December 19, 2008
CELEBRATING HANUKKAH
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CELBRATING A PAGAN HOLIDAY
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CELEBRATING HANUKKAH VS CELEBRATING A PAGAN HOLIDAY--What do you choose? Part 1
The Lord has been speaking to Janet and I about aligning ourselves with the Bible and the Jewish calendar and breaking the pagan Christian deception out of our lives. One of the biggest areas is Christmas. It is a sham (using Colin's favorite term) what the world has made of the birth of our Savior. It is really only a time to push business and merchandise. In New Zealand, Taiwan and Hong Kong this year the displays that you see in the stores and around town have very little to do with Jesus. There are snowmen, angels, santa claus, court jesters etc. No babe in a manger. What a sham! What a travesty! Even the music is more towards jingle bells and I'm dreaming of a white Christmas. In Hong Kong there are more songs of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and in Taiwan there are some but I heard very few in New Zealand. The season of Christmas brings with it the highest level of suicides and depression; more than other time of the year! What a difference from the angels that had exceedingly great joy over the birth of our Savior. The reality is that Jesus was not even born on the 25th of December. He was probably born in September or October on the Feast of Tabernacles. When Janet and I first came to the Lord we recognized many of these things and for a number of years we did not celebrate Christmas but over the years we compromised our convictions regarding this and the Lord has brought us back to Biblical truth over the last couple of years. This is not to condemn anyone of our dear family or friends but it is to challenge you that you will give an account to the Lord for what you do. Please consider the following perspective of many Messianic Believers and a growing number of gentile believers regarding the traditions of Christmas.
Tradition
Sometimes tradition is acceptable and perhaps even pleasing in the sight of Yahweh. 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 Yahushua the Messiah:
Matt 15:1 (NKJV) Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Yahushua, 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 Encyclopędia 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.
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, Yahweh 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 Yahweh! 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 have is to decorate a tree that they had cut down and fasten it so that would not topple. Yahweh 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 (Satan 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 Yahweh. You don't have to look very far in the word of Yahweh to find out how much he loathes idolatry and lies. Yahweh 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 Yahweh the originator of this holiday? Or is it the father of lies? Yahushua 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 Yahweh will be glad when the two witnesses of Yahweh 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 Yahweh to practice these traditions, it is also a sin to take these traditions of pagans and apply them to the worship of Yahweh.
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 Yahweh 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 Yahweh your Elohim in that way; for every abomination to Yahweh 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 YAHWEH 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 Yahweh. 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 Yahweh? 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 Yahweh and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of Yahweh's table and of the table of demons.
Which table will you choose? I hope it is Yahweh's table..
This is from http://www.eliyah.com/
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CELEBRATING HANUKKAH VS CELEBRATING A PAGAN HOLIDAY What do you choose? Part 2
HANUKKAH
Hanukkah is not a feast that is found in the Bible but there is much in the feast which tells us of Yeshua (Jesus), and as you go through it, you will see certain parallelisms. Because the Biblical Feasts are dated from the lunar calendar, this year in 2008, Hanukkah's first night of the 8 nights, starts on Sunday, December 21. (The Biblical calendar expresses it as the 25th day of \the month Kislev). We will give a brief summary first, and then the practical tips will be listed below that.
Brief History: Hanukkah's other names are the Festival of Lights or the Feast of Dedication. This feast commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the wicked Greek King Antiochus and the Hellenistic Syrians, who were trying to force Jews to bow down to idols, and to stop all Jewish rituals. In 168BCE they seized the Jewish temple, and used it for worshiping Zeus. Some Jews were so full of fear that they did not retaliate; but a small yet tough Jewish family called the Maccabees, led by the priestly Hasmoneans, revolted at Modi'in, and stood up for righteousness, thereby saving the Jewish race. One of them called Mattathius, rose up and slew a fellow Jew who had weakened by offering to comply to pagan worship, thereby betraying the Jews. Mattathius also killed the Greek officer who had demanded Jews worship idols and eat pig, both of which are forbidden in the Torah. (If he had not done this, the Jews would have been wiped out, and our Jewish Messiah Yeshua would never have been born to save us.) After this brave encounter, they found much destruction in the temple, so in 165BCE they cleaned it up and rededicated the ransacked temple that Antiochus had used to put a non-"kosher" pig on the altar. The idea of lighting the candles comes from the fact that a real miracle happened after the Maccabees found only one flask of oil left to light the damaged temple "m'norrah", and it actually stayed lit for 8 days amidst great celebrations!
To Christians, it has a special significance, in that Yeshua (Jesus) was conceived during Hanukkah as the Light of the World! (He was born 9 months later at "Sukkot" - the Feast of Tabernacles). Apparently, the "Magnificat" (Lk.21:46) that Miriam (Mary) sang in response to the Angel Gavriel (Gabriel's) announcement that she would mother a child named Yeshua, was part of the ancient liturgy for Hanukkah itself!
Do try to keep your commemoration of the event separate from Christmas. That is easy to do when the dates do not collide, but this year they DO!
Here are some guidelines as to how you can celebrate Hanukkah nightly right in your home.
1) Buy or make a "hanukkiah" (haw-noo-KEE-yah). That's a 9 sticked candelabra. Buy enough candles for lighting fresh ones each of the 8 nights = 72. They don't have to be big ones - the little ones are available at Jewish stores, and sometimes at supermarkets. You can buy a "hanukkiah" from a Jewish store on-line. Sometimes you can find them in second-hand stores too. You can even have a contest in which you notify folks 2 weeks in advance to your Hanukkah party (via your e-mailing and phone lists) that they have to make and bring their own "hanukkiah" to the party. There will be quite an astonishing variety that will show up. You can choose a winner, and give him/her a small prize.
2) At nightfall, appoint someone (even a child) to light the first candle (it also can be just you yourself!) - and light the end candle first. Look up the Hanukkah prayers on http://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/103874/jewish/Blessings.htm
After this, put out your match and use the end candle, the "shamash" (sha-MASH) , the "servant candle" to light the first candle. (Sometimes it's on the extreme right and sometimes it stands in the centre by itself. Put the "shamash" back into its place. And then stop - don't blow out either candle!) That's all you light the first night. The second night, you add one more, and then the third night, the third one as well, till the last night when ALL the candles are lit - still by the "shamash" which lights all the rest throughout the week - not the SAME candle, as it is fresh each night. To us as Christians, we see the parallelism in our Messiah Yeshua Who took upon Himself to be a servant to us all, Who "lights" up our lives!
3) Recite the "hallel" - Ps. 11-118.
4) Sing a Hannukah song. Download these from the Internet. Here's one - http://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/600995/jewish/Maoz-Tzur.htm
It has a recording, and Hebrew and English words written out below. Or sing any worship song you know that has to do with LIGHT or DEDICATION or STANDING strong. Merla Watson has written several songs for Christians to sing at Hanukkah - here's one called "Father of Lights". Look it up on our web site: www.mervandmerla.coIt's listed under "New Messianic Songs" in a book with many feast songs in it.
5) Cook the traditional food (Google this = Hannukah traditional food or recipes), or order from a Jewish delicatessen or supermarket grocery store ahead of time. First the "latkes" (LAT-kuz) = shredded potato pancakes served with homemade apple sauce, and "suvgani'ot" (soov-ga-nee-OHT) = jelly filled donuts. Recipes of both can be found on the Internet. Just Google it. Lots of folks have a "latke" making party beforehand or as even part of their party the same night..
6) Traditionally, small gifts are exchanged during this time as well.
7) Find a small "dreidel" (special spinning top) at a Jewish store, or order one on-line. It has a big Hebrew letter on each side of its square sides, which is an acronym of 4 Hebrew alphabet letters standing for: "A big miracle happened there!" During the time of persecution in ancient history, while the Jews were really studying Torah, if they heard the Greek soldiers at the door, they quickly snatched their "dreidels" from their pockets, pretending to be playing with them, and not reading Torah. There are "dreidel" games and other Hanukkah games on the Internet.
8) Appoint someone to read the story of Hannukah. Download one rendition from the internet.
9) If you are part of a community, you could have the festivities at a different home each night.
10) Try to involve kids as much as possible - in the lighting of the "Hannukiah", in baking cookies, in helping with the cooking or baking, in singing along with the songs, and in playing games with the "dreidel".
And by the way, Hanukkah is not pronounced "han" as in our word "hand" but you pronounce it "haw" as in "HOLLow". So it would sound "HAW=noo-kaw". Even better if you can do a guttural sound for the first "H" - like the German "iCH" or the Scottish "LOCH Lomond". THERE! You HAVE it!
You can find other information about Hanukkah on our web site under the BLOG button or under the FEASTS button.
www.mervandmerla.com
That's it! HAPPY HANUKKAH - starting Sun. Dec. 21 for a whole week.
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Thank You so much for your continued Prayers!
Janet and I are always grateful for your continued support for us. May the Lord bless you richly!
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