The Christmas Spirit is a False Spirit

By The Late Apostle Bishop S.C. Johnson

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There is a devil inspired spirit which grips the people around December 1st and last until the New Year celebrations are ended. This is known as the Christmas or holiday spirit. One of the most outstanding characteristics of this season is giving. Some people who would not give a person money for a sandwich any other time of the year will reach in their pockets and pull out money, saying Merry Christmas. You see, it is that same devil who controls the people and their money all through the year, so then during the Christmas season he tells the people to give.

Since the giving during the Christmas season is prompted by the devil, the people of God should not have anything to do with it whatsoever. The Bible tells us to give to those who ask of us, also, to give to those who have need. I know from the many people who have come to me during the years of my ministry, that people ask and need help other than at the time called Christmas. Another reason why saints should not be involved with Christmas giving is that most people give Christmas gifts to those who are able to give them one in return.

What is the difference between giving prompted by the Lord and that which is prompted by the devil? Holy giving is when we give and expect nothing in return and do not glorify ourselves publicly when giving, while devil-inspired giving is when we give and expect something in return. Devil-inspired giving also is the type which indulges in public display.

"Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Isreal: Thus saith the Lord, 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: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not, they are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee. But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities. Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder; blue and purple is their clothing; they are all the work of cunning men."

Didn't Jeremiah forsee the people of today in his prophetic mind? How they will hammer the tree to the stand so it will not fall; they will deck it and stand back and admire it and then will call their neighbors to help them admire it. The Bible calls those who participate in this type of decoration, "heathens." So, if you hang up any Christmas decorations whatsoever, I will have to call you what the Bible calls you, a heathen. God, speaking here through the prophet is telling His people to learn not the way of the heathens.

In none of the announcements of the birth of Christ in the Gospels, or anywhere else in the Bible does it give the date when Jesus was born. The Bible tells us that He was born of a virgin, that He was laid in a manger since there was no room in the inn. It says He was God with us but nowhere does it say that Jesus was born on the 25th day of December as the world is saying today.  Read More