But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod. Answer: Your question is backward. We see His disposition to use little things, to exalt the humble and to subdue the proud. Frank E. Gaebelein writes about this passage in The Practical Epistle of James, "A few years ago, former Chancellor Hutchins of the University of Chicago said war begins in the minds of men. Three sentences! Dr. Keiper relates how during his university days, when he often spent the weekends preaching, he had the following conversation with one of his non-Christian professors. Ponder the great doctrines of the Christian faith doctrines of the incarnation, atonement, grace, sanctification, heaven, perseverance, and others so that you begin to grow strong in doctrine. Looking at the verse closely, we find that it uses the word "rest" twice. This is what theologians call, "Hypostatic union." It explains how God, the Son of God, took human nature but He remained God at the same time. This central event in history divided the calendar into BC (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini - "In the Year of Our Lord"). They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with . Again he sent other servants, saying, Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Of course, you can and you should! As you pray that prayer, you will find that God has already been merciful in Jesus. First, you need to learn about Jesus. 9. Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. Salem Media Group. They are: The appearance of Gabriel to Zechariah to announce the birth of John the Baptist. They had no thought about spiritual things at least we are not told that they did and they certainly didn't expect the miracle. What are we to say to such theories? Crashaw, Richard (1612?-1649). And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. We also can celebrate Christmas by being amazed at it "And all who heard it were amazed" (Luke 2:18). To me it is a farce! And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. The Infinite clothed in human flesh! You can tell if you do by attempting to rehearse God's attributes. In the Christian religion, Jesus Christ is believed to be the son of God. Of course He should. Christians celebrate Christmas, or the birth of Jesus Christ, on December 25th. Jeremiah 10:2-4 ESV / 302 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. On December 25th people the world over will celebrate the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him. Jesus answered him, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to him, How can a man be born when he is old? For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. In chapter 2, verse 10, Paul writes of God's fairness in granting "glory, honor and peace, for everyone who does good.". While a lot of well-meaning, devoted, and sincere Christians celebrate Christmas, we need to think if this celebration does really glorify . One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. And "you will find rest for your souls." It was confused because it lacked revelation and, therefore, also an awareness of truth. It is selfishness and pride, plus the lack of individual peace and contentment. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. You can remember the moment in which they became real for you personally. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. The angel said, "Do not be afraid. And the shepherds would not have come to the manger in the little town of Bethlehem if the angels had not conveyed their message. Keiper then took his Bible from his briefcase and turned to Luke 2:14, to the verse that is our text, and then read with his professor, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (KJV). Clap your hands, all peoples! It is clearly God's transformation and control of the emotions. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago)" (Luke 1:68-70). There are three instances. To what did they return? We turn from that picture to the final pages of the Bible, and in those pages we find the Lord Jesus Christ high and lifted up, and all of creation is paying homage to Him. It is in this emotional center of man, called by Scripture 'the heart,' that James says war begins, when the lusts within a man strive together." cit. Most people think that the day of one's birth is special. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. One day just before Christmas vacation, the professor said, "Well, Keiper, are you going to preach that old Christmas farce again?" And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. He would say that He was the life for a world that was dying. A complete edition was edited in 1904 for the Cambridge University Press as Richard Crashaw: Steps To The Temple, Delights of the Muses and Other Poems by A. R. Waller. Hardly! By Billy Graham We only understand the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ by revelation. Psalms 118:24 - This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. You shall not do any ordinary work. But this is all there will be - until the angels appear with their message. This holy amazement is closely melded to adoration. He restores my soul. TopicalBible On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother's womb you have been my God. What Does the Bible Say About Celebration? Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. That has been the cry of God's people from the beginning "How long, O Lord, how long?" R And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it? And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. That is what Jesus Himself said: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." The second message brought by the angels concerning the birth of Christ is the message to Joseph. Nevertheless, this is the day that most people, Christians and non-Christians alike, observe as His birthday, and if we are to mark it at all, this seems to be the only realistic time to do it. God told us everything needed for life and godliness ( II Peter 1:2-4 ). Romans 14:5-6 - One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. The Way! Come to the wedding feast. But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Not only did these men have something to tell, as we do, they also knew of a world that needed desperately to hear their message. Sol Invictus was a pagan god who was believed to be the unconquered sun. Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? I am convinced that this thought was uppermost in Luke's mind as he set about to write this opening section of his gospel. Christmas Is Rooted in Paganism In addition to Christmas having no Scriptural basis, it is important to note that the celebration of this holiday did not stem from Christian or Church-based doctrines. He answered, "That old threadbare message of peace on earth, good will to men." It is the message of Christmas. Grosart. Since his day no one had been raised up to declare the sure word of the Lord. Helpful Not Helpful Praise the Lord! Tillich, Paul. There are a few theories. Glorify and praise God for what was done that first Christmas. If these four means of celebrating Christmas are new to you and if you are now desiring to put them into practice, I suggest that you begin not with the first verse, verse 17 of Luke 2, but with verses 18, 19, and 20. Can we doubt that the shepherds had something worth telling? The Greek word for peace is eirene. Sing God's praises. Instead they carry us deep into the mind and counsels of our great God. But now, for over four hundred years, the prophetic voice had been silent. Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Keiper asked what he meant. Proud member "Joy to the World" Words: Isaac Watts, The Psalms of David, 1719. One person who has been responsible for watering down the biblical meaning of the word "salvation" is Paul Tillich, the German-born American theologian. Suddenly the angels appear, first to Zechariah and then to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, and the word is out: God has not forgotten! In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holythe Son of God. But if the second type of peace is not something automatic that is, if you have to find it how do you find it? 12. To the choirmaster. But the writer of this epistle had a deeper insight into humanity. Nor would Joseph have known. That is the Christmas story God became man! His birth was necessary. The Apostle James was one who knew this, and he spoke of it in a passage that is a perceptive analysis of such problems in the world and in church circles. Allow it to stretch your mind, and learn that there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamed of in any human philosophy. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to celebrate. Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Jehoshua, meaning "Jehovah is salvation." And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7). 1. Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants. Once more they cried out, Hallelujah! Did they have joy? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201 Observe the month of Abib and keep the Passover to the Lord your God, for in the month of Abib the Lord your God brought you out of Egypt by night. So the question is not "where did God say not to ." It is always the question "where did God say to ." See: Holiday Observances. I am glad that the angel appeared to Joseph and not only to Mary. Then everyone who survives of all the nations that have come against Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Booths. Jesus Christ was fully God and fully man in his incarnation. It was lost because it lacked direction, primarily spiritual direction. But how? (Great Neck, NY: Doniger & Raughley, 1955). All Joseph could have thought was that Mary had been unfaithful. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God. This is the perfect combination a knowledge of the Good News and men who need to hear it. When I return to these wonderful chapters of Matthew and Luke in order to prepare my Christmas messages, I always seem to find a detail that I had overlooked before and which therefore speaks to me in a new way. How do you celebrate Christmas? It involves an effort to enter into the heart and counsels of God. Each year when I read the Christmas story, I am impressed with the role that the angels play in it. Both of these ideas are related to the idea of a mediator who brings irreconcilables together. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. He came to earth and became a man but kept fully the divine nature in Himself. Y I love this word "glorify." This is the first message that I would leave with you. Moreover, if you will permit me to apply it in this way, it seems to me that apart from the truths which the angels revealed to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds two thousand years ago concerning the birth of Christ apart from really understanding what they said and meant undoubtedly, this Christmas, the real meaning of the birth of Christ will pass us by also. You shall keep the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in from the field the fruit of your labor. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. It is not this way with joy. Notice that this verse does not say, "In everything present your requests to God. Have you seen that truth in the story? It is not just brooding or getting into a pious frame of mind. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. It was dying because it had no adequate cause for which to live. My family likes to read these together on Christmas Eve, right before we go to bed. There are two answers. This combination, when truly grasped, produces witnesses. In other words, the only ultimate essential for proclaiming the gospel is a knowledge of it. When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us. And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns for Those That Seek and Those That Have Redemption in the Blood of Jesus Christ, 1747. Will Graham Devotion: Why Would Jesus Willingly Die a Horrific Death? God is faithful. And David said to him, To whom do you belong? "O Come, All Ye Faithful" Words: John F. Wade, circa 1743. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. Music: In Dulci Jubilo, 14th Century German melody; harmony from Christmas Carols Old and New, 1871. Publication date: Apr 30, 2023. We need to think about each of these ways. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. ", Dr. Keiper walked with him over to his office and, calling him by name, said, "Have you ever read the text carefully?" Then take time each day to draw strength from His Word, the Bible, and to pray, and to have fellowship with other believers. For from him and through him and to him are all things. He leads me beside still waters. One verse, which is often quoted by Christians who argue against celebrating Christmas, is Luke chapter 2, verse 34. What Does the Bible Say About Celebrating Jesus Birthday? In these verses the angel first greets Mary, then gives this message: "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Ecclesiastes 7:1-4 ESV / 156 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 5. Anyone can understand Christmas in just three sentences: I am a sinner. But their amazement is fitting to Christmas - it's a sample of what Christmas amazement should be for those who understand the Christmas story. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. Also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toilthis is God's gift to man. Greet also the church in their house. It is in this sense a doxology, which means to express a right opinion of God verbally. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Music: Mendelssohn, Felix in his cantata Festgesang an die Kunstler, 1840. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. He was, however, making a very important point: We should never celebrate Jesus birth at Christmastimeand then forget Him the rest of the year. Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. For there are many references to salvation as deliverance from disease (Matthew 9:21; Luke 6:19; 18:42; James 5:15), captivity (Philippians 1:13,19), or physical death (Mark 13:20; John 12:27; Hebrews 5:7). The appearance of an angel to Joseph in a dream to tell Him to take the Child Jesus and his mother into Egypt to escape the wrath of King Herod. Because man is at odds with God, there cannot be peace on earth. Furthermore, do not think that you need to go back to church in order to do these things, but learn rather to do them wherever God sends you in your home, school, or business. And God has not forgotten you! For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. And yet this is what we often do with Jesus. You shall keep the Feast of Harvest, of the firstfruits of your labor, of what you sow in the field. Later it came to mean only "a good opinion." And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. It is unfortunate that these great words "savior" and "salvation" have been watered down so much as they have been in our day. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. It comes from a verb which means "to reconcile" or "to bring back into harmony." At best she might have guessed that the child that was born to her might possibly be the Messiah. Just as we celebrate our children's birthdays every year, I believe it's entirely appropriate for us to celebrate the birth of God's own Son, Jesus Christ, every year. Judging from the Christmas cards I get every year, I suspect that this is the phrase from the Christmas story that is most popular with people in our day. When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Then the king and all the people offered sacrifice before the Lord. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. Let the wonder of that first Christmas fill your life todayand every day. Finally, in chapter 1, verse 7, Paul indicates that the only solution to the problem lies in receiving peace from God: "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ." And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Come to Him now! 7 This basic approach to salvation has been picked up in an avalanche of books on pastoral counseling, Christian psychiatry, and the cure of souls. "He was born like us as well as died like us. May God give you grace to do that. Yet, Solomon was inspired to write, "A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth" . They aren't all thinking of God or Jesus as they stand spellbound at the presents and tree on Christmas morning.
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