CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK: We have been challenging people to research the claims of the tradition of the Christmas story by researching from both the Bible and an Encyclopedia. I am claiming that our Lord Jesus Christ was not born in December and that most of what we do in the season of Christmas has nothing to do with our Lord. Can I prove such a claim that our Lord was not born in December and that the traditional Christmas celebration we all know is not found in the Bible? If He was not born in December when was He born and is it important?
However, if I am expected to prove that Christmas is not the birth of Christ and that Christmas is not a Christian holiday, then I expect the same examination from you who are reading. I will need your proof that Christ was born on Christmas and that Christmas is a Christian holiday. This would be concrete evidence and not from feelings, emotions or the pat answer of "well, I believe."
When this subject of Christmas is questioned in any way many Protestants and Catholics become quite emotional. I have said in many of my teachings that much of what we believe was taught through the traditions of man and we have become emotionally attached to it. A person cannot argue intellectually or Biblically about a doctrine that is emotionally based. Not matter what facts are presented, the mind is make up because of how one FEELS about it. That is why I started out requesting that each reader goes to an encyclopedia and study the history of Christmas.
Many have become firmly entrenched concerning the December 25th date in spite of overwhelming historical and Biblical facts showing another date. Many are emotionally and mentally tied to Christmas because they simply enjoy the season and over time have developed family traditions associated with the holidays. I'm all about family time and family traditions and I think we need them. I just don't need a holiday that is man-made to have the family time or the traditions.
Some feel that the actual day of Christ's birth is irrelevant. Most believe that Christmas, is founded on the premise that Jesus was born on December 25th. These people believe any Christian who is truly striving to follow the Bible will celebrate Christmas as Jesus' birthday and that "He is the reason for the season."
I know that the doctrine of seasons, days, feasts, and holidays can be an emotional topic for some people. I use the word doctrines because there are three different sources for established doctrines. There are doctrines of God, doctrines of man, and doctrines of demons. When we address the topic of seasons, feasts, and holidays we need to be honest about the origin and practices of such feasts and holidays. I have seen churches split and families divided over simple issues related to feasts and holidays as to which ones to celebrate and how they should be celebrated. The key to knowing the truth about God’s established feasts is the same key for knowing all doctrines, and that is to have hearts to hear and to be teachable about what the WORD of GOD says, nothing less and nothing more. More coming later.
However, if I am expected to prove that Christmas is not the birth of Christ and that Christmas is not a Christian holiday, then I expect the same examination from you who are reading. I will need your proof that Christ was born on Christmas and that Christmas is a Christian holiday. This would be concrete evidence and not from feelings, emotions or the pat answer of "well, I believe."
When this subject of Christmas is questioned in any way many Protestants and Catholics become quite emotional. I have said in many of my teachings that much of what we believe was taught through the traditions of man and we have become emotionally attached to it. A person cannot argue intellectually or Biblically about a doctrine that is emotionally based. Not matter what facts are presented, the mind is make up because of how one FEELS about it. That is why I started out requesting that each reader goes to an encyclopedia and study the history of Christmas.
Many have become firmly entrenched concerning the December 25th date in spite of overwhelming historical and Biblical facts showing another date. Many are emotionally and mentally tied to Christmas because they simply enjoy the season and over time have developed family traditions associated with the holidays. I'm all about family time and family traditions and I think we need them. I just don't need a holiday that is man-made to have the family time or the traditions.
Some feel that the actual day of Christ's birth is irrelevant. Most believe that Christmas, is founded on the premise that Jesus was born on December 25th. These people believe any Christian who is truly striving to follow the Bible will celebrate Christmas as Jesus' birthday and that "He is the reason for the season."
I know that the doctrine of seasons, days, feasts, and holidays can be an emotional topic for some people. I use the word doctrines because there are three different sources for established doctrines. There are doctrines of God, doctrines of man, and doctrines of demons. When we address the topic of seasons, feasts, and holidays we need to be honest about the origin and practices of such feasts and holidays. I have seen churches split and families divided over simple issues related to feasts and holidays as to which ones to celebrate and how they should be celebrated. The key to knowing the truth about God’s established feasts is the same key for knowing all doctrines, and that is to have hearts to hear and to be teachable about what the WORD of GOD says, nothing less and nothing more. More coming later.
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