Is celebrating Christmas the ultimate sin?

December 23, 4:08 PMDC Youth Issues ExaminerAisha Ali

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Disclaimer: This body of work is neither intended to attack nor offend. This work simply explores the history and development of the much-celebrated Christmas holiday.

The other day, my daughter asked me what Santa was bringing her for Christmas. I asked my daughter where she had heard that. My daughter, of course, had gotten the idea from classmates, who had been deceptively informed by their parents. I instead, had to truthfully inform my daughter Santa would not be bringing her any gifts.

While explaining the urban legend of Santa— in a way of course a three-year-old could dissect— I recalled my childhood and the many juvenile arguments had with fellow first- and second-graders over Santa. I boldly told my classmates Santa does not exist, and they branded me a liar. My teachers told me although I had been telling the truth about Santa, I should not convey this to my classmates. I should instead, let them believe Santa exists. However, my concerns extended beyond Santa, as I often questioned why Christmas was celebrated as Christ’s birthday when December 25 was not the day on which Christ was born.

As I matured, my questions deepened. I was compelled to research more on this “holy” day. After one of my fellow BC classmates of Jewish descent, who identified himself as an Orthodox Jew, proclaimed “true Jews” do not celebrate Christmas because of its blasphemous origins, I felt even more compelled to research the holiday allegedly devoted to Christ.

Christmas not a religious holiday

Although Christmas derives from “Mass of Christ,” by which Christ has become associated due to his sacred life, the day of December 25 consisted of pagan rituals established many centuries prior to Christ’s birthday. Christmas as a means to express both love for and devotion to Christ was included hundreds of years after his crucifixion and ascension to heaven. Hence, December 25 fundamentally has nothing to do with Christ.

According to the 1911 edition of the Catholic Encyclopedia, Christmas did not originate in Palestine, but rather in Egypt as a pagan holiday. “Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church…the first evidence of the feast is from Egypt…Pagan customs centering around the January calends gravitated to Christmas,” the Catholic Encyclopedia reveals. The Encyclopedia also says: “In Scriptures, no one is recorded to have kept a feast or held a great banquet on his birthday. It is only sinners [like Pharaoh and Herod] who make great rejoicings over the day in which they were born into this world.”

Not until the fifth century, did the Roman Catholic Church order December 25 to be celebrated as Christ’s birthday. Prior to this, Nimrod, son of Cush; grandson of Ham; and great-grandson of Noah, was celebrated on December 25 as the Messiah-Savior of eternal life, for he was the sun god of Ancient Egypt who had been "reincarnated" from the dead. However, after Alexander the Great conquered Egypt, this pagan custom was then adopted by Ancient Rome as Dies Natalis Solis Invictus (Saturnalia). This celebration was to commemorate Saturnus, the sun god of Ancient Rome. Saturnalia consisted of weeklong festivities, occurring December 17-25. This period was filled with debauchery: gluttony; intoxication; rape and fornication; and human sacrifice approved by the “Lord of Misrule,” under which Roman citizens were allowed to victimize/torture innocent peasants, such as farmers, because they were considered “dark forces”.

Ancient Rome also jointly celebrated Mithras, the god of light, on December 25. Deriving from the Asia Minor, Mithraism entered Ancient Rome after Alexander’s conquest, much like with Ancient Egypt and the spread of the Babylon Mysteries concerning Nimrod and his wife-mother, Semiramis. Mithras was said to have sacrificed himself for world peace, also being regarded as the Messiah-Savior. Mithraic followers believed by following Mithras’ way of life, they would seek “ultimate truth”. During Mithras, Romans decorated their homes with greenery, exchanged gifts, and gathered for festive meals on December 25, as the Ancient Egyptians had when celebrating Nimrod.

The city of Babilu (Babylon, Egypt)

Essentially, all pagan practices began in Ancient Egypt or Babilu, and are linked to Nimrod. Instead of replenishing the earth and recreating life as Noah under God’s instruction, Nimrod, Noah’s great-grandson, instead idolized material possessions, forming cities and creating a following to idolize him in return. The most famous city Nimrod formed was the Tower of Babel. According to documents, Nimrod married his own mother, Semiramis (Ishtar/Easter). However, a “drunken priest" soon killed Nimrod, as Nimrod’s body was severed into pieces and scattered across Egypt. Upon Nimrod’s death, Semiramis began to tell the masses her son had been reincarnated in the form of a full-grown evergreen tree, which allegedly sprang up from a dead tree stump.

Each year on Nimrod’s birthday, December 25, Semiramis visited this evergreen tree, claiming Nimrod had left gifts for her there. According to Semiramis, it was at this evergreen tree that Nimrod supernaturally had impregnated her through his sunrays (as Nimrod was the sun god). This son was named Tammuz (Ezekiel 8:14). Semiramis said Tammuz was Nimrod reborn. People were unaware of Semiramis’ former marriage to her son, Nimrod. However, since she was pregnant, Semiramis knew she had to find a way to justify her pregnancy. Consequently, she created a mythical story of how Nimrod, as the sun god, had impregnated her from the heavens, and Nimrod was to be reincarnated through Tammuz.

Thereafter, every December 25, Ancient Egyptians congregated to celebrate Nimrod’s birthday and to decorate evergreen trees. In the Bible, Jeremiah says:

"Do not learn the way of the gentiles, and do not be awed by the signs of the heavens, for the gentiles are awed at them. For the prescribed customs of these peoples are worthless, for one cuts a tree from the forest, work for the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool. They adorn it with silver and gold, they fasten it with nails and hammers so that it will not topple.” (ISR Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 10:2-4)

This passage clearly speaks of Nimrod’s following celebrating him by decorating an evergreen tree in his honor, which is considered blasphemy. As one can see, the Ancient Romans then adopted this tradition after Alexander the Great conquered Egypt, and then Catholics in honoring Christ, adopted it.

Through Semiramis’ teachings and the legacy she created of her son, Semiramis became the queen of Babylon, “queen of Heaven,” and “the mother of the divine son”. Although Semiramis had been included in the original pagan Babylonian trinity, over time, her divinity outweighed that of Nimrod, as the "god-incarnate son in his mother's arms" was no longer solely worshipped.  Now, Nimrod's mother was viewed as the "mother with the god-incarnate son in her arms," and this object became the basis of worship. As a result, numerous Babylonian monuments were constructed, depicting the goddess-mother Semiramis with her son (Nimrod) in arms. This worship of mother-child spread throughout the world. Since the mother-child image was so entrenched in the pagan world at the onset of Christianity, these statues/paintings were merely adopted, mandated, and worshipped as the Virgin Mary with her god-incarnate son, Jesus Christ.

After generations of these idolatrous customs, Nimrod was considered the son of Baal, the sun god, and Messiah-Savior, who was first reincarnated from death as an evergreen tree, and then as Tammuz. He and his mother became the chief entities of worship as Madonna and child, before the actual image was created of Jesus Christ and Mary as Madonna and child. This story has roots in many different parts of the world. In Asia, the mother and son were Cybele and Deonius; Rome they were Fortuna and Jupiter. Throughout history, there have been remnants of this holy mother-son duo; it is called Mystery Babylon (Revelation 17:5). Unfortunately, this has been disguised as “holy,” becoming the basis for Christians to celebrate Christmas. Yet, the true form of paganism is overlooked.

Christianity and paganism: one and the same?

When the Roman fathers of the Church were considering a date on which they could celebrate Christ’s birthday, December 25 was chosen. But why would the Roman priests choose a day that had been acknowledged as being pagan-worshiping if they were attempting to live their lives righteously?

Christianity actually adopted many pagan practices. Egypt birthed the adored divine Mother-child image and the Mithraic ritual closely resembles that of Christmas; many of these pagan practices assimilated into the Roman Catholic Church. It began by embracing the birthday of the sun god and establishing the date of this celebration as December 25. In Egypt, where this celebration first emerged, priests made a round wafer, representing the sun. The merrymakers would eat the wafer, which symbolized honoring the sun god and acknowledging his presence. It was believed that upon eating the wafer, man’s soul would be nourished and life would continue, as the sun and therefore, the sun god represented eternal life. Does this ritual sound familiar? What do Christians eat during Communion or Mass? In the end, the Church assumed several ceremonies that have merged and manifested as Christmas and New Year.

Towards the end of the third century, Deus Sol Invictus (Unconquered Sun) was the official divine source of the Roman Empire. The Romans celebrated “the birthday of the unconquered sun” on December 25. It was during the third century that a great temple was built in honor of the sun god.

Approximately 100 years later, Emperor Constantine assumed power in Rome. At the onset of Constantine’s rule, it was illegal, according to Roman law, to practice Christianity. Christians were hated, ostracized and therefore, subjected to persecution/torture, which included burning at the stake. However, Constantine greatly admired Christians and believed Christianity could be the uniting force of the Roman Empire. Even through persecution, Christians remained devoted and unified; this inspired Constantine so much he issued “The Edict of Toleration” in 313 A.D., making Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. Consequently, Christian persecution ceased.

However, since Christianity was now a state religion, all were accepted to join the Church, as no one had been averted. Legalizing Christianity solved the problem of Christian persecution, but created another: the acceptance of pagan worshippers. These pagan worshippers had no desire of relinquishing their long-standing customs. The Roman priests realized the Church could not prevail over the masses that worshipped pagans. As a result, the Church’s “resolution”: Christianize numerous pagan customs to convert all pagan worshippers or non-believers into Christians for unity of the State. The Roman fathers knew the only way they were to convert these non-believers was by adopting some pagan practices, as well. According to the 1927 book, "The Early History of Christianity," Charles Guigenbert said:

“[To properly teach new converts] was out of the question; they had to be content with teaching them no more than the symbol of baptism and then baptizing them en masse, postponing until a later date the task of eradicating their superstitions, which they preserved intact... This “later date” never arrived, and the church adapted to herself, as well as she could, them and their customs and beliefs. On their side, [converts] were content to dress their paganism in a Christian cloak.” (pp. 208-210)

Hence, the early Church blended pagan customs and Christian rituals to win converts. Since December 25 coincided with the annual pagan festival celebrated in the honor of the sun god, which had been too embedded in popular custom to be disregarded by Christian influence, the pagans felt comfortable with celebrating Christ’s birthday on December 25 because they could continue to celebrate their pagan customs, as well. Hence, December 25 was a festival long before the conversion of the Germanic peoples to Christianity. Nonetheless, to idolize a human in dedicating an entire day to celebrate their existence is considered blasphemy. God said, “I am a jealous God,” which indicates that we as His children are to place no one above Him. There have always been arguments over why Christ has been portrayed as God within the Catholic Church. Yes, it is true that Christ was a child of God, as he was placed on earth to fulfill God’s prophecy, but he is not God, Himself, and therefore should not be idolized as Him. However, the idolatry of Christ is only befitting to the idolatry already celebrated in commemoration of Ancient Egyptian gods, which was then adopted by Romans at a much later date. So, you see, change "sun of god" to "Son of God" and hence you have Christmas, as well as the distinction between pagan gods and the Ultimate Being.

Christmas symbols

Christmas symbols are powerful and must be carefully considered, especially when concerning the images depicted to our children. The Christmas tree and Santa Claus serve as a constant reminder of the Christmas season. Although these symbols represent mirth, after careful examination, they convey sinister images. These images representing love, God’s holiness, and Christ are false.

The Christmas tree: This is the most prominent symbol of the Christmas holiday and tradition. Whether one has a Christmas tree in his or her home almost determines if a person genuinely celebrates Christmas or not. Millions bring this evergreen tree into their homes to decorate it brilliantly with glass balls, tinsel and lights every Christmas holiday. As previously discussed, the creation of the Christmas tree stemmed from Ancient Egypt with Semiramis’ claim of Nimrod sprouting up from an evergreen tree, under which he left presents for his mother-wife, Semiramis each year during his birthday, December 25. However, the decoration of the Christmas tree was later adopted by the Germans and eventually brought to the West. It began with Saint Boniface.

According to history documents, Saint Boniface cut down the “great oak tree of Jupiter" the Teutons worshipped. In honoring this tree, the heathens were to sacrifice a human. However, Boniface intervened, stopping the sacrifice and then ordering the heathens to cut down the tree. After the tree had been cut down, legend has it a small fir tree sprang up in the place of the previously cut oak tree. As a result, Boniface proclaimed this tree as the “tree of life,” claiming it represented Christ. However, after careful examination, this story resembles that of Nimrod and Semiramis.

The Infamous Saint Nicolas or Santa Claus: This is perhaps the most dangerous image portrayed to our children because not only is the image unholy, but it sets up our children for disappointment as they grow older and come to realize this man does not exist. So, why do so many parents feel compelled to lie to their children?

According to documents, Saint Nicolas was an actual person, Nicolas of Myra, who was both a saint and Bishop of Lucia (modern-day Turkey). Saint Nicolas was said to have been a "secret gift-giver," who left coins in the shoes of persons expecting him to visit. However, due to Drudic stories, Saint Nicolas transformed into the English-celebrated, Santa Claus.  Druids suggest Santa’s red suit symbolizes a time where ancient people worshipped the god of fire, which was said to have come down the chimney. During ancient times, Druid homeowners left milk and pastries to appease this god who came down their fireplace chimneys. This is how tradition of leaving milk and cookies out for Santa began, as well as placing stockings on the fireplace mantel.

In keeping with the "fiery" imagery, it should also be noted how Santa consists of the same letters as “Satan”. If you were switch around the letters, isn’t this the word that would be formed? The fact this “Santa” god is linked to fire also alludes to fiery "angel," Lucifer. Individuals placed pastries and milk to appease or “cool down” this god because they feared them. So, why would people keep this fiery image of an angry god alive, perpetuating him as being loving and kind to children? To tell our children to praise and idolize a man who is a devilish symbol is not only paganistic, but also nonreligious and unwise.

In the end

Over the centuries, the practice of gift giving during the month of December, which is recognized as the time of Saturnalia has amplified into big business. According to Hallmark, Christmas is the largest card-sending holiday in the U.S., as approximately 2.1 billion cards are sent a year. In 2007, Hallmark, also one of the top three U.S. wrapping paper manufacturers, produced over 24,000 miles of wrapping paper— talk about a waste of trees. According to Hallmark research, consumers are adamant about Christmas participation: 98 percent wrap presents; 90 percent decorate inside their homes; 88 percent send Christmas cards, letters, or photos; 83 percent play Christmas music; and 77 percent attend Christmas parties, gatherings, or luncheons. So, in other words Christmas has become a big propaganda holiday. It is estimated Americans will spend over seven billion dollars on children’s toys during Christmas. Photo agencies/studios recruit approximately 20,000 individuals "to play" Santa Claus at malls, parades, and parties every Christmas. Retailers generate roughly $35,000 in additional revenue by having a photographer and rented Santa Claus, with whom children can to take pictures. In the past, mall traffic increased by 15 percent whenever Santa Claus was present at a major department store.

So significant is Christmas to the U.S. economy that the absence of such a holiday could potentially paralyze the country. It is estimated that 50 percent of annual profits retailers enjoy is generated from Christmas-related sales. No wonder retailers have frowned faces and such teary eyes this Christmas season. The next thing you know, retailers will be asking for a "Bailout". I have even heard adults mention how this Christmas will not be the same: they will neither give nor receive this year. But if Christmas is supposed to be a religious-based holiday not based on material propaganda or paganism, why are people so concerned about material goods?

Yet, even all the giving does not make people happy. Statistics have shown at least 35-40 percent of Americans will become depressed and indulge in alcohol and/or drugs to cope with the emptiness they feel at this supposed "joyous” time. So many religious people have often exclaimed: “What happened to Christ in Christmas?" However, the truth is that paganism, idolatry, and material worship have always been the basis of Christmas. With Christmas trees being idolized and milk and cookies being put out to appease a fiery god, Christmas seems right on point to me. Don’t you think? No matter how “religious” people have portrayed Christmas, it is nothing but sin packaged in a pretty bow and placed under an evergreen tree for Semiramis to grab. People fool themselves into thinking they are worshipping Christ, but in the end, they are worshipping pagans.

If people want to celebrate God and recognize His prophets such as Christ, I propose another date be established-- without all the pagan festivities of indulgence. People often speak of how "corrupt" and "tarnished" our youths are of today.  However, if adults continue to perpetuate sin and idolatry themselves, how does one ever expect for children to live righteously?  To celebrate and honor God is one thing, to worship humans and material possessions is another. 

If you wish to explore this further, I do encourage it.  Most of my findings come from originally-dated Roman Catholic sources.  Check out your local library.  You can start by visiting the amended, online Catholic Encyclopedia.

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 Sources:

http://www.giveshare.org/booklets/christmas.html
http://www.ivarta.com/columns/OL_041226.htm
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/calendar/saturnalia.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithras
http://www.simpletoremember.com/vitals/Christmas_TheRealStory.htm
http://home.sprynet.com/~pabco/ptofxmas.htm
http://www.fillthevoid.org/Prophecy/HutchingsBabylontheHarlot.html
http://corporate.hallmark.com/Holiday/Christmas

http://blowthetrumpet.org/thetruthaboutchristmas.htm