Santa Claus & The History and Customs of Christmas

Santa Claus

The Americana Encyclopedia says "The beloved image of Santa Claus as a fat, jolly, bearded old man derives from St Nicholas, an austere-looking 4th century Christian [Catholic] bishop of Asia Minor, who was noted for his good works. The idea of gift giving associated with this saint spread from Asia Minor to Europe and was brought by early Dutch settlers. The American writer Washington Irving contributed to the concept of St Nicholas as a laughing holiday figure, and in 1822, Clement Moore composed his 'Visit from St. Nicholas' ("Twas the night before Christmas") with its noted description. But the image of Santa in fur-trimmed dress that ultimately captured the imagination was drawn in the United States by the cartoonist Thomas Nast in 1863."

SANTA IS PRESENTED AS A GOD-LIKE FIGURE.

A. ETERNAL

1. Santa is an Old Man, he has always been, and he will always be. He is Eternal.

2. Jesus is eternal. Rev 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

B. HOME

1. Santa lives in the North Pole.

2. Jesus lives in the Sides of the North. Psalms 48:2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

C. CLOTHING

1. Santa wears red clothes.

2. Jesus will appear in red clothes. Rev 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

D. HAIR

1. Santa has white hair.

2. Jesus will appear with white hair. Rev 1:14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

E. FLYING & GIFTS

1. Santa goes into the air and gives gifts.

2. Jesus ascends on high and gives gifts, especially the Gift of Eternal life. Ephesians 4:7-8 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

F. COMING SOON

1. Santa is coming to Your Town.

2. Jesus is coming to Your Town. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

G. ALL SEEING

1. Santa sees you when you are sleeping, and knows when you're awake.

2. Jesus sees you when you are sleeping, and knows when you're awake. Proverbs 5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.

H. REWARDING WORKS

1. Santa gives his gifts according to whether you are good or bad.

2. Jesus gives his gifts according to whether you are good or bad. Rev 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

I. OMNISCIENT (All Knowing)

1. Santa knows if you have been bad or good.

2. Jesus Knows if you have been bad or good. Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

J. HO! HO!

1. Santa says Ho, ho, ho.

2. Jesus says Ho, ho. Zechariah 2:6 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.

K. OMNIPRESENCE (Everywhere at one time)

1. Santa can come in though the doors are shut.

2. Jesus can come in though the doors are shut. John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. John 20:26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

L. OMNIPRESENCE (Everywhere at one time)

1. Santa can be in one billion homes in a 24 hour period; that is eleven hundred and fifty-seven homes per second, virtually omnipresent.

2. Jesus is Omnipresent. Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

M. OMNIPOTENT - (All Powerful)

1. Santa is powerful enough to carry presents for a billion children. That is Omnipotence.

2. Jesus is Omnipotent. Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

SANTA HAS BEEN GIVEN THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD!!

Should a Christian Lie to his Children?

• Proverbs 19:5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
• Isaiah 44:24-25 Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; That fustrateth the token of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;
• Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

History & Customs of Christmas

December 25

The reason for choosing the day of December 25th as Christ's birthday is usually held that the day was chosen to correspond to pagan festivals that took place around the time of the winter solstice, when the days begin to lengthen, to celebrate the "rebirth of the sun". Northern European tribes celebrated their chief festival of Yule at the winter solstice to commemorate the rebirth of the sun as the giver of light, warmth, and life. The Roman Saturnalia (a festival dedicated to Saturn, the god of agriculture, and to the renewed power of the sun), also took place at this time, and some Christmas customs are rooted in this ancient pagan celebration. The early church did not celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Christ. The Gospels indicate neither the month nor the day on which Christ was born. Although Luke places the birth in a historical perspective, even the year cannot be determined with exactitude. If the date of Christ's birth were of real religious significance, then the day and the month would have been given; as was given in the first passover. Some of the early church fathers, including Origin, stated for the record that it was blasphemous to celebrate this festival.

Most Christian churches except the Armenian Church observe the birth of Christ on December 25. This date was not set in the West until about the middle of the fourth century, and in the East until about a century later. The Armenians follow the old Eastern custom of honoring Christ's birth on January 6, the day of the Epiphany, commemorating in the West chiefly the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus, and in the East, Christ's Baptism. Some churches hold their most elaborate festivals on January 6, and in parts of the United States this date has been celebrated as "Old Christmas" or "Little Christmas". This time, over a century after the beginning of the Roman Catholic Church would account for much. The Catholic practice of assimilating the rituals, images, festivals and even gods of pagan religions, into their brand of Christianity by giving these all "Christian" names or purposes, would explain these dates and their significance. Christmas even in more modern times has not always been remembered with gaiety and good cheer. Excessive frivolity has always been frowned upon by some, and Christmas was not celebrated by the Puritans or Calvinists. When the Puritans came to power in England under Oliver Cromwell in 1642, Christmas celebrations were banned as evidences of anti religious sentiment. Penalties were exacted for celebrating Christmas, and for staying home from work on Christmas day. The Puritan tradition was brought to New England, where Christmas did not become a legal holiday until 1856.

Yule Log

The burning of the Yule Log was adapted to an English custom from the ancient Scandinavian practice of kindling huge bond fires in honor of the winter solstice. This helped the dying earth to regain strength and allow the rebirth of the sun. The log was cut from a red oak, and burned all of Christmas Eve and some would burn it all day on Christmas Day also. All of this is taken from sun worship rituals.

Nativity Scenes

Shortly before Christmas 1223, St. Francis of Assisi wrote to his friend, John Velita, the Lord of Greccio, "I would fain make a memorial of that child who was born in Bethlehem, and in some sort behold with bodily eyes His infant hardships; how He lay in a manger on the hay, with ox and ass standing by." St. Francis organized a group of people to go on Christmas Eve and created the first live nativity scene that year. It has become a greatly practiced custom. Also from this re-creation came the celebrating or h onoring of the cr`eche, the wooden model of the feeding trough holding the Christ Child. In some Catholic countries, this elaborately carved cr'eche, often taking years to complete and much wealth to buy, is placed as the center of the Christmas festival, replacing the customary Christmas Tree.

Mistletoe

In ancient Britain it was the sacred plant of the druids. The arch druid and his priests performing elaborate ceremonies around it at the winter solstice. Because of the pagan associations, the mistletoe has seldom been sanctioned in church decorations. Traditionally, a girl would stand under it, when a male would approach and pick a berry and kiss the girl. When the berries were all gone then there were no more kisses.

Christmas Cards

Sir Henry Cole, the first director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, and royal academician John Calcott Horsely, thought of and designed a card in 1843. By 1846 they were selling 1000 of them for one shilling each. In 1844, painter, W. Dobson sent out hand painted Christ-mas cards to friends instead of writing his usual letters. Also, in 1844, Mr. Braadley, a Newcastle vicar had his cards litho-graphed and circulated to his friends. In neither of these cases were any of them sold. Another English artist, William Egley, designed and printed a card either in 1842 or 1849. He was 16 in 1842. German emigrant, printer Louis Prang, designed and sold colored Christmas cards in Roxbury, Mass. in 1874. In less than ten years his shop was putting out more than five million cards per year.

The Twelve Days

Christmastide extends from the anniversary of the birth of Christ, officially established as December 25 by the Western church, to the Feast of the Epiphany twelve days later, which celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles in the persons of the Magi. This joyous period was popularly called the "Twelve Days". It included New Year's Day, traditionally a time when midwinter fertility rites were performed as the season moved from barren winter toward burgeoning spring. The Twelve days also embraced more somber religious occasions such as the anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Stephen and the Massacre of the Innocents. But even these are overlaid with festivity, and generally speaking the time is one of revelry, mumming, the exchange of gifts, and feasting, with vestiges of pre-Christian fertility magic such as decoration with evergreens, kisses under the mistletoe, and lighting new fires. In short, the events and customs usually associated with Christmas are spread across the Twelve Days.

Christmas Tree

The Christmas Tree which is decorated with lights to celebrate the nativity of Christ and on which offerings are made to Him; is a survival of pagan tree worship and of early Christian rites which celebrated the winter solstice with tree and lights. This tree in Germany was an oak, which fostered the custom of the Yule Log which is oak. The Druids in England worshiped the evergreen because it had eternal life, it did not brown and die in the winter. Our modern Christmas Tree is a cross between the two ancient forms of pagan worship. This is the equivalent of the May tree (May pole), a fertility symbol. The tree even dates back to Baal worship in the old Testament. Jeremiah 10:1-6 "Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord; thou art great, and thy name is great in might."

Caroling

A well-loved Christmas custom is the singing of Christmas carols. The word "carol" is thought to have originally denoted a dance accompanied by singing. Thirteenth century Italy is considered the birthplace of the real Christmas carol, and St. Francis of Assisi, who led songs of praise to the Christ Child, is thought to be the father of this custom.

Wreath

The evergreen holly was worshiped as a promise of the sun's return, and some say that Christ's crown of thorns was made of holly. Legend tells that the berries were once white, but when the crown was pressed upon Jesus' brow, the drops of blood turned the berries bright red. The Christmas wreath is thought by some to have originated from this legend.

The Christmas Story (Luke 2) (1991)

A modernization of a writing by Bruce M. Humbert

And there were in the same country, husbands and fathers keeping watch over their homes by night ... and going to work every morning to make lots of money. And lo, the smooth voiced TV announcer came upon them and the glories of many fine possessions shown round about them, and they were sore afraid they would not be able to buy all the things their families wanted. And the TV announcer said unto them, "Fear not, for I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all fathers and mothers and children and relatives. For unto you this day, in the city where our store is, a saviour is born, who is our credit manager. And this shall be a sign unto you: you shall find this wonderous one wrapped in red clothing, with a big stomach, and sprouting white whiskers called, SANTA CLAUS." And it came to pass as the TV actors faded away, the fathers and mothers said to each other, "let us now go even to this store which the TV announcer made known unto us." And they came with haste and found glittering wrist watches and fur coats, Nintendo video games, CD players, and the new Home Alone Version of the Bible, micro-wave ovens, and, of course, the wonderous one dressed in red, sitting by the cash register saying, "Ho, Ho, Ho!" They made known among all their neighbors how they were going to have one of the best Christmases ever. Santa Claus pondered all the interest he was going to collect.

A Christmas Poem

By Mark J. Gostlin

(First Baptist Church 302 West Main P.O.Box 127 Spencer, OH 44275)

Relative Hypocrisy! Venial Dismay! Insignificant Magnitude! The sun shines every day!

The heathen fear, but we do not he yule log burns away; And in the morning all is well, The evergreen's in place.

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, such a pretty show. Now kiss the blessed virgin down beneath the mistletow.

Winter soltice, what is that? Superstitious? Who? Carry on these grand traditions, That is what we do!

Fundamental! Separatist! Labels born with pride! Confess your sin, you hypocrites. Get off this pagan ride.

That Romish, Popeish man of sin The one you loathed so long You gather at his bidding And sing his birthday song.

HO! HO! HO! (A Sermon Outline)

A. HO! Number 1.

Ruth 4:1-6 Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down. And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down. And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab , selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's: And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it. Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance. And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.

1. Boaz Loved Ruth.

2. Boaz wanted to marry Ruth.

3. The nearer kinsman wanted the property.

4. The nearer kinsman wanted the wealth.

5. The nearer kinsman did not care about Ruth.

• Psalms 142:4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.

1. People want your money.

2. People want your knowledge.

3. People want your status.

4. People want your popularity.

5. People want your support.

6. People want your friendship.

BUT NO MAN REALLY CARES FOR YOUR SOUL!

1. Ho, world, who will lay down his life for you to live?

2. Ho, world, who will shed his blood to save your soul?

3. Ho, world, who will give up prestige honor and riches for you?

4. Ho, world, who will be beaten, spat upon, laughed at, and his hair pulled out for you?

5. Ho, world, who would be stripped naked and openly shamed for you?

6. Ho, world, who would be nailed to a cross for you?

7. Ho, world, who would go to HELL for you?

• Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
• 1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
• Acts 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
• Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

HO, WORLD, ONLY JESUS CARES FOR YOUR SOUL!

B. HO! Number 2.

• Isaiah 55:1-3 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

1. We all have a thirst that can be quenched temporarily.

2. We have no true satisfaction in temporary relief.

3. We all have a thirst that cannot be quenched, with or without money.

4. People try to satisfy that thirst, with all their wealth and time. * Education * Drugs * Sex * Work

5. Nothing satisfies this thrist.

6. Jesus CAN Satisfy that thirst.

• John 4:13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
• John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
• Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

7. How can Jesus satisfy that thirst?

• Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
• Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
• Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
• Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
• Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

HO, WORLD, ONLY JESUS CARES FOR YOUR SOUL! HO, WORLD, ONLY JESUS CAN SATISFY YOUR SOUL!

C. HO! Number 3.

• Zechariah 2:6-10 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. Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me. Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.

1. The third HO is addressed to God's people.

2. The third HO is a double HO, it is certain, God wants our attention.

3. First, Flee from sin (Babylon). Ephesians 4:27 Neither give place to the devil. James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

4. Secondly, God will dwell with you. John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

HO, WORLD, ONLY JESUS CARES FOR YOUR SOUL! HO, WORLD, ONLY JESUS CAN SATISFY YOUR SOUL! HO, CHURCH, FLEE SIN AND DWELL WITH CHRIST!

by Pastor Steve Harmon Th.G., B.S., Th.M., Th.D (1991) <a href="http://www.biblebelievers.com/MBC1.html">Maineville Baptist Church</a>, 57 East Foster-Maineville Road Maineville, Ohio 45039 (513) 683-6708 E-Mai l <a href="mailto:drsteve@iglou.com">d</a><a href="mailto:drsteve@iglou.com">rsteve@iglou.com</a>