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Christmas, Distinguishing Fact from Fiction Introduction:
I love good fiction but not in religion. Unfortunately a lot of fiction is being
passed off as fact. What is more unfortunate is that a lot of people are
accepting the fiction in place of the facts. Example:
Christmas and it being celebrated as the “Birth Day of Jesus.” I am sure
most people mean nothing but the best when they put out their nativity scenes
and say “Happy Birthday Jesus.” However, we need to distinguish between
human traditions and the word of God in this area. I)
Distinguishing Fact From Fiction A)
Research says that Christ’s birthday occurred on: (a) December 25th,
(b) an uncertain day, (c) January 6th, or (d) none of the above. 1.
Before the birth of Jesus, Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest
days of winter.
a.
b.
c. Romans observed Saturnalia, in honor of Saturn, the god of
agriculture. Started on December 21st and went through the month of
January.
d. Mirtha, the sun god, was supposed to have been born on December 25th.
This was considered the most sacred day of the year. 2.
The Bible does not say what day of the year Jesus was born. Although some think
it may have been the spring of the year because of Luke 2.8. B)
Christmas was first observed as the birthday of Jesus: (a) while Christ lived
here on earth, (b) immediately after the establishment of the church, (c) in 354
AD, or (d) none of the above 1.
2.
354 AD Pope Julius 1 chose December 25th.
a. Interestingly this created some problems for it allowed the pagan
religions to dictate the customs.
b. For many centuries Christmas was more like Mardi gras, with people
getting drunk and immoral conduct.
c. In 1652 Christmas was outlawed in
d. In 1659 – 1681 it was outlawed in the States.
e. It was not until the 18th century that Protestant religions
started to
accept the celebration of Christmas and Christ’s birthday. 3.
The New Testament church did not observe Christ’s birthday. C)
The Bible mentions the wise men who came to Herod in Matthew 2 1.
How long did it take for them to find Jesus and where was he?
a. The found Him the night He was born in a manger
b. They found Him some time later in a manger
c. They found Him some time later in a house
d. None of the above 2.
Reading Matthew 2.1-11 one finds the
place where they found Him was in a house and it was some time after His birth. D)
It is OK to create a special day to observe the birth of Christ because: (a) it
really doesn’t matter when He was born and at least we are recognizing His
birth, (b) it is all right to add to God’s word as long as we are sincere, (c)
the Bible is silent on this matter so we can do whatever we want, or (d) the
Catholic Church has the authority to set the date. 1.
Matthew 15.8-9 human tradition does not equal God’s word 2.
John 17.17 our worship is to be according to the truth and the truth is God’s
word 3.
2 Timothy 3.16 the scriptures are complete and for every good work. How can we
say it is a good work if it is not in the Bible. 4.
2 John 9 we are to abide in the doctrine of Christ and not go beyond II)
How would one prove Jesus introduced Christmas? A)
By showing that Jesus was born on December 25th 1.
Such cannot be proved, simply not in the scriptures 2.
Luke 2.8 rules out the birth of Jesus as a winter event. “According to the
Rabbins, the driving forth of the flocks took place in March, the bringing in of
them in November” (Critical and Exegetical Handbook To the Gospels of Mark and
Luke, H.A.W. Meyer, page 273). B)
By finding prophecy showing that men should observe the birth of the Savior 1.
There are prophecies concerning His birth, Isaiah
7.14; Micah 5.2. 2.
That is different from exalting the day of His birth C)
By showing that Jesus authorized His disciples to observe His birth 1.
Find a passage where Jesus instructed His disciples to observe “Christmas”
as His birthday and it was on December 25th. 2.
Where is the blue print for the structure of Christmas as people observe it
today, Colossians 3.17 D)
By finding Christmas in the “apostles doctrine” 1.
Luke 10.16; Acts 2.42; 1 Corinthians 4.6
we are to not go beyond what is written 2.
The apostles were inspired and we are to hear their words, Ephesians 5.17 3.
Where did the apostles ever authorize the disciples to observe Christ’s
birthday on December 25th. E)
By finding an approved example of Christians observing Christmas in the New
Testament 1.
We have an approved example of the Lord’s Supper, Acts
20.7 2.
We are to follow the approved examples of the apostles, Phil. 4.9; 1 Corinthians 11.1 3.
Just write in the passage that shows us an approved example
. Conclusion:
Christians remember the Lord’s death each first day of each week as we observe
the Lord’s Supper, 1 Corinthians
11.23ff. We also remember Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection when we
are baptized in to Christ, Romans 6.4.
Those we are to observe and do. |