Advent and Christmas - part 2

Christmas Day

(from several sources but mostly from “The Pagan Origins of Christian Holidays” by Elisha Israel)

“Hear the word which the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel: Thus says the Lord, Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the Gentiles are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are futile: for one cuts a tree from the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. They decorate it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and hammers so that it will not topple.” -Jeremiah 10: 1-4 (NKJV)

Christmas is a "Christian" holiday supposedly in recognition of the birth of Jesus Christ. This is a religious as well as a social/cultural holiday observed in some fashion by billions of people around the world. During the Christmas season people send gifts to loved ones, acquaintances, and even strangers. However, this anniversary was not celebrated by early Christians, nor is there a decree to celebrate Christ's birth. The date of Christmas as well as the symbols and figures associated with it predate Christianity.

Why does the "Christian" world celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25th? A close look at the account of the birth of Jesus provides insight into the time when Jesus was born. This analysis suggests that the Messiah could not have been born on December 25th for a number of reasons. Here are just three:

#1 - Shepherds abiding in the field. Although the exact date is not provided by any of the Gospel writers, Luke states there were shepherds abiding in the field.  It was not the custom of the shepherds in this area to abide with their flocks during the winter.

#2 – Astronomy (not astrology). Using detailed Astrological mapping software scientists have determined a date closer to early September.

#3 – The ancient record. One of the first recorded references to the date of Christ's birth was made in approximately 200 A.D. by Clement of Alexandria who stated the following: “There are those who have determined not only the year of our Lord’s birth, but also the day; and they say that it took place in the 28th year of Augustus, and in the 25th day of (the Egyptian month) Pachon (May 20 in our calendar) ... Some say that it took place in the 16th year of Tiberius, on the 25th of Phamenoth [March 21] … Others say on the 25th of Pharmuthi (April 21) … and still others say that He was born on the 24th or 25th of Pharmuthi (April 20 or 21).”

How was December 25th chosen as the Savior's birth date? It helps to understand the significance of this specific date and the time surrounding the winter solstice for pagans. Also, keep in mind the Roman Church's willingness to encourage pagan practices and feasts to bring the heathens into the fold. In 274, Emperor Aurelian made the cult of Sol Invictus (" Invincible Sun") an official cult in Rome. December 25, the day of the winter solstice, of the same year Aurelian inaugurated a temple to Sol. Pope Julius and Catholic leaders declared December 25th as the official birth date of Christ. In 336 A.D. we find the first recorded celebration of Christmas in a list of Catholic Bishops.

Advent and Christmas - part 1

Advent

(from several sources but mostly from “The Pagan Origins of Christian Holidays” by Elisha Israel)

“Hear the word which the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel: Thus says the Lord, Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the Gentiles are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are futile: for one cuts a tree from the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They decorate it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and hammers so that it will not topple.” -Jeremiah 10: 1-4 (NKJV)

Advent begins the liturgical (prescribed ritual for public worship) year which was mentioned as early as 380 A.D. The word “Advent” is from the Latin word “adventus” which means “coming”.

This coming that was celebrated was the arrival of pagan gods into pagan temples. It was believed that the gods dwelt amongst the worshippers during this time.

After Constantine passed the Edict of Milan (313 A.D.), which allowed the practice of the Christian religion, pagan feasts suck as adventus were given a Christian twist. (if you can’t beat them join them, infiltrate them and water down their strongholds) During this shift adventus/advent was equated with the coming of the Messiah.

The Advent wreath is a reminder of its pagan origins. The lighting of candles is a Catholic custom however the sun was central to pagan worship so the advent candle probably predates Catholicism. The pagans would light bonfires, or Yule logs, and torches in honor of the dying sun (Winter Solstice) to please the sun-god and ensure he would return. Worshippers would also decorate cart-wheels with candles which turned into the Christian practice of lighting wreaths. 

A Cemetery Visit and Ephesians 1

I am an American by birth,

a Veteran by choice,

a Christian and a Minister of the Gospel by the grace of God.

What makes us who we are? What force sways us to make the decisions we make? Is it the environment we grew up in? Our parents? Our peers?  God?

I went to the cemetery today for business and while I was there I decided to go see my maternal grandparent's grave marker. I am not sure what I expected. I have never been one to visit a grave and "talk to the deceased". As a matter of fact I tend to dismiss and even somewhat shun those who practice such trivial nonsense. Yet there I was stooping down to tenderly brush the leaves and dirt away, whispering words of love, affection, thanksgiving, and overall gratitude for the remarkable influence they had, and still have, on my life.

Even though they have been gone for 20 (grandfather) and 15 (grandmother) years my face grew warm and flush; tears stung my eyes but would not fall; and oh how I longed for one more hug, one more chance to say thank you, one more opportunity to tell them I love them. But, like David in 2 Samuel 12, I know I will see them again some day soon. While they were alive I fasted and wept for their salvation but now that they wait for me in the presence of the Lord I will go to them.

You see, in many ways I was their youngest child - not their oldest grandchild. They were my stability, my moral compass. I wanted to marry a man like my grandfather. I wanted to be the wife and mother I saw in my grandmother. As fate would have it I accepted God's grace and mercy - His gift of salvation long before they did. Was I put in their lives to bring them to the Lord? Where they put in my life to mold me into the woman I have become? The simple answer is yes.

 Ephesians 1:1 Paul tells us he was an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. Paul did not choose his occupation, neither did the Church choose his occupation or elect him to that occupation - he served as an apostle by the will of God. 

Ephesians 1:4 When did God first start dealing with me? Before the foundation of the world. Charles Spurgeon is quoted as saying "I am glad He did it then; if He saw me now, He might have changed His mind." But in His infinite grace He loves us just the way we are. He loved us before the foundation of the world. Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

John 15:16 Jesus speaking "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you . ." Also Romans 3:10-11, Luke 19:10, and more. I am not going to get into election or predestination here - I am simply saying that I was put in their lives to show them the way of the Gospel and they were put in my life to mold me and shape me into the person I am today. 

We are all chosen to do a certain job, Luke 6:13, Acts 9:15, 1 Corinthians 1:27-28. Find out what it is and do it well. Do it for the Lord and not for any personal gain. You might never know why. 

As for my cemetery visit? I softly spoke words of love, thanked them for fulfilling their role, thanked God for giving me such wonderful grandparents and then went about my business.