CHRISTMAS

 

 

SINCE WE ARE AT A TIME OF YEAR WHEN A WIDE VARIETY OF PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, I WANT TO TAKE SOME TIME TO SEPARATE FACT FROM FICTION.  A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE TAUGHT DURING THIS TIME OF THE YEAR CANNOT BE FOUND IN THE BIBLE, THOUGH IT IS SAID THAT THEY ARE.

 

A.    For instance:  the New Testament never mentions the word Christmas.

B.    Neither does the Bible tell us when Jesus was born.

C. In fact, throughout history, dates other than December 25th have been used for the Lord’s birth.

A.    For more than 300 years, people used a variety of different dates for Jesus’ entry into the world.

B.    December 25th was chosen because a religious leader from Rome decreed this date.

C.    These facts can be easily checked in sources like the World Book Encyclopedia.

D.    The information in the New Testament does not support a December birth.

E.     We are simply told that Jesus was born, and that He came to the earth as a baby.

F.     Lk. 2:6 says that Jesus was delivered into the world.

G.    Luke also affirms that He was wrapped in swaddling clothes (Lk. 2:7).

H.    These facts are right, but the text says nothing about the birth on a cold December morning.

I.       Some of us have heard that it was a cold December day, but this is without foundation.

 

2.     Sometime after Jesus was born, some wise men came to see Him.

3.     These men are described in Mt. 2.

4.     I want to read some of the things that are said about these men.

5.     The Wise-men are only described in the book of Matthew.

6.     I will start with Mt. 2:1 – READ.

A.    Were these Wise-men kings?

B.    This is what we are told at this time of year. 

C.    We may have heard the song which says three kings came to see Jesus.

D.    The text says that these men were “Wise-men.”  They are never described as kings.

E.     Neither does the text say that there were three of them.

F.     The number of Wise-men cannot be determined from what is said in the text.

 

7.     It is true that these men brought gifts.  We may ask, “Did they bring three gifts?”

8.     This is what we are told at Christmas time, but this is another detail that is not in the text.

9.     The text lists three gifts, but this does not prove that these were the only gifts.

10.  The three stated gifts may have been the most prominent gifts.

11.  These three items may have been the most symbolic of the gifts and are thus listed for this reason.

12.  It is also possible that there were three men and they brought three gifts but this cannot be proven.

13.  When we hear the Wise men described, it is often said that they rode camels.

A.    This may be true, but it is not in the text.

B.    The first verse pictures them as arriving, but it does not describe their mode of transportation.

 

14.  Verse 9 also describes their travels, but there is no mention of camels – READ. 

15.  The 12th verse describes their return home but nothing is said about their riding animals – READ 12.

A.    When we think about the stories that are told at Christmas time, what else comes to mind?

B.    We are told or may read that the angels with wings appeared.

C.    These creatures flew or fluttered in the air at the birth of Jesus.

D.    Luke’s account tells us about the angels – verses 9, 13-15 – READ. 

 

16.  Angels were present shortly after Jesus was born, but there is no mention of them having wings.

17.  Other details about the Lord’s birth are engrained in tradition, they but they are not in scripture.

18.  How many of us have heard that Mary and Joseph had to flee where they were?

19.  This part of the story is true.

20.  Have we heard how Mary rode a donkey while Joseph held a light for her?

A.    I have heard this statement made.

B.    This detail cannot be found in the inspired text.  It is an addition to the birth story.

 

21.  We hear about drummer boys and talking animals being present at the Lord’s birth.

22.  We have seen the pictures of hay strewn around and creatures close by.

23.  There is no reference to animals in Mt. 2 or Lk. 2.  There were no drummer boys.

24.  There are, however, references to a manger (stable).

25.  Animals would have been kept in this area, but the text does not mention any animals.

26.  We see pictures of the Wise-men being led to the manger by a star.

27.  The text says that the star led them to a house (Mt. 2:9).

28.  We are told that the Wise-men visited Jesus as a baby.

29.  These men got to see a small child.  This was why Herod slew male children 2 and under.

30.  The shepherds saw Jesus immediately; the Wise-men saw Him quite a bit later.

 

31.  MANY OF THE TRADITIONS THAT ARE OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH CHRISTMAS ARE PRESENTED AS IF THEY COME FROM THE BIBLE, WHEN THEY ACTUALLY COME FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE.  WE NEED TO KNOW THIS.  WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO SEPARATE FACT FROM FICTION CONCERNING THE BIRTH OF JESUS.

 

A.    Since we have dealt with some of the fiction, what are some of the facts?

B.    One fact is that God insured that the birth of Jesus was a significant event.

C.    Right after the birth, shepherds were told about it (Lk. 2:8-10).

D.    An angel (Lk. 2:10) appeared to the shepherds and said that he had good news.

E.     According to Lk. 2:11, this messenger proclaimed that a “saviour had been born.”

F.     In Lk. 2:14 we find that God was praised for sending Jesus into the world.

G.    In the first century, people were not ashamed of the Lord’s coming.

H.    This was an event that was acknowledged and talked about.

I.       In fact, this topic of conversation lasted for some time.

J.      From what we can tell, some time passed between Lk. 2 and Mt. 2.

K.    Lk. 2 describes the shepherds.  Matthew 2 describes the Wise-men.

L.     The shepherds came first.  After a long time (perhaps 2 years), the Wise-men came.

M.   God wanted wise men from the east came to see the Saviour (Mt. 2:1-2) – READ. 

N.    God contacted men from far away to come and learn about the birth of Jesus.

O.    Heaven used some type of special guidance system to bring them to Palestine.

P.     The birth of Christ was important enough that Herod the king was notified about it.

Q.    From Mt. 2:3 we find that “all Jerusalem” learned about the birth of Jesus – READ Mt. 2:3

R.    The birth of Christ was so important it was predicted in the Old Testament – Mt 2:5 – READ.

 

32.  THERE WAS A LOT OF ATTENTION PAID TO THE LORD’S BIRTH IN HIS FIRST 1-2 YEARS.  THIS WAS A SIGNIFICANT EVENT.  A STUDY OF THE SCRIPTURES SHOWS THAT EVEN PRIOR TO THIS TIME THERE WAS EMPHASIS UPON THE BIRTH OF JESUS.  THIS CONCLUSION MAY BE DRAWN FROM LK. 1:31-33 – READ.

 

A.    In light of all these references, it must be said that the NT is not silent about Jesus’ birth.

B.    The birth of Christ was an event that God announced and even made prophecies about it.

C.    Yet, do we find in the New Testament the kind of thing that now occurs in December?

D.    Do we ever find the people of Palestine (or other areas) celebrating the birth of Jesus?

E.     This is an important question because these people had the ability to know when Jesus was born.

F.     This knowledge was available in the 1st century.

G.    Let’s take another look at Mt. 2:3 – READ.

H.    The Lord’s birth was well publicized in Jerusalem.

I.       It may have taken a little time to find out the exact date, but this could have been done.

J.      Do we read about a time when the residents of this city put out lights and manger scenes?

K.    Do we find that the first Christians did what we now see being done?

 

33.  After Mt. 2 and Lk. 2, the emphasis on the Lord’s birth vanishes.

34.  Attention is switched to His life and especially His death.

35.  This change allows us to ask a question.

A.    Where does God want our emphasis be?

B.    Our society is interested in putting up pretty displays of a man, woman, and child.

C.    What would we think if we drove by a lighted display with a bloody figure on a cross?

D.    This kind of display would not be in good taste.  It would be considered vulgar.

E.     The emphasis in the New Testament is on Christ’s life and death.

F.     The stress is on the adult life of Christ, not His infancy.

G.    1 Pet. 2:21 says that Christ has left us an “example.”

H.    His example is what we are to think about and follow.

I.       Jesus also instituted a new covenant.

J.      Jesus said we are to remember Him, and He told us what to remember.

K.    In Mt. 26:26 He used elements (bread and fruit of the vine) that looked forward to His death.

L.     He said, “Use these in remembrance of me.”

 

36.  Mt. 26 tells us that Jesus has specifically commanded us to remember Him.

37.  Remembering Christ is necessary.  The Lord has also told us how this must be done.

38.  Our remembrance is to be through (by) the Lord’s Supper.

39.  Each week when we come together for worship we remember what Jesus wants—His death.

A.    From time to time I have people who try to engage me in a debate.

B.    I am asked if celebrating Christmas is wrong.

C.    Is it sinful to put up a tree, hang lights, exchange gifts, etc.

D.    These questions need to be addressed and we can provide a Bible answer to them.

 

40.  Paul dealt with this type of question in Rom. 14:5 – READ.

41.  When it comes to Christmas we need to be “fully assured in our own mind.”

42.  That is, we need to make a decision about this day.

43.  At this time of year it is not uncommon for people to exchange gifts.

44.  Paul says that we are able to make a personal choice about this practice.

A.    It is our individual right to determine whether we will or will not exchange gifts.

B.    We get to decide about hanging lights, putting up a tree, and sending holiday cards.

C.    By inspiration Paul said that there are some things that are matters of personal judgment.

D.    Other things are not matters of opinion.

E.     When it comes to teaching the truth about this time of year, we cannot stay silent.

 

45.  There is absolutely no evidence to conclude that Jesus was born on December 25th.

46.  Much of the information associated with this day of the year is untrue.

47.  We do not celebrate Christmas as Christ’s birth because it is not His birthday.

48.  Even if we knew the day when Jesus was born, how can an eternal being have a birthday?

49.  We do not celebrate Christmas as the Lord’s birthday because there is no command for it.

50.  We do not celebrate Christmas as Jesus’ birthday because we are ordered to celebrate something else.

51.  God wants us to celebrate the Lord’s death.

52.  We are under obligation to remember what Jesus did.

53.  The most exciting part of the Lord’s life is His death, not His birth.

54.  We certainly recognize that if Jesus He had not come, He would not have died.

55.  Without His death, we would be lost.

56.  It was essential for Him to come, but coming was not enough.  He had to die.

57.  This death is what we are commanded to remember and celebrate each week.

A.    This command makes me wonder about what Jesus thinks of those who go all out in December.

B.    Imagine a person who decorates his or her house on all four sides.

C.    Bible verses grace the light display.  What is done is breathtaking.

D.    Yet, week after week, this same person does not remember the Lord’s death.

E.     What can be said about such a person?

F.     The words of Lk. 6:46 come to mind – quote.

 

58.  Much of what takes place at Christmas time consists of good intentions that are misplaced.

59.  I am not trying to ruin a holiday or take away the joy that is associated with this time of year.

60.  There is a need to speak the truth.

61.  In Rom. 10 Paul spoke of good people who had zeal but not knowledge.

62.  If we want to enjoy this time as a national holiday and a time for family and fun, this is okay.

63.  In Rom. 14:5 Paul said that this is fine.

64.  If we choose not to do these things, Rom. 14:5 says that this choice is also acceptable.

65.  Christmas is not the Lord’s birthday.

66.  What God wants us to remember is the Lord’s death.  Are we doing this?

67.  Jesus died so each of us can live.  Have we experienced this life?  Have we been born anew?