![]() Rather, this proud and ruthless ruler was resolved to put Jesus to death!- Matthew 2:1-8, 16. Herod then “secretly summoned the astrologers,” who told him about the newborn “king of the Jews.” Herod then said: “Make a careful search for the young child, and when you have found it report back to me.” Herod’s interest in Jesus, however, was anything but noble. For one thing, it did not lead the men directly to Bethlehem, but to Jerusalem, where their inquiries about Jesus reached the ears of King Herod. ![]() (3) What Sort of Star Led the Astrologers?Ĭlues are provided by what the star actually did. There they saw “the young child with Mary its mother.”- Matthew 2:11. Rather, after perhaps months of travel, they “went into the house” where Jesus was staying. Although termed “wise men” in some Bible translations, the original-language word is magoi, which means astrologers or sorcerers-professions that the Bible says are “detestable to Jehovah.” ( Deuteronomy 18:10-12) By virtue of their long journey from the East, the astrologers did not arrive in time to visit Jesus in the stable. There may have been two, or there may have been three, four, or more. What the Bible says: The Bible does not say how many “wise men” visited Jesus. ![]() Its roots: Aside from the brief account in the Bible, “everything written about the Wise Men stems principally from legend,” says The Christmas Encyclopedia. Sometimes shepherds are also shown as being present. The custom: Guided by a “star” from the east, three “wise men” are portrayed as presenting gifts to Jesus in a manger in a stable. (2) The “Wise Men”-How Many? Who Were They? “The true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth,” said Jesus Christ.- John 4:23. ![]() ( Luke 22:17-20 1 Corinthians 11:23-26) Still, some may say, ‘Does the pagan connection really matter?’ The answer? It does to God. Rather, in harmony with his command, they commemorated only his death. Significantly, the early Christians, many of whom had accompanied Jesus in his ministry, never celebrated his birth on any date. The coldest weather, sometimes accompanied by snow, occurred in December. ( Luke 2:8) The cold, rainy season usually began in October, and shepherds-especially in the colder highlands, such as those around Bethlehem-brought their sheep into protected shelters at night. How so? The Bible tells us that when Jesus was born, shepherds were “living out of doors” tending their flocks at night in the vicinity of Bethlehem. But we can safely conclude that he was not born on December 25. What the Bible says: The Bible does not give Jesus’ birth date. ![]() “Solar imagery came increasingly to be used to portray the risen Christ (who was also called Sol Invictus), and the old solar disk. “The Nativity gradually absorbed or supplanted all other solstice rites,” says the Encyclopedia of Religion. Those pagan festivals began to be “Christianized” in the year 350, when Pope Julius I declared December 25 to be Christ’s birthday. Both birthdays were celebrated on December 25, the winter solstice according to the Julian calendar. Those festivals included the Saturnalia, in honor of Saturn, god of agriculture, “and the combined festivals of two sun gods, the Roman Sol and the Persian Mithra,” says the same encyclopedia. Its roots: “The establishment of December 25 evolved not from biblical precedent,” says The Christmas Encyclopedia, “but from pagan Roman festivals held at year’s end,” about the time of the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. “Christmas,” says the Encyclopedia of Religion, means “‘Christ’s Mass,’ that is, the mass celebrating the feast of Christ’s nativity,” or birth. The custom: According to tradition, Jesus’ birth took place on December 25 and is celebrated on that date. Let us now consider these questions in the light of the Bible and historical facts. DO YOU care about spiritual truth? If so, then perhaps you have asked these questions: (1) Was Jesus actually born on December 25? (2) Who were the “wise men,” and were they really three in number? (3) What sort of “star” led them to Jesus? (4) What does Santa Claus have to do with Jesus and his birth? (5) How does God view the Christmas custom of giving gifts or, to be more precise, exchanging gifts? ![]()
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