Goodbye to Christmas (Part IV): Our 2014 Hanukkah Photos

Finally!  My final post of my 4-part series on why we don't do Christmas and celebrating The Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah).  If you haven't caught my first three posts, I warmly invite you to take a peek:

Goodbye to Christmas (Part I)

Goodbye to Christmas (Part II): Why?

Goodbye to Christmas (Part III): Celebrating Hanukkah

Today I'm going to do less teaching of the whys & wherefores of Hanukkah vs. Christmas and just share photos of our Hanukkah 2014.  If you have a desire to remove the pagan traditions from your holy days (holidays) there are several good sources out there (and many bad ones).  Some of the best sources are 119 Ministries and Passion For Truth.  (caveat: I can't say I agree with all of Passion For Truth's doctrine, but I'm not one to throw out the baby with the bath water).  Friends are welcome to add more sources in the comments.  Passion for Truth has a particularly good YouTube on how they do Hanukkah (here).  Some not-so-good resources would be most of the "Jewish" sites that don't know the Messiah and focus on the oil, food, or dreidel.

Being Hanukkah isn't a command of God or specifically listed amongest the 7 Feasts of the LORD in Leviticus 23 (or anywhere else in the Bible), there isn't any right or wrong way to celebrate it (except mimicking the pagan Christmas way).  Oh sure, there is always Jewish tradition!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=gRdfX7ut8gw

Just the other night Amber & I broke out in this song. ♥

...but we'd rather not get caught up in Rabbinical micro-management.

So here is what we did...

Hanukkah 2014

Being Hanukkah is perhaps a later celebration of Sukkot & also the Festival of Lights, it is an 8-day celebration (WooHoo, already it's better than the 1-2 day celebration of Christmas :)).  Just think!  An 8-day joy-filled party!

There are some elements of Hanukkah that most follow and we do too: Lights/Decor; Lighting the Chanukiah (menorah); the Blessings and/or reading Scripture; Songs; Pray; Games; Food; Gifts; and Charity.

1. Lights/Decor & Hanukiah:

Hanukkah decor is usually far simpler than Christmas. Seriously, it takes all of five minutes to put it up and take it down! (and far less storage too) 

This year we added steady blue and twinkling mini-whites.

Of course, the main element of Hanukkah is the special 8-branched Menorah called the Hanukiah/Chanukiah with the 9th taller candle (if you look closely, ours is the middle slightly taller candle holder) called the shamash or servant candle that lights the rest of the candles.  The candles are placed right to left but kindled from left to right.

The Shamash representing our Messiah, the Supreme Servant. ♥

On the 7th night!  We also have an oil lamp that a Jewish friend gave to us from Israel.
(We use to have a traditional menorah, but it took a tumble from the top of the fridge one year.)

Our unexpected guest most evenings was this little lady bug that found the warmth of the candles inviting.

As you can see in the background, we had a couple of strings of lights left over from our Christmas tree days that Anna wrapped around the banister -- we like lights!  I think I'll buy more lights for next year.

On the 8th Night - oh, oh, the oil in the lamp is running out!

If you watch the Passion for Truth video on how Pastor Jim Staley's family celebrates Hanukkah, you will see his devotional that he gives to his family, with each candle representing something different in Scriptures: Of course, the Shamash being the Light of the World.  Day 1) Light of Creation; 2) Adam - the Light given to Adam, fall, not to place our light under a bushel; 3) Moses - Shared with Israel the 10 commandments, a light unto our path; 4) King David, reading Scripture from Psalm 119 and other light-related verses; 5) Yahshua/Jesus Christ death & resurrection, a city on a hill; 6) Disciples - Take light and give to others; 7) Gentiles receive the light; 8) Return of Yahshua/Jesus Christ, see not dimly, but face to face! Amen!

2. Blessings

I printed out some blessing cards for us to read at the Hanukkah table.  Most are from Hebrew 4 Christians, some are just Jesus-is-the-light type Scriptures.  One is a prayer.  Hebrew 4 Christians also gives suggested Torah readings for Hanukkah.

Note: There is a traditional Jewish blessing when lighting the candles that goes like this, "Blessed art thou, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who sanctifies us with Thy commandments and commanded us to kindle the light of Chanukah."

We don't do that one as God did not command us to kindle the light of Chanukah.  Instead our card says, "Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, King of the universe, who sanctifies us with Thy commandments and has given to us this season of gladness, to kindle the light of Hanukkah, for the glory of the Lord Yeshua our Messiah, the Light of the world."



3. Songs

There are a lot of great songs out there for most every taste in music, and one does not have to limit themselves to just Hanukkah songs either.  I uploaded several on to my Tablet and played them every day of Hanukkah.  My personal favorites are several of Joshua Aaron's songs, the ever-fun Maccabeats, Michelle Citrin's Left to Right, and Phillips Craig & Dean... and other worshipful songs.

4. Games

Hanukkah is a very joyous family time!  One of the big elements to help keep the festivities going for eight whole nights is playing games.  Now, we have a large selection of games, but let's face it, many of them the girls have outgrown and I was just getting a little tired of the same old same old, so this year I decided to invest (have you priced board games lately?) in a few new games... 

New games!

Anna spinning the top in the traditional Dreidel game.  I saw a friend used Hershey Kisses which I think I would like better than those cheap-chocolate coins -- next year.  It's an okay game, but we finally just quit lest it go on forever.

Kingdom of Solomon is very fun!  The girls tell me it's similar to Settlers of Catan.

I like games that have some strategy to them.

 Operation Maccabee is also very fun.  At first I wasn't sure how us girly girls would like it as it's a war-type game (bought it more because I thought hubby would like it most), but it's more like a WWII rescue-prisoners-from-a-concentration-camp game, and of course, we want to rescue everyone from the bad guys.

You move your game piece across the board (barely pictured on the left) - moves determined by the spin of a dreidel (much funner than a spinner or die) and try to free the prisoners until all the camps are liberated.  Whenever you land on a concentration camp, you get to spin the dreidel (several times) and knock out little army men.  If you get all the men down, you have liberated the camp.  There's a lot of other factors and point things going on as well.

  

We also played "Sequence, Jewish Edition", which is pretty fun, not as fun as the other two, but a much quicker game.  I'd never played Sequence before, but it's a lot like Bingo, this one having "Jewish" symbols to cover.  There is a little strategy involved, but only if you get the right cards. (ie, I NEVER won)

And Hanukkah Mad Libs is always good for a chuckle -- best with the younger crowd or those that know the basic parts of speech.

To tell you the truth, I've never been much of a game person -- perhaps because I was an only child and never had anyone to play with (and my parents never bought any games), but I do have to say, these were fun, especially Kingdom of Solomon and Operation Maccabee.  We even played them on New Years Eve and I still don't have them put away.

5. Food

Just think!  Eight nights of feasting!

Which is great, except a bit of a challenge if you are the cook ;-). 

In connection with the legend of the miracle of oil, anything cooked in OIL is BIG -- traditionally Latkes and Jelly Donuts!  But, being we are more into eating healthy and really don't like a lot of oil, we forgo the donuts and only had latkes a couple of times during the eight days.  I tried a different latke recipe this year from a contest winner and liked them much better than last year's attempts. 

Latkes (potato pancakes) to the left

 Chicken Marsala

 Our 8-day menu included...

Barbecued Beef Brisket

Herb Roasted Lamb Chops

Beef & Turkey Sliders

Deluxe Baked Bean Hotdish

Chicken "Marsala" (no alcohol)

Honey Salmon in Foil

Fried & Spicy Grilled Chicken

Crustless Pizza Casserole & Lasagna

Sides included: Glazed Carrots, Kale Chips, Crusty Bread, Potato Latkes, Roasted Parmesan Broccoli, Fruit Salad, Potato Salad, (& I forget the rest).

Sweets: Chocolate Covered Cherries (beautifully handmade, compliments of Anna's piano teacher -- thanks Jess!!!); Ginger Cookies; Sugar Cookies w/Blue Crystal Sprinkles, Chocolate Dreidel Coins (haha) - finally finished them off today.

Actually 3 of our family nights were interrupted because the girls had a commitment to play music at our church's program plus there was still one night of AWANA and the girls were out with friends one night.

Anna playing Joy to the World on her ukulele (everybody was asking her to play her uke in church - probably a first).

Amber (right) playing a violin duet.

 6. Gifts

Gift giving is totally optional and some have a conviction not to give any gifts; that's fine.  Others just give one or two small gifts, homemade gifts, or a few pieces of gelt (coins).  We, on the other hand still do gifts.  Probably not as big as when we did Christmas, but I just feel it's an lovely expression of love and to say, "You Bring Light into My Life". ♥

  

 A stack of most of our gifts, I know it looks like a lot, some were money or gift cards, but we like to wrap things in a way to keep'um guessing.  This year the girls and I got smart and set up our own Wishlists on our Pinterest  board with pictures so we knew what each other wanted.

The girls playing with their gifts on Day 1.

Amber gets her long-awaited mandolin and Anna has some new ukulele hymn books.

Don't the Kitties look thrilled about Hanukkah? hahah

7. Charity & Volunteerism

Last but not leastly, Hanukkah is a great time to give to others and a good time of year to get in those last charitable gifts before year's end.  We have a number of charities we support.  Additionally, it's a great time to volunteer -- between Thanksgiving & the middle of December  we volunteer at the Operation Christmas Child Distribution Center in the Twin Cities.  I know it seems like a contradiction, and perhaps it is a little, being we no longer do Christmas and yet participate in something that has the word "Christmas" in it, but we have been active in this ministry for a number of years and although the collection & packing of boxes is in time for Christmas, what many don't realize is that these boxes go out at various times of the year and many to countries that don't have a great sense of a "Christmas Day" because they are Hindu or Muslim or extremely poor -- they are just so excited about receiving something.  Anything!  Along with each box is a booklet that witnesses to that child and most go through a school or church where there are teachers and preachers who will continue to minister and do Bible studies with the recipients.  I have heard so many beautiful stories of children receiving Christ as Saviour and of answered prayer that I can't help believe in this organization no matter what the title.

This year, like always, we were scheduled to volunteer at the Distribution Center but they reached their goal early and closed up the warehouse before it was our turn.  We are happy for them, although missed the opportunity.

Well, there you have it!

I hope you enjoyed a peek into our Hanukkah.  It was so much fun, I really hated to see it end.

Some families jump into doing the LORD's feasts and other festivities like Hanukkah with both feet and catch on right away, and then there are the rest of us that take a few years to really get the hang of it -- it's difficult teaching an old dog ya know, but such a blessing.

Celebrating the Light of the World during this time of year (and in this day & age) when

so much is dark & bleak is such a joy!

           

 Chag Hanukkah Same'ach!!!

(Joyous Hanukkah Festival)

Goodbye to Christmas (Part III): Celebrating Hanukkah

Today we will continue on with Part III, of my 4-part series on why we don't do Christmas and what we do celebrate at this time of year.  If you haven't caught my first two posts, I warmly invite you to take a peek:
  

Goodbye to Christmas (Part I)

 &

Goodby to Christmas (Part II): Why

Yes, We Celebrate Hanukkah!

Before I move on with Hanukkah, I would just like to reiterate that just because we no longer celebrate Christmas, we still love our extended family and friends.

Love is Key

I can't stress enough that what I share, I share in love. I think it's always important to impart truth -- God commands it, but to do it with a heart of love. Not in a show-offy manner; yet one must not compromise and need not apologize when it comes to the issues of sin and obedience. One must always do so with a level of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, discernment, and maturity (something I see a shortage of in some circles).

A Brief (do I do anything brief?) Hanukkah 101:

First of all, I've heard there are 16+ spellings for Hanukkah, and it seems like there is no one right or wrong way to spell it.  The most accepted spellings are "Hanukkah", "Chanukah", and "Chanukkah", it all depends on your transliteration.  I happen to prefer to use the first spelling, maybe because it's easier for me to remember for some reason, but more correctly, the word Chanukah shares the same root as the Hebrew word "CHiNUKH", meaning "education."  Just as the Maccabees fought & died for the sake of Torah truth (remember "Torah" means "instruction"), so we must wage war within ourselves, educating ourselves through studying the entire Word of God, rededicating ourselves by the washing of the Word, and standing fully committed, enabling us to resist assimilation into this corrupt world.
The "cleansing of the Temple" is a matter of the heart. ♥

"Hanukkah/Chanukah" is Hebrew for "Dedication" and marks an eight-day celebration (Kislev 25 - Tevet 3 (during our Nov-Dec)) that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple after a small group of Jewish believers miraculously defeated the forces of assimilation into the Greek/pagan world.  Hanukkah is somewhat comparable to our Independence Day, representing a great victory of faith through God's providential love and protection over Hellenistic & humanistic belief.

The True History: The Feast of Dedication



Al the Great

The history of Hanukkah begins many years after the captivity & dissimulation of the Houses of Israel and Judah with the reign of Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), a student of the renowned pagan Greek philosopher Aristotle.  Al was a militant king who conquered Syria, Egypt, & Babylonia to defeat the mighty Persian Empire in 333 BC and who promoted a Hellenistic culture, but was fairly lenient towards the Jews.  After his death in 323 BC and a series of civil wars, the Greek world divided into four separate powers. One of those powers, the evil Syrian king Antiochus IV Epiphanes (Epiphanes means "God (Zeus the sky god) made manifest") (perhaps the 5th king of Revelation 17:10) began to openly persecute the Jews in 167 BC.  He decreed that the study of Torah, observance of Shabbat, holidays, circumcision, and offering sacrifices in the Temple were punishable by death and murdered some 40,000 resistors.  Many Jews fled and hid in the wilderness & caves and many died martyrs.  Pagan alters were soon erected throughout Judea; Antiochus even appointed a Hellenistic "High Priest" to the Temple and desecrated the alter by requiring pigs to be sacrificed on it.  (The Jews referred Antiochus not as Epiphanes, but Epimanes "the madman").

Antiochus IV

Outrage incited great rebellion.  In 164 BC, in Modin, a small town about 17 miles from Jerusalem, a Hasmonean High Priest, Mattahias, and his five sons took refuge.  When Antiochus' soldiers arrived at Modin to erect an alter to Zeus and force the sacrifice of a pig, Matthias and his sons rose up and killed the Syrians.  They then fled to the Judean wilderness where others joined them and soon engaged in successful warfare against the Syrian/Greek oppressors.  Matthias died about a year later, but his youngest son, Judah "Maccabee", organized a revolt that eventually succeeded in evicting the Syrian Greeks from Israel.  The Temple in Jerusalem was liberated (167 BC) but needed extensive purification and rededication for Jewish worship.  The Temple menorah needed to be relit and kept burning with pure olive oil as God commanded Aaron through Moses.

Btw, "Maccabee" was not the surname of Judah and his brothers, "son of Mattathias" was.  "Maccabee" was the warrior nickname of Judah and is the acronym (m.k.b.i) for the Hebrew words Mi Kamocha ba-elim Adonai: "Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods?" (Exodus 15:11); or else was derived from the Hebrew word for "hammer" (makevet), indicating his ferocity in battle.

  

The Probably Not-So True History: The Festival of Lights

According to later (c. 500 AD) Rabbinical Legend/Tradition, at the time of rededication of the Temple there was very little oil left that had not been defiled by the Greeks, in fact, only enough to last one day!  It would take eight days to prepare a fresh supply of oil for the Temple menorah to keep the menorah burning continually.  Miraculously, the little bit of sanctified oil burned for eight days -- the time needed to prepare a fresh batch.  An eight-day festival was declared to commemorate the miracle, known as Chanukah, "Dedication" or Festival of Lights.

Now being the Hanukkah "oil miracle" is only mentioned a couple of times in the Talmud (oral rabbinic law) and by a few extra-biblical sources such as historian Josephus, scholars have come to doubt if the 8-day oil legend is true.  I've heard three good explanations...

1. It has been suggested that perhaps the oil miracle was made up by a later rabbi to account for the eight-day festival since Jewish war victories were not allowed at that time.
2. Additionally, the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) may have really been a later celebration of Sukkot, which the Hasmoneans did not have a chance to celebrate during their warfare with the Syrians.
3. Or perhaps because the Maccabean dynasty (forefathers of the Sadducees) eventually became entirely corrupt, and the Talmud (which grew out of Pharisaic tradition) did not want to draw much attention to them, therefore the Talmud's statements (recorded centuries after the Maccabean rebellion) focus on the miracle of the oil rather than the Maccabean resistance.

Oy, who knows?  God is certainly big enough to preform such a miracle with the oil, but given the account doesn't pop up until much later, one wonders.  Some try to connect a few verses in the Bible with the oil miracle, but it's a stretch imho.  One thing is for certain, God did preform a miracle in delivering His people from the great wickedness at that time.  And that is a historical fact!

So, Why Do WE Celebrate Hanukkah?

Good question... it was a long time ago in another country and God doesn't command it, right?

True.  It's purely optional.

But we have chosen to celebrate it for several reasons....

First and foremost, it's Biblical!!!

True, the Father doesn't command it as He does the seven Biblical Feasts of the LORD in Leviticus 23, but it is in the Bible... Jesus was at the Feast of Dedication at least once as we find in John 10:22-23:

 "And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.  And Yahshua [Jesus] walked in the temple in Solomon's porch." 

 

Note: I often hear people say that Jesus "Celebrated" the Feast of Dedication, but let's be careful... is that what the Scriptures say?  No, they do not say that!  John tells us that Jesus was there, at that time, on the porch of the Temple in Jerusalem.  Whether he actually went in to the festivities the Bible doesn't state.  Jesus was never what we call a "party animal".  He preformed his first earthly miracle at a wedding feast, and of course there's the Passover Feast, but we must be careful not to read into Scripture what simply wasn't stated.

  One thing we do know is that He was there, at least on the porch.  Jesus liked to be where crowds gathered and crowds gathered wherever Jesus went.  His very purpose on earth was that He came for the lost.  He was always teaching... in everything He said and did; not partying.  We also know that Jesus, being Jewish (not to mention knowing all things), knew all about the Feasts of the LORD and I'm sure was very familiar with the Feast of Dedication as well... and just two chapters earlier we find in John 8:12:

"Then spake Yehshua [Jesus] again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Now isn't that interesting, the throngs were about to celebrate "The Festival of Lights" and here Jesus is telling them that HE is the LIGHT OF THE WORLD!

  

 What's more... Jesus could have easily condemned the Feast of Dedication right there and then if He so chose, but He did not.  Rather, He used it as a teaching opportunity.  This is far different from what we find about Christmas, since Christmas and the celebration of His birthday are never mentioned in the Bible, but rather the rebuking of adopting pagan ways to worship Him. (See my Part II post for more on this)

But wait, there's more...

A think a true believer in the Messiah Yahshua (the LORD Jesus Christ) would have a hard time not seeing all the beautiful parallels and prophecies in the Spring & Fall Feasts of the LORD.  Likewise, with the Feast of Dedication. 

In the Book of Daniel we seem to have a dual prophesy of the events leading up to the Feast of Dedication paralleled with End Time events...

1. Daniel 8:5-8 First there is a male goat with a notable horn - Alexander the Great was the first king of the Greek Empire and was very great.
2. Daniel 8:8-9 The great horn was broken and 4 notable ones come out - Alexander the Great dies and the kingdom is divided between his four generals.
3. Daniel 8:9 The 4th little horn became exceedingly great and has authority over "the Glorious Land" (Israel). - the Seleucid king Antiochus "Epiphanes" c. 175-163 BC
4. Daniel 8:10-14  Antiochus greatly magnifies himself, casts down the righteous souls, removes the daily sacrifices, and defiled the Temple in Jerusalem itself.  This event is known as the "abomination of desolation" that was decreed to occur 2,300 days into Antiochus' reign.  Obviously this "horn" also refers to a future world leader  called the "Antichrist" who will attempt to "assimilate" all of humanity into a "New World Order".
5. A 3-yr. (or so) campaign culminated in the cleansing and rededication of the Temple.
6. The Messiah is victor and there is a great Feast!

Another reason we celebrate Hanukkah is that we LOVE Israel!

We rejoice with those that rejoice in the victory God has provided!

Another reason we celebrate Hanukkah is that we identify with Israel!

We R Israel!

I'm not sure why most of us want to classify ourselves as "Gentiles".  If you are like me, I was always taught or assumed that if a person is a Believer and not a Jew, then they must be a Gentile.  That was the two choices.  But it doesn't take long, if one really studies their Bible, to notice that the word "Gentile" is not a positive word -- it's always in the same category as "Pagan" or "Heathen".  I don't know about you, but that's not what I want to call myself.

We are grafted in! (not replacing Israel)  And if one studies the Bible in that light, that we ARE Israel, the words in our Bibles take on a whole new beautiful/personal meaning.  There's ONE faith, ONE, hope, ONE baptism, ONE God & Father, ONE Law -- not two, one for the Jew and one for the Gentile.  When I think about Romans 11 (the Grafting-in chapter), I can't help but think of the children's chorus, "Father Abraham" -- perhaps that simple little song has more Biblical truth than a lot of our grown-up "worship" songs of today.  
Remember, not all those that left Egypt in the Exodus (chapter 12) were born of Jacob's family.  It may sound kinda silly, but I've always liked to think that if I had lived at that time & place, I would have been joining with the Israelites.  I think the problem lies in that some confuse the terms "Israel" with "Jews", they think both words are synonymous (I use too), but not true.  Remember there are two houses of Israel, Ephraim and the tribes with him became known as Israel or Ephraim, the Northern Kingdom.  Judah and the tribes with him became known as Judah, the Southern Kingdom, or the Jews.  Occasionally both tribes are referred to together as "Israel".  Ephraim became the first born and it was prophesied that he would multiply and become the multitude of nations (Gentiles) that Abraham was told about in Genesis 48:19.  The phrase "multitude of nations" can just as accurately be translated as "fullness of the Gentiles" (Romans 11:25) when it is noted that all Israel shall be saved when the "fullness of the Gentiles" have come in (Ephraim = Fullness of the Gentiles).  The term, "Jew", is often referred to as all Israelites, but in reality it is only those from the Tribe of Judah, the Southern Kingdom, who has the scepter & leadership -- a protector of the Law.  So actually, most of those of Israel are not "Jews".

"There in neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Messiah Yahshua.  And if ye be Messiah's then are ye Abraham's see and heirs according to the promise."
Galatians 3:28-29

Both Jew & Greek/Gentile are lost and headed for eternal damnation unless they put their faith in Messiah Yahshua (Jesus Christ).  That's the way it's always been (since the time of Genesis) and always will be..."by faith..." (Hebrews 11).

We celebrate Hanukkah because it's FUN!

It's often said that if you take something away, especially with young children, you should have something to put in it's place.  Now, that's not why we celebrate Hanukkah.  Yes, we removed Christmas from our home, but we don't have little children that need a replacement holiday.  In fact, I think our children (ages 17 & 20) were ready to ditch Christmas a year or two ago as we have been celebrating Hanukkah for a while now and found Hanukkah much more fun than Christmas, and of course, I'm all for the Biblical aspects of it.

Hanukkah is not a Kosher Christmas!

One must be careful not to carry over the pagan customs to yet another holiday that should be all about the Light of the World!  That's why we left Christmas!
Hanukkah is so much better!

Hanukkah is NOT Jesus' birthday (I believe Jesus was likely born during Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, when God chose to "tabernacle" with us (Immanuel), meaning that He would have been conceived nine months earlier, during the season of Hanukkah), then the time of the Feast of Dedication would also commemorate the miracle of the Incarnation!

So there is much to celebrate!

Well, I have gone on way to long!  Sorry for the delay in this post, but between my mother being rushed to the hospital with congestive heart failure, our celebration of Hanukkah, family gatherings, and birthdays, I'm just now getting back to the ole routine.

In my next and final post of this series, I will share just what we did this past Hanukkah in celebration of
the Light of the World!

love, jane

Goodbye to Christmas (Part II): Why?

Welcome back!  This is the second installment to my multi-post series about our family saying "Goodbye to Christmas".  If you are just joining in, I recommend you first read my last post, "Goodbye to Christmas (Part I)",  which I think pretty much explains my heart for these posts. ♥  It's the story of our family's journey in making opposite-world changes and how we celebrate the holidays.

A Confession

How many times have I wished I knew then what I know now; and I'm sure I'll think the same thing about now in a few more years. It's embarrassing to think back on the errors of my past.  I blush at the thought of some of the things I have said in the past (or at least thought)! (a moment of blushing)

I must confess that there has been more than one time in the past that I have probably been too judgemental of those who never seem to acknowledge that "Jesus is the Reason for the Season"; who treated Christmas in a secular fashion -- perhaps via Christmas cards or a store policy where saying "Merry Christmas" was banned from employees.

    

  So now here I am eating crow -- I was terribly wrong!  I thought Jesus was the reason for the season, at least that is what I was always taught, only to find out that He is NOT, not originally, nor should He be now.

A Prompting of Change

Now I understand the arguments... I had them too.
Here are some of the top arguments that I once had and the Bible verses that prompted me to leave Christmas behind.  After all, who can argue with God?
(Special Thanks to 119 Ministries for such cool graphics that fit nicely with what I'm trying to say ~ I like pictures :)). 

1. One might say it was a pagan holiday, but the pagan associations were lost long ago. 

It is widely known and published in hundreds of sources and encyclopedias (both Christian & secular) that December 25th was a pagan holiday rooted in cultic sun god worship; celebrating the "Birth of the Sun" to sun god Mithra worshipers as well as the time of the Saturnalia festivities to Rome's pagan god, Saturn. It's a big day steeped in pagan roots.  And although it may seem a bit out-there around our circle of friends, believe it or not, some pagans still do worship the sun and Mithra worship is now having a rebirth.  Yes, it is very good to think on the LORD any and every day, but to specifically celebrate Christ on a day that was set aside for heathen worship, adopting pagan sun god ways and traditions to worship & celebrate the One True God is totally contrary to God's Word.

"You shall not behave thus toward the Lord your God, for every abominable act which the Lord hates they have done for their gods; for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods."  Deuteronomy 12:31

 "You shall not act like this [copy the pagan's worshiped of their idols] toward the Lord your God. But you shall seek the Lord at the place which the Lord your God will choose..." Deuteronomy 12:4-5a  The LORD is very specific throughout His Word as to how and even where we should worship Him!

^"Thus says the Lord, “Do not learn the way of the nations, And do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens, Although the nations are terrified by them;" Jeremiah 10:2

Our same LORD that said He does not change (Malachi 3:6) and Jesus who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8) does not change His mind.  What was an abomination back then is still an abomination today, God detests it! 

2. We Christianized it long ago -- Jesus is the reason for the season!

Not really.  Here is what happened in a nutshell...The Church of Rome was unable to eradicate the heathen celebration of Saturnalia, so the Church of Rome, sometime in the 4th century (before 336 A.D.), designated a fest of the Nativity to be observed, an assimilation with the Mithraic festival of the birth of the sun.  Basically all the heathen practices in worshiping their false gods were retained; the Catholic Church just decided to label it Jesus' birthday to make it okay -- if you can't beat them, join them, right?  Christmas is an adaptation of a pagan festival and "what hath light to do with darkness?"  But in 1555 it was forbidden again due to such pagan practices.  The Pilgrims who came to America in 1620 were strict Puritans and didn't celebrate Christmas.  Christmas was outlawed in Boston from 1659-1681.  The great reform pastor, C.H. Spurgeon, spoke of Christmas in several of his sermons, "There are no probabilities whatever that our Savior Jesus Christ was born on that day [Dec. 25th] and the observance of it is purely of Popish origin" (1855); "the "holy" days were arranged to fit in with the heathen festivals" (1871).

Another thing worth mentioning is that the world LOVES Christmas, yet Jesus even warned that the world hates Him. Why does the world love Christmas, because of course, it has all to do with the vanity and greed of mankind. Just pay attention to all the ads now days... "Merry Moolah, Happy Honda Days", etc., and then there's Joe Boxer of course (rolling eyes).  One might be hard pressed to find anything that speaks of a Christian holy day because we all know we don't want to offend an Atheist or Muslim with the mention of Christ on a so-called Christian holiday, yet the stores sure don't mind your sales. 

3. The pagan thing, that's not what it means to me...

No, I'm sure it doesn't.  But what we think doesn't mean a hill of beans.  The important thing is what God sees.  If we say we are doing Bible/God things, then we must do them Bible/God's way.  God specifically warns against taking what He calls an abomination and using it to worship Him.

4. Besides, I don't worship a tree...

AnneElliott.com/The Day We Took the Christmas Tree Down

Perhaps not (although just suggest removing it from some homes and you might hear some protest), but why even bring one into our homes and decorate it?  What does a tree have to do with the birth of Christ?  This practice was a carryover from heathen worship.  The One True God of the Bible tells us to not worship & celebrate Him in the same way the heathens worship & celebrate their false gods.    

5. God knows my heart, I'm sincere.

Shall we obey our heart or the Word of God?  Remember what the Bible says about our hearts... "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9

6. We celebrate the birthday of baby Jesus, "Jesus it the Reason for the Season".

If Jesus is the Reason, why is it not mentioned in the Bible?

Nowhere in the Bible does it state the date of Jesus' birth, but it is well known that it was NOT on December 25 nor in winter for that matter, but in the fall, believed to be at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles (The LORD's Feasts are perfect).  Jesus never instructed us to celebrate His or anyones' birthday.  In fact, birthday celebration only seemed to be the practice of the heathen as seen in the Bible with Pharaoh (Genesis 40:20) and Herod (Matthew 14:6 & Mark 6:21).  The Bible tells us, "A good name is better than a good ointment, And the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth." Ecclesiastes 7:1    

7. Does God care how I worship Him as long as I worship Him?

Yes, God does care very much and it should care to us as well.  All our Christmas traditions are adopted from pagan customs from the worship of their false gods (the tree, evergreens, wreath, yule log, holly, mistletoe, Santa & elves, everything!).  None of it is rooted in truth; but false gods.

"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.  God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”  John 4:23-24  

We can't pick & choose what parts of God's Word we should obey or ignore, nor can we worship God any way we choose.  The Bible repeatedly admonishes us against everyone doing what is right in their own eyes.  These words are not just for the "bad guys" but to Christians as well.  The Bible is our Owner's Manual for Life!

8. But it's tradition!  What will our family & friends say?

I know, this is the toughy.  But what is more important, to obey our heart, which remember is deceitful; and family traditions, which are here today and gone in a vapor, or our eternal God? 

"And he said unto them, Full well do ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your tradition.  ...making void the Word of God by your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things ye do."  Mark 7:9,13

So after reading all this some may be thinking like I did, "Oh Bummer, now what do I do?" 

Well, that's between you and God, but one thing is for certain, you cannot ignore the Truth.  We are all accountable before God.

One thing I might suggest is don't just take my word for it, but be a Berean...

 "Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so" Acts 17:11

There's a ton of sources on the internet and in hard print that can take you into further study about the subject and far more eloquently than I.

One source that I particularly like is the 2-part online video series (also in transcript) called "Sunburned" by 119 Ministries.  

  

 

 Sunburned - Part 1 | 119 Ministries
http://119ministries.com/sunburned-part-2

Another SUPER one is "Truth or Tradition" by Passion for Truth Ministries.
This teaching on symbols of Christmas, Easter, and Churches will SHOCK You as it did me!
I wish everybody would watch this one.

http://passionfortruth.com/media/video/ouf86082/j4a7qg1g

   I guess for me personally, it wasn't what any one person said, but what the Word of God said that was so convincing to me.  If I truly say that I wish to take God at His Word, then I better put my words into action.  After all, it's all for Him, right?  If people reject me for this, well then, that's nothing compared to what He went through for me. ♥




Family, friends, and strangers won't understand such a 180°.  Some may be offended thinking we just want to appear holier than Thou, which is far from our intent.  Seriously, I wouldn't care if anyone knew what we were doing (it sure would be easier), but I wanted to share as I know some of my readers are traveling down this same road or thinking about it.  And I have to say, I am certainly not anyone's Holy Spirit, nor do I want to be.  I'm too busy trying to get my own life straight to worry about yours.  (uh, that sounded uncaring didn't it?  But I hope you know what I mean.  I'm not preaching at anyone.)

Just because we don't do Christmas doesn't mean we don't LOVE the LORD, nor does it mean that we don't love those that do Christmas.  I don't go crazy over it -- if someone wishes me a Merry Christmas, I'll still smile big and return a hearty greeting.  We still love joining the extended family for food and fellowship, just don't expect me to initiate a "Christmas-themed tea", as fun as that might be :).

Alright, I've went on way too long.
Next time I'll post about what we do -- Hanukkah.

Love you guys!
jane 

Goodbye to Christmas (Part I)

 Goodbye to Christmas (Part I)

What I'm about to share is just that... I'm sharing...

 our journey.
I'm not here to argue with or belittle anyone ~ or cause division or hard feelings.  I'm simply sharing

the story of our family.
It's yet another opposite-world change we have been making at our home for over the past ten years -- undergoing a huge transformation as we attempt to weed out many of the teachings, customs, & traditions of today's Christian faith that are simply not Biblical; that is, either not in the Bible, or often contrary to God's teachings.



No, Mr. Grinch & Mr. Scrooge did not come to visit; nor was it the result of an eggnog-induced whim.  What took place at our house this past week has been a long-time brewing... ten years to be exact!  And although I'm more of the visionary/impulsive one in our family & apt for change, as we all know, most families don't operate that way nor does God usually work on the hearts of everyone in the same way at the same pace.  However, over the years we have ever-so gradually changed our family's Christmas (& Easter) traditions until finally last week we loaded up the van with our artificial tree and Christmas decor and headed to the thrift store.

I can't say this was super easy; no, no tears were shed, but it was the end of an era for our family.  It was saying goodbye to some long-time traditions wrapped up in fond memories and putting the final nail in the coffin (as to speak) -- sealing our decision.  And, I must admit, there were a couple of items that weren't cheap... someone is going to get a great deal. :)  Yet it was very freeing at the same time.



  Now I have to admit, there is a strong draw to the allure & romance of the season for sure.  The malls & main streets are just so festive with all the lights & music -- everyone is caught up in the shopping and giving/receiving of gifts.  People are smiling and everything is decked out in it's finest.

But, as hard as this is to say (and believe me, I really don't wish to sound this harsh), isn't that just like satan to pull out all the stops to entice even the best of us?  (Speaking to myself here as I, more than anyone, can get so caught up in the romance, the decor, and the festivities of the season.)  Yet, as our family began to really learn the pagan meaning behind everything Christmas, the allure began to fade.  By the time Christmas rolled around last year, even with the very little bit of decorations we still had left from years of purging, the whole idea of putting up a tree became more of a dreaded chore for the girls -- our hearts just weren't in it.

Next time you will hear a confession and a little about what really spoke to me/us that prompted such a 180° change in our holiday celebrations