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Conspiracies of Faith: Holy Days
February 9, 2019

For several weeks we have been examining conspiracies of faith to see differences between the Bible and current practice. When asking most about Christian Holy Days, Christmas and Easter will top the list. Yet the Bible, doesn't mention these days, except for a single use of the word Easter in the King James Version in Acts 12:4. Easter is translated in this verse from the Greek word transliterated as Pascha, which means Passover. The story of the birth of Jesus is cited during Christmas, but was Jesus born on December 25th? The scriptures would indicate probably not. Luke records that shepherds were in the fields with their flocks; while not impossible, this would have been highly unlikely as the time of year is very cold. Flocks were normally kept in the fields from spring to fall, which would be in line when Biblical Holy Days occur.

Luke 2:8-14
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

So why the date of December 25th? Early church writers had information to suggest that the birth of Jesus occurred late April to late May, which would align to the shepherds being in the fields with their flocks. It would be several centuries later that December 25th was observed. Pagan practices most likely had an affect on the day. December 25th was observed as the Roman winter solstice with the festival of Saturnalia. The closeness of dates was understood very early; 800 years would pass before the linking of the birth of Jesus to pagan practices was seen as a deliberate act. What we do know from the Bible is no date is given for the birth of Jesus and as much as we do not know today, the early church writing at least one hundred years after the fact would not know either. We do know that during this time the pagan festival continued; this is the only constant and likely source for the modern practice.

Easter is observed always on a Sunday, with a belief in a crucifixion on Good Friday, yet this belief contradicts the only sign Jesus gave of his true nature. Jesus said he would be three days and three nights in the grave. So counting from a Friday afternoon to a Sunday morning, you will get two nights and one full day. You would even get two partial days. At the most you would get three days and two nights counting with generosity, and in accepting this one would deny the only sign given by Jesus of his true nature. While there is debate if the Easter Bunny is tied to Ostara, an ancient goddess of spring, there is very little debate that the egg was a pagan symbol of the rebirth of the earth in spring celebrations.

Matthew 12:38-40
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Deuteronomy 12:29-31
When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land; Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.

What I do believe is that the birth and death of Jesus were monumental events in the course of mankind that results in our opportunity for salvation and eternal life.

All verses are from the King James Version.
This site provided by Tom Laign. To all who may believe differently, I also extend peace and love.
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