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of the Jews, in person. Therefore custom required they present gifts even as the Queen of Sheba
brought gifts to Solomon -- even as many people today take a gift along when they visit the White
House for an appointment with the President.

No, the custom of trading gifts back and forth does not stem from this scriptural incident at
all, but rather, as quoted from history above, it is the continuance of an ancient pagan custom. In-
stead of honoring Christ, it invariably retards His Work, often sets it back, at the Christmas season
every year.

Does It Really Honor Christ?

Now come two arguments often used to justify Christmas observance.

1) Many will reason this way: "But, even though the exact date of Jesus' birth is unknown,
should we not select some date to celebrate as His birthday?" The answer is positively no! Did
you not notice the statement quoted from the Catholic Encyclopedia: "Sinners alone, not saints,
celebrate their birthdays." The celebration of birthdays is not a Christian, but a pagan custom, ob-
served by sinners!

2) But, many still reason, "Even so -- even though Christmas was a pagan custom, honoring
the false sun-god, we don't observe it to honor the false god, we observe it to honor Christ."

But how does GOD answer in His Word? "Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by
following them [the pagans in their customs] ... 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 Eternal, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods"
(Deut. 12:30-31).

God says plainly in His Instruction Book to us, that He will not accept that kind of worship,
even though intended in His honor. To Him, He says, it is offering what is abominable to Him, and
therefore it honors, not Him, but false pagan gods. GOD says we must not worship Him according
to the "dictates of our own conscience" -- a term we often hear. But Jesus said plainly, "God is a
spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). And what is
truth? God's Word -- the Holy Bible -- said Jesus, is truth (John 17:17); and the Bible says God
will not accept worship when people take a pagan custom or manner of worship and try to honor
Christ with it.

Again, Jesus said: "In vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments
of men" (Matt. 15:9). Christmas observance is a tradition of men, and the commandments of God,
as quoted, forbid it. Jesus said, further, "full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may
keep your own tradition."

That is precisely what the millions are doing today. They ignore the commandment of God.
He commands, regarding taking the customs of the pagans and using them to honor or worship God:

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