This time of year the question of the pagan underpinnings of Christmas also comes up. "The traditions of men make the traditions of God of none effect," is how some think of it. But is that really what happens at Christmas? The Pharisaical traditions made the traditions of God of none effect, but does replacing a pagan holiday with the truths of Christ do that? Seems to me it's the other way around, more like Christ overcoming the world.
I do have to acknowledge that I too went through a period of being overly impressed with the fact that our Christian holidays were originally pagan and ambivalent about whether to celebrate them or not. I never went wholly against celebrating them, I was simply unresolved about the whole thing and it made it difficult to enjoy the holiday. But now I'm all for celebrating. Here's how I think of it now:
First I'd make that point again: The Pharisees replaced God's Law with their own laws but taking over a pagan holiday for the celebration of Christ does the reverse, replacing paganism with God's truth. Second, God looks at the heart: And what does he see in most hearts at Christmas time? Well, I'll grant that in MOST hearts he isn't seeing the celebration of Jesus Christ except in the most superficial way as Christmas carols are in the air and manger scenes are on display. But He ISN'T seeing Tammuz worship either. Except maybe in those overtly pagan celebrations that the season draws out as well.
Most of us in the West, even unbelievers, view Christmas as a time of special beauty with a magical feeling -- no, not pagan Magick, just a magical feeling, a glittering shining time of prettiness, presents, sparkling things, festive foods, parties, visitors, family, even the good will that is so lavishly declared and wished, yes it is there too. This feeling is there even if you have no clue to the reason for it, and many have none. I think this glittering festivity manages to evoke something like a yearning for heaven. I think that's how I felt it as a child before I was a Christian.
Yes, I know Christmas gets awfully commercialized, and I know lots of people get depressed at this time of year too and feel lonely and left out, and all that is sad, but this is a fallen world so what else is new? Christians should, and many do, try to include those without family at this time and this is when the Christian community goes all out to feed the homeless and make sure they get in on the celebrations.
And Yes, I know Christmas was originally pagan, but what it is now is something else. It's become HIS, it's become OURS. It is no longer Tammuz's birthday, it is no longer Saturnalia, not even a smidgen!
No, it isn't the Lord's birthday either of course: Shepherds don't watch their flocks outside by night in winter. But nevertheless Christians DO make it a Christian holiday, a celebration of HIM. YES THEY DO!
Some find Christian symbolism even in the Christmas tree -- symbolism of the Tree of Life which the death of Christ has made available to us, even a symbolism of the blossoming, the leafing out, the fruiting of the Cross of Christ itself, like the blossoming of Aaron's rod. The story of the birth of Christ in Matthew and Luke establishes the theme of the holiday and unbelievers may also hear that story at this time of year. The manger scenes illustrate it. The Christmas carols raise our thought to Him. We celebrate Him, we adore Him, we worship HIM.
NOT TAMMUZ!!!!
JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!
NOT TAMMUZ!!!!
THIS WORLD BELONGS TO JESUS CHRIST. HE NOW OWNS IT. HE EARNED IT. THE DEVIL NO LONGER OWNS IT.
Re 11:15 THE KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD ARE BECOME THE KINGDOMS OF OUR LORD, AND OF HIS CHRIST; AND HE SHALL REIGN FOR EVER AND EVER . . .
EVER SINCE THE CROSS!!!! Not fully until He comes again, but nevertheless it is already fact -- HE REIGNS NOW! Tammuz's birthday now bows to Christ, all the pagan holidays bow to Christ.
So let the pagans dance and howl at the Blood Moon if they want. Their time is short. The Blood Moon also belongs to the Lord Jesus, and it's probably going to be a Blood Moon shortly following a total Solar Eclipse that will herald His return to reclaim this planet.
HE EVEN OWNS THE COMMERCIAL WORLD:
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