Within the Western hemisphere, and especially in the United States, Christmas suffers from a crisis of multiple identities. It has no focused meaning. It is clearly commercial, and political. It is for children's fantasies, adults partying together, for family time, feasting, for giving, for getting, for humbugging. Among Christians there is a tendency toward a reflexive response of, "Jesus is the reason for the season." and, "Keep Christ in Christmas." We hear of offense taken at well wishes of , "Happy Holidays." or a written, "Merry X-mas." because it omits the name of Christ. While the intention may be good...We may have missed the point entirely already. We have marginalized Christ into a trite saying and an image of a cooing babe. Christmas is much more than a baby in a manger. Sweet little Jesus child, when not remembered with the whole of the gospel, is nearly as empty of meaning as the most generic of, "Seasons Greetings."
The babe born in Bethlehem...was GOD! This was cataclysmic.
*He, the Word made flesh, was there in the beginning. All things came into being thru HIM!
*Through Adam's sin, all of us were separated from God.
*We all, of our own free will, have transgressed and sinned against God.
*The just punishment for sin is Gods full wrath, and death. We can do nothing to be right, we are already fully undone. We could never attain God's standard of holiness
*God is perfect and holy, and He requires no less than a reflection of His own perfection.
*The only answer was the unthinkable... God the Father loved us so much (His desire to be in right relationship with us was so strong) that He came, in the person of God the Son, Jesus, and took on the form and life of one of His own creatures.
*He was fully God and also fully man but without sin.
*His birth was foretold to us thru the prophets of the Old Testament.
*He was born into His created world in a remarkably humble manner-not even in a home but in a stable. He lived a life very like our own. He experienced our pains, temptations and fears.
*He took on himself the weight and penalty for the sins of all who call him Lord, from the beginning of time until the end. He died as the only possible sacrifice to pay the penalty for those sins.
*He physically rose from the dead three days later, breaking the power of death to separate us from Himself.
*His physical body still bears the marks of the great price He willingly paid for all who believe.
*By His grace alone was this done. By grace alone are we quickened to come to Him. Only by His grace are we justified. Our own works could never do it.
*Only thru faith may we be justified and made right with God. That faith, gifted to us from the third person of the trinity, the Holy Spirit, lays hold of the absolute righteousness of Christ, and God freely credits that rightness to those who believe.
*Only by the blood of Christ can we enter into this grace. We may be saved by the work of Christ alone, and come to God only in that way.
* The only way we can know about saving faith and how God desires us to live is revealed in His holy scriptures, the Bible.
A true and complete gospel , and a true and complete Christmas, is that which gives all glory to God alone. For all glory is due to Him.
Do you see the amazing mercy of God??? The baby in the barn was just the beginning...a very important beginning - worthy, I think, of remembrance, but none the less just the beginning. Be careful to remember not just that He was born, but WHY he was born.
What is Christmas to me?
My creator, come as creature, willingly laying aside His glory and majesty to bear the weight of His own wrath over my sin, His love for me so great, that He did the inconceivable to bring me into right relationship with Him and make me his own child.
The glorying in Him, and sense of deep humility which fall over me as I consider this is unutterable.
John 3:16-18
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
What to Do With Santa Claus??
I have a few more general thoughts to share at some point, but here it is the ninth of December. With Christmas day fast approaching, I thought it time to begin looking at the individual ideas and practices common to our cultural celebrations of Christmas.
Santa Claus...
What to do with that guy? Despite never telling my children he was real, never perpetuating the idea/myth in anyway, even despite telling them, "No, he is not real." when they asked outright...They have each and all believed (steadfastly) until they were between the ages of 4 and 7 years old. (I have 2 believers still.)
This is a sweet passage of childhood and I never saw a need to crush it, only to be 100% truthful with my children concerning it. I could not see lying to my children about a fiction, and then expecting them to believe in an equally invisible (though real) God. It seems a dangerous trick which could serve to erode trust. These children were given to us to raise. It is my goal to be able to speak truth (God) into their lives all of my days, and I could never gamble losing their trust over a fiction.
I feel it is okay for them to recognize 'Santa' but I make sure they know God better. Because for never advancing the myth, yet they still believe.
When my boys have matured to the point of out growing the belief in Santa, they have each come to me and expressed (what amounts to Biblical doctrine) as to why they stopped believing. Most recently my seven year old came to me and said, "Mom, I just realized, Santa maybe lived once, but for no more than any other man. He may have been nice and gave gifts, but he can't be for forever-because only God is forever, and he can't be everywhere in a night because only God can be everywhere. Right?" You see, their developing minds, one Christmas time, will finally filter the idea of 'Santa' into their worldview. The world view/God view we should begin instilling into their hearts and minds from their earliest moments. (This process of filtering is one they will be engaged in for the rest of their lives.) Instead of sweating the 'Santa thing' 30 days of the year, put your energies into grounding your children in a God focused world view, daily. The benefits are much greater! :)
Saint Nick?...
I do think there is benefit in remembering the lives of Christians from past ages and more current faithful saints as well. They serve to inspire us to holiness and works (exercised as a fruit of faith, not unto faith) Saint Nicholas falls into this area. To remember his life and faith is of great value. Remembering him on his saint day (or any day other than Christmas) is great. His generosity is a lovely example to us. To avoid confusion, Christmas (here at our home) is reserved for remembering the mystery and great mercy shown in the incarnation of our Lord.
I found this blogger recently and this post , of her family's take on Santa, resonated with me as well.
What are your thoughts? Do you see this more strictly or liberally? I love to hear from you.
Santa Claus...
What to do with that guy? Despite never telling my children he was real, never perpetuating the idea/myth in anyway, even despite telling them, "No, he is not real." when they asked outright...They have each and all believed (steadfastly) until they were between the ages of 4 and 7 years old. (I have 2 believers still.)
This is a sweet passage of childhood and I never saw a need to crush it, only to be 100% truthful with my children concerning it. I could not see lying to my children about a fiction, and then expecting them to believe in an equally invisible (though real) God. It seems a dangerous trick which could serve to erode trust. These children were given to us to raise. It is my goal to be able to speak truth (God) into their lives all of my days, and I could never gamble losing their trust over a fiction.
I feel it is okay for them to recognize 'Santa' but I make sure they know God better. Because for never advancing the myth, yet they still believe.
When my boys have matured to the point of out growing the belief in Santa, they have each come to me and expressed (what amounts to Biblical doctrine) as to why they stopped believing. Most recently my seven year old came to me and said, "Mom, I just realized, Santa maybe lived once, but for no more than any other man. He may have been nice and gave gifts, but he can't be for forever-because only God is forever, and he can't be everywhere in a night because only God can be everywhere. Right?" You see, their developing minds, one Christmas time, will finally filter the idea of 'Santa' into their worldview. The world view/God view we should begin instilling into their hearts and minds from their earliest moments. (This process of filtering is one they will be engaged in for the rest of their lives.) Instead of sweating the 'Santa thing' 30 days of the year, put your energies into grounding your children in a God focused world view, daily. The benefits are much greater! :)
Saint Nick?...
I do think there is benefit in remembering the lives of Christians from past ages and more current faithful saints as well. They serve to inspire us to holiness and works (exercised as a fruit of faith, not unto faith) Saint Nicholas falls into this area. To remember his life and faith is of great value. Remembering him on his saint day (or any day other than Christmas) is great. His generosity is a lovely example to us. To avoid confusion, Christmas (here at our home) is reserved for remembering the mystery and great mercy shown in the incarnation of our Lord.
I found this blogger recently and this post , of her family's take on Santa, resonated with me as well.
What are your thoughts? Do you see this more strictly or liberally? I love to hear from you.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Finally, the New Testament!
Here are the scriptures I have found pertinent to this discussion. I am just going to give links today, as there is a lot of text.
Romans 14 thru 15:2 Romans 14 and 15
1 Corinthians 8:4-13 1 Corinthians 8
1 Corinthians 10:14-21 and verse 31 1 Corinthians 10
Galatians 4:8-11 Galatians 4
Colossians 2:16-17 Colossians 2
As for discussion, I could heavily cut and paste, or just link you to a sermon. John Piper puts this more succinctly and clearly than I could, and he provides a good summation of these ideas.
Sermon, text and video here
I found nothing in the major commentaries which concluded anything other than we are free to observe or to not observe special days. We must do what we do in faith and good conscience, and we may not pass judgment on, or create a stumbling block for, those who observe otherwise. As seen through out scripture we are to give regard for the other, and especially protecting the weaker. The bottom line is...
I am to pray and move forth in faith.
You are to pray and move forth in faith.
With Christ as Lord, the Holy Spirit will guide our actions.
Glory to God alone is our aim, yet, He will get the glory PERIOD.
"Therefore, I do not say to you, “Lighten up.” Or, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” Rather I say, “Stand in awe of the risen Christ who will get his glory from the living and from the dead and from the eaters and the abstainers and from the day-keepers and the non-day-keepers. Stand in awe of Jesus Christ. And whatever you do, whether you eat or whether you drink, do all to the glory of Christ" 1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
(John Piper from the above linked sermon)
Romans 14 thru 15:2 Romans 14 and 15
1 Corinthians 8:4-13 1 Corinthians 8
1 Corinthians 10:14-21 and verse 31 1 Corinthians 10
Galatians 4:8-11 Galatians 4
Colossians 2:16-17 Colossians 2
As for discussion, I could heavily cut and paste, or just link you to a sermon. John Piper puts this more succinctly and clearly than I could, and he provides a good summation of these ideas.
Sermon, text and video here
I found nothing in the major commentaries which concluded anything other than we are free to observe or to not observe special days. We must do what we do in faith and good conscience, and we may not pass judgment on, or create a stumbling block for, those who observe otherwise. As seen through out scripture we are to give regard for the other, and especially protecting the weaker. The bottom line is...
I am to pray and move forth in faith.
You are to pray and move forth in faith.
With Christ as Lord, the Holy Spirit will guide our actions.
Glory to God alone is our aim, yet, He will get the glory PERIOD.
"Therefore, I do not say to you, “Lighten up.” Or, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” Rather I say, “Stand in awe of the risen Christ who will get his glory from the living and from the dead and from the eaters and the abstainers and from the day-keepers and the non-day-keepers. Stand in awe of Jesus Christ. And whatever you do, whether you eat or whether you drink, do all to the glory of Christ" 1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
(John Piper from the above linked sermon)
Thursday, December 4, 2014
But Is It Idolatry, Or Otherwise Worshiping Other gods?
So far in considering the Old Testament books, the major argument I see possibly leveled against the practice of Christmas is the issue of idolatry. In Christian perspective and by the witness of scripture we know we serve a jealous God. We are commanded over and over to worship Him and worship Him ONLY. In the small sampling below we see clearly this command to love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our might, and to serve Him only.
Exodus 20:1-6 The first two of the Ten Commandments...
Deuteronomy 6:4-6
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart...."
Deuteronomy 11:16-17
Take care lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them; then the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you, and he will shut up the heavens, so that there will be no rain, and the land will yield no fruit, and you will perish quickly off the good land that the Lord is giving you.
Deuteronomy 30:17-18
But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess.
1 Kings 9:6-9
But if you turn aside from following me, you or your children, and do not keep my commandments and my statutes that I have set before you, but go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land that I have given them, and the house that I have consecrated for my name I will cast out of my sight, and Israel will become a proverb and a byword among all peoples. And this house will become a heap of ruins. Everyone passing by it will be astonished and will hiss, and they will say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land and to this house?’ Then they will say, ‘Because they abandoned the Lord their God who brought their fathers out of the land of Egypt and laid hold on other gods and worshiped them and served them. Therefore the Lord has brought all this disaster on them.’”
As the Israelites moved through the promised land laying hold of the territories God was giving them, the were explicitly told to keep nothing from those lands and cultures, but to destroy and burn the graven images, idols and alters to other gods. They were cautioned of the small ways they could possibly absorb the culture into their own and corrupt it.
Therefore, our question now becomes, "Is the practice of Christmas idol worship? Does it break Gods command to have no other god?" I believe we each and all need to exercise caution and an honest look at our selves on this point, because the practice of Christmas certainly CAN be idol worship, and can break both the first and second commandments...And the 9th and 10th too, with lying and covetousness. (Really, these are areas we need to examine ourselves in regularly, not just in this discussion of Christmas.)
I am assuming my readership is mostly those who identify as Christians, I will then also assume you are not outright venerating or worshiping your tree, candles or an image of Santa Claus during this season. For us who name Christ as Lord, it is rather more insidious than that. While Christmas-y 'stuff' may be morally neutral there is a point we all struggle with...When you are stuck on the trappings of Christmas: showy lights, Pinterest-envyable decorations, a cute family photo to let your friends marvel at your creativity, doing all the 'stuff', perfect gifts for everyone on your list, pitching a fit when the month or day does not go the way we envisioned, etc. When these things consume your thoughts it is a form of idol worship. Maybe the thing has become an idol, or maybe you have made your own ability and prideful will into an idol for yourself. This is the point of realization where I said "OUCH!" But after prayers of confession and repenting from at least 20 years where I know I have transgressed in this area. Oh there is such freedom on the other side!
Please set some time aside (If you have kiddos this will actually take some planning.) to pray about your Christmas practices and expectations, and to examine your heart in the matter.
Tomorrow I will look at the New Testament verses relating to the keeping of special days, and any which may speak to how we practice Christmas. I will share my considerations of the various individual Christmas traditions with you in coming days.
As you prepare your heart and home for Christmas I encourage you to keep these things in mind--Does this practice point (me, my family, my neighbors) to Christ? Does this cause us to glorify God and enjoy him? Are we celebrating the real thing?... That is, are we focused on the amazing incarnation of our mighty God? Do we see His volitional humility? Do I need to change things up a bit to make that so? Is this thing an idol for me? Is it my pride driving this thing I think we 'need' to do? Is there a practice we need to change or drop altogether to avoid idolatry in our celebration of Christmas?
"It is here, in the thing that happened at the first Christmas, that the profoundest and most unfathomable depths of the Christian revelation lie. 'The Word became flesh' (Jn. 1:14); God became man; the divine Son became a Jew; the Almighty appeared on earth as a helpless human baby, unable to do more than lie and stare and wriggle and make noises, needing to be fed and changed and taught to talk like any other child. ...The more you think about it, the more staggering it gets." J.I. Packer
(as quoted on pg5 of the digital booklet accompanying the 'Prepare Him Room' recording, Sovereign Grace Music)
Exodus 20:1-6 The first two of the Ten Commandments...
And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments."
Exodus 34:13-14
You shall tear down their altars and break their pillars and cut down their Asherim (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), Exodus 34:13-14
Deuteronomy 6:4-6
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart...."
Deuteronomy 11:16-17
Take care lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them; then the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you, and he will shut up the heavens, so that there will be no rain, and the land will yield no fruit, and you will perish quickly off the good land that the Lord is giving you.
Deuteronomy 30:17-18
But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess.
1 Kings 9:6-9
But if you turn aside from following me, you or your children, and do not keep my commandments and my statutes that I have set before you, but go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land that I have given them, and the house that I have consecrated for my name I will cast out of my sight, and Israel will become a proverb and a byword among all peoples. And this house will become a heap of ruins. Everyone passing by it will be astonished and will hiss, and they will say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land and to this house?’ Then they will say, ‘Because they abandoned the Lord their God who brought their fathers out of the land of Egypt and laid hold on other gods and worshiped them and served them. Therefore the Lord has brought all this disaster on them.’”
As the Israelites moved through the promised land laying hold of the territories God was giving them, the were explicitly told to keep nothing from those lands and cultures, but to destroy and burn the graven images, idols and alters to other gods. They were cautioned of the small ways they could possibly absorb the culture into their own and corrupt it.
Therefore, our question now becomes, "Is the practice of Christmas idol worship? Does it break Gods command to have no other god?" I believe we each and all need to exercise caution and an honest look at our selves on this point, because the practice of Christmas certainly CAN be idol worship, and can break both the first and second commandments...And the 9th and 10th too, with lying and covetousness. (Really, these are areas we need to examine ourselves in regularly, not just in this discussion of Christmas.)
I am assuming my readership is mostly those who identify as Christians, I will then also assume you are not outright venerating or worshiping your tree, candles or an image of Santa Claus during this season. For us who name Christ as Lord, it is rather more insidious than that. While Christmas-y 'stuff' may be morally neutral there is a point we all struggle with...When you are stuck on the trappings of Christmas: showy lights, Pinterest-envyable decorations, a cute family photo to let your friends marvel at your creativity, doing all the 'stuff', perfect gifts for everyone on your list, pitching a fit when the month or day does not go the way we envisioned, etc. When these things consume your thoughts it is a form of idol worship. Maybe the thing has become an idol, or maybe you have made your own ability and prideful will into an idol for yourself. This is the point of realization where I said "OUCH!" But after prayers of confession and repenting from at least 20 years where I know I have transgressed in this area. Oh there is such freedom on the other side!
Please set some time aside (If you have kiddos this will actually take some planning.) to pray about your Christmas practices and expectations, and to examine your heart in the matter.
Tomorrow I will look at the New Testament verses relating to the keeping of special days, and any which may speak to how we practice Christmas. I will share my considerations of the various individual Christmas traditions with you in coming days.
As you prepare your heart and home for Christmas I encourage you to keep these things in mind--Does this practice point (me, my family, my neighbors) to Christ? Does this cause us to glorify God and enjoy him? Are we celebrating the real thing?... That is, are we focused on the amazing incarnation of our mighty God? Do we see His volitional humility? Do I need to change things up a bit to make that so? Is this thing an idol for me? Is it my pride driving this thing I think we 'need' to do? Is there a practice we need to change or drop altogether to avoid idolatry in our celebration of Christmas?
"It is here, in the thing that happened at the first Christmas, that the profoundest and most unfathomable depths of the Christian revelation lie. 'The Word became flesh' (Jn. 1:14); God became man; the divine Son became a Jew; the Almighty appeared on earth as a helpless human baby, unable to do more than lie and stare and wriggle and make noises, needing to be fed and changed and taught to talk like any other child. ...The more you think about it, the more staggering it gets." J.I. Packer
(as quoted on pg5 of the digital booklet accompanying the 'Prepare Him Room' recording, Sovereign Grace Music)
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Taking the day off...Mostly
I have some more thoughts to share from the Old Testament books and period of time. I realized that I never closed the loop on idolatry, and I want to make this both concise and a complete overview of our process. Lots of pieces in my head just now. I will bring the cohesive version to you tomorrow.
Today I am battling a headache, reading with kiddos, paying bills, making turkey soup, and buying our tree (spoiler on where we landed on that point!
Genesis 3:14-19 The Lord God said to the serpent,“Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat
Here are some resources we are enjoying.
(Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with these companies or people. You may assume I enjoy their work, but they have no idea who I am. Further, I have no motivation in recommending them, other than for you to possibly enjoy and be edified by their work too.)
A daily Advent devotional. It can be sent to your inbox so you don't forget.http://ccca.biola.edu/advent/
A new album. Some familiar favorites (with slightly changed up, doctrinally enriched lyrics) and some new ones which are quickly becoming favorites here.
http://sovereigngracemusic.org/Albums/Prepare_Him_Room_Celebrating_the_Birth_of_Jesus_in_Song
A 20 minute walk thru the story of Christ's incarnation from the Book of Luke. Teacher R.C. Sproulhttp://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/christmas_story/
Today I am battling a headache, reading with kiddos, paying bills, making turkey soup, and buying our tree (spoiler on where we landed on that point!
Genesis 3:14-19 The Lord God said to the serpent,“Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat
all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” To the woman he said,
“I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you,‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;
thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
Through their disobedience Adam and Eve were cursed, banished from the perfect beautiful garden God had originally placed them in. Life cursed so much as to make even the ground difficult, childbirth painful ...But in the midst of God pronouncing the curses, He promises there will be a seed (offspring in this translation) which will crush the serpent's head even as the serpent bites at His heel. The serpent, the deceiver will be destroyed. By the offspring of the woman, the curses will one day be reversed. Peace will once again reign.
Many long generations, building expectation, desperation as sin abounded and all suffered. The Israelites looked forward in expectation to a Savior. Then Christ was born into time, fully God yet fully man. With His death He paid the necessary price for all of mankind's sin. With His resurrection He gave us His righteousness that we can live as new creatures in Him.
Now, WE await His triumphant return. Many generations watching and waiting, desperate hearts as sin abounds and our very world suffers from it. And so with the followers of Christ for 2 millennia we join in saying, 'Come thou long expected Jesus!'
Through their disobedience Adam and Eve were cursed, banished from the perfect beautiful garden God had originally placed them in. Life cursed so much as to make even the ground difficult, childbirth painful ...But in the midst of God pronouncing the curses, He promises there will be a seed (offspring in this translation) which will crush the serpent's head even as the serpent bites at His heel. The serpent, the deceiver will be destroyed. By the offspring of the woman, the curses will one day be reversed. Peace will once again reign.
Many long generations, building expectation, desperation as sin abounded and all suffered. The Israelites looked forward in expectation to a Savior. Then Christ was born into time, fully God yet fully man. With His death He paid the necessary price for all of mankind's sin. With His resurrection He gave us His righteousness that we can live as new creatures in Him.
Now, WE await His triumphant return. Many generations watching and waiting, desperate hearts as sin abounds and our very world suffers from it. And so with the followers of Christ for 2 millennia we join in saying, 'Come thou long expected Jesus!'
Here are some resources we are enjoying.
(Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with these companies or people. You may assume I enjoy their work, but they have no idea who I am. Further, I have no motivation in recommending them, other than for you to possibly enjoy and be edified by their work too.)
A daily Advent devotional. It can be sent to your inbox so you don't forget.http://ccca.biola.edu/advent/
A new album. Some familiar favorites (with slightly changed up, doctrinally enriched lyrics) and some new ones which are quickly becoming favorites here.
http://sovereigngracemusic.org/Albums/Prepare_Him_Room_Celebrating_the_Birth_of_Jesus_in_Song
A 20 minute walk thru the story of Christ's incarnation from the Book of Luke. Teacher R.C. Sproulhttp://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/christmas_story/
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Old Testement Thoughts on Special Holidays (holy-days)
Where to begin? Arguments are made for the eschewing of all things "Christmas" based on the observation that there are many coincidences to ancient pagan ritual observances, and a passage in Jeremiah 10 (which is stretched a bit thin to argue against what we know as a Christmas tree). There are also appeals to the absence of such an observance by the primitive Christians. For a primer in these arguments try a Google search of, "should Christians celebrate Christmas". For my purposes, I chose to first determine if there was a Biblical case against the observance of Christmas, and if not, determine if there is value in this observance for Christians. The following passage is the one which has been rolling in my head as I have looked at this, "...making the BEST use of the time..."
Ephesians 5:15 -- Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Today's question is this- Can a Biblical case be made against the special observance of Christ's incarnation/birth? We'll stick to the Old Testament today and look at the New Testament tomorrow.
From the account of creation in Genesis, we see God setting aside a day:
Genesis 2:1-3 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.
In Exodus He commands it's observance:
Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.Leviticus 23, 24, and 25 are entire chapters of dates, times, and seasons. Special time set aside to God for various observances about Him & His character and our relationship to Him. We also see this in Numbers, chapters 28 and 29.
Clearly we can see the Bible supporting the idea of special days and observances. All of these Old Testament special days were instituted and commanded by God. There were to be observed in obedience to Him. We are reminded of this in 1Chronicles 23:30-31, and 2Chronicles 31:3 The observances are part of what is know as the Law. The law served to teach Israel the character of God, to point forward to Christ and the Cross, and to highlight for them (and us) our utter inability to keep the Law perfectly and thereby see our great need for a Savior. To sum up, the old testament shows God commanding special observances with purpose...to point us to Himself.
As a parenthetical comment...(As for that pesky passage in Jeremiah 10 I mentioned earlier...
Hear the word that the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel. 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. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move. Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good. (See also Isaiah 44:9-18) A plain reading would indicate it is referring to the crafting of an idol, and not the procurement of a tree to decorate the home. So don't carve up your Christmas tree into an idol or worship your tree, but every commentary I could locate made no connection of these passages to holiday decorations. :)
Ephesians 5:15 -- Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Today's question is this- Can a Biblical case be made against the special observance of Christ's incarnation/birth? We'll stick to the Old Testament today and look at the New Testament tomorrow.
From the account of creation in Genesis, we see God setting aside a day:
Genesis 2:1-3 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.
In Exodus He commands it's observance:
Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.Leviticus 23, 24, and 25 are entire chapters of dates, times, and seasons. Special time set aside to God for various observances about Him & His character and our relationship to Him. We also see this in Numbers, chapters 28 and 29.
Clearly we can see the Bible supporting the idea of special days and observances. All of these Old Testament special days were instituted and commanded by God. There were to be observed in obedience to Him. We are reminded of this in 1Chronicles 23:30-31, and 2Chronicles 31:3 The observances are part of what is know as the Law. The law served to teach Israel the character of God, to point forward to Christ and the Cross, and to highlight for them (and us) our utter inability to keep the Law perfectly and thereby see our great need for a Savior. To sum up, the old testament shows God commanding special observances with purpose...to point us to Himself.
As a parenthetical comment...(As for that pesky passage in Jeremiah 10 I mentioned earlier...
Hear the word that the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel. 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. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move. Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good. (See also Isaiah 44:9-18) A plain reading would indicate it is referring to the crafting of an idol, and not the procurement of a tree to decorate the home. So don't carve up your Christmas tree into an idol or worship your tree, but every commentary I could locate made no connection of these passages to holiday decorations. :)
Monday, December 1, 2014
Thoughts on Christmas Time...err Remembering Christ's Advent, (Lest We Forget)
I am praying and reading thru scripture in an attempt to have a thought out reason as to WHY (and also the HOW) we (our family) celebrates Christmas. We have many friends who through prayerful consideration have dropped it all together...But, I feel, despite the obvious pagan roots in some (many) of the standard Christmas time observances, it is an important time of remembrance to keep. I believe there are essential doctrines of Christian faith and life which we stand to weaken or forget altogether if not to keep them before our minds, and teach them to our children with regularity. This season of Advent provides just such an impetus.
In the sense of engaging our culture I will keep referring to it as "Christmas", though at home we are transitioning to referring to it as remembering Christ's advent. I like to be very intentional in how I approach life, what I teach and model for my children and the underlying assumptions guiding my thoughts. I have many very fond memories of past Christmases, in all honesty it is one of my favorite times of year. Yes, I am the person with Christmas music playing long before Thanksgiving, and well into January. I desperately do not want to give Christmas up altogether... But It has been laid on my conscience to study, pray and be intentional in it. I have been thinking on this for a few months, jumbled bits and thoughts. There is finally enough cohesion to attempt to write a bit. :)
By means of a disclaimer, I am approaching this process from the perspective of a Christian, protestant, reformed. (that is awkwardly phrased, but keeps things in order :) ) Beyond that, I am mostly Augustinian, but I am still working thru some of my semi-Pelagian thought process hold overs. (Yes, this makes me Calvinist. No, the names truly don't matter they just provide a shorthand to tell you where I'm coming from.)
--Glory to God Alone--
I will be trying to post on this idea daily as I hash it out. I would love to hear your thoughts in this area too.
The root and descendant, & the founder and perfecter of our faith.
Isaiah 11:1 - There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
Revelation 22:16 - “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
Hebrews 12:2 - looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
In the sense of engaging our culture I will keep referring to it as "Christmas", though at home we are transitioning to referring to it as remembering Christ's advent. I like to be very intentional in how I approach life, what I teach and model for my children and the underlying assumptions guiding my thoughts. I have many very fond memories of past Christmases, in all honesty it is one of my favorite times of year. Yes, I am the person with Christmas music playing long before Thanksgiving, and well into January. I desperately do not want to give Christmas up altogether... But It has been laid on my conscience to study, pray and be intentional in it. I have been thinking on this for a few months, jumbled bits and thoughts. There is finally enough cohesion to attempt to write a bit. :)
By means of a disclaimer, I am approaching this process from the perspective of a Christian, protestant, reformed. (that is awkwardly phrased, but keeps things in order :) ) Beyond that, I am mostly Augustinian, but I am still working thru some of my semi-Pelagian thought process hold overs. (Yes, this makes me Calvinist. No, the names truly don't matter they just provide a shorthand to tell you where I'm coming from.)
--Glory to God Alone--
I will be trying to post on this idea daily as I hash it out. I would love to hear your thoughts in this area too.
The root and descendant, & the founder and perfecter of our faith.
Isaiah 11:1 - There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
Revelation 22:16 - “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
Hebrews 12:2 - looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
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