Continuation of our investigation of “Christmas… Truth or Tradition?”
 
There is a story that originated in Turkey that further influenced the Christmas tradition. The story is of a Catholic Bishop of Myra, named Nickolas (270-343 AD). Nicholas was a very sensitive and compassionate man who helped people in need. In his diocese, a poor man had three daughters of marrying age but he lacked wealth for dowries for his daughters. It is believed that the bishop, one night, secretly smuggled gold coins into the man’s home, enabling the man’s daughters to be married. Bishop Nickolas became known as St. Nickolas (pronounced “Nick-el-laus”), then Santa Claus!
 
The date of Jesus’ birth? It may surprise you to know that Jesus was not born on December 25! He was born towards the end of September (Autumn), during the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles. From the Book of Luke, we learn:

     1. John the Baptist’s father, Zechariah, the priest, was chosen to serve in the Temple at a particular time. While serving in the Temple, he was confronted by the angel Gabriel who informed him that his barren wife, Elizabeth, would bear a son (Lk. 1:5-25).

     2. When Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, was 6 months pregnant, the angel Gabriel confronted Mary with news that God will make her pregnant … a son would be born to her and He was to be named, Jesus (vv. 26-38).

     3. Mary went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, who was 6 months pregnant at the time. Jesus was born 9 months later, 15 months from Zechariah’s confrontation with the angel Gabriel during his rostered Temple duty in June (vv.38-45).

     4. It was prophesied that the Messiah would be born during the Feast of Tabernacles… in late Sept-early Oct!

 
Divine Influence… Angels and a Star. The Christmas story began with the angel Gabriel who appeared to Mary with the message that “God would make her pregnant”. By the way, there wasn’t anything special about Mary. The birth of Jesus is what made her special!
 
The story continues with several shepherds receiving first-hand news from an angel of the birth of Jesus. The angel said to the shepherds, “The Saviour—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” (Lk. 2:11-12).
 
Finally, a bunch of Wise Men (astronomers) showed up on the scene, after following an unusual star. The Book of Numbers prophesied… “I see him, but not here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a sceptre will emerge from Israel.” (24:17). The Wise Men believed the star would mark the birth place of the King of the Jews. (Bethlehem is situated 9 kilometres south of Jerusalem.)
 
In conclusion
When the facts are weighed-up we are left with convincing evidence that the Christmas festival is deeply rooted in paganism, with Santa Claus reigning today as the undisputed “Star of the Season”, not Christ!
 
December 25 is the day the world celebrates Santa-mas, the giver of toys-n-trinkets to those who are good-enough to make it onto his “nice list”. Clearly, Christ, the Giver of eternal life, is not “the” stand-alone Celebrity of Christmas. Over the years, the manger that has been slowly going… going… has finally gone! It is now hidden and smothered-out by merchandise.
 
Friends, you are free to believe whatever you like about Christmas. However, Christmas is either tradition or truth… It cannot be a blend of both! For me, the Christmas Season is as exciting to celebrate as the Chinese Year of the Rat!
 
Here is a question for you: What do you have when you reposition the letter “n” in the name Santa to the end of the name? Hmmm… interesting? I say, alarming! I credit Satan for being the one who is responsible for orchestrating for over two millenniums this diabolical charade that honours Santa, and dishonours the Saviour. Christmas… truth or tradition? You decide.
 
Best wishes
Bill