Christmas is a holiday that resonates deeply across both religious and secular domains. For many, it’s an occasion to gather with family, bringing light and joy to a season that can often feel bleak. It’s a time when children revel in excitement and anticipation when the tradition of gift-giving fosters generosity—though, admittedly, for some, this may be influenced by the financial benefits of year-end tax deductions. But for others, Christmas holds a more profound significance: it’s a dedicated time to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, a cornerstone event for Christians symbolizing the ultimate gift. This aspect imbues the season with an even more magical quality. However, at Golden Dawn Tabernacle, and for Isaac Noriega, the experience and interpretation of this festive period take on a uniquely different aspect.
Christmas is Officially Denounced at GDT
At Golden Dawn Tabernacle, Christmas is not only disregarded but actively denounced. Pastor Isaac Noriega, from the pulpit, vehemently criticizes the holiday, labeling it as a pagan festival and an embodiment of idolatry. Drawing selectively from the teachings of William Branham and integrating aspects of Jehovah’s Witness doctrine, he argues that Christmas’s pagan origins symbolized through trees and gifts, are tantamount to idol worship and carry demonic influences. He further argues that the celebration is primarily driven by denominational practices, and shares supposed stories from his younger days, where he observed that women in his church appeared to use the holiday as an opportunity to make tamales and partake in gossip. His stance intensifies to the extent of branding Christmas as the year’s most depressing time, attributing this sentiment to the widespread lights, music, and decorations, thus casting himself as a modern-day embodiment of the Grinch. Consequently, this perspective is reflected in the church’s complete non-recognition of Christmas, leading some members to discreetly indulge in the holiday festivities away from the public eye of the congregation.
Below is an excerpt from the “Time-Tested Memorials, The Life Story of Two Pioneers” book where Isaac Noriega takes pride in offending people with his anti-Christmas stance.
Page 63: Brother Isaac’s father also had Brother Isaac continue to help him by preaching in his church. As Brother Isaac spoke the Truths of the Word, his messages offended a lot of people. When he told the congregation that celebrating Christmas was wrong, Sister Jenny Miramontes’s mother and the Dorcas (a society of women within the Apostolic church who sold food to raise money for the church) were quite insulted because they had planned to have their tamales and menudo after the service was over. Sister Jenny, however, saw the reality of what Brother Isaac was preaching and told her mother, “It’s the truth!”
Isaac’s primary objection to Christmas stems from the stance taken by William Branham, a figure whose teachings he selectively cites. As previously discussed in our articles, we maintain a neutral position regarding the Message movement. However, it’s important to note that William Branham himself exhibited contradictory views on Christmas. In some instances, he denounced it as a pagan holiday, while in others, he participated in Christmas celebrations, complete with a tree, and even accepted gifts, as evidenced by photographs and historical accounts. This dichotomy in William Branham’s stance theoretically offers followers the freedom to celebrate Christmas, as their leader once did. While most message churches celebrate a form of Christmas (sans Santa Claus or Christmas tree), even gathering to celebrate on that day is scoured upon by Isaac Noriega. He has blasted the church from the pulpit for getting together on Christmas reducing it to nothing but carnal socializing. However, even William Branham socialized and enjoyed time with his family as shown in the picture below. If William Branham could get together with his family and enjoy some carnal socializing, surely so can any message believers.
Yet, Isaac Noriega chooses to focus exclusively on the anti-Christmas sentiments expressed by William Branham, disregarding the aspects where Branham embraced the holiday. This selective interpretation highlights a significant discrepancy between Isaac’s teachings and the more nuanced, varied perspectives of William Branham himself.
Below are some quotes from William Branham’s later sermons (after the Third Pull), where he mentions Christmas in a positive light.
“So I want to thank each one of you for your fine things that you did for us through Christmas. And you women who went up there and put food in the house, and things, for us, that when we got there, there were…stuff was already cooked and was ready to eat. I certainly thank you for that. May God ever bless you. And the church, for their little ticket, that I could go over here and—and get some clothes if I wanted them, for a suit. They give me a suit each year. And some kind friends of mine just got me a suit. So I think, if it’s all right, I need some other things like shirts and undershirts, and things, I’d like to take the money up in that if it’s all right with the church. I need that better than I…worse than I do the suit, right at the time.” “Look Away To Jesus” (63-1229E).
“Now, that certainly is a misprint here in the Bible; page has been put in wrong. And I just found it on my old Scofield Bible, and picked up this one and run up here with it, just a few moments ago, ’cause my wife just give me this for a Christmas present.” “Birth Pains” (65-0124).
“But it was hard for me to believe that, yesterday afternoon, when I lost my text up here. I—I tell you, I never was so gotten in my life. And, then, my—my wife gave me a new Bible for Christmas. My old one was just worn out. I’ve had it almost twenty years now, was give to me by the Houston Gospel Tabernacle people, many years ago, when I started out on the campaigns.” “This Day This Scripture Is Fulfilled” (65-0125).
“And my wife had just given me a new Bible, for Christmas. My old Bible is about fifteen years old, and the thing was just about tore to pieces. The pages, every time it’d open up, would fly out of it. And, but I knowed just where to find every Scripture, so I study close in that Bible. And I just picked up the new one, because the other one looked so ragged, to go to church with.” “This Day This Scripture Is Fulfilled” (65-0125).
“And Meda just got me a new Bible; and Brother—Brother Brown, from up in Ohio, got me a new Bible; both of them at the same time, at Christmas. I went and got one of the new Bibles. I said, ‘Lord, in the days gone by, You had a Urim and Thummim.’”
“Ashamed” (65-0711).
“And I—I want to thank that lady, I can’t think of her name, Billy just told me, that had give me a box of Christmas candy, and just brought it out to the car a few moments ago. The sister, I can’t think of her name, she’s from here in California. That was my first Christmas present. So I—I thank you for it.” “Leadership” (65-1207).
“Let’s bow our heads now, and sing. [Brother Branham begins humming, I Surrender All—Ed.] Now just get your mind on Him. ‘I…’ I’m wishing you the very merriest of Christmas, that God will send His Star from the East, that rose in the East, nineteen hundred years ago, and will guide you to the Word made flesh. [Brother Branham continues humming, I Surrender All.]” “We Have Seen His Star And Have Come To Worship Him” (63-1216).
“Evening, friends. I just got in, a while ago, and I thought I could come down and wish you all a “Merry Christmas.” “God’s Gifts Always Find Their Places” (63-1222).
“Now, if you’ll bow your heads again, I want to wish each one of you a very merry Christmas:” “God’s Gifts Always Find Their Places” (63-1222).
What Isaac Noriega often omits or perhaps overlooks is the broadly accepted understanding that Jesus was not actually born on December 25th. This date is not a literal anniversary of Jesus’ birth but rather a symbolic day chosen to Christianize Roman pagan festivals like Saturnalia and Sol Invictus, which coincided with the winter solstice and celebrated the return of the sun. Historians and scholars generally concur that Jesus was more likely born in the spring or fall, though the precise date remains unknown. Christmas, therefore, is celebrated as a day to remember the gift of Jesus, not as a strict historical commemoration of his birth. Isaac’s insistence that Christians are misled in their celebration of December 25th seems to create controversy where there is none, a pattern he also follows with other religious observances like Easter and Good Friday.
Secretly Celebrating Christmas at GDT
It’s evident that Isaac’s interpretation of Christmas significantly deviates from its broader, more joyous essence, effectively depriving his congregation of the season’s cheerful spirit in favor of his personal beliefs. While his stance against Christmas is clear, it’s also apparent that not everyone within the church shares this Ebenezer Scrooge-esque viewpoint. Many members find themselves compelled to covertly participate in the season’s festivities, such as attending the Winterhaven lights, enjoying Christmas shows, such as the Nutcracker performance, or experiencing the mock snowfalls at shopping malls, all the while fearing potential backlash from the ministry. Some will gather quietly on Christmas Day with their families, despite Isaac’s disdain for GDT unsanctioned social gatherings. Some families will also secretly gift each other presents, despite this being considered a pagan, commercial, and materialistic tradition by Isaac Noriega.
One of the authors of this article recalls his childhood at GDT, and how the families were never allowed to decorate the exterior of their home with Christmas lights. One year, his parents allowed him to buy some Christmas lights at the dollar store. He remembers the excitement it brought him and his siblings to be able to string them up in their rooms, away from prying eyes. Even though they were not allowed to publicly celebrate Christmas, the kids were able to get some joy out of this simple and harmless activity.
Conclusion
Tragically, there is very little that is left for the congregants at GDT to celebrate or enjoy. Their joy and socialization has been stripped away. Their family event gatherings are discouraged. The congregants are forced to covertly celebrate a joyful holiday while watching their backs, worrying about Isaac Noriega finding out. Whatever little joy is left, can only be celebrated cautiously, and in secret.
For those who have read “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, you will see a lot of parallels between Ebenezer Scrooge and Pastor Isaac Noriega. They both detest Christmas, are solitary, cold-hearted, angry, temperamental, vindictive, and have a love for money. We hope that just as Ebenezer had a change of heart in the end, Pastor Isaac Noriega will do the same, allowing a spirit of joy and cheer to permeate the congregation.
Regardless of the Christmas beliefs or positions held by Tabernaculo Emanuel / Golden Dawn Tabernacle, we extend our warm wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to them all.
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I cannot with the ‘grinch’ and ‘ Scrooge’ comments 😂😂💀💀
Too bad no tells this younger generation about the times when the
“ most gracious leader Isaac”
authorized Christmas celebrations under his rules of course. Either 89 or 90 Bro Mike Bejar (band director) and the GD band went house to house Christmas Caroling!
They would quietly arrive outside your front door and then start playing musical instruments and a little singing (full blast) until the families inside the house could hear and then came outside. When done everybody would say “God Bless you and Merry Christmas”
…who remembers that!!!??
Yes, I remember well. I lived in the Pulte community. And I enjoyed the Christmas caroling. The Garcia’s at 2551 W Vereda Verde
We can celebrate however we want!
We just don’t need to tell anyone.
We’ve had Bro Isaac over for a ham and turkey dinner during the holidays .. and he seemed pretty happy about it.
Maybe it’s you turkeys he has a problem with!
enjoy your weekend and yes I’ll take a glass of wine !
He doesn’t eat pork
His children look like pork butts
It’s funny that Isaac and GDT leadership will say that Branham preached against Christmas, yet the man celebrated it with a tree and gift giving. They say well don’t follow what the man does, just follow what he preaches. How can you follow a man who didn’t even practice what he preached? Branham celebrated Christmas till the day he died, literally. He was driving on his way home, from Tucson to Jeffersonville to celebrate Christmas with his family, when he was in a car accident that killed him. Maybe that’s why Isaac says it’s the most depressing time of year, because his prophet died during this time
Not sure if this is true or not, but I have heard of Isaac secretly driving up to Phoenix to celebrate Christmas with some of his non church family. If true, another classic “do as I say, not as I do” hypocrisy example.
Hypocrisy that Jesus addressed , exposed and detested it more than anything
You can never find where he rebukes the prostitute, The tax collector, the hated Romans.
Ex-GD members, the crusaders
But he rebuked the Pharisees, the self-righteous ones the ones earning a way to heaven the ones placing legalistic laws on his people do you people not see it ?
what more needs to happen until you see your lives have been stolen?
Do you want the same non existent life for your children?
You stay because you’ve been taught by Isaac he is the way to salvation, but not one single work, not one single sacrifice that you guys are making for him and doing for him and because of him is saving you grace is a gift and a gift cannot be earned
Do you mean I do not earn favor with God if I arrive an hour early for church?
Do you mean God is not impressed by my tie and suit jacket
Is it God or Isaac that says we can’t take vacations that will cause to miss church?
Is it Jesus that told Isaac that we can’t go to public school no more?
Was it Jesus that let his molesting son play Little League baseball and his drug addicted nephews wrestle and play football?
Or is it just made up rules?
During this Christmas season, I want to celebrate the greatest gift of all grace which cannot be earned, quit trying to earn favor with Papa Isaac
Isaac is a jealous, jealous man and wants full control and power over your minds and your children’s minds his way leads to rules laws and lifetime commitment of bondage!
Jesus came to set free and gave us the greatest gift of his Grace. Please accept it during these holiday season.
Signed : Jesus
So you’re saying, GD had Christmas caroling in the 90s?
Bro Mike, Richard Gill, Gabriel, Oscarito, Isaac, Matt B., Lilo, Bro. Antonio was chauffeur
Wow…The Rat Pack !
I need to meet this Isaac character!
signed: the grinch
I remember Isaac Noriega reminding my mother not to forget his Christmas gifts. My mother would wrap the gifts ( yes in Christmas paper) and he would take them.
I feel bad for the people.
Christ wasn’t born on Christmas Day but Celebrate CHRIST WAS BORN!!!
I remember after escaping GD how humbling it was to find out 99% of the Christian world knew more about the Bible (in its true context) than Isaac.
We were always taught “the world” was so incompetent. Almost no Non Denominational church teaches Jesus born on December 25th like we’re told.
So if GD says they follow the Bible over Isaac, here’s what The Holy scriptures say about celebrating holidays:
Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.
Colossians 2:16 / Romans 14:5
under the new covenant we are free in Christ.
Isaac never taught what Paul says about eating meat in the temple of Zeus or offered to other gods. It’s all up to the individual!
Yet Isaac won’t even let you guys have a beard! wake up people!
Isaac and Branham still teach the man has 1 less rib than their female counterpart.
How ridiculous is that! If you don’t believe me then go get an X-ray and you’ll see. Both men and women have the exact same amount of ribs in their bodies.
Now, God made Eve from Adam’s side. The woman has one more rib today in the anatomy, the make-up than man does, because a rib was taken from Adam’s body.
(“Questions and Answers (Genesis),” July 29, 1953, message #53-0729)
Good topic for the season is gifts.
Not one single person who Jesus healed, touched, made whole in the Bible was in the temple or living according to the law…
Jesus came as the sacrifice once, and for all, because we cannot keep the law it cursed. It was a mirror as it showed us our flaws, but cannot fix them the blood Jesus shed on the cross is the only thing that saves there is not one single law that we can fulfill that Jesus requires
One thing that we do see of all these people at Jesus came in contact with and healed were in a bad place according to the law.
We find Jesus being scorned by the Pharisees for touching the leper and healing on the sabbath
Let me ask you gd hierarchy.
Do you not fellowship with people no longer in GD because they are not keeping your laws?
Why do you treat them like lepers?
Under the law, Jesus was guilty for fellowshiping with the lepers and touching the lepers.
Do you guys not realize we are no longer under the law, but we are under Grace?
The law cannot save you.
Salvation cannot be earned. It is through faith and faith is not a work.
Jesus puts us under grace, Isaac has you under the law
Spiritual abuse is the worst kind of abuse. I remember Isaac screaming one day and mocking Christmas. I remember thinking in my head”what a petty old grouch” he said he hated how people were extra nice around this time and all the lights and decorations just made him miserable and depressed. And if you really think about it, he has no basis on not letting the congregation celebrate it. He’s just miserable. He’s bitter. And angry.
Remember Isaac: King Herod had the same attitude about Jesus birth.
Shout out to the GD family watching the UofA basketball game on the big screen today at a restaurant/ bar area.
You thought you were going to be at a location no one would see you. We saw you.
I’m not mocking, I promise. It’s sad to see grown men so scared and weak to take a stand for their families and have to hide.
Isaac only has power because you give it to him.
When you leave that place you’ll see how scared and senile he truly is.
Sad to see because your kids know who is the head of your house. And it’s not the husbands or wives.
La navidad es otra escusa para noriega, el odia que las familias se reunan y pasen un buen tiempo…. Poreso las familias se esconden para estas festividades o se van fuera de la ciudad a festejar. ..