Jesus was NOT born on December 25th

NOT December 25th!

There is near unanimous agreement among Bible scholars that Jesus was NOT born on December 25th.  This comes from a simple consideration of one of the facts surrounding the birth of Christ.  Luke 2 tells us that at the time of His birth there were "shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night" (vs 8). Angels appeared to these shepherds announcing the birth of the Saviour.   Experts agree that, while shepherds often remained in the fields with their flocks during the warm months of the year, they definitely would not have been out there during a cold winter month like December.

- by Greg Gwin

 

Some Facts about Christmas

The word "Christmas" is formed by the combining of the words "Christ" and "mass", thus, "the Mass of Christ.”   The holiday as we know it originated with Roman Catholic ritual, although the ultimate origin of many of the customs of the season is not Catholicism, but. paganism.

No one knows the birth date of Jesus. We do not know it because God did not choose to reveal it. Early writers not only acknowledged ignorance of the date of Christ's birth, but also repudiated the idea of a special observance of his birth.  "As late as 245 A.D. Origen ... repudiated the idea of keeping the birthday of Christ . . . Clement of Alexandria (ca.200 A.D.) mentions several speculations on the date of Christ's birth, and condemns them as superstitious. Some chronologists, he says, alleged the birth to have occurred in the 28th year of Augustus, on 25 Pachon (an Egyptian month); ie., May 20. Others assign it. to 24 or 25 Pharrnuth (April 19 or 20)." (Encyclopedia Brittanica).

A consideration of the facts brings us to these important conclusions concerning the religious observance of Christmas, or any special ceremonies or observances surrounding the birthday of Christ:

1. We do not know the date of Christ's birth. God did not choose to reveal it.

2. The celebration of Jesus' birth did not begin until several hundred years after the beginning of the church.

3. The special religious observance of Christ's birth is the combination of Roman Catholic and pagan traditions and rituals.

4. The Bible says nothing about such an observance, and it IS therefore unscriptural.

All that we do, in word or deed, is to be done "in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ" (CoI.3:17).  "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Rom.14:23). "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Rom.l0:17). Regardless of piety or sincerity involved, activities such as religious observance of Christmas or Easter are not authorized by God's word, and therefore are not pleasing to the Lord.

- by Tom Moody

What about Christmas?

It is not the giving of gifts that is challenged.  It is not the happy associations we may have with our families and friends.  Such things can be right at any time of the year.   We are not questioning these things.  Our point is simply this:  The Bible does not inform us as to the birthday of Christ, nor does the Bible authorize us to make a religious observance of the birthday of Christ.  Hence, to attempt such is to go beyond the limits of divine authority.

- by Paul C. Keller

 

Do Not Be Afraid

One summer night during a severe thunderstorm, a mother was tucking her small son into bed. She was
about to turn the light off when he asked in a trembling voice, "Mommy, will you stay with me all
night?"

Smiling, the mother gave him a warm, reassuring hug and said tenderly, "I can't, Dear. I have to
sleep in Daddy's room."

A long silence followed. At last it was broken by a shaky voice saying, "The big sissy!" *

Of what are you afraid? Truth be told, we're all "sissies" about something.

Yet, the most often repeated command in Scripture is "Do not be afraid," or "Do not fear."

"So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." - Matthew 10:31

"Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" - Matthew 8:26

"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself
has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The LORD is my helper; I
will not fear. What can man do to me?'" - Hebrews 13:5-6

God doesn't want us to live our lives in fear.

A man, as he was walking on the street, saw a black cat crossing over the road. He thought to
himself that he was going to have a bad luck on that day. Worried, he asked his friend what would
be his fate because of the black cat that had crossed his path in the morning. His friend replied,
"That will depend on whether you are a rat or not." *

Know who you are in Christ and you will not fear.

In Christ, you are: a child of God (Galatians 3:26-27), an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ
(Romans 8:16-17), saved by the Savior (Matthew 1:21), redeemed by the Rescuer (Ephesians 1:7),
justified by the Justifier (Romans 3:23-26), and forgiven by the Great Forgiver (1 John 1:7-9).

To be found "in Christ," in whom are found all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3), you must place
your faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from your sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31),
confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the
forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). Then, as you continue to walk in the light of His Word, the blood
of Jesus will continue to cleanse you from sin (1 John 1:7).

In Christ, there is salvation, security, strength, and hope. There is no reason to fear.

Won't YOU trust and obey Christ so that you may be found in Him?

-- David A. Sargent

* From sermon illustrations at www.bible.org

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Things to Remember When in Worship

1. Remember the purpose of worship is not to entertain or amuse one another, but it is to pay homage, love and honor to God.

2. Remember the people in worship; they are not perfect, neither are you.  Those with imperfections are worshipping Him who is perfect.  He who realizes his own imperfections most is better qualified to worship Him who is perfect.

3. Come to the worship period thinking how great God is and how insignificant you are.

4. Give due attention to the thoughts contained in the spiritual songs as well as in the harmony and melody of the singing of them.

5. Remember that a sermon depends as much on the hearing of it as the presenting of it.

6. Keep in mind that a critical, intolerant attitude is foreign to the spirit of Him whom you purpose to praise and to them that are gathered with you.  One is to be encouraging to those who are worshipping with him.  Never be critical of those who are faithfully leading the worship services.

- by Jim Sasser

 

Plug Nickel

More Than a Plug Nickel

Have you ever been given the label that Keith Wishum once received?

As a novice summer construction worker in my high school days, I had a frustrated foreman tell me, “Boy, you aren’t worth a plug nickel!”

I’m still not sure what a plug nickel is, but I knew then that a nickel wasn’t worth much.  Was he right about me?  I certainly knew little about the work I was attempting, and I was skinny and weak and unaccustomed to long, hard days in the sun.  But not worth a nickel?

My guess is: you’ve been told the same.  Maybe not with the same words, but somebody (probably recently) found some way to make you wonder about your worth.  It doesn’t take much to create that self-doubt...

You may have been given a similar label, but now observe Keith’s lesson:

Value for an object (or person) is elusive and subjective.  Something (or someone) may actually be worth far more than its face value.  People are like that.  And sometimes so is a nickel.

In 2007, an unnamed California collector paid $5 million for a 5 cent coin.  It was one of just five Liberty Head nickels minted illegally in 1913.  Its worth is a product of its rarity and of a collector’s desire for it.

So is yours.  By our culture’s standards, you may not have accomplished much.  Maybe you never made great grades.  Maybe you can’t run fast or throw a ball far.  The letters “CEO” may never appear after your name....

Those things, however, do not decide your worth!  Your value is determined by what someone is willing to pay for you, and Jesus Christ paid for you with the ultimate price - His very life.

Peter reminded some Christians of the Price that had been paid for their salvation:  “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV).

If the value of something is determined by the price that is paid for it, then Wishum’s conclusions are accurate: “You are extremely valuable.  Worth far more than a plug nickel, even more than a million-dollar nickel!  No matter what anyone says, you have great worth – and tremendous potential.  The Great Collector says so.  And He wants to add you to His collection of precious people [the church].”

He will redeem from sin, give eternal life, and add you to His family when you accept His offer on His terms: place your faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from your sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  Then, continue to walk in the light of His Word and His blood will continue to cleanse you from sin (1 John 1:7).

You are valuable because God loves you.  He loves you so much that He gave His Son to die for you so that you can be saved from sin and live eternally with Him in heaven.

Won’t YOU accept His offer on His terms?

-- David A. Sargent

* Keith Wishum, “Worth More Than a Nickel” in A Word from Williams Road (11/22/16),

Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay His head

They tell us that the Christmas season is one of the most stressful times of the year. We like to think of it as one big party, but for many it is not. It is a time that puts more emphasis upon relationships and we remember more deeply lost loved ones, children and family separated by miles or sometimes hurt or anger. For far too may rather than being a time of celebration it is a time of regret.

I love the story a preacher told about his grandfather. It seems that there was a terrible thunderstorm that swept through Southern Kentucky at the farm where his family had lived for six generations. In the orchard the wind blew over an old pear tree that had been there as long as anyone could remember. His grandfather was saddened to lose the tree in which he had climbed and played as a boy. He had eaten it's fruit all of his life and enjoyed its beauty.

A neighbor came by and said, "I'm really sorry to see your pear tree blown down." "I'm sorry too," said the old man. "It was a real part of my past." "Well what are you going to do now," the neighbor asked? The old man paused for a moment and then said, "I'm going to pick the fruit and burn what is left."

Don't you wish you could handing difficult times with that determination? There are so many things in our past that we cling to which maybe should be letting go. We need to learn the lesson that old man knew. We need to enjoy the pleasures of those memories then go on with the present as well as the future. If you can't, you will always be handicapped in dealing with both the present and the future.

Jesus put it this way in Luke 9:57-62, "As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, "I will follow You wherever You go." But Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay His head." He said to another person, "Come, follow Me." The man agreed, but he said, "Lord, first let me return home and bury my father." But Jesus told him, "Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God." Another said, "Yes, Lord, I will follow You, but first let me say good-bye to my family." But Jesus told him, "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God."

Could it be that you need to let go? I'm not saying to forget, but to enjoy the memories and then move on to enjoy the present and the future.

--Russ Lawson