The meaning of the word Chr-stmas, is "the mass of Chr-st." The product of Roman Catholicism, it is obvious that not only Chr-stians observe this universal holiday, but some of the most ardent revelers never so much as darken a ch-rch door! This is indeed paradoxical since the holiday is supposed to have been established to honor the birthday of the Savior, the Messiah of Israel.

When Was the Messiah Born?

The initial point with which to begin our study is to prove when the birthday of the Messiah actually did occur. Did you know that the date of His birthday is not mentioned in the Bible at all? Nowhere can you find within the pages of your Bible that a statement appears regarding on which date the Messiah was born! We have published an article wherein we show that His birthday most likely occurred on the first Holy Day of the Feast of Tabernacles. You may obtain a copy of the article, "When Was the Messiah Born," free of charge, by writing in and requesting it. Write to Assemblies of Yahweh, P. O. Box C, Bethel, PA 19507.

December 25 Closely Associated With Saturnalia

We may therefore begin to question the origin of the date which is presently set aside for the observance of the Messiah’s birth. This date has been a holiday in pagan worship from antiquity. In fact, one of the names given to the Saturnalia series of rural festivals in mythology was "Paganalia." Possibly this is the origin of the term "pagan worship," which is often conferred upon false, unscriptural worship of any kind. This term is found on page 219 in the Larousse Encyclopedia of Mythology.

December 25 Observance Stems from Sun Worship

Historians have established that December 25 has been observed as a pagan observance since the spiritually dark days of ancient sun worship. "The choice of December 25 was probably influenced by the fact that on this day the Romans celebrated the Mithraic feast of the Sun-g-d (natalis solis invicti), and that the Saturnalia also came at this time," Colliers Encyclopedia, "Chr-stmas," p. 237. Almost every reference work which may be reviewed affirms without hesitation that the holiness attached to December 25 may be traced to ancient idolatrous sun worship.

The case now rests with you, who must judge yourself. It must be you who decides how you live your life. You must decide if you will continue in false worship, or serve Almighty Yahweh and keep His commandments. "And if it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose this day whom you will serve; whether the elohim which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the elohim of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh." (Yahshua 24:15). We have determined to evict paganism from our lives. We hope you do, too! May we assist you in your quest for salvation?