A cool story about Jesus turning up in an ordinary setting in suburbia.
We’ve been driving around for a week in our Hyundai i30 with the driver’s window wound down. Not because of the weather. Not because of the chance to tan one arm. Not because we can ye…
December marks the annual festival of religious people saying that Christians should not celebrate Christmas. Here’s a great article by Tom Brown that debunks that nonsense.
Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?
Today’s Question: Being that the season of Christmas is upon us, we as Christians have come to celebrate the reason for the season. My brother and I have been debating this issue lately. Even though he is Christian also, he is hard to convince that we should celebrate the birth of Christ, not the commercialism that the world imposes on us. He still maintains that through his research and studying on the issue of Christmas, that the pagans around Jesus’ time celebrated the giving to a “Sun God” of some kind on the same day that we celebrate Christmas. I don’t know where he got his sources on that, but of course I’ve vehemently opposed the notion, and had to remind him that we don’t know the actual time of year of Jesus’ birth, but we as Christians have come to honor it on December 25.Is there any specific references that I can direct him to within the Bible that will alleviate his skepticism?
Jeff Eisert
Bible Answer: I cannot promise that anything I say will change your brother’s view. I really do not think this is an important matter. If he does not want to celebrate Christmas, then he should not celebrate it. As for my church, family and me we love celebrating it and will continue to do so. It has been a time where people who would not normally go to church will attend. Anything to get people to go to church is a good thing.
Concerning Christmas not being in the Bible, that is true as far as the name “Christmas” which means “Christ-Mass”. The name is not in the Scriptures but the event that the name represents is definitely in the Scriptures. The story of the birth of Christ and the circumstances surrounding it is very much emphasized in the Bible. Mathew and Luke both go into detail describing Christ birth, including the shepherds and eventually the wise men giving gifts to Christ. That is all in the Bible. Without His birth, there is no salvation.
Someone might argue that since we are not commanded to celebrate Christmas we should ignore it. Well, we are not commanded to celebrate the resurrection as a holiday either, so does your brother want to give up that holiday simply because the name “Easter” is of pagan origin? He needs to forget the name or the source of the name. Many names and words have pagan origins (see my article on Nike Man as an example.), but we do not give up using those words or names. We would not have a language without the use of pagan words and names.
Someone may argue against Christmas that it is a non-biblical holiday and since Christmas in not celebrated in the Bible, we should not celebrate it, either. First of all, the birth of Christ is biblical, so you cannot make a case by calling Christmas non-biblical, but I suppose you can say that Christmas is extra-biblical. That is, there is nothing in the Bible against it, and there are things in the holiday that is based on the Bible, but there is no command to celebrate the birth of Christ, so it is an extra-biblical holiday.
Here is how I approach this argument: Jesus Himself celebrated an extra-biblical holiday that corresponds to Christmas. People are usually surprised to find this out. Yes, Jesus celebrated Hanukkah, and Hanukkah is not in the Old Testament.
Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. (John 10:22-23)
There is no Old Testament Feast of Dedication. There are several feasts mentioned in the Bible, but not Dedication. What feast is Dedication? That is Hanukkah. Hanukkah is a celebration of the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. It also commemorates the miracle of oil that burned for 8 days. This event took place after the last Old Testament prophet had written the scriptures. The scriptures were closed before this event, and thus, this Feast is extra-biblical. And Jesus was in the temple area where the feast was celebrated. He participated in Hanukkah.
Today, Christmas is celebrated next to Hanukkah. So the question you can propose to your brother who refuses to celebrate Christmas is this: If Jesus celebrated a holiday that was not in the Bible, why can’t you enjoy Christmas as well and give gifts just as the Jews today give many gifts during Hanukkah?
Your brother mentioned that giving gifts was based on giving to the “Sun-God”. Whether or not that is true can be debated, but I have always felt that giving gifts was based on the wise men giving gifts to Christ. Even if it were true that Christmas came out of the pagan practices of giving to the “Sun-God”, the truth is the “Son-of-God” is worthy of greater gifts, and giving gifts is simply a loving way of showing your appreciation to others you love. Sure, many people get in the commercial spirit than the true spirit, but that is no reason to get rid of Christmas or to avoid the holiday.
Your brother did not mention it, but others have complained that Christmas is really pagan because the Christmas tree is pagan. I’ve heard people say that Jeremiah 10:3-5 is a reference to the Christmas tree:
For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter. Like a scarecrow in a melon patch, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good.”
These people argue that the tree is adorned with silver and gold, a supposed reference to tinsel around a tree. But look carefully at the passage and it will be clear that Jeremiah referred to an idol made out of the tree. A craftsman shaped the tree out of the forest with a chisel. Who has ever seen a craftsman use a chisel to shape a tree into a Christmas tree? Of course not. This is a reference to craftsmen making idols that resembled man and animals, like a scarecrow. Yet Jeremiah says, “They cannot speak and walk.” So obviously this is not a Christmas tree, for Christmas trees do not have mouths and legs.
Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+15.1-13
Scripture
Therefore accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.
Observation
We who are strong must always be considerate of those who are sensitive to different issues. We must seek to serve them and build them up.
We must accept our fellow believers just as Christ accepted us. Christ came as a servant for the sake of both Jews and Gentiles.
Application
Accept one another as Christ accepted you.
Accepting can be a loaded word. Do I accept everyone who claims to be a christian? How far do I go in “accepting” them?
We are very good at conditional acceptance. “I accept Anglicans, but…” “I accept charismatics, but…”
We may have doctrinal differences or issues over worship styles with some people. We accept them but with an unspoken condition that they aren’t quite as good as we are. Perhaps we see them as the “weaker believer” that Paul talks about in this chapter.
“Accept one another just as Christ accepted you.”
When I was saved, Christ accepted me whole-heartedly. No conditions. No “buts”. Total acceptance.
That means I must accept all christians in that unconditional way. No “A-class” and “B-class” people. They are all “A-class” to Jesus.
When people refuse to accept me because I don’t measure up to their standards, I have to accept them anyway. My responsibility is to receive people as they are. If they are not able to see that they have the same responsibility then that does not let me off the hook. The commandment is unconditional.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I thank you for accepting me into your kingdom. I am not perfect, but that does not stop your love. Help me to treat other people in exactly the same way. Show me those whom I overlook or reject and help me to love them with your love. Amen.
Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+11.1-10
Scripture
In that day, the heir to David’s throne
will be a banner of salvation to all the world
The nations will rally to him
and the land where he lives will be a glorious place
Observation
A Branch will come out of the stump of David’s family. The Spirit of the Lord will be on him- the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, of counsel and might, of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will give justice to the poor. Even the natural order will be changed so that deadly enemies will live in peace together.
The heir to David’s thrown will be a banner of salvation to all the world.
Application
The great and mighty tree that was the royal line of Judah, the house of David, seemed dead. Like a mighty tree cut down and poisoned, just a stump remained. But, Isaiah says, that stump is going to spring forth a Branch who will bear fruit.
Jesus is the Branch. He is the one who comes out of David’s line bearing the Spirit of the Lord, and judging in righteousness and gentleness, and winning the whole world to His side.
Jesus carries the banner of salvation. He is the banner of salvation. This flag shows how to come back to the Lord. It is a sign of redemption, reconciliation, grace, forgiveness. We were far from God, but now Jesus is this banner, and the whole world rallies to Him looking for the miracle of restoration into the Kingdom of God.
Jesus is our King, a royal conqueror who over comes the world with His grace. What kind of King conquers with love? What kind of King wages peace on His enemies?
King Jesus- the Son of God, Son of David, redeemer of all.
Prayer
Jesus you are my King. No longer a branch growing from a stump, you are the banner of salvation to the nations. All who come to you will be free of the tyranny of sin. Thank you. Amen.
Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+13.11-14
Scripture
Clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
Observation
Time is running out. The day of salvation is closer than when we first believed. We belong to the light and should put away all the deeds of the darkness.
We must live decent lives and have nothing to do with wild parties, immorality, or quarrelling and jealousy. Instead we must put on the presence of Christ and train our brains not to think about indulging sin.
Application
Every morning I put on my clothes, and everywhere I go they go also. I don’t think about it, they just follow me.
I need to put on the presence of Christ in the same way. Every morning I seek His presence, surround myself with Him, letting Him cover me with His goodness. Then everywhere I go, He is there too, directing, encouraging and leading me in His ways.
Of course, it’s not that straight forward. Our minds want to indulge the flesh. Satan stirs up desires in our hearts, and we look for ways to serve ourselves not Christ.
Paul tells us we have to train our brains to indulge holiness not sinfulness. If I want to remain clothed with Christ, I must learn to think like Him, to decide to follow His way, not my way.
We find ways to excuse our sin. But Paul tells us we need to not only say “No” to sin but to also say “No” to the desire itself.
When the thoughts come up, I must say immediately “This is not Christ. This is not worthy of a Son of the King.”
And praise God- this is not just my responsibility alone. It is the grace of the Holy Spirit dwelling in me and making me holy. He will give me strength to change my thinking and reorient my desires towards Him.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, I clothe myself in you now. Come and cover me, surround me. Let my heart and mind be clothed in you so that I think and will your thoughts and your will. Help me to banish all desire for evil and only desire you. Amen.
From the ABC:
Myth becomes road name reality as Tamworth council names lane after drop bear
Posted
A mythical creature in Australian folklore, the drop bear looks set to have a road named after it near Tamworth, in northern New South Wales.
Tales of lucky escapes from drop bears have long been told around firesides to those unfamiliar with the Australian bush.
The Australian Museum has gone as far as setting up an information page about drop bears.
It states that Plummetus Thylarctos, more commonly known as the drop bear, is the size of a large dog, and has coarse orange fur and powerful forearms for climbing and holding on to prey.
It prefers to live in a closed canopy forest or open woodland, and ironically, is never encountered near roads or human habitation.
But Tamworth mayor Col Murray said the area surrounding the road that will bear the creature’s name had lots of trees, and a creek flowed nearby.
“I’m sure that wonderful, mythical Australian creature will have a very happy habitat up there,” he said.
‘Stir of excitement’ in council chambers
Cr Murray said the discussion on the proposal had been a nice break from the serious business being considered at the meeting.
“Sometimes we tend to get a little bit too formal and a little too serious in our council meetings, and it was a nice touch to have that matter before us to consider,” he said.
The proposal, understood to have been suggested by a group of residents, was passed unanimously after a short but laughter-filled discussion.
The name has already been checked off by the Geographical Names Board.
“There is quite a process to go through to name a public road,” Cr Murray said.
“That body saw fit to endorse that as a potential name. The final approval comes back to the council, but now that will be notified to all the emergency services sector and go on all the maps etc.”
The official naming of Drop Bear Lane is dependent on submissions made during a public exhibition period.
Possibility of lane becoming a tourist attraction
Cr Murray said the proposal was one of the more unusual council had dealt with, and he believed the area could now become a tourist attraction.
“I think a lot of people would probably choose to go and have a look at Drop Bear Lane,” he said.
“It’s quite a famous or infamous feature in our mythology, and I think it would attract some interest.
“It’s something maybe we can promote in tourist circles.”
Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+2.1-5
Scripture
Many people will come and say:
“Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways
so that we may walk in his paths.”
Observation
In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s Temple will be established. People from around the world will flock to Zion to learn from the Lord
Individuals will learn from the Lord how to walk in His ways, and disputes between nations will be settled by the Lord and not by war.
Application
We are living in the end times, and we already see many of these prophecies being fulfilled.
The mountain of the Temple, Jerusalem and Zion refer to the people of God- the church. All over the world people are flocking to the house of the Lord to seek His ways. Excluding some Western countries, this is literally the golden age of the church. Never before has the gospel been preached and accepted by so many people.
Despite the constant bad news coming out of Syria and a few other countries, there have never been so few wars. Some people attribute this to the McDonalds effect, but it is more likely the Holy Spirit laying an era of peace and prosperity in the world as the Kingdom of God grows.
This is the age of the Holy Spirit as more and more people listen to the “still small voice” and to prophecies and words of knowledge in order to learn of the ways of the Lord.
All of this is not without cost- the “birthpangs of the Kingdom.” Satan is enraged that his plan for undermining the Kingdom of God is coming to nothing.
The seeds planted many years ago are bearing fruit in many different ways. The fields are white to harvest, but satan looks for ways to stop the harvest coming in- from apathy to persecution.
But our God will prevail. The Kingdom of God will continue to grow,
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you told us to pray that workers will go out into the harvest field. So Lord as the harvest field is right before us, as you draw people to “Zion” and “Jerusalem,” may the gospel be preached in power and even more lives saved. Amen.
The death of Jesus Christ is the fulfillment in history of the very mind and intent of God. There is no place for seeing Jesus Christ as a martyr. His death was not something that happened to Him— something that might have been prevented. His death was the very reason He came.
Never build your case for forgiveness on the idea that God is our Father and He will forgive us because He loves us. That contradicts the revealed truth of God in Jesus Christ. It makes the Cross unnecessary, and the redemption “much ado about nothing.” God forgives sin only because of the death of Christ. God could forgive people in no other way than by the death of His Son, and Jesus is exalted as Savior because of His death. “We see Jesus…for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor…” (Hebrews 2:9). The greatest note of triumph ever sounded in the ears of a startled universe was that sounded on the Cross of Christ— “It is finished!” (John 19:30). That is the final word in the redemption of humankind.
Anything that lessens or completely obliterates the holiness of God, through a false view of His love, contradicts the truth of God as revealed by Jesus Christ. Never allow yourself to believe that Jesus Christ stands with us, and against God, out of pity and compassion, or that He became a curse for us out of sympathy for us. Jesus Christ became a curse for us by divine decree. Our part in realizing the tremendous meaning of His curse is the conviction of sin. Conviction is given to us as a gift of shame and repentance; it is the great mercy of God. Jesus Christ hates the sin in people, and Calvary is the measure of His hatred.
Read the full article here
