‘Tis the Season
December 22, 2006
Over commercialized holiday. A pagan ritual that should not be recognized by the church. Mythical celebration by first century Christians set in time to coincide with the winter solstice and therefore avoid detection. I think I have heard every reason in the world not to celebrate this holiday. Some members of the churches that I’ve grown up in have almost become hostile in their reaction to other family’s buying CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. What next?
This world is hurting. This world is in dire need of a savior. In a recent movie about a “man of steel,” the hero is quoted as saying “I hear the world crying out for a savior.” I agree. Just look outside of our walls of the church (For that matter, look INSIDE the walls of our church). Watch the news every night. Sit inside city, county, and state offices of social services. People are in desperate need of a savior.
That savior is Jesus Christ. When he became flesh, the Gospel story here on Earth began. The day he rose from the dead, the triumph over Satan’s plan of death was complete. His life is our example. His death should be ours. His resurrection is our salvation. Why NOT celebrate his birth if it brings others into contact with Him. My argument: Just don’t stop with the manger. Finish the rest of the story.
Was Jesus born on Christmas? Lots of arguments for and against. The Jewish calendar marks the 6th month (as mentioned in Luke) as falling somewhere in August or September. Some people refer to the sheep grazing on the hills while the angels proclaimed his birth as an indication that it was more like March or April. One thing and one thing only matters:
Jesus, the incarnation of the living God, had arrived.
