18 December 2005
This week I will not be talking about the Tanakh, but a little about Christmas. If you would like to look at some of the scriptures in the Tanakh which relate to the birth of Yeshua, please go to http://www.freewebs.com/childrenofabraham/ and look at the lessons for the Eve of the Nativity at the bottom of the page.
One comment, you are about as likely to win the lottery as it was for Yeshua to complete the propehcies fortold about him in the Tanakh.
Now at this time of year, many things come up about Christmas being a pagan holiday, and that Christians should not celebrate it. Some of the same links tell us we shouldn't celebrate Easter because Easter was the German Goddess develloped from Babylon. We won't go there today. Let it suffice today that our Christmas tree does not come from German Paganism, nor from Babylonian paganism, but from Mediaeval morality plays. In former times, literacy was low, and besides stained glass windows, the church used dramas to teach the faithful the Bible. The first play on Christmas eve in the Holy Roman Empire was on Adam and Eve and the play would not be complete without the tree of life which was hung with candles (sometimes with apples as well, but these were usually used on the tree of knowledge hence the apple in many paintings, since the apple was the only fruit that could be preserved through the winter). Eventually the faithful moved the tree into their homes where it remains long after the demise of morality plays.
The incarnation of our Lord was originally celebrated on the 6th of January and indeed the Armenians still do not celebrate the 25th of December but only the 6th of January, on which they celebrate several Christmas events. In the Eastern church Christmas is still less important than Epiphany but is celebrated. Apparently the feast was celebrated on the 25th of December because that was nine months after the celebration of the Annunciation which was celebrated back in the 2nd century. The feast of the invincable sun was not placed on December 25th until very late in the third century, and if the truth be known was probably placed there to win Christians back to paganism. (By the way, some people think Jesus was born in the Spring, others in the fall. Few believe he was born in December, but just think of it as being like the Queen's official birthday, which regardless of her real birthday always falls in June.)
Now it is true that some pagan symbols are used by some in celebrating Christmas, such as mistletoe. Truth be known, mistletoe is so poinonous, you probably shouldn't have it in your house. Holly has some pagan associations, but since it is evergreen it does make for a nice wreath. If you are aware of pagan associations and it spoils you celebrating the birth of Jesus, then just kick the mistletoe or whatever out of your house.
The important thing is don't spend too much money on presents. Take time to truly celebrate the birth of our saviour. Remember what Marin Luther said about Jesus's humble place of birth (the stable was located in a cave), that it demonstrated God's utter disregard for those things which we think important). Also remember, that Jesus became man, so that we might have salvation.
+Mar Michael Abportus
Pastor, Congregation Benim Avraham
mjthan@quik.com
http://www.freewebs.com/childrenofabraham/
http://www.christiansynod.org/
1-281-303-3671
One comment, you are about as likely to win the lottery as it was for Yeshua to complete the propehcies fortold about him in the Tanakh.
Now at this time of year, many things come up about Christmas being a pagan holiday, and that Christians should not celebrate it. Some of the same links tell us we shouldn't celebrate Easter because Easter was the German Goddess develloped from Babylon. We won't go there today. Let it suffice today that our Christmas tree does not come from German Paganism, nor from Babylonian paganism, but from Mediaeval morality plays. In former times, literacy was low, and besides stained glass windows, the church used dramas to teach the faithful the Bible. The first play on Christmas eve in the Holy Roman Empire was on Adam and Eve and the play would not be complete without the tree of life which was hung with candles (sometimes with apples as well, but these were usually used on the tree of knowledge hence the apple in many paintings, since the apple was the only fruit that could be preserved through the winter). Eventually the faithful moved the tree into their homes where it remains long after the demise of morality plays.
The incarnation of our Lord was originally celebrated on the 6th of January and indeed the Armenians still do not celebrate the 25th of December but only the 6th of January, on which they celebrate several Christmas events. In the Eastern church Christmas is still less important than Epiphany but is celebrated. Apparently the feast was celebrated on the 25th of December because that was nine months after the celebration of the Annunciation which was celebrated back in the 2nd century. The feast of the invincable sun was not placed on December 25th until very late in the third century, and if the truth be known was probably placed there to win Christians back to paganism. (By the way, some people think Jesus was born in the Spring, others in the fall. Few believe he was born in December, but just think of it as being like the Queen's official birthday, which regardless of her real birthday always falls in June.)
Now it is true that some pagan symbols are used by some in celebrating Christmas, such as mistletoe. Truth be known, mistletoe is so poinonous, you probably shouldn't have it in your house. Holly has some pagan associations, but since it is evergreen it does make for a nice wreath. If you are aware of pagan associations and it spoils you celebrating the birth of Jesus, then just kick the mistletoe or whatever out of your house.
The important thing is don't spend too much money on presents. Take time to truly celebrate the birth of our saviour. Remember what Marin Luther said about Jesus's humble place of birth (the stable was located in a cave), that it demonstrated God's utter disregard for those things which we think important). Also remember, that Jesus became man, so that we might have salvation.
+Mar Michael Abportus
Pastor, Congregation Benim Avraham
mjthan@quik.com
http://www.freewebs.com/childrenofabraham/
http://www.christiansynod.org/
1-281-303-3671
posted by The Synod of Saint Timothy at 21:17
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