The Truth About Christmas

1. The Truth About Christmas Hotep-Ndugu INC. wamwara@gmail.com

2. Objectives • To discuss the origins of the Christmas holiday • Topic Areas Include • The Winter Solstice • Mithras (The Roman Sun God) • The birth-date of Jesus • The Council Of Nicea • The Wise Men

3. Objectives • The Symbols of Christmas • The Christmas tree • Saint Nicholas (Santa Clause) • The Yule Log • Wreaths, Holly, Mistletoe • Giving Gifts • Etc.

4. The Winter Solstice • The Winter Solstice, also known as Midwinter, occurs around December 21 or 22 each year in the Northern hemisphere, and June 20 or 21 in the Southern Hemisphere. It occurs on the shortestday or longestnight of the year, often said to mark the beginning of a hemisphere's astronomical winter. The word solstice derives from Latin, Winter Solstice meaning Sun set still in winter. Worldwide, interpretation of the event varies from culture to culture, but most hold a recognition of rebirth, involving festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations. Many cultures celebrate or celebrated a holiday near the winter solstice

5. The Winter Solstice • Historically known as midwinter • Occurs around Dec. 21-24 • It occurs on the shortest day or the longest night of the year • In astronomy the winter solstice is when the sun is at the greatest distance from the celestial equator

6. The Winter Solstice • Celebrations were held by various groups of European people during the time of the winter solstice • The celebrations were to honor the sun who they thought died during the autumn and rose or was born again during the solstice • They believed this because during the autumn they saw the sun getting further and further away from the earth and they thought that the sun was in its dying phase, during the solstice the sun would rise up during the 3 days of the solstice and was born again

7. Mithras (The Roman Sun God) • Mithras was the god of the sun worshipped by the Romans, this god was first worshipped by Persia a thousand years before the Romans worshipped him • Other names for this god include Apollo • Romans took the cult of Mithraism in 1st to 4th AD. They praised Mithras, the sun god or the son of god, Jupiter, during the midwinter celebration, the winter solstice. • Mithras date of birth or the day of his rebirth was on the 25th of December after the solstice took place

8. Mithras (The Roman Sun God) Jupiter- King of the Gods Juno- Queen of the Gods Neptune- God of the Sea Pluto- God of Death Mithras- God of the Sun Diana- Goddess of the Moon Mars- God of War Venus- Goddess of Love Cupid- God of Love Mercury- Messenger of the Gods Minerva- Goddess of Wisdom Ceres- The Earth Goddess Proserpine- Goddess of the Underworld Vulcan- The Smith God Bacchus- God of Wine

9. The Birth Date of Jesus Luke 2:22 Mary takes Jesus to the temple after his birth when the days of her purification were complete • And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord

10. The Birth Date of Jesus Leviticus 12:1-4 If a mile child is born the time of purification is 40 days Lev 12:5 If a female child is born the days of purification is 80 days 40 days after Jesus is born Mary takes him to Jerusalem to be presented to the Lord Luke 2:22 • 1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, • 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. • 3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. • 4 And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.

11. Luke 2:36-37 • 36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; • 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. • Anna the prophetess was at the temple when Mary brings Jesus after her days of purification, and she was there night and day

12. The Birth Date of Jesus • The only time a year when Hebrew/ Jewish temples were/are open 24 hours a day was one time a year. • This time of year is known as the Day of Atonement. This celebration today is known as Yom Kippur

13. The Day Of Atonement • Leviticus 23:26-32 • 26 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, • 27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. • 28 And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God. • 29 For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. • 30 And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people. • 31 Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. • 32 It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath. The key point s to this verse are the dates of this celebration and the times of this celebration. The 10th day of the 7th month is when the day of atonement takes place. On the ninth day from eve to eve you shall celebration your sabbath, this celebration was a sabbath unto you. This means that from the night of the 9th day of the 10th month to the night of the 10th day of the 10th month you were to celebrate this sabbath by going to the temple or church with fastings and prayers.

14. Hebrew/Jewish Calendar Hebrew Months ABIB ZIF SIVAN TAMMUZ AB ELUL ETHANIM BUL KISLEV TEBET SHEBAT ADAR

15. The Birth Date of Jesus • The Jewish calendar is a lunisolar calendar, or "fixed lunar year," based on twelve lunar months of twenty-nine or thirty days, with an intercalary lunar month added seven times every nineteen years (once every two to three years) to synchronize the twelve lunar cycles with the slightly longer solar year. Each Jewish lunar month starts with the new moon; although originally the new lunar crescent had to be observed and certified by witnesses, the timing of the new moon is now mathematically determined.

16. The Birth Date of Jesus • The twelve regular months include: Nisan (30 days), Iyar (29 days),Sivan (30 days), Tammuz (29 days), Av (30 days), Elul (29 days), Tishri (30 days), Marcheshvan (29 or 30 days), Kislev (29 or 30 days), Tevet (29 days), Shevat (30 days), and Adar (29 days). In the leap years an additional month, Adar II (30 days) is added.

17. The Birth Date of Jesus Exodus 12:2 This passage of the Bible speaks on the instituted concept, or law, from God of the passover • 1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying, • 2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you

18. The Birth Date of Jesus Deuteronomy 16:1 This passage shows that in the month of Abib the celebration of the passover shall be observed. Abib is the month that the Lord brought the children of Israel out of Egypt Abib today is called Nisan. In the calendar of the western world this month is April. Abib is the first month of the new year according to the Bible • 1 Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.

19. The Birth Date of Jesus • Ethanim today is called Tishri. This is the 7th month • In the calendar of the western world this month is October • The Day of Atonement falls on the 10th day of the 7th month, this would be the 10th of Tishri/Ethanim or the 10th of October. • Trshri is a month with 30 days in it. The month before Elul has 29.

20. The Birth Date of Jesus • Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary • Catholic holiday celebrated on December 8th • It is one of the few Holy days of obligation on the Church calendar -- that is, all Catholics are obligated to attend Mass on this day • This feast which is given the Rank of Solemnity in the liturgical calendar has been celebrated since the seventh century. It is the celebration of the conception of Mary, the Mother of God, by St. Anne. Pope Clement XI in 1708, in his bull, CommissiNobis, established the feast as a Solemnity for the entire Church. • December 8th to the end of August beginning of September = 9 months, the time it takes to carry a child

21. The Birth Date of Jesus • If Mary brought Jesus to the temple after the days of her purification were complete during a day or time when the only time the temples/church were open 24 hours a day then this means that she gave birth either on the 30th of Av or the 1st of Elul • Which ever day it is doesn’t matter what matters is that Jesus, according to the Bible, was not born on December 25

22. Council Of Nicea • The newly-converted Emperor Constantine had hoped Christianity would be the uniting force of his empire. He was thus distressed to hear of the dispute over Arianism, which held that Christ was greater than man but inferior to God. In 325, Constantine called the Council of Nicea with full confidence that the bishops could work out their differences.

23. Council Of Nicea • The gathering must have been a moving sight to behold. After centuries of persecution, Christian bishops from across the Empire journeyed to Nicea under state protection to discuss theological problems with the help of the Emperor. Official persecution had been so recent that many of the bishops still bore its scars; Constantine himself is said to have kissed the eyeless cheek of one attendee.

24. Council Of Nicea • The Council of Nicea condemned the teachings of Arius and adopted a creed outlining correct belief about the Son's relationship to the Father. The council was the first to include bishops from several different regions, and is thus considered the first "ecumenical council" of the church

25. Council Of Nicea • Although many other local synods were held, seven important councils were attended by representatives of churches throughout the empire, and were therefore "ecumenical." All three main branches of Christianity - Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant - consider the decisions of these seven councils to be authoritative. Roman Catholics recognize several more.

26. Council Of Nicea • Emperor Constantine of Rome calls the Bishops of the Roman empire to council in the town of Nicea to resolve disagreements over the nature of Jesus in relation to the Roman church • Council Established in 325 AD • Jesus is the son of God • Celebration of the resurrection • Making the midwinter celebration/birth of the sun god Mithras the date of birth of the Son of God, Jesus Christ

27. Council Of Nicea • 250 of the 1800 bishops attended and voted on these matters as well as the principles of Christianity • The Roman church under the leadership of Emperor Constantine made a Pagan celebration into the celebration of the birth of the Christ • We call this celebration today Christmas

28. The Wise Men • Christmas Myth • 3 wise men rode on camel back to see the baby Jesus in the manger. Once they got to the manger and saw the baby Jesus they gave him silver and gold • Truth • This story is just that. A story. The bible says nothing about 3 wise men ridding on camels to bring gifts to the baby Jesus in the manger

29. Matthew 2:1-2 • 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, • 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. This passage of the bible show that there were no set number of wise men that came nor does it state how that came to Jerusalem The traditional notion that there were 3 stems from the number of gifts that were given unto Jesus 2:2 Saying. This present participle conveys the idea of continuous action. It suggest they went around the city questioning everyone they met Who were these wise men and where did they come from?

30. Genesis 25:5-6 • 5 And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac. • 6 But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country. Abraham gives gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them to the country of the east

31. Genesis 21:14, 21 • 14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. • 21 And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt. This passage show that Hagar, a concubine of Abraham, was sent away with her son Ishmael, they departed and wandered into the wilderness of Beersheba In verse 21 it reads how Ishmael and his mother dwelt in the wilderness of Paran The wilderness of Beersheba and the wilderness of Paran lye in the southeast area of Canaan, in what is now Isreal’s Negev desert Hagar and Ishmael and the concubines of Abraham with their sons went to east into these wildernesses These descendants were angry and upset that the first born birthright were not bestowed unto them, Deuteronomy 21:15-17 (Firstborn Inheritance Rights), and for this they were and still against the children of Israel.

32. Judges 6:3 • 3 And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them; This passage shows that the children of the east or the children of the descendants of Ishmael were up against Israel

33. Judges 7:12 • 12 And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude. Supporting verse on the battles between the children of Israel and the people of the east Read this entire story to get a better understanding of this battle and what was going on It is clear that the people of the east had a hatred for Israel by the many battles that they had

34. The Wise Men • These wise men, or Maji, who were from the east and were from the people of the east sought out to find “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” so that they could pay homage to or to worship Jesus Christ

35. Matthew 2:11 • 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. When the wise men found Jesus he was not a baby he was a young child, and when they found him he was not in a manger he was in a house. The bible also states that when they opened up their treasures to him Psalms 72:10 Isaiah 60:6 These two verses states that the gifts of their treasures were praises unto the Lord and they presented to him gold, frankincense, and myrrh these are gifts suitable for a king. So the Story of the 3 wise men ridding on camel back to the manger to give gifts to the baby Jesus is just that, a Story.

36. The Origin of the Christmas Tree • The tradition of a holiday tree has been around since ancient times and has played an important part in winter celebrations for many centuries. Many pagan festivals used trees when honoring their gods and spirits. In Northern Europe the Vikings considered the evergreen a symbol and reminder that the darkness and cold of winter would end and the green of spring would return. • The Druids of ancient England and France decorated oak trees with fruit and candles to honor their gods of harvests. At the festival Saturnalia the Romans decorated trees with trinkets and candles.

37. The Origin of the Christmas Tree • There have also been many legends surrounding the lore of the Christmas tree. In one story Saint Boniface, an English monk, came upon a group of pagans who had gathered around an oak tree and were preparing to sacrifice a child. • To stop the sacrifice and save the child, the Saint flattened the oak tree with one blow of his fist. A small fir sprang up in its place, which Saint Boniface told the pagans was the Tree of Life and represented the life of Christ.

38. The Origin of the Christmas Tree • Another legend tells of Martin Luther, the founder of the Protestant religion, walking through the woods late one night. As it was clear, many stars were shining through the branches of the trees giving the impression of twinkling lights. Luther was so inspired by the beauty of the sight that he cut down a small evergreen and brought it home. He recreated the stars by putting candles on the tree's branches.

39. St. Nicholas • The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made

40. St. Nicholas • Under the Roman Emperor Dioceltian who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council Of Nicaea in AD 325.

41. St. Nicholas • He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day. • How did the kindly Christian saint, good Bishop Nicholas, become a roly-poly red-suited American symbol for merry holiday festivity and commercial activity? History tells the tale. • HIS-STORY tells the tell

42. The Yule Log • In Northern Europe, Winter festivities were once considered to be a Feast of the Dead, complete with ceremonies full of spirits, devils, and the haunting presence of the Norse god, Odin, and his night riders. One particularly durable Solstice festival was "Jol" (also known as "Jule" and pronounced "Yule"), a feast celebrated throughout Northern Europe and particularly in Scandinavia to honor Jolnir, another name for Odin. • Since Odin was the god of intoxicating drink and ecstasy, as well as the god of death, Yule customs varied greatly from region to region. Odin's sacrificial beer became the specially blessed Christmas ale mentioned in medieval lore, and fresh food and drink were left on tables after Christmas feasts to feed the roaming Yuletide ghosts. Even the bonfires of former ancient times survived in the tradition of the Yule Log, perhaps the most universal of all Christmas symbols.

43. Yule Log • The origins of the Yule Log can be traced back to the Midwinter festivals in which the Norsemen indulged...nights filled with feasting, "drinking Yule" and watching the fire leap around the log burning in the home hearth. The ceremonies and beliefs associated with the Yule Log's sacred origins are closely linked to representations of health, fruitfulness and productivity • In England, the Yule was cut and dragged home by oxen or horses as the people walked alongside and sang merry songs. It was often decorated with evergreens and sometimes sprinkled with grain or cider before it was finally set alight.

44. The Yule Log • To all European races, the Yule Log was believed to bring beneficial magic and was kept burning for at least twelve hours and sometimes as long as twelve days, warming both the house and those who resided within. When the fire of the Yule Log was finally quenched, a small fragment of the wood would be saved and used to light the next year's log. • It was also believed that as long as the Yule Log burned, the house would be protected from witchcraft. The ashes that remained from the sacred Yule Log were scattered over fields to bring fertility, or cast into wells to purify and sweeten the water. Sometimes, the ashes were used in the creation of various charms...to free cattle from vermin, for example, or to ward off hailstorms.

45. Wreaths, Holly, Mistletoe • The ancient Greeks, and Romans, used evergreen leaves and garlands to make headdresses that were awarded as prizes to Olympic athletes, military hero’s, kings and others. Athletes received wreaths of Laurel, military hero’s received wreaths made from olive branches. Members of the aristocracy began adding jewels and precious metals to these headdresses, creating what became the Crown. The word crown comes from the Latin word corona which means wreath or garland. The bible associates Christmas wreaths with joy, triumph and honor. • In Christianity the holiday wreath represents the circle, and likewise is given as a symbol of eternity. When made of evergreen leaves and branches the Christmas wreaths symbolize everlasting life with the green color symbolizing hope and new life. It was somewhere during the 15th century that the wreath began to be used as a hanging decoration

46. Wreaths, Holly, Mistletoe • The Holly, which is strongly linked with Christmas, has a history of its own. Though Christmas Holly history has its roots in Northern Europe, the sanctity of the Holly plant has a pagan origin. • The Holly plant is characterized by green leaves that have a prickly nature and it was the Druids who used to adorn their heads with twigs of the Holly plant whenever they went to the forest.

47. Wreaths, Holly, Mistletoe • The Romans offered Holly to Saturn during the time of Saturnalia festival as it was taken into account that the Holly was the sacred plant of Saturn. They not only embellished the image of Saturn with Holly but also gifted each other holly chaplets (flower arrangement used for ornamental purposes). • The Christians in order to avoid ill treatment, made Holly a part of their Christmas decorations. It is interesting to note that with the passage of time Holly’s association with the Christmas Festival became strong as it became one of the important Christmas Symbols, and in the way lost its connection with its roots.

48. Wreaths, Holly, Mistletoe • The history and origin of the Christmas mistletoe can be traced back to the ancient Scandinavian custom as well as to the Norse myth. The Scandinavian people believed mistletoe to be a plant of peace. Even if enemies happened to pass beneath the plant, they had to lay down their arms and call truce at least until the next day. Slowly and gradually, this custom gave rise to the kissing tradition that is still in vogue • However, Christmas mistletoe is also very much associated with one of the Norse myths, known as the myth of Baldur.Baldur, the God of vegetation, was the son of Norse goddess, Frigga. When he was born, Frigga made each and every plant, animal and even inanimate object promise that it will never ever harm Baldur.

49. Wreaths, Holly, Mistletoe • Somehow, the mistletoe plant escaped the attention of Frigga and Loki, the enemy of Baldur, took advantage of this lapse. He tricked one of the other Gods into killing Baldur with a spear made of mistletoe. • With the death of Baldur, winters came into this world. • To correct this situation, the Gods restored Baldur to life. After this incident, Frigga pronounced the mistletoe to be a sacred plant, which would bring love in the world, rather than death. From then onwards, whenever two people pass under mistletoe, they kiss and celebrate Baldur's resurrection. Apart from the customs and myths, the Christmas mistletoe has also been associated with kissing as it is regarded as an aphrodisiac.

50. Conclusion • The lecture has provided you with a lot of information of the celebration about Christmas. All of which is factual and can be found through simple research. I implore you to take what I have shown you as a starting point to free you mind of the grip that this holiday has on us. • The celebration of Christmas is the celebration of a false god • Exodus 20:3 • You shall have no other gods before me