Newsletter: 20069-15b A Season to Believe... part II

Holiday Greetings from HomeWorship 101™

~ The Holiday Season of Christmas ~

It is a sad fact amongst the faithful:
What we are against, takes priority over what we are for.

Its Christmas time again, and during this season of peace and goodwill, the fighting continues. I do not mean the war raging in the battlefields, I mean the hometown fighting in the public squares over Christmas. You have probably heard the news reports: Should we say happy holidays, or is it Merry Christmas? The nativity must come down because it’s religious! But the Hanukah Lights can stay. Or, if one religious display is not allowed, then no holiday displays can be allowed, etc, etc. Many times the public issues become political when they have to be resolved in our courts of law. The judge is strongly influenced by lawyers for powerful interest groups. The lawyers are plotting legal strategy behind the scenes and maneuvering with their allied politicians to win public opinion. Boorrrring - the politicians do not understand it’s not about them. (Oy vey!)

If one gets tired of the public debating and seeks calm in the sanctuary of their houses of worship they find the battle continuing. The purists would say Christ was not born on December 25^th, it’s a pagan holiday with its roots in Babylon, not Jerusalem. Since Palm Sunday, which is the day we are to test YHWH-GOD, I have been referencing scholars and archeologist regarding the pagan roots of Christianity, and the Christmas season is a biggie as being an example of pagan now Christian holidays. They would argue that these were not the habits of the early church of the first 2-3 centuries, and scriptures say we must worship God in Spirit and in Truth. What does it mean?” (Double, Oy vey!)

Then there are the Messianic Jewish Christians who argue, if Christ is the King of the Jews shouldn’t the Christ followers give up their pagan holidays and join in on the Jewish holidays? (Jump from one boiling pot into another? Triple, Oy vey.)

Biblical Archeology Review recently published a scholarly study on Christmas, I’ll quote:

How December 25 Became Christmas by Andrew McGowan

“Granted, Christian belief and practice were not formed in isolation. Many early elements of Christian worship—including eucharistic meals, meals honoring martyrs and much early Christian funerary art—would have been quite comprehensible to pagan observers. Yet, in the first few centuries C.E., the persecuted Christian minority was greatly concerned with distancing itself from the larger, public pagan religious observances, such as sacrifices, games and holidays. This was still true as late as the violent persecutions of the Christians conducted by the Roman emperor Diocletian between 303 and 312 C.E.

This would change only after Constantine converted to Christianity. From the mid-fourth century on, we do find Christians deliberately adapting and Christianizing pagan festivals. A famous proponent of this practice was Pope Gregory the Great, who, in a letter written in 601 C.E. to a Christian missionary in Britain, recommended that local pagan temples not be destroyed but be converted into churches, and that pagan festivals be celebrated as feasts of Christian martyrs. At this late point, Christmas may well have acquired some pagan trappings.” Click here to view entire article.

What does it mean? Now that’s a loaded question. The religionists also have to learn, it’s not about them. Is it any wonder that people are leaving organized religion? I get points for not bashing religions, so let me give it a try.

Think back in time for a moment. The year was 321 C.E., and the Roman Emperor Constantine worried over civil unrest in the heartland. There were the usual problems plaguing the empire for the last few hundred years, disease, pestilence, corruption, bandits, tribal warfare, etc. In hard times the people needed a scapegoat to blame their troubles on. When times got hard, the tradition among the Gentiles was that they would tear down the statue of their existing, non-performing god, and replace it with another god, which gives them hope for a better future. Now the emperor wondered what to do to bring peace to the empire. They had used up most of the Greek and Roman gods, and they really didn't work anyway. Joining up with the Jews was not an option. But maybe adopting the Gospel story of the Messiah-Christ would work.

By now, most all of the Jewish-Christians had been killed, or driven deep underground. Torah learned Gentiles were few, so there would not be much of a protest if some Gospel events were given that "special" Roman touch. The emperor’s sales pitch to his advisors might have been something like this: "We'll disregard the complexity of Hebrew scrolls (the Old Testament), and concentrate only on the end of the story - the belief in the Messiah! Yesterday's - pagan - priests will become today's Gospel priests. Yesterday's temple to Zeus will be replaced with today's Je'zeus. Yesterday's - pagan - holidays will be rewritten with today's Gospel stories of Jesus. He was the Son of God, and had much the same life story as Hercules. You already know the story; his father is a god. He lived to do good works for the oppressed. He died before finishing his work. Went to hell to battle evil, and now sits with his father in heaven. All you have to do is change the names."

If you think about it, it worked! The Romans never again tore down their Christ-centered worship places and replaced them with some other god.

Now getting back to critics of the Christmas observance, today the Christian Christmas critics are getting their wish. The news headlines tell the stories of more and more communities taking down or not allowing Christian symbolism in the schools or public squares. The Muslim Crest and the Jewish Chanukah is ok, but the cross, Ten Commandments, and the nativity are out. So now what? Do you think we are better off as a community? Do you think all the Christians will now suddenly adopt the Biblical Holy Days? It would be nice, but I think not. Some of us had the Divine calling to study the Bible more and have learned the spiritual mysteries of the Biblical Holy Days, but to the general Christian population that well has already been poisoned and they are not goin’ there (Act.15:1-35). Besides, did you ever think of the fact that Satan and his dark followers might not like YHWH’S Messiah celebrated on their holy day, and maybe they have been seething over it ever since?

I don’t know if you ever had a frank Bible discussion with a Mormon, every once in a while they might come knocking on your door. After a while of discussing the origin of the Book of Mormon, you eventually come to the point of the mysterious Golden Tablets that only one person has seen, and the so-called divine dictation that had to be given twice. There is no archeological proof of their story, and the whole thing sounds a bit like more myth then fact, but an honest Mormon will say, “…yes I know, but the religious system is working good for us. Our people are happy and have many benefits from the Mormon community, etc.” And generally that is how the Christians feel about the Christian Sunday worship and their holidays – it’s working for them. After all, the American community of Sunday keeping Protestants did build a great country.

Like I often say, “Critical thinking is a lost art,” and Christmas is a good example. The Catholic Encyclopedia states; “In the Constitution Ineffabilis Deus of 8 December, 1854, Pius IX pronounced and defined that the Blessed Virgin Mary "in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God…” A thinking person would ponder, if the conception was in the beginning of December then how can the birth be more than a year later on December 25^th?

Generally the Christians wonder what’s the big deal, many birthday holidays of famous people are not celebrated on the exact birthday. The idea that is important is that it is being observed. Recent surveys reveal that this ‘season to believe’ is still a big comfort to the people. (Log on: http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=36093)

False doctrines aside, I see organized religion more as a Bible learning experience. The Romans Catholics brought the Bible down to its lowest common dominator, and let's call that the grade school level. The Protestants are like high school. The Sabbath keepers, the Holy Day keepers, the Sacred Names keepers, Jewish Messianic, are like junior college. Studying Hebrew (and a little Yiddish), Biblical archeology, and natural healing, are like the university level. I can't help but wonder, do the university professors look down their noses at the grade school teachers? Do the college students, confident in their educational superiority, insult the grade school students?

But why do you judge your brother?
Or why do you show contempt for your brother?
For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
For it is written:
"As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me,
and every tongue shall confess to God."
So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
-Roman 14:10-12

Maybe this holiday has pagan roots, but the people are not sacrificing children and virgins anymore, and they are not praying to their Christmas trees anymore, they are celebrating righteousness. Discounting the characterless mass-marketing, they are celebrating the Divine concept of giving, instead of receiving (Act.20:35). One must remember, if giving up long held traditions was so easy, there wouldn't be a very special reward for it (Rev.2:17). At least in this country we have the freedom to read, study, and learn new things, and for that I am grateful.

What happened in the year 312 by Emperor Constantine is still happening today, maybe even more with the explosion of information available on the internet. The Pew forum recently released a survey titled Many Americans Mix Multiple Faiths, I’ll quote:

Many Americans Mix Multiple Faiths

“The religious beliefs and practices of Americans do not fit neatly into conventional categories. A new poll by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life finds that large numbers of Americans engage in multiple religious practices, mixing elements of diverse traditions. Many say they attend worship services of more than one faith or denomination -- even when they are not traveling or going to special events like weddings and funerals. Many also blend Christianity with Eastern or New Age beliefs such as reincarnation, astrology and the presence of spiritual energy in physical objects. And sizeable minorities of all major U.S. religious groups say they have experienced supernatural phenomena, such as being in touch with the dead or with ghosts.

One-third of Americans (35%) say they regularly (9%) or occasionally (26%) attend religious services at more than one place, and most of these (24% of the public overall) indicate that they sometimes attend religious services of a faith different from their own.” Click here to read entire article.

Sometimes one can think it is hopeless to help people discover real spiritual truth, when in doubt we should always look to the example of our Master-Teacher. When Yahshua-Jesus was talking to a general audience about Heaven, with all His spiritual knowledge, He didn't look down his nose at them and demand ritual purity. He spoke of His FATHER's Kingdom as a blessing to the people (Mat.5:1-12).

Presently, this world is a compromise. The righteous do not have it completely their way, and neither does the dark side (Mat.13:36-43). Our FATHER will overlook some things because of our false teachings (Act.17:30) There is no doubt, when the conquering Messiah arrives, He will destroy this corrupt system and introduce His pure teachings to the world and things will change, but until then, getting to Heaven is a matter of the heart (Dan.2:34; Heb.4:12). If getting there was because of a perfect theology, then we would a-l-l be in serious trouble.

Remember: GOD is…, like eating a pizza!
Some people like it with just plain cheese; others like to load it up with everything.
Some like the thin crust, some like only the regular crust, some others like the double thick crust, and there are those who like all three.
Some like to eat carefully with a knife and fork, some others just grab hold and chomp away - sitting is optional.
Sometimes you like to eat it at home, sometimes you feel like going out fancy and eating it in a restaurant.
And for those who do not like pizza - we will pray for you.
Be aware, if you are a pizza lover, then Satan wants you!

It is important to remember: That the first humans Adam and Eve, after being created, immediately knew their CREATOR. Since their fall from grace, humanity now has to have 'faith' in our CREATOR, and have the 'heart' for HIS Righteous path (Heb.11:1). That is what makes the faithful so special during this age, because in all the Universe we are the true faithful because we are the only ones who believe without seeing (Jon.20:29;1Pet.2:9).

In the opening I quoted, “What we are against takes priority over what we are for.” Meaning that, we are arguing in a house that is on fire. We are arguing amongst ourselves over minutiae and ignoring those who are actively trying to destroy our way of living. We should focus more on believing and less on doctrinal differences. This season of holidays represent peace, good will, giving, and caring – all Biblical virtues that we are all for and should be encouraged. It could almost be the Golden Rule day.

There is only one man that has the power, and after the revolution (the 2^nd coming,) we will all be celebrating Christ-mass, amongst other things, during Tabernacles, until then a little love and kindness, a little understanding and patience doesn’t hurt.

"May you have the power to understand,
as all God's people should—
how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love really is!
May you experience the love of Christ,
though it is so great you will never fully understand it!"
-Ephesians 3:18-19

This is the season of believing. Believe that YHWH and Yahshua are love and they are on our side. And, remember: Adam and Eve, after being created, immediately knew their CREATOR. Since their fall from grace, humanity now has to have 'faith' in our CREATOR, and the 'heart' for HIS Righteous path (Heb.11:1). During the Millennium Rule the people will immediately know their Messiah. That is what makes the faithful special during this Age of Grace, because we believe without seeing (Jon.20:29,1Pet.2:9).

“I will honor Christmas in my heart,
and try to keep it all the year.” —Charles Dickens

True Believers are not religious once a year, or once a week.
True faith is something you live with and it guides you all the time.

Wishing you all a season of believing…
Take care. Peace and blessings, Errol.
**********************************************
Errol Mueller, chronicler extraordinaire
e-mail: errol@homeworship101.com
website: www.homeworship101.com
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WSC Newsletter 2009-15b, posted 12/24/09.

Copyright © 2009 Errol Mueller. All rights reserved. Short quotations, page copying, or redistribution for personal or non-commercial group study is permitted and encouraged, provided they are copied in total with no alterations or deletions. Author’s name, website address, and copyright notice must be included. If any other use is desired, written permission is required.
For information, email or call (334) 678-0913. White Stone Communications (Rev.2:17), Dothan, AL.
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Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version of the Holy Bible.
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