by ILoveTTATT 9 Replies latest jw friends
Hi,
I intend to make a chronological history of Christmas among Jehovah's Witnesses. I look to make it as accurate as possible, and have it include as many WT publications references as possible.
I will post it when I am done with it... My jaw dropped to the floor various times when researching this article, so I hope you like it!
ILTTATT
Feliz Navidad
My mother and her parents, Bible Students, always celebrated Christmas and when they became JWs they would still celebrate the Holiday but out of site from other JWs.
I love ...try this.....
clarity
Merry Christmas! I'm sure that the shift in the WTBTS's stance on celebrating holidays was instigated by Freddie Franz.
Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,
Robert
Feliz Navidad - Merry Christmas - Gelukkig Kerstfeest - Joyeux Noël - Geseënde Kersfees - Frohe Weihnachten
Oh and ILT... looking forward to your writing!
Its as pagan as the wedding ring on your finger, but 8 men in Brooklyn give the proverbial 'nod' of approval to the wedding ring.
The JW religion under Rutherford just wanted to be different, very different to that under Russell. He wanted his own stamp, he changed the beliefs, he changed the name and he changed the rules, making it a real dictatorship. Read his writings, he is an angry man and quite ignorant too! He loved the glamour and had two Cadillacs and a summer mansion in LA, for which there is now video footage of him in.
Christmas is just a happy time for people and family to get together and enjoy each others company, nobody is worshiping trees or pagan beliefs, just as We use the days of the week without reverence for the gods they were named after. Do we worship Thor and displease a god everytime we say Thursday?
The irony is, JW's celebrate the drinking of a gods blood under a full moon once a year and don't question its origins once....... its pagan origins quite obvious with just a moments consideration.
Here is the first part (warning: LONG!)
I cover up to 1914 in this first part:
Christmas and Bible Students
(Now known as Jehovah’s Witnesses)
The purpose of this article is to analyze the historical development of Jehovah’s Witnesses and how they arrived at their official stance now of not celebrating Christmas.
We will consider quotes from The Watchtower and The Golden Age (now known as Awake!) which were related to Christmas: The first one is from 1881. In December 1881, Charles Taze Russell wrote an article condemning the Papacy and showing that he knew that Christmas was pagan and that Jesus’s birth was not on December 25 th :
“Roman favor was so sweet to the church after so many years of persecution, that they were ready to make religion any and everything to suit the views of their new half-pagan friend Constantine. With his favor, the open opposition of others measurably ceased. Thousands, yes millions were brought into
the church from Paganism. But the change was mostly in name, for the pagan priests became Christian priests and the pagan holidays came to be called by Christian names--Christmas being one of these holidays kept sacred to the memory of a great Goddess--since called the celebration of Jesus' birth though actually nearly three months astray.”
The second quote is from The Watchtower, December 1883. Again, C.T. Russell explains that Christmas is pagan and that Jesus was not born on the 25 th of December:
“We hold that the reckoning of time commonly used is substantially correct, as shown above. The difference which we claim as between it and the true date calculated from Jesus birth is about three months. "Christmas day," which is reckoned the anniversary of Jesus birth (January 1 representing the date of his circumcision eight days after) is mid-winter, and evidently does not comport well with the account of the shepherds being out with their flocks (`Luke 2:8.) It is supposed by some to have been placed December 25 in order to the better take the place of and transform an old heathen festival at that date, into a Christ-commemorating one—at about the time so-called Christianity becoming popular with emperors, was embraced by thousands of the heathen people. Our method of reckoning the day of Jesus birth is based upon Scripture,
and is as follows […] his death […] was on a day just six months from his birthday, which
consequently would be about October 2d--about the beginning of the Jewish year--or about three months earlier than A.D. 1 is usually reckoned.--EDITOR.”
Despite knowing that Christmas was pagan, and that December 25th is not Jesus’s real birthdate, the Bible Students continued to celebrate Christmas until the end of 1927 or the beginning of 1928, when an article in The Golden Age completely condemned it. But we will consider this quote a bit later.
The next quote appeared in The Watchtower, May 1884. Russell compared the gratitude of a human upon reaching perfection to a young boy in Christmas:
“Think you that with ungrateful heart man will turn from such loving favor to envy an angel's estate? No, not for an instant. We call to mind the expression of gratitude from an only child when Christmas morning displayed the special evidences of a mother's love. Viewing his treasures with childish delight, he said, "Mamma, did you do all this for one little boy?" Such will be the gratitude of perfect human hearts.”
Many times in The Watchtower, there were Christmas songs, such as this one, which appeared in The Watchtower of January 1891:
“From Glory unto Glory! What great things he hath done, What wonders he hath shown us, what triumphs he hath won! We marvel at the records of the blessings of the year! But sweeter than the Christmas bells rings out his promise clear”
The Watchtower, at first, had general announcements, similar to the ones given in the meetings. One of the mentioned Christmas Cards that Russell liked while making a London trip. He was offering them at reduced price to Watchtower readers:
“CHRISTIAN HOME EMBELLISHMENTS. ---------- While passing through London we noticed some very beautiful Motto Cards suitable for the adornment of the walls of Christian homes, and, thinking the prices cheaper than in the United States, we purchased some, purposing to advise the TOWER readers and to supply orders if any desired them. We present herewith a descriptive list. The prices include postage. […]11. CHRISTMAS CARDS (assorted, illuminated), .05 & .10”
A modern Jehovah’s Witness is not “supposed” to celebrate Christmas, or New Year’s, or Thanksgiving Day, among other holidays. They are also supposedly not nationalistic. This is why this quote, which has all these elements, might shock a modern JW. The Watchtower of December 15 th , 1896 said:
“THE day set apart for National Thanksgiving is past, but we trust that the spirit of thankfulness continues in many hearts; and no time is more appropriate for the review of our causes for thankfulness as children of the Heavenly King, than at Christmastide, on the threshold of a new year, while ruminating upon the things that were, the things that are and the things which we desire and hope shall be. Whether partial failure or moderate success has, during the year closing, marked our efforts along lines of moral, physical, financial or spiritual attainment, let thankfulness fill our hearts, as well as good resolves and holy ambitions for the coming year. Indeed, we esteem that thankfulness must be an abiding grace in all true Christians who have reached a reasonable degree of development in the higher life. This highly favored land has much to be thankful for in the way of bountiful harvests; and although the farmer has not gotten high prices, this is a cause of thankfulness to other lands whose harvests are scant.”
In 1898, the first article specifically addressing Christmas appeared. It was the study article for December 25 th , 1898. The article started like this:
“"CHRISTMAS Day," in celebration of our dear Redeemer's birth, has for long centuries been celebrated on December 25th; and although it is now well known that this date is in error, and that it more properly corresponds with the date of the annunciation to Mary, nine months before our Lord was born, and that he was born about October 1st,--nevertheless, since the Lord has given no instructions whatever upon this subject, and since it is proper to do good deeds and think good thoughts upon any day, it cannot be improper, in harmony with general usage, for us to remember in a social way our dear Redeemer's birth at this time. Our Lord Jesus was God's great gift to Israel and to the world, as yet appreciated fully only by the Spiritual Israelite. Through him also all of God's gifts are promised and to be bestowed. (Eph. 4:8.) In view of these things, the custom throughout Christendom of making Christmas Day a joyful one, by the interchange of little tokens of love in the family, and to the poor, seems most appropriate.”
The next year, and for various years, (but not necessarily every year, it seems), there was a “Christmas article”. The Christmas article for 1899:
“CHRISTMAS-TIDE always brings some lesson associated with our Savior and the great salvation, the gift of God, provided through him. This year the chosen lesson is most excellent and beautiful.”
The article considered Isaiah 9:2-7 verse by verse.
The Christmas article of 1902:
“CHRISTMAS (or Christ's festival) by general usage is celebrated on December 25th; and since its commemoration is not enjoined in the Scriptures, but is merely a voluntary commemoration of a great fact rather than of a particular date, we do well to celebrate it decorously at the usual time;-- notwithstanding the fact that we disagree with the date, and hold, according to the evidences, that our Lord was born about October 1st, and that December 25th, nine months previous, was probably the date of the annunciation.*--Luke 1:30,31.
*See MILLENNIAL DAWN, Vol. II., p.54.”
The one for 1903:
“…when we remember that all of these glories and blessings and privileges are ours because of the great redemptive work accomplished by him whose entrance upon the work is celebrated by Christmas day. Although we cannot agree that this is the proper day for celebrating the birth of our dear Redeemer, but must insist that it was about October first, nevertheless since he did not intimate his desire that we should celebrate his birthday it is quite immaterial upon what day that event, of so great importance to all, is celebrated. Upon this day, so generally celebrated, we may properly enough join with all whose hearts are in the attitude of love and appreciation toward God and toward the Savior. The habit of giving little remembrances one to another at this time of year seems to us specially appropriate. […]We recommend that every little gift on this occasion should, so far as possible, represent or be accompanied by some little remembrancer of the great gift--something to draw the mind of the recipient to the fact that the great gift of God in Christ is and should be in the minds of all who give or who receive the trifling exchanges of the season.”
Just like the letters that are sent from the Branches or from the Governing Body to the Witnesses today, at that time, Charles Taze Russell sent appreciation letters to the colporteurs (as Pioneers were known back then). It seems that he sent Christmas letters to all the Colporteurs. One of them, writing back, thanked him for that letter. His letter was published in the Watchtower of April 1904:
“MY DEAR BROTHER,--
It is with deep and inexpressible gratitude to the great "Giver of all good gifts," and to you, his honored servant, that I take up my pen this morning. I have read and re-read your dear Christmas letter [of greeting to the Colporteurs] and my heart echoes every sentiment expressed. […]With true Christian love, I remain yours in the "one hope of our calling,"
M. M. SPRINGER,--Colporteur.”
In the same year (1904), the Christmas article said:
““EVEN though Christmas day is not the real anniversary of our Lord's birth, but more properly the annunciation day or the date of his human begetting (Luke 1:28), nevertheless, since the celebration of our Lord's birth is not a matter of divine appointment or injunction, but merely a tribute of respect to him, it is not necessary for us to quibble particularly about the date. We may as well join with the civilized world in celebrating the grand event on the day which the majority celebrate --"Christmas day."”
The 1905 article (considered an printed in January 1906):
“It matters not that December 25th is not the real anniversary of the Savior's birth, but probably the anniversary of the annunciation by the angel Gabriel, the anniversary of the Virgin Mary's conception, our Lord being born nine months later on the calendar, or about October 1. One so great, whose birth, death and resurrection from the dead means so much to the human family, may be remembered and celebrated any day, every day, by all who appreciate what he has done for our race. Since, then, the majority of Christian people have become habituated to the celebration of December 25th as our Lord's birthday, we need make no protest, but join with all in celebrating that day with rejoicing of heart, giving gifts and remembrances one to another, thus copying divine favor, which gave to mankind the Son of God as a gift of mercy and love for our redemption.”
Many times in the Watchtower (and later the Golden Age), there were advertisements mentioning how Watchtower publications would make excellent Christmas gifts. The Colporteurs had to sell the books, and a colporteur couple gave a suggestion on how to sell more books. Their suggestion was printed in the Watchtower of November 15th, 1907:
“"SCRIPTURE STUDIES" AS CHRISTMAS GIFTS –
DEAR FRIENDS:-It might interest you to know that we are already offering the books for "Christmas gifts." We find that many secure their Christmas presents several months ahead, and that this month is the one in which many are very pleased to secure "such a beautiful, appropriate, and above all such a reasonable [in price] gift!" Often we can get orders for several sets in one home, in view of the fact that the books make such splendid gifts. Today we got more than one order on this account. We mention this because we think it might help wonderfully during the next six weeks in securing orders from people who would perhaps not buy for their own use. We say, "Many are taking them for gifts, and it is of course a compliment to a friend's intelligence to give him a book, and especially a work of this kind, and you get the entire three for only 98c!" With much Christian love and appreciating more and more the great privilege of laboring in the harvest field, we are, Yours in Him, J. AND L. HUTCHINSON,--Colporteurs.”
Sometimes, the Watchtower joined itself with other publishing houses and made offers. Again, a Watchtower subscription is suggested as an excellent Christmas gift. This appeard in the Watchtower of December 1907:
“The Woman's National Daily has made a clubbing arrangement with ZION'S WATCH TOWER, which now includes all the United States. Under this arrangement we are permitted to receive from within that territory $1.60 as a year's subscription to both papers, or 60 cents for a year's subscription to the National Daily from those who are already TOWER subscribers. […] We suggest to all residing in the favored territory that such subscriptions, costing them but 60 cents each, would be excellent Christmas gifts, which might accomplish much for the Truth.”
The Christmas article of 1908 may be especially difficult to believe it exists for a modern JW:
“It matters not particularly that December 25 is not the anniversary of our Lord's birth, according to the Scriptural account; that really he was born about September 25, nine months later. One day, as well as another, will serve us to commemorate our Saviour's birth in the flesh, as a gift of God's love to a condemned and dying world. Indeed, in some respects December 25, which corresponds to the date of our Lord's annunciation or begetting by the holy Spirit in the womb of Mary, may be considered even more appropriate for celebration than the day of his death.”
This general announcement published in January 1909 showed that the Christmas season was especially active for the Colporteurs:
“THE NEW BIBLES WITH HELPS ---------- We did our best to fill all orders for the new Bibles by Christmas time, and believe that we got them all filled before the New Year opened. Any order not yet filled kindly report to us at once, […] So far as we have heard, the dear friends are delighted with this work.”
In January 1910, Russell’s Christmas greeting to Colporteurs and Pilgrims (for the 1909 holiday season) was printed. It read:
“1910--GREETINGS TO PILGRIMS AND COLPORTEURS—1910 BELOVED IN THE LORD:--The opportunity for a Christmas and New Year's Letter is again at hand. My heart goes out with peculiar warmth and interest to the six hundred co-laborers whom I now address. […]We desire to send a little Christmas token to each regular Pilgrim in the service and to each regular Colporteur. By "regular" we mean such as devotes entire time to the work, or at least one-half of his time. Please accept one of the new gold Cross and Crown pins and advise us at your convenience where we shall send it. Reckon on its leaving here January 11, which will give us time to get through with our Christmas rush. […] Wishing you a very joyous Christmas and a very happy New Year, 1910, I remain, as ever, Your brother and servant in Christ, C. T. RUSSELL.”
Again in December 1910, the Watchtower publications were suggested as excellent Christmas gifts:
“We take this opportunity to remark that the circulation of the MANNA appears to be second only to the STUDIES in beneficial effects. One Colporteur followed his canvass for STUDIES with the HEAVENLY MANNA. He sold these where he had failed to sell STUDIES. Some months after he again canvassed with STUDIES. He was agreeably surprised that nearly all who had purchased the MANNA were ready and anxious for STUDIES. They asked, eagerly, "Are those books from the pen which wrote the MANNA comments? If so we want them!" Surely no more desirable Christmas gifts could be found than STUDIES, MANNA, THE WATCH TOWER and the DIAGLOTT.”
In 1914, in various places around the world, the Photodrama of Creation was shown. Some people were so impressed with the Photodrama that they wanted to hear it at home (it seems like the Watchtower only offered the audio). An ad was made, saying that they were making the Photodrama available, for “only” $29. We say “only” because $29 in 1914 is equivalent to almost $700 in 2013 dollars.
“CREATION-DRAMA AT HOME -- Notice in our issues of August 1 and 15 the description of
the Eureka Drama X. Many of our readers may like to buy for themselves, their families or their friends, one of these outfits as a Christmas gift. Records and all cost little more than an ordinary "Victrola" without records. If you have a "Victrola" or graphophone we can supply the entire set of 96 Drama Lecture and 9 hymn records for $29”
I am working on getting the second part into English...
Wonderful, and how much work is that! The Vatican has it's Secret Archives, and the WTS its own published history.
How much I wanted to celebrate Christmas as a child! My mom told me she attended Bethel Christmas services. There was a huge Christmas tree for the Bethel family. Carols were sung. WT literature was suggested as good Christmas gifts. I don't think that was a great idea.
My head was spinning inside. I saw no evil in celebrating Christmas and receiving toys and other special gifts. The Puritans did not celebrate Christmas either. It was not a theocratic idea. Some day I will research more about the Puritans and Pilgrims.
There is a photo of Bethel with the Christmas tree. I hope you found it.
