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=<FONT color="#aaooo" size="">'''GOD BLESS ISRAEL AND THE IDF'''</font>=
 
=<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'''====
+
====='''https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWzP8ejgf5I'''=====
 
----
 
----
===='''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>=
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=<FONT color="#aaooo" size="5">'''URGENT!'''</font>=
 
=<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'''====
 
----
 
----
 
 
=<FONT color="#aa0000"  size="5">'''Please Watch'''</font>=
 
=<FONT color="#aa0000"  size="5">'''Please Watch'''</font>=
 
=<FONT color="#aaooo" size="4">'''WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A SPIRIT LEAVES A PERSON'S BODY?'''''</font>=
 
=<FONT color="#aaooo" size="4">'''WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A SPIRIT LEAVES A PERSON'S BODY?'''''</font>=
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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'''====
 
----
 
----
===='''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">
 
       <th><div class="panel panel-primary">
 
     <div class="panel-heading">
 
     <div class="panel-heading">
     <h3 class="panel-title">[[File:Page.png]] '''September''' featured article</h3>
+
     <h3 class="panel-title">[[File:Page.png]] '''December''' featured article</h3>
 
</div>
 
</div>
 
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=<FONT color="#aaooo" size="">'''The sword of the Spirit"</font>=
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=<FONT color="#aaooo" size="">''History & Customs of Christmas'''</font>=
 +
 
 +
History & Customs of Christmas
 +
 
 +
'''December 25'''
 +
 
 +
<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>
 +
 
 +
<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>
 +
 
 +
<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>
 +
<strong>Nativity Scenes</strong>
 +
 
 +
<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>
 +
<strong>Mistletoe</strong</strong>
 +
 
 +
<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>
 +
<strong>Christmas Cards</strong>
  
 +
<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>'''The sword of the Spirit'''</p>
+
<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>
<p>When Jesus “was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil,” (Matthew 4:1) he used scripture to overcome Satan's temptations. Scripture is our best offensive weapon against the devil, over our lives and the lives of others. Notice in the temptation passage (Matthew 4:1-11) that Satan also used scripture in trying to deceive Jesus. </p>
+
<strong>Christmas Tree</strong>
<p>The passage where Jesus quoted scripture to overcome Satan's temptations has sometimes been used to justify verbal confrontation. It is often used as an example of verbal confrontation where Jesus exercised the word, the Sword of the spirit realm, against Satan. </p>
+
<p>A closer look shows that scripture does not support this. Satan appeared physically to Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). It is fitting that he would talk to a being that appeared physically. The devil even took Jesus on a “tour,” first to the temple, then to a high mountain. </p>
+
<p>After this experience there is no other account of Jesus quoting scripture to Satan as a way of fighting him. Yet throughout his ministry he was busy confronting and overcoming the enemy in the lives of people. Thus unless the enemy appears to any one of us physically (God forbid) we have no business talking to him verbally. </p>
+
<p>Even if he were to physically appear to any one of us God may require us to do something else –like just saying, “Away from me, Satan,” (Matthew 4:10). No long verbal confrontations. Quoting any scripture may not be necessary. Our Lord was not setting a formula of using scripture in having conversations with the enemy. What we learn from his experience is that the enemy can use scripture that God gave us to live by. It's only that he twists it in order to deceive us. </p>
+
<p>The way this deception works is by him planting thoughts in our minds rather than appearing physically. The battle is either lost or won from within as we counteract the temptation and deception with the right scripture -the sword of the spirit realm. Since Satan can also use scripture it becomes a bigger battle when comparing what's true and what's twisted out of context. We have more than enough experiences throughout history where God's people have fallen to lies through misinterpreted scripture. Satan used scripture to justify ungodly acts such as gender abuses, slavery, colonialism, persecution of non-Christians and so on. </p>
+
<p>Our recent accounts include the erroneous spiritual warfare and deliverance teachings. None of the people that fell to the lies throughout history had any outward conversation or physical encounter with Satan quoting scripture. </p>
+
<p>Scripture does not direct us to be quoting scripture against Satan in verbal confrontations and assuming that we're wielding the sword of the spirit. The battle is within not outside. God's word hidden in our hearts and minds surfaces whenever we're confronted with opposing beliefs and matters. God's word in our hearts and minds is among our major indirect weapons of spiritual warfare and deliverance ministry.</p>
+
[[#TOP|'''TOP''']]
+
  
<div id="7) All kinds of prayers"></div>'''7) All kinds of prayers'''
+
<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>After he described the various elements of the spiritual armor, Paul said that we are to be in constant prayer. Prayer is part of our spiritual warfare. “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Praying implies talking to God, not to Satan. All kinds of prayers and requests include: </p>
+
<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>
<p>1) Prayers of deliverance and protection (spiritually, socially, physically or materially), </p>
+
<p>2) Prayers of agreement, </p>
+
<p>3) Prayers of intercession, </p>
+
<p>4) Prayers of inquiry, </p>
+
<p>5) Prayers of importunity, supplication, appeal or petition, </p>
+
<p>6) Prayers of consecration/dedication/commitment, </p>
+
<p>7) Prayers of repentance, </p>
+
<p>8) Prayers in the word (praying with the scriptures), </p>
+
<p>9) Prayers of worship/adoration and thanksgiving, </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


Verse of the Day

'''Our recommended bible!'''

WiCWiki has been in existence in various forms for over 25yrs when our very first early site launched in 2000. Since then as with our beliefs we have been on a extraordinary journey and have been able to build a website that is so vast with a staggering 86,456 articles, you could be here for days.... well we hope.

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Wow! we have been vistied 55,741,270 times, which is a great blessing!

Investigating Islam with Dr. Jay Smith (2 Corinthians 10:5)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40DclW84HkM


When Demons Are Real!

https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-television-program/when-demons-are-real


CRAZY "CHURCHES" and "PREACHERS" vs A TRUE CHURCH of GOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1DQTDepL7A


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Articles to read and study.



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.