Spirit of Christmas

Every Christmas season we are told to believe in the Spirit of Christmas, and as Christians we try to personalize this spirit as the Holy Spirit. But it’s not. It’s make-believe. The pagan’s inform us: “Take the spirit of Christmas himself – Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Old St. Nick, Syre Christemas, Sinter Class – his names are legion and his true origins almost as old as history.”[1]

I have watched over the past several years whenever anyone mentions believing in the spirit of Christmas, Santa Claus is referenced.   The Polar Express movie swept the country during the 2004 Christmas Season. All Polar Express tickets that the kids receive spelled out two letters of the word “believe.” The boy, who held the only winning “BE” ticket, had to first say “I believe” three times before he could receive the first gift of Christmas – a bell from one of Santa’s reindeer. Kids, who believe in Santa, can hear the bell; but their parents can’t due to their unbelief. For several years, the annual Fort Collins Symphony Guild’s Christmas Concert’s theme “Truly Believe” with its focus on Santa. I know of one family in my son’s grade school, who are atheists. They try to fill their spiritual void with at least one belief besides being the best in everything, which is perpetuating the Santa Claus myth so their fifth grade child can still accept it as true. A Christian should question anything that is based on lies and deceptions, for these vices are not of God’s Kingdom.

REFORMATION HITS A HOLIDAY

My pastor reminded our congregation several years back: “If you ignore history, you are doomed to repeat it. Learn history. Know it. When we discover history, we rediscover truth. The word of God reveals truth.” Any authentic confrontation with history results in the opposite of self-exoneration. The primal idea Martin Luther brought to the world is sola scriptura – a Christian is to be guided by scripture alone. In reaction to the abuses of Church authority, Luther appealed to the ultimate authority of the Bible. I have also sought the scriptures to backup the reason to believe “Christmas will be the golden calf of America” (see “North Pole Going South?” http://wp.me/p158HG-kH and “Where Christmas Comes From Part 2” http://wp.me/p158HG-2m); and as you can tell, scripture completely backs up this radical statement. In Luther’s rejection to what appeared to him to be the Church’s idolatry of its own hierarchy, he replaced it with deference to the Word, which can easily slip into an idolatry of its own, if the entire counsel of scripture is not consulted.

Protestants were the first to reject the Christmas celebration, but the break did not happen in sixteenth century Saxony or with Martin Luther. Martin Luther celebrated Christmas.[2] We should note that Luther did not appraise many of the practices in the Church according to the sola scriptura idea he started. The sixteenth century Reformation did not initially go into the substance of the Church’s traditions. I have a feeling that Luther’s initial stance, which enacted the Reformation, when he nailed his ninety-five theses to the door of the Wittenberg Church, was what the Lord required of him. It was a great precedent setting stance; and I greatly admire it. But least we consider all of Luther’s practices flawless; we should remember his anti-Semitic, Holocaust-inciting ravings.[3] It’s a deeply disturbing part of his legacy. A couple successors to the Protestant Reformation, who endeavored to fully enacted Luther’s sola scriptura concept, was John Calvin and John Knox.

As you can imagine, a ban of Roman holidays[4] (which included Christmas), caused uproar in certain quarters; and John Calvin was reproached as the instigator of the action. Calvin wrote a correspondence that if he had been asked for advice, he would have not supported this decision.[5] John Calvin was initially uneasy about the edict to ban the Roman festivals, because he feared that the sudden change might provoke tumult, which could impede the course of the Reformation, even though Calvin’s general views on worship were clearly stated and were subsequently called the regulative principle of worship– all modes of worship must be expressly sanctioned by God’s Word if they are to be considered legitimate.[6]

Although Church leaders, in the midst of a reformation, are most likely to be hesitant to touch anything greatly loved by the masses, the Lord is not. God’s patience and kindness is meant to lead people to repentance, not lead us to justify His endorsement of our faults.  The Church’s failure in relation to idolatry, embodied via Roman feasts, was a symptom of man’s change in the times. Thank God that His grace has been, and continues to be, great!

“Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received a full knowledge of the truth, there is no other sacrifice that will cover these sins. …Anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Think how much more terrible the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God and have treated the blood of the covenant as if it were common and unholy. Such people have insulted and enraged the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to his people” (Hebrews 10:26-29_NLT).

 Calvin’s lack of endorsement for celebrating Christmas, due to his application of sola scriptura, is echoed by another successor of the Reformation. John Knox and the Scottish Reformation repeatedly affirmed that true worship must be instituted by God – in His Word. In 1560, Knox asserted the sole authority of scripture as it relates to doctrine and worship.[7] In 1566, the position of the Scottish Church was reaffirmed when the General Assembly in Scotland wrote: “concerning the “festival of our Lord’s nativity, circumcision, … these festivals at the present time obtain no place among us; for we dare not religiously celebrate any other feast-day than what the divine oracles prescribed.”[8] Please refer to “Christmas 

While King James of England sought to appeal to the masses by imposing various ceremonies (Christmas, Easter, Whitsuntide, and Ascension) upon the Church to enhance his Anglican cause, Presbyterians maintained a strong stance against Christmas. These Scottish ministers persistently resisted, with David Calderwood (1575-1651) representing their firm opposition: “Indeed, the brazen serpent was originally constructed by God’s express command; yet it was destroyed when it became a snare to the people of God (2 Kings 18:4). How much more, then, should we discard man-made observances, which are additionally contaminated with Roman superstition and idolatry?”[9] My aim is not to criticize or uplift any particular Christian denomination, but to give the reader a very cursory glance at how Christmas has flowed through Church history and the circumstances involved.

In reaction to the Protestant Reformation, a defensive Catholic Church adopted an attitude that the Church was sinless in itself, and had no need of reformation.[10] I have encountered this same argument when discussing the laying down of Christmas with devout Christians. When I mentioned to a close friend that “this is a holiness issue,” she defensively challenged me: “Are you saying I’m not holy?” I told her that only God can make that call. I am only responsible for myself and my family as well as for the things God gives me to do. Writing about Christmas (i.e., this blog and my book SANTA-TIZING: What’s wrong with Christmas and how to clean it up) is a matter of obedience for me. I am as fallible as anyone. I am merely sharing what the Lord our God has shown me with over 14 years of research under my belt.

I additionally hear Christians declare something similar to: “I am saved by grace, and accepted by God just as I am. Therefore, I have no need to change; and am holy.” This first sentence is absolutely correct. Yes, our spirits are saved, and the Lord incredibly accepts us just the way we are. Thank God! But when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our souls are still full-of-the-dickens. Have you lied since you have become a born-again believer? Have you coveted? Have you sewn to the flesh instead of to the Spirit?

The process of sanctification cleanses our souls: “work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13_NASB). To reform something means that it is made better.  Don’t you and I have room for improvement? Isn’t that the purpose of the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, as we partner with Him? On-going reformation is the road a believer travels to become more like Christ. Hopefully, our ultimate destination is for our will being enthroned in Christ’s love. This is the kingdom road revealed in Isaiah 35 as the “Highway of Holiness”: “And a highway will be there, a roadway, and it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, but it will be for him who walks that way, and fools will not wander on it” (Isaiah 35:8_NASB).

Is the Church infallible? Are you? Here’s a helpful hint – when trying to discern the truth about infallibility, ask those outside. Glance at any congregation to see that there is a continual need to review the Church’s imperfections. Mankind’s answer must be that we all fall short of the glory of God, as we journey unto perfection.

Let’s remember to look into history’s mirror to regard the reflection of past errors to help us not repeat them. The first formal declaration of the doctrine of infallibility (papal )[11] came during a time when so much was tearing at the fabric of the Church’s traditions of faith and its institutional power.[12] The Church is again in a tumultuous time when traditions and institutions are being challenged by the King of kings Himself. My pastor told us “When you are in service of the King, you have to do what the King tells you to do. God is asking you to live for Him.”[13] The Lord our God is currently in the process of removing all things from His Kingdom that can be shaken “so that only eternal things will be left. Since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be destroyed, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:27-29_NLT).

Catholicism was more attuned to what nineteenth century liberalism threatened than what it promised; therefore, the Church leadership made itself the bulwark against the new idea. Will the Lord’s Church do the same in this kingdom day? Will we take up the task of reformation? Or will we set ourselves up against God’s new thing? Will we examine our imperfections, as led of the Lord? Or will we deny our shortcomings, or our need to deal with our faults?

Idolatry is a fundamental sin for all of us, so there is no need to become defensive. Right before the Lord declares “new things I declare” in Isaiah 42, God proclaims that He will not give His glory or praise to idols. The Church’s heart solely belongs to Jesus. Paul was speaking to believers in Galatia about freedom in Christ when he wrote: “So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. …These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict” (Galatians 5:16-17_NLT).  Believers, who are free in Christ, paradoxically have a conflict raging within them. It’s our old sinful nature that loves to do evil versus our new life in Christ directed by the Holy Spirit.

I am not advocating keeping the Jewish law, as some have accused; but living a life pleasing to the Lord with holy, reverential fear.  Does endeavoring to avoid the sins listed in Galatians 5:19-21 amount to keeping the Law or living a life of love as directed by the Holy Spirit? “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” (Galatians 5:18_NKJV). I am advocating abiding by the Essential Commandments given to All Believers, which are Holy Spirit given directives. I am also advocating living a yielded life in Christ, so we may bring forth eternal fruit as a natural product of abiding in Him. After the fruits of the Spirit are listed, Galatians 5:24-25 tells us: “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Paul would not exhort believers to walk in the Spirit, if the opposite could not be true. Galatians 5:19-21 enumerates the sins, exhibited in believer’s lives, when we follow the desires of our sinful nature: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambition, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like.  Once again notice, idolatry is one of them. Additionally, notice that many of these sins exist in the Church today. Show me a church congregation without selfish ambition, envy, or strife; and I will show you one that operates in the Kingdom of God. Remember that anyone living a life that produces idolatry will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Therefore, the Church worshiping idols in any shape, form, or fashion, especially by means unique to it (e.g. sun images hanging on a tree), is an area that needs sincere examination in this kingdom day. By the way, this kingdom day will be marked by reformation upon reformation until we are “conformed into the image of the Son” (Romans 8:29_NASB).

The Latin word for “reform” is reformare. It’s means “to shape something according to its own essential being.”[14] Aren’t you and I supposed to be transformed from glory to glory into the very image of God by the Spirit of Living God? Authentic reformation looks to the message of love preached and lived by Jesus. We are to do as He did in all things. Please refer to “Walking in a Winter One-der-land” http://wp.me/p158HG-gN and “Winter One-der-land” http://wp.me/p158HG-aH .

In our rediscovering of truth through our discovery of history, we distinguish that history actually records that the first Christmas trees explicitly decorated and named after the “Christian” holiday appeared in Strasbourg in Alsace in the beginning of the seventeenth century.[15] An anonymous German citizen wrote in 1605: “At Christmas they set up fir trees in the parlors of Strasbourg and hang thereon roses cut out of many colored paper, apples, wafers, gold-foil, sweets, etc…”[16] Additionally, we hear that Christmas, as we know, it is a Victorian invention of the 1860s.[17]  In 1846, Queen Victoria and her German Prince Albert were sketched in the Illustrated London Times standing around a Christmas tree with their children.[18] Queen Victoria’s husband played a large part in the transformation of Santa Claus into the icon that we recognize today as the “The Spirit of Christmas Rejoicing.” He brought in a Teutonic[19] element to the Christmas mix. At this point Santa Claus began to ride a sleigh, descend chimneys, and fill stockings, just as Prince Albert had practiced in Germany during childhood.[20]Due to Queen Victoria’s popularity, fashion-conscious Brits and East Coast American Society followed suit. The Christmas tree, and its totem figure Santa Claus, had arrived in America with style; and by the 1890s, its popularity was on the rise around the United States.[21]

THE FATHER OF CHRISTMAS

Do you remember Dana Carvey’s hilarious Saturday Night Live Church Lady skit? One Christmas show, he dressed up complete in a conservative dress, sensible shoes, and a gray wig spelled out the word “Santa” with magnetic letters on a white board; then rearranged them to spell “Satan.” Do you recall the Church Lady’s byline? “Could it be Sssss….atan!?”

History Professor Jeffrey Burton Russell incredibly agrees with the tongue-in-cheek Santa-Satan assessment of the Church Lady. Russell wrote The Prince of Darkness, which draws attention to the historical dark links between Satan and Santa Claus. This is a link many Christians have sought to ignore or minimize. From a European folklore viewpoint, Russell notes: “The Devil lives in the far north and drives reindeer; he wears a suit of red fur; he goes down chimneys in the guise of Black Jack or the Black Man covered in soot; as Black Peter he carries a large sack into which he pops sins or sinners (including naughty children); he carries a stick or cane to thrash the guilty (now he merely brings candy canes); he flies through the air with the help of strange animals; food and wine are left out for him as a bribe to secure his favors. The Devil’s nickname ‘Old Nick’ derives directly from Saint Nicholas. Nicholas was often associated with fertility cults, hence with fruit, nuts, and fruitcake, his characteristic gifts.” [22]

If you ask most Christians who have the Santa Claus tradition included in their Christmas morning routine, they will most likely tell you that Santa Claus is based on a real saint.  The history and legend of Saint Nicholas is so intertwined that the only things that we can say for sure about him is the general time he lived and where he was located. I base this assertion on the Catholic Encyclopedia: “Though he is one of the most popular saints in the Greek as well as the Latin Church, there is scarcely anything historically certain about him except that he was Bishop of Myra in the fourth century.”[23] Saint Nicholas is said to be renowned for his generosity, miracles, and love of children. He supposedly dropped coins down the chimney to preserve his anonymity and the dignity of his recipients.[24] Bishop Nicholas of Myra may have become the first official Saint Nicholas, but this is not Santa’s sole point of origin or his earliest.

The power, which stands behind the jolly old man of Christmas, goes way back – back to the beginning of recorded history and beyond. The worldly figure of Santa really derives from an even earlier set of figures – the shamans who were the first magicians of the human race. The very notion of a gift giver descending from a high place bearing gifts can be traced back to the shaman’s climbing up the world tree to reach the other-world, then returning with gifts for everyone. [25] These were not toys or IPODS, but messages concerning the year to come and/or the fate of the world.

The immediate predecessor for our modern Christmas Season for Western Civilization is the Roman Saturnalia and its worship of Saturnus (i.e., Saturn). Please refer to “Where Christmas Comes From – Part 2” http://wp.me/p158HG-2m . Saturn was also known as the Roman god of time and agriculture. Other sun gods were also associated with the changing of time and vegetation, like Babylonian Tammuz and Phrygian Attis. The celebration of the returning of the sun, and its worldly blessing for the New Year, connects people to the controlling god of this world through his shamanistic priests (whether magicians or images of St. Nick).

The shamans, from whom we get some of our Christmas traditions, were all over the world; but for obvious reasons we will focus on those who originate in the North. Please note that the devil proclaimed: “I will raise my throne above the stars of God. And I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north” (Isaiah 14:13-14). Why does the devil want to sit enthroned in the recesses of the north? Psalm 48 says that Mount Zion, which is beautiful in elevation and the joy of the whole earth, is in the far north. George Otis Jr. reveals that “the far north is well beyond the polluted atmosphere of imaginary gods and fallen angels Only on Mount Zion can the true God be found.”[26] The northern shamans often wore bells on their ritual red robes trimmed in white and, as mentioned before, shinned up and down the central pole (i.e. tree) adorned with sun images in their skin tent to receive messages from the other-world. Remember that their central pole represented the axis of the world, which led to the shaman’s final demonic destination. The father figure of Christmas (i.e. Santa Claus) and his shamanistic predecessors were first said to be the midwives of the sun. [27]  

Prior to 1823, Santa Claus neither had reindeer nor the ability to fly or descend chimneys. “These elements arrived with the publication of Clement Clarke Moore’s classic poem A Visit from Saint Nicholas (or The Night Before Christmas). Some have speculated that Moore, a professor of Oriental languages, drew his inspiration from the rituals of Siberia’s Koryak, Kamchandal and Chukchi peoples – rituals that, to this day, include the worship of the “great reindeer spirit.[28] “The only person who can communicate with the reindeer spirit, according to these traditional societies, is the tribal shaman, who does so by eating the fly agaric mushroom. Once entranced, he ‘flies’ to the spirit world, where he collects messages and ‘gifts’ in the shape of new songs, dances and stories for the tribe. Interestingly, the shaman enters the realm of the spirits through the smoke hole on the roof on his yurt, or hide tent.”[29]

I happened to be watching CNN when they featured a special Christmas Display in England called “Satan’s Grotto,” where kids get a “free” gift of an eyeball or severed finger, plus the additional chance to sign their life away. [30] CNN said it was all tongue-cheek, but the picture of the horned-one in a Santa suit was telling. There is more truth to this tongue-in-cheek caricature of Satan as Santa than many would care to admit. The devil is prideful and enjoys revealing what he’s involved in, but you have to look very carefully because he continually masks as an angel of light while his character is based solely on lies and deception.

The devil playing Santa is re-iterated in the Czech Republic on St. Nicholas Eve: “A devil prowls neighborhoods to interrogate children to find out whether they were naughty or nice. The devil carries a large switch with him for emphasis, and it’s not unusual to find photos in Prague newspapers of ‘frightened kids being menaced by the devil.’”[31] Thus Santa Claus’ association with Christmas is not an accident or a coincidence. He is inextricably connected to the Saturn roots of Christmas whether Christians participate in his “Ho… Ho… Ho…” tradition or not.

Just casually pay attention during the Christmas Season and you will see that Santa Claus is one of the most common and celebrated sight of the holiday. As Christians, we say that we don’t worship Christmas like Secularists, Buddhists, Pagans, or Satanists; we only worship the “golden” type saying that Jesus is the reason for our season. The reality is that Christians have brought Christmas out of the pagan world just as the Jews brought the Apis out of Egypt. “Israel cries out to me, O our God, we acknowledge you! But Israel has rejected what is good… Throw out your calf-idol… My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of purity? …This calf – a craftman has made it; it is not God” (Hosea 8:2, 5-6).

When Jesus came to me with tears in His eyes telling me: “The mixture of Christmas grieves My heart,” I had to come to grips with the thought that my Christian celebration of Christ’s birth actually upset, and even opposed, Him. It did not exalt Him as I had been taught. “Those who oppose Him he [the Lord’s servant] must gently instruct, in hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:25-26). Believers can oppose Jesus Christ, and sometimes regrettably we do.

God’s solid foundation is sealed with these trustworthy inscriptions” “The Lord knows those who are His,” and “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness” (2 Timothy 2:19). I pray that we will not show contempt for God’s kindness, tolerance, and patience towards us. Romans 2:4 declares that God’s kindness leads us toward repentance. Actually coming out of Babylon and laying down Christmas fulfills turning away[32] from this celebratory practice that grieves our Savior’s heart. We are exhorted to “make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with Him” (2 Peter 3:14). Our orders from headquarters are rules to live by given to us in God’s Word. They are our rules of engagement to the King of kings, where we receive the victor’s crown, because we serve the Lord according to His rules.[33] We are called to no longer live as the world or pagans do. Second Timothy 2:21 shows us that we are “made holy;” and thus, “useful to the Master,” if we cleanse ourselves from perishable, earthly practices. Then we are “prepared to do any good work.”

Purification is a two-way process, as is most every work of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives. We are first made holy through Christ’s atoning sacrifice, and then we must also choice to cleanse our lives. “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love…” (1 Peter 1:22). But please remember that purification is ultimately wrought by Christ: “To purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:14). It’s like we love Him, because He first loved us. Please notice that our love is proven by what we do. Let’s not “claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him” (Titus 1:6).

~ Robin Main

www.sapphirethroneministries.com
www.santa-tizing.com
www.mysticmentoring.com

Copyright Dec. 24, 2012 – Author: Robin Main.

The information in this article and more details can be found in Chapter 5 “The Golden Snare” or Chapter 6 “The Golden Calf” in my book: SANTA-TIZING: What’s wrong with Christmas and how to clean it up (available on amazon http://www.amazon.com/SANTA-TIZING-Whats-wrong-Christmas-clean/dp/1607911159/).

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• SANTA-TIZING: What’s wrong with Christmas and how to clean it up book => https://www.amazon.com/SANTA-TIZING-Whats-wrong-Christmas-clean/dp/1607911159/ was written to fulfill a vow made to Yeshua’s face to tell the Christian Church that “Christmas will be the Golden Calf of America.” It took 10 years of full-time research, a golden scribe angel and the Spirit’s leading to unearthing His Truth in the sands of time. It covers every argument that you have ever heard about Christmas.

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[1] The Winter Solstice, The Sacred Traditions of Christmas by John Matthews, Introduction, p.7

[2] Review – Martin Luther’s Christmas Book by John L. Hoh, Jr.

[3] Refer to Concerning the Jews and Their Lies by Martin Luther, Disputation and Dialogue, p. 34-36. Please note that The World Lutheran Federation in 1984, which celebrated the 500^th anniversary of Martin Luther’s birth, made a statement: “We cannot accept or condone the violent verbal attacks that the Reformer made against the Jews. The sins of Luther’s anti-Jewish remarks and the violence of his attacks on the Jews must be acknowledged with deep distress, and on all occasion for similar sin in the present or the future must be removed from our churches…”

[4] The Register of Ministers in Geneva (1546) detailed a list of “faults which went against the Reformation.”

[5] The Writings of John Calvin: An Introductory Guide, by Wulfert de Greef, p. 57

[6] The Necessity of Reforming the Church, in Tracts, Vol. 1, p. 123-234

[7] Knox’s History, John Knox, Works, Vol. 2, p.281

[8] Works, Knox, Volume vi, p 547-548

[9] Perth Assembly, p. 83-84

[10] Constantine’s Sword, The Church and the Jews, by James Carroll, Part Eight, Chapter 54, p. 555

[11] Defined on July 18,1870

[12] Constantine’s Sword, The Church and the Jews, by James Carroll Ibid, Part Six, Chapter 43, p. 439-440

[13] Sunday – October 15, 2006

[14] Constantine’s Sword, The Church and the Jews, by James Carroll, Part Eight, Chapter 54, p. 555

[15] World Traditions, www.historychannel.com/exhibits/holidays/christmas/world.html

[16] The Winter Solstice, The Sacred Traditions of Christmas by John Matthews, The Green Bough, p.81

[17] World Traditions, www.historychannel.com/exhibits/holidays/christmas/world.html

[18] Christmas Trees, www.historychannel.com/exhibits/holidays/christmas/trees.html

[19] “Northern European peoples, especially the Germans,” Webster’s New World Dictionary, CompactSchool and Office Edition, p. 444

[20] The Winter Solstice, The Sacred Traditions of Christmas by John Matthews, Old Sir Christmas, p.125

[21] Christmas Trees, www.historychannel.com/exhibits/holidays/christmas/trees.html

[22] The Prince of Darkness by Jeffery Burton Russell, Chapter 8, p.111-114

[23] Catholic Encyclopedia, St. Nicholas of Myra by Michael Ott, www.advent.org/cathen/11063b.htm

[24] Christmas History & Traditions, Favorite Traditions, Old St. Nick, www.bhg.com

[25] The Winter Solstice, The Sacred Traditions of Christmas by John Matthews, Introduction, p.7

[26] The Twilight Labyrinth by George Otis, Jr., Ancient Mysteries, Footnote 103, p. 334

[27] The Winter Solstice, The Sacred Traditions of Christmas by John Matthews, Old Sir Christmas, p.117-118

[28] The Twilight Labyrinth by George Otis, Jr., Enchanting The Lie, p. 161

[29] Ibid.

[30] CNN Television, December 12, 2004, 7:30 pm

[31] Christmas Around the World by Victoria Westlane, Tidbits of Fort Collins, December 21, 2005, p.3

[32] The Hebrew word for repentance teshuvah means to turn away.

[33] 2 Timothy 2:3-5