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TheThe Truth Truth About About CHRISTMASCHRISTMAS !"#2 AVERAGE PRINTING 38,451,000 PUBLISHED IN 84 LANGUAGES

3 The Spirit Is Spreading —Why? 5 The Truth About Christmas 8 “The Truth Will Set You Free”! 12 God Has Comforted Me in All My Trials 20 More Major Earthquakes !"#2 Expected AVERAGE PRINTING 38,451,000 22 Young People Ask PUBLISHED IN 84 LANGUAGES How Can I Explain the Bible’s View of Homosexuality? 3 The Christmas Spirit Is Spreading 25 Was It Designed? —Why? The Salmon’s Efficient Swimming Style 5 The Truth About Christmas 26 A Book You Can Trust 8 “The Truth Will Set You Free”! Part 2—Assyria in Bible History 12 God Has Comforted Me 29 Watching the World in All My Trials 30 Subject Index for 2010 Awake! 20 More Major Earthquakes 31 For Family Review Expected 32 She Learned as They Did 22 Young People Ask How Can I Explain the Bible’s Why Doesn’t God Get View of Homosexuality? 10 Rid of the Devil? 25 Was It Designed? The Bible assures us that The Salmon’s Efficient God will destroy Satan at Swimming Style just the right time. Read why He has not acted yet. 26 A Book You Can Trust Part 2—Assyria in Bible History 29 Watching the World 30 Subject Index for 2010 Awake! Earthquake in Haiti The Truth About 14 31 For Family Review —Faith and Love in Action Christmas 3-9 The January 2010 earthquake 32 She Learned as They Did in Haiti destroyed buildings and Learn how knowing the origin of killed hundreds of thousands Why Doesn’t God Get of people. Learn how selfless Christmas10 Rid customs of the Devil? has affected volunteers brought relief, families for the better. saved lives, and gave hope. The Bible assures us that God will destroy Satan at just the right time. Read why He has not acted yet.

Earthquake in Haiti The Truth About 14 —Faith and Love in Action Christmas 3-9 The January 2010 earthquake in Haiti destroyed buildings and Learn how knowing the origin of killed hundreds of thousands of people. Learn how selfless Christmas customs has affected volunteers brought relief, families for the better. saved lives, and gave hope. The Christmas Spirit Is Spreading WHY?

O YOU look forward to Christmas? Or does its approach D fill you with nervous apprehension? Millions of people ask: ‘Whom will I get gifts for? What should I buy? Can I af- ford it? For how long will I be paying off my debt?’ Despite such concerns, Christmas remains very popular. In fact, the celebration has even spread to non-Christian lands. In Japan most families now celebrate Christmas, not because of its religious significance, but purely as a festive occasion. In China “’s cheery red face is plastered in shop windows in major cities,” says The Wall Street Journal, adding: “Christmas fever is gripping China’s newly rising urban mid- dle class as an excuse to shop, eat and party.” In many parts of the world, Christmas has been a great boost for local economies. That is especially true of China, which is now “an export powerhouse of plastic trees, , twinkling lights and other yuletide trinkets,” says the Journal. Predominantly Muslim lands also promote Christmaslike festivities, although not necessarily on December 25. In An- kara, Turkey, and Beirut, Lebanon, it is not unusual to see shop windows dressed with tinsel-covered evergreens and gift- wrapped packages. In Indonesia, hotels and malls sponsor fes- tive events, and children can dine with Santa or have their pic- ture taken with him. In Western lands, Christmas is now largely secular and commercial, with many ads “blatantly pitched at children,” said Canada’s Royal Bank Letter. Granted, some people still attend Christmas services at a church. But it is the shopping malls, resonating with carols, that have become the new tem- ples. Why the change? Could the reason be connected with the origin of Christmas? What are its roots? Before discussing such questions, it would be good to read the Bible accounts on which Christmas Nativity scenes are supposedly based.

Awake! December 2010 3 WHAT THE GOSPEL WRITERS SAY

The apostle Matthew: “After had been born in of Judea in the days of Herod the king, look! astrologers from east- ern parts came to Jerusalem, saying: ‘Where is theonebornkingoftheJews?Forwesaw his star when we were in the east, and we have come to do him obeisance.’ At hearing this King Herod was agitated.” So Herod asked “thechiefpriests...wheretheChristwastobe born.” On learning that it was “in Bethlehem,” Herod told the astrologers: “Go make a careful away with, from two years of age and under.” search for the young child, and when you have —Matthew 2:1-16. founditreportbacktome.” The disciple Luke: Joseph “went up from “They went their way; and, look! the star Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, they had seen when they were in the east to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, . . . went ahead of them, until it came to a stop togetregisteredwithMary...Whiletheywere abovewheretheyoungchildwas....When there, . . . she gave birth to her son, the first- they went into the house they saw the young born, and she bound him with cloth bands and child with Mary its mother.” After presenting laid him in a manger, because there was no Jesus with gifts, “they were given divine place for them in the lodging room.” warning in a dream not to return to Herod, “There were also in that same country shep- [so] they withdrew to their country by another herds living out of doors and keeping watches way.” in the night over their flocks. And suddenly “After they had withdrawn, look! Jehovah’s Jehovah’sangelstoodbythem,...andthey appeared in a dream to Joseph, saying: became very fearful. But the angel said to ‘Get up, take the young child and its mother them: ‘Have no fear, for, look! I am declaring and flee into Egypt . . .’ So he got up and to you good news of a great joy that all the peo- took along the young child and its mother by ple will have, because there was born to you to- nightandwithdrew...ThenHerod,seeinghe day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, in David’s had been outwitted by the astrologers, fell into city.’ ” At that the shepherds “went with haste a great rage, and he sent out and had all the and found Mary as well as Joseph, and the in- boys in Bethlehem and in all its districts done fant lying in the manger.”—Luke 2:4-16.

!"#$ This publication is not for sale. It is provided as part of a world- wide Bible educational work supported by voluntary donations. THIS JOURNAL IS PUBLISHED for the enlightenment of the Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the entire family. It shows how to cope with today’s problems. It reports modern-language New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures the news, tells about people in many lands, examines religion —With References. and science. But it does more. It probes beneath the surface and Awake! (ISSN 0005-237X) is published monthly by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.; M. H. Larson, President; points to the real meaning behind current events, yet it always G. F. Simonis, Secretary-Treasurer; 25 Columbia Heights, Brook- stays politically neutral and does not exalt one race above another. lyn, NY 11201-2483. Periodicals Postage Paid at Brooklyn, N.Y., Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator’s and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send ad- promise of a peaceful and secure new world that is about to dress changes to Awake!, 1000 Red Mills Road, Wallkill, NY 12589-3299.  replace the present wicked, lawless system of things. 2010 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. 4 Awake! December 2010 Vol. 91, No. 12 Monthly ENGLISH The Truth About Christmas

OYOUcareaboutspiritualtruth?Ifso, birthdays were celebrated on December 25, D then perhaps you have asked these ques- the winter solstice according to the Julian ca- tions: (1) Was Jesus actually born on Decem- lendar. ber 25? (2) Who were the “wise men,” and Those pagan festivals began to be “Chris- were they really three in number? (3) What tianized” in the year 350, when Pope Julius I sort of “star” led them to Jesus? (4) What declared December 25 to be Christ’s birth- does Santa Claus have to do with Jesus and day. “The Nativity gradually absorbed or sup- his birth? (5) How does God view the Christ- planted all other solstice rites,” says the En- mas custom of giving gifts or, to be more pre- cyclopedia of Religion. “Solar imagery came cise, exchanging gifts? increasingly to be used to portray the risen Let us now consider these questions in the Christ (who was also called ), and light of the Bible and historical facts. theoldsolardisk...becamethehaloof Christian saints.” Was Jesus Born on What the Bible says: The Bible does not – December 25? give Jesus’ birth date. But we can safely con- The custom: According to tradition, Jesus’ cludethathewasnotbornonDecember25. birth took place on December 25 and is cel- How so? The Bible tells us that when Jesus ebrated on that date. “Christmas,” says the was born, shepherds were “living out of doors” Encyclopedia of Religion, means “‘Christ’s tending their flocks at night in the vicinity of Mass,’ that is, the mass celebrating the feast Bethlehem. (Luke 2:8) The cold, rainy sea- of Christ’s nativity,” or birth. son usually began in October, and shepherds —especially in the colder highlands, such as Its roots: “The establishment of Decem- those around Bethlehem—brought their sheep ber 25 evolved not from biblical precedent,” into protected shelters at night. The coldest says The Christmas Encyclopedia, “but from weather, sometimes accompanied by snow, pagan Roman festivals held at year’s end,” occurred in December. about the time of the winter solstice in the Significantly, the early Christians, many of Northern Hemisphere. Those festivals includ- whom had accompanied Jesus in his ed the Saturnalia, in honor of Saturn, god of agriculture, “and the combined festivals of  It appears that Jesus was born during the ancient Jew- two sun gods, the Roman Sol and the Persian ish month of Ethanim (September-October).—See the reference work Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 2, page 56, published by Mithra,” says the same encyclopedia. Both Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Languages: Afrikaans, Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Would you welcome more information or a free home Bislama, Bulgarian, Cebuano, Chichewa, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese Bible study? Please send your request to Jehovah’s Witnesses, us-  (Traditional) (audio Mandarin only), Chitonga, Cibemba, Croatian, ing one of the addresses below. For a complete list of addresses, see Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Ewe, Fijian, Finnish, French, Georgian, German, Greek, Gujarati, Hebrew, Hiligaynon, www.watchtower.org/address. America, United States of: 25 Columbia Heights, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Igbo, Iloko, Indonesian, Italian, Japa- Brooklyn, NY 11201-2483. Australia: PO Box 280, Ingleburn, NSW 1890. Bahamas: PO nese, Kannada, Kinyarwanda, Kirghiz, Kirundi, Korean, Latvian, Lin- Box N-1247, Nassau, NP. Britain: The Ridgeway, London NW7 1RN. Canada: PO Box 4100, gala, Lithuanian, Luvale, Macedonian, Malagasy, Malayalam, Maltese, Georgetown, ON L7G 4Y4. Germany: Am Steinfels, 65618 Selters. Guam: 143 Jehovah St,    Myanmar, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Rarotongan, Barrigada, GU 96913. Guyana: 352-360 Tyrell St, Republic Park Phase 2 EBD. Hawaii: Romanian, Russian, Samoan, Sepedi, Serbian, Sesotho, Shona, Silo- zi, Sinhala, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Tagalog, 2055 Kamehameha IV Road, Honolulu, HI 96819-2619. Jamaica: PO Box 103, Old Harbour, Tamil, Thai, Tok Pisin, Tongan, Tsonga, Tswana, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, St. Catherine. Japan: 4-7-1 Nakashinden, Ebina City, Kanagawa-Pref, 243-0496. Puerto Vietnamese, Xhosa, Yoruba, Zulu Rico: PO Box 3980, Guaynabo, PR 00970. South Africa: Private Bag X2067, Krugersdorp,  CD also available. 1740. Trinidad and Tobago: Lower Rapsey Street & Laxmi Lane, Curepe.  MP3 CD-ROM also available.  Audio recordings also available at www.jw.org. Awake! December 2010 5 ministry, never celebrated his birth on any about the newborn “king of the Jews.” Her- date. Rather, in harmony with his command, od then said: “Make a careful search for the they commemorated only his death. (Luke young child, and when you have found it re- 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26) Still, some port back to me.” Herod’s interest in Jesus, may say, ‘Does the pagan connection really however, was anything but noble. Rather, this matter?’ The answer? It does to God. “The proud and ruthless ruler was resolved to put true worshipers will worship the Father with Jesus to death!—Matthew 2:1-8, 16. spirit and truth,” said Jesus Christ.—John Interestingly, the “star” now led the astrol- 4:23. ogers south to Bethlehem. There “it came to a stop” above the house where Jesus was.—Mat- The “Wise Men”—How Many? thew 2:9, 10. — WhoWereThey? Clearly this was no ordinary star! And why The custom: Guided by a “star” from the wouldGod,whohadusedangelstoinform east, three “wise men” are portrayed as pre- humble shepherds of Jesus’ birth, now em- senting gifts to Jesus in a manger in a stable. ploy a star to guide pagan astrologers—first Sometimes shepherds are also shown as being to Jesus’ enemy and then to the child him- present. self? The only reasonable conclusion is that Its roots: Aside from the brief account in the star was a sinister device of Satan, who is the Bible, “everything written about the Wise capable of such manifestations. (2 Thessalo- Men stems principally from legend,” says The nians 2:9, 10) Ironically, an ornament called Christmas Encyclopedia. the is usually seen at the What the Bible says: The Bible does not say very top of the . how many “wise men” visited Jesus. There may have been two, or there may have been What Does Santa Claus Have to three, four, or more. Although termed “wise ™ Do With Jesus and His Birth? men” in some Bible translations, the original- The custom: In many lands, Santa Claus is language word is magoi, which means astrol- viewed as the one who brings children gifts. ogers or sorcerers—professions that the Bible Children often write to Santa, asking for pres- says are “detestable to Jehovah.” (Deuterono- ents,which,accordingtotradition,elveshelp my 18:10-12) By virtue of their long journey himtomakeathisNorthPoleheadquarters. from the East, the astrologers did not arrive in time to visit Jesus in the stable. Rather, af- Its roots: According to the popular view, ter perhaps months of travel, they “went into the Santa Claus myth owes its origin to the house” where Jesus was staying. There , Archbishop of in Asia they saw “the young child with Mary its moth- Minor, now Turkey. “Virtually everything er.”—Matthew 2:11. written about St. Nicholas is based on leg- ends,” says The Christmas Encyclopedia. The What Sort of Star Led the designation “Santa Claus” may owe its origin ˜ Astrologers? to the word , acorruptionofthe Dutch terms for “Saint Nicholas.” Historical- Clues are provided by what the star actu- ly and Biblically, Santa Claus has nothing in ally did. For one thing, it did not lead the common with Jesus Christ. men directly to Bethlehem, but to Jerusalem, where their inquiries about Jesus reached  In some European lands, such as Austria, “Santa is still the ears of King Herod. Herod then “secret- not as eagerly expected as ,” or the , says a BBC news report. Nevertheless, the visit is still about ly summoned the astrologers,” who told him presents.

6 Awake! December 2010 The Christmas season, like the ancient festival of Saturnalia, is marked by partying, feasting, and drinking

What the Bible says: “Now that you have put away falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor.” Our closest ‘neigh- bors’ are our family members. (Ephesians 4: 25) The Bible also says that we should “love %

truth,” “speaking the truth in [our] heart.” ing the first day of January. This was also  (Zechariah 8:19; Psalm 15:2) True, telling observed by a festival, usually lasting about Library Picture Evans Mary children that Santa (or the Christ child) is the three days. The Saturnalia and the first day of bearer of presents at Christmas may seem to January likely formed one festive occasion. be innocent fun, but is it right or wise to de- What the Bible says: Joy and generosity ceive little children, even if one’s intentions characterize true worship. “Be joyful, you are not bad? Do you not find it ironic that an righteous ones; and cry out joyfully,” the occasion that is supposedly meant to honor Bible says. (Psalm 32:11) Such joy is often Jesus becomes a time to deceive children? associated with generosity. (Proverbs 11:25) “There is more happiness in giving than there HowDoesGodViewChristmas is in receiving,” said Jesus Christ. (Acts 20: š Gift-Giving and Merrymaking? 35) He also said: “Practice giving,” or make it The custom: Christmas giving is unusual in a regular part of your life.—Luke 6:38. that it largely involves an exchange of gifts, Such giving has little in common with ritu- and the Christmas season is marked by party- alized giving or giving that is compelled, per- ing, feasting, and drinking. haps by social custom. Describing the true Its roots: Ancient Roman Saturnalian fes- spirit of generosity, the Bible states: “Each tivities began on December 17 and conclud- person should give as he has decided for him- ed on the 24th, when gifts were exchanged. self; there should be no reluctance, no sense Homes and streets were noisy with banquet- of compulsion; God loves a cheerful giv- ing, heavy drinking, and riotous behavior. The er.” (2 Corinthians 9:7, The New English Saturnalia was followed by an event celebrat- Bible) Those who heed these excellent Bible

Awake! December 2010 7 principles give because their generous heart impels them to do so, which can be at any SOW WEEDS, REAP WEEDS time of the year. To be sure, this kind of giv- ing has God’s blessing, and it is never burden- some. At one time, church authorities fought “tooth and nail against [the] relics of A Counterfeit! heathenism,” says the book Christmas When examined in the light of the Bible, Customs and Traditions—Their History virtually every facet of Christmas is either pa- and Significance. Butintime,church gan in origin or a distortion of the Bible ac- leaders became more eager to fill pews counts. Hence, Christmas customs are Chris- than teach truth. Hence, they began to tian in name only. How did this come about? “wink at” those pagan practices. Later Centuries after the death of Christ, many they embraced them. false teachers arose, just as the Bible had fore- ‘What you sow you reap,’ the Bible told. (2 Timothy 4:3, 4) Those unprincipled says. (Galatians 6:7) After sowing their men were more interested in making Chris- fields with the seeds of paganism, tianity fashionable to the pagan masses than the churches should not be surprised they were in teaching truth. Hence, they grad- that “weeds” proliferate. A celebration ually adopted popular pagan religious festi- allegedly honoring the birth of Jesus vals and labeled them “Christian.” becomes an excuse for drunkenness and revelry, the shopping mall becomes Such “false teachers,” the Bible warned, more popular than the church, fami- “will exploit you with counterfeit words. lies go deeply into debt buying presents, But as for them, the judgment from of old and children confuse myth with reality and is not moving slowly, and the destruction of Santa Claus with Jesus Christ. Yes, for them is not slumbering.” (2 Peter 2:1-3) Je- good reason, God said: “Quit touching hovah’s Witnesses take those words seriously the unclean thing.”—2 Corinthians 6:17. —as they do the entire Bible, which they view as the written Word of God. (2 Timothy 3: 16) Hence, they reject false religious customs or celebrations. Has this stand deprived them of happiness? On the contrary! As we shall now see, they know from experience that Bi- ble truth is liberating! “The Truth Will Set You Free”!

HAT statement of Jesus Christ, found in Bible Truth Set Them Free! T the Bible at John 8:32, is an eternal truth. Argentina “Our family has been set free That truth liberates us from superstition and from the problems associated with excess from customs that displease God and harm eating and drinking and the cost of gifts we us. The following shows how Bible truth has could not afford,” says Oscar. liberated people in various lands from some Mario felt a great sense of freedom when of the burdensome customs associated with the “Christmas lie,” as he terms it, was re- Christmas. vealed to him. “I now find joy in expressing

8 Awake! December 2010 my appreciation to others by means of gifts at any time of the year and when my budget al- lows me to.” Canada “I love giving and receiving gifts,” writes Elfie. “But I don’t like the kind of giv- ing that is done under pressure. When our family stopped celebrating Christmas, it felt like a vacation!” Ulli, one of Elfie’s daughters, recalls: “Af- ter my parents stopped celebrating Christ- mas, they used to surprise us with fun activi- ties or gifts throughout the year, and we loved that! When our classmates asked us what the occasion was, we would proudly tell them, ‘Just because!’ Still, the transition to living by Bible truth was not easy for our parents, Christians give out of love and at because it meant family opposition and pres- any time of the year sure. But they stood firm. Seeing their deter- mination to worship Jehovah God acceptably ing morning, we would say to him: ‘Because had a big influence on me.” you have been a good boy, Santa gave you a present.’ When I learned the truth about For Silvia, giving up Christmas “was a re- Christmas and shared what I had learned lief,” she says. “Afterward I felt so good! I with my son, he was shocked and cried. At knew I was pleasing Jehovah God, and that that point, it really hit me that Christmas is felt better than thousands of Christmas cele- not the beautiful thing it is portrayed to be. brations.” Rather, it is a lie, and by perpetuating that lie, Kenya Peter writes: “When I was celebrat- I felt I had betrayed my son.” ing Christmas, I borrowed heavily in order Philippines Dave says: “It is hard to con- to purchase gifts and pay for lavish meals. vey in writing the joy that Jehovah gives us by Of course, all this meant that I had to work means of the pure truths found in the Bible. overtime, which took me away from my fam- When members of our family give gifts to oth- ily. How thrilled I was to be set free from all ers, we do not expect anything in return. And that!” we give from the heart.” “I give—and receive—gifts from family and The individuals quoted above are just some friends at any time,” says Carolyne. “I believe of the millions who have learned from per- such unexpected gifts, which are given out of sonal experience that Bible truth sets peo- apureheart,arebyfarthebest.” ple free. More important still, when we live Japan “Our children,” write Hiroshi and in harmony with that truth, we bring joy to Rie, “have not fallen into the trap of expecting God’s heart. (Proverbs 27:11) Jesus Christ gifts and taking them for granted. It makes us said: “The true worshipers will worship the happy as parents to see them understand that Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the giving should come from the heart.” Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship Keiko recalls: “Our family used to cele- him.” (John 4:23) When God looks into your brate Christmas. After confirming that our heart, does he see someone who yearns for son was asleep, my husband and I would truth? We hope that the answer is an unequiv- place a present at his bedside. On the follow- ocal yes!

Awake! December 2010 9