Yes it is true there is no clear mandate for Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus but as said before , taking in account all the events form the prophecies and expectation , to the joy and worship that came with Jesus arrival , one can infer its a wonderful thing to celebrate the birth of the Savior. So once the Church began to invade the pagan celebrations , although there is evidence that as early as 200 AD - 300 AD , there was a movement to mark the birth of Christ , once Dec 25th was designated the day that Christians would declare Jesus was born to the world , it overtook all pagan traditions and transformed them . Light turned darkness to something amazing .
However with the onslaught of secular humanism within our culture , aggressive atheist , multiculturalism and a general falling away of the Church being the center piece in the community it used to be , Christian holy days have been under attack . But the days are under assault not for the day and all the fun its brings . Our Pastor pointed out this morning people are fine with the day off , the parties , the food , the gifts , the warm and fuzzy its all about love , family but insert the person of Jesus Christ and well , that changes everything .
So if there is a war against Christmas its not with the day , it is with the person of Jesus . The very word Christmas indicates a Christ - mass . A celebration of the the Lord's table within Catholic tradition . So in a way saying Merry Christmas is to invoke worship of Jesus , even if I disagree with Catholics understanding of the mass , it still reveres Jesus . So when someone is trying to erase saying Merry Christmas or take it out of a school concert , its a removal is a clear indication that the day is special because it points to a point in time when God came to earth , clothed himself in flesh as the Son , the second person of the trinity .
Its a personal war not against a day or event or gifts but against the very person of Jesus . One could say the very first attack against Christmas , if you will , happened when Herod had all the boys under 2 put to death in Bethlehem because he was a evil , jealous man who was threatened by the King of Kings . In his desire to remain in power , he wanted to kill this newborn King . God of course had other plans and it was not Jesus time yet to die . Those who wish to put to death Christmas in a sense wish the same as Herod . To be confronted with Jesus will not let a man or woman sit on any fence . But by trying to remove Him , we exult our idols which make us happy and safe . Family , kids , love all those things that try to kill Jesus at this time of year but Jesus cannot be ignored . Just as Herod could not , the world will rail and scream against Jesus but He is the Lord God , He is control not you or me.
If the world hates Christmas or wants to change it , it has to do with our hatred of God's Son . The world hates Christ , the devil and all his demons hate Jesus and we , in our sinful , fallen state are enemies against God. We rage , we will not bow down and worship , we want to live our own way and give the One who we owe our very existence to , no time .
But the beauty and wonderful , amazing , spectacular good news that was announced by the Angels on the hillside outside of Bethlehem is a Savior has come for all mankind . That Jesus , the sinless God-man , came to undo the fall of Adam by living a perfectly obedient life , gave His life on the Cross , took the wrath of God due us and through His blood , His death and resurrection all who repent and believe this good news are reconciled to a God that is holy.
That's what people rail against . Its not the day , but the person of Christ and His gospel . So no question in my mind there is a war , but its not against the generic fuzzy hallmark special Christmas. Its against the sin forgiving , all powerful , incarnate cross baring person of Jesus Christ.
Jesus warned His followers that we should not be surprised at hatred and hostility , " If the world hates you , you know that it has hated Me before it hated you " , John 15:18.
So what should we as Christians do ? Should we get upset at the world , the unbelieving world that they are not joining in , sulk and stamp our feet. Here is my take . Let them rail against the "day" and remove the name and get a hate on , its their natural state . A state we were once in apart from God's grace . So understanding God's grace to towards us , I think the Shepherds in the field some 2000 years ago give us the answer . Use the day as a conversation piece and proclaim the good news of Jesus and the gospel. The Shepherds made haste Luke tells us , went to see Jesus and after that astonishing event , told all who encountered the blessing they had of the Angels announcement and witnessing the Savior .
So sing the carols , give and love , share the good news and know that our joy is Jesus and His love for us . The war was won , when Christ broke forth from the grave on that 3rd day . The battles are still being waged but our King is on the throne reigning till He comes at the second advent. So wish people Merry Christmas , proclaim and give no quarter , light always overcomes darkness .
However with the onslaught of secular humanism within our culture , aggressive atheist , multiculturalism and a general falling away of the Church being the center piece in the community it used to be , Christian holy days have been under attack . But the days are under assault not for the day and all the fun its brings . Our Pastor pointed out this morning people are fine with the day off , the parties , the food , the gifts , the warm and fuzzy its all about love , family but insert the person of Jesus Christ and well , that changes everything .
So if there is a war against Christmas its not with the day , it is with the person of Jesus . The very word Christmas indicates a Christ - mass . A celebration of the the Lord's table within Catholic tradition . So in a way saying Merry Christmas is to invoke worship of Jesus , even if I disagree with Catholics understanding of the mass , it still reveres Jesus . So when someone is trying to erase saying Merry Christmas or take it out of a school concert , its a removal is a clear indication that the day is special because it points to a point in time when God came to earth , clothed himself in flesh as the Son , the second person of the trinity .
Its a personal war not against a day or event or gifts but against the very person of Jesus . One could say the very first attack against Christmas , if you will , happened when Herod had all the boys under 2 put to death in Bethlehem because he was a evil , jealous man who was threatened by the King of Kings . In his desire to remain in power , he wanted to kill this newborn King . God of course had other plans and it was not Jesus time yet to die . Those who wish to put to death Christmas in a sense wish the same as Herod . To be confronted with Jesus will not let a man or woman sit on any fence . But by trying to remove Him , we exult our idols which make us happy and safe . Family , kids , love all those things that try to kill Jesus at this time of year but Jesus cannot be ignored . Just as Herod could not , the world will rail and scream against Jesus but He is the Lord God , He is control not you or me.
If the world hates Christmas or wants to change it , it has to do with our hatred of God's Son . The world hates Christ , the devil and all his demons hate Jesus and we , in our sinful , fallen state are enemies against God. We rage , we will not bow down and worship , we want to live our own way and give the One who we owe our very existence to , no time .
But the beauty and wonderful , amazing , spectacular good news that was announced by the Angels on the hillside outside of Bethlehem is a Savior has come for all mankind . That Jesus , the sinless God-man , came to undo the fall of Adam by living a perfectly obedient life , gave His life on the Cross , took the wrath of God due us and through His blood , His death and resurrection all who repent and believe this good news are reconciled to a God that is holy.
That's what people rail against . Its not the day , but the person of Christ and His gospel . So no question in my mind there is a war , but its not against the generic fuzzy hallmark special Christmas. Its against the sin forgiving , all powerful , incarnate cross baring person of Jesus Christ.
Jesus warned His followers that we should not be surprised at hatred and hostility , " If the world hates you , you know that it has hated Me before it hated you " , John 15:18.
So what should we as Christians do ? Should we get upset at the world , the unbelieving world that they are not joining in , sulk and stamp our feet. Here is my take . Let them rail against the "day" and remove the name and get a hate on , its their natural state . A state we were once in apart from God's grace . So understanding God's grace to towards us , I think the Shepherds in the field some 2000 years ago give us the answer . Use the day as a conversation piece and proclaim the good news of Jesus and the gospel. The Shepherds made haste Luke tells us , went to see Jesus and after that astonishing event , told all who encountered the blessing they had of the Angels announcement and witnessing the Savior .
So sing the carols , give and love , share the good news and know that our joy is Jesus and His love for us . The war was won , when Christ broke forth from the grave on that 3rd day . The battles are still being waged but our King is on the throne reigning till He comes at the second advent. So wish people Merry Christmas , proclaim and give no quarter , light always overcomes darkness .
1 comment:
Another "Amen, Brother" blog, I see. Love you, Mrs Reg
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