And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Sing God's praises. If God did that, He would soon make a muddle of our Christian lives because "We do not know what we ought to pray for" (Romans 8:26), and we pray with wrong motives. While a lot of well-meaning, devoted, and sincere Christians celebrate Christmas, we need to think if this celebration does really glorify . I covet that kind of joy for you. The passage begins by speaking of the shepherds. The Bible does mention two individuals celebrating birthdays: the Egyptian Pharaoh in Joseph's time ( Genesis 40:20) and King Herod in Jesus' time ( Matthew 14:6; Mark 6:21 ). Joyful and triumphant, He came to earth and became a man but kept fully the divine nature in Himself. You quarrel and fight. Systematic Theology. What had happened to these men? In other words, the only ultimate essential for proclaiming the gospel is a knowledge of it. And there is peace with one another. Together these verses teach that men are not naturally at peace with God but that God has acted to make peace through the Lord Jesus Christ. They aren't all thinking of God or Jesus as they stand spellbound at the presents and tree on Christmas morning. 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. 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. 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. Publication date: Apr 30, 2023. Notice that this verse does not say, "In everything present your requests to God. The words of the angel to Joseph confirmed Joseph's authority and responsibility in the naming of Mary's child. The professor replied that he thought he had. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. He is able to deliver you from whatever your particular sin may be alcoholism, unlawful sex, a bad temper, gossiping, pride, selfishness whatever it is. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. They are: The appearance of Gabriel to Zechariah to announce the birth of John the Baptist. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, This man receives sinners and eats with them. So he told them this parable: What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? That is good. The difficulty lies rather in the fact that today, if only because of the impressive achievements of medical science, this approach inevitably fails to distinguish between the salvation that God alone can bring and that salvation which men are apparently providing for themselves. And "you will find rest for your souls." What Every Christian Should Know about the Protestant Reformation. The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. TopicalBible Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Well, peace with one another results from having peace with God and with finding the peace of God personally. And you will enter, perhaps for the first time, into the Christmas story. It is recorded in Luke 1:26-38. As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. O come, let us adore Him, And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7). 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. This passage suggests four ways of celebrating Christmas: Tell others about it. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with . Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Contact Us. Christians celebrate Christmas, or the birth of Jesus Christ, on December 25th. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 10. 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. Copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Of course they did! Did they have joy? Romans 14:5-6 - One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! "He was born like us as well as died like us. He restores my soul. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Would anyone want to say that these men were not authorized to spread such a message? Think what it involved in the case of Mary, Jesus' mother. Second, it involved her affection, for she treasured these things in her heart. There are plenty of decorations to buy and parties to attend during this season but how should we really celebrate Christmas? 5. These men, poor shepherds though they were, had seen God incarnate. On the ninth day of the month beginning at evening, from evening to evening shall you keep your Sabbath.. (Philadelphia: Evangelical Foundation), 1961, pages 12-13. Local: 704-401-2432 Christmas is a very important holiday for Christians because it celebrates the birth of their savior. The trouble lies with men. They are an important part of our lives, and our relationship with them should continue to grow every day. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to celebrate. But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod. But there is a second way also. There is the peace of God, which is personal. And there, where they had first heard the angels' song, they themselves were heard to be singing God's praise. God has not forgotten. Quite obviously, the fact that the world often celebrates the day in non-Christian ways is no excuse for Christians to either neglect or misuse it. 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. Moreover, since acknowledging His true worth is the essential meaning of worship it means to acknowledge God's worth to glorify God is to worship Him by words. This is connected with amazement, but it also goes beyond amazement as an attempt to understand it or figure it out. BGEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Christians are to be active in many efforts to achieve social justice, improve the life of the poor, minister to the needy. So they left their flocks and came and found Jesus, precisely as the angels had indicated. The noun form of the word is doxa, which we have in our words "orthodox," "heterodox," and "paradox." Have you seen those things? 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). The smoke from her goes up forever and ever. And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, Amen. Tillich developed his understanding of salvation from the meaning of the Latin word salvus, which underlies it. What is the solution? How Should We Celebrate the Birth of Christ. Crashaw wrote of this wonder: This is why the wonder of children seems so appropriate at Christmastime. Our children's gift to us is their example of amazement which will lead us to recapture our own sense of amazement at the incarnation. Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Now I am an old man, and I haven't any reason to believe that there is any truth in that text at all. You cannot tell that which you have not first felt and experienced. The world won't let us miss the holiday. OpenBible.info And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. But shouldnt He be part of your life every day? Well, they had been out in the fields of Bethlehem in the middle of the night, watching over their sheep as they had for many hundreds of nights previously and as their fathers undoubtedly had before them. The word "pact" also comes from it. Keiper, Ralph L. op. What Does the Bible Say About Celebration? Also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toilthis is God's gift to man. Here is a rest that is given and a rest that is found. 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. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. This article may be printed and distributed with this notice attached for personal use such as small groups and local Bible study groups. But how? 12. There are a few Bible verses that seem to suggest that Jesus did not want people to celebrate his birth. The exact date of Jesus' birth is not recorded in the Scriptures. The appearance of an unnamed angel to Joseph to explain the virgin birth and to name the Child. Crashaw, Richard (1612?-1649). Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. His birthday was celebrated on December 25th. This central event in history divided the calendar into BC (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini - "In the Year of Our Lord"). However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. 1. Home Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! He would say that He was the way for a world that was lost. For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. God is faithful. Solicitation Disclosure Statement Celebrating Christmas can also take the form of pondering it, for Mary "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19). He would say that He was the truth for a world that was dreadfully confused. The question is important because of the significance of the day and because so many obviously do not know how to celebrate it. Christmas is not Christian because it is associated with many pagan birth mythsand Dec. 25 was not the date of Christ's birth. I 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? O Colossians 2:16 Verse Concepts Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day Psalm 95:2 Verse Concepts It involves an effort to enter into the heart and counsels of God. Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals Inc, 1716 Spruce St. Philadelphia, PA 19103 I love this word "glorify." There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. In these verses the angel first greets Mary, then gives this message: "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. Matthew 1:18-25 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. There would have been no need for His life, His death on the cross, or His resurrection. 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). Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! 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. So, according to Tillich, who popularized this approach in his three-volume Systematic Theology and in his lectures, salvation can therefore be applied "to every act of healing: to the healing of sickness, or demonic possession, and of servitude to sin and to the ultimate power of death" 6 It means "reuniting that which is estranged, giving a center to what is split, overcoming the split between God and man, man and his world, man and himself. It is the message of Christmas. In this verse, Simeon says to Mary, "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a . 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. There are three instances. Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Jehoshua, meaning "Jehovah is salvation." But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. Can we doubt that the shepherds had something worth telling? God gave Israel many celebrations in the Old Covenant such as the Feast of Booths, year of Jubilee, etc. Anyone can understand Christmas in just three sentences: I am a sinner. The world treats the message of Christmas as wishful thinking because the world is not right with God and it does not wish to assume its own spiritual responsibility before Him. Perhaps you are anxious to be delivered from some tenacious sin, but you do not seem to have deliverance. Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. It comes from a verb which means "to reconcile" or "to bring back into harmony." If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. But how should a Christian celebrate Christmas? Now, just as the Bible speaks of peace with God so it also speaks about a peace of God, and this is quite different. 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. D Peace on earth. What, for instance, is the difference between that wholeness experienced by a member of the church in the course of a counseling session with his minister and the wholeness gained by an atheist as the result of his session with a reputable but non-Christian psychiatrist? 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. If you know this joy, then you can go on, as the angels did, to give glory to God; and you can possess that peace of heart and soul which transcends understanding. In other words, the best way to celebrate Christmas is by becoming a follower of Him whose birth we commemorate. Jesus was born to be our Savior as the carol says: Christ was born to save! It was lost because it lacked direction, primarily spiritual direction. (Great Neck, NY: Doniger & Raughley, 1955). Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Thus says the Lord: "Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are vanity.A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. In fact, the Bible would not even support the view that the world is capable of being redeemed socially apart from the supernatural intervention of God in history. But it does not mean that God has forgotten. For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. Jeremiah 10:2-4 ESV / 302 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. However, God does promise to give us what we need (Philippians 4:19), and He promises to keep our minds in His peace, if we will pray to Him. It is just that His plans do not run on our timetables. Happiness is related to circumstances. It is before his own master that he stands or falls. So they have changed the line to read "Let us find that promised rest.". And they know that as a result of this faith, they are at peace with one another. Luke 1:35 ESV / 25 helpful votesHelpfulNot Helpful. C Before we turn to the book of Luke, I want to say first that by far the best and greatest way to celebrate Christmas is by becoming a Christian if you have never done so. Music: Adeste Fideles, attributed variously to John Wade, John Reading or Simao Portogallo. That is, men are not men of peace. Grosart. You shall not do any ordinary work. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Have you seen that truth in the story? It was lost, confused, dying. And the dead in Christ will rise first. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. Finally, when you have done these things and are truly qualified to speak, go back and tell others what you know. But in changing the line, the editors of the hymnbooks have probably missed the main point of Wesley's thinking. Clap your hands, all peoples! But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And when he had eaten, his spirit revived, for he had not eaten bread or drunk water for three days and three nights. Reprinted by Moody Press, 1969. Jesus Christ does not thus become some magical wand which causes all our troubles to disappear. His birth was necessary. Third, there is the suggestion of the work of a mediator who makes the reconciliation possible. I bring you good news of great joy" (Luke 2:10). God is "able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" (Ephesians 3:20). For, since Wesley had filled his mind with Scripture and since he used references to it extensively in his verses, it is likely that he was thinking of a verse of the Bible that speaks of two kinds of peace, two kinds of rest, and was saying that he wished to enter into the second as he had once entered into the first. I know, of course, that Jesus was probably not born on December 25 at least there is no real evidence that He was. And God will grant your requests." And he called out with a mighty voice, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! Does God Really Work All Things Together for Good? Here are five great appearances of angels. Let the people of Israel keep the Passover at its appointed time. Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth. I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. As a sinner I need a Savior. "Everything" leaves nothing out. They must learn to love Him and to serve Him more and more. you are asking. Just as we celebrate our childrens birthdays every year, I believe its entirely appropriate for us to celebrate the birth of Gods own Son, Jesus Christ, every year. The reasons why they became witnesses are that there was an event, a great event, and that others very much needed to hear of it. 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 will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Another example of modern tendencies to reduce biblical salvation to human dimensions is the increasing emphasis upon the social aspects of the Christian gospel conceived in opposition to evangelism as traditionally understood. So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. And in the center of them in the appearances of angels to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds there are the three messages which, more than any other, perfectly explain the true, divine meaning of Christmas. But the problem is that what God means by the phrase is not what men generally mean when they use it. If anyone would argue in this way, he should notice that the shepherds had the most important authorization of all possession of good news which had been revealed to them by God. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. Its genesis is not merely on the intellectual level; it goes down into the vast emotional reservoir of life and conduct that underlies the intellectual. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Now the one thing prayer will most do for us is bring our minds into a greater conformity with the mind of God. Will Graham Devotion: The Criminal on the Cross. And you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt. There is a sense in which the world will never know even one of these three types of peace until the return of Jesus Christ. But the writer of this epistle had a deeper insight into humanity. You can remember the moment in which they became real for you personally. Many of you might have heard that the wise men did not appear during the night of Jesus' birth, no matter what nativity scenes may try to tell you. But at the same time, the one who will come to Jesus Christ will know a great peace even in a world that denies it. If you and I and all others who call upon the name of our God should do it, I suppose that the whole world would then rightly resound with His praise. Because it came from God and was centered in the birth of the Savior. Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? Salvus means "healthy" or "whole." Music: Beecher, John Zundel, Christian Heart Songs, 1870. May God give you grace to do that. Anybody who knows good news is authorized to tell it, particularly when it is news that will be the means of salvation of others. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Praise the Lord! Ralph L. Keiper once said, "When we know Christ, not as a doctrine or a theory, but as Savior and Friend in our daily experience, we gain a confidence in Him which brings peace to our hearts. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 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. The time of fulfillment has come! He leads me beside still waters. 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. It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans! And then this is what is so wonderful Joseph believed him. Finally, there is the appearance of first one angel, than a multitude of angels to the shepherds as they were in the fields around Bethlehem. How can this be? Nothing destroys joy except sin. At best she might have guessed that the child that was born to her might possibly be the Messiah. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord., For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.. God did not forget! And yet this is what we often do with Jesus. 8. So do that. Then take time each day to draw strength from His Word, the Bible, and to pray, and to have fellowship with other believers. In all that he does, he prospers. In the book of Philippians, Paul speaks of this peace when he says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. In fact, it . The shepherds took this message, in the only form they knew, to their contemporaries. Perhaps you have prayed for something and have not received an answer, at least not the answer you were waiting for. The appearance of first one angel and then a multitude of angels to the shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem.