The festivals of Rome are innumerable; but five of the most important may be singled out for elucidation. christmas-day, Lady-day, Easter, the Nativity of St. John, and the Feast of Assumption.

Each can be easily proved to be Babylonian. And first, as to the festival in honour of the birth of Christ, or Christmas. How was this festival was connected with the 25^th of December? There is not a word in the Scriptures about the precise day of His birth, or the time of the year when HE was born. However what is implied is that what time soever His birth took place, it could not have been on the 25^th of December.

The Encyclopaedia Britannica reports that "The traditional customs connected with Christmas have developed from several sources as a result of the coincidence of the celebration of the birth of Christ with the pagan agricultural and solar observations at midwinter. In the Roman world the Saturnalia (December 17) was a time of merrymaking and exchange of gifts. December 25 was also regarded as the birth date of the Iranian mystery god Mithra, the Sun of Righteousness." In Truth Christmas is a Pagan heathen holiday celebrated by ignorant believers worshipping false gods being deceived while they ignorantly believe they are celebrating the birth of Christ. There is not one Scripture that tells us or commands us to celebrate His birth, however it does tell us to show forth His death until He comes. This means keep the Passover just like He and the Apostles and the early assembly (meaning church) did.

Our Brother Richard Rives has done a wonderful job on the pagan celebration of this heathen holiday. You can go to His website at www.toolong.com.

Also a wonderful book written on the pagan customs, that the Christian world has adopted as Christian but is really satanic worship behind the scene. I have been referring this book to fellow Christians who love Jesus and the Truth of His word for well over fifteen years. I personally regard this book as the number one authority for anyone who is look to find out the truth how paganism came into the Christian church. The book is THE TWO BABYLONS written by Alexander Hislop. If you really want to know the truth Christmas, Easter and other such heathen holidays this is a wonderful reference. It is packed full of scriptures.

This next paragraph comes directly from the website of Richard Rives: I personally will not lie to my children and I teach them to never lie to me. I refuse to teach them lies and call it Christian when is has nothing to do with Christianity at all.

Colliers Encyclopedia agrees. Quote: "After the triumph of Constantine, the church at Rome assigned December 25 as the date for the celebration of the feast, possibly about A.D. 320 or 353. By the end of the fourth century the whole Christian world was celebrating Christmas on that day, with the exception of the Eastern churches, where it was celebrated on January 6. The choice of December 25 was probably influenced by the fact that on this day the Romans celebrated the Mithraic feast of the Sun-god (natalis solis invicti), and that the Saturnalia also came at this time."

The Apostle Paul warned us that people would come and preach another jesus another Christ! Meaning a false one. I am warning everybody every where about the satanic influence that are in the churches all across the U.S. and the world.

WOW! How foolish can someone be to believe in a lie, and not only speak it, but year after year celebrate it as if it was true and holy! For sure there is not a word in the scriptures about the precise day when Jesus was born, nor the time nor the year when He was born. What is recorded by the scriptures, implies that at whatever time his birth took place it could not haven been on the 25^th of December. At the time the angel announced His birth to the shepherds of Bethlehem, they were feeding their flocks by night in the open fields. True the climate there is different than here. Do you remember the War? The U.S. wanted to wait until it was during a very cool time of the year. I was in the U.S. Army Paratroopers for ten years and I have been all across this world. I can tell you first hand, and by books, news, and history, that it is very cold there at night!

At the birth of the Messiah, every woman and child was to go to be taxed at the city whereto they belonged. Did you know that there is not one Apostle, Prophet, or believer in the scriptures that kept Christmas as holy? Do you know why they did not celebrate it? Because there was no such thing! WOW! It wasn’t until the third century that this festival was even known.

Christmas was a heathen festival in honor of the birth of the son of the Babylonian queen of heaven. It was adopted by the Roman Catholic Church in order to conciliate the heathen and expand the church membership. This son whom this festival is in honor of is named Tammuz! Look at what the bible has to say:

EZEKIEL 8:14 Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD'S house which [was] toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz.

EZEKIEL 8:15 Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen [this], O son of man? turn thee yet again, [and] thou shalt see greater abominations than these.

EZEKIEL 8:16 And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, [were] about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.

Abominations and greater abominations are taking place, even now these abominations are still celebrated by the heathens in America and the so called believers in the Messiah (Jesus Christ). Doesn’t Ezekiel sound fiamilar? The believers were in the temple of the Lord claiming to be believers, His followers! Look at what they had done! They had combined pagan sun worship with the true worship of the Lord! Does the Lord now accept pagan festivals as a part of His worship? The answer is NO! many are on their way to a burning Hell for doing so. Jeremiah talked about a tree that the heathen puts up, and what they do with it, how they even deck it out with silver and gold. Let’s go to the Holy scriptures and see what they have to say:

JEREMIAH 10:1

¶ Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:

Everyone of you who claim to be born again and filled with the Holy Spirit, Hear what the Lord (YHWH) has to say to you!

JEREMIAH 10:2

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.

I have commanded you to learn not the ways of the unrighteous and neither be afraid of them.

JEREMIAH 10:3

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.

The heathens are anyone who says they are believers but they still serve other gods. You Christians do not do there customs, they are vain!

JEREMIAH 10:4

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

They take a tree from the woods, they put them into their houses every year around the 25^th of December. They deck it with silver and gold, they even fasten it so that it cannot move.

JEREMIAH 10:5

They [are] upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also [is it] in them to do good.

Isn’t it amazing how many of you and your family bow down to this tree every year! You put presents under it and to get them you have to bow down to this tree! It makes not difference if it is done in ignorance or willing, you are breaking the commandment and the Word of the Lord!

Exodus 23:24

Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.

Do not think for one minute that they are doing this for good, its evil! You do not have to be afraid of them, no matter what your unlearned heathen family has to say, do not be afraid of them. Now the tree it self cannot do good or evil. But everyone that does this they are wicked!

This not only sounds like the Christmas tree, but it is exactly what Jeremiah is talking about. How long will you be blind Christians/w long will you halt between two opinions? It’s pagan! Jesus has nothing to do with it so REPENT and turn from this wicked way.

The tribulation will be here soon. Many of you saying that you are servants of the Lord but you are serving other gods. God will turn you over because you have chosen them instead of the ONE TRUE AND LIVING GOD! So God will say to you:]

JUDGES 10:13

Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more.

JUDGES 10:14

Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.

Let the gods you served while you deceived yourself in thinking that you are serving me, let them deliver you!

Again it is amazing how we teach are children to never lie to us, as parents and we will lie to them and willing deceive them, because we are deceived. Then we will turn around and tell them it was all in fun that we lied to you. Ain’t that just sweet!

Christmas is pagan and born again Spirit filled believers have NO business celebrating it, or partaking in it whatsoever. You should go and see what the early Church did and do likewise.

Pastor Dowell

Servant of the Lord Jesus Christ

Straitway
Should we Celebrate Christmas?

Tradition

Sometimes tradition is acceptable and perhaps even pleasing in the sight of YHWH. Sometimes it is not acceptable and is even hated by Him. The evil of traditions that transgress the commandment of Yahweh was a key teaching of Jesus the Messiah:

Matt 15:1 (NKJV) Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, 2 "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread."

I hear people ask me this, "Why do you not celebrate Christmas (transgress the traditions of our elders)?". Nowhere in the pages of scripture do we find a command to keep the celebration of Christmas. Nowhere in the pages of scripture do we find an example of any disciple keeping Christmas. The only time Christmas is even mentioned in the pages of scripture is to condemn it (as we will see). So, my answer to this question would be, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of Elohim because of your tradition?".

3 He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of Elohim because of your tradition? 4 "For Elohim commanded, saying, `Honor your father and your mother'; and, `He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.' 5 "But you say, `Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to Elohim" 6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of Elohim of none effect by your tradition.

This was an example of how the scribes and Pharisees forsook the commandment of Yahweh in favor of their tradition. As I will share, Christmas is also transgressing the commandment of Yahweh in favor of tradition. What does Yahushua think about this?

7 "Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 8 `These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with [their] lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching [as] doctrines the commandments of men.' "

Christmas is honoring with the lips but it is one of many vain doctrines and commandments of men. Again, there is not a single scripture in the bible that tells us that we are to celebrate the birth nor the resurrection of Yahushua the Messiah. Let alone in a pagan way!

So yes, I do believe we must question these traditions that have been handed down to this generation even though few dare to. Many Christians speak against the Catholic traditions of Lent, Ash Wednesday, etc. but fail to recognize that the same types of pagan elements exist in the celebration of Christmas and Easter! But how did these festivals get their start?

Origin of Christmas

The following is a quote from the 2000 Encyclopædia Britannica, Volume 11 ; page 390.

"During the later periods of Roman history, sun worship gained in importance and ultimately led to what has been called a 'solar monotheism.' Nearly all the gods of the period were possessed of Solar qualities, and both Christ and Mithra acquired the traits of solar deities. The feast of Sol and Victus (open unconquered Sun) on December 25th was celebrated with great joy, and eventually this date was taken over by the Christians as Christmas, the birthday of Christ."

Notice how it says "both Christ and Mithra acquired the traits of solar deities"? The Christians were apparently trying to get more converts so they tried to "paganize" the Messiah to make Him more attractive to pagans. They even officially brought the feast of the unconquered sun into their worship in 336 AD. This is the origin of Christmas.

But the real question is, "Who converted who?" Do we murder to bring a murderer to Yahushua? Do we rape to bring a rapist to the Messiah? It is true that by 336AD, the mainstream beliefs of Christianity were already far from the truth the apostles taught anyway. However, even giving them that, shouldn't true believers be teaching the unbelievers the true way of Yahweh rather than the unbelievers teaching believers these pagan customs and practices? Certainly! Yet, the Christians not only learned these heathen ways, they also incorporated them into their worship. Scripture says:

Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Today, Christmas is a very popular holiday. However, as is often the case, what is popular is not always right and what is right is not always popular. Christmas means 'mass for Christ'. The name of the holiday is much newer than the holiday itself. The customs associated with Christmas, in one form or another, have been celebrated for literally thousands of years. 'Christmas' is just a new name for an old holiday.

There is no doubt that the customs that are associated with Christmas, as well as the idea of a deity being born on December 25th are of pagan origin. One need only look to an encyclopedia or even many local newspapers in the 12th month of the year to find this truth. The real issue is whether or not we should walk in these customs. So what is so bad about it? Is it just for the children? What should we be teaching our children? Truth or lies?

The truth is that the Messiah was not born on December 25th. December 25th is the birthday of nearly every pagan god ever invented! In fact, the pagan customs associated with Christmas are clearly condemned in the scriptures. Paganism/Idolatry is something that is against Yahweh. If we know that the roots of Christmas are of pagan origin, shouldn't the roots of our worship be in the scriptures, rather than paganism? Consider the scriptures that I will quote that clearly proclaim that the keeping of these festivals is sinful. Perhaps a section on the origins of these festivals will be added to EliYah's Home Page in the future. However, for now I ask that you seek this out for yourself. Yahweh's people should always seek the truth. Consider these scriptures:

Jere 10:1 (NKJV) Hear the word which Yahweh speaks to you, O house of Israel. 2 Thus says Yahweh: "Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the peoples are futile; For one cuts a tree from the forest, The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. 4 They decorate it with silver and gold; They fasten it with nails and hammers So that it will not topple.

First of all, YHWH is telling us in this verse "Do not learn the way of the Gentiles" Don't even learn it, let alone practice it and incorporate it into the worship of YHWH! Secondly, it says that the Gentiles were dismayed at the signs of heaven. History tells us that when the sun began to go further away from the earth and the days grew shorter in the winter, the sun worshipping Gentiles were "dismayed", and feared that the sun would not return. So they held certain festivals just after the time of the Winter Solstice when it did begin to return. This return of the sun is why December 25th is the birthday of so many solar deities. One of the customs the pagans has was to decorate a tree that they had cut down and fasten it so that would not topple. YHWH tells us not to learn the way of the heathen. And here He even goes so far as describe a custom that is a way of the heathen. Yet, we see this same custom exist even today which is called the Christmas tree. Have you ever wondered why in the world someone would do something as strange as cut down a tree and put it in their house and then decorate it with all different types of ornaments? Not only is it odd, it is wrong. This custom, along with other pagan customs like it are clearly condemned in this passage. We don't need a prophet to come and tell us today that this custom is wrong. Jeremiah said so a long time ago!

This custom, along with other pagan customs like it are clearly condemned in this passage. Other customs include Mistletoe, the Yule log and Santa Claus. If you seek, you will find that these things are rooted in idolatry also.

Santa Claus

All over the world, Santa Claus is God to the children of the world (move the n to the end of Santa). Others say 'Father Christmas'. Parents purposely and deliberately lie to their children and tell them that they should fear Santa Claus because "he knows if you've been bad or good". These same parents also lie to their children about the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy. Then they wonder why their children become liars and don't believe the Messiah is real later on in life. This is clearly a total abomination to YHWH. You don't have to look very far in the word of YHWH to find out how much he loathes idolatry and lies. YHWH is the only true Mighty One. Our children look to us and believe every word we say. Do they not deserve the truth? How abominable it is for a believer to teach their children to fear Santa Claus and in so doing creep an idol into the conscience of a child!

Lies, lies everything is lies

The very foundation of the Christmas holiday is a lie. The Messiah was not born December 25th. He did not ask us to celebrate his birthday. He did not say to set up a tree in our house and decorate it and our houses with anything. Santa Claus does not exist. He doesn't have reindeer that fly and he isn't going to come on December 25th and leave any gifts. Everything is a lie. Is YAH (God) the originator of this holiday? Or is it the father of lies? Jesus condemned the leaders of that generation for teaching lies:

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

It's high time that we forsake these lies and abide in the truth! Let's forsake this foolish practice of yoking the Messiah (who said "I am the TRUTH") together with lies, for He has nothing to do with lies.

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 5 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

The book of Revelation also predicts that those who hate YHWH will be glad when the two witnesses of YHWH die, for they will make merry and have a gift exchange:

Revelation 11:9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.

Sound familiar?

Mixed worship condemned in scripture

Now let's take this a step further. Not only is it sinful in the eyes of YAH (God) to practice these traditions, it is also a sin to take these traditions of pagans and apply them to the worship of YHWH.

Deut 12:29 (NKJV) "When Yahweh your Elohim cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land,

(This is YAH warning the children of Israel about what NOT to do when going into the promised land)

30 "take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, `How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.'

Not "Let us serve there elohim (gods)" but "HOW did these nations serve there elohim"

31 "You shall not worship YHWH your Elohim in that way; for every abomination to YHWH which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. 32 "Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.

Very CLEAR. "Thou shalt not do so unto YHWH thy Elohim:" It is abundantly clear. Do not worship Yahweh in that way, the way of the heathen! Do not add to His commandments and do not take away from His commandments. Both Christmas and Easter take pagan festivals and traditions and apply them to the worship of YHWH. This is clearly condemned here. Would it be right to take a Satanic holiday that Satanists have invented and then incorporate that holiday into the worship of YHWH? Surely not. Yet all paganism is Satanism. Satan is behind all pagan worship. And whatever god the idolaters worship, they are actually worshipping Satan.

1 Corinthians 10:20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to Elohim, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.

Now consider this next verse:

1Cor 10:21 (NKJV) You cannot drink the cup of YAH and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of YHWH's table and of the table of demons.

Tradition

Which table will you choose? I hope it is YHWH's table..