Rod McNair

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

Germany’s Rising Power

On February 24, 2022, Russian tanks rolled across the border into Ukraine. They attacked in the north from Belarus, in the south from Crimea, and they attacked from the east, heading toward the capital Kiev. Just one month before, Germany had been reluctant to send weapons to Ukraine, not wanting to inflame already tense relations with Russia. The Germans infamously offered the Ukrainians just 5,000 helmets in response to their plea for help, as Russian troops amassed at the border.

But just two days after the invasion of February 24, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made a surprise announcement. He committed the German government to increased military spending in 2022 by 100 billion euros. And, he pledged to send Ukraine 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 surface-to-air missiles.

This move did not just put Vladimir Putin on notice that Germany would stand with the Ukrainians; it also signaled a radical shift in Germany’s policy, one that had stood for decades.

As the news website France24 noted,

“Often described as predictable and ‘robotic,’ Chancellor Olaf Scholz has become emboldened since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, smashing policy taboos to steer Germany into ‘a new era’ that could reshape its role on the world stage” (February 28, 2022).

And that’s exactly what this shift has done—radically change Germany’s post-war policy. Since World War II, Germany has not allowed its weapons makers to export into war zones. It has not even allowed third parties to buy them for use in these areas. And this policy was a reaction to Germany’s dark, Nazi past. But now, everything has changed. This policy about-face has been nothing less than stunning.

But there’s more to the story. You see, it’s not just that Germany is taking a more muscular approach to its defense and its neighbors’ defense. There’s something else happening behind the scenes. What does it mean for Bible prophecy? And where will it lead in the end-times?

The Ancient Origin of the Germans

Welcome to Tomorrow’s World, where we help you make sense of your world through the pages of the Bible.

When Germany reversed its pacifist policy and pledged to stand with Ukraine, many were shocked. So, why DID Germany, after all those decades, dramatically change direction?

The answer lies in understanding the origin of the modern German nation. And that brings us to our first key to understanding why Germany matters in end-time prophecy:

1. Germany comes from ancient Assyria

Longtime viewers of Tomorrow’s World understand that nations of today didn't just appear out of thin air. Some countries, like Egypt, Italy, and Greece, have the same names as their ancient counterparts. On the other hand, other countries’ names have changed. This is true of Germany. You won’t find the name “Germany” in your Bible. But biblical and historical evidence show modern Germany sprang from ancient Assyria. How do we know? In the first segment, let’s look at some of the evidence.

The ancient empire of Assyria was a mighty and vast world-power that reached its zenith in the eighth century BC. But by 612 BC, it had collapsed and its capital, Nineveh, was overrun. Consider this comment by James Breasted in the book The Conquest of Civilization:

“[Nineveh’s] fall was forever, and when two centuries later Xenophon and his ten thousand Greeks marched past the place, the Assyrian nation was but a vague tradition, and Nineveh, its great city, was a vast heap of rubbish as it is today” ​(The Conquest of Civilization, 1954, p. 175).

The bulk of the Assyrians just disappeared. But where did they go? When you look at the historical record—combined with the Bible—you’ll find evidence of Assyrians moving north and west. Let’s examine just a few examples.

First of all, consider the city of Trier. One of the oldest cities in Germany, according to German legend, Trier was founded by an Assyrian prince named Trebeta, a descendant of the biblical Nimrod. While this is only a legend, it persisted at least as far as the 11^th century AD. If true, it would establish Assyrian knowledge of and access to the continent of Europe, well into antiquity.

Consider another point: Along the southern coast of the Black Sea is a promontory that in ancient times was called Sinope. Some historians say this ancient maritime city was founded by the Assyrians:

“The early foundations of Sinope are probably Assyrian. The extreme antiquity of that great power is constantly receiving fresh evidence…” (David M. Robinson, “Ancient Sinope: First Part,” The American Journal of Philology, vol. 27, no. 2, p. 145).

So, why is that significant? Because if the Assyrians had a presence in the Black Sea region before Nineveh fell, it would make sense to flee in that direction when their empire collapsed.

And that’s exactly where we do find some Assyrians, centuries after Nineveh fell. Diodorus of Sicily, a historian writing in the 1^st century BC, noted that the Assyrians were driven by the Scythians exactly to this region where they had long had a presence:

“It was by these kings [of the Scythians] that many of the conquered peoples were removed to other homes, and two of these became very great colonies: the one was composed of Assyrians and was removed to the land between Paphlagonia and Pontus” (Diodorus of Sicily, vol. 2, p. 29, Oldfather, 1935).

So, they were forcibly exiled to areas not unfamiliar to them.

Consider another piece of evidence: the Hittites. The Hittites were a powerful empire located in Asia Minor in antiquity. They had many cultural and ethnic ties to the Assyrians. And, they were next door neighbors. When the Hittite empire fell, around 1200 BC, the Assyrians swooped in to fill the vacuum. They occupied Hittite cities, and became even more mixed and linked as a people. Again, where would the fleeing Assyrians go when Nineveh fell, if not to areas where they were already established masters?

This is important, because later, we find historians tracing the Hittites migrating into Europe, carrying their names, their culture, and their tendencies with them. Undoubtedly, many Assyrians were mixed in as well.

Note some of the similarities between ancient Assyria and the Hittite empire, and modern Germany.

The iron cross was a military decoration by King Frederick Wilhelm III and by Imperial and Nazi Germany. It can ALSO be found depicted in engravings, hanging from the neck of the Assyrian king Shamshi-Adad V in the ninth-century BC.

The Hittite double-headed eagle and the Assyrian god Ashur depicted on a winged sun disk bear strong resemblances to the double-headed eagle of the Germanic Holy Roman Empire and the eagle and swastika disk of Nazi Germany.

British Assyriologist A. H. Sayce of the University of Oxford believed that the swastika symbol likely originated with the Hittites and spread into other cultures (xxi, Trojas, Heinrich Schliemann, 1881).

German Role in Bible Prophecy

You won’t find the name “Germany” in the Bible. Even so, you can identify where this powerful and influential nation sprang from. You can trace the movements of the ancient Assyrians through the centuries as they migrated and mingled among other peoples, finally settling in central Europe.

But why does it matter? Why should we care about these old histories and maps and artifacts? It might affect the days ahead, more than you realize. And that leads us to our second key to understanding why Germany matters in end-time prophecy:

2. Germany will dominate the Western world in the end-times

One third of the Bible is prophecy. And one of the basic principles of prophecy is that much of it is dual. In other words, there is a first fulfillment, and then there is a future fulfillment, yet to occur. But what does this have to do with Germany today?

To answer that question, let’s look at Isaiah chapter 10:1–3,

“Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, who write misfortune, which they have prescribed to rob the needy of justice, and to take what is right from the poor of My people…. What will you do in the day of punishment, and in the desolation which will come from afar?” (Isaiah 10:1–3).

Here in Isaiah 10, God was telling the ancient Israelites He was about to punish them for turning away from Him. Then, the next few verses explain WHO He would use to punish them, as a tool in God’s hands. Notice Isaiah 10:5–7,

“Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger and the staff in whose hand is My indignation. I will send him against an ungodly nation, and against the people of My wrath I will give him charge, to seize the spoil, to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. Yet he does not mean so, nor does his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy, and cut off not a few nations” (Isaiah 10:5–7).

Note this. Israel was prophesied to be punished for their sins. Assyria was prophesied to be used by God to accomplish this. Not that the Assyrians were thinking they were doing God’s will. The Assyrian kings were doing just what Assyrian kings did naturally—conquering and overthrowing cities and nations to expand their territory. And that’s exactly what happened. Assyria attacked northern Israel in 721 BC, destroying its capital, Samaria, and deporting its inhabitants.

But notice, there’s one more element in this passage. In Isaiah 10:12,

“Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Lord has performed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, that He will say, ‘I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his haughty looks.’ For he says: ‘By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I am prudent…. Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it?” (Isaiah 10:12–13, 15).

In other words, God would punish Assyria after He used them to correct Israel, for the king of Assyria’s arrogance and self-will.

What a profound glimpse of geopolitics from behind-the-scenes! We may see the outward effects of nations and armies trying to outmaneuver one another on the battlefield, or in the diplomatic arena. But God, our Creator, is the Sustainer of the whole entire globe. Though we may not see it, He is there, and even works through kings and leaders, to accomplish His will.

Again, why is this important and what does it have to do with Germany today?

You see, because prophecy is dual, this scene will be played out again. Ancient Israel comprises the English-speaking nations of the Western world, and those of northwest Europe. These nations grow more decadent with each passing day. There will come a day when they will be judged. And God will use the same nation He used to accomplish it in 721 BC; Assyria, Germany. That’s what your Bible says. A repeat of the Nazi regime in the last century. Only, this time Germany won’t be defeated. This horrific time to come is described in the Bible as the Great Tribulation.

But how can we really know this will happen?

Consider several prophecies that apply to the end-times. Notice Isaiah 27:12–13,

“And it shall come to pass in that day that the LORD will thresh, from the channel of the River to the Brook of Egypt; and you will be gathered one by one, O you children of Israel. So it shall be in that day: The great trumpet will be blown; they will come, who are about to perish in the land of Assyria, and they who are outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem” (Isaiah 27:12–13).

How could it be any plainer? The great trumpet is blown, the children of Israel will be about to perish in the land of Assyria, and then they return to worship the Lord at Jerusalem. That has not happened yet. It’s yet future.

Turn to Isaiah 11:16. Here is another passage showing Assyrian domination of Israel in the end times:

“There will be a highway for the remnant of His people who will be left from Assyria, as it was for Israel in the day that he came up from the land of Egypt” (Isaiah 11:16).

When you look at the context, this is clearly referring to the millennium, and the time leading up to it. And it says God will gather His people from Assyria.

In Jeremiah 23:8 and Jeremiah 31:8 it refers to the captives being brought back “from the north country.” In Hosea 11:10, it says the captives will return, trembling, “from the west.” Look on a map. What is north and west of ancient Israel? Well, Europe, with Germany at its heart.

The Beast of Revelation and Germany’s True Restoration

We saw that disaster is coming upon the nations of end-time Israel. This devastation will come at the hands of a German-led superpower, the final attempt to restore the Holy Roman Empire. This military machine is also called the Beast, as it’s described in the Book of Revelation. Notice what John saw and described, in Revelation 13:1,

“Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name…. And all the world marveled and followed the beast” (Revelation 13:1, 3).

This coming superpower will shock and bewilder the nations with its technological prowess and military strength. It will subjugate modern Israelites, conquer an Arab confederacy, and even fight an all-out war with the armies of the East, for supremacy of the whole earth.

And by the way, some discount the idea that modern Germans came from ancient Assyria, because there are populations in northern Iraq, northwestern Iran, southeast Turkey, and Syria who call themselves Assyrians. Some additional ethnic Assyrians live in the United States. All told, these ethnic Assyrians comprise just over 5 million people alive today.

But think about it. After all we’ve seen in this program, could it be that a few scattered peoples could wield enough power in the end-times to bring down a superpower? Is it logical that the United States could be overthrown by a few million scattered ethnic Assyrians with no central nation of their own? Not at all. The prophecies of the Bible show that in the end-times, there will be a nation descended from ancient Assyria, that will comprise an intact, influential superpower. And this juggernaut will leap onto the world stage suddenly and shock the nations.

After this German-led Beast power takes the world by storm, just like in ancient times, this modern-day Assyrian empire will be punished as well. Just like Nineveh was flattened in 612 BC, God will judge this nation for its ruthless and brutal aggression. And, for its attempt to fight against Christ Himself. Notice what we find in Revelation 17:12,

“The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:12–14).

This is the so-called “Battle of Armageddon.” This is mankind’s attempt to thwart Jesus Christ when He returns. The armies of this resurgent Assyrian empire will be no match for the King of kings and Lord of lords. And that empire will be defeated.

But what happens next is the key I want you to leave you with. That is, our third key as to “Why Germany Matters in the end-times”:

3. Germany will be a leading nation in the Millennial age

Germany and other nations of the world will be humbled by Jesus Christ returning in power and glory. And then, after this horrific battle, a new age will begin. Our Lord and Savior, as we saw earlier, will gather the survivors of Israel from the land of Assyria, and other places where they were taken captive. He will also comfort and feed and heal survivors from all the nations of the world—those who suffered but survived during the Great Tribulation and the Day of the LORD.

The timing is at the beginning of the Millennium, when Jesus Christ is now on earth, after He puts down all rebellion. Notice, Isaiah 19:23,

“In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians” (Isaiah 19:23).

Could there be a time of peace after World War III? Yes. But first, the modern-day Assyrians will have subjugated much of the Western world. They will have fought with and beaten an Arab confederation. And they will have battled Asian armies from the East, bringing the whole earth to the edge of cosmicide. But yes, after that, there WILL be peace.

Not only that, look who will be picking up the pieces. The German people, who survived that great calamity, will play an active role in rebuilding a broken and beaten world. They will be humbled and repentant, and ready to serve in a new world of peace and prosperity. Bible prophecy shows they will have an important–and even a leading–role in this new age. We pick it up in Isaiah 19:24,

“In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, ‘Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance’” (Isaiah 19:24–25).

Did you catch that? Assyria—Germany—is described as the work of God’s hands. And they will work with other nations that were formerly bitter enemies. You see, God doesn’t hate Germany. On the contrary, God loves the German people. Just like He loves all of His children, made in His image. And He will use the tremendous strengths and talents and ENERGY of the German people to help rebuild the world, brick by brick.

Why does Germany matter in the end-times? Because if we know the identity of the German nation, we can understand why Germany, even today, is beginning to take a more proactive and assertive role in the world. While Germany acts with good intentions now, where will it lead? Prophecy tells us it will lead to an aggressive tyrant taking over Germany, bringing warfare and destruction like the world has never known. At the same time, prophecy ALSO shows that after that, the German nation will be used by God to help rebuild a new and peaceful world, under the leadership of Jesus Christ.

There’s much more to this subject than we can cover in this short program. And that’s why we are offering you the free study guide Germany in Prophecy. It will show that God has a plan for all His children. And He is working out that plan. He will put end-time Assyrians–modern Germans–to work to accomplish that plan. In fact, He even describes Assyria as “the Work of My Hands.” You need to know what will happen to these nations we’ve talked about, in the years just ahead. And you need to know how it will affect you. So, request your free copy of Germany in Prophecy. Order by phone, by mail, or on the web. Order today.

God’s Love for Germany—And for You

In this program, we’ve seen that you won’t find the name “Germany” in the Bible. And yet, you can understand who the Germans are today, and what God reveals for Germany in the end-times. And you can understand why Germany matters in these end-times.

God does not want any of His children, made in His image to suffer. And He is looking for those who will turn from their sins and respond to His call for repentance. May God help all of us—whoever we are and wherever we live—to heed the warning and draw close to our Creator in truth and sincerity.

Thanks for watching. And be sure to come back next week as Gerald Weston, Richard Ames, Wallace Smith, and I continue to share with you the teachings of Jesus Christ, the good news of His coming Kingdom, and end-time prophecies of His Word. See you next week.

Hey everyone, thanks for watching. We hope you enjoyed this video.

We here at Tomorrow’s World want to help you make sense of this world through the pages of your Bible.

So if you found it helpful and want to learn more, be sure to get your free copy of our study guide Germany In Prophecy. Just click the link in the description or order online at twtv.org/Germany. It will be sent to you completely free of charge.

And remember to like and subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss another video.

See you next time.

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

Why Keep Christmas?

Many people know that Christmas is pagan. The origins of this popular December holiday are not hidden. In fact, when Christmas comes around each year, we usually see magazine articles or Internet blogs explaining where these traditions came from. Many people are not confused about that.

The bigger question for some is, why does it matter? Should anyone even care where Christmas traditions came from? After all, isn’t the big issue about honoring Christ? Maybe the other details are trivial.

If you’ve ever wondered, “What should I do about Christmas?”, then stay tuned.

No Longer a Christian Holiday—Or Never Was?

Welcome to Tomorrow’s World, where we help you make sense of your world through the pages of the Bible.

Some people don’t keep Christmas. That may not come as a shock to you. You might be one of them. You might have come to that conclusion through your own study, in looking into the pagan origins of Christmas. And it might have caused you to think twice about keeping this popular holiday. If you have, you’re not alone.

Of course, many people still do keep Christmas. In fact, the vast majority of people in our Western nations do. According to the Gallup organization, as of December, 2019, 93% of Americans celebrate Christmas in one way or another. And that figure has been more or less consistent for decades (“What Percentage of Americans Celebrate Christmas?”, News.Gallup.com, December 23, 2019).

In Great Britain as well,  93% of the population celebrate the Christmas season (“18.12.2019 Christmas and New Year’s Survey amongst 1,000 British people reveals habits,” Statista.com, December 12, 2019).

In Canada, it’s a little less, 92% (“In Canada, Christmas traditions change as fewer people see religion as the reason for the season,” AngusReid.org, December 19, 2019).

In Mexico, 93% of those surveyed were planning to keep Christmas (“Plans to celebrate Christmas in Mexico in 2020,” Statista.com, October 11, 2022).

What about Russia? About two-thirds of their population celebrate Christmas. (“How is Christmas Celebrated in Russia?”, Russia Beyond, RBTH.com, December 9, 2019).

And in Germany, the figure stands at about 78% of the population (How Germany celebrates Christmas,” Deutschland.de, December 21, 2021).

These are just a few countries around the world. The point is, Christmas is widely celebrated.

And yet, many people know that its origins are not Christian at all. You probably do as well. If you don’t, or if you’re not sure, just pick up virtually any encyclopedia, or look online. Here is a quote from the online Encyclopedia Britannica, under the heading, “Does Christmas have pagan roots?”:

In ancient Rome, December 25 was a celebration of the Unconquered Sun, marking the return of longer days. It followed Saturnalia, a festival where people feasted and exchanged gifts. The church in Rome began celebrating Christmas on December 25 in the 4th century during the reign of Constantine, the first Christian emperor… (“Christmas,” Britannica.com, April 18, 2023).

December 25? Feasting? Exchanging gifts? That’s describing pagan holidays observed under the Roman Empire. And this date was only adopted by the mainstream Christian church in the 4^th century. But why? Why was December 25 chosen as a date to celebrate Christmas?

Note this CBS News article from 2018 for the answer:

Though December 25 is the day Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the date itself and several of the customs we’ve come to associate with Christmas actually evolved from pagan traditions celebrating the winter solstice. “Christmas is really about bringing out your inner pagan,” historian Kenneth C. Davis told “CBS This Morning.” According to Davis, Christmas was celebrated as early as the fourth century, suggesting that it had almost nothing to do with Jesus Christ (“The unexpected origins of popular Christmas traditions,” CBSNews.com, December 25, 2018).

Christmas is about “bringing out your inner pagan” and Christmas has “almost nothing to do with Jesus Christ”? These are remarkable quotes. Again, this probably doesn’t surprise you. Especially if you are a regular viewer of Tomorrow’s World. You’ve probably seen articles and videos explaining the pagan origins of the Christmas traditions before. And not just from our material at Tomorrow’s World—it’s out there in the world at large. Such as this article from the CBS News website. It’s not a secret.

But that raises another question: What do we do with this information? Should it matter at all?

You see, most people who know the origins of Christmas have somehow rationalized to themselves why they should still keep it. Perhaps they think, “Well, it’s not really a religious observance, it’s just a fun, relaxed time to be with friends and family—it’s a social event.” That’s what a lot of people think. A 2013 survey of American millennials—that is, those born from 1981 to 1996—revealed that although 9 in 10 of them observe Christmas, only 4 in 10 do so for religious reasons (“Many Millennials see Christmas as more cultural than religious holiday,” PewResearch.org, December 18, 2015).

So, more and more people are coming to see Christmas as just a social and secular observance. On the other hand, for those who are religious, many of them also know the origins are pagan. But some of them convince themselves that it’s not a problem, arguing, “Well, as long as I do it for Christ, it’s ok.”

But is it ok? Should we stop and think if this line of reasoning even makes sense?

As one source says,

Christmas makes no sense… the basic facts of the annual ritual just seem to defy logic and meaning. What do brightly lit trees and mistletoe have to do with the birth of a prophet in Bethlehem thousands of years ago? What does a jolly, portly man in red and white garb have to do with Christianity? What’s the meaning behind the Yule log? … Many people have a general inkling about the way old pagan traditions and celebrations fed into Christmas as we know it today… (“The Pagan Roots of Christmas,” History.co.uk).

What Is God’s View of Christmas?

Many people really do know the roots of Christmas are pagan. But they keep it anyway. What should YOU do about Christmas? To help you answer that, let’s consider our first fundamental question:

1. Does God condone lies?

Everyone knows that Santa Claus does not really come down our chimneys on Christmas Eve. Or, at least everyone knows except our children. Thalia Goldstein is the assistant professor of applied developmental psychology at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Ms. Goldstein notes that about 85% of American 5-year old kids believe Santa is real:

Children’s belief in Santa starts when they’re between 3 and 4 years old. It’s very strong when they’re between about 4 and 8. Then, at 8 years old is when we start to see the drop-off in belief, when children start to understand the reality of Santa Claus (How many kids still believe in Santa?”, CNN Health, CNN.com, December 19, 2017).

So, a high percentage of kids in the United States are still taught to believe, at a young age, in something that is not true. What about children outside of the United States? According to a research paper presented in 1999 in Finland, at the European Early Childhood Education Research Association:

Of 161 parents in the United Kingdom, 92.5% thought Father Christmas was real for their children up to the age of 8….

But it’s not just the Santa myth. In addition, there is no proof that December 25 was the date of the birth of Christ. In fact, Luke 2:8 records that the shepherds were out in the fields at his birth, and that would never have happened in the rainy, cold winter months. And what about the three kings from the east, visiting the baby Jesus in the manger? That didn’t happen, at least not in the way the Christmas story tells it. The book of Matthew says they were wise men, not kings. And it doesn’t mention how many there were. And it says “when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother.” That’s in Matthew 2:11.

The Christmas traditions are riddled with errors, misspeaks, and outright lies. The context shows He was upwards to two years old here, and in a house, not a manger. Now, with an open mind ask yourself, would God really be behind such a convoluted tradition? Notice what Titus 1:2 says:

In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began (Titus 1:2).

God cannot lie. God will not lie. God never lies. And yet, we are made to believe He condones millions of parents telling their children outright lies and convoluted myths, supposedly about His Son?

Think about it. One of the Ten Commandments specifically forbids being a false witness. You can find that in Exodus 20:16,

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor (Exodus 20:16).

The specific topic here in Exodus 20:16 is bearing false witness against your neighbor. But certainly the principle is that we must tell the truth in all circumstances.

It’s sobering that the Apostle John records the following, in Revelation 21:7,

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Revelation 21:7–8).

So, who is standing up and warning our parents, to stop the lies of Christmas? Almost no one.

Instead, we have experts like Jacqueline Woolley, professor and  department of psychology Chair at the University of Texas at Austin. Here is what she says:

Some parents wonder whether they are harming their children by engaging in the Santa myth. Philosophers and bloggers alike have mounted arguments against perpetuating the “Santa-lie,” some even claiming that it could lead to permanent distrust of parents and other authorities. So, what should parents do? (“Why children believe (or not) that Santa Claus exists,” The Conversation, TheConversation.com, December 18, 2016).

Yes, what SHOULD parents do? If they know Christmas comes from error, and falsehood, and even outright lies, maybe parents should tell their children the TRUTH, instead of perpetuating the lie. But that’s not Ms. Woolley’s conclusion. Notice her next statement:

There is no evidence that belief, and eventual disbelief in Santa, affects parental trust in any significant way.

Stop and think about this for a moment. Have you ever had someone lie to you? How did it feel? When you found out, did it affect your ability to trust them? Even if it was for a so-called good reason, did it make you stop and think the next time they told you something—are they telling me the truth, or is this another lie?

If it affects us that way as adults, why wouldn’t we think it would affect our children? One more statement from Ms. Woolley:

Furthermore, not only do children have the tools to ferret out the truth; but engaging with the Santa story may give them a chance to exercise these abilities. So, if you think it would be fun for you and your family to invite Santa Claus into your home at Christmas time, you should do so. Your children will be fine. And they might even learn something.

What an amazing statement. Perpetuating the Santa and Christmas lie will actually be good for your children, at least according to her.

I hope you are seeing that what’s good for your children is teaching them truth and to be truthful. And what is the foundation of truth? God’s word is truth. That’s from John 17:17.

God cannot lie—we already saw that in Titus 1:2. But there is a being, a powerful evil spirit who not only lies but is described as the father of lies. We find that in John 8:44. Jesus was being confronted by the Pharisees. They were hypocritical, selfish and seeking to destroy Him. And notice what He told them:

“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44).

Satan the devil is the father of lies. We don’t want any part of him. So we shouldn’t want any part of a tradition that is based on lies, no matter how we sugar coat it.

We can either be for the truth, or for the lie. We can be seeking to live the way of truth—the way that God reveals in His word, seeking to follow His Spirit and be conformed to His righteousness and the righteousness of His Son. Or, we can fall into living the way of the lie—following error, falsehood, lies, often masquerading as good traditions and holidays. And we can pass on those errors to our children.

So, we might know that the origins of Christmas are not Christian at all. What should we do about it? Well, let’s let the Bible speak for itself. You won’t ever find a word of the Bible where God tells you to do something deceitful or dishonest or promoting error. And that should give us guidance on how we judge what to do about Christmas.

The Deception of “Christianizing” Paganism

Let’s move on to our second fundamental question:

2. Does God ever say “keep any day” as long as you honor Christ?

This is a reason some use to explain their holding on to Christmas in spite of its error. Well, they reason, as long as we honor Christ in it, it’s ok. But is it ok? We find some powerful principles in the Bible that give us the guidance we need. One is found in the history of Israel.

The ancient nation of Israel was led by God out of enslavement from Egypt about 3,400 years ago. But before they went into what was called the Promised Land, God gave them a serious warning. He said don’t mix worship of Me with the worship of the nations around you. We’ll pick it up in Deuteronomy 12:30,

Take heed… that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise. You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way… (Deuteronomy 12:30–31).

Notice, the principle is not just “don’t worship idols,” it’s “don’t worship the true God with idolatrous practices.” Can you see the difference?

But in the history of the Christian church, that is what exactly happened. Worship of Christ was mixed with traditions of the pagans. In the book The Battle for Christmas, author Stephen Nissenbaum writes this:

It was only in the fourth century that the Church officially decided to observe Christmas on December 25. And this date was chosen not for religious reasons but simply because it happened to mark the approximate arrival of the winter solstice, an event that was celebrated long before the advent of Christianity…. The Puritans were correct when they point out—and they point it out often—that Christmas was nothing but a pagan festival covered with a Christian veneer (The Battle for Christmas, 1996, p. 4).

He then refers to the Puritan minister Increase Mather, from the early days of colonial America:

[Increase Mather] accurately observed in 1687 that the early Christians who first observed the Nativity on December 25 did not do so “thinking that Christ was born in that Month, but because the Heathens Saturnalia was at that time kept in Rome, and they were willing to have those Pagan Holidays metamorphosed into Christian [ones] (The Battle for Christmas).

So, Christmas was not put on December 25 to reflect the birth of Christ. It was put there to absorb the worshippers of Saturnalia and easily bring them into the church. Precisely the opposite of God’s instructions back in Deuteronomy.

How did the expanding, visible church deal with the traditions of the pagans around them? Well, it accommodated them. Notice this statement from the book, The Pageantry of Christmas:

… Most of the Christian missionaries who moved into Central and Western Europe as the Roman Empire crumbled, followed the advice of [Pope] Gregory the Great. He wrote, in 597, that they should not try to put down pagan customs “upon the sudden,” but adapt them “to the praise of God” (The Pageantry of Christmas, 1963, p. 10).

Adapt the pagan customs? But that is exactly what happened, and that’s why we have the strange mix of pagan rituals, with the mention of Christ, in Christmas today. But is that what God wanted? No. Notice God’s instruction in Jeremiah 10:1,

Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel. Thus says the LORD; “Do not learn the way of the Gentiles… For the customs of the peoples are futile; For one cuts a tree from the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. They decorate it with silver and gold; They fasten it with nails and hammers so that it will not topple. They are upright, like a palm tree…” (Jeremiah 10:1–5).

Remarkable parallels with the customs of Christmas that jump right off the page. God told ancient Israel through Jeremiah, don’t learn how to worship Me by watching how the nations around you do it. But in the Christian era, that’s exactly what some did. They transformed the worship of Christ into a mix of the true God with the worship of Saturn, Mithra, and others.

God’s standard is truth, as defined by the Bible. Not traditions. Not customs. Notice John 4:23,

… The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him (John 4:23).

When we show honor to God, we have to do it His way. We have to honor Him on the days He wants us to honor Him.

Reject Christmas and Follow Christ’s True Teachings

So, what should we do about Christmas? Simple. God offers something better. We don’t have to settle for a festival steeped in pagan traditions. We can be different. God outlines His days—His biblical holy days—which teach us about Him and His plan of salvation. You might have heard of them. Passover. Pentecost. The Feast of Tabernacles. The Day of Atonement. These are just a few.

The Apostle Paul took the Gospel message primarily to a Gentile world. Meaning, the brethren he worked with and wrote to were coming out of pagan practices. He worked in the Roman world of the 1^st century. And the people in that world were keeping the Saturnalia. Many of them were worshiping Mithra, and other false gods. And they had to come out of it, to become part of the body of Christ, the Church of God.

But he had to encourage them, to not fall back into their former practices. He had to tell them, don’t get discouraged if people don’t understand what you’re doing. Even if that means friends, neighbors or family. Notice what he said in the book of Colossians to the church at Colosse. Colossians 2:16, and I’m reading from the King James Version:

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ (Colossians 2:16–17).

The word “is” is in italics. It’s not in the original text. It should read, “but the body of Christ.” The church is the body. We ARE to let the church teach us, to guide us, and show us how to keep the holy days as outlined in the Bible. And we should not be discouraged if the world judges us for not keeping worldly days.

So, don’t let the world judge you, if you walk away from Christmas. If you make the determination, “I’m done following the traditions of man, and I want to learn the ways of God.” Don’t be discouraged. Your friends and even relatives may not like it. But God is looking for those who are willing to follow Him, come what may.

Christmas does not lead us to truth. It only obscures the truth. It’s not enough to know the origins of Christmas. We have to act on what we know. And that means, follow the truth.

That’s what we should do about Christmas.

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