Sunday, December 20, 2015
am
OBSERVING THE BIRTH OF
JESUS
This week, much of the world will observe Christmas,
a holiday in commemoration of the
birth of Jesus.
In the western hemisphere, most companies give their employees the day
off (or perhaps the week), many take vacations and travel to be with
family and friends.
There are special decorations, foods, music and festivities associated
with this time of the year.
This season also causes many to pause to be thankful, consider
God’s love for the world, and to share or give a little to others.
But
there are also religious observances – many churches are having special
services with special observances and decorations are donned that have
spiritual significance. Many
still think that Jesus was born on December 25, year 0.
Some see this as a religious holiday to bind on our society.
This is evidenced by complaints when secular companies don’t do
things the way they want (e.g. not using the word Christmas in their
holiday displays and merchandise).
My observation of this is that such is an attempt to FORCE your
beliefs on everyone, which is just as wrong as others trying to FORCE
their beliefs on us.
a.
The accounts are
recorded in Matthew 1& 2 and Luke 2:1-20
both record the birth of Jesus and give us many details.
He was born in Bethlehem to the Virgin Mary, with Joseph taking Him as
his son. He was born
where the animals were kept because the inn was full, and laid in a
manger (a feed trough) because there was no room in the inn.
There was great rejoicing because of His birth as angels
announced to shepherds in the fields His birth.
b.
His simple birth is fulfillment of prophecy
– Micah 5:2-3 born in Bethlehem – (Matthew 2:6, 1-13); Isaiah 7:4 – a
virgin (Matthew 1:23); etc.
This declares Him to be whom God intended!
c.
Certainly, it was a
joyful occasion in many aspects.
Because Jesus was born we have hope.
That was borne out in the prophecies recorded in Luke 1 & 2 by
Gabriel the (Luke 1:11-17), by Elizabeth when Mary visits (Luke
1:39-45); by Mary after this (Luke 1:46-55); by Zacharias (Luke
1:67-80); and when Jesus is presented at the temple, by Simeon (Luke
2:27-35).
d.
Because Jesus was born
He was able to reveal the Father to us, to die for our sins,
bring together all in faith, establish the church which helps to
accomplish that. These are
just a few of the blessings of His birth.
e.
But WHEN was Jesus born?
The answer is
WE DON’T KNOW! We are not
told today (though its timing was related to a census declared by Caesar
Augustus – Luke 2:1). Back
then, people might have had some idea, but we do not know for certain
when the date was. We
do know that shepherds were in the field watching their sheep (Luke 2:8)
which means it was probably NOT in December.
Typically, shepherds would take their flocks to pasture from
around Passover (spring) until the latter rains in the fall.
I FIND it interesting that if we
are to set aside a specific day of the year to observe the birth of
Jesus that the Bible is silent as to when it occurred.
a.
Are all things done at
Christmas evil works?
There are many good things as a result of this time of the year:
1) There is a spirit of giving and in some cases joy; 2) whether
the day is right or wrong, our society gets one of the few reminders
that Jesus is real; 3) opportunities are created for families to spend
time together which is a good thing (though not all families enjoy
this), 4) typically we are reminded that there are people around us that
are suffering, and many become a little more compassionate toward them,
etc.
BUT does the good that
something produces or the appearance of good necessarily make it right?
No! What makes
something true is that it is authorized.
The GOOD that can come from such a season can be accomplished
without doing something that is wrong.
b.
The Bible is completely silent as to the observance of Christmas.
The church of the first century did NOT observe it.
As we have noted, the birth of Jesus is addressed, but there is
NOT one hint of the birth of Jesus being celebrated as a holiday or a
feast.
POINT: The origin of the observance of Christmas began much later.
While there are several theories as to its exact origin, NONE
place it during Bible times.
The earliest views trace it back to around the mid-4th
century AD[i]
For some 350 years, “Christmas” was not observed.[1]
The date of December 25 is said to have originated with pagan “solstice”
festival which celebrated the “sun god” with feasting and revelries.
Some believe this date was chosen to make “Christianity” more
appealing to pagans as they tried to convert them.
They offered “substitutes” for their present observance (like the
“golden calf” of Dan and Bethel – 1 Kings 12:25-33).
OUR POINT: It is NOT found in scripture!
Colossians 3:17 tells us that whatever we do must be done “in the
name of the Lord”.
c.
The church belongs to
Christ – the
church we read of in the Bible was established by Jesus -
Matthew 16:18, 1 Cor. 3:11, Ephesians 2:19-20.
He is its head – Ephesians 1:22-23.
And it was part of God’s eternal purpose – Ephesians 3:10-11.
We have in times past established that God created the church
perfect! To add to His
pattern is to question His sovereignty and His wisdom.
AGAIN, we note that in the Bible NO CHURCH observed a special
occasion for the birth of Jesus.
d.
It is a tradition of men!
The observance of Christmas if FULL of men’s traditions all dating to
many centuries after the completion of the Bible (and after the
institution of Christmas as a “holy day”) - the nativity scene being
displayed, Christmas trees which originally also borrowed from paganism
(cf. Jeremiah 10:1-5 – which
is actually speaking of idolatry – see vs. 8); even the candy cane
supposed had its origin with religious significance, etc.
The Bible is clear about creating
and binding men’s traditions -
Matthew 15:3, 8-9.
When men’s traditions set aside God’s law, they make worshipping Him
vanity.
The observance of Christmas today by the so-called Christian world
treats it as sacred, authorized and seeks to bind it upon believers.
It has become an integral part of most denominations.
Colossians 2:8 warns us, “Beware
lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to
the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world,
and not according to Christ.”
e.
To participate in this “holy day” along with others is to partake in error
– both
apostate and pagan religion.
2 John 9-11 tells us to not receive one who comes to you with false
doctrine. To “greet” (imply
acceptance) him is to share in his evil deeds
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 calls for us to not fellowship lawlessness, not
commune with darkness, etc.
Ephesians 5:11 tells us to have no fellowship with unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather to expose them.
f.
These are a few reasons
why we should not observe Christmas as the birth of Christ.
a.
Preach it!
As appropriate address what the Bible says (and doesn’t say) about His
birth. We accept His birth
as factual as recorded in scripture.
This INCLUDES the miraculous nature of His birth.
b.
Live as if He lived – by example and profession of our faith we are saying we believe in the
birth of Jesus. Cf. 1 Cor.
11:26 – proclaim His death, 1 Cor. 15:1-4, etc.
c.
Give the gift of
yourself to Him
– Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20.
This is what He wants rather than a couple of special
celebrations each year.
Have you noticed how for many the
only time they consider Jesus is at Christmas and Easter?
A Christian will give Him much more than that.
d.
Observe His life the way He commanded – Romans 13:14 – put on the Lord Jesus Christ,
Colossians 2:6 – as you have received Him, so walk in Him.
John 14:15 – love Him, obey Him!
Remember His death in the Lord’s Supper – but He has shown us how to do
that. Our observances are
related to His death instead.
As one preacher said, “God does
not want His Son remembered as a baby lying in a manger, but as the
suffering Saviour and now resurrected Redeemer.”[2]
a.
One may say, under the
Old Law they observed various feasts, why can’t we observe the birth of
Jesus at Christmas? The
purpose of the Old Law is a whole other study. Summarized in this:
i.
We are not under the Old
Law today – Colossians 2:14, Galatians 3:19-25, etc.
ii.
A study of feasts makes
it clear that God COMMANDED them AND He instructed how and WHEN they
were to be observed.
iii.
Based upon that
criteria, WHERE do we find authority to observe Christmas as the birth
of Christ.
b.
One might ask, what
about the observance of the secular traditions of Christmas?
i.
Christmas, like some
other holidays, has a dual nature – there is a religious aspect and a
secular aspect to it. Can we
distinguish between the two?
I can!
ii.
Observing the national
holiday known as “Christmas” – (for now, December 25) is still a
national holiday with family traditions and activities.
As with many other holidays, there may be secular family
traditions that we observe.
I can distinguish between these and the unauthorized scriptural
practices. As such I
see no problem with family traditions.
NOTE: They ARE traditions!
The way we observe this day in America is different than other parts of
the world.
iii.
Romans 14:5-8 speaks of
some observing days and others NOT observing them - Paul said whatever
you choose to do, do it to the Lord.
This is a context dealing with personal liberties (which clearly
includes the personal observance of days – observe to yourself!
NOTE: You HAVE TO live your conscience in this.
iv.
Furthermore, in 1
Corinthians 8:4-6 speaks of eating meats that had been offered to idols.
Paul’s point is that if meat is sold, buy it and eat to fill
yourself – as meat and not as worship.
The religious aspect is disregarded, unless there is doubt.
When I put up holiday decorations or eat a candy cane, I am not
doing it for religious reasons – it is mere tradition.
Just because others are doing it for the wrong reason doesn’t
make it wrong for me.
NOTE: There IS a warning that if your conduct causes one to stumble and
sin, you should avoid such conduct, even if you have the right to do it
– 1Cor. 8:7-13.
v.
One might say, but if
you put up a tree doesn’t that imply to the world that you are observing
Christmas religiously? NO!
Especially in our society today.
I am not convinced that such is automatically assumed.
In fact, ask: If I DON’T put a tree, will someone assume I am an
atheist?
vi.
IF there is doubt –
don’t do it! This is clearly
taught, even in Romans 14:22-23.
And
thus we have a study of observing the birth of Jesus.
As we have seen, there is no authority for churches to create a
special holiday to observe His birth.
Because of misunderstandings about this, many today are crying, “Let’s
put Christ back in Christmas.”
I reply, He was never there in the first place!
Instead I say, “Let’s put Christ back in our lives ALL THE TIME!”
Think about it.