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STAND & COMFORT Newsletter Christmas Is God saying, At Christmas time, so many people say things like, "It's so commercial now," "It's such an exhausting season. I'm doing less than ever this year," and "Next year, I may buy just a few presents, but that's it. It's all too nerve-racking." In a more spiritual vein, we hear things such as, "Put Christ back into Christmas" and "Christ is the reason for the season." Some Christians don't participate in most Christmas celebrations because, they say, "The origins of the present traditions of Christmas have their source in ancient Babylonian celebrations." Probably the most controversial of these statements is the last, although research into the origins of some Christmas traditions do give it some legitimacy. In fact, all of these statements have some legitimacy, from man's point of view. Either they call for taking the worldly emphasis out of Christmas or for putting something more spiritual into it, in order to bring the meaning of Christmas closer to what was originally intended. The question is, "What was God's original intention for Christmas?" It's only by looking at it from God's point of view instead of man's that we find a satisfactory explanation of what this season is all about. For instance, God has made available the true facts about the birth of Christ in His word. They are contained in the gospels (Matthew 1-2; Luke 1-2) and in scattered verses in the epistles. A serious study of Luke concerning the Jewish religious feasts in relation to the times of the impregnation of Mary and her cousin Elizabeth tells us that Jesus was not even born in December, but most likely during the Feast of Tabernacles, which occurs during our September. Some consider that fact vitally important, while others admit it's true or most likely true, but go on celebrating the birth of Christ in December. The point here is that God has given clear evidence in His word of when Christ was really born, as well as much more information concerning how He sees things. But it's still possible that we miss it every year. What else is there about the birth of Christ that we've missed? People proclaim that Jesus is "the reason for the season," but that only identifies who it is we're supposed to be celebrating. It doesn't explain the vital reasons why Christ came in the first place, at a time most call "Christmas." It's only when we look for these reasons in God's word and find God's point of view on "the why" of His coming, that we come to know what God wants us to know. (By "God's point of view," I do not mean that there is another legitimate point of view.) The reason God sent His Son into the world was because what God had planned BEFORE creation was hindered by man's Fall in Eden. How did Adam's sin hinder what God had intended? The answer lies in the biblical fact that God is absolutely, unequivocally perfect and holy and cannot allow sin into His presence. Let me say it another way: The entire reason God sent His Son to be born of a virgin is because God is a holy God and no darkness can stand in His presence. Man was now fallen, and because God is holy, man could not enter nor stand in His presence. This is so crucial to understand: God is holy. The Fall made it totally impossible for man to ever come into God's pre-creation purpose for him: Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Notice that BEFORE He created anything, God determined that man should stand in His presence "holy and without blame." This holiness in man was crucial for God to fulfill His full purpose. Not only did the Fall hinder His purpose for man, it hindered His higher purpose for Christ: Ephesians 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: Christ was to be the head and center of all things. He was to come to a place where He would reign over all of God's holy children and His creation. But how could man be holy once again so God could fulfill His purpose for us? This question brings us close to seeing the true meaning of Christmas from God's viewpoint. Man could not provide a perfect sacrifice to atone for his sin. He was fallen and all he could bring forth was fallen offspring. How could he ever produce a sacrifice that would be pleasing to God and atone for not only his sinful deeds, but his sinful nature as well? The simple, obvious answer is that he couldn't: Romans 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. God's ways are unsearchable and His wisdom is perfect. Man, created by God in love, now lacked the means to satisfy God's wrath over sin. But in the event we call Christmas, man now saw the unfathomable wisdom and mercy of God. He would send His perfect, spotless, holy Son into a fallen world, even foreknowing what sinful, fallen humanity would do to Jesus: Matthew 20:18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, The plan was awesome, stunning, absolutely perfect. Christ would be slain and His blood shed for the forgiveness of sin and the sending of the Holy Spirit to indwell all who would believe. Through His sacrifice unto death He would be raised to a position where God could finally establish His purpose for man: "that we should be holy and without blame before him in love" (Ephesians 1:4). If man would believe by faith in Christ, God would declare him holy and righteous. Christ would be raised on the third day with the promise of returning to reign as the head and center of all things, just as God had planned in the beginning. It all hinged on one event: Would Christ, the perfect, holy Son of God come from above to be born of virgin and become man in order to bring these things about? It is obvious He did, and God's promise of salvation to all who believe on Him stands sure and firm for all men to this day: Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. Christ being born in a manger is God's gift of salvation to the world, and it is a free gift. No strings attached. We can't buy or earn this salvation, for this gift is given by the grace of God: Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: We as Christians realize there is only one salvation, and all men must accept that way or experience damnation. That's a horrible thought, but God has given ample time for man to believe on His Son. Let's pray this season that all men we know do just that: 2 Thessalonians 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
========== This newsletter will be sent out whenever I think there is something the body of Christ needs to consider, to build it up, to give it encouragement or comfort in hard times. To sign up for this newsletter, email Ed at edju@velocity.net
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