Dear Friend,
We don't receive a lot of negative letters, so it
grabs our attention when one begins with: "Cancel my
subscription to your magazine!" and we immediately
ask "Why?" Well, the writer explained, amid scorching
comments, how offensive it was for us to suggest that Christians
should cease celebrating a holiday that is not only unbiblical,
but has its roots firmly planted in idolatrous practices
predating Christ by thousands of years. Yes, we were talking
about Christmas!
Another subscriber replied to the same article: "Many,
in fact, realize that this was a pagan holiday in the ancient
world—one that was usurped intentionally by the church
for the celebration of Christ's birth," he admitted. "But
to conclude that Christians should shun the holiday as a
pagan festival is beyond both Scripture and plain reason."
Is it really? Our philosophy here is pretty simple: What
does God think?
We hope you share the same concern. Does it matter to Him?
Can you know? Does it matter to you? Should we challenge
our assumptions about God, the Bible and the mishmash of
religions and their practices?
The answers are provable and stunning—and, if you
have an inquisitive mind, you will be fascinated not only
with the story behind Christmas, but by numerous other differences
between the practices we commonly see today in religion and
what was observed in the Church Jesus Christ founded. Prepare
to be shocked, though!
 It's
easy to order or download a copy of our free booklet Holidays
or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Keep? on
our Web site, www.gnmagazine.org/booklets.
While you are browsing the Web site you will undoubtedly
be intrigued by other booklet titles, and we hope you will
take a few minutes to examine these subjects of vital interest.
Our literature is well-documented, biblically-based and absolutely
free—we never bill you or ask for money.
 In
addition, we just completed the first four programs launching
our new video efforts. We will begin airing Beyond
Today: Understanding Your Future on over 100 free cable-access
community TV stations in the United States beginning the
week of December 18-24, 2005. Even more exciting, we will
also be using the latest streaming Internet technology to
broadcast on a new multimedia Web site, www.beyondtoday.tv,
which will make these programs available at any time, day
or night. Be sure to check out this Web site—we know
you will find these programs to be of great interest. Our
first program on Christmas will be available online in the
next few weeks!
Does the truth matter anymore? It does to us, and we think
it does to you, too! And, most importantly, what matters
to God? You can know, and we can help.
Thank you for your continuing interest in The Good News magazine
and the work of the United Church of God. Please don't
hesitate to contact us if we can be of further service to
you.
Sincerely,
Clyde
Kilough
President
United Church of God, an International Association
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