THE CHRISTMAS POLICE

HISLOPMANIA AND ITS JUDGES

By HERB EVANS, Ltt.D.

157 PATTIES PLACE

PORTERSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA 16051

E-Mail: herbevans@juno.com

Learn not the way of the heathen . . . for the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a TREE out of the forest . . . They deck it with silver and gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as a 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 . . . --Jer. 10:2-6

A former friend, whom I was instrumental in turning from a Methodist to a Baptist, later turned Calvinist and sent me a booklet bemoaning Christmas, a favorite past-time of Russelites (JW’s), Armstrongites, certain Calvinist Baptists, and many who have caught up into the mental disability associated with Hislop-Mania.

The booklet’s 23 Bible references, which were used to condemn Christmas, birthdays, gift giving, card sending, and Christmas trees, were stretched and misapplied beyond the wildest of imagination.

In it, the incredible and ridiculous interpretation of Jeremiah 10:2-4, as the worship of a Christmas tree (that historically did not yet exist), is the wildest exegesis that we have read since the "Plain Truth." This passage is clearly talking about a hewn or carved heathen IDOL. No mention is made of an evergreen OR a Christmas tree (there is mention of a palm tree).

Verse five says, "Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good. Forasmuch as there is NONE like thee, O LORD . . ." The Seven Day Adventists, with their arbitrary allegorical interpretation, the Church of Christ, which condemn humanly devised church names and musical instruments in our churches, have nothing on these folks.

The Extra-Biblical Criteria

The main thrust of the anti-holiday argument is based on the supposed Pagan origin of certain holidays and practices. The would-be defenders of the faith make better use of Hislop's Two Babylons and the Encyclopedia Britannica than they do the Bible.

The one thing that they all have in common is that if you can't find it in the Bible (or the New Testament), it is automatically wrong. Of course, song books, obelisk steeples, pews, and tract racks are to be excepted. This is to be expected from those who do not believe that the Bible alone can "THROUGHLY" furnish the man of God and that the word of God alone is able to rebuke and correct error all by itself.

To be sure, many secular things can be used to enforce the scriptures to some avail, but to use the secular alone, for prohibitive dog- ma, is to fall into the JW pit.

Pharisaic Inconsistency

Little do these "touch not," "handle not" Pharisees realize the can of worms they have opened.

To be consistent, they must abstain from the observance of the SUN-day, the MOON-day, TIW'S-day (god of war Gr. Zeus), WODEN'S-day (Germanic deity), THOR'S-day (god of thunder), FRIG-day (Woden's wife), SATURN-day, JANUS-ary (two faced god), February (Roman festival of purification), MARSch (god of war), MAIA (goddess of increase), and JUNO (goddess of marriage - June wedding anyone?)

They also might abstain from driving a MERCURY, buying autos with certain hood ornaments, sending flowers/telegrams, and participating in the OLYMPUS-ics.

Possible Ulterior Motives

We have observed that whether a person has enthusiasm or has disdain for festive occasions has, more than often, to do with his or her personality or temperament (or pocket-book) than it does with legitimate scriptural convictions (that was the case in my poverty stricken life, when young); although, that is not always so.

The stoic personality might find fault with placing flowers on a grave (certainly not a N.T. or an O.T. practice). A sanguine temperament, however, might send a Columbus day card (if they made them). The disciples had some problems with sentimentality also (Matt. 26:79).

Legalistic Salvation

Ye observe days, months, times and years. I am afraid of you. — Gal 4:10, 11

"YE OBSERVE" suggests that these were RELIGIOUS observances of days and so forth and were not from any disinterested motives, but to procure some merit from the Lord. These Galatians were using the calendar as a means of works for salvation, allowing legalism to be imposed on them.

We must remember that legalism can be positive (Do!) and negative (Don’t Do!). It would certainly be wrong for a church or individual to impose the observance of certain days upon us. It would also be wrong to observe certain days as a form of legalistic works (Gal. 4:10, 11).

Still, it must be equally wrong for a church or individual to impose blanket prohibitions of the innocent and harmless celebration of certain holidays in the absence of any prohibitive scripture.

Christian Liberty

One man ESTEEMETH ON DAY ABOVE ANOTHER: another ESTEEMETH EVERY DAY ALIKE. Let every man be FULLY PERSUADED in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it to the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. -- Rom 14:5, 6

Happy is he that condemneth NOT himself in the thing which he ALLOWETH . . . --Rom. 14:22

As concerning therefore the things offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world . . . howbeit, there is not in every man that knowledge: for some of conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol: and their conscience being weak is defiled . . . for neither if we eat are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. --1 Cor. 8:4-9

Why try to regiment what the scriptures have already loosened? Why demand unity in that which the scriptures allow diversity? Is it not so that a Christian may even eat meat offered to a heathen idol, if it does not cause a weaker brother to stumble (Rom. 14:20-23; 1 Cor. 8:4-9).

However, there is a great deal of difference between refraining from something to prevent a weaker brother from stumbling and refraining from something because a group of PIOUS Pharisees are trying to impose their will upon you.

Romans 14:20-23 states it another way. We do not have to observe a certain day because someone tells us to; but by the same token, if we want to have a Thanksgiving Day (or even a Turkey Day) or if we want to send a Happy Ascension card to someone, we are FREE to do so. Likewise with Christmas!

Christmas Judges

Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, WHO IS WEAK, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth DESPISE him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not JUDGE him that eateth: for GOD HATH RECEIVED HIM. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? . . . One man esteemeth ONE DAY ABOVE ANOTHER: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man BE FULLY PERSUADED in his own mind. He that REGARDETH THE DAY, REGARDETH IT UNTO THE LORD . . . But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ . . . So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. – Rom. 14:1-7 – 15

Now as touching things OFFERED TO IDOLS, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but CHARITY EDIFIETH . . . we know that an idol is nothing in the world . . . Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled . . . take heed lest by any means this LIBERTY OF YOURS become a stumbling block to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the CONSCIENCE OF HIM THAT IS WEAK be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the WEAK BROTHER perish, for whom Christ died? -- 1 Cor. 8:1-13

If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, EAT, asking no question for conscience sake. But if any man say unto you, This is offered IN SACRIFICE TO IDOLS, EAT NOT FOR HIS SAKE that showed it, and for conscience sake . . . Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my LIBERTY JUDGED of another man's conscience? -- 1 Cor. 10:27-29

Let no man therefore JUDGE you . . . in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days . . . why . . . are ye SUBJECT to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of MEN? Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in WILL WORSHIP, and humility, and neglecting of the body . . . -- Col. 2:16, 20-23

The positive and negative are both true of the scripture. We will not find fault with anyone that has sincere convictions either way unless he condemns us for ours or tries to impose his will and views upon us or teaches an observance or a non-observance to merit grace.

We have taken and still take a position of "live and let live," regarding the pro-Christmas brethren, the anti-Christmas brethren, and all those in between brethren. We believe a position of scriptural neutrality does exist, in certain areas, despite the objections and dismay of Pharisee judges, who try to intimidate the brethren.

One certain judge has displayed an angry hostility to anyone that does not agree 100% with him on everything. Almost everyone, found in print, makes this judge's "apostate" and "heretic" hit lists, eventually. We were recently castigated, again, regarding our ten year old plus "Christmas" comments above (which still get under this judge's skin).

We are quoted and challenged as follows: "The would be defenders of the faith make better use of the Encyclopedia Britannica and Hislop's Two Babylons than they do the Bible." -- Herb Evans

"Well, my friend, what do you use to document your defense, promotion, embracing and contending for Chri$t-Ma$$? Please send me the list of Bible verses that sanction and endorse this abomination of the earth." -- Our Christmas Judge

You see, Anti-Christmas Judges do not have one passage to support their judging or scorching of the brethren, concerning Christmas, not even Gal. 4:9-11 (taken in its proper context of works and bondage versus grace). They turn it around and demand that we prove our position, when we do not have to prove anything but that we are free. We would like to respond:

1. We do not use the "Bible" to support the "encyclopedia." We use the Bible, not the encyclopedia or Hislop, to make dogmatic specific proclamations and assertions!

2. We do not defend, promote, embrace, nor contend for "Chri$t-Ma$$" (or Christmas) nor the illicit practices and debauchery connected with it, any more than we defend, promote, or embrace the 4th of July and the debauchery connected with it nor do we endorse the sons of our revolution and their early persecution of our Baptist brethren.

We do not contend nor endorse the weekday and their gods, Sun-Day, Moon-Day, Tiw’s-Day, Wo- den's Day, Thor's-Day, Frig-Day, and Saturn-Day. We do not endorse the months and their gods Janus(uary), Mars(ch), Maia, Juno, nor Caesar Augustus' and Julius' months. Still, we use them (but so do our anti-Christmas judges). We ignore the gods of the Olympus(ics) sports/games. Also, we would never judge a brother for buying a Mercury or Saturn automobile or call them an abomina- tion.

3. The Bible demands only discretion, in these matters and only in the case of the conscience of a weak brother being wounded by our liberty. To our knowledge, neither the world nor pro-Christmas brethren have ever declared to us that Christmas foods, festivities, decorations, or gatherings are presently offered to idols. Still, even the Bible grants liberty, even in things sacrificed to idols, if it does not cause a weaker brother to stumble (triflers and Pharisee judges need not apply).

4. If the Bible condemns a practice, we condemn it also. The scriptures do judge and condemn both brethren and nonbelievers, who revel, adulterate, sacrifice to devils, are drunken, are idolatrous (during this time of year or any time of year). Nevertheless, that is not the issue. The issue is "will worship" and being subject to "men's ordinances" and having our liberty judged.

5. We have listed our plain, easy to understand scriptures. We don't have to manipulate, strain, exaggerate, read into, interpolate, supplement with Hislop or the Encyclopedia, and neither do we have to interpret them nor call anything an abomination, without scriptural justification to the letter or Bible principle.

Plainly, What Is

Our Position?

We do not observe or celebrate Christmas religiously. We do not even try to put Christ in Christmas, except as we try to put Him in each and every day. We do not believe that He was born on December, although he could have due to Zachariah’s seventh course of the Abijahian priesthood (Luke 1:5, 1 Chron, 1,10; Neh. 12:4) and the timing of the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy with John the Baptist coinciding with Mary’s conception (Luke 1:36).

We do not drink, dance, party, or even possess a Chri$t-Ma$$ tree (for the sake of other weak consciences). We have never lied to our children or grandchildren about Santa Claus nor Saint Nick, for no lie is of the truth. On Christmas, we do love to gather with the family (believers and nonbelievers - 1 Cor. 10:27) and feast on that "evil and hateful bird" and "Jack O' Lantern" pies. We also love gift giving and receiving (not necessarily confined to that particular day), but take advantage of most opportunities to do so.

We observe this American tradition, as we do many other American traditions, including apple pie and the Fourth of July. Also, we forbear others who incorporate their own particular national traditions into this holiday. We do not apologize for our position nor do we judge those, who see "Christmas" differently. We do not celebrate the Roman Catholic Mass on that day, but we do celebrate the mass in the sense of Webster 1828 as a cessation from labor, as a feast or meal, taken from the older biblical word "mess" for food or meal.

Conclusion

Chri$t-Ma$$ judges purposely ignore "intent," in this matter! It does not matter, to them, if a brother does not do Catholic mass, filthy lucre, strong drink, dance, or revelry, during this holiday. It does not matter, if a brother doesn't bow down to any idols nor believe that the Lord Jesus Christ was born on the 25th of December, lie about Santa Claus, have a yule log or Xmas goose or tree.

All that matters, to such "faith defenders," is that some folks do such things, during Chri$t--Ma$$ (and there must be a Roman Catholic in the wood pile somewhere). Chri$t-Ma$$ must bear the word etymology, which they insist upon, though such a construction is not found in most of the predominately Catholic, European tongues, which stay with "Happy Christ's birthday" or an equivalent. Moreover the Mexican Catholics do not even have a Christmas tree.

The word "mass" is (closely related to the word "mess" - food or meal) and primarily signifies leisure, hence a feast day. The Catholics may incorporate the word into their cannibalism but DID NOT invent it and do not have a Christmas that lasts 12 days as the original Christmas holiday did.

Certain anti-Christmas judges do not realize that their sentiments have a Calvinist and Jehovah's Witness connection, due to their hatred of Christmas (Satan casting out Satan). Anti-Christmas judges boast, love, and remember the Calvinist/Puritan anti-Christmas in- fluence that prevailed in early America.

Albeit, they do not remember the Puritan's who neglected to evangelize the Indians, in early America (because it was impossible for Indians to be among God's elect). They do not remember the Puritan influence that caused Baptists to be beaten and imprisoned, in early America. They do not remember the Puritan influence, which banished those, who believed, in freedom of conscience, and that hanged a Quaker, in early America.

We have no intention of allowing the Christmas conscience of another (Chri$t-Ma$$ Judge) to judge us or our liberty or to set us at nought, especially when the scriptures make them the WEAKER brethren and not us. We are fully persuaded in our own minds. Are you? U

(Composite Expanded Version - December 19, 2002), Reference: Biblical Editor - Winter 1990, p. 12; Flaming Torch - December 1980, p. 6 In times like These - February 1978, p.