98 lines
4.9 KiB
Plaintext
98 lines
4.9 KiB
Plaintext
IS CHRISTMAS CHRISTIAN?
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by Hank Hanegraaff
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Christian Research Institute
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<long intro deleted>
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Each year around this time, letters flood in to CRI offices containing
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various questions about Christmas that range in topic from the practice of
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exchanging gifts to the possible connection between Christmas and the pagan
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holidays of Rome. So lets take a few moments to consider some of the more
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commonly asked questions about Christmas.
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FIRST, ARE CHRISTMAS TREES A FROM OF IDOLATRY? Interestingly, this
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question arises out of a pronouncement made by the prophet Jeremiah: "This
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is what the LORD says . . . the customs of the peoples are worthless; they
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cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.
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They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so
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that it will not totter" (Jer. 102-4)
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While at first blush this may seem to be refereeing to our custom of
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decorating Christmas trees, a closer examination of Jeremiah 10 reveals
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that God is in reality condemning the creation of permanent wooden idols
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carved from the trees of the forest. In the very next verse (vs. 5) God
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ridicules these idols because they cannot walk or talk.
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Historically the practice of decorating Christmas trees originated in
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Germany some two thousand years after Jeremiah made his pronouncement. It
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was the result of combining two distinctly different Christian symbols.
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The first was a "Paradise tree." It was decorated with apples to symbolize
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the tree of life in the Garden of Eden. The second was a triangular shelf
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that contained Christmas figurines and was adorned by the star representing
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the one followed by the Magi. By the 16th century, these two Christian
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symbols had been merged into the modern-day Christmas tree.
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Not only are Christmas trees spiritually symbolic, but they represent a
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wonderful witnessing opportunity as well. In fact, the next time a
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nonbelieving neighbor brings home a Christmas tree, you might want to ask
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him or her if they know where the practice of decorating Christmas trees
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originated.
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Who knows! The Holy Spirit may well allow you to enjoy one of the greatest
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Christmas gifts of all -- the gift of seeing someone you care about receive
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everlasting life.
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ANOTHER COMMON QUESTION INVOLVES SANTA CLAUS. IS SANTA A HOPELESSLY PAGAN
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CONCOCTION, OR CAN SANTA BE SAVED?
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What few people seem to be aware of is that Santa is Christian rather than
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pagan in origin. As a matter of fact, Santa Claus is an Anglicized form of
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the Dutch name, Sinter Klaas. Sinter Klaas in turn represents a Christian
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bishop of the 4th century named "Saint Nicholas."
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According to tradition, Saint Nick was not only kind and generous towards
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children but he apparently attended the Council of Nicea in AD 325, where
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he supported the biblical doctrine of the Trinity.
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While it is likely true Saint Nick gave toys to tots, its obviously pure
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mythology that he presently lives at the North Pole in a toy factory, knows
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if we've been bad or good, and flies around in a sled pulled by reindeer.
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In truth, Santa is not essential to Christmas -- but he does represent an
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excellent opportunity for sharing Christ with your kids. Why not ask them
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this Christmas if they know who Santa really was. Perhaps not only Santa
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can be saved but so will one or more of your loved ones.
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STILL ANOTHER COMMON QUESTION CRI RECEIVES AROUND CHRISTMAS TIME INVOLVES
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THE PRACTICE OF GIVING GIFTS.
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Jehovah's Witnesses in particular are quick to assert that this practice
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not only leads to commercialism, but can be tied to the pagan practice of
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astrology as well. As they put it, the word "Magi" in the original Greek
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refers to "astrologers."
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History reveals, however, that the Magi were not singularly stargazers but
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were schooled in the arts and sciences of their day as well. Thus, the
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translation "wise men" makes a great deal more sense than the
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transliteration, "astrologers."
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It is also important to note what Scripture clearly says about the Magi.
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Namely, the "wise men" were LED BY GOD. Both the star that led them to
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Christ (Matt. 2:9) and the dream through which they outwitted Herod (vs.
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12) were used by God to guide and direct them.
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The Jehovah's Witnesses are quick to point out that the wise men gave gifts
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to Christ, not to one another. But that misses the point entirely.
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Obviously our risen, reigning Redeemer doesn't need a thing. However, when
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we give to one another, Christ considers that as good as giving "unto Him"
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(Matt. 25:37-40).
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Perhaps your ability to sensitively and effectively dispel the Watchtower's
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mythology with regard to gift-giving will open a door for you to discuss
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the deity of Christ with them as well. And perhaps as a result of your
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discussion, the Jehovah's Witness may receive the gift of salvation in
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Jesus Christ. Jehovah's Witnesses can be reached, you know, and the Holy
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Spirit can use you as a part of the process.
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