Just Who is Santa Claus?

This has been on my mind for several days now and today was brought to 'head' so to speak. So briefly I shall discuss something today in this blog with which will help you the reader to understand and to determine whether you want to celebrate the aspects of what we call ‘Santa Claus”.  As we know when we were children it brings thoughts of good memories and I would be safe to say this too would be many of you as well.  The very thought of receiving presents underneath a ‘tree’ all decorated.

Well what many of you do not know is this.  According to the legend, Santa began as a fourth century Catholic bishop named Saint Nicholas. The cult of St. Nicholas was one of history’s most widespread religious movements. According to St. Nicholas historian, Charles W. Jones, ". . . the cult of St. Nicholas was, before the Reformation, the most intensive of any nonbiblical saint in Christendom. . . there were 2,137 ecclesiastical dedications [churches] to Nicholas in France, Germany, and the Low Countries alone before the year 1500." (Jones, Charles. W. "Knickerbocker Santa Claus." The New-York Historical Society Quarterly, October 1954, Volume XXXVIII Number Four, p.357)

Miraculous folklore and legend surround the mysterious St. Nicholas. Among the more popular legends of St. Nicholas is the rescue of three poverty-stricken girls destined for prostitution. These girls were poor and did not have the dowry for marriage. St. Nicholas saved them from a life of shame, by providing marriage dowries of gold. They then were able to get properly married.  Now that sounds very proper for a man of God to do.

Another amazing miracle in the life of St. Nicholas is the three young boys who were sadistically murdered by a wicked innkeeper. Their bodies were chopped up and preserved in pickle barrels, with the cannibalistic intent of feeding their flesh to unsuspecting house guests. Of course, the amazing St. Nicholas resurrected the boys and their mutilated bodies. And like Santa, Saint Nicholas gave gifts to poor children, hence, his veneration as Patron Saint of Children. During the Middle Ages, hundreds of plays and paintings told and re-told the amazing feats of St. Nicholas.  To me this implies that St. Nicholas as much power as Christ Jesus!  To me this seems highly ‘Satanic’ in nature.

The mysterious St. Nicholas.

The first major problem in the Santa Claus saga is the person of St. Nicholas. There is very little evidence, if any, that the man St. Nicholas actually existed.

A. Nicholas' existence is not attested by any historical document, so nothing certain is known of his life except that he was probably bishop of Myra in the fourth century. ("Nicholas, Saint" Encyclopedia Britannica 99)

B. Nicholas, Saint (lived 4th century), Christian prelate, patron saint of Russia, traditionally associated with Christmas celebrations. The accounts of his life are confused and historically unconfirmed ("Nicholas, Saint" Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 99).

C. Unfortunately, very little is known about the real St. Nicholas. Countless legends have grown up around this very popular saint, but very little historical evidence is available. (Del Re, Gerard and Patricia. The Christmas Almanack. New York: Random House, 2004, p. 130).

In 1969, the final nail in the coffin to the feeble fable of St. Nicholas was officially hammered down. Despite the fact, St. Nicholas is among Roman Catholicism’s most popular and venerated "Saints," Pope Paul VI officially decreed the feast of Saint Nicholas removed from the Roman Catholic calendar. UPI Wire Services reported that St. Nicholas and forty other saints were deleted because "of doubt that they ever existed." ("Pope Marches 40 Saints Off Official Church Calendar."UPI Wire Services. )

Therefore, who then would be masquerading as ‘Santa Claus’?  Well in examination of falseness within the world and knowing Satan oversee's every false aspect of this world then just who is this Santa Claus, or just who is the evil character behind this?  Well briefly without going in so deep into this controversy I have been able to surmise it is one to (2) False Gods.

1. Case study - The first study for a false god portraying the 'Santa Claus theme' is known as Odin/Wodan. Now Odin/Wodan rode a horse of 8 legs which we now take today as 8 reindeer. Odin/Wodan was the Norse god of runes, magic, wisdom, occult knowledge, war and poetry. Odin/Wodan had a white beard long and his name refers to 'the inspired one'. He was characterized as old, tall and he carried a long spear also known as a crosier. Realize in modern times we added "Rudolph" later. Around the late 1400's to 1500's his name was changed to 'Sinterklaas'. Now Odin/Wodan also had helpers and they were called 'black jack's who would leave gifts for people Odin/Wodan liked under his 'element' or preferred place which he liked, that being a Fir Tree. In the 1700's Sinterklaas was portrayed as a wise old man, white beard, red cloak, crosier flying the skies. Now if you had been bad then his ‘black jacks’ would beat you.

2. Case study - The second study for a false god portraying the 'Santa Claus' theme is known as Thor. Now a very convincing case can be made that this might just be the character. Thor was the god of the peasants and the common people. Thor was represented as an elderly man, jovial and friendly, of heavy build, with a long white beard too. However, Thor's element was the fire, his color red. The rumble and roar of thunder were said to be caused by the rolling of his chariot, for he alone among the gods never rode on horseback but drove in a chariot drawn by two white goats (called Cracker and Gnasher). Thor was fighting the giants of ice and snow, and thus became the Yule-god. He was said to live in the "Northland" where he had his palace among icebergs. By the pagan forefathers, Thor was considered as the cheerful and friendly god, never harming the humans but rather helping and protecting them. The fireplace in every home was especially sacred to him, and he was said to come down through the chimney into his element, the fire. (Guerber, H.A. Myths of Northern Lands. New York: American Book Company, 1895, p. 61).  The unusual and common characteristics of Santa and Thor are too close to ignore.

So which ever one of these false gods is linked to the 'Santa Claus' theme as we now understand, one can see that it is not of the Lord God Almighty. Remember Satan is a master of disguise for Satan can make it appear so innocent, good and pleasant but yet it is so deadly.

Blessings and hopefully this has made you think more about reviewing being proper with the Lord God Almighty especially when it comes to Christmas and knowing it represents falseness and stems from Satanic aspects.

Rev. Bradley Luoma

Christmas Giving 2013 Jesus Christmas Poem

By Pastor Stephen Piersall
God's Preservation Ministry, http://sfprs.org/

Jesus is REAL!

They say, “Tiz the season to be jolly… Ho! Ho! Ho!” At least until we get the credit card statements in January. Our Pastor preached a few weeks ago about giving and encouraging us to give in different ways this Christmas season. Here are some ideas and I would love to hear from you about what ways you were giving this Christmas season, Post them on our ministry Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/GodsPreservationMinistry

Look for someone in the grocery store that may have children with them and pay for all or some of their tab.

Text someone new every day and tell them what three things you appreciate about them.

Pay for the car or cars behind you at the drive through while getting your coffee and/or breakfast.

Give to a charity that you do not normally contribute to.

Etc.

You will be surprised at how satisfying you will feel. Even if you cannot  afford it, try to give by helping or doing something for someone; remove snow from car(s), help carry in groceries or packages, shovel snow up and down the block, etc. If you pray about it, God will show you someone to show your generosity.

Trust in God, not of the world

Christmas Poem (author unknown)

"twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house; not a creature was praying, not one in the house.

Their Bibles were laying on the shelf without care; in hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed; not once ever kneeling or bowing their head.

And Mom in her rocker with baby upon her lap; She was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter; I sprang on my feet to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash; I tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear; however, Angels proclaiming that Jesus was near.

With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray; I knew for a moment this must be the day.

The light of His face made me cover my head; it was Jesus returning just like He said.

And although I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth; I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand; It was written the name of every saved person.

He spoke not a word as He searched for my name; when he said, ” it’s not here” my head hung in shame.

The people whose name was written with love; He gathered to take to His Father above.

With those who were ready. He rose without sound; while all the rest were left behind standing around.

I fell upon my knees, but it was too late; I had waited too long to seal my fate.

I stood, and I cried as they rose out of sight; Oh, if I had only been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem, the meaning is clear; the coming of Christ is near.

There’s only one life and when comes the last call; We’ll find that the Bible was true after all!

 

Vision of the Dark Cloud Coming

By V.K. Bronz

1987

And the Lord said, “Go and pray in the harvest with Mary.” Now, it was midnight in Bangor, Maine and Mary was sound asleep, but I trudged upstairs anyways and jiggled her. Then I shook her, and finally I shouted, “Mary!” Slowly she  responded,“ Uh.”- “The Lord said we were to pray in the harvest.” With a thick tongue, Mary began, “Uh, yah. Oooh, Lord. Uh, we prraay your harvest comes. Uh Amen.”

Ok, this is not working!

Downstairs I went, curling into the corner of the sunroom. Praying and crying out for the harvest, I was soon lost in a vision: I was standing upon a huge boulder with a thick mist surrounding me, so thick I lifted my hands in front of me and I could not see them. To the right of me was a harbor with the spirit of God brooding way, way out upon the ocean. To the left of me was a patchwork map of the United States, just like how you would see it if you were looking out of the window of a plane.

As I stood there looking, a massive black cloud stretched from Washington down to the bottom of California. The black cloud rolled across the United States as a solid black wall until the United States was completely consumed by it. When it reached the east coast, and the country was covered, in an instant, the Spirit of the Lord met it with a huge bang.

The Lord spoke to me and said, “Obedience, obedience, obedience. I am not a God with a chair and a whip ruling my sheep with force. I need obedience to guard and protect you.

Blow ye the trumpet, sound the alarm in my Holy Mountain. Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the lord cometh; it is nigh at hand.

Obedience, obedience, obedience.

A day of darkness and of gloom, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, a fire devoureth before them and behind them a flame burneth:  Obedience, obedience, obedience.

They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march everyone in a row and they shall not break their ranks.

Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk everyone in his path; and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.

They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.

Obedience, obedience, obedience.

The earth shall quake before them and the lord shall utter his voice before His army: for he is strong that executeth his word.

Obedience, obedience, obedience.”

The Lord in his great mercy and long suffering has been calling to his sheep for a long time to come to wash in his blood. But we have been to busy; making money building our kingdom enjoying the world. Even Solomon had to stop building his kingdom and focus on the house of the Lord.

Saul was a man that was called by God but immediately took things upon himself and disobeyed God. He continued for a long time pretending he had God until the judgment time had come and there was no room to pretend anymore.

Samuel no longer heard from God so he sought other substitutes, the paranormal; a witch to bring up Samuel from the dead to tell him what to do. Saul had one up on the church today: he knew he did not hear the voice of God. The church today has substituted the voice of God for the paranormal without knowing it.

In the sixties when the Lord began to pour out mightily, Satan was right there to take that seed and twist it. The Love God wanted us to know he had for us became; free love, make love not war, be loosed from the bondage of marriage and relationship and have sex with anyone freely, as long as it feels good do it.

The loving hand of care and provision God wanted us to know we had in him became name it and claim it. Take God's word and claim your Cadillac. God was the great Santa Claus in the sky.

The healing God wanted us to know he had for us became the foundation of false prophets to build their name and wealth upon. Now after fifty years of the perversion of Gods word to us the Lord has come to bring judgment; judgment born out of love. He has not come to kill the homosexuals or the abortionist he has come to set HIS church straight. Then he judges the world.

I think of poor Jeremiah. That man suffered. He could see the coming judgment as clear as day and knew he would have to suffer along with everyone else. “Repent, please,” he was crying, “maybe God will still have mercy on us.” In the dungeon he would go. “Repent. Repent. The judgment is coming.” In the tar pit he would go. “Repent. Repent. Turn yourselves  over to the Chaldeans, and you will escape death.” Off he went as a captive. Bless his heart, no one would listen. They even went so far as to try to kill him because they thought his message would discourage the townspeople from believing their prosperity and blessing was coming.

In 1998 the Lord began to tell me of the separation that He was bringing. He said he was going to begin to make a distinction as to who belonged to the lord and who did not. Each year there would be a greater and greater chasm (divide).  Not only is the Lord showing a very clear division of morals, but He is also whittling down, going deeper and deeper into the hearts of the Christians, to make the distinction of just who really means it and who doesn’t. The Lord is causing us to be more and more responsible for our actions and our words. Just how committed to God’s ways are you? Which side of the chasm will you be on?  

The Paranormal Christian – Christmas Myths

By Pastor Michael Frisbee, DD/DM

In a couple of days, we will be gathering with family and friends to celebrate the holiday of Christmas.  This holiday has become increasingly secular and commercialized over the past few decades.  Less and less is the focus on the birth of Jesus Christ, and the gift of Salvation He represents, and later would be sacrificed and resurrected to fulfill that prophecy.

There are a number of myths regarding Christmas and the tying in of Christ’s Birth to it.

Christians have always celebrated Christ’s Birth.

For the first several centuries of Christianity, the birth of Jesus was not celebrated. The earliest Christians viewed the celebration of birthdays, by definition, to be a pagan practice. Christians were discouraged from celebrating their own birthdays, so it is unlikely they celebrated Christ’s. This was true as late as the turn of the 5th century. Of course, by Augustine’s time, some Christians were observing Christmas, and were in the process of pegging it to their calendar, coincidentally at around the time of the winter solstice, which also happened to have been a time-window in which other, older pagan holidays had been celebrated. For a number of reasons this happened to be a convenient time of the year for holidays, so it had long been used for that purpose; first by pagans, then by Christians. It’s quite natural and understandable that they did so.

Christmas customs are centuries old.

This is quite false. We think of things like giving gifts as an old Christmas tradition. From the time Christmas was first observed by the Church, intermittently in the 4th century, then more steadily by the middle of the 5th and on into the Middle Ages, the only Christian activity performed on Christmas was the celebration of a special Christmas mass. Within the first few centuries these special Christmas masses were attended only by clergy, not the congregation. Christmas trees, decorating and feasting were all much-later developments. Giving gifts had been a custom in some pagan holidays, but it did not become a Christmas custom until the Middle Ages, and even then this was not consistent.

Christmas is celebrated by all Christians.

This claim is ridiculous on its face. Even now, there are some Christians who refuse to celebrate it, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses. Historically, there have been Christian sects who also did not celebrate it, and they even repressed it where they could. The truth is that the only holiday that all Christian sects have in common, is Easter. Even then they don’t all observe it on the same date. Most sects also observe Pentecost in some way, even some that don’t observe Christmas.

Christmas has always been celebrated on December 25

This is not true, not only because not all Christians have designated December 25 as “Christmas,” but because not even all of those who do, actually celebrate that day. Some Christian sects assign Christmas to days other than December 25. Other sects celebrate Epiphany, the annual commemoration of the visit of the Magi, in preference to Christmas. This is more common in Orthodox Christianity, but it’s found even among some western Christians, among many Hispanic cultures for example, which celebrate what they call “Three Kings Day.”

The most sacred holiday on the Christian calendar is Christmas.

Undoubtedly this statement is untrue.  The most sacred holiday for Christians, is Easter, the day which commemorates Jesus’ resurrection. Easter was celebrated long before Christmas ever was, to the point where its dating was a point of contention among Christians a couple centuries before Christmas was a thought. Easter was observed on varying dates as early as the middle of the 2nd century, and dating it was discussed at the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE. At that time it was noted that Christmas was merely a mass that was held annually, and attended only by clergy, only in some places. It was not a “holiday” in any conventional sense, not even in terms of the Greco-Roman culture of that period.

Jesus was born in December near the time of Christmas today.

Although it’s not impossible, it seems unlikely. The Bible does not specify a date or month. One problem with December is that it would be unusual for shepherds to be “abiding in the field” at this cold time of year when fields were unproductive. The normal practice was to keep the flocks in the fields from Spring to Autumn. Also, winter would likely be an especially difficult time for pregnant Mary to travel the long distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

A more probable time would be late September, the time of the annual Feast of Tabernacles, when such travel was commonly accepted. Thus, it is rather commonly believed that Jesus’ birth was around the last of September. The conception of Christ, however, may have taken place in late December of the previous year. Our Christmas celebration may well be recognized as an honored observation of the incarnation of ‘the Word made flesh’ (John 1:14).

Legend Of Santa Claus

Santa Claus has become indispensable to secularized version of Christmas. There has hardly been a Christmas when children have not waited for their kind and beloved Santa. The stories related to Santa Claus have managed to gain much popularity amongst people all over the world. Santa Claus, the noble saint with his big belly and red outfit, wanders around homes spreading the message of optimism and prosperity. He is depicted with a long white beard which is a sign of his worldly wisdom.

The story traces the kind deeds of St. Nicholas in his city. It took form hundreds of years back when Nicholas was born to a wealthy Christian family in Myra, now located in modern Turkey. The legends of his good deeds and helpfulness soon made him the Bishop of Myra. He wished to see his people satisfied and happy and would even travel at night to ensure the same. One night, during his visits, he overheard a family complaining about their misfortunes and poverty which was compelling them to sell their three daughters as slaves or prostitutes. Nicholas could not stand their plight and threw three purses of gold from the chimney in to their house secretly. Such instances were common and only made him more popular. He was referred to as the 'Patron Saint of Children and Sailors'. Every year on December 6th, that is the death anniversary of St. Nicholas, families prepare feasts in honor of the memory of St. Nicholas. Owing to the respect for his great nature, it is also considered good fortune to get married on the same day.

Tomorrow night, Saturday Dec 24th from 7 pm to 9 pm, Reverend Mark Hunnemann and I will delve even deeper into Christmas myth and the Birth of Jesus Christ during our “The Paranormal Christian” radio show.  Join us for a light hearted discussion on these topics, with calls from our listeners, and some great Christmas music.  Tune in at http://www.TheParanormalChristian.com