Answers in the Bible

While there are many scriptures in the Bibles which commands us to observe the feast days of Yahweh, the bible is silent on the date of the birth of the Messiah and no scriptures could be found to support the celebration of Yahshua’s birth. While the celebration of the birth of our Saviour is not an issue; the date associated with His birth, i.e, December 25th should be of concern to those of us who desire to obey and do the will of Yahweh.

What is the history of December 25th and why is this day celebrated as the birth of the Saviour? Encyclopedias, journals, newspapers, and religious blogs have all documented the history of December 25th extensively. And most of the writings links that date to the celebration of the feast of Sol Invictus (Unconquered Sun), a pagan god.

The worship of the Sun, moon and the other host of heaven were very common in ancient times.  So much so that In Deuteronomy 4:19 the people were admonished to “… take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them…”. In Deuteronomy 17 we read that serving and worshiping other mighty one, either the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven were considered a “wicked thing” punishable by death.

Despite these warnings the worship of the Sun god continued to be so prominent that in began to take root in influencing the worship of traditional churches.  According to the Encyclopædia Britannica “During the later periods of Roman history, sun worship gained in importance and ultimately led to what has been called a “solar monotheism.” Nearly all the gods of the period were possessed of solar qualities, and both Christ and Mithra acquired the traits of solar deities. The feast of Sol Invictus (Unconquered Sun) on December 25 was celebrated with great joy, and eventually this date was taken over by the Christians as Christmas, the birthday of Christ.

Pope Benedict XVI writing on the historical origins of Christmas stated, “In Christendom the feast of Christmas took on a definite form in the fourth century, when it took the place of the Roman feast of "Sol invictus", the invincible sun…” Later, Pope Francis wrote “The pagan world, which hungered for light, had seen the growth of the cult of the sun god, Sol Invictus, invoked each day at sunrise.” Thus, making a clear associate between Sol Invictus and pagan gods.

Much paganism has been assimilated into traditional worship throughout the years, and many of those false traditions carried over unchecked.  In 2 Timothy 2:15 we are admonished to “Study to show thyself approved unto Elohim, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

As we seek to do the well of Yahweh, let us pray as Psalmist David did in Psalm 25: 4 – 5 “Show me thy ways, O Yahweh; teach me thy paths.  Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the Elohim of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.”

After Abraham's death, Elohim blessed Isaac and renewed the covenant with him. In Genesis 26: 3-4 Elohim said to Isaac. “Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. The covenant was made “Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” Genesis 26: 5.

Yahweh has promise to show mercy to all those who keep His commandments in Deuteronomy 7: 9 reads “Know therefore that Yahweh thy Elohim, he is Elohim, the faithful El, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.”

In Luke 11:28, He has promised to pronounce a blessing on those who obey His word “… blessed are they that hear the word of Elohim, and keep it.

While many live with the hope of eternal life, it is only those who keep His word will be allowed to enter the Kingdom. “Not every one that saith unto me, Master, Master, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21. “For not the hearers of the law are just before Elohim, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” Romans 2:13

As we seek to do the will of Yahweh, let us be reminded that we are expected to keep all His commandments “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2: 10.

John said in Revelation 22:14 “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”