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1️⃣ Introduction

Christmas Is Seen As A Christian Holiday

Most Christians cherish Christmas as a beloved Christian holiday—a time for families to gather, share traditions, and celebrate the birth of Jesus. It is seen as a harmless season of joy, love, and worship. But what if Christmas, one of the most celebrated Christian holidays aside from Easter, is not what it seems? Beneath the cheerful glow of twinkling lights and the warm presence of a brightly lit tree, could there lurk something far darker—a troubling legacy of deeply satanic roots? What if the holiday’s widespread popularity masks a history steeped in paganism and occult symbolism? And if this were true, as Christians, should we continue to participate in such practices?

Let me ask you directly: If you discovered that something widely accepted and celebrated by culture was directly rooted in paganism and had no foundation in Scripture, would you be willing to depart from it? Would you heed the call to come out from the world, to “be separate” and live apart for the Lord? (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). Or would you cling to the traditions of this world, risking friendship with it—and thereby enmity with God? “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4).

Perhaps your initial response is, “Yes, I would do anything the Lord asks of me.” But let me challenge you: Are you doing that now with what He has already asked of you?

Let’s Reason Together

Come now, brothers and sisters, let us reason together (Isaiah 1:16-20). Let us examine the validity of these claims with humility and open hearts. Let us seek out the truth in obedience to God, repenting of anything that diminishes our testimony or draws us away from Him. For the Word of God commands us: “Be ye holy; for I am holy” (Leviticus 19:2, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Matthew 5:48, Leviticus 20:7).

Is Christmas a pagan practice rooted in worldly traditions and condemned by Scripture? Or is it acceptable for Christians to participate in?

Many vehemently argue that Christmas has little or no connection to paganism, dismissing concerns as the ramblings of “extremist Christians” who see the devil behind every rock. They insist that participating in Christmas is harmless and that calls for holiness and separation are unwarranted in this instance.

But what if the evidence shows otherwise? What if it can be demonstrated—clearly and unequivocally—that Christmas is deeply tied to pagan mysticism and practices explicitly condemned in Scripture? If that is the case, what excuse remains for the discerning Christian to ignore the truth?

This post aims to lay out irrefutable evidence that Christmas is steeped in pagan traditions. It challenges Christians to seriously consider whether this holiday aligns with biblical worship and the call to holiness.

So, buckle up for an intriguing and thought-provoking journey. Set aside your cognitive dissonance and join me in a rational, Scripture-centered, and historically accurate examination of Christmas. Together, let us stand not on cultural traditions but on the unshakable foundation of God’s Word. Sola Scriptura—guiding not only what we believe but how we live and worship as true Christians seeking to honor God above all else.

2️⃣ What's Does "Pagan" Mean?

How Do We Define Paganism?

If we are going to call Christmas or rather anything Pagan, we should define our terms and determine what really makes something inherently pagan or not. 

Historically, paganism referred to the religious act or practices of non-Christian or Jewish peoples. It is important to note the level of intent to worship a said deity or object in pagan practices has no bearing on whether or not it is a pagan practice or whether God forbids it, as he clearly does in Deuteronomy 12:1-4. In more recent Biblical history, paganism is defined by those in the Greco-Roman world and indigenous tribes as well as neopaganism in practices such as wicca. It is commonly characterized by:

Polytheism: The belief in and worship of multiple gods, as seen in Roman, Greek, Norse, and other mythologies.

Animism: The belief that natural objects and forces possess spirits or divine essence.

Seasonal Rituals: Many pagan religions revolve around agricultural or seasonal cycles, such as solstice celebrations (e.g., Yule, Saturnalia).

Self-Elevation: Practices designed to enhance personal spiritual power or manipulate forces for favorable outcomes.

Transactional Worship: Rituals aimed at practical results, like fertility, prosperity, or protection.

Lack of Revelation: Paganism lacks a revealed scripture like the Bible, relying instead on oral traditions, myths, and rituals.

The reality is there is really only two Kingdoms on this Earth. The Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. Jesus also clarified the reality of Satan’s kingdom versus God’s Kingdom, leaving no room for another in Matthew 12:26-28. 

The Bible explicitly teaches us to be separate and apart from any practice founded in paganistic roots as it is not of the Kingdom of God, and thus those of the Kingdom of God should not practise them (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

Paul reinforces this truth in 1 Corinthians 10:20-21, warning,

“The things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.”

This reveals that pagan practices, no matter how innocuous they seem, are practices which are meant to honor demonic powers, making participation in them spiritually dangerous at best, and potentially damning at worst.

God’s Warning Against Pagan Practices

God consistently warned His people not to adopt pagan customs or use them in worship. In Deuteronomy 12:30-31, He commands,

“Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.’ Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God: for every abomination to the Lord, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods.”

This passage unequivocally forbids the adoption of pagan practices, even with the intent of honoring God. To imitate the ways of false worship is to dishonor Him, as such practices are inherently corrupt and abominable in His sight.

Separation from the World

Additionally the Bible makes a clear distinction between the earth (which belongs to God) and the world (kosmos in Greek), which refers to the systems and cultures governed by Satan. While Psalm 24:1 states, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof,” this verse speaks to God’s ownership of creation, not the cultural systems of the world. The "world," as defined by Scripture, is under Satan’s dominion.

• 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 commands believers to separate themselves from worldly influences: “What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord.”

• Similarly, James 1:27 describes pure religion as remaining “unspotted from the world,” emphasizing the need to avoid contamination by the world’s systems and practices.

Jeremiah echoes this in Jeremiah 10:2-3, where God warns, “Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain.” This passage specifically rejects adopting pagan customs, which are both futile and offensive to God.

If one were to use the argument from Psalm 24:1 that "the earth is the Lord’s" and so they are free in their “christian liberty” to practise what they wish. It would fail in two points.

• First being that you have liberty in Christ to not follow the Law in order to achieve salvation, but you do not have liberty to sin and go against the Commands of scripture to be holy and perfect, in fact, it is required of you.

• Secondarily, if you were to apply this same logic, of “Well its from the Earth and I have liberty” you could also justify the use of harmful substances like drugs, which are created from the earth’s resources. 

In the same way, it cannot justify adopting cultural practices rooted in paganism. Just because God created the physical materials used in these things does not mean their misuse or adoption is acceptable in worship. The Bible clearly commands that worship must be holy and according to God’s prescription (Deuteronomy 12:4; John 4:24).

Initial Rebuttals

So by this point, any discerning Christian will agree that practising Pagan things is not okay. Two main rebuttals will emerge at this juncture however for those on the fence: 

• So if any culture uses anything in Pagan worship I can’t use it?

• Well obviously you can use any benign natural thing as it is intended to be used so long as it's not causing harm to you or others. But this doesn't mean we can adopt pagan rituals just because they are not practised in a pagan way anymore (which isnt true about Christmas). Think of the absurdity of taking some long dead Egyptian ritual and trying to worship God with it. In that instance you would agree I Imagine that it is evil, yet many do the exact same thing with Christmas. 

• There is a difference between playing a game with cards that is not based on occult pagan practices, and playing a game of cards that IS based on occult pagan practices. If Goldfish was Pagan in origin, it would be sinful to play it. If it doesn't have Pagan roots, its benign. Its as simple as that. The problem isn't the physical cards, it's the ritual and practices that is the issue. The cards would be swapped with stone plates, and it would still originate in paganism. 

• Putting a tree in your home for year round decoration is not a sin. Putting one in your home, specifically of the evergreen type, only around the time of pagan rituals of the same, is in fact participating in pagan rituals. The problem isn't the tree, it is benign, it is the practise. 

• Well… Christmas cannot be proven to be based in paganism.

• That is where you would be wrong, as the next section will set out to prove using primary sources as well as secondary ones.

3️⃣ Is December 25th Pagan?

How Was Christmas Initially Established?

In our last article, we set out to demonstrate the many occurrences of false god worship happening in and around the winter solstice, effectively proving that numerous cultures over millennia have held rituals worshipping false gods near the 25th of December. The timing, practices, and themes of these festivals show that this date has long been associated with worldly traditions rooted in false god worship. Not in Christianity and that Christianity had adopted it. 

It is verifiably true that the celebration of Christmas on December 25 was first recorded in 336 AD in the Chronograph of 354, a Roman document detailing important dates and festivals. This indicates that the date was adopted during the reign of Emperor Constantine (306–337 AD), the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity.

While Pope Julius I (337–352 AD) is traditionally credited with formalizing December 25 as the date to celebrate Christ's birth, there is no primary source definitively proving this claim. Instead, it appears that the date was likely chosen earlier as part of a broader effort by the early Church to align Christian celebrations with existing pagan festivals, such as the feast of Sol Invictus (instituted by Emperor Aurelian in 274 AD) and Saturnalia. You couldn't have more proof of the Sol Invictus and Saturnalia connection to December 25th then that. It is not speculation, and is well documented as historical fact. For the skeptical reader you may want primary sources, and secondary sources. Those are coming in in this following section.

List Winter Solstice Pagan Festivals

Although we covered this in our last article, some stated we did not provide solid enough resources, so we have provided undeniable evidence that the timing of December 25th, the actions taken on those dates, and their resemblance to modern Christmas traditions are not from biblical teachings or Christian traditions, but are practices factually from pagan origins.

How These Winter Solstice Festivals Are Similar

In an effort to further expose the pagan origins of Christmas, we have put together a list of the various things we see used in Christmas, that have their roots in Pagan idol worship. The argument being made is that these things are not simple traditions of a benign and harmless nature, but deeply rooted in paganism and sin.

4️⃣ Santa, trees, and the Occult

Facts About Santa Claus

It might be surprising to learn that 96% of Christians in the United States celebrate Christmas according to Pew Research Center. And  Lifeway Research found the following in their 2010 study:

Gift-Giving was present in 94% of Christian households.

Encouraging A Belief in Santa Claus in Christian households was at a staggering 42% 

Christmas Trees were present in 86% of Christian households.

What many Christians may not realize is that Santa Claus is deeply rooted in pagan mythology, occult symbolism, and modern commercialism. Far from being a harmless figure of holiday cheer, Santa represents a blend of traditions and practices that are incompatible with biblical Christianity. Santa Claus serves as an idol. A figure who distracts from Christ and promotes unbiblical values.

Parents who encourage belief in Santa, teach their children to place their trust and adoration in an idol rather than in the living God. Jesus gave a sobering warning about leading little ones astray:

“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea”

(Matthew 18:6).

Encouraging children to revere a figure like Santa, who embodies attributes that mimic God but distort His truth, directly causes spiritual harm and confusion.

Santa and the Culture of Commercialism

Santa Claus and the broader celebration of Christmas also heavily encourage commercialism, fostering a culture of materialism, greed, and discontentment. The holiday has become a time when extravagant gift-giving is equated with love, and children are taught that their "good behavior" entitles them to rewards. This mindset contradicts the Bible’s clear teachings on contentment and trusting God for provision. “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15).

Rather than encouraging trust in God, the Santa myth perpetuates the idea that material possessions define happiness and fulfillment. This undermines the biblical call to be content with what we have: “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).

Additionally, the tradition of making lists of wants and desires feeds a spirit of covetousness, a sin explicitly condemned in Scripture: “Thou shalt not covet” (Exodus 20:17). By focusing on what we lack or desire, rather than on gratitude for what God has already provided, commercialism shifts our hearts away from dependence on God.

Ultimately, the Santa figure and the commercialization of Christmas distract from the truth that our joy and provision come from God alone. Instead of seeking fulfillment in material possessions, Christians are called to “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

As Christians, we are called to be holy and set apart, examining all traditions against the light of Scripture. If something distracts from God’s truth or encourages worldly values, you must abandon it utterly. Christ made it clear in Luke 14:33 “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” We cannot serve two masters, we cannot serve God, and mammon (money and covetousness) Matthew 6:24

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

How Santa is a Counterfeit Father God

One thing that many people dont recognize about Santa Claus, is how he embodies nearly every divine attribute of the true God in a distorted and worldly form. By attributing God-like qualities to Santa, the focus is shifted from the Creator to a fabricated figure that promotes materialism, idolizes self-centered desires, and subtly replaces the reverence owed to God alone.

As Christians, it’s essential to discern and reject such counterfeits, adhering to the command to worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:24, Exodus 20:3).

Clearly, Santa—though some suggest his name is an anagram for Satan (which may be a stretch)—is, in fact, fulfilling everything Satan desires to do: to ascend to the throne of the Most High and displace Him. Isaiah 14:13-14 reveals Satan's ambition: “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God... I will be like the most High.”

While Satan can never be God, through Santa, he accomplishes a key tactic: distracting and deceiving children into placing their faith, awe, and reverence in a false god.

This subtle redirection aligns perfectly with Satan’s goal to take glory from God and turn hearts away from Him, beginning with the youngest and most impressionable.

Who Is The Yule Father?

Santa Claus, whom we have shown to be a counterfeit God and a false idol, is not merely a harmless figure parents use to teach their children to wrongfully place their trust and faith in. Instead, Santa while being a tool of Satan, is also based on a character deeply rooted in Norse mythology, particularly in the figure of Odin, the "Yule Father."

Odin played a central role in Yule celebrations, a pagan festival marking the winter solstice that aligns with the timeframe of December 25th. Even today, Yule remains a significant celebration in some cultures, commemorating the darkest time of the year with traditions tied to the veneration of Odin and other deities.

For Christians with discernment, it becomes clear that this is no mere coincidence. Satan, who is described as the deceiver and the one who seeks to exalt himself as God (Isaiah 14:13-14), operates subtly through cultural traditions like this. Many of Santa’s defining attributes can be traced directly to Odin, whose mythology and rituals were gradually adapted and repackaged, blending with so-called “Christian traditions” and later with secular commercialization. These transformations reflect a deliberate scheme, one designed to distract, deceive, and redirect worship from the true God to a false idol.

The transition from Odin to Santa Claus was facilitated through centuries of cultural and religious syncretism—a tactic Satan has repeatedly employed throughout history to confuse and lead people astray.

As Christianity spread throughout Scandinavia and the Germanic regions, the attributes of Odin, such as his role as a benevolent gift-giver riding through the night sky, were rebranded. These traits merged with the story of Saint Nicholas, a Christian man traditionally believed to have been born on March 15, 270, and who died on December 6, 343.

While Saint Nicholas was known for his acts of generosity and kindness, particularly toward children, the merging of his character with Odin’s led to a figure who bears little resemblance to the humble servant of God. Instead, the resulting Santa Claus retained the core attributes of the Yule Father: a magical, omniscient figure, riding through the sky, dispensing rewards based on behavior.

Over time, this hybrid figure was secularized into the Santa Claus we recognize today, a symbol of materialism and mythological enchantment. Yet, for those with spiritual discernment, the parallels to Odin and the persistent pagan influences in Santa’s character are unmistakable.

Satan has succeeded, once again, in taking what is unholy and disguising it as innocent, using it to lead people—especially children—away from the Living God. As Paul warns in 2 Corinthians 2:11, “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” Unfortunately, many Christians have failed to heed this warning, blindly participating in practices that bear the marks of syncretism and spiritual compromise.

Santa Claus, far from being a harmless cultural figure, embodies centuries of pagan ideology that has been subtly transformed into a counterfeit object of awe and reverence. The traditions surrounding him continue to echo the Yule Father’s attributes, making it clear that the roots of this figure remain firmly planted in the schemes of Satan to divert worship from God and place it on false idols.

Comparing Odin (Yule Father) and Santa Claus

Below is a visual comparison of Odin and his attributes, and that of Santa.

Evergreen Trees

Perhaps it is believed that evergreen trees are another harmless tradition that the Western world has adopted. But would it surprise you to know that the origins of the Christmas tree can be directly linked to norse pagan mythology, which aptly coincides with Santa?

Let’s take a look at the History of the Evergreen tree throughout the dawn of man. Citing primary sources for our investigation. In our previous article, we linked the use of evergreen tree worship to as far back as the Norse Pagan Mythology and religions and pagan practices in Europe. Today our goal will be to succinctly track that origin citing specific scholarly sources. To leave no doubt of the origins of evergreen tree usage. 

Tree Worship In Early Germany 500 BC- 500 AD

We begin in the Early Germanic Paganism era, approximately 500 BC to 500 AD. A Primary Source found in Germania by Tacitus (1st century AD) describes Germanic tribes worshipping their gods by sacred trees. 

Tacitus writes, "They do not confine their gods within walls... but consecrate woods and groves." While Tacitus does not specifically mention evergreens, this reverence for trees formed the foundation of Germanic nature worship. A Secondary Source, The Tree of Life by E.O. James (1966), explores sacred groves in Germanic religions and suggests that the use of evergreens symbolized immortality due to their resilience through harsh winters and staying “ever green”. This evidence establishes that trees, particularly evergreens, were central symbols in Germanic paganism long before “Christian traditions” emerged.

Next in examining tree worship, and specifically that of evergreen usage, we turn to Norse Mythology and Yggdrasil, spanning 500 AD to 1200 AD. In The Poetic Edda, a Primary Source written in the 13th century but based on earlier oral traditions, Yggdrasil, the "evergreen ash," is described as the World Tree connecting all realms: "Yggdrasil, the great ash tree... stands evergreen, and its boughs are fed by the sacred waters of Urd's Well." 

Yggdrasil’s depiction as an eternal, life-sustaining “evergreen tree” underscores the Norse veneration of Yggdrasil being forever green and thus evergreens as symbols of continuity and cosmic order. Another Primary Source, The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson (c. 1220), echoes this reverence by describing Yggdrasil as "always green," highlighting its divine and eternal attributes.

A Secondary Source, Gods and Myths of Northern Europe by H.R. Ellis Davidson (1964), connects Yggdrasil to broader Germanic beliefs, emphasizing the sacred role of trees as representations of life and spiritual connection. These sources firmly establish the evergreen tree’s central role in Norse cosmology and rituals.

What this succinctly demonstrates is that early Germanic Pagan tribes absolutely venerated evergreens and participated in worship of their gods using trees, and specifically that of evergreens. 

Yule Traditions as a Precursor to Christmas

Yule traditions further demonstrate the use of evergreens in pagan Norse practices during the winter solstice, from approximately 500 AD to 1000 AD.

A Primary Source from the Saga of Hákon the Good, found in The Heimskringla by Snorri Sturluson, describes Yule customs where greenery was brought indoors to honor gods and spirits during midwinter (in and around December and January). This practice symbolized renewal and protection during the darkest time of the year.

A Secondary Source, The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles by Ronald Hutton (1991), elaborates on these Yule traditions, stating that Germanic tribes decorated their homes with evergreen branches to ward off spirits and signify life’s persistence. This continuity of evergreen use in Norse Yule festivals directly influenced later “Christian practices”.

From Yule To Christmas

Moving to the Christianized era of Scandinavia and Germany, we observe the gradual blending of pagan and Christian “customs” (non biblical traditions: see Colossians 2:8) from 1000 AD to 1500 AD. 

A Primary Source, Adam of Bremen’s Gesta Hammaburgensis Ecclesiae Pontificum (c. 1075), notes the persistence of tree-centered rituals even after Christianization, writing about sacrifices and festivals involving trees during midwinter. This underscores how deeply ingrained these practices were in Norse and Germanic cultures. A Secondary Source, The Battle for Christmas by Stephen Nissenbaum (1996), highlights how Christianity reinterpreted these traditions, transforming evergreens into symbols of eternal life in Christ while maintaining their symbolic role in winter celebrations.

The first recorded use of a decorated evergreen tree in a home appears in the Early Modern Period, in 1605 in Strasbourg, Germany. A Primary Source from the Chronicle of Strasbourg notes, "At Christmas, they set up fir trees in the parlors... and hang thereon roses cut out of many-colored paper, apples, wafers, gold foil, sweets." This marks the earliest documented instance of an evergreen tree being used as part of Christmas celebrations in homes. A Secondary Source, The History of the Christmas Tree by Bernd Brunner (2012), traces this transition, linking it to pagan Yule practices and their gradual Christian adaptation. This evidence solidifies the connection between ancient Germanic and Norse reverence for evergreens and the modern Christmas tree “tradition.”

It is clear that the use of evergreens in celebrations, whether in Norse Yule festivals, Germanic rituals, or Christian Christmas “traditions”, has deep roots in paganism. Even earlier, greenery was a common feature in pagan winter practices worldwide, such as the Egyptians using greenery to honor Ra during the solstice and the Romans decorating with evergreens during Saturnalia. These parallels suggest a widespread, syncretic use of evergreens as symbols of life, health, and immortality across cultures.

Satan’s Track Record of Syncretism

From the dawn of human history, Satan has worked tirelessly to counterfeit and corrupt true worship of the true God which is to be worshipped in spirit and in truth (John 4:24) and cannot be worshipped through the pagan customs or traditions of cultures (Deuteronomy 12:4). 

“Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place. Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your God.”

Even in the time of Moses when this was written they were worshipping their gods with groves and green trees, and erecting things that eerily describe something close to a Christmas tree as described in Jeremiah 10.

Satan, by weaving paganism into the fabric of human culture and cleverly masking its influence over time, has implanted these ultimately demonic things into our everyday lives to blaspheme God.

Christians ought not to be ignorant of his devices as they so clearly are today (2 Corinthians 2:11). His track record of syncretism is staggering, seamlessly blending false worship into what might appear as benign or even sacred traditions. 

Through cultural shifts, political expediency, and religious compromise, the gods of old and their rituals and practices have been repackaged and rebranded, slipping unnoticed into new eras under different names and guises. From the “mighty” Enlil of Mesopotamia to the saints of medieval Christendom, Satan has exploited humanity's tendency toward idolatry, leaving a trail of syncretized traditions that persist even today. To uncover this hidden history is to expose the fingerprints of deception and shine the light of biblical truth into darkened corners of this world.

Religious syncretism has been a recurring phenomenon throughout history, with many cultures borrowing and adapting features of gods and idols from neighboring peoples. This blending of beliefs is a well-documented and widely accepted historical fact, demonstrating how deities were reshaped to suit the traditions and values of different regions.

What people often fail to recognize, however, is that this is not merely the result of cultural syncretism for its own sake. Rather, it is part of a deliberate strategy by our adversary, Satan, to perpetuate false worship and distract humanity from the worship of the one true God. Scripture makes it clear that Satan seeks to deceive the whole world (Revelation 12:9) and has long worked to blind the minds of unbelievers, lest they see the light of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4). Through these false gods and idols, Satan binds the world in delusion, masking the reality that “there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

This pattern of false worship is designed to divert glory from God and lead people away from the truth. Ephesians 4:5 reminds us that there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” and Acts 4:12 declares that “there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Satan’s continual propagation of idolatry and syncretism across cultures is an effort to obscure this truth, to keep people from turning to the only God who can save and deliver.

Visual Examples of Satanically Guided Syncretism

Let’s Take a look at a list of deities that have changed hands in a widely accepted historical phenomena known as religious syncretism.

Why Is This Important?

The purpose of sharing these visuals, is to highlight the track record of Satan in transposing false idols, rituals, and gods into new ones in new eras or regions of people. The reason that is important is to see that he has done the same thing with Christmas, Santa, and Evergreen trees. The Bible proclaims there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9-10) and indeed there is nothing new of Satan and his schemes to which we are not to be ignorant of (2 Corinthians 2:11). 

The pagan traditions of old, the gods of old, have been shifted in their purpose and in their likeness to achieve a singular goal, idolatry and distraction from God and righteous living. This is Satan’s goal in your life, among others I imagine. To distract, and otherwise employ a whole host of things to keep you from adhering to God's word, and living righteously. 

There is an old military doctrine that employs the use of D-words such as deny, distract, defeat etc.

Well If Satan cannot defeat you, he will try to deter you from your faith, distract you from your purpose, deceive you with lies, disrupt your peace, deny you access to truth, and destroy your testimony.

One might say that Santa and Christmas trees are not you worshipping a false god. And sure, that is probably true. However, it is important to know that your argument in that instance is predicated upon intent equals innocence. You are in essence saying that: Because you do not intend to worship a false deity, you are then free of guilt in doing so. The problem is, nothing in the Bible supports the idea of intent being the problem. 

Perhaps the Israelites' attempt to worship the golden calf was actually an attempt to worship God, perhaps not. The issue was not in intent, it was in action. In fact we do see examples in the Bible where they attempted to worship God with pagan rituals and were utterly rebuked. We see God setting a standard of how He is to be worshipped and utterly condemning other forms of worship of Him in the Bible in places such as:

• Exodus 20:3-5: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image... Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them."

• Leviticus 10:1-2: The account of Nadab and Abihu, who offered "strange fire" before the Lord, resulting in their deaths as a judgment for worshiping Him in an unauthorized way.

• Deuteronomy 12:4: "Ye shall not do so unto the Lord your God," commanding the Israelites not to adopt pagan practices in their worship.

• Isaiah 29:13: "This people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me," showing that God despises insincere or corrupt worship.

• John 4:23-24: "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him."

Another way to look at this is in examining how people groups tend to adhere to cultural norms, and even religious ones without being totally and utterly convinced of its legitimacy. People participate in rituals around the world for the sake of avoiding the proposed “bad thing” that will happen to them, their crops, or their family if they don’t. 

A great example of this is how many Christians just go to church and follow the motions for the sake of moral therapeutic deism and social conformity within a group which frees them of their guilt, instead of for the sake of a love for truth and righteousness.

In fact this is the accusation of those who criticize the word of God and Christianity in general. That Christians are a people seeking to relieve their guilt by participating in some sort of religious activity. And for many unconverted Christians, this is very very true. Think about how many Catholics blindly followed the heresies of that organization, and still do for the last 2000 years. Blindly adhering to heresies. This is a well-documented human pathology referred to in philosophy as "obedience to authority" and in psychology as "social conformity", exemplified by experiments such as the Milgram experiment and the Asch conformity experiments.

So when it comes to erecting Christmas trees, which verifiably have their roots in paganism, it doesn't really matter if your intent is to worship a false god or partake in a pagan practise, you are doing so by definition, void of intent, by the very metric of your actions. You are condemned by God in scripture, commanded to not do so. The next rational step would then be to say “Yea, but you are just being a pharisee, and a law keeper!” Which is something we will cover next. 

5️⃣ Addressing “You’re a Pharisee!”

Should We Keep God’s Commands?

Some respond to the saying “we need to follow the commandments of God”, as you preaching Pharisaical Law Keeping. When in reality you are not doing or saying anything different then what the Bible says for us to do. If the bible is completely irrelevant, and we do not need to follow the Bible in the first place. Why have it at all?

From the Old Testament to the New Testament, the Bible consistently teaches that loving God is demonstrated through obedience to His commandments, which serve as a reflection of faith, devotion, and the path to righteousness, this righteousness does not earn salvation, but rather is a product of salvation.

OT and NT Verse On Obeying God’s Commands

Surely, if God intended for His people to obey His commands, He would make that abundantly clear in Scripture, wouldn’t He? Conversely, if obedience to His laws were no longer relevant under the new covenant, we would expect Scripture to reflect that absence with a lack of instruction to follow His commands, correct?

The truth is, both the Old and New Testaments consistently emphasize the importance of obeying God and following His commands. From the laws given through Moses to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, the Bible repeatedly calls believers to live in obedience to God as an expression of love, faith, and submission to His will.

The following is a list of commands from Scripture that affirm this truth and, in doing so, reject the concept of antinomianism—the belief that Christians are no longer required to follow God’s laws. These verses demonstrate that obedience is not optional for those who claim to love God but is, in fact, the evidence of a genuine relationship with Him.

Old Testament

1. Exodus 19:5 – "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people."

2. Deuteronomy 5:10 – "And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments."

3. Deuteronomy 6:17 – "Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee."

4. Deuteronomy 10:12-13 – "And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the Lord, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?"

5. Joshua 1:8 – "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein."

6. 1 Samuel 15:22 – "Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice."

7. Psalm 119:1-2 – "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart."

8. Ecclesiastes 12:13 – "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."

9. Isaiah 1:19 – "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land."

   
   

New Testament

1. Matthew 5:19 – "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

2. John 14:15 – "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

3. John 14:21 – "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me."

4. John 15:10 – "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."

5. Acts 5:29 – "We ought to obey God rather than men."

6. Romans 6:16 – "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"

7. 1 Corinthians 7:19 – "Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God."

8. Hebrews 5:9 – "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him."

9. 1 John 2:3-4 – "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."

10. 1 John 3:24 – "And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him."

11. 1 John 5:3 – "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."

12. Revelation 12:17 – "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

13. Revelation 14:12 – "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

    
    

Why Antinomianism & Nomism Are Wrong

Now that we have established the need to follow the commands of God, it is equally important to outline the two dangerous ditches of error that people often fall into: Antinomianism (which rejects all forms of following God’s laws) and Nomism (which prescribes God’s laws as mandatory for salvation).

The balance between Antinomianism and Nomism lies in understanding that keeping the law cannot save, but that those who are truly saved will desire to keep the commands of God. Where people fall into error is either proclaiming that liberty in Christ means you can do anything you want, including sin, or teaching that you must obey all the laws of God perfectly to avoid Hell. Both of these positions are heretical. The only position supported by Scripture is perfectly captured in Ephesians 2:8-10:

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

It is clear that following the commands of God is not optional for those who are saved in the sense that obedience validates the authenticity of their salvation. However, it remains optional in terms of actual choice, as a saved person still retains the capacity to disobey God’s laws. Yet, for a true Christian, the act of sinning—such as lying—is so abhorrent that they will reject it, not out of compulsion but out of a transformed heart that desires to please God. While disobedience is technically possible, no true believer will desire to live in habitual defiance of God’s commands.

The reason why Antinomianism developed in the first place was to dodge this reality, and remain in sins whilst still clinging to Christ. Effectively fulfilling what Matthew 7:21-24 says about them. It is a psychological means to dodge the reality of breaking God’s law. The same exact mechanism I expect that a sinner uses to justify their actions in order to silence the voice of their conscience.

a Christian is walking dangerously close to proving they are unsaved by adopting theological positions such as “The Old Testament is irrelevant because of Christ” to justify their disobedience. This mindset reflects a dangerous suppression of conviction. Paul warns of this in 1 Timothy 4:2, where he speaks of those “having their conscience seared with a hot iron.” When this behavior becomes habitual and worsens, it can reveal that the person’s heart never truly belonged to the Lord, fulfilling Jesus’ words: “This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (Mark 7:6).

This does not mean that a Christian who commits a sin is instantly unsaved. Rather, Hebrews 10:26 warns, “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment.” A willful, unrepentant lifestyle of sin is incompatible with genuine faith.

So how do we reconcile these two extremes—Antinomianism and Nomism? We simply understand that Christians who are truly saved must obey the commands of God, but not out of compulsion to earn salvation. Instead, obedience flows from a love and devotion to God. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

We must also recognize that Christians grow in their sanctification over time, which includes their obedience to God’s laws. As Paul wrote in Philippians 1:6, “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Which perfectly presents the concept that the work of perfection of sanctification, is an ongoing ever deepening process, which will cause you to depart from the world more and more and more.

If this is entirely absent in a Christians life, there is almost a 100% guarantee they are not saved. As genuine faith produces a departing from sin and an obedience to Gods commands out of love. But sometimes, and unfortunately too often: growth is slow. Therefore, we should be patient and prayerful, allowing our brothers and sisters in Christ space to learn, grow, and repent.

However, it must be stated, that if a professing believer shows no growth in obedience and continues in willful sin or stagnation, they reveal the inward state of their hearts. As Titus 1:16 declares, “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”

In summary, the true biblical balance is this: obedience is not the cause of salvation but its evidence. A true Christian obeys God not out of fear of Hell, but out of love for the Savior who redeemed them.

Finally the concept of salvation being predicated upon perfect obedience to Christ is also a fallacious position to take. It can be described as a theology which promotes threat of Hell, unless there is perfect obedience. The two major problems with this is:

• If perfect obedience were possible Christ was not necessary and if Christ not necessary you undermine the totality of his atonement. It is a slippery slope into all sort of heresies.

• The other issue is that the person with this theology, pridefully assumes that they are currently capable, or will be capable, of perfect obedience. They know full well they have already failed that, and even in their Christian walk, they know of sins which instantly, post salvation, would break their streak of perfection, thus making them (in their theology) heading to Hell. For if perfect obedience is required, then none shall make it to heaven.

Again, the biblical balance, is to understand you do have liberty in Christ to obey the commands of God. But that those who are saved, are naturally inclined to obey them. And perfect obedience, while being the goal, is not perfectly attainable, since if you do all things, but sin in your mind or heart, you have failed. Therefore while we strive to be perfect, we understand our salvation is not predicated upon performance, but the work of Christ. And if the work of Christ be in you, your actions will follow the commands of Christ, as you grow in your sanctification and righteousness towards God.

You cannot be perfect, but you can and should try to honor God in all areas of your life. Why? Because true faith, is deep genuine love for God, and true love and faith in God produces true and genuine works meet for repentance (Acts 26:20).

What A Pharisee Actually Is

Being called a Pharisee is actually a pretty serious accusation, as when someone calls you a Pharisee, they are typically accusing you of embodying traits associated with the Pharisees as portrayed in the New Testament. Traits that are essentially not associated with salvation and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

This often includes legalism, implying an excessive focus on strict rule-keeping or traditions at the expense of grace and genuine faith. They may also be suggesting hypocrisy, accusing you of outwardly appearing righteous while inwardly failing to live by the same standards. Additionally, the accusation might include judgmentalism, meaning you are perceived as overly critical, self-righteous, or quick to condemn others.

While these things definitely are accurate portrayals of the behaviours of Pharisees, to be a true biblical Pharisee involves more than just these traits alone. As many possess these traits in varying degrees, and aren't truly biblical Pharisees.  

One of the main hallmarks of a true Pharisees is actually the opposite of what one would expect. It is not just all those things above, but all those things above coupled with an overemphasis on tradition over Scripture, elevating man-made customs above God’s Word.

Which directly implies that Pharisees are not the Christians attempting to follow Gods commands as closely as possible, but the whole sect of Christian denominations, pastors, and church goers, which carelessly adopt and perform traditions of men, that are not founded in the Bible. It is literally what the Pharisees did in the creation and following of the Talmud.

Not only is something that is grievous to do: To elevate traditions of men, above that of the sufficiency of God’s word. But it is even worse, when that tradition, such as in the case of celebrating Christmas rooted in paganism, is done against God’s word. And this is the crux of the issue…

Again, the person who is the Pharisee truly, is not the one attempting to adhere perfectly to God’s commands in love and admiration for God and the free gift of salvation they have received, but the man or woman who scoffs at God’s commands, and supersedes them for their own traditions. Jesus when addressing the Pharisees said the exact same thing in Mark 7:9

“And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.”

Finally, the term may point to a perceived resistance to spiritual growth or humility, clinging to rigid perspectives or traditions instead of being open to correction and deeper understanding. 

What This Reveals

All of these things listed above, of what makes someone a Pharisee, are more true of anyone hanging onto traditions not founded in the word of God such as practicing Christmas, then it is of the person simply seeking to obey God in all that they can.

If a Pharisee is someone who obeys God's word, then call me a Pharisee. But that is not what a Pharisee is, that is what a biblical Christian is.

The Pharisee is the one adding to, or taking away from the commands of God. Commands to abhor and destroy idols and be separate and apart. A God who does not allow you to continue in sin, or otherwise forever disobey his commands. We ought to follow Joshua 24:15

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

6️⃣ Refuting Common Rebuttals

Bellow is a thorough list going through all the rebuttals we have heard or seen since the last time we attempted to put this issue to rest. Hopefully if you are still on the fence, these following arguments and their rebuttals neatly categorized into three main subheadings should help you decide what to believe in when it comes to celebrating Christmas.

Theological and Scriptural Defenses

Historical and Traditional Justifications

Cultural and Practical Arguments

7️⃣ Conclusion

What This Has Taught You

If you have made it all the way through this teaching, you have hopefully come to the conclusion that the evidence is undeniable: Christmas, as it is celebrated today, is inseparably tied to pagan practices that God explicitly condemns in Scripture. While it has been culturally rebranded and widely accepted, its origins remain rooted in idolatry and worldly traditions. Jeremiah 10:2-5, Deuteronomy 12:30-31, and 2 Corinthians 6:17 all command God’s people to reject such practices, regardless of how they are repackaged or reinterpreted.

This is not about personal preferences or sentimentality, it is about obedience to God. As Christians, we are called to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24), not to conform to the patterns of this world (Romans 12:2). Participating in traditions with origins steeped in idolatry risks compromising the purity of our worship and our testimony before others.

We cannot free ourselves from the burden to obey Christ and his commands, simply because we have freedom and liberty in Christ, for our liberty has not been given to include sin and disobedience to God.

Make Your Choice, And Make It Wisely 

The choice is clear: will we align ourselves with cultural norms and traditions, or will we honor God by standing apart from practices that conflict with His Word? Jesus declared, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Love for God requires action, and that action includes a willingness to part ways with anything that distracts, compromises, or blasphemes His holy name.

Luke 14:33, Matthew 19:21, Matthew 19:29, Matthew 16:24-26, and many verses like it make it clear that we need to be willing to abandon all. Yet many are not so much as willing to drop Christmas traditions in their home for the sake of their comfort. Jesus made it so so clear that we are to carry our cross (Matthew 16:24), that there is no profit in gaining the whole world but forfeiting our souls (Matthew 16:26). He taught us that if we do not forsake all we have, we cannot be his disciple (Luke 14:33), and he taught us friendship with the world is being an enemy of God (James 4:4).

He made it clear that we are to be separate and apart, to touch not the unclean thing (2 Corinthians 6:17), to not reject the commands of God for the traditions of men (Mark 7:9). The apostles warned of those who would try to establish traditions of men after the rudiments of the world (Colossians 2:8). Brothers and sisters… If it be true that Christ is your King, and the Spirit dwells within you, then flee these idols (1 Corinthians 10:14). Flee the wrath to come, and depart from anything that makes you spotted from the world (James 1:27).

In the end of all things, as this comes to an end. The question remains: will you cling to the traditions of man, or will you fully submit to the commands of God? The decision is yours, but the consequences are eternal.

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