(Many old paintings that hang in art galleries and can be found in older Christian churches or cathedrals, clearly show these bright yellow or gold or orange ci

'Ēsā always made it clear why he came to earth, which was to call the people of his time to worship Allāh alone. When he was a babe in the arms of his mother, he spoke to the Jews, saying, ﴿إِنِّى عَبْدُ ٱللهِ ءَاتَىٰنِىَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَجَعَلَنِى نَبِيًّا﴾ "Truly I am a slave of Allāh. He has given me a scripture and made me a Prophet." He said: ﴿وَإِنَّ ٱللهَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمْ فَٱعْبُدُوهُۚ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ﴾ "And verily Allāh is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him Alone. That is the Straight and Correct Path." [Maryam 19:30, 36] Christians ignore what is obvious, that 'Ēsā was only a prophet and that his mother was only a devout, chaste and saintly woman and instead carry on in veneration and glorification of him and his mother, instead of making all these things for Allāh alone. At this time of the year, Christians will hang mistletoe, a special leaf from a tree, under doorways or other places and an ancient pagan rite teaches them that they should kiss anyone they find under it. Another excuse for indecency and immorality at this time of the year. They also hang wreaths or circular arrangements of holly leaves and their red berries on the outside doorways of their homes. These leaves have sharp pointed ends like thorns and along with the red holly berries, represent to them the crown of thorns supposedly placed on 'Ēsā's head when he was captured and tortured before he was crucified. The red berries symbolise the blood that flowed from his head. (The blood they say came from God's head, when He appeared in the form of 'Ēsā, to redeem them from their sins!) لا حول ولا قوة إلا الله! There is no power or might except with Allāh! You will find they sometimes bake cakes in the shape of a log of wood, called the Yule Log. This is another leftover from pagan rites or rituals that took place at this time of the year for those polytheists living in Northern Europe and Britain. Is it permissible to celebrate the birthday of one of Allāh's Prophets and Messengers? Even if 25th December was really the birthday of 'Ēsā, it's still not permissible for anyone to make that day a day of celebration or 'Eid. If that was allowed, the noble Companions of Muhammad ﷺ would have been the first of people to make his birthday a day of enjoyment, and of eating and drinking. Neither did Muhammad ﷺ allow this nor did any of the righteous believers from the past celebrate the birthdays of their Prophets. Christians invented this foolishness and disobedience themselves, along with all the other evils they perform now; the worst of them being Shirk with Allāh. This time of the year between Christmas and New Year's Day witnesses the highest incidents of hit and run driving. More people get killed or seriously injured by drunken drivers who hit them in their cars and then take off. Drunkenness, drug taking, homosexuality, fornication, these are all part of their merriment and enjoyment in this season. As Muslims we are not allowed to reply to Christians or anyone else when they say to us "Merry Christmas!" or "Happy Christmas!" or "Happy New Year!" These greetings are not to be responded to. We are not allowed to join in their celebrations or congratulate them or give them gifts or presents at this time of the year. Nor are we allowed to accept presents from them or accept invitations to eat with them. Nor can we take gifts of the special foods they eat during this festival of theirs. From them are mince pies, Christmas cakes, Christmas puddings, and walnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts are all from the foods they especially take at Christmas time.