Christmas is supposed to be all about Jesus Christ and His birth into this world, but is it? It seems that much of what we know as Christmas today is not from the Bible but rather from old or even ancient traditions, customs and beliefs and it contains many elements of paganism, as well as excess commercialism.
Scripture tells us not to take any part in paganism nor to mix Christianity with any other religion – known as syncretism – in any way. So does Christmas really all belong to pagans, or not? These days there are many YouTube documentaries about Christmas which claim there are many things about Christmas today which have their origins in paganism.
Some of the claims made by those wanting to prove that Christians should not celebrate Christmas are not quite accurate. In fact, there is evidence that early Christians may indeed have celebrated Christ’s birth, but we cannot be sure of that. We do know for sure that Halloween is a celebration day that belongs wholly to satanists, but that doesn’t seem to be the case with Christmas. Is paganism really the reason for the season? Or is it all about the birth of Jesus Christ?
We know from scripture there was no room at the inn when Messiah was born into this world but he is no longer a baby born in a stable, rather King of Kings and Lord of Lords – yet there is often little room for Jesus and His words at Christmas. But should we really give up Christmas completely and not celebrate Christmas – or the birth of Jesus Christ – at all? Or would it better just to jettison the pagan elements of it and make it all about Jesus and God’s word?
Did the grinch really steal Christmas?
The 25th of December is a day of celebration for pagans as it is the winter soltice according to the Julian calendar. This time of year is also when the Romans celebrated Saturnalia and indulged in several days of feasts, gift-giving and general merrymaking in honour of their God, Saturn. We know that Jesus could not even have been born at this time of year as shepherds watched their flocks by night in March to November, and not in winter.
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy — the Son of God.” Lk 1:35
“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Lk 2:1-14
This is the only time in scripture Jesus mentioned His birth
“Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Jn 18:37
Scripture says this about whether we should celebrate certain days – or not
“Therefore let no one pass judgement on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.” Co 2:16-23 ESV
“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgement on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgement on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honour of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honour of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honour of the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. Why do you pass judgement on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God; for it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’
“So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not pass judgement on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgement on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” Ro 14:1-23 ESV
What about the Holly and the Ivy and Wreaths and Christmas Trees?
Pagans believe that evergreens have special powers and that they represent fertility and new life. As evergreen leaves do not wither and continue to provide food and shelter in the darkness and harsh conditions of winter, so they are believed to signifiy immortality and eternal life. It is true that evergreens featured strongly in paganism, as decoration generally and especially on celebration days, and as markers of status and bravery or accomplishment. As trees, and particularly evergreen trees, have always figured strongly in many forms of pagan worship, it would be understandable if a Christian decided he did not want to have a Christmas tree as part of Christmas celebrations.
So then what about Father Christmas – or Santa?
There are various stories about how Father Christmas or Santa came into being. It is as if Santa has several identities rolled into one, as if he is a multi-faced character, or an amalgam of several different characters. Some claim he was originally St Nicholas who is sometimes called the patron saint of children. He is also known as “Nicholas the Wonderworker” because of the many miracles attributed to him. “Old Nick” is also one of the names of the devil. Coincidence? Perhaps!
It is said that Santa originally wore a green costume which was changed to red indicating that Santa was the green man, and/or the holly king, who really is the devil. Others say Santa is Nimrod and there certainly is a resemblance.
Christmas was greatly popularied by the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas”, also known as “T’was the Night Before Christmas” written by Clement Clarke Moore in 1821. In that poem, two of Santa’s reindeers are called Donna and Blitzen which is German for ‘Thunder’ and ‘Lightning’.
It has been said that the true identity of Santa is Odin as he also had a white beard and wore a red costume and rode through the sky. It has also been said that the true identity of Odin is the devil himself. Other parallels have been drawn some of which may be somewhat far-fetched, but some of these pictures are of Odin and the resemblance is clear.
Satan loves to mimic God in every way he can
“There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.” De 33:26
“Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.” Zc 2:6-7
“Verily, I say unto you, He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.” Jn 10:1
“I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.” 1Jn 2:21
“Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Pr 30:6
“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men everywhere to repent.” Ac 17:30
Christmas can be a demon-fest
Some spirits which can common influence people at Christmas are:
Loneliness
Poverty
Fear
Perfection
Anger
Depression
Self-Pity
Gossip
Rejection
Confusion
“Santa” is said to have little helpers who go by various names such as elves, pixies or goblins, etc. Their appearance can be like Satan himself in one of his identities as a type of over-sized gnome and they would be, in fact, demons.
Santa clearly wants to takes the place of God and openly encourages admiration and adoration with the glory which belongs to God alone
“I am the Lord; that is my name. I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to idols.” Is 42:8
“And Jesus answered him, “It is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” Lk 4:8
“Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” Ro 1:25
Other scriptures that can be applied to “Father Christmas”
“Thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blinds the wise, and perverts the words of the righteous.” Ex 23:8
“Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and stop up his mouth that he cannot reprove.” Ec 20:29
“Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.” De 16:19
“But there was a certain man, called S****, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.” Ac 8:9-11
“Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1Jn 4:1
“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?” Ga 3:1
“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Ro 8:7-8
“There shall not be found among you an enchanter or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee.” De 18:10-12
“As ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” 1Jn 2:18
“Why is your apparel red, and your garments like his who treads in the winepress?” Is 63:2
“And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood.” Re 19:13
“His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;” Re 1:14
14 Scriptures about Celebration
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” Ph 4:4
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” Ec 3:1–4
“And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.” Ec 8:15
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Ja 1:17
“Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” Co 2:16–17
“And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.” Lk 15:23–24
“Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” Ps 95:2
“Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” 1Co 5:8
“There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?” Ec 2:24–25
“This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Ps 118:24
“So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Lk 15:4-7
“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Lk 15:8-10
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Ps 100:1-5
“Praise the LORD!
Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens!
Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!
Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD!” Ps 150:1–6
Please note: Inclusion on this site does not imply agreement with or endorsement of anything said by that individual or organisation elsewhere or any links therein. Some information could be doctrinally unsound. Jesus warned us repeatedly about deception in the Last Days. We should pray always for guidance and discernment and test everything against the word of God. “Beloved, believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God, as many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1Jn 4:1 They searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so.” Ac 17:11
How To Discern, Test and Judge Rightly
Does Our Worship Please God
Should Christians Celebrate Halloween
Refutation of Claims Made by Cessationists
Satan’s Biggest Lie “You Shall Not Die”
God Gives Life While Satan Gives Death
Hebrew Roots Movement
How To Help Those in the Occult
Various Levels of Faith
The Biblical Meaning of Grace
What Is the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Christian Testimonies
How to Get Help Through Prayer
Renunciation Prayers
Prayer for Salvation / Deliverance by Pastor John Kyle
Prayer To Renounce Generational Family Iniquity
Prayer To Renounce Unholy /Ungodly Soul Ties
Prayer To Renounce Unforgiveness and Unholy Judgment
Prayer for Self-Deliverance
Prayer for Protection
Prayer To Surrender Burdens (Short)
Prayer To Thank God for Our Saviour
