Interesting Reading, Something to think about.

Britain to "pare down" relationship with EU
In a recent speech,Boris Johnson,the Mayor of London, called for Britain to negotiate a new "pared down" relationship with the European Union. He said that Britain should "remain in the single market but pull out of the political union" and consider forming an "'outer-tier' of the EU with countries like Norway and Switzerland" (BBC News, December 4, 2012).
He stated, "I don't understand why we continually urge the Eurozone countries to go forward with this fiscal and political union, when we know in our hearts that it is anti-democratic and therefore intellectually and morally wrong" (ibid.). After the speech he observed, "the euro had been a 'nightmare' for its members, and predicted: 'It will eventually blow up but I wouldn't care to bet on when'" (ibid.). Mr. Johnson expressed hope that the British people would be given the opportunity to hold a referendum on whether or not to stay involved with the EU as it moves toward an economic and political union. His desire is to remain "friends" with other EU nations and have "a relationship in which we are not endlessly made to feel bad for not sharing every doctrine of the euro-religion" (ibid.). Bible prophecies have long-foretold the emergence of a ten-nation, German-dominated "Beast" power that will arise in Europe just before the return of Jesus Christ (see Daniel 2 and 7; Revelation 17). Bible prophecies also indicate that this European power (led by Germany-Assyria) will be an adversary of the Israelite nations--including Britain (Hosea 5:5; 8:11-14; 11:1-5). For more information on end-time events see our booklet The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy.
Impact of America's drought
The drought that is ravaging over two-thirds of the U.S. is also taking its toll on the central artery of U.S. trade and commerce, the mighty Mississippi River. Sixty percent of all grain exported from the U.S. travels down the Mississippi (National Park Service), in addition to vast quantities of other products. By mid-December, water levels in some parts of the river will be so low that experts believe all commerce through these portions may come to a stand-still unless the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers clears dangerous underwater rock outcroppings over a 200-mile stretch of the river ( USA Today, November 28, 2012).
The Mississippi is "the major river highway" in the U.S. and is extremely busy on most days. If falling water levels bring river "traffic" to a stop, this could be a partial fulfillment of an ancient Bible prophecy that "your highways shall be desolate" (Leviticus 26:22). Long ago, God warned that serious consequences would come upon His people if they turned away from God. Today, as Israelite nations turn further away from God and His ways, these prophesied events are coming to pass. To learn more about this sobering topic, be sure to review our informative booklet, Who Controls the Weather?
Approving immorality in Auckland
As New Zealand's Parliament presses ahead to legalize same-sex marriage, the nation's slide into immorality is also gaining momentum. Recently, four independent commissioners cleared the way for the construction in the heart of Auckland of a fifteen-story entertainment complex containing a number of brothels (Steve Hopkins, "Central Auckland Super Brothel Approved," November 30, 2012).
The complex will be built opposite the icon of Auckland--the SkyCity Tower--that stands in the heart of the city. No longer are such "shady businesses" hidden on some back street, they are now openly available in the middle of the city! Despite more than 200 public submissions against the brothel, the commissioners gave their approval to the complex, ignoring moral concerns and stating that they did not "see how the proposed brothel could be said to... cause a nuisance of serious offence to ordinary members of the public" (ibid.). Although the governmental system of New Zealand may not have a problem with sexual immorality and prostitution, the God of the Bible certainly does (see Proverbs 23:27-28). Prostitution was forbidden in ancient Israel with a stern warning to obey the laws of God, "lest the land fall into harlotry, and... become full of wickedness" (Leviticus 19:29). Tragically, New Zealand is following America and Britain in a downward plunge into publicly sanctioned immorality and selfish gratification. Thankfully, this slide into immorality will be stopped and reversed by the return of Jesus Christ. For a refreshing glimpse of how God desires human beings to live, read and review our booklet, Your Ultimate Destiny.
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December Solstice Traditions and Customs

The December solstice has influenced the lives of many people over the centuries, particularly through art, literature, mythology and religion. The December solstice is also known as the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere and the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere.
In the northern hemisphere, the December solstice occurs during the coldest season of the year. Although winter was regarded as the season of dormancy, darkness and cold, the coming of lighter days after the winter solstice brought on a more festive mood. To many people, this return of the light was a reason to celebrate that nature’s cycle was continuing.

Solstice’s influence on Christmas

Yule is also known as Alban Arthan and was one of the “Lesser Sabbats” of the Wiccan year.

©iStockphoto.com/Nicolette Neish

In modern times Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas, which falls on December 25. However, it is believed that this date was chosen to offset pagan celebrations of Saturnalia and Natalis Invicti. Some believe that celebrating the birth of the “true light of the world” was set in synchronization with the December solstice because from that point onwards, the days began to have more daylight in the northern hemisphere.

Christmas is also referred to as Yule, which may have derived from the Norse word jól, referring to the pre-Christian winter solstice festival. Yule is also known as Alban Arthan and was one of the “Lesser Sabbats” of the Wiccan year in a time when ancient believers celebrated the rebirth of the Sun God and days with more light. This took place annually around the time of the December solstice and lasted for 12 days. The Lesser Sabbats fall on the solstices and equinoxes.

Seasons, Equinoxes and Solstices

• Seasons Calculator – When seasons start
• March Equinox Explained
• –traditions around March Equinox
• June Solstice Explained
• –traditions around June Solstice
• September Equinox Explained
• –traditions around September Equinox
• December Solstice Explained
• –traditions around December Solstice
• Equinox day is not exactly 12 hours long

The Feast of Juul was a pre-Christian festival observed in Scandinavia at the time of the December solstice. Fires were lit to symbolize the heat, light and life-giving properties of the returning sun. A Yule or Juul log was brought in and burned on the hearth in honor of the Scandinavian god Thor.
A piece of the log was kept as both a token of good luck and as kindling for the following year’s log. In England, Germany, France and other European countries, the Yule log was burned until nothing but ash remained. The ashes were then collected and either strewn on the fields as fertilizer every night until Twelfth Night or kept as a charm and or as medicine.

French peasants believed that if the ashes were kept under the bed, they would protect the house against thunder and lightning. The present-day custom of lighting a Yule log at Christmas is believed to have originated in the bonfires associated with the feast of Juul.

Saturnalia in Ancient Rome

In Ancient Rome the winter (December) solstice festival Saturnalia began on December 17 and lasted for seven days. It was held to honor Saturn, the father of the gods and was characterized by the suspension of discipline and reversal of the usual order. Grudges and quarrels were forgotten while businesses, courts and schools were closed. Wars were interrupted or postponed and slaves were served by their masters. Masquerades often occurred during this time.

It was traditional to offer gifts of imitation fruit (a symbol of fertility), dolls (symbolic of the custom of human sacrifice), and candles (reminiscent of the bonfires traditionally associated with pagan solstice celebrations). A mock king was chosen, usually from a group of slaves or criminals, and although he was permitted to behave in an unrestrained manner for seven days of the festival, he was usually killed at the end. The Saturnalia eventually degenerated into a week-long spree of debauchery and crime – giving rise to the modern use of the tern saturnalia, meaning a period of unrestrained license and revelry.

Other Cultures and Modern Day Celebrations

In Poland the ancient December solstice observance prior to Christianity involved people showing forgiveness and sharing food. It was a tradition that can still be seen in what is known as Gody. In the north-western corner of Pakistan, a festival called Chaomos, takes place among the Kalasha or Kalash Kafir people. It lasts for at least seven days, including the day of the December solstice. It involves ritual baths as part of a purification process, as well as singing and chanting, a torchlight procession, dancing, bonfires and festive eating.
Many Christians celebrate St Thomas’ Day in honour of St Thomas the Apostle on December 21. In Guatemala on this day, Mayan Indians honour the sun god they worshipped long before they became Christians with a dangerous ritual known as the polo voladore, or “flying pole dance”. Three men climb on top of a 50-foot pole. As one of them beats a drum and plays a flute, the other two men wind a rope attached to the pole around one foot and jump. If they land on their feet, it is believed that the sun god will be pleased and that the days will start getting longer. Some churches celebrate St Thomas’ Day on other days in the year.
The ancient Incas celebrated a special festival to honour the sun god at the time of the December solstice. In the 16th century ceremonies were banned by the Roman Catholics in their bid to convert the Inca people to Christianity. A local group of Quecia Indians in Cusco, Peru, revived the festival in the 1950s. It is now a major festival that begins in Cusco and proceeds to an ancient amphitheatre a few miles away.