Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Christmas: Myths, Traditions, and the Supernatural

By Lisa Grace

Many Christians today like to celebrate Christ's birth on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. However, we can rest assured, Jesus was not born on December 24th or 25th.

How do we know for sure? Two events mentioned in the Bible give us clues.

First of all, the Roman tax days in Rome were in April. They would collect them in the city, and then move out to the foreign lands. Best guess, they were in Bethlehem probably around the month we know of as May or even possibly June. The Bible mentions Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem to pay their taxes.

Secondly, the shepherds would not have been out in the fields with their flocks any later than October. It was too cold. It was common for the shepherds to bring their flocks into big pens in the cities, or even barns. There wouldn’t be any grazing opportunities in winter.

So why December? To take it back from the pagan gods. Many pagan religions celebrate their gods’ births around the winter solstice. http://countermissionary.org/articles/xmas4bn.htm

The tree, wassail, yule logs, stockings, Saint Nick, all come from original pagan roots.

I like to joke with my daughter that the only modern thing tied to Christ is the plastic Christmas tree, since the plastic trees were invented to honor Christ. 

Since God created the world and all things in the world, is it wrong to take back these traditions to honor Christ? This is an are that is open to much debate.

Reading the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth, the messages delivered to Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds by the angels, which is one of the most joyous interactions mentioned with supernatural creatures in the Bible. The dream that told Joseph and Mary to avoid Herod; the star (now assumed to be two planets, one behind the other) that lead the wise men (Matt 2:11) to Jesus, approximately four months later. The strange gift of Myrrh, (which was used for preservation of dead bodies.) http://ww2.netnitco.net/~legend01/myrrh.htm

There is nothing wrong with celebrating our Savior’s birth. Taking back things for His glory is what we are supposed to do. Being aware of how the creation and the things in it were perverted to honor other gods is just smart, so history won’t repeat itself again, and we can be open to how these things can take us away from our Savior.

Go into the season with a heart filled with love for your Savior, wonder at the awesomeness of God, sorrow for your sin, charity and mercy to your fellowman, and going forth as a blessing to friends, neighbors, and strangers; well you can’t go wrong with those attitudes if you can hold them in your heart for more than just a season. Merry Christmas.


Lisa Grace is the author of the angel series. Angel in the Shadows, Book 1 can be picked up for free through Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0052AI5W8 or B&N, iTunes (iBooks), or at Smashwords.com (in all formats.)

Issue 144 – American Ghost Hunter-Gate

By Kirby Robinson

Chad Calek and Ryan Buell might find coal in their stockings this Christmas due to the fallout of American Ghost Hunter-Gate.

Anyone who's had the misfortune to have viewed Paranormal State will recognize the name Chad Calek. Angelenos who've never seen a single episode will spot him around the city as much as they do chronically unemployed actor Dennis Woodruff [who now makes his own movies]. Yes, Chad likes to run around promoting himself and has memorized his acceptance speech for the Oscar that he feels he'll be winning.

When Chad joined Paranormal State, Ryan told viewers that Chad was brought onto the team because of his unique ghost hunting skills. What's unique about them? Chad employs the yelling at ghosts strategy. However, what Ryan didn't tell the viewer is that Chad was going to take the show to yet lower levels of deception during the filming of the episodes. Chad directed several episodes having a heavy hand in trick shots and fake stories.

Like most greedy folks hungry for fame and money, Chad was never happy. He took deceptive practices to a new level, hoping to become the next major horror director. At the same time the band of merry followers at American Ghost Hunters tried to get interest in anther show: The Ghost Prophecies. But that failed. Chad and Ryan then put together a mockumentary called American Ghost Hunter the Movie, which they shopped around Hollywood. It was either rejected or the offers they received didn't match the dollar signs in their eyes.

The intrepid pair took the show on the road going from town to town charging fans to see it in meeting rooms and small venues. That was a lot of work. Instead of going the traditional distribution route, they got the bright idea: let's sell the damn thing to the public ourselves and make more money!

Encouraging fans to preorder American Ghost Hunter The Movie, they failed to deliver it when it was scheduled. Of course, Ryan and Chad are master excusers, blaming everything short of the pope and Justin Beiber for the DVD not to be delivered to the paying customers. They also claim the warehouse [somebody’s garage] is running full force.


Michael Anthony Hey Man! Where's my freaking DVD!!!??? #Lawsuit Jo Summa Public: please be Leary of ANY pre-sales with these guys! Jo Summa People tell me be patient that the DVD is coming! So is the tooth fairy. So is Christmas, so is New Years, So is April Fools Day, Yaddy, Yaddy, Yaddy. Have filed complaints to 3 different but related web sights & will continue to make noise until I get the DVD I ordered & paid for in May Jean Kniss Walter Do not waste your money...many people paid for their dvd months ago n never received...SCAM!!! Like  Reply  2  21 hours ago via mobile Barb Lincoln I haven't received my dvd!!! Either. Like  Reply  8 hours ago via mobile Jan Lois Gliber Ryan I wish you well always but I am getting anxious. I was one who ordered the movie early on and have not gotten it. I've seen your video and have been patient but starting to get concerned. Then there is the announcement on the American Ghost Hunter Film Facebook Page 1. American Ghost Hunter The Movie shared a link. December 3 ***12.3.13 UPDATE*** INCREASED VOLUME SHIPPING ORDERS CONTINUE DAILY, AS ALL REMAINING "AMERICAN GHOST HUNTER" SPECIAL EDITION 2-DISC DVD SETS WILL BE DELIVERED NO LATER THAN DEC. 24TH!


Donnie Bailey
Hey Ryan D. Buell, where's your video update regarding the shipment of the AGH DvD's? It appears that is has disappeared from your wall. Coincidence? I think not. Rest easy, though, as I am sure that Chad's "Worldwide Distribution System" strategically located in the "Warehouse" will eventually get around to filling all the orders they have taken. Question, has Chad paid you yet? If not, you might call and make sure your are on the list to get paid. Oh wait, you can't call. Well, post on his page and maybe he will answer you.


Some have even put together a YouTube video about this:



After a lot of fuss, some people received their DVD's – but they are unwatchable. Why? Apparently, those working in the shipping department don't understand how to do something as "complicated" as sending out DVD's. Customers are getting scratched DVD's or the cases are broken. Those ordering autographed copies aren't getting them autographed. Requests for replacements go unanswered.

I am no fan of Ryan's or Chad's. I refuse to drink the Kool-Aid and have exposed them for the cons that they are. But there is a following that hasn't and they still deserve to be treated fairly and with respect--two words that are foreign to Ryan and Chad.


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