In the era when paganism prevailed, people endeavored to worship all the gods within their religious pantheon, often showing particular devotion to a favored deity. Roman soldiers, for instance, revered Mars, the god of war, while their wives paid special homage to Juno, goddess of birth and marriage. Sailors honored Neptune, merchants served Mercury, farmers adored Ceres, and young girls revered Venus. The inquiry, "Which god do you worship?" was commonplace among them. In contrast, within a Christian context, such a question might provoke confusion or hostility, as many assume all worship the same God, regardless of differing beliefs or paths. Yet, not all who claim to worship Christ honor the true Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture. Some worship a version of Him that diverges from biblical truth, portraying Him as a created angel chosen by God, despite clear scriptural evidence of His eternal divinity. Others focus on images of a baby in a mother's arms or a corpse on a cross, while many profess faith in a resurrected Christ yet reject His teachings, believing mere profession of His name suffices for salvation. In this land, countless versions of Christ are worshipped, each denomination presenting a slightly altered depiction, from Baptist to Pentecostal, Methodist to Lutheran, and beyond, with further variations in Catholic, Orthodox, and cultic interpretations. The true Christ, as shown in Scripture, differs markedly from common perceptions. He upheld God's law, observed the seventh-day Sabbath and holy days, attended synagogue every Sabbath, and taught from the Old Testament. Physically robust, a builder by trade, He twice drove out defilers from the Temple with a whip, speaking with authority in likely multiple languages. He lived as an example for us to follow. We cannot truly worship Him without knowing Him, and true knowledge comes only from following His example. Which God do you worship?

False worship, particularly in the context of celebrating holidays like Christmas, is a profound spiritual error rooted in deception and human reasoning rather than truth. Many who leave God's church return to such celebrations, claiming a Christian perspective, yet they base their actions on personal opinions rather than divine instruction. The pagan origins of Christmas, with customs tied to ancient midwinter festivals and mother goddess worship, contribute to spiritual confusion, yet people often ignore these unholy roots, prioritizing tradition over truth. God does not accept worship mingled with pagan practices, as it misrepresents Him and separates the worshiper from His presence. Scripture reveals that truth is paramount to God, and Jesus Christ Himself declared that He came to bear witness to the truth, as seen in John 18:37, where He states that everyone who is of the truth hears His voice. Celebrating falsehoods like Christmas, embedded with lies and deception, prevents one from truly hearing Christ's voice or being conformed to His image. Romans 1:18-25 warns against suppressing the truth in unrighteousness, describing how people exchange God's truth for lies, worshiping the creature rather than the Creator, as exemplified by figures like Santa Claus, which mirror corruptible human images. Isaiah 59:2 and 59:4 highlight that sin, including the refusal to hear truth, separates humanity from God, while Psalm 145:18 assures that the Lord is near to those who call upon Him in truth. Celebrating Christmas, rooted in falsehood, ensures that God does not hear such worship. II Thessalonians 2:9-10 further illustrates that those who reject the love of truth fall into strong delusion, believing lies due to their pleasure in unrighteousness, a mindset evident in the persistent celebration of Christmas despite knowledge of its pagan origins. Revelation 17:4-5 portrays false worship as an abomination, symbolized by the woman of Babylon holding a cup full of abominations, reflecting the syncretistic blend of pagan rites with Christian themes in holidays like Christmas. Proverbs 6:16-19 emphasizes God's hatred for lying, listing it twice among abominations, underscoring that no lie, whether blatant or subtle, is acceptable in worship. Historical records confirm Christmas was not observed by early Christians but was adapted from pagan Roman festivals like Saturnalia and Brumalia, linked to sun worship, as noted in historical Catholic writings, further proving its foundation in falsehood. Jeremiah 7:1-10 warns against trusting in lying words and mixing pagan practices with worship, as the people of Judah did, provoking God's anger by following other gods and still claiming to stand before Him. This mirrors modern celebrations where pagan elements are combined with supposed worship of God, rendering it vain. Jeremiah 23:30-32 condemns false prophets who steal God's words and lead people astray with lies, a fitting description of religious leaders who uphold Christmas despite its untruthful basis. Galatians 5:19-21 lists the works of the flesh, including idolatry, drunkenness, and revelry, which characterize Christmas with its decadence and greed, contrasting sharply with the fruit of the Spirit in verses 22-26, evident in God's holy days. Such fleshly practices exclude one from inheriting the Kingdom of God, showing that true worship cannot coexist with pagan celebrations. Exodus 32:5-7 recounts Aaron's compromise in creating a golden calf and declaring a feast to the Lord, leading to corruption, illustrating that humanly devised worship, even if labeled as for God, is unacceptable. Deuteronomy 12:29-32 strictly commands against adopting the worship practices of other nations, warning not to inquire after their gods or worship God in their manner, as every such abomination is detestable to Him. This principle applies to modern holidays like Christmas, where pagan customs are integrated into supposed worship of God. I Corinthians 10:6

Many who grew up in traditional Christianity participated in worship that seemed sincere but did not align with God's instructions. This form of worship, though not intended as rebellion, was foreign to God, unauthorized, and not commanded by Him. Scripture reveals that such worship, often termed as pagan, includes any practice outside of God's explicit guidance, as seen in Hosea 5:7 and Ezra 10:2, where terms like "strange" or "profane" describe it. Nadab and Abihu, in Leviticus 10:1, offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded, and faced severe consequences for disregarding His Holiness, showing that good intentions are insufficient when God's clear instructions are ignored. Modern Christianity often perpetuates ancient practices condemned by God, merely renaming them, despite warnings in Deuteronomy 12:31-32 against worshiping Him in ways not prescribed. God has consistently commanded one law and one way of worship, as stated in Exodus 12:49 and Isaiah 56, rejecting foreign customs. Yet, traditions have modified God's instructions, replacing His Sabbath with Sunday, Passover with Easter, and redefining obedience as legalism, contrary to Deuteronomy 10:12 and I John 5:3, which equate love for God with keeping His commandments. This blending of foreign customs into worship, warned against in Deuteronomy 12:30, renders it strange and abominable to God. Such systems, built on human tradition rather than God's authority, are what Scripture identifies as pagan worship. God pleads with His people in Revelation 18:4 to come out of these worldly systems, not to create something new, but to return to His true Sabbath and the faith He designed. This return is about worshiping on His terms, embracing the path walked by Jesus Christ, Abraham, Moses, and the apostles, under the authority of God's pure word.