I want to look at three different Christmas nuggets & how they line up according to the Bible. The first one I will be looking at is Merry Xmas. Oh boy, oh boy I can still remember how that ticked me off when I was a new believer. My statement was nobody but nobody is ever going to take Christ out of Christmas. Many a Christian find their blood pressure rising when we see this saying in one store window after another. Let us go to one of my favorite reference books Websters Dictionary for an answer. Websters defines Xmas as, the X is the Greek letter for the Christos, the Christ & the word Xmas originated in the early 1600's. Oops, guess we allowed ourselves to get more than a tad carried away before checking out what we were getting so stewed up about.
As Christians we know Jesus is the way, the truth & the life & accept the Bible as the standard we are to live by. Then why is it such a large percentage of the Christian church continue a tradition that is a falsehood? The common nativity scene has the baby Jesus with His mother Mary & Joseph , the shepherds & the wise men from the east gathered around the manger. In Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger , because there was no room for them in the Inn. In Luke 2:16 And the shepherds went with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. OK this obviously lines up with the traditional nativity scene but let us now look at the wise men from the east In Matthew 2:11 And when they (the wise men) had come into the house they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and they opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. (King James translation) Key words being HOUSE and the YOUNG CHILD, totally different then the baby in the manger. This passage of scripture is further explained in Matthew 2:16 Herod was furious when he learned that the astrologers had disobeyed him. Sending soldiers to Bethlehem, he ordered them to kill every baby boy two years old and under, both in the town & in the nearby farms, for the astrologers (wise men) had told him the star first appeared to them two years before. (Living translation) After reading these scriptures it is obvious that the wise men (astrologers) were not present at the manger scene, thus not Biblical.
My son Jedediah gave me the third tidbit I want to look at the announcement given by the heavenly host at the birth of the Savior Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (King James Version) now let us look at the Living same verse Glory to God in the highest heaven, they sang peace on earth for all those pleasing Him. One of our most common sayings at Christmas time is "peace on earth & goodwill to men," yet is it in agreement with the Bible? I don't think so!
In my NKJ study bible this verse is explained as "the promise of peace & goodwill would come to those who welcome God's only Son." The Matthew Henry Commentary says If God be at peace with us, all peace results from it. All the good we have, or hope, is owing to God's goodwill; & if we have the comfort of it, He must have the glory of it.
The Anti-Christ spirit has been on the earth since the time of the Bible, possibly from the garden of Eden. It runs hand in hand with the lawlessness we see so rampant in the earth today. I recently received an e-mail in regards to the "Religion of Peace Demonstration" in England. Here are some of the signs carried by extreme members of the Islam. Europe take a lesson from 911, behead who insult Islam, butcher those who mock Islam, Islam will dominate the world are but a few. Hello that is not peace!
In Matthew 10:34 Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. This is the sword of the Spirit Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living & powerful & sharper than any two-edged sword piercing even to the division of soul & spirit, and of joints & marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts & intents of the heart. Conviction comes upon us when we hear or read the word of God & we then have the opportunity to change accordingly. But until His revelation comes upon us the Bible appears to be total nonsense.
Matthew 10:35 "For I come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter in law against her mother in law. Matthew 10:36 and a mans enemies will be those of his own household. Again Peace on Earth Goodwill to Men? Studying out 35 & 36 you will find Christ has to be first & foremost in our lives. Many a child has been born into Christian homes to become an idol. I have met people who worship their spouse or parent. Yes we love our family members but this love can not surpass our love of our Savior! Again it brings us back to picking up our own cross & living the Christ-like rather than the self-centered life of this world.
There are also many instances were a person receives Christ into their life & all those around them seemingly fall away. With some extreme religions when one of their own receive Christ they are considered dead & in some instances they will even hold their funeral. Yet Christ does bring peace into his followers lives by reading His Word, through our prayer life, in our times of praise & worship & the privilege of fellowshipping with Him & sharing Him with those around us (evangelism). If we have loved ones & friends unsaved they have to be targets of our prayers. Even though they may not be believers at present doesn't negate their being Christians in the future. Can you see how that brings peace into our lives? And the glorious promise for each of His followers of eternity in glory, Praise God!
I am not saying we are not to be peacemakers in fact the Good Lord has instructed us in Romans 12:8 "If it is possible, as much as depends on you live peaceably with all men. As I said earlier those who are thorns in our flesh become targets of our prayers. Another scripture that comes to mind is Matthew 5:44 "love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you & pray for those who spitefully use you & persecute you."
There will never be Peace on Earth until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. You will hear of & even believe you are witnessing a universal peace but this will be a false peace.
Lots of food for thought in this one, look forward to your comments. More on Christmas in the upcoming blog.
Blessings as always
Ken Gorham a servant of the Lord
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