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=<FONT color="#oooaaa" size="">'''Welcome'''</font>=
 
=<FONT color="#oooaaa" size="">'''Welcome'''</font>=
 
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=<FONT color="#aaooo" size="">'''GOD BLESS lSRAEL AND THE IDF'''</font>=
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=<FONT color="#aaooo" size="">'''GOD BLESS ISRAEL AND THE IDF'''</font>=
 
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=<FONT color="#aaooo" size="">''' [[Israel News 8]]'''</font>=
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=<FONT color="#aaooo" size="4">''' [[Israel News 8]]'''</font>=
 
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===='''THE DARK TRUTH about tithing that your church never tells you'''====
+
====='''THE DARK TRUTH about tithing that your church never tells you'''=====
===='''https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWzP8ejgf5I'''====
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====='''https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWzP8ejgf5I'''=====
 
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===='''CAN YOU ANSWER THESE TOUGH QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LIFE OF JESUS? YOU ARE AMAZING!'''====
+
'''CAN YOU ANSWER THESE TOUGH QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LIFE OF JESUS? YOU ARE AMAZING!'''
===='''https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv1lNFs3JLU'''====
+
'''https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv1lNFs3JLU'''
 
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=<FONT color="#aaooo" size="5">''' Netanyahu ➤ THEY DID IT AGAIN  (THE END HAS REALLY BEGUN) Prophetic Message for Humanity'''</font>=
 
=<FONT color="#aaooo" size="5">''' Netanyahu ➤ THEY DID IT AGAIN  (THE END HAS REALLY BEGUN) Prophetic Message for Humanity'''</font>=
 
===='''https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0qyZ7gYocU'''====
 
===='''https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0qyZ7gYocU'''====
 
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=<FONT color="#aaooo" size="5">URGENT!'''</font>=
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=<FONT color="#aaooo" size="5">'''URGENT!'''</font>=
===='''See What The Bible Says About Cremation Of The Dead | Jonathan Cahn Sermon'''====
+
====='''See What The Bible Says About Cremation Of The Dead | Jonathan Cahn Sermon'''=====
 
===='''https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_rX9gbDRb8'''====
 
===='''https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_rX9gbDRb8'''====
 
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=<FONT color="#aaooo" size="5">'''Please Watch'''</font>=
 
=<FONT color="#aaooo" size="5">'''Please Watch'''</font>=
===='''Urgent! See The Bible's Harsh Truths About Cremating the Dead'''====
+
====='''Urgent! See The Bible's Harsh Truths About Cremating the Dead'''=====
 
===='''https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0dgQhbOQw4'''====
 
===='''https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0dgQhbOQw4'''====
 
----
 
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===='''Signs of the End Times are 'Intensifying' as Anti-Semitism Soars'''====
+
====='''Signs of the End Times are 'Intensifying' as Anti-Semitism Soars'''=====
 
===='''https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iksrmK0I9MQ'''====
 
===='''https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iksrmK0I9MQ'''====
 
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       <th><div class="panel panel-primary">
 
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     <div class="panel-heading">
     <h3 class="panel-title">[[File:Page.png]] '''April''' featured article</h3>
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     <h3 class="panel-title">[[File:Page.png]] '''December''' featured article</h3>
 
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</div>
 
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=<FONT color="#aaooo" size="">'''Hell'''</font>=
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=<FONT color="#aaooo" size="">''History & Customs of Christmas'''</font>=
  
<p>&quot;The rich man also died and was buried. In <strong>Hell</strong>, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him: Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire!&quot; Luke 16:22-24<br><br>
+
History & Customs of Christmas
HELL! <strong>What </strong>is it? It is <em>God's great prison</em>, where His criminals are confined. It is the place of <em>punishment</em> — where the wages of sin are paid. It is the house of despair, the residence of desperation, the dwelling-place of the worm that never dies. It is called the lake of fire, burning with brimstone. It is a place of terrible torture, dreadful agony, and soul-racking remorse. <em>Hope </em>never enters there. <em>Repose </em>is never enjoyed there. <em>Light </em>never shines there. But all is pain, gloom, restless agony, and indescribable torment! There is weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth — forever!<br><br>
+
 
HELL! <strong>Who </strong>are there? The <em>rich man</em>, at whose gate Lazarus lay, is there. <em>Judas</em>, who betrayed Jesus, is there. <em>Cain</em>, who slew his brother, is there. <em>Demas</em>, who preferred the world to Christ, is there. The <em>covetous </em>and <em>thieves </em>are there! The <em>immoral </em>and <em>liars </em>are there! The <em>proud </em>and <em>vain </em>are there! All who made light of the Gospel are there! All who neglected the great salvation are there! All who worshiped the Roman beast are there! And they are all &quot;tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb! The smoke of their torment ascends up forever and ever — and they have no rest day nor night!&quot;<br><br>
+
'''December 25'''
Many perhaps whom you have <em>known </em>are there! Some of <em>our relations </em>even may be there! <em>Old friends </em>of ours may be there. Some who lived in the same street, met in the same place of worship, and whom we once hoped to meet in Heaven — are there!<br><br>
+
 
Who are there? Why, we were nearly there <em>ourselves! </em>We lay at the entrance of Hell! We were within a few inches of Hell! A slight accident, a stroke, or a disease — would have sent us there. <em>Yes — but for free and sovereign grace — WE would have been in Hell!</em><br><br>
+
<p>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.</p>
&quot;Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life!&quot; Revelation 21:27<br><br>
+
 
&quot;Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying!&quot; Revelation 22:15<br><br>
+
<p>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.</p><strong>Yule Log</strong>
HELL! What do they <strong>suffer </strong>there? No tongue can tell. No <em>pen </em>can write; no <em>heart </em>can conceive — what lost souls suffer in Hell! Who can tell what the <em>unmixed wrath</em>, the <em>fiery indignation</em>, the <em>endless curse </em>of Almighty God is? Who can set forth what <em>sin deserves</em>, and what is the obstinate sinner's due?<br><br>
+
 
They weep, they wail, they gnash their teeth. They are tormented in eternal flames. In every member of the <em>body</em>, in every power of the <em>soul</em> — the lost in Hell will suffer. <em>Memory</em>, <em>conscience</em>, and the <em>imagination</em> — will especially increase their agonies! And<em>hopeless despair </em>will render their doom indescribably dreadful!<br><br>
+
<p>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.</p>
What do they suffer in Hell? Tell! O tell me — what God can justly inflict, what an immortal man can bear, what the threatenings of the violated law require, and how devils can add to the torments of lost souls — and I will tell you what they may suffer in Hell!<br><br>
+
<strong>Nativity Scenes</strong>
But, O! may you never know in your own <em>experience </em>what lost souls have to endure, and endure forever! Could we but lift the veil that conceals that awful place from our view, and see but for five minutes the agonies of those in Hell — we would never forget the sight! Our <em>flesh </em>would tremble, our <em>hair </em>would stand up on our heads, and our <em>souls </em>would be paralyzed with horror!<br><br>
+
 
HELL! Who will <strong>yet </strong>go to Hell? Who? Perhaps the <em>reader </em>of these lines! Who? ah, perhaps many of whom we have now no suspicion! Will any of our <em>children </em>go there? Will any of our <em>brothers </em>or <em>sisters </em>go there? Will any of the members of the <em>church </em>go there? Will any of this <em>congregation </em>go there?<br><br>
+
<p>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.</p>
Who will go there? All <em>liars </em>shall have their part in the lake that burns with brimstone and fire. All <em>swearers</em>, all <em>drunkards</em> — will find a place set apart in Hell for them. All <em>immoral </em>people; all <em>covetous </em>and <em>dishonest </em>people — all will find a place in Hell prepared for <em>them</em>.<br><br>
+
<strong>Mistletoe</strong</strong>
Who will go to Hell? All who live and die <em>impenitent</em>; &quot;for unless you repent — <em>you </em>shall all likewise perish!&quot; All <em>unbelievers</em>; for &quot;he who believes not, shall be damned!&quot; All who are in their <em>natural state</em>; for &quot;unless a man is born again — he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.&quot;<br><br>
+
 
Without <em>faith </em>in Christ, and <em>repentance </em>toward God; without <em>love </em>to God and man, the proof and evidence of the new birth; without union to Christ, and the possession of the Spirit of Christ — there is no escaping the wrath to come — the person must go to Hell! O solemn consideration! Let a man therefore examine himself, whether he is in the faith; let each man and woman prove their own selves, and see if Christ is in them.<br><br>
+
<p>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.</p>
HELL! How may we <strong>escape </strong>it? Only by <em>fleeing </em>to Jesus, by <em>believing </em>in Jesus, and <em>receiving </em>the Spirit of Jesus. No one can save us but Jesus, for there is no other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we can be saved. Jesus has done all that is necessary to save souls from Hell, and he is ready to put on our account — what he has done to us; whenever we go to him, plead with him, trust in him, and commit our souls to him. We <em>need </em>not go to Hell, for Jesus is both able and willing to save us; and yet we <em>must </em>go to Hell, unless we apply to him, to be saved by him.<br><br>
+
<strong>Christmas Cards</strong>
As therefore Hell is so <em>dreadful;</em> as the punishments of Hell are <em>eternal</em>; as once lost, we are lost <em>irrecoverably</em> — as no one can save us but Jesus — and as Jesus will only save those who make <em>personal application </em>to him — let us at once, with all our hearts and souls, apply to Christ! &quot;Behold! now is the accepted time. Behold! now is the day of salvation.&quot; Let us then &quot;Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon!&quot; Isaiah 55:6-7
+
 
 +
<p>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.</p>
 +
<strong>The Twelve Days</strong>
 +
 
 +
<p>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.</p>
 +
<strong>Christmas Tree</strong>
 +
 
 +
<p>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."</p>
 +
<strong>Caroling</strong>
 +
 
 +
<p>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.</p>

Latest revision as of 02:19, 1 December 2025

Welcome


GOD BLESS ISRAEL AND THE IDF


Israel News 8


THE DARK TRUTH about tithing that your church never tells you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWzP8ejgf5I

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE TOUGH QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LIFE OF JESUS? YOU ARE AMAZING! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv1lNFs3JLU


Netanyahu ➤ THEY DID IT AGAIN (THE END HAS REALLY BEGUN) Prophetic Message for Humanity

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0qyZ7gYocU


URGENT!

See What The Bible Says About Cremation Of The Dead | Jonathan Cahn Sermon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_rX9gbDRb8


Please Watch

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A SPIRIT LEAVES A PERSON'S BODY?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1jKfsoi2JY


Please Watch

Urgent! See The Bible's Harsh Truths About Cremating the Dead

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0dgQhbOQw4


Signs of the End Times are 'Intensifying' as Anti-Semitism Soars

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iksrmK0I9MQ


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Page.png December featured article


History & Customs of Christmas'

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</strong

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.