1 - CGI Maryland



IntroductionThe end of Yahweh’s seasonal plan… representing the salvation of mankind… is the Last Great Day.For us now, the days (hours of sunlight) are getting shorter and shorter.The mind of mankind, based on superstition, with a natural enmity toward Yahweh, looked for their own answers as how to appease the superior being(s) that they dream up.We are all creatures of habit.We follow the customs laid before us from previous generations.Most “holidays” people observe are steeped in pagan traditions.Most go directly or indirectly in opposition to Yahweh’s law on how to worship Him.We’re now in the middle of that “dark season”, away from the time illustrating Yahweh’s plan for mankind, which used the agricultural seasons of the year to illustrate that plan.I want to present an overview of those observances of the “dark season”, either claimed to be “Christian” or are in direct violation of Yahweh’s commandments.Note that there are few religious observances outside of Yahweh’s commanded assemblies that occur during the Spring-to-Autumn timeframe.Many local or national observances commemorating events:Independence:National – on or about July 4th.Maryland Day – Commemorates the state’s history and heritage on or around March 25th each year.Texas Independence Day (March 2nd) – celebrates the adoption of the state’s independence declaration. Also includes special observances for Texas Flag Day and Sam Houston Day.Birthdays:Martin Luther King Jr. (national, most states) – on or about January 15th.President’s Day (nationally, was originally Washington’s Birthday) – on or about February 22nd.Lincoln’s birthday (February 12th, holiday in several states).Lee-Jackson Day (January 13th in Virginia).Confederate Memorial Day (January 19th in Texas).National Freedom Day (February 1st) – honors the signing of a resolution that proposed the 13th amendment to outlaw slavery.Outside of Mainstream Christianity there are observances: Jews: Purim (March 8th). See the book of Esther.Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day) – Sundown on Wednesday 31-JAN-2018, the 15th day (Tu) of the 11th month (Shevat). Sort of a “New Year’s Day” for trees.Muslim: Prophet’s Day (February 5th – claimed to be the birthday of Mohammed).Many see these as harmless… or even encouraged by Yahweh.But how does our Eternal Father see it?HalloweenWhen you look at the overlying theme of Halloween, you wonder why any self-professing follower of Messiah would ever participate in any of it.The imagery of evil and grotesque people and practices should be warning enough to run away.But the history of the day should remind all that it’s to be totally avoided.Many try to soften the meanings (trick or treat) to appease the children.Some churches try to gather the children to do “safe” activities.Many adults, however, gather and act like total idiots.Bottom line – it’s a day totally devoted to Satan and his “useful idiots” on the earth.Many of the customs of Halloween today are hand downs from the ancient Druid practices of the British Isles – in honor of Sanheim (Lord of the Dead) and the sun god (Satan).The Druids dressed up as evil spirits… believing they could fool the evil spirits they thought were after them into leaving them alone for another year.They also believed in reincarnation – the good who die come back as a newborn human, while the bad come back as animals.Knowing Yahweh’s truth and plan for mankind, should we ever get caught up in any of this kind of nonsense?ThanksgivingHeld on the 4th Thursday in November in the USA.Originally was proclaimed at different times by leaders to reflect on the blessings Yahweh had bestowed on the nation.George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and others saw the vital need for the people… as a whole… to pause and recognize the source of their prosperity… and to properly thank their Eternal Maker for all that the blessing they’ve received.While it has been observed since the 1st settlers came over 400+ years ago, it has been an official annual holiday only since 1863. Traditionally it has been a day for families and friends to get together for a special meal. The meal often includes a turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, pumpkin pie, and vegetables.Today, it has been more of an excuse to eat and drink excessively, and watch football and parades.It’s one of the busiest periods for travel in the USA.It also leads into a relatively new phenomenon; Black Friday (and all that it involves – opening early… rushing crowds… and bringing out some of the worst greed in people).Despite all of the most recent debauchery, would Yahweh approve of the “Thanksgiving Day” in America? Psalms 107:31: Oh, that men would give thanks to Yahweh for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!Does this act add to what Yahweh has commanded? No. The premise of Thanksgiving has righteous roots, as long as we don’t pollute our actions beyond what was originally intended. II Corinthians 9:10-11:10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to Elohim.ChristmasMany of us here understand why we should not observe Christmas.Even the early Puritans realized that they could not justify Christmas from their Bibles, and they outlawed it in their communities.The actions of people during the time leading up to Christmas speak volumes to why it’s bad news.Black Friday – stores open early (even late Thanksgiving Day), only to have people demonstrate the worst of human nature (greed, trampling others, etc.).A little research of Christmas customs will show you their true origins, and how they’re steeped in paganism.Just the idea that our Messiah Yahshua was born anywhere near December 25th can be proven highly unlikely.One quaint custom of Christmas is directly addressed in Jeremiah 10:1-5:1 Hear the word which Yahweh speaks to you, O house of Israel.2 Thus says Yahweh: “Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the Gentiles are dismayed at them.3 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.4 They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with nails and hammers So that it will not topple.5 They are upright, like a palm tree, and they cannot speak; they must be carried, because they cannot go by themselves. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, nor can they do any good.”Some will say that this was a carved idol that was created. But the old traditions don’t always come down through time in exactly the same way; e.g. – we don’t keep little idol figures and bow down to them; but we do have our modern idols.KwanzaaObserved December 26th – January 1st.Week-long holiday honoring African culture and traditions of people of African origin.American Maulana Karenga 1st proposed this observance.First celebrated at end of 1966.Kwanzaa ends with a feast and an exchange of gifts.The main symbols of Kwanzaa are a mat, on which to put the things needed for the celebration:A wooden “unity cup”.A candle stick holding seven candles.Ears of corn.The red, green and black Kwanzaa flag.A poster depicting the seven principles of Kwanzaa (unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, co-operative economics, purpose, creativity, and earth).During the celebrations, candles are lighted, and libations are poured from a wooden unity cup.Libations – originally offers to pagan gods.The unity cup is carved from a single piece of wood and shaped to mimic the Ashanti royal throne.According to legend, Okomfo Anokye (High Priest and one of the two chief founders of the Asante Confederacy) caused the famous Asante royal throne, known as the Golden Stool, to descend from the heavens and land on the lap of the first Asante king, Osei Tutu. Such seats were traditionally symbolic of a chieftain’s leadership, but the Golden Stool is believed to house the spirit of the Asante nation—living, dead and yet to be born.Originally the people observing Kwanzaa did not mix any elements of other festivals into their celebrations.However, in recent years, it has become increasingly common for people to mix elements of Kwanzaa with Christmas or New Year celebrations.For instance, a family may have both a Christmas tree and a Kwanzaa candle stick on display in their home.Although originally seen as an alternative to Christmas and in many ways anti-Traditional Christian in the early years, many people now observe aspects of both festivals.HanukkahHanukkah is the Jewish “Festival of Lights” commemorating their struggle for religious freedom.Celebrated in December, beginning the 25th day of the 9th month (Kislev), lasting 8 days to the 2nd day of 10th month (Tevet).Commemorates the rededication of the 2nd Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC, after the Jew’s successful rebellion against the Greeks (Antiochus Epiphanes) in the Maccabean War of 162 BC.The story of Hanukkah is alluded to in the apocryphal books of 1st and 2nd Maccabees.It is believed that there was only enough consecrated oil to keep the lamp burning for one day but the small bottle of oil miraculously lasted for eight days.Lighting of the 9-branched menorah each day (8 + one higher, used to light the others).Gift-giving is also popular at this time of the year.The popular dreidel, used in Hanukkah celebrations, is a spinning top with a different Hebrew letter inscribed in each of its four sides – the four letters form an acronym meaning “a great miracle happened here”.Mentioned once briefly in NT, John 10:22 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter.Did Yahshua observe this festival, or was He just “there”?Yet Yahweh, through the Elohim of the OT (Yahshua), did not announce this as a requirement. Leviticus 23:2: Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: “The feasts of Yahweh, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts”.New Year’s DaySo what could be wrong about New Year’s Day?As a starting point in time… no problem… it’s just another calendar that man uses.All of the other things that happen (e.g. – drunken celebrations and the like) – big problem!People make it the reminder to reform (e.g. – New Year’s resolutions).The day based on the Gregorian calendar:Introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII to replace the Julian calendar, which over time, was slipping backward with respect to the positioning of the sun at points in the calendar.It wasn’t even recognized by the British and their American colonies for some time; until 1752, due to earlier animosity with the Roman Catholic Church.So… what’s the problem?Holy day of obligation for Roman Catholics.My fascination with EOY 1999 and Y2K.EpiphanyEpiphany (January 6th), commonly known as Three Kings’ Day.12 days after Christmas.Supposedly celebrates the “three wise men’s” visit to the “baby Jesus” and also remembers his baptism, according to interpreted Biblical events.The United States (US) Virgin Islands observe the day as a public holiday.Problems?Based on a faulty premise (Messiah’s birth at that time of year).Not a commanded observance.Orthodox Christmas DayObserved on January 7th, 14 days after December 25th.Many Orthodox followers rely on the older Julian calendar, which pre-dates the more widely used Gregorian calendar.Same problems of observing Christmas on this date as December 25th.It wasn’t until the 18th century, 1752 specifically, that America switch to use of the Gregorian calendar.For instance, we acknowledge George Washington’s birth date as February 22, 1732, but at the time of his actual birth, it would have been recorded as February 11, 1731.The difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars at that time was ~11 days.The other thing that most people don’t realize is that the recognition of the new year starting at January 1st came with the Gregorian calendar.From the 12th century until 1751 the legal year in England (and their colonies) began on 25 March.February 2ndThis date is used to identify several observances… all with the same pagan origins.Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney (NE of Pittsburgh) Phil.Pennsylvania's official celebration of Groundhog Day began on February 2nd, 1886.Animal used has morphed from German hedgehogs or badgers.Originated from Candlemas.18th century German settlers brought the tradition to America.It originated from the ancient pagan celebration of Imbolc, which used the same pagan fears of their gods to predict what would soon happen weather-wise.It’s the mid-point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.Superstition held that if the weather was fair, the second half of winter would be stormy and cold.?For the early Christians in Europe, it was the custom on Candlemas Day for clergy to bless candles and distribute them to the people in the dark of winter.?A lighted candle was placed in each window of the home.?The day’s weather continued to be important.? If the sun came out February 2, halfway between winter and spring, it meant six more weeks of wintry weather.Old English saying: If Candlemas be fair and bright, winter has another flight. If Candlemas brings clouds and rain, winter will not come again.From Scotland: If Candlemas Day is bright and clear, there’ll be two winters in the year.From Germany: For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day, so far will the snow swirl until May. For as the snow blows on Candlemas Day, so far will the sun shine before May.From America: If the sun shines on Groundhog Day; half the fuel and half the hay.If the sun made an appearance on Candlemas Day, an animal used in the observation would cast a shadow, thus predicting six more weeks of winter. Germans watched a badger for the shadow. In Pennsylvania, the groundhog, upon waking from mid-winter hibernation, was selected as the replacement.Catholics also celebrate this time as the Purification of the Blessed Virgin and the Feast of the Presentation of Messiah in the Temple. Leviticus 12:2-4, 6-8:2 Speak to the children of Israel, saying: “If a woman has conceived, and borne a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days; as in the days of her customary impurity she shall be unclean.3 And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.4 She shall then continue in the blood of her purification thirty-three days. She shall not touch any hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary until the days of her purification are fulfilled.6 When the days of her purification are fulfilled, whether for a son or a daughter, she shall bring to the priest a lamb of the first year as a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or a turtledove as a sin offering, to the door of the tabernacle of meeting.7 Then he shall offer it before Yahweh, and make atonement for her. And she shall be clean from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who has borne a male or a female.8 And if she is not able to bring a lamb, then she may bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons-one as a burnt offering and the other as a sin offering. So the priest shall make atonement for her, and she will be clean.”It is also considered the official end of the Christmas season.Again, a faulty assumption that Yahshua was born on December 25th.Satan had already established this date in the pagan minds as a later false substitute, masking as true worship.Valentine’s DayFebruary 14th.Customs appear harmless:Heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, flowers and “valentines.”Children express hidden infatuations by sending cards as “secret admirers.”Retailers stock shelves with merchandise covered in stylized hearts and Cupids preparing for the popular observance of St. Valentine's Day.Where and how did these curious customs originate?It’s believed that the name acquired from a Catholic saint, although exactly who he was is a matter of debate. The two most famous Valentines were a Roman priest and a bishop, both of whom suffered martyrdom in the last half of the third century.Middle Ages – Valentine's Day grew increasingly popular in Europe, not only for its religious meaning but because it was widely believed that birds begin to mate on this date.In the 18th century, the custom of sending valentine cards grew in popularity.By the early 19th century, the sale of commercial valentines appeared… and became a big money maker!An 1863 periodical in the United States claimed it was the 2nd biggest celebration… trailing only to Christmas.The tradition carries on today… it’s one of the biggest moneymaking days for florists, candy makers and gift shops.And the problem is… the roots of Valentine’s Day predate “Christianity” by hundreds of years.Most plausible theory – Roman Lupercalia, a feast celebrated in February in honor of the pastoral god Lupercus, a Roman version of the Greek god Pan.The Romans looked at it as a rebirth or fertility rite… similar to Easter.Originally the festival was celebrated on February 15th.Ancient legend has it that the infants Romulus and Remus (the founders of Rome), were abandoned… but discovered and nursed by a wolf, or lupus in Latin.Lupercalia ceremonies included the sacrifice of goats and a dog.Young men dressed in the sacrificial animal skins would run from a cave, brandishing strips of goat skins. Any women struck by these thongs were assured fertility.These thongs were called Februa, the festival Februatio, and the day Dies Februetus, hence arose the name of the month February, the last of the old Roman year.Remember what I said about the start of the year in America before the 18th century?So… do you see the pagan influences here?Shrove TuesdayAlso called Fat Tuesday and Marti GrasDay before the start of Lent.Basically, it’s an excuse for Catholics and other followers of the observance to pig out and get stupid before the man-made limitations of Lent start.Ash Wednesday and LentA period of 46 days to semi-fast; abstain from certain desirable foods, drink and other habits.It pre-dates “Christianity” in one form or another.It’s structure and practices have changed over the years.Originally, people did not observe Lent for more than a week. Some kept it for one or two days. Others kept it for 40 consecutive hours, falsely believing that only 40 hours had elapsed between Messiah’s death and resurrection (Friday afternoon to Sunday morning).Eventually, it became a 40-day period of fasting or abstaining from certain foods. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia “The emphasis was not so much on the fasting as on the spiritual renewal that the preparation for Easter demanded. It was simply a period marked by fasting, but not necessarily one in which the faithful fasted every day. However, as time went on, more and more emphasis was laid upon fasting… During the early centuries (from the fifth century on especially) the observance of the fast was very strict. Only one meal a day, toward evening, was allowed: flesh meat and fish, and in most places even eggs and dairy products, were absolutely forbidden. Meat was not even allowed on Sundays”.From the 9th century onward, Lent’s strict rules were relaxed. Greater emphasis was given to performing “works of penance” instead of fasting and abstinence. Pope Paul IV, on February 17, 1966, proclaimed “abstinence is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays of the year that do not fall on holy days of obligation, and fasting, as well as abstinence, is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday”.Today, Lent is used for “fasting from sin and from vice… forsaking sin and sinful ways.” It is a season “for penance, which means sorrow for sin and conversion to <the Eternal>.” This tradition teaches that fasting and employing self-discipline during Lent will give a worshipper the “control over himself that he needs to purify his heart and renew his life.”Regardless that Lent is associated with Easter, does imposition of the Lenten limitations help at all? Colossians 2:20-23:20 Therefore, if you died with Messiah from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations--21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,”22 which all concern things which perish with the using--according to the commandments and doctrines of men?23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.The purpose of fasting is for Yahweh’s saints to humble themselves, in order to draw closer to Him, so that they can learn to think and act like Him, so that they can live His way of life in all things.EasterAn ancient pagan ritual that has been made to appear pleasing to Yahweh when it is really a stench to His nostrils!ConclusionYahweh the Father, through His Son Yahshua, speaks of those who promote false worship observances. Mark 7:6-8:6 He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.7 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’8 For laying aside the commandment of Elohim, you hold the tradition of men”.Yahshua Himself said it best in John 4:24: Elohim is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.We are warned not to mimic the religious practices of the pagans in Deuteronomy 12:29-32:29 When Yahweh your Elohim cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land,30 take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, “How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.”31 You shall not worship Yahweh your Elohim in that way; for every abomination to Yahweh which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.32 Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.We need to be wary of what we do… and not fall prey to the pagan customs around us… especially those we can easily recognize as pagan… and not fall victim to the Dark Season Observances. ................
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