Among those who profess to be Christians, most believe it is their duty to celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Jesus. Around this time every year millions of families around the world dig out an assortment of Christmas decorations. Some of which will adorn their Christmas tree and others to decorate their abode. Nativity scenes will be constructed throughout their communities. They will brave the large crowds of the Christmas rush in order to purchase gifts for all of their loved ones. The youngest of these will be lied to as they are told the gifts they received at least in portion came from Santa Claus or St. Nicholas.
At this time of year suicides rise significantly, family quarrels increase along with the increase in debt. What is promoted as a joyful time for many is anything but. Is this what Jesus intended on his birthday?
No! It is not! Jesus did not celebrate birthdays, furthermore December 25th is not his birthday. No one knows his birthday, we only know it cannot be in December because the Bible tells us shepherds were outside with their flocks. In December this could not be, for it is much to cold. The Catholic encyclopedia tells us the “census would have been impossible in winter”.
We know from the book of John that Jesus was the God of the Old Testament.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1 KJV)
We also know that he created all things.
The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:2-3 KJV)
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (Colossians 1:16 KJV)
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. (1 Corinthians 8:6 KJV)
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. (John 1:10 KJV)
You may have heard it said, what is the harm? Surely Jesus wouldn’t mind, we are celebrating in his name. That is what Arron said when he angered Jesus (as God of the Old Testament) by worshipping a golden calf. It is not possible to make it OK by calling it Christian.
And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, tomorrow is a feast to the LORD. And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. (Exodus 32:4-6 KJV)
Never forget that the God of the Old Testament and Jesus are one and the same. Pay attention to the anger that God (Jesus) displayed because of his priest’s betrayal!
And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them… (Exodus 32:7-10 KJV)
Jesus, creator of all things, created Holy Days and Feasts for his followers to observe and celebrate.
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts. Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings. (Leviticus 23:1-3 KJV)
Read the rest of Leviticus 23! These are the holidays created by Jesus and these are the holidays Jesus observed and taught his disciples to observe. The new Testament documents their observance. You may ask why observing Christmas would anger Jesus. He hates it because the pagan sun god, Mithras and the god of agriculture, Saturn were worshiped on the very date of Christmas centuries before the virgin birth of Jesus. The bible documents God’s dislike for worship which includes pagan practices.
Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth 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 move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. (Jeremiah 10:1-5 KJV)
We justify Christmas and Easter for various reasons. Most honestly believe this is what Jesus expects of us through false teaching by churches over the years. Other enlightened individuals believe that any worship in God’s name would not disqualify them from the promise of the saved so what is the harm. Jesus was quite clear on this very subject, He taught that the path to life everlasting is very narrow leading to a straight gate and few would find it.
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:14 KJV)
He taught that wise people would be obedient to all things he commanded them. Those who are unwilling will be lost and Jesus not even recognize that he knew you.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: (Matthew 7:21-24 KJV)
There is but one path that leads to salvation and that path is complete obedience to god and his commandments. Who among us will follow it?