Christian and Christmas
By Nick Bibile
There is no law in the church that Dec 25th is regarded as the birth of our Lord. It does not say anywhere that the Protestant Church established this law and the people should follow this law. The Bible alone is the ultimate authority. At the same time there are so many Christians follow superstition things along with the Bible. Christmas is one of them. Today, Christmas has become a Christian holiday. Are we under obligation to follow Christmas as the birth of our Lord. No.
This day is no difference than any other day. But is it ok to observe? I believe you will not sin against the Lord if you observe it for the glory of God. But if you observe for the sake of superstition in a worldly way, where Santa Claus is the center of Christmas, your devotion is more on Christmas gifts, holiday shopping, Christmas trees and decorations then you are following idolatry. Even pagan religions follow Christmas in this manner.
Lu 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Suddenly there was a majestic light lit up the sky with the extraordinary splendor in appearance of an angel. There was a mixture of reverence and fear as the shepherds were afraid of this heavenly splendor. But there was sweet comforting words to the shepherds.
Lu 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
The birth of Christ is the great joy! It should be our supreme joy, not the gifts, meeting your friends and relatives, holiday decorations. No. But the birth of our beloved Lord. Christ did not take the form of an angel but became a man. The Creator of the universe decided to leave his throne to be with his creatures. This is the great joy of the creatures! The angels rejoiced as the fallen men will come to know their Creator. The angels were excited to give this message to the creatures. “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. “
Lu 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
A Savior is born for the sinners. The Savior is non other than the Lord himself. This is the greatest joy for his creatures. The angels could not keep their mouths shut but erupted with great joy. There was holy joy and adoration. Not carnal worldliness of Christmas. But there was devout praise with heavenly joy.
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
If angles were joyful how much more we should be joyful as Christ came for our benefit. With the presence of angels praising God and Christ in the midst is like heaven on earth. If heaven came down to earth with joys angelic songs how much more our adoration and joy of songs should go from earth to heaven. The glory of heaven became empty for a moment as that glory was manifested on earth.
What a profound mystery as God himself became a man in Jesus.
1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
It is sad during this time of the year many worship a feeble infant. But he is the Creator of heaven and earth as God himself took up human nature.
Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.
The Son of God became a Son of Man. That alone is enough for souls to elevate to heavens with songs of joy! God never united with his creatures before.
1Jo 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
There was great joy as God has come to union with man. The Lord of heaven decided to be with sinners of this earth. This is the greatest joy! He was infinitely holy lived with the sinners but never sinned. He was tempted in all directions as he lived among the sinners but never sinned. Christmas opens the door of opportunity to witness. Christians should not live in a bubble but we should be like our Lord must have contacts with the world, or else how can we witness the good news?
We should not think it is out of place for the Christians to be with unbelievers if our motive is to be a light for them. If our motive is to be conformed to them, you better stay at home. Was our Lord out of place when he went to the wedding feast? No. He was called a friend of publicans and sinners. He came eating and drinking yet he did not sin, he was the light in a dark place. We as Christians are called the light to shine in this dark world.
If the friends and relatives invite you and they will talk about sports, politics, health, wealth and social issues. The Lord has opened a door, pray for the opportunities to witness, to be that shining light in the midst of a crooked world. Do not get indulged in worldliness, show the light of Christ. God became a man to deliver man from sin and to bless him. This should be our devotion and our motive, how can we bless someone with Christ’s love.
God stoops down to man. There was a sacrifice to leave heaven for earth. In the same way, we need to make time for the unbelievers so they will come to know Christ. Angels sang with great joy, a Savior is born. Oh that is the message we should proclaim to the sinners. If you are ever going to take the opportunity of observing this day for the glory of God, the center is, “A Savior is born for the sinners.” He was a Savior by birth and for this purpose he was born, to reconcile sinners to God. This is the ultimate peace and joy.
Lu 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Before there was enmity with God but now through Christ we have peace with God.
Ro 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
There are lot of people who are wealthy and poor but they don’t have peace. There is no peace at home, in schools, at work, in our country and in the world. Everyone is looking for peace. People are looking for friends, true friends who can bring true peace to them. As Christians we have so many opportunities around us and how we need to be bridge makers in evangelism in making friendship bridges with sinners so we can show them the true peace of God.
Long time ago there was a minister in Germany by the name of Oneken. When he was converted to Christianity the first thing he did was to do good to others. During his time there was not a single Baptist Church in his area but when he was converted he went home and started doing good to others and that opened the door to witness and during his time he was able to establish about 70 to 80 churches. This is the true Christmas message. Like the wise men bring your offerings and offer to the Lord. The Lord went to the house of Zacchaeus. We need to go out to the sinners. The Lord said to Zacchaeus, him, “This day is salvation come to this house”
Christmas is not living in covetousness and in gluttony. But living in glory to God, our motive should be to bring salvation to sinners. to their homes and families. To do good tidings and to worship the King in his beauty.