Response to Christmas-2

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INTRODUCTION

LEB - And Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu each took his censer, and they put fire in them and placed incense on it; then they presented before Yahweh illegitimate fire, which he had not commanded them. So fire went out from before Yahweh, and it consumed them so that they died before Yahweh. Therefore Moses said to Aaron, “This is what Yahweh spoke, saying, ‘Among those who are close to me I will show myself holy, and in the presence of all the people I will display my glory.’ ” So Aaron was silent.

The Phrase Strange Fire (KVJ) or Illegitimate Fire (LEB) - literally means unauthorised fire. - There are varying openions of Biblical Scholar’s what this strange fire means.

Type of fire - The fire may not have originated from within the temple as God had instructed it should.

Type of incense - The incense may not have been made using the formula or ingredients that God prescribed.

/ Type of incense / Time of offering) One thing is sure God did not want to be worshipped in that way.God had given to Moses a model/system by which His people where to worship Him, not in the way they chose (we see that error with the golden calf). But the way that was acceptable to Him God.In - God told Moses to build an alter / table on which to offer incense. This alter was very significant and God said it was most holy to Him.

Type of incense / Time of offering) One thing is sure God did not want to be worshipped in that way.God had given to Moses a model/system by which His people where to worship Him, not in the way they chose (we see that error with the golden calf). But the way that was acceptable to Him God.In - God told Moses to build an alter / table on which to offer incense. This alter was very significant and God said it was most holy to Him.

Time of offering - It was not done at the prescribed time of the day as God had commanded.

One thing is sure God did not want to be worshipped in the way they had done it hence He was angry.

God had given to Moses a model/system by which His people where to worship Him, not in the way they chose (as was seen in their error with the golden calf ()) but the way that was acceptable to Him God.

Exodus 32:1–5 ESV

When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, “Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” So Aaron said to them, “Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord.”

Exodus 32:1 ESV

, 4–5 ESV - When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, “Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.

-5

And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.”

Notice that the people intended to worship the LORD who brought them out of Egypt. The word used in the text is the personal name of God “YHWH” hence they where not talking about another god but Yahweh. Yet what was Yahweh’s response to this type of worship?

Exodus 32:7–10 ESV

And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’ ” And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.”

English Standard Version Chapter 32

7 And the LORD said to Moses, “Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. 8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’ ” 9 And the LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. 10 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them,

Exodus 32:7–9 ESV

ESV - And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them....

And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.”

In Egypt there was a culture of idol worship as they worshipped several gods. Hence the people sought to worship God in a way they where familiar with. But worshipping God is not about what we desire but what God require.

In - God told Moses to build an alter / table on which to offer incense. This alter was very significant and God said it was most holy to Him.

ESV - And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it. Every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it, and when Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he shall burn it, a regular incense offering before the Lord throughout your generations. You shall not offer unauthorized incense on it, or a burnt offering, or a grain offering, and you shall not pour a drink offering on it.

Incense represents the prayer & worship of the saints (; ; ) - Hence God will not accept unauthorised worship, not worship the way we want but worship the way He requires.

Throughout the scripture it tells us that one of the attributes of God is that He is Holy (; ; ; ) But also that the Holiness of God - Is an uncompromising Holiness.

ESV - And the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying, “Drink no wine or strong drink, you or your sons with you, when you go into the tent of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations. You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean, and you are to teach the people of Israel all the statutes that the Lord has spoken to them by Moses.”

The reason why Nadab and Abihu Died was because they where practicing worship in a way that was unacceptable by God, a way He did not authorise, which angered God.

The same could be seen in . - David returning with the Ark of God.

ESV - And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God.

They where celebrating with musical instrument, singing, dancing, and a great procession. In the midst of their celebration God was angry because they where in error. They handled the Holy things of God in a way He did not authorise hence Uzzah lost his life.

God had commanded that the Levites should carry the Ark of God on their shoulders with the poles (), but here they where carrying the Ark on a donkey cart, handling the holy things of God in a way that He didn’t authorise, which angered the LORD.

Question - So what does this have to do with Christmas.

Heading 1

HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS

It is well known within Christendom that December 25 is not the date of Christ birth. It is interesting that the writers of the gospels sought to accurately identify the date of Christ’s death but no such care was placed on His birth. There are no indications in the New Testament that there was any celebration of Jesus’s birth. Yet we observe that significance was placed on His death as Jesus Himself commanded that it should be commemorated. (; ; )

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 KJV 1900

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

1 Cor 11:23

KJV - For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

Within the first 300 years of the early church, there is no credible records of the church celebrating the birth of Jesus. It was not until the 4th century that many speculations as to the date Jesus may have been born arose: Clement of Alexanders one of the early church Father (during the 2nd & 3rd century A.D.) writes that there where those who sought to determine the date of our Lords birth; some believed that it was the 25th day of [the Egyptian month] Pachon that is May 20 in our calendar. Others believed it was March 21, April 20/21, and even November 17. Surprisingly, Clement doesn’t mention December 25 at all. The Church in Egypt had also determined it to be January 6 - They reasoned that since man was created on the 6 day hence, Jesus was born on the 6 day of the new year. They where the first to celebrate Jesus birth. Some scholars believe that this was as a result of their culture of celebrating the birth of the Egyptian Pharaohs who had been regarded as gods.

Clement of Alexanders (Early church Father) - Proposed November 17, and said that others believed it was May 20.

Proposed November 17, and mentioned that others believed it was May 20. Others proposed March 25, September or even October. It was the Church in Egypt that first had it as January 6 - They reasoned that since man was created on the 6 day hence, Jesus was born on the 6 day of the new year. They where the first to celebrate Jesus birth. Some scholars believe that this was as a result of their culture of celebrating the birth of the Egyptian Pharaohs who had been regarded as gods.

Church in Egypt - had it as January 6 - They reasoned that since man was created on the 6 day hence, Jesus was born on the 6 day of the new year. They where the first to celebrate Jesus birth. Some scholars believe that this was as a result of their culture of celebration the birth of the Egyptian Pharaohs who had been regarded as gods.

Others - proposed the March 25, September or even October. But .... another of the early church Father said that the celebration of birthdays was a roman pagon ritual.

It was not until around 350 A.D. that Pope Julius I declared December 25 as the official date of the birth of Jesus, around the same time as the festival of Saturnalia; And by (529 A.D), the Roman Empire, Justinian made Christmas a civic holiday.

around 350 A.D. Pope Julius I declared December 25 as the official date of the birth of Jesus,[3][4][5] around the same time as the festival of Saturnalia;

It is important to include that ...... of …A.D. in his writing promoted Jesus bith as being the 25th of December. His reason being that He Jesus was conceived on March 25; because this was the day of creation, hence 9 months later would be December 25.

rrrrrr And by (529 A.D), the Roman Empire, Justinian made Christmas a civic holiday. What does this date have to do with the Mixing the Holy and the Profane?

It is also important to note that Agustine of hippo, in his writings indicated many of these celebrations including Christmas was not originally instituted by the Lord, nor the apostles or the early church council, but where based on traditions of which he believed came down from the time of the apostles.

What does this date have to do with the Mixing the Holy and the Profane?

Within the first 300 years of the early church, there is no credible records of the church celebrating the birth of Jesus. It was not until the 4th century that many speculations as to the date Jesus may have been born. And by (529 A.D), the Roman Empire, Justinian made Christmas a civic holiday. What does this date have to do with the Mixing the Holy and the Profane?Rome was a Polytheistic culture (worship of numerous gods), Hence they had various feasts and celebrations around December 25. Such as: Saturnalia - was a time of merrymaking and exchanging of gifts. - I was an harvest festival that marked the winter solstice—the return of the sun—and honored Saturn, the god of sowing. The 25 Marked the final day of the festival where “the Lord of Misrule” (A slave who was made king for a day) was sacrificed on the altar of Saturn. Solis Invictus, ‘birthday of the Unconquered Sun’ - this was a celebration of the birthdate of the Iranian mystery god Mithra, who is referred to as the Sun of Righteousness. - Emperor Aurelian in the 2nd century A.D. established December 25 as the birthday of the “Invincible Sun” (Mithra).Not only the romans celebrated this but the Anglo-Saxon (Germans) Celebrated Yule - A celebration of the winter solstice. From Egypt to Germany the 25th of December was a time when these nations would celebrate their pagan gods.Many scholar’s are of the view that Christmas was developed, as a means of replacing worship of the sun with worship of the Son.It is interesting that the writers of the gospel sought to accurately identify the date of Christ’s death but no such care was placed on His birth.century that many speculat as to the date Jesus may have been born.

Rome was a Polytheistic culture (worship of numerous gods), Hence they had various feasts and celebrations around December 25. Such as:

Saturnalia - was a time of merrymaking and exchanging of gifts. - I was an harvest festival that marked the winter solstice —the return of the sun—and honored Saturn, the god of sowing. The 25th Marked the final day of the festival where “the Lord of Misrule” (A slave who was made king for a day) was sacrificed on the altar of Saturn.

Solis Invictus, ‘birthday of the Unconquered Sun’ - this was a celebration of the birthdate of the Iranian mystery god Mithra, who is referred to as the Sun of Righteousness. - Emperor Aurelian in the 2nd century A.D. established December 25 as the birthday of the “Invincible Sun” (Mithra).

Not only the romans celebrated this but the Anglo-Saxon (Germans) Celebrated Yule - A celebration of the winter solstice.

From Egypt to Germany the 25th of December was a time when these nations would celebrate their pagan gods. Many scholar’s are of the view that Christmas was developed, as a means of replacing the worship of the Sun with worship of the Son. In the 12th century A.D the Syriac biblical commentator Dionysius bar-Salibi states that in ancient times the Christmas holiday was actually shifted from January 6 to December 25 so that it fell on the same date as the pagan Sol Invictus holiday.

It is also important to note that Flavius Josephus (a 1st Century Jewish historian) indicated that the celebration of birthdays was not a practice of the Jews. It was seen by them as more of a pagan practice.

The Imperial Bible-Dictionary (London, 1874), edited by Patrick Fairbairn, Vol. I, p. 225 says: - "The later Hebrews looked on the celebration of birthdays as a part of idolatrous worship, a view which would be abundantly confirmed by what they saw of the common observances associated with these days.

The Imperial Bible-Dictionary (London, 1874), edited by Patrick Fairbairn, Vol. I, p. 225 says:

“The notion of a birthday festival was far from the ideas of the Christians of this period in general.” ref: (The History of the Christian Religion and Church, During the Three First Centuries; New York, 1848, Augustus Neander - translated by Henry John Rose, p. 190.)

"The later Hebrews looked on the celebration of birthdays as a part of idolatrous worship, a view which would be abundantly confirmed by what they saw of the common observances associated with these days. “The notion of a birthday festival was far from the ideas of the Christians of this period in general.” ref: (The History of the Christian Religion and Church, During the Three First Centuries; New York, 1848, Augustus Neander - translated by Henry John Rose, p. 190.)

Origen of Alexandria (c. 165–264) goes so far as to mock Roman celebrations of birth anniversaries, dismissing them as “pagan” practices—a strong indication that Jesus’ birth was not marked with similar festivities at that place and time. As far as we can tell, the early church did not celebrate Christmas at all.

Origen of Alexandria (c. 165–264) goes so far as to mock Roman celebrations of birth anniversaries, dismissing them as “pagan” practices—a strong indication that Jesus’ birth was not marked with similar festivities at that place and time.1 As far as we can tell, Christmas was not celebrated at all at this point.

Hence during the early church period there was not widespread celebration of the nativity/Christmas.

Since these dates were clearly not related to the birth date of the historical Jesus, which was unknown, were this not a thinly-veiled pagan festivals, appropriated and Christianized only superficially? After all, it was no secret that later Christian leaders, such as Pope Gregory the Great, had encouraged the “baptism” of local religious observances for evangelistic purposes (Bede, Ecclesiastical History 1.30).

Though these festivals have been christianised, they are still rooted in ancient paganism.

2 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.

3 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.

Santa Clause -

What is of great concern is the practices associated

4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

THE REFORMATION

The concerns about the celebration of Christmas in the Christian church is nothing new. During the reformation period many disassociated themselves with the celebrations citing it as pagan so much so that it’s observance was prohibited in England, Scotland, and the American Colonies.

prohibit its observance in England, Scotland, and the Ameri- can Colonies. . John Knox a Scottish minister, theologian, and writer who was a leader of the Scottish Reformation and the founder of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland writes:

John Knox a Scottish minister, theologian, and writer who was a leader of the Scottish Reformation and the founder of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland writes:

“By contrary Doctrine, we understand whatsoever men, by Laws, Councils, or Constitutions have imposed upon the consciences of men, without the expressed commandment of God's word: such as be vows of chastity, foreswearing of marriage, binding of men and women to several and disguised apparels, to the superstitious observation of fasting days, difference of meat for conscience sake, prayer for the dead; and keeping of holy days of certain Saints commanded by men, such as be all those that the Papists have invented, as the Feasts (as they term them) of Apostles, Martyrs, Virgins, of Christmas, Circumcision, Epiphany, Purification, and other fond feasts of our Lady. Which things, because in God's scriptures they neither have commandment nor assurance, we judge them utterly to be abolished from this Realm; affirming further, that the obstinate maintainers and teachers of such abominations ought not to escape the punishment of the Civil Magistrate.”

By his writing we can deduce that during the 17-18 century A.D. Christmas was not widely celebrated the reformed christian community.

Scholars of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, spurred on by new studies of comparative religion, seized upon this conjunction as a complete explanation for the Christian feast, or rather feasts.6 Since these dates were clearly not related to the birth date of the historical Jesus, which was unknown, were they not thinly-veiled pagan festivals, appropriated and Christianized only superficially? After all, it was no secret that later Christian leaders, such as Pope Gregory the Great, had encouraged the “baptism” of local religious observances for evangelistic purposes (Bede, Ecclesiastical History 1.30), and this connection could not have been ignored or avoided in the expansion of the Christmas feast.

By his writing we can deduce that during the 17-18 century A.D. Christmas was not widely celebrated by the society and especially the reformed christian community. It was not until the ..... that

CONCLUSION

It is God’s will that His People draw close to Him. The closer we come the greater the requirements for holiness and purity. “This is what Yahweh spoke, saying, ‘Among those who are close to me I will show myself holy...”(); But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy ()

15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Not only is Christmas not instituted by any command of God, and is a man made concoction, but it’s roots is pagan. Christ said, “But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (). Christmas is not a command of God—it is a tradition of men. Christ continued, “Full well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition” ().

Christ said, “But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (). Christmas is not a command of God—it is a tradition of men. Christ continued, “Full well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition” ().

Why them should we worship our God under the banner, theme and period that is associated with the worship of other gods, and to do it in a way that Yahweh forbids.

God specifically says we should not worship him the way of the heathens.

So how should we treat with other who celebrate Christmas. Jesus says in

ESV - As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.

Though this passage does not have anything to do with pagan related activities, it instructions on how we treat each other is applicable. Hence we are called to be gracious to each other. As revelation is progressive we pray that in-time God would reveal this truth to others.

The christmas celebrations are founded and originated in pagan practices. Why them should we worship our God a period that is associated with the worship of other God in a way that Yahweh forgids, and arround a theme that is associated with such practices.