![]() ![]() The Bible never mentioned that Jesus nor his followers ever celebrated his birth. These, in turn, were linked with the winter solstice. He chose that date because it coincided with important pagan festivals. 350 Pope Julius I formally designated December 25 as Christmas. "Neither scripture nor secular history records the date of Jesus' birth. . Was Jesus really born on December 25th? No, it's a total falsehood: Jehovah's Witnesses and the Gregorian CalendarĬan the Pagan Customs of Christmas Really Be MADE Acceptable to God?įirst, consider what is regarded as the basis for the Christmas celebration. And according to Scripture, we should take advantage of that choice. While we today have no practical option but to use things like the Gregorian calendar (which uses the names of pagan Roman gods), we do have a choice whether or not to participate in customs which were originally devoted to honoring these gods. Holidays, for example, are "Holy Days" and are a part of " worship", by their very name. So these necessary things are not a celebration of pagan gods. But it would be wrong to incorporate anything used for pagan worship, into our worship or related activities. Luke and Paul certainly did not become participants in something associated with pagan origins. And Paul accepted the Areopagite, Dionysius (Greek name for 'god of wine') and had him join him - Acts 17:19-34. Furthermore, Paul actually went to this place devoted to a pagan god and preached. When Luke wrote in Acts mentioning the Areopagus ('Ares Hill' - Ares is the Greek god of war 'Mars' is the Latin god of war), he didn't feel the need to change its already established name to something no one would recognize. "After all," they may ask, "aren't there many things which originated, or are associated with paganism - pharmacies, calendars, etc.?"Ĭonsider the two examples concerning Luke and Paul. Do not invoke the names of other gods do not let them be heard on your lips." - Exodus 23:13, NIVSB.īut some may still wonder why Jehovah's Witnesses consider customs that have pagan origins to be so bad. 6:17) Notice how exclusive the worship of God must be: "Be careful to do everything I have said to you. We must completely get away from these unclean things and not even "touch" them. that we use today, they are not merely unacceptable - they are detestable to God. are really mixed in with ceremonies, customs, etc. If pagan ceremonies, customs, god names, etc. Why Do Jehovah's Witnesses Avoid Pagan Customs? (Official Website of Jehovah's Witnesses) 1429, 1425, The World Book Encyclopedia, 1958 ed.Ĭhristmas - It's Origins and Associations When the pagans of Northern Europe became Christians, they made their sacred evergreen trees part of the Christian festival, and decorated the trees with gilded nuts, candles (a carry-over from sun worship), and apples to stand for the stars, moon, and sun." - pp. "It is believed that the custom is a survival of the tree worship of ancient German tribes." - "Tree worship was common in Scandinavian countries. Christmas inherited the general merriment in a more restrained form (excessive only in eating and drinking) : games, giving of gifts (especially to children), abundance of sweet meats and, as more ceremonious elements, burning of candles." - Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, Hastings, Vol. ![]() ![]() The Saturnalia in Rome provided the model for most of the merry customs of the Christmas time. are not genuine Christian customs, but heathen customs which have been absorbed or tolerated by the Church. "Most of the Christmas customs now prevailing in Europe. 4, Encyclopedia International, Grolier, Inc., 1966. So when this became a Christian festival, the customs continued, but with a Christian meaning imparted to them." - p. Pagan celebrations on December 25 had included feasting, dancing, lighting bonfires, decorating homes with greens, and giving gifts. " December 25 was already a major festival in the pagan Roman world, the Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, or `Birthday of the Unconquered Sun,' a feast honoring the renewal of the sun at the winter solstice. Christmas Has Pagan Origins and AssociationsĬhristmas is a corruption of Christianity and was adopted from terribly pagan customs and celebrations: ![]()
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