The danger of Santa Claus by John MacArthur

The danger of Santa Claus by John MacArthur

What a false, fake substitute the world puts forth at this time [Christmas 1990] for that true message. Do you remember these words?

"You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout. I'm telling you why; Santa Claus is coming to town. He's making a list and he's checking it twice; gonna find out whose naughty and nice. Santa Claus is coming to town. He sees you when you're sleeping; he knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sakes. You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout. I'm telling you why; Santa Claus is coming to town."

Now does that threaten you? That is a very threatening poem. That is intended to scare children. Now listen, if you look at the letters of Santa, you will see that Satan is hidden in Santa. When we teach a child to sing this song, we are teaching him a false theology. We are teaching him a false set of doctrine. Let me see if I can explain it to you.

First, that song teaches that Santa is a transcendent being. He lives on a higher plane. He lives on another level. He transcends time and space. He has powers equal to whom? God! Not only that, he knows everything. He's omniscient. "He knows when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows when you're naughty. He knows when you're nice." He knows everything.

Not only that, he's everywhere. "He sees you when you're sleeping." He's not only omniscient, he's omnipresent. And he is watching to see whether you have been good or bad. And not only that, but he bestows favors. Now on what basis does Santa give his favors? What must I do to receive good things from this transcendent being, called Santa. Well it is very simple, I have to be what? Good. I can "earn" Santa's favor. If I am good, Santa will give me gifts. After all, he's making a list and he is checking it twice to make sure that we've been either naughty of nice. And on the basis on how we've been, he'll deal with us.

And if I'm not nice and good, I won't get any gifts. So I better be good for goodness sake, not to mention for my own sake or anybody else's sake. But do you want to know something about Santa? He may be transcendent, and he may be omniscient, and he may be omnipotent, and he may be omnipresent. He may be dispensing all of the good things, but you know what? You can't trust him. You can't trust him. You say, "What do you mean by that?"

It says, "He's checking to see if you are naughty or nice." And you better be good for goodness sake, because if you aren't good, you won't what? You won't get anything. You want to know something? That's not true. Plenty of times I haven't been good and I get something anyway. Every year I get something. And you want to know the truth of it? There are a lot of naughty people that get a lot and there are a lot of nice people that don't get anything.

Do you know what about Santa Claus? You can't trust him. He doesn't even stay true to his own word. He's blustering around and warning everybody to mind your manners and be good all the time; be nice and not naughty and good and not bad. And then you know what? When Christmas comes he caves in, and even when we have been naughty he gives us all that stuff. And sometimes he overlooks people that are nice. He really can't be trusted. His threats are meaningless and so are his promises. But that's good because it takes the sting out of him. And there is another good thing about Santa; you only have to worry about him once a year. He only shows up once and you know when it is; it's always on Dec 25th, so you can get your act together just a few days before. You say, "Well where is he the rest of the time?" Oh, he's in the North Pole. Could that be heaven in Satan's little scheme? "What's he doing?" Oh, he has all these elfs around him. "What are they doing?" Whatever he tells them.

Mostly, meaningless things like make toys. He is sort of inane isn't he? He threatens but never fulfills his threats. He promises but doesn't always fulfill his promises.

Is it any wonder that if I believe all that as a child, when I come to be an adult, I might have a hard time believing in a Transcendent God who does know everything, who is everywhere, who does have all power, who does keep his promises and his threats, and who does not save me and give me good gifts on the basis of my works but on the basis of His grace. If Santa has been my understanding of God, then I am in trouble. That's why I say, hidden in the letters of Santa is Satan.

I am glad for a God who is absolutely dependable. I can trust His promises. I can trust His threats. He is everywhere at all times and He doesn't just show up once a year. He is here all of the time. And He gives His great gift, not on the basis of our works but on the basis of His grace through faith.

Now does that threaten you? That is a very threatening poem. That is intended to scare children. Now listen, if you look at the letters of Santa, you will see that Satan is hidden in Santa. When we teach a child to sing this song, we are teaching him a false theology. We are teaching him a false set of doctrine. Let me see if I can explain it to you.

There is something fishy about this article. It doesn't sound like John MacArthur. He writes better than this, and he doesn't seem like the sort of person who would find theological significance in the Satan-Santa anagram.

There is something fishy about this article. It doesn't sound like John MacArthur. He writes better than this, and he doesn't seem like the sort of person who would find theological significance in the Satan-Santa anagram.

I found it in the John MacArthur section here on SI. Not saying that proves anything, just letting you know.

As for the Santa-satan thing, I have actually heard him mention it during interviews concerning Christmas. He says his family enjoys the holidays but he makes it clear there is no Santa Claus included.

DeepThinker wrote:

Big Deal!

I remember my Dad used to have such hang ups at Christmas. Every Christmas was a miserable time of the year because of his miserable convictions that he pushed on us.

Now that he's dead, we have the full regalia and enjoy it all giving thanks to our LORD for a fun filled time of the year.

Merry Christmas

I am glad you are now able to celebrate Christmas as you see fit.

As for me, the opposite has been the case.

An unrealistic fantasyland was passed off as reality in my home when I was a child. Secular and sacred were blended so as to present a perversion of Christianity.

I felt lied to, manipulated, and betrayed.

My family and I are now thrilled to be embracing a Christmas without any elements of fantasy included.

Bahhh, humbug! :-P 8-) :-)

reformer wrote:
. . . but then I realize we are lying too about santa. Hypocrites! How to tell him...how to have peace in the home!:(

reformer wrote:

but then I realize we are lying too about santa. Hypocrites!

I agree completely. Our 4 little ones are all under 6 years old, and they all know that there is no santa. Christmas is a celebration of Christ in our home.

I completely agree with this article. We have never had anything to do Santa in our family Christmas. It is just a fantasy and a lie to your children. What ever you think of the origins of Santa, he is a substitue for the the real giver of all we have, the true and living LORD God. Do you want your children to thank God or Satan (I mean Santa)? I find it amazing that Christians, who would otherwise have nothing to do with magic, fantasy, elfs, fairies etc will go along with the whole Santa fantasy because of Christmas.

We have a great family christmas and have much fun and enjoyment without feeling the need for the pagan and conflicting fantasies that the world takes on.

My husband and I have also been questioning the wisdom of celebrating Christmas with all the secular trimmings. Although we don't have any children yet we have decided that if we do we would not want them to grow up believing a lie (santa).
One other thing that I find disturbing at Christmas are carols. Don't get me wrong, I love the music, but something feels wrong singing about "baby Jesus" when we know very well that he is no longer a baby. It seems pointless celebrating his birthday one day a year when we should be preparing for his return. :-D

[size=x-large][b][color=CC3300]Christmas should be all about Christ![/color][/b][/size]

[i]Isa 9:6-7

"For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice
and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this."[/i]

I have three children who grew up without any Santa in their lives. For us, Christmas has always been and always will be a celebration of God's love for us. There is a benefit in being truthful with the kids early about this. Rather than losing a fictitious part of their childhood, they gain a precious truth about God, and a greater trust for their parents; for they will see that they were told the truth about Christmas while other kids were not.

edit: wrong thread :-) one would think after many posts i would have got how it all works by now....

Brother hmmhmm, I think you got off on the wrong exit. ;-)

My dad never taught us Santa Claus; he's never really cared about it, and I'm truthfully thankful for it, though it always drove me crazy that the other kids never got it. I think in the back of my mind was, "How can parents tell their kids that this is real when it's not?"

My first thought on the article was that he was taking it too far, but then again, he's probably right. in that regard, I think his arguments speak for themselves. I wonder if somewhere down the line when a child thinks of God he thinks of Santa for the reasons mentioend there, and thus the idea of God becomes equally ridiculous.

Anastasis wrote:
Brother hmmhmm, I think you got off on the wrong exit. ;-)

My dad never taught us Santa Claus; he's never really cared about it, and I'm truthfully thankful for it, though it always drove me crazy that the other kids never got it. I think in the back of my mind was, "How can parents tell their kids that this is real when it's not?"

My first thought on the article was that he was taking it too far, but then again, he's probably right. in that regard, I think his arguments speak for themselves. I wonder if somewhere down the line when a child thinks of God he thinks of Santa for the reasons mentioend there, and thus the idea of God becomes equally ridiculous.

i think i did :-)

as for santa claus i think there is much that can give us a cause to be worried, but on the other hand one must settle for them selves, its easy for someone to judge someone else that have trees and lights and santas as not spiritual, but on the other hand they may have that freedom to do so. Myself is very against all this stuff, to me its a "unreality" its not real and we should as christians i am convinced who know the real reality contarary to most people alive today. But in my house we are more then me, and all else LOVE christmas, trees and santas and they cant imagine christmas without it, so i could go on a hunt and throw all this garbage out, that is what it is to me, i could quote scriptures and so on, i have a bit :-) but i have learned through experience it is GOD who must open peoples eyes to see.

and when he does they see. One example is jehovas witnesses dont celebrate christmas, yet they are spiritually dead. So one can see the errors in christmas and every other thing man lifts up as wrong, and may be right and yet dont know God.

Myself rejoice in the fact i can see my wife do a lot of things in the house, that makes her feel better, she likes to change curtains and to my annoyance ( i suspect ) put small santas all over the house, she does so much and work very hard to make it a time of joy for the family, in that i feel very blessed, i love to see my children get excited, and i enjoy the small ones tip over the chritmas tree to moms horror :-P and to see them rejoice in presents and the food i like and so on, its very nice, but i am convinced.... all this one can have without the "vanity" in the Lord togheter .

But so far that is my conviction and the rest have not come that far, but maybe they will one day until then i will keep praying and loving my christmas crazy loved ones.

I believe MacArthur has the right to be concerned. MacArthur's commentary on "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" is thought-provoking, and if he felt led by the LORD to speak on that, then I'm glad he did. Really now- isn't that just a bit curious, the lyrics of that song?

[i]"He's making a list and he's checking it twice; gonna find out whose naughty and nice."[/i]

No, I don't think Santa is an anagram for Satan; it seems more like a conjugation of the word "saint." However,I do think people place too much emphasis on him.

I've heard the pagans want their day back. If this is originally a pagan holiday, does slapping the Christ's Name on it make it any less pagan?

Last year i think there was a poll among kids about what Christmas is.And some kids were sure that Christmas was Santa's birthday.Great post,tjservant.I should probably print it out and distribute it to the friends.

I love the music, but something feels wrong singing about "baby Jesus" when we know very well that he is no longer a baby.

Maybe once you give birth to a child, it will help you to understand celebrating the birth of a child?

BTW, we always celebrated Christmas but with no Santa Claus.

Ever since I was a young girl we would always go caroling to the elderly or housebound in the community, bringing them a basket of goodies. I have done this for almost 50 years and still love doing it! And the recipients love it as well.

ginnyrose

Dear child of God,

We read in the Scriptures "Come now and let us reason together." This is what we would like to do now to the glory of God.

That popular and worldly season of the year called Christmas will soon be upon us again. Multiplied millions will be spent on a boundless shopping spree. Under the pretense of religion saint and sinner alike will join hands in the celebration of that which is not only foreign to scripture but that which will lay waste to the soul and that which draws the name of our Lord into the filth of the world. This is a very serious thing!

What part will you take in it? Will you completely sever yourself from this unholy thing or will you be found with the "mixed multitude" observing this pagan holiday with the enemies of Christ? These are very pertinent questions for there is not one scripture in the entire Bible that tells us when Christ was born, neither is there scripture that allows anyone to celebrate His birthday. God's word says, "Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain" (Gal. 4:11).

History shows that this is a pagan celebration handed down from one generation to another until the whole world has become a slave to it. As a child of God how can you or I become a partner with the world in such a season of levity and mockery to all that which is holy and eternal? Christmas is a time of feasting, drinking and frivolity for the world, done under false religious sentiment for the natural man. Sending out Christmas cards with scripture verses on them is compromising that which is holy with that which is unholy. Can Christ have fellowship with Belial? "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness" (Eph. 5:11) is God's command to His people.

Little do we realize that we are a living lie to our children when we observe in any way this religious worldly holiday and when we so much as mention the myth of Santa Claus to them. What about the tree? Does not the carnal heart glow with pride as it looks at the work of the hands? Isaiah said, "shall I fall down to that which comes of a tree?" God says, "Learn not the way of the heathen — 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 ax. They deck it with silver and with gold, they fasten it with nail and with hammers, that it move not" (Jer. 10:1-5).

What are we going to say to these things? Why do we have anything to do with that which God hates? Are we afraid of the ridicule of the world? Has not the Lord of glory condemned all that is of the world and commanded us not to be conformed to it? Can we be a testimony for Christ and be worldly at the same time? Are we not taking part in the "pleasures of sin for a season" when we become part of the world's celebrations? Does not the humiliation and suffering that our Lord endured for us mean anything to us? Oh that every one of God's people would hear that voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins" (Rev. 18:4) and again, "Touch not the unclean thing."

God warns His people to be a separate people, a different people, a representative of Himself and of all that is pure and holy and good. We are never to unite with the world in a worldly round of fleshly gratification in the observance of days and seasons whether they be religious or political, for again God says, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil" (Ex. 23:2). There is not a day or season upon this earth that is so highly esteemed by man as Christmas. God says, "That which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination to God" (Luke 16:15). Shouldn't this settle the matter forever? Let us not dishonor our Lord any longer by making Him a part of this idolatrous celebration. May we cry to Him for deliverance. Let the world say what it pleases and think what it pleases and let this be our motto, "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).

We entreat you again to turn from the world and its holy days, touch not the unclean thing, associate not the birth of Christ with the fables of paganism and apostate Christendom. Hear His voice "Be ye separate, O My people." Consider well, as before God to whom you must surely give an account. May God give us strength and purpose of heart to cleave to the Lord alone.

"Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord." (Isaiah 52:11)

Christmas - Pagan? Roman Catholic? Protestant?

Christmas has become so much a part of the church calender and is so socially acceptable that it might seem pointless to ask any question which would perhaps tend to disturb the 'goodwill and merriment of the season'. The festival has been accepted across the board in the religious world by Roman Catholics and Protestants alike, even among evangelicals and fundamentalists. You might conclude that it is a settled issue. However, expressions like 'THE FIRST CHRISTMAS' and 'THE CHRIST WHO CAME AT CHRISTMAS WILL COME AGAIN' are so interesting that they warrant some consideration. Did Christ come at Christmas? When was the FIRST CHRISTMAS?

Some of the 'Christmas time' activities make it easy for us to understand why the irreligious world observes Christmas. It is a time of great materialism, a time for parties with plenty (too much) of eating and drinking. It is a time for much merriment, so we hear it said 'MERRY CHRISTMAS'. You are entitled to ask 'Where is Christ in all of this?'. The unbelieving world does not know Him, so what is happening at Christmas time? Has there been a change of heart? Much of what makes up the Merry Christmas of society has no place in the teaching and example of Jesus Christ.

Every serious student of the Bible knows that the discipleship to which Christ calls his followers cannot accommodate the lifestyle of the unbelieving world. It is obvious that for the unbelieving world Christmas is a social celebration to which has been attached the name of Christ. Jesus Christ is not in it.

What about 'religious people'? The name CHRISTMAS seems to indicate that it might have some connection with Christianity. What is distinctive about Christianity? It is this, that Christian beliefs and practices are based on the Bible. Christians find in the Scriptures the convictions to which they hold. From it they believe in the divine Person of Jesus Christ, the Person of the Holy Spirit, man's need of regeneration, justification by faith alone, and the certainty of the great Judgement Day. From the Bible, according to Christ's appointment, Christians remember His death in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. What about CHRISTMAS?

The Bible clearly gives an account of Christ's birth in the Gospels. You cannot be a Christian unless you believe in the supernatural conception and virgin birth of the Saviour. The Incarnation is a great mystery, but a matter of divine revelation and consequently of faith. Does 'THE FIRST CHRISTMAS' refer to the birth of Christ as recorded in the Gospels? If you look at the word 'CHRISTMAS', you will see that it cannot. The obvious derivation of the word is CHRIST and MASS. The word 'mass' refers to the Roman Catholic sacrament in which the sacrifice of Christ is supposedly offered again to God. Whatever your theological convictions with regard to the 'mass', you will appreciate that it is supposed to have its authority from the Last Supper, at which Jesus took the bread and the wine. That was before He died, NOT when He was born. How absurd to associate with his birth the sacrament which he identified with His death. To say the least, we might say 'The timing is wrong'. The name is most inappropriate, and it ought to be distasteful to all Protestants who understand anything of what the 'mass' is claimed to be. The name betrays the origin of CHRISTMAS. MASS is obviously Roman Catholic, and history shows that Christmas has come through the Church of Rome taking over a festival of paganism. The Toronto Star, a secular newspaper, on 24th December 1977, explained the development of Christmas in this way:

"Take, for example, the date itself. Nothing in the Bible indicates Christ was born December 25th. In pagan Rome, that day was given over to the worship of the sun-god. But when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, the church appropriated many of the pagan festivals, and the one that honoured the sun was dedicated to Christ instead."

The Biblical accounts show that the birth of Christ could not have been at that time of year - with shepherds outside at night, and a national tax collection which involved much travel being taken. Extra-biblical evidence shows that Christmas does not have its origin in the Bible at all. The Bible is silent on the date, and there is no indication that the birth of Christ was celebrated in the apostolic church. It was the Church of Rome that adopted the pagan service into her ritual. Listen what Williston Walker says in his "History of the Christian Church":

"About the same time, the early fourth century, there developed in the west a distinctive nativity festival on December 25th. The date was partly determined by the idea that the birth of the world occurred on the vernal equinox (March 25th), and correspondingly its new birth in the Saviour would have been at the same moment. This was understood as the conception of the Virgin, and hence the natural birth would be nine months later, December 25th. But perhaps even more, the date was influenced by the fact that December 25th was a great pagan festival, that of Sol Invictus, which celebrated the victory of light over darkness and the lengthening of the sun's rays at the winter solstice. The assimilation of Christ to the Sun god as Sun of Righteousness, was widespread in the fourth century and was furthered by Constantine's legislation. In any case, these two celebrations of Epiphany and Christmas rose independently of each other in the fourth century."

To refer, therefore to the birth of Christ as THE FIRST CHRISTMAS is wrong, and although it may appeal to people who place more value on sentiment than on fact, it is misleading.

Equally so is it false to assert that THE CHRIST WHO CAME AT CHRISTMAS WILL COME AGAIN, because the evidence is that He did not come at Christmas. Why not tell the truth? The Gospels give account of His birth, but after that there is no account of celebrating the birth of the Saviour. Christmas was started in the early 4th century by the Church of Rome. It is easy to understand that Roman Catholics would wish to observe Christmas - the name of their sacrament is in it, and they do not look for a Biblical warrant for their religion. However, it is extremely difficult to understand why Protestants, whose religion is based on 'Scripture only' - Sola Scriptura - should follow the Roman Catholic Church into Christmas. ARE PROTESTANTS LOSING THEIR PROTEST? When Jesus sent out the preachers of the Gospel with the Great Commission in Matthew 28, He instructed them to teach people to observe 'whatsoever I have commanded you'. Where did Christ command us to remember His birthday? Nowhere! He gave us a sacrament in the Lord's Supper, commanding us to remember His death.

It has been argued that this celebration gives opportunity to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Preach the Gospel whenever possible, but why present it under the guise of a pagan festival taken over by the Church of Rome and with such an obviously Roman Catholic label on it? C. H. Spurgeon, highly respected and often referred to as a great preacher of the Gospel, made these comments on Psalm 81: 4 (Treasury of David):

"When it can be proved that the observance of Christmas, Whitsuntide and other popish festivals were ever instituted by a divine statute, we also will attend to them, but not until then. It is as much our duty to reject the traditions of men as to observe the ordinances of the Lord."

The Church of Rome is quickly gaining ground, and in many quarters the Pope is quoted as the spokesman for Christianity. The work of Protestant Reformers is being eroded as Protestants adopt the festivals of the Church of Rome. CHRIST-MASS speaks its own message as to its origin, and it is time for Protestants to disassociate themselves from this Roman Catholic tradition. Consider these things seriously. What has the exchanging of gifts at Christmas time to do with the birthday of Christ? If it was His birthday would He not be the one to whom the gifts would be given? What have the Christmas tree, the nativity play, a Christmas church concert, and other Christmas trimmings to do with the birthday of the Saviour? These are not part of Biblical Christianity. May God give you discernment that they will not be part of yours.

"Learn not the way of the heathen . . . for the customs of the people are vain." (Jeremiah 10)

To listen to a message entitled, "Is There a Right Way to Celebrate Christmas?",

Please go to this link:

http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1219041754

Savannah - thank you. This is exactly what I needed to hear. I learned all these things just last year in late December and had a very hard time walking past my 14 ft live tree - decorated with silver and gold, fastend so it wouldn't topple. After reading Jeremiah 10, it disgusted me that I would do anything God called an abomination. I can say I truly repented. Of course, in Jeremiah 7 God does not hold us blameless just because we say we didn't know and "we are delivered to do all these abominations". He said, "Come out of her, My people." So...we come out and we follow Him. But how do we tell the family? They don't want to hear it.

You say, "If He has told you to depart from that personally..."

This is NOT merely a personal issue!

2 Tim. 2:19 But the foundation of God remaineth sure, and hath this seal, The Lord knoweth who are his: and, Let every one that calleth on the Name of Christ, DEPART from iniquity.

Matt. 28:20 Teaching them to OBSERVE all things, whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, until the end of the world,Amen.

We who are His and not our OWN, are to only OBSERVE such as He has commanded, as we simultaneously DEPART from INIQUITY which is LAW-LESS-NESS. Lawlessness is doing what is right in our own eyes, as was the case with Israel on numerous occasions,as God continually accused them of.

Deut 12:8 Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatever is right in his own eyes.

Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

He has certainly NOT commanded us to keep or observe this seasonal feast(festival)nor celebrate His birth annually. Every and all His commands concerning what He instituted(i.e. the church,the state,the family,baptism,the bread and the cup of His New Covenant,etc.)are expressly taught in detail in Scripture as to their observance and order. 1 Cor. 5:7,8 Cleanse out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

We are not given liberty to invent new ways or new days of sacredness or worship.

So I say 'wonderful, obey Him'.

You say, "But He has not told me." I'd add "YET" at the end of your words here.

You say, "I enjoy this time of year because I know of whom I believe."

I can and do enjoy(the sinful deluge excepted) this time of the year as well, as I do each and every day, because of Whom I have believed.

You say, "There is a weak argument in saying that why celebrate a holiday when people are drinking and living it up."

I agree. Although it would be an argument it would be but a weak one at that. This is certainly not the Foundation of my argument that the ChristMass is an abominable idolatry with the practices and customs attached to it. We are not so much to learn such customs, and we are commanded to abstain from all appearance of evil.

Lev. 18:30 So keep my charge never to practice any of these abominable customs that were practiced before you, and never to make yourselves unclean by them: I am the LORD your God.

1 Thess. 5:21-24 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

In verses 21,22 above is His command. Verses 23,24 follow with His promise to those who obey.

Jer. 10:1-4 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh to you, O house of Israel: 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. 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 ax. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it may not move.

You say, "Well, we could go further with that. Why do we shop along side sinners in a grocery store that sells alcohol? You see this is endless. The best mode is moderation."

You take your brush and paint too broad a stroke. We may not go beyond the scripture as has been pointed out above. We are in the world and yet we are not of it. Yet the world need not be in us with its idols. We must tear them down that they not have a stronghold in our hearts. I speak of the idolatry not of statues but of the thoughts,lies and philosophies of men which must be taken captive to the obedience of Christ.

1 Cor. 5:9-13 I wrote vnto you in an Epistle, not to company with fornicators. Yet not altogether with the fornicatours of this world, or with the couetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must yee needs goe out of the world. But now I haue written vnto you, not to keepe company, if any man that is called a brother bee a fornicator, or couetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner: with such a one, no, not to eate.
For what haue I to doe to iudge them also that are without? doe not ye iudge them that are within? But them that are without, God iudgeth. Therefore put away from among your selues that wicked person.

Rev 22:13-15 I am the Alpha and the Omega--the Beginning and End--the First and the Last. `Happy are those doing His commands that the authority shall be theirs unto the tree of the life, and by the gates they may enter into the city; and without are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the whoremongers, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one who is loving and is doing a lie.

'Everyone who is loving and is doing a lie'. I contend that everyone affectionately embracing and practicing this lie of the Christ-Mass Festivities is guilty of the idolatrous practices attached to the same,and we are not to be partakers with them of their sins but to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.

You say, "I kicked out Santa..."

Good. But he is but one of the pawns in the arsenal of satan which he has engaged in this holocaust.

You say, "...whether Christ was born in October or in July, it makes no difference to me."

But it does make a difference to you because you celebrate December 25.

Does it make a difference whether we celebrate it or no? Or when?

No,it doesn't! That is...if there is no God!

You say, "He was born, He died and He arose."

I reply, AMEN!

You say, "And since the world being ignorant of His birth celebrates what they know not, I on the other hand do know, so therefore I go on knowledge praising the LORD and giving thanks for His birth."

What knowledge do you go on? Scripture knowledge?

Christ-Mass; What is it? Please give a God-honoring,Scripture honoring answer.

Note: The question was not framed in the following manner,'what is it to you'? nor was this implied in the inquiry. But I stated it plainly and accurately, What is it?

Greetings

This topic of celebrating has been on my heart for a long time, a very long time. To be honest I find myself wishing this time of year would not come all year long then when it does I spend all the days after Thanksgiving wishing it would hurry and be over. I have read so much on this topic that my head hurts from all the differing points of view, each using scripture to support their take on things. Its all very confusing and as I seek to know the Lords heart on this I find myself still just wishing it was already January first.

One of the things that has been on my heart is that I have read that its not Biblical to celebrate Christmas because we are not instructed to in the Bible. We are not told to celebrate birthdays at all, not our own, or the birthdays of those around us. Is it wrong then to do so? Same with other days of remembrance, Memorial day, veterans day, fourth of July, New years day, Thanksgiving, ect? Would observing or taking part in any of these days be considered not Biblical? Please know this is not being asked lightly I really do want to understand the differences...

God Bless
mj

MaryJane wrote:
Greetings

This topic of celebrating has been on my heart for a long time, a very long time. To be honest I find myself wishing this time of year would not come all year long then when it does I spend all the days after Thanksgiving wishing it would hurry and be over. I have read so much on this topic that my head hurts from all the differing points of view, each using scripture to support their take on things. Its all very confusing and as I seek to know the Lords heart on this I find myself still just wishing it was already January first.

One of the things that has been on my heart is that I have read that its not Biblical to celebrate Christmas because we are not instructed to in the Bible. We are not told to celebrate birthdays at all, not our own, or the birthdays of those around us. Is it wrong then to do so? Same with other days of remembrance, Memorial day, veterans day, fourth of July, New years day, Thanksgiving, ect? Would observing or taking part in any of these days be considered not Biblical? Please know this is not being asked lightly I really do want to understand the differences...

God Bless
mj

Dear mj,

As far as I'm concerned I keep things simple regarding celebrations. First of all, I don't celebrate to obey any tradition. I do so to express joy in something -- maybe the birthday of a loved one (Jesus included); or to commemorate an important event; or to express thanks to God. Even if the Bible does not instruct me to do these things, it does not forbid me either; there is nothing sinful about it. What I avoid is Halloween, which tends to glorify or popularize evil concepts/things like witches, ghouls, etc., which is clearly against Scripture.

The Bible is no longer a do/don't list because the new covenant has set us free from the law and placed us under the Lordship of Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

[i]1Co 10:23-26 “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”

1Co 10:30-31 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.[/i]

Christ-Mass; What is it? Please give a God-honoring, Scripture honoring answer.

Note: The question was not framed in the following manner,'what is it to you'? nor was this implied in the inquiry. But I stated it plainly and accurately, What is it?

Hosea 6:6 says, "For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." I know a lot of people go to church on Christmas day simply because it's tradition, or simply because they want to do something for the LORD (they offer their sacrifice, as the Hosea passage said). But there are many who, with pure and merciful hearts, use the special privileges this time of year affords to teach the Gospel and to reap the harvest Christ promised in John 4:35. Ought they not to do so?

Are you so blinded by your Pharisaical hawking that you've forgotten the fields are ripe for harvest, even in the Christmas season? I ask your forgiveness now that I've been too harsh, and that I've probably spoken outside my scriptural bounds- though I mean this in a spirit of love, not contempt, and as a brother in Christ, not as a heathen ritualist.

"But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless." (Mat. 12:7)

Good post, JS.

Very level-headed and scriptural. I appreciate your sobriety in this matter and hope others will be wise enough to follow suit.

Wowzers JS, that was a great post. You said it better than I could.

MaryJane wrote:
Greetings

This topic of celebrating has been on my heart for a long time, a very long time. To be honest I find myself wishing this time of year would not come all year long then when it does I spend all the days after Thanksgiving wishing it would hurry and be over. I have read so much on this topic that my head hurts from all the differing points of view, each using scripture to support their take on things. Its all very confusing and as I seek to know the Lords heart on this I find myself still just wishing it was already January first.

One of the things that has been on my heart is that I have read that its not Biblical to celebrate Christmas because we are not instructed to in the Bible. We are not told to celebrate birthdays at all, not our own, or the birthdays of those around us. Is it wrong then to do so? Same with other days of remembrance, Memorial day, veterans day, fourth of July, New years day, Thanksgiving, ect? Would observing or taking part in any of these days be considered not Biblical? Please know this is not being asked lightly I really do want to understand the differences...

God Bless
mj

Just ask the Lord to show you what He thinks of these things. Ask Him to let you see it as He sees it. But be prepared - what He showed me brought horror to my heart . . . and the understanding only makes the whole thing worse for you can not deny that which you know to be true . . .