1. Merry Chrismas, dear friend! Should a follower of Yeshua celebrate Christmas?

2. Mar 7:1 The P'rushim and some of the Torah-teachers who had come from Yerushalayim gathered together with Yeshua Mar 7:2 and saw that some of his talmidim ate with ritually unclean hands, that is, without doing n'tilat-yadayim. Mar 7:3 (For the P'rushim, and indeed all the Judeans, holding fast to the Tradition of the Elders, do not eat unless they have given their hands a ceremonial washing. Mar 7:4 Also, when they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they have rinsed their hands up to the wrist; and they adhere to many other traditions, such as washing cups, pots and bronze vessels.) Mar 7:5 The P'rushim and the Torah-teachers asked him, "Why don't your talmidim live in accordance with the Tradition of the Elders, but instead eat with ritually unclean hands?" Mar 7:6 Yeshua answered them, "Yesha`yahu was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites — as it is written, 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away from me. Mar 7:7 Their worship of me is useless, because they teach man-made rules as if they were doctrines.' Mar 7:8 "You depart from God's command and hold onto human tradition. Mar 7:9 Indeed," he said to them, "you have made a fine art of departing from God's command in order to keep your tradition!

3. The encyclopedia Britannica tells us that “the first Christians continued to observe the Jewish festivals though in a new spirit as commemorations of events which those festivals had foreshadowed” (11 th edition, Vol 8, pg 828, “Easter”) Over the following centuries non-biblical observances such as Christmas and Easter came to be forcibly promoted while the biblical feast days of apostolic times were systematically rejected

4. Top ten reasons why I don’t celebrate Christmas. God already gave us a perfectly good list of Holy days to celebrate in Lev 23. Yet, we ignore them and make up substitutes. Each of these Biblical Holy days represents, prophesies and proclaims the coming of the Messiah in profound detail.

5. Lev 23:1 Adonai said to Moshe, Lev 23:2 "Tell the people of Isra'el: 'The designated times of Adonai which you are to proclaim as holy convocations are my designated times. Lev 23:3 " 'Work is to be done on six days; but the seventh day is a Shabbat of complete rest, a holy convocation; you are not to do any kind of work; it is a Shabbat for Adonai, even in your homes.

6. Lev 23:4 " 'These are the designated times of Adonai, the holy convocations you are to proclaim at their designated times. Lev 23:5 " 'In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, between sundown and complete darkness, comes Pesach for Adonai. Lev 23:6 On the fifteenth day of the same month is the festival of matzah; for seven days you are to eat matzah. Lev 23:7 On the first day you are to have a holy convocation; don't do any kind of ordinary work. Lev 23:8 Bring an offering made by fire to Adonai for seven days. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; do not do any kind of ordinary work.' "

7. Lev 23:9 Adonai said to Moshe, Lev 23:10 "Tell the people of Isra'el, 'After you enter the land I am giving you and harvest its ripe crops, you are to bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the cohen. Lev 23:11 He is to wave the sheaf before Adonai, so that you will be accepted; the cohen is to wave it on the day after the Shabbat. Lev 23:12 On the day that you wave the sheaf, you are to offer a male lamb without defect, in its first year, as a burnt offering for Adonai. Lev 23:13 Its grain offering is to be one gallon of fine flour mixed with olive oil, an offering made by fire to Adonai as a fragrant aroma; its drink offering is to be of wine, one quart. Lev 23:14 You are not to eat bread, dried grain or fresh grain until the day you bring the offering for your God; this is a permanent regulation through all your generations, no matter where you live.

8. Lev 23:15 " 'From the day after the day of rest — that is, from the day you bring the sheaf for waving — you are to count seven full weeks, Lev 23:16 until the day after the seventh week; you are to count fifty days; and then you are to present a new grain offering to Adonai. Lev 23:17 You must bring bread from your homes for waving — two loaves made with one gallon of fine flour, baked with leaven — as firstfruits for Adonai. Lev 23:18 Along with the bread, present seven lambs without defect one year old, one young bull and two rams; these will be a burnt offering for Adonai, with their grain and drink offerings, an offering made by fire as a fragrant aroma for Adonai. Lev 23:19 Offer one male goat as a sin offering and two male lambs one year old as a sacrifice of peace offerings. Lev 23:20 The cohen will wave them with the bread of the firstfruits as a wave offering before Adonai, with the two lambs; these will be holy for Adonai for the cohen. Lev 23:21 On the same day, you are to call a holy convocation; do not do any kind of ordinary work; this is a permanent regulation through all your generations, no matter where you live. Lev 23:22 " 'When you harvest the ripe crops produced in your land, don't harvest all the way to the corners of your field, and don't gather the ears of grain left by the harvesters; leave them for the poor and the foreigner; I am Adonai your God.' "

9. Lev 23:23 Adonai said to Moshe, Lev 23:24 "Tell the people of Isra'el, 'In the seventh month, the first of the month is to be for you a day of complete rest for remembering, a holy convocation announced with blasts on the shofar. Lev 23:25 Do not do any kind of ordinary work, and bring an offering made by fire to Adonai." Lev 23:26 Adonai said to Moshe, Lev 23:27 "The tenth day of this seventh month is Yom-Kippur; you are to have a holy convocation, you are to deny yourselves, and you are to bring an offering made by fire to Adonai. Lev 23:28 You are not to do any kind of work on that day, because it is Yom-Kippur, to make atonement for you before Adonai your God. Lev 23:29 Anyone who does not deny himself on that day is to be cut off from his people; Lev 23:30 and anyone who does any kind of work on that day, I will destroy from among his people. Lev 23:31 You are not to do any kind of work; it is a permanent regulation through all your generations, no matter where you live. Lev 23:32 It will be for you a Shabbat of complete rest, and you are to deny yourselves; you are to rest on your Shabbat from evening the ninth day of the month until the following evening."

10. Lev 23:33 Adonai said to Moshe, Lev 23:34 "Tell the people of Isra'el, 'On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of Sukkot for seven days to Adonai. Lev 23:35 On the first day there is to be a holy convocation; do not do any kind of ordinary work. Lev 23:36 For seven days you are to bring an offering made by fire to Adonai; on the eighth day you are to have a holy convocation and bring an offering made by fire to Adonai ; it is a day of public assembly; do not do any kind of ordinary work. Lev 23:37 " 'These are the designated times of Adonai that you are to proclaim as holy convocations and bring an offering made by fire to Adonai — a burnt offering, a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, each on its own day — Lev 23:38 besides the Shabbats of Adonai, your gifts, all your vows and all your voluntary offerings that you give to Adonai. Lev 23:39 " 'But on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered the produce of the land, you are to observe the festival of Adonai seven days; the first day is to be a complete rest and the eighth day is to be a complete rest. Lev 23:40 On the first day you are to take choice fruit, palm fronds, thick branches and river-willows, and celebrate in the presence of Adonai your God for seven days. Lev 23:41 You are to observe it as a feast to Adonai seven days in the year; it is a permanent regulation, generation after generation; keep it in the seventh month. Lev 23:42 You are to live in sukkot for seven days; every citizen of Isra'el is to live in a sukkah, Lev 23:43 so that generation after generation of you will know that I made the people of Isra'el live in sukkot when I brought them out of the land of Egypt; I am Adonai your God.' " Lev 23:44 Thus Moshe announced to the people of Isra'el the designated times of Adonai.

12. Biblical/Hebrew NameEnglish NameTime of Observance PesachPassoverNisan/Aviv 14 March-April Hag HaMatzahFeast of Unleavened BreadNisan/Aviv 15-21 BikkurimFirst Fruits of Barley HarvestThe morrow after the Sabbath during Hag HaMatzah ShavuotFeast of Weeks/First Fruits/PentecostFifty days from the Feast of First Fruits Yom TeruahFeast of TrumpetsTishrei 1 September-October Yom KippurDay of AtonementTishrei 10 SukkotFeast of Tabernacles/BoothsTishrei 15-21 ChanukkahFeast of DedicationChislev 25 –Tivet 3 November- December

13. Lev 23:44 Thus Moshe announced to the people of Isra'el the designated times of Adonai. Shabbat Pesach Hag Matzah Bikkurim Shav’uot Yom Teruah Yom Kippur Succoth Succoth 8 th day Only 9?

14. Joh 10:22 Then came Hanukkah in Yerushalayim. It was winter, Joh 10:23 and Yeshua was walking around inside the Temple area, in Shlomo's Colonnade.

15. We were commanded in Scripture to not worship like the pagans do. This meant we were not to worship at their places of devotion nor were we to model our celebrations after their practices.

16. Deu 12:28 Obey and pay attention to everything I am ordering you to do, so that things will go well with you and with your descendants after you forever, as you do what Adonai sees as good and right. Deu 12:29 "When Adonai your God has cut off ahead of you the nations you are entering in order to dispossess, and when you have dispossessed them and are living in their land; Deu 12:30 be careful, after they have been destroyed ahead of you, not to be trapped into following them; so that you inquire after their gods and ask, 'How did these nations serve their gods? I want to do the same.' Deu 12:31 You must not do this to Adonai your God! For they have done to their gods all the abominations that Adonai hates! They even burn up their sons and daughters in the fire for their gods! Deu 12:32 (13:1) "Everything I am commanding you, you are to take care to do. Do not add to it or subtract from it.

17. Christmas is a Catholic holiday. I am not a Catholic nor is Yeshua. Yeshua is not a Baptist, Pentecostal, Evangelical He was and is still a Hebrew. I am a Hebrew and I celebrate Biblical Holydays not post Biblical holidays invented by men. BGMC does not celebrate : In Jewdiaism there is a holiday on the 15 th of the month of Shevat called Tu B’Shevat… It is the celebration of the new year of the trees… 15 th of the month of Av… Called Tu B’Av… The 15th of Av is undoubtedly the most mysterious day of the Jewish calendar. A search of the Shulchan Aruch (“Code of Jewish Law”)

18. It was illegal to celebrate Christmas during the times of the Pilgrims. The Pilgrims did not celebrate Christmas nor Easter. "It seems too much for any mortal man to appoint, or make an anniversary memorial" taught pastor John Robinson, the Pastor of the Pilgrims. Were they wrong? Puritans in England outlawed Christmas for years, and the holiday was not popular in early America. In fact, Christmas wasn't declared a federal holiday in the United States until June 26, 1870.

19. About 1950 years ago, a well educated and faithful physician wrote to one Theophilus, detailing the life of Yeshua HaMashiach. Luke explained that he had done research on the subject so that Theophilus could know with certainty that the things he had been told about Yeshua were true. Luk 1:3 Therefore, Your Excellency, since I have carefully investigated all these things from the beginning, it seemed good to me that I too should write you an accurate and ordered narrative, Luk 1:4 so that you might know how well-founded are the things about which you have been taught.

20. Luke must have spoken with Miryam herself, for he tells of things that only she would know. Luk 2:19 Miryam treasured all these things and kept mulling them over in her heart. He tells Theophilus of the birth of Yeshua; how he was born in Beth Lechem during a time when all the Roman world was being taxed. Shepherds out in the field were surprised by a host of angels that filled the sky, singing, "Glory to God in the highest!" and as they were told, went to go find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Then, those shepherds told everybody they could find about the incredible things they had seen.

21. The child grew up and went on to have a short, three-year ministry that ended in his death on a Roman Cross. Yet, the man that was born in Beth Lechem/Bethlehem rose again from the dead, as witnessed by over 500 men. And he is still changing the hearts and lives of people living today.

22. The early Christians are not known to have celebrated Christ's birth, and the actual date of his nativity has been lost in history. The first recorded mention of the December 25 date is in the Calendar of Philocalus (354 A.D.) which assumed Jesus' birth date to be Friday, December 25, 1 A.D. - even though it was quite unlikely that shepherds would be out in the fields in December.

23. Pope Julius I officially proclaimed December 25 to be the anniversary of Christ's birth in 440 A.D. Giving the December 25 Christian significance has been understood to have been an effort to help the pagan world embrace Christianity and trade in their worship of pagan gods for the One True God. The Romans had their mid-winter Saturnalia festival in late December. Barbarians of northern and western Europe kept holidays at similar times. To top it off, in 274 A.D., the Roman emperor Aurelian established a feast of the birth of Sol Invictus (the Unconquered Sun), on December 25. Christmas, the argument goes, really a spin-off from these pagan solar festivals

24. Not until the 12th century do we find the first suggestion that Jesus’ birth celebration was deliberately set at the time of pagan feasts. A marginal note on a manuscript of the writings of the Syriac biblical commentator Dionysius bar-Salibi states that in ancient times the Christmas holiday was actually shifted from January 6 to December 25 so that it fell on the same date as the pagan Sol Invictus holiday

25. HOW DID CHRISTMAS COME ABOUT? The word “Christmas” from two words: “Christ” and “mass” Assuming the Christ mentioned here refers to Jesus Christ what does mass mean? According to Fr Flores the President of Pontifical Liturgical Institute, I quote “the mass is the Lord’s supper. The celebration of the paschal mystery of Jesus. This word originated from the Roman Catholic Church and according to their belief mass is a renewal of the sacrifice of the cross. So at Christmas Christ is being crucified over again. This is a mixture of Christianity and paganism – syncretism.

26. HOW DID CHRISTMAS COME ABOUT? Originally called the Feast of the Nativity, the custom spread to Egypt by 432 and to England by the end of the 6th century. By the end of the 8th century, the celebration of Christmas had spread all the way to the Scandinavian countries. Christmas is celebrated on January 6 in the Orthodox Church, on what is also called Epiphany or Three Kings Day, the day that celebrates when the wise men found the Christ child and gave their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

27. Let us count the months Luk 1:26 In the sixth month, the angel Gavri'el was sent by God to a city in the Galil called Natzeret, Luk 1:27 to a virgin engaged to a man named Yosef, of the house of David; the virgin's name was Miryam. Luk 1:28 Approaching her, the angel said, "Shalom, favored lady! Adonai is with you!" Luk 1:29 She was deeply troubled by his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. Luk 1:30 The angel said to her, "Don't be afraid, Miryam, for you have found favor with God. Luk 1:31 Look! You will become pregnant, you will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Yeshua. Luk 1:32 He will be great, he will be called Son of Ha`Elyon. Adonai, God, will give him the throne of his forefather David; Luk 1:33 and he will rule the House of Ya`akov forever — there will be no end to his Kingdom." Luk 1:34 "How can this be," asked Miryam of the angel, "since I am a virgin?" Luk 1:35 The angel answered her, "The Ruach HaKodesh will come over you, the power of Ha`Elyon will cover you. Therefore the holy child born to you will be called the Son of God.

28. Let us count the months HebrewEnglishNumberLengthGregorian Equivalent Nissan130 daysMarch-April Iyar229 daysApril-May Sivan330 daysMay-June Tammuz429 daysJune-July Av530 daysJuly-August Elul629 daysAugust-September Tishri730 daysSeptember-October Cheshvan829 or 30 daysOctober-November Kislev930 or 29 daysNovember-December Tevet1029 daysDecember-January Shevat1130 daysJanuary-February Adar I (leap years only)1230 daysFebruary-March

29. Let us count the months The Talmidim/disciples never celebrated Christmas; the first believers didn’t either. Yeshua (Jesus) did, however, celebrate Hanukkah, John 10: 22-23. Christmas wasn’t officially celebrated until around 529 A.D., after “Christianity” had become the official state religion of the Roman Empire; Emperor Justinian made Christmas a civic holiday.

30. Yeshua (Jesus) was not born on December 25th. The date of December 25th probably originated with the ancient "birthday" of the son-god, Mithra, a pagan deity whose religious influence became widespread in the Roman Empire during the first few centuries A.D. It is a pagan winter solstice holiday. The Romans called it Saturnalia. The ancient Persians and Babylonians celebrated a similar festival, which they called the Sacaea. In ancient Babylon, the feast of the Son of Isis (Goddess of Nature) was celebrated on December 25. In 350, Pope Julius I declared that “Christ’s” birth would be celebrated on December 25. There is little doubt that he was trying to make it as painless as possible for pagan Romans (who remained a majority at that time) to convert to Christianity. The new religion went down a bit easier, knowing that their feasts would not be taken away from them.

31. WAS YESHUA BORN ON DECEMBER 25? History tells us that Dec. 25 was popularized as Christmas not because Messiah was born on that day but because it was already popular in pagan religious celebrations as the birthday of the Sun god – sol. (the largest pagan religious cult) Dec. 25 is an unlikely date for Messiah’s birth because: Luk 2:7 and she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in cloth and laid him down in a feeding trough, because there was no space for them in the living-quarters. Luk 2:8 In the countryside nearby were some shepherds spending the night in the fields, guarding their flocks,

32. WAS YESHUA BORN ON DECEMBER 25? Ezra 10:9-13 and Song of Solomon show that December the 9 th month according the Hebraic calendar, the time of winter is cold and raining in Judea, it is likely the shepherds would have sought shelter for their flocks at night not outside in the open fields in the cold and rain. Ezr 10:9 All the men of Y'hudah and Binyamin assembled in Yerushalayim within the three days. It was the twentieth day of the ninth month. All the people sat in the open place in front of the house of God, trembling because of this matter and because of the heavy rain. Ezr 10:10 `Ezra the cohen stood up and addressed them: "You have acted treacherously by marrying foreign women and have thus increased Isra'el's guilt. Ezr 10:11 Now, therefore, make confession to Adonai, the God of your ancestors; and do what will please him by separating yourselves from the peoples of the land and from the foreign women." Ezr 10:12 In response, the whole assembly cried aloud, "Yes, our duty is to do as you have said. Ezr 10:13 But there are many people, and it's the rainy season — we can't stay out here in the open. Also, it isn't the work of a day or two; for there are many of us who have committed this crime.

34. Spoiler alert: this article will examine the deception and history of Saint Nicholas. Only the strong of heart should read further. “Santa” – is a common name for Nimrod throughout Asia Minor. He is the same fire god who came down the chimneys of ancient pagans. He's the same fire god to whom infants were burnt and eaten in human sacrifice. “St. Nicolas” – the new “jolly St. Nick” and “Old Nick” has been recognized as a term for the devil. From the word “Nickoslaos” Nikos means “conqueror or destroyer” Laos means people. In full it means “destroyer of people”. The devil is the thief who “….comes to steal, to kill and to destroy” and Yeshua came to give life. John 10:10

35. Rev 2:5 Therefore, remember where you were before you fell, turn from this sin, and do what you used to do before. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your menorah from its place — if you don't turn from your sin! Rev 2:6 But you have this in your favor: you hate what the Nicolaitans do — I hate it too. Rev 2:7 Those who have ears, let them hear what the Spirit is saying to the Messianic communities.

36. In Revelation 2:6 Jesus commends the Church of the Ephesians for their hatred of the deeds of the Nicolaitans. In Revelation 2:15 He condemns the Church of Pergamos (pronounced PUR- guh-mahs) for their acceptance of it. I would like you to notice, from both verses 6 and 15, two things. First, what deeds and doctrine are. Second, what and who were the Nicolaitans, and what was it they taught? The word deeds ergon--to work or perform acts. For example this word is used, in a good sense, in the book of Ephesians. For we are his workmanship, created in Yeshua HaMasheach unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). Therefore we understand that the deeds of the Nicolaitans are something that was visible; it was an act that was practiced. Next we have doctrine. Most all of us should know what this is. It's teaching, that which is taught, the act of teaching, or instruction. We understand here that the Church at Pergamos allowed the Nicolaitans to teach and instruct what they held to! Please understand no matter how good anything sounds or how learned one might appear to be it is not grounds for Truth. We must always check it out in God's Word.

37. “the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes” – Nicolaitane means followers of Nicolas – the conqueror or destroyer – Nimrod. Santa who is also Satan, lies with the aid of the parents to the children thereby distributing the spirit of lies and lying. satan is the father of lies and all liars. he is a murderer from beginning, John 8:44. he deceived the whole world Rev. 12:9. he is hiding behind the Christmas Santa to seduce people away from the true worship of God and fall into sin. One of satan’s names is destroyer. Nimrod/Saturn/molech/Baal like Satan is the fire god who destroys and devours little children.

38. Adults know the classic, "Yes, Virginia" reply first given to a girl who wrote a letter to the New York Sun in 1897, was an ingenious lie. But, most adults do not know that St. Nicholas was once the most popular symbol of worship for Christians worldwide. In fact, more churches in Europe are named after St. Nicholas than any of the Apostles. Christianity claims that legend of Santa Claus dates back to a fourth century Turkish monk. Stories abound about this man of kindness who reportedly gave away his wealth and even walked on water to save the life of a drowning sailor. He also supposedly rescued three sisters from a life of prostitution by sliding bags of gold down their chimney. Because of his piety he became known as the patron saint of schoolchildren and sailors. The Christmas Almanac states, "By the height of the Middle Ages, St. Nicholas was probably invoked in prayer more than any other figure except the Virgin Mary and Christ Himself" (The Christmas Almanac. New York: Random House, 2004, p. 131)

39. For almost 1,000 of years, the "Feast of Saint Nicholas" was held on December 6th with merry-making and gift giving. The Feast of St Nicholas is still celebrated in several countries, including Holland and the Netherlands. The popular idea of a chubby St. Nick with red priestly robes and white beard was created by author Washington Irving around 1809. Just a few years later reindeer were introduced by Clement Moore in the poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. This poem also promoted the idea of St. Nicholas delivering presents on the night before Christmas and not on December 6. Together Moore and Irving morphed the legendary Catholic bishop into an elf that would travel the world spreading holiday cheer. The Coca-Cola Company solidified the idea of a standard image of Santa through years of advertising.

40. Today, the religious undertones involving Santa Claus are obvious. He is known as a carpenter/toy-maker with God-like powers. He records naughty or nice behavior in his giant book and is all knowing. Children pray to him through wish lists of toys and then wait in line to ascend his throne to sit on his lap. Like a thief in the night he distributes rewards and punishment. His crown of holly thorns, white beard, red robes, and feet that do not burn by the furnace all mimic the appearance of the Savior in Revelation 1:14-15, Isaiah 63:2, and Mark 15:17.

41. His crown of holly thorns, white beard, red robes, and feet that do not burn by the furnace all mimic the appearance of the Savior in Revelation 1:14-15, Isaiah 63:2, and Mark 15:17. Rev 1:14 His head and hair were as white as snow-white wool, his eyes like a fiery flame, Rev 1:15 his feet like burnished brass refined in a furnace, and his voice like the sound of rushing waters.

42. His crown of holly thorns, white beard, red robes, and feet that do not burn by the furnace all mimic the appearance of the Savior in Revelation 1:14-15, Isaiah 63:2, and Mark 15:17. Isa 63:2 Why is your apparel red, your clothes like someone treading a winepress? Isa 63:3 "I have trodden the winepress alone; from the peoples, not one was with me. So I trod them in my anger, trampled them in my fury; so their lifeblood spurted out on my clothing, and I have stained all my garments; Isa 63:4 for the day of vengeance that was in my heart and my year of redemption have come.

43. His crown of holly thorns, white beard, red robes, and feet that do not burn by the furnace all mimic the appearance of the Savior in Revelation 1:14-15, Isaiah 63:2, and Mark 15:17. Mar 15:17 They dressed him in purple and wove thorn branches into a crown, which they put on him.

44. The fantasy of Santa Claus is real to children who are often led astray by parents who see no problem in St. Nick taking the place of the Almighty. Satanist Anton LaVey, author of the Satanic Bible and founder of the First Church of Satan, has written that "fantasy plays an important role in any religious curriculum. The subjective mind is less discriminating about the quality of its food than it is about the taste. Thus, fantasy is utilized as a magic weapon in Satanism." (Anton LaVey, The Satanic Rituals, p. 15) For centuries, the legend of Santa has changed to match the whims of the world. It is quite puzzling how anyone who claims to know the God of the Bible can also encourage gullible children to believe in Catholic Monk-Elf figure named Saint Nicholas. Perhaps this Christmas more parents will not mislead their children and abruptly stop the worship of Santa Claus.

45. Then, the holiday underwent a conversion. Americans "reinvented" Christmas into the more moderate holiday we know today. Writers Washington Irving and Charles Dickens both wrote tales that presented Christmas as a holiday of caring for the poor and bringing families together. As the angels sang above the shepherds that original Christmas night, "peace on earth, good will toward men". Americans borrowed traditions from here and there to celebrate the birth of Messiah - the giving of presents and good cheer and getting together to enjoy families.

46. Est 9:19 This is why the Jews of the villages, those who live in unwalled towns, make the fourteenth day of the month of Adar a day for celebrating and rejoicing, a holiday and a time for sending each other portions [of food]. Est 9:20 Mordekhai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews in all the provinces of King Achashverosh, both near and far, Est 9:21 instructing them to observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and the fifteenth day, every year, Est 9:22 [to commemorate] the days on which the Jews obtained rest from their enemies and the month which for them was turned from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; they were to make them days of celebrating and rejoicing, sending portions [of food] to each other and giving gifts to the poor.