The pagan origin of Christmas

The Pagan Origin of “Christmas” – A Reminder

“Christmas” was originally a heathen festival celebrated on December 25 in honor of the birth of Tammuz (Ezekiel 8:14), also called Baal the Sun-god, the son of Semiramis, the Babylonian queen of heaven. The festivities included hymn-singing in the streets, riotous merry-making, feasting, drunkenness, and the giving of gifts.

Among the Romans, these pagan ceremonies were known as the Saturnalia. They honored the victory of Sol Invictus—the unconquerable Sun-god—over the darkness at the winter solstice. The Sun-god in these celebrations was often depicted as a small child.

In the fourth century, the Church of Rome adopted this pagan festival to commemorate the birth of Christ. The term Christmas combines the name of Christ with “mass,” referring to the Roman Catholic Mass.

Not only is the holiday itself of pagan origin, but so are the customs surrounding it. For instance, the popular Christmas crib—with a doll representing the Child Jesus—mirrors the Saturnalia imagery of Sol Invictus as a child.

“We ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver or stone, graven by art and man’s device.” (Acts 17:29)

This portrayal of the eternal God as a doll is, plainly put, blasphemous. It openly defies the Second Commandment. How dishonoring to the Savior to have His birth obscured by rites and symbols rooted in Baal worship.

The evergreen tree, commonly decorated at Christmas, also originates from ancient Babylonian worship of Tammuz or Baal, the Sun-god. This practice, preserved and passed down through the Church of Rome—referred to in Revelation as the Babylon of the Apocalypse—continues today.

Even Protestants, by setting up Christmas trees in homes, schools, and churches, unknowingly promote a tradition tied to Baal worship. Can anything associated with Baal be pleasing to the Lord?

“Was it not for countenancing such worship that the judgments of the Lord repeatedly fell upon the people of Israel?” (1 Samuel 12:9-10)

Similarly, the Madonna and Child imagery seen on Christmas cards and stamps is a carryover from Babylonian religion. It is simply Semiramis and her son Tammuz, rebranded by Rome as the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus.

Rev. Alexander Hislop wrote in The Two Babylons:

“The Babylonians in their popular religion supremely worshipped a Goddess Mother and a son, who was represented in pictures and images as an infant or child in his mother’s arms…”

How grievous that modern celebrations of Christ’s birth rely on ceremonies rooted in idolatry.

“The things which the Gentiles worship, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.” (1 Corinthians 10:20)

We have no Scriptural warrant for observing Christmas. The only authority for it comes from the Pope.

At the Reformation, the Reformers rightly rejected Christmas, Lent, Easter, and other unbiblical observances. They followed God’s command:

“What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.” (Deuteronomy 12:32)

John Knox put it plainly:

“All worshipping or honoring or other service invented by the brain of men in the religion of God, without His own express command, is idolatry.”

Christ Himself rebuked such worship:

“In vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Mark 7:9)

How tragic, then, in this age of widespread apostasy, to see professing Christians bowing at the pagan and popish shrine of Christmas.

Parents, who are under solemn obligation to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, bear guilt when they involve them in these heathen customs.

“Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen… for the customs of the people are vain.” (Jeremiah 10:1-3)

Let us seek to honor Christ as our godly forefathers did—according to His Word.

Have nothing to do with Christmas parties, Christmas trees, gift-giving, cards, or stamps. Steer clear of Midnight Mass and Christmas cribs. They all trace back to Rome.

The observance of Christmas plays a major role in spreading Popery, with its idolatrous worship of the Virgin Mary.

Once again, we are faced with the old question:

“How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him.” (1 Kings 18:21)

May we be able to say,

“I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Thy Word.” (Psalm 119:101)

— Rev. William MacLean
(from Westminster Standard Publication No. 24: Easter, Lent, Christmas and the Cross – reprinted in The Free Presbyterian Magazine, Dec. 1999)