Is Christmass a Christian Holy-Day?

 

Important History About Ancient Babylon
 

For many years Christmas and other major holidays, such as Easter, Halloween, etc., have been portrayed as having a Christian origin. But is this true? Is it possible that we have been deceived into believing that pagan customs and traditions of the past have their roots in the Christian church? Is it possible that many well-known Christian holidays or so-called "holy days" have their origins in something or someone other than Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life? Are innocent believers giving life to ancient satanic practices? In other words, are many faithful but misinformed Christians paying homage to false gods by honoring pagan holidays and customs, but at the same time thinking that they are pleasing the true and living God?

 While most Christian holidays have many advocates in support of them, surely this does not make them right or authentic. Again and again history has proven that even if the majority supports something, that does not necessarily make the thing right. On the contrary, time has shown that on most occasions the majority is wrong while the minority is right. Said Christ while still here on earth with His disciples:

 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matthew 7:13-14.

 As always, the true and sincere children of the Lord are required to be open-minded and humble under all circumstances, including instances like this where they may be brought in contact with views that may differ from their own. None of us can afford to be prejudiced or proud, but instead, in harmony with the instructions of our beloved Master, we should seek to always display the humility, faith, and willingness to learn "as little children" (Matthew 18:3).

 Therefore, neither the overwhelming number of supporters nor the apparent sacredness of the holidays herein discussed are any real basis for them to be considered true and acceptable in the sight of God. The Holy Scriptures declare that the beliefs, doctrines, principles, and practices upheld and promoted by the true followers of Jesus Christ must always find their origin and basis in the Word of God; otherwise they are not true but erroneous, and therefore cannot be pleasing and acceptable in God's sight.

 "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:20.
 
After the great Flood of biblical history, the children of God settled down in the region of "the mountains of Ararat" where the ark had "rested" (Genesis 8:4). With time, as the families of Noah multiplied, some sought other places to live. Many descendants of Noah who sought to avoid the company of the righteous decided to settle in Mesopotamia, the land between the rivers Euphrates and Tigris. This location was chosen largely due to the obvious fertility of the land. As a result, Babylon, or modern-day Iraq, was built. And it is still recognized by many today as being one of the most ancient kingdoms established by man.

 The Bible speaks of the ancient people of Babel (the Babylonians) as having a great leader by the name of Nimrod. Nimrod was one of the ringleaders, if not the main ringleader, in the apostasy that led up to the building of the tower of Babel, which was eventually destroyed by God. Of this notorious man, the Scriptures declare:

 "And Cush [one of Noah's grandsons] begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar." Genesis 10:8-10.

 In light of the Hebrew word used in the original translation, the phrase "before the Lord," in reference to Nimrod in the above text, can also be translated as "against the Lord." In other words, Nimrod was not really a mighty hunter in God's favor or a friend of God, but instead this grandson of Ham was a proud and sinful man whose mighty prowess and skills enabled him to achieve great things.

 The expression [a mighty one] denotes a person renowned for bold and daring deeds. It may also include the connotation of 'tyrant.' Although the hunter Nimrod acted in defiance of God, his mighty deeds made him famous among his contemporaries, and in future generations as well.

Nimrod became more and more famous among the people. He was highly regarded by the people who separated themselves from the true God and settled in the plains of Shinar. There he later established many different kingdoms, including Babylon. Nimrod's accomplishments led him to choose his own will above that of God. Thus he became a great rebel "against" the Creator, even in a public or open manner.

 This notorious leader, Nimrod, had a wife by the name of Semiramis. Semiramis was a beautiful woman, but she was very vile and evil-minded like her husband Nimrod. The influence of these two people (Nimrod and Semiramis) led many to turn away from the good example of Shem (one of the three sons of Noah). Thus many people fell into great apostasy.

 As a result of this apostasy many pagan customs and traditions were introduced. In Babylon temples called Ziggurats were erected for idol worship. Through these means many pagan customs were nurtured and promoted far and wide. Some of these practices are still observed today, including the recognition of December 25 ('Christmas') as a special day. Yet most of these practices date as far back as the time following the fall of the tower of Babel.
 

Who Was Really Born On December 25?

When Nimrod, the founder of Babylon, died, Semiramis told the people that her husband's spirit had taken possession of the sun. She encouraged the people to pay homage to her husband by worshipping the sun. Thus began the evil practice of sun worship. Later on when Semiramis gave birth to a son by the name of Tammuz, she hid her licentious form of living by lying to the people. She told them that she was miraculously overshadowed by the spirit of her dead husband, Nimrod, and it was in this way she was able to bring forth this so-called "son of god."

 Semiramis also declared that her son, Tammuz, was in actuality the return or rebirth of her husband, Nimrod. Hence through this teaching the doctrine of reincarnation was born. And since Tammuz was born on December 25, this day was highly honored and recognized by Nimrod's supporters. Note, therefore, that this date (December 25) was observed in honor of the birth of Tammuz long before Christianity existed, and that it was not until many centuries later this pagan custom was "Christianized" as being the 'birthday of Christ' (or 'Christmas day').

 The similarity between some of the ancient pagan beliefs and the truth is notable. Those who existed after the Flood knew the true prophecies of God very well because the Creator had made His plans known unto all the descendants of Adam and Eve. Therefore, it was not difficult for satan to counterfeit the truth with erroneous applications. The notable writer Alexander Hislop tells us:

 "If there was one who was more deeply concerned in the tragic death of Nimrod than another, it was his wife Semiramis, who, from an originally humble position, had been raised to share with him the throne of Babylon. . . In life her husband had been honored as a hero; in death she will have him worshipped as a god, yea, as the woman's promised seed, 'Zero-ashta,' who was destined to bruise the serpent's head, and who, in doing so, was to have his own heel bruised." The Two Babylons, p. 58-59.

 Of course, because of the deifying of her husband, it was not long before Nimrod's followers began to also worship Semiramis. And her son Tammuz (Zero-ashta) was worshipped as well. More and more Semiramis was revered by the people and was viewed by many as a priestess and goddess. Later on she also became known as 'the queen of heaven.' Thus began the awful practice of exalting human deities. These false beliefs have led up to the many different forms of idolatry that are still practiced by different people today. Yes, it was through the introduction of these satanic evils and the many sacrilegious practices of ancient Babylon that witchcraft, priestcraft, spiritualism, and other forms of paganism were born.

Are Christmas Day and Halloween Related to Sun Worship?

The worship of Nimrod became widespread when the builders of the tower of Babel were scattered throughout the earth. Along with them, the people carried all the satanic beliefs and practices that were introduced to them while dwelling on the plains of Shinar. With time, these views were remodeled to suit the different civilizations that peopled the earth; nevertheless, they all basically stemmed from the religious views started on the plains of Shinar. Thus we read:

 "The Chaldean Mysteries can be traced up to the days of Semiramis, who lived only a few centuries after the flood, and who is known to have impressed upon them the image of her own depraved and polluted mind." The Two Babylons, p. 5.

 In Egypt, although there were many gods, the three main deities were Osiris, Isis, and Horus. These were simply substitute names for Nimrod, Semiramis, and Tammuz. In Rome they were known as Saturn, Venus, and Jupiter, and later the babylonian Mystery Religion became known as Roman Ctholicism. While in Greece they were known as Kronos, Rhea, and Zeus. In other lands, such as in India and China, they were also known and worshipped under different names. Thus we see that following the fall of the tower of Babel the religion of Babylon continued to live on under many different disguises.

 In many places, these original Babylonish practices were reintroduced and preserved through the historical records, myths, and religious teachings or customs of the people. So much so that even the first day of the week, Sunday, continued to be recognized as the day of the sun. Hence, in Rome, when Emperor Constantine issued his famous Sunday law of March 7, 321 A.D., he clearly and distinctly referred to Sunday as "the venerable Day of the Sun."

 Following the scattering of the builders of the tower of Babel, many people throughout the earth were worshippers of the sun. In Britain, a religious sect called the Druids were greatly feared by the people. They, too, were known to worship the sun. The Druid priests were also known to offer human sacrifices to their god and they performed many supernatural feats. They were known to worship in small woods or groups of trees called groves.

 In ancient times the Druids celebrated a festival in honor of their sun god, which today we call Halloween. The night of October 31, was a special night for them. But their idea of "trick or treat," as well as the use of the "jack o' lantern," was definitely not the very same as it is now. Gruesome and satanic activities were involved in these observances in ancient times. Yet, we now see these things as innocent, even though in the past they were all associated with pagan and spiritualistic rituals. Certainly there is nothing Christian whatsoever about little children dressing up like witches and warlocks. God's command unto the faithful is:

 "There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God." Deuteronomy 18:10-13.

 Sun worship became popular worldwide. Even among the children of Israel the sun god Baal was worshipped. Such a practice was condemned by God, and drastic consequences were outlined by Him to all offenders.

"Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; and come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? Is this house, which is called by My name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the Lord. But go ye now unto My place which was in Shiloh, where I set My name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of My people Israel. And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the Lord, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not; therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by My name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh. And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim." Jeremiah 7:8-15.

 "He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed." Exodus 22:20.

 In ancient Rome the god Saturn was worshipped, and along with this idolatry the winter solstice was highly regarded. A week long winter festival called Saturnalia was celebrated by them in honor of the re-appearance of the sun in the northern hemisphere. The final day of this festival, Brumalia, fell on December 25. This was regarded as the day of "the invincible sun." During these festivals there was much gaiety, feasting, and even the exchanging of gifts, very similar to the manner in which Christmas is celebrated today. Yet all of these customs existed many years before the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, and as we can see they were all in honor of false gods.

 Surely, the activities involved in these ancient Roman festivals give us a good example of what obviously predominated the celebration of Tammuz's birth anciently. Thus we see that the date, December 25, was celebrated anciently by the Romans and other pagans who knew nothing about Jesus Christ. To them this date had nothing whatsoever to do with the birth of Christ. December 25 was a day of pagan origin in honor of the sun god. (It is also interesting to note that the name Saturn, from which Saturnalia derives, was another name for Nimrod.)