levites that were on his side, mow down 3,000 men with their swords. I'm sure they were the ones who instigated this evil activity, and then not to be out done, Moses burned, and then ground up their stupid idol to powder. Then he went a step further and made them drink it....wowee....was he ticked off! The only reason why Aaron made it through that un-holy day debacle alive, was because Moses did some serious interceding for him.
In more than one place in Scripture, God has repeatedly demanded that his people not learn the ways of the heathen, nor to learn how they worship their false gods, nor were they ever to worship the LORD God in that manner, as it was detestable to him. I assure you dear reader, nothing has changed since that awful day at the foot of that great mountain in the Sinai desert. God hates the hypocrisy of being worshiped like he's a false god.
The Self-Styled "Spiritually Mature" Christian
That is because he is always the stronger party, since he has no equal, and so that means he makes the terms and conditions of the covenant, which are to be followed by the weaker party, namely us humans. God never welshes on his part of the bargain, but we do. And so, just like Paul asked the idolatry prone Corinthians when they had questions in regards to covenant issues (like idolatry), I must also ask the Christmas celebrators the same question: "Are we stronger than He?" In essence, Paul was asking them: "Can we change the terms of his covenant and force him to comply to our terms?" The very idea of that question would be absurd to a genuine child of God. But to the Word of Faith minions, and to the Purpose Driven disciples, all things are possible to those who believe that they are "little gods."
And so, that is why the self proclaimed "spiritually mature Christians" have decided to take up the holy day of the false god Saturn a.k.a.: Mithrus, Ra, Baal, Molech, Set, Osiris, Ahura Mazda, Tammuz, and any other sun god that dies at the winter solstice, as their own. They of course will tell you that this is not the case, but history, and God's word, is not on their side. Biblical and historical precedent proves without a shadow of a doubt, that Christmas has idolatrous origins. And as I have learned, these and many more false gods and goddesses, can be traced to Nimrod's tower of Babel. And if we trace it farther still, it is Satan who is really behind all idolatrous practices, and is the one that is really worshiped on Christmas day, not Jesus. According to Scripture, the real spiritually mature person is the one who has devout faith in Jesus and obeys the Lord's commandments, not the one who picks and chooses what they will use in God's worship, to gratify their senses, including idolatrous holy day rites.
The World Hates Jesus, But It Loves Christmas
And you shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved.
If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you.
If you were of the world, the world would love its own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Persecution Comes To Those Who Obey Jesus
Even so, both of my sister's and my older brother know that my family doesn't celebrate this pagan holy-day anymore, and why. The only reason he was ignorant of this fact, is because he hardly ever asks me what the boys want for Christmas. If he had done so in the last three years, then I would have told him the same thing I have told everyone else who does ask, we don't celebrate Christmas. When he pressed me for more information, he even admitted his knowledge that Christmas is really a pagan holy day. Because he was mocking me, that only tells me that he still has a conscience, and that it was bothering him, thank God for that. That means there is still hope for him. You see dear reader, hypocrisy fosters animosity toward the one who lives in truth.
Maybe I'm wrong to take such a soft approach, maybe I should wear sweaters that defame and denounce Christmas, or play anti-Christmas carols (which do exist) and belittle all those who genuinely wish me a Merry Christmas, but I think that is rather rude. I don't expect the entire world to feel the way I do, so why should I lash out in anger at them? The only thing I can do is to gently, yet firmly, educate people with the truth, and let them make their own decision, and that is the point of this article. Well dear reader, the truth has been given to you, and I hope in a loving manner, so now you must make a quality decision. But rest assured, it isn't me you will have to answer to, besides, I'd probably let you off easy. Jesus is the one you will have to face and give an explanation as to why you ignored all the warnings. And when that day comes (and it will), I guarantee you that his steady gaze will make you squirm, because you will know that you have no excuse, and he won't be so nice to the naughty on that day. Amen.