Mistakes Made About the Messiah’s Birth

The word Christmas cannot be found one-time in God’s Word. That means it is impossible to put “Christ back into Christmas,” since He was never there! Christ was born prior to 4 B.C., since Herod died in 4 B.C. But, Herod was alive at the birth of Jesus Christ (Matthew 2:1).

Contrary to what you have heard, Jesus Christ is NOT “the reason for the season.” Catholicism and Visa and Master Card and Macy’s are the “reason for the season.” The corrupted church introduced the “mass of Christ” which was then shorted to “Christ’s Mass”, and now we have CHRISTMAS!!!

We can read prophecies and fulfillment of prophecy in regard to the Savior’s birth (Isaiah 7:17; 9:6; Micah 5:2; Hosea 11:1; Matthew 1-2; Luke 2). Many religious groups will have large crowds at this time of the year, made up of many folks who will not darken the doors of the church building until “Easter” Sunday. Some of my brethren now host “Christmas” parties to compete with their “Easter” celebrations and “dedication” of babies and elder reaffirmations!

MISTAKE # 1: December 25th is the exact date of Christ’s birth. This date was arbitrarily set by the corrupted church in the 5th century. Dates for His birth have been set in almost every month of the year. It is not at all likely that His birth was in the winter time. Jesus prophesied the coming destruction of Jerusalem in Matthew 24:19-20, “But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days! And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter…” Travel in the cold rainy season would be more difficult for a mother. Joseph and Mary made a 65 mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be enrolled (Luke 2:1-5). This was by decree of Caesar, and was to insure all paid their tax. The powers that be, like today would want all to be counted. They would pick a time when travel would be easy, not difficult.

MISTAKE # 2: The Bible commands us to commemorate His birth! Nowhere does the Bible authorize Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We are commanded to commemorate His death, burial, and resurrection. This we do each Lord’s day (Acts 20:7; Matthew 26:26-29; I Corinthians 11:20-ff; 15:14). We celebrate the “birth” of Christ from the tomb, through His glorious resurrection! The “trees” in our homes, decorated with baubles of various shapes and colors are borrowed from the fatherland: Germany! Our “feasts” with loved ones come from pagan feasts to the god of harvest (Saturn); and the god of light (Mithras). Let us keep our traditions separate from paganism and enjoy time with friends and family.

MISTAKE # 3: The Bible says there were THREE wise men who came! WHERE does the Bible tell me so? Matthew 2:1-3 begins, “Wise-men from the east came…” There were at least two magi who desired to give three types of gifts to the Messiah. There could have been 2 or 20; or 4 or 40. The Bible does not say. Haven’t you ever wondered why three strangers inquiring about a baby caused such a stir?? “And when Herod the king heard it, he was TROUBLED, and all Jerusalem with him.” (Matthew2:3 Emphasis mine, JW). When you look on a nativity scene, a Christmas pageant, or one of your cards, take a moment and count ‘em! There are always three (3) wise-men!

MISTAKE # 4: The wise men (3 or 30) visited the baby in the stable! Again, look on church lawns with the manger scene, and there you will see the THREE wise men. The Bible does not say they came to the stable where Jesus was born! Let your fingers do the walkin’ and let the Bible do the talking’: “And they (the magi, JW) came into the HOUSE and saw the young CHILD with Mary His mother; and they (the magi – JW) fell down and worshipped…” (Matthew 2:11 – Emphasis mine, JW). The shepherds were at the manger. Tradition dictates the animals; not the Bible. The wise-men came into a “house” to see the “child,” not a babe. Their arrival was at least 40 days after His birth, could have been much more! Herod’s decree was to kill all male children up to two years of age (Matthew 2:16). 1 Thessalonians 5:21 still reads, “Prove all things…”

MISTAKE # 5: Mary rode a donkey and the 3 wise-men rode camels! Let me challenge you to find book, chapter, and verse authority for either of those traditions! The Bible nowhere teaches any such thing. Christmas cards influence more people than the Word of God. The weather conditions for the night of the Savior’s birth are likewise unknown to man today. Let us be careful to separate FACT from FICTION, whether it is in regards to the birth of Jesus Christ, or any other subject of God’s Word!!

We rejoice that Christ Jesus was born. Without His coming, we would be without a perfect sacrifice, without the conquering of death, without hope of resurrection; hence, no salvation attainable or possible. We do celebrate the coming of the Messiah, and His coming again! Let us not celebrate in a religious way, those things that God has not commanded nor authorized! “And whatsoever ye do, in word or indeed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17).

Jess Whitlock

XMAS XTREMES

This time of year people are generally the happiest, friendliest, most hospitable, and most benevolent. I suppose this behavior might be attributed to the “Christmas spirit.” What a better world this would be if this spirit “ran loose” each day of the year, and indeed, this is what the Lord wills (Ephesians 4:31–32). Along with all the good things this season brings, I have observed some who have extreme positions toward “Xmas.”

I was once asked if Christians should decorate a tree and give gifts at this season of the year. This question reflects an extreme concept, namely, that it is wrong to practice such innocent customs as adorning a tree, exchanging gifts and cards, and such like. Some religious groups take this position and among individuals, I have also known of brethren at various places who did so. I responded to the question, “If it is wrong to give gifts on December 25, it is wrong also on any other occasion. If it is not wrong on any other occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) then it is not wrong on December 25. There is nothing more wrong with decorating a tree with ornaments as a mere seasonal custom than with raising a flag on Veterans’ Day or eating turkey on “Thanksgiving” day.

Another extreme is represented by the oft-heard cliché, “Put Christ back into Christmas.” I was once harshly criticized for writing Xmas, instead of Christmas,thereby “removing Christ from Christmas.” Truth be told, Christ never was in Christmas until men put him there! “In the 5th century the Western church [Roman Catholic, DM] ordered the feast to be celebrated on the day of the Mithraic rites of the birth of the sun and at the close of Saturnalia, as no certain knowledge of the day of Christ's birth existed” (Encyclopedia Americana, 6:622).

This statement clearly demonstrates the fact that God was not very concerned about His Son's birth’s being celebrated. The event that God considered important for us to “celebrate” was His death, and we are thus to keep it in sacred commemoration each Lord's day. It is not by the birth of Christ that we are saved, but by His death and resurrection. Thus when one sings, “Remember Christ Our Saviour Was Born on Christmas Day,” he knows not what he sings. God has made it impossible for us to attach—with His authority—any sacred significance to one day as the birthday of Christ by allowing that date to totally disappear from secular history. For this reason faithful churches of Christ have no special religious observances at this season of the year. The silence of Scripture forbids any such religious observance. A practice that began four centuries after Messianic and apostolic times and that gathered all of its ingredients from Paganism must be rejected as a religious practice by those interested in New Testament Christianity.

Consider another extreme related to Christmas: While such things as the non-religious practice of adorning a tree and exchanging gifts in late December are innocent practices, these are often carried to an extreme. We should not become enslaved by our freedom. Sometimes the church’s contribution figure decreases sharply at the close of the year and into the new year. Perhaps the income of some decreases, but it may also be because some went to an extreme with their gift-buying, decorating, and traveling. Through the years, I have known some brethren who spent more on gifts during this one season than they gave to the Lord all year, in effect making the Lord pay for their festivities.

We should never allow this custom (or anything else within our control) to interfere with our worship and Bible class attendance, our giving, or other Christian duties. May we avoid these “Xmas Xtremes.”

Dub McClish

Mistakes Made About the Messiah’s Birth

The word Christmas cannot be found one-time in God’s Word. That means it is impossible to put “Christ back into Christmas,” since He was never there! Christ was born prior to 4 B.C., since Herod died in 4 B.C. But, Herod was alive at the birth of Jesus Christ (Matthew 2:1).

Contrary to what you have heard, Jesus Christ is NOT “the reason for the season.” Catholicism and Visa and Master Card and Macy’s are the “reason for the season.” The corrupted church introduced the “mass of Christ” which was then shorted to “Christ’s Mass”, and now we have CHRISTMAS!!!

We can read prophecies and fulfillment of prophecy in regard to the Savior’s birth (Isaiah 7:17; 9:6; Micah 5:2; Hosea 11:1; Matthew 1-2; Luke 2). Many religious groups will have large crowds at this time of the year, made up of many folks who will not darken the doors of the church building until “Easter” Sunday. Some of my brethren now host “Christmas” parties to compete with their “Easter” celebrations and “dedication” of babies and elder reaffirmations!

MISTAKE # 1: December 25th is the exact date of Christ’s birth. This date was arbitrarily set by the corrupted church in the 5th century. Dates for His birth have been set in almost every month of the year. It is not at all likely that His birth was in the winter time. Jesus prophesied the coming destruction of Jerusalem in Matthew 24:19-20, “But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days! And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter…” Travel in the cold rainy season would be more difficult for a mother. Joseph and Mary made a 65 mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be enrolled (Luke 2:1-5). This was by decree of Caesar, and was to insure all paid their tax. The powers that be, like today would want all to be counted. They would pick a time when travel would be easy, not difficult.

MISTAKE # 2: The Bible commands us to commemorate His birth! Nowhere does the Bible authorize Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We are commanded to commemorate His death, burial, and resurrection. This we do each Lord’s day (Acts 20:7; Matthew 26:26-29; I Corinthians 11:20-ff; 15:14). We celebrate the “birth” of Christ from the tomb, through His glorious resurrection! The “trees” in our homes, decorated with baubles of various shapes and colors are borrowed from the fatherland: Germany! Our “feasts” with loved ones come from pagan feasts to the god of harvest (Saturn); and the god of light (Mithras). Let us keep our traditions separate from paganism and enjoy time with friends and family.

MISTAKE # 3: The Bible says there were THREE wise men who came! WHERE does the Bible tell me so? Matthew 2:1-3 begins, “Wise-men from the east came…” There were at least two magi who desired to give three types of gifts to the Messiah. There could have been 2 or 20; or 4 or 40. The Bible does not say. Haven’t you ever wondered why three strangers inquiring about a baby caused such a stir?? “And when Herod the king heard it, he was TROUBLED, and all Jerusalem with him.” (Matthew2:3 Emphasis mine, JW). When you look on a nativity scene, a Christmas pageant, or one of your cards, take a moment and count ‘em! There are always three (3) wise-men!

MISTAKE # 4: The wise men (3 or 30) visited the baby in the stable! Again, look on church lawns with the manger scene, and there you will see the THREE wise men. The Bible does not say they came to the stable where Jesus was born! Let your fingers do the walkin’ and let the Bible do the talking’: “And they (the magi, JW) came into the HOUSE and saw the young CHILD with Mary His mother; and they (the magi – JW) fell down and worshipped…” (Matthew 2:11 – Emphasis mine, JW). The shepherds were at the manger. Tradition dictates the animals; not the Bible. The wise-men came into a “house” to see the “child,” not a babe. Their arrival was at least 40 days after His birth, could have been much more! Herod’s decree was to kill all male children up to two years of age (Matthew 2:16). 1 Thessalonians 5:21 still reads, “Prove all things…”

MISTAKE # 5: Mary rode a donkey and the 3 wise-men rode camels! Let me challenge you to find book, chapter, and verse authority for either of those traditions! The Bible nowhere teaches any such thing. Christmas cards influence more people than the Word of God. The weather conditions for the night of the Savior’s birth are likewise unknown to man today. Let us be careful to separate FACT from FICTION, whether it is in regards to the birth of Jesus Christ, or any other subject of God’s Word!!

We rejoice that Christ Jesus was born. Without His coming, we would be without a perfect sacrifice, without the conquering of death, without hope of resurrection; hence, no salvation attainable or possible. We do celebrate the coming of the Messiah, and His coming again! Let us not celebrate in a religious way, those things that God has not commanded nor authorized! “And whatsoever ye do, in word or indeed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17).

Jess Whitlock

“Jesus is the Reason for the Season” or Bah Humbug!

What I am going to write deals with the observance of Christmas in the United States. Two extreme practices have always existed among the brethren regarding Christmas. One group desires to make out of Christmas everything the Roman Catholics and other sectarian churches believe it to be. Others, say they do not want to have anything to do with the Christmas season for fear that someone will think they are observing December 25 as Christ’s birthday.

The liberals in the church (those who teach doctrines that loose men from what God in the Bible has bound on them) will embrace anything regarding Christmas (observing it as Christ’s birthday). Such people do not care one way or the other about right or wrong. Their motto is “I did it my way.” There is not much you can accomplish with those who are bent on doing their own thing and are determined to twist the Scriptures (if they appeal to them at all) in order to justify their warped views. Hence, most of what I have to say is not addressed to such rebellious characters. Therefore, I am addressing myself to those who desire Biblical authority for their actions.

Assuredly, there is no authority found in the New Testament to observe Christmas as the birthday of Christ. Since we are to do only what is authorized in the New Testament, to observe any day of the year as Christ’s birthday is to act without Divine approval (Colossians 3:17). Such activity constitutes sin. Christians, therefore, are not to use any symbols or engage in any kind of activities that would lead anyone to think that we observe Christmas as Christ’s birthday.

It takes Bible knowledge and some mental effort on the part of brethren to discern what upholds and promotes December 25 as Christ’s birthday and what does not. When such mental effort is involved, some just dismiss the whole thing, or they think they do, while others (as I have previously pointed out) embrace everything about Christmas. I do not subscribe to either view.

In the United States (in other countries, according to their customs, religions, etc. I would probably follow a different course regarding Christmas) even atheists have been known to observe Christmas as a national holiday. Some time ago, I received a Christmas letter from a secular humanist organization. All around the edge of the sheet of paper were holly leaves and red berries. The letter was wishing me “Season’s Greetings.” The point is this, everything connected with Christmas is not necessarily upholding December 25 as Christ’s birthday.

Some brethren who will not put up a Christmas tree for fear of causing someone to think they observe Christmas as Christ’s birthday, do not mind accepting a Christmas bonus. They may not have the “star of wonder, star of light, star of awesome beauty bright” in their eyes, but they sure do have dollar signs like “visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads.” Moreover, such brethren, along with their Christmas bonus, are thrilled to benefit from the Christmas season by taking advantage of not having to go to work on December 25. Furthermore, they allow their children to enjoy time out of school, and sometimes go home to grandma’s house, “laughing all the way.” I will not even mention the eating on, around, through, and all over December 25. Such brethren, should not even take advantage of the “after Christmas sales.” If they are determined to cease and desist from, as well as sever any connection with the Christmas season, that is fine with me: just let them make sure that they truly, completely, and consistently do it. Such an effort will make for an interesting December. I do hope that you get the point I have attempted to make.

Let us not engage in anything that is not authorized in the New Testament. However, let us realize that customs do change; some from good to bad, others from bad to good (In other countries customs may and do differ from ours in the USA). I am not going to cease calling the first and second days of the week Sunday and Monday respectively, because they originally were connected with the worship of the sun and moon. Neither will I cease to call the fourth day of the week Wednesday because it is named after the Norse god Wodin (Odin), or the fifth day of the week Thursday because it was originally named in honor of the Norse god Thor. If we can understand how we may call these days of the week by their traditional names without honoring the false gods they were originally named to honor, we should be able to know what does and does not indicate to the public in general the observance of Christmas as Christ’s birthday and our observance of it as a national holiday.

David P. Brown     

What Is Christmas?

Here are some undeniable facts about Christmas:

• There is no proof that Christ was born on December 25. But the glorious good news is in the fact that HE WAS BORN as our Savior, that He came down from heaven to seek and save the lost (Luke 2:8-12).
• Another fact worthy of consideration is the fact that we can rejoice in Christ, as Christians, on December 25, just the same as the other 364 days of the year. We do not have to cease to be happy in Jesus at “Christmas” just to be different from others. Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4). This would take in Christmas along with all other days of the year.
• Instead of revealing the date of the birth of Christ, God has revealed the day on which He was raised from the dead — the first day of the week (Mark 16:8-9; Luke 24:1-47). God does want us to observe this day. It is a day called the “Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:10; I Corinthians 16:2; Acts 20:7). In it we are especially rejoiceful and glad.
• We should show our faith in Christ, in His birth, in His life, in all that He did for us, and is doing for us in every proper way; but we should not deceive others into thinking we are celebrating December 25 as the birthday of Christ, for there is no reason to believe it is the date of His birth.
• But when all the facts are considered, there is nothing to prevent our enjoying the holiday season just ahead called “Christmas.” We may give and receive gifts in this season, or at any other season of the year, on December 25, or on any other day of the year that we wish — on our birthday, or that of others. In fact, we should “rejoice with them that do rejoice” at Christmas or any other time. There is not enough happiness in the world anyway. We can, however, do all this without celebrating Christmas as the birthday of Christ.
• Finally, it is proof of the divinity of Christ to find Him so popular in the world two thousand years after His birth that the civilized world wants to celebrate His birth, whether it knows the date or not.

Thank God for our Lord and His coming into the world, regardless of the exact date of His arrival by the virgin birth. We shall, therefore, go on preaching the truth, whatever is proper and fitting, regardless of “Christmas."

Gus Nichols

I Believe in Santa’s Cause

Many years ago the singing group, The Statler Brothers, had a song titled, “I Believe In Santa’s Cause.” As I think about the meaning of that song, I realized that I, too believe in Santa’s Cause.

Santa’s Cause involves happiness for all people. Santa is one who spreads good will. It should be my desire to live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18). Santa wants everybody to be happy. There is nothing negative ever said about Santa. Santa brings smiles, joy, and happiness to everyone he is around. In a world full of violence, bloodshed, and despair, Santa brings joy, peace, and happiness. The Christian should shine and stand out in the midst of a crooked generation (Philippians 2:15). The Christian should be the light that is needed to bring happiness to all around.

Santa’s cause involves giving. No one can think about Santa without thinking of giving. This time of year involves giving. Unfortunately many people are getters, not givers. Some love to get, but do not like to give. Giving involves sacrifice. Jesus said “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Is this our attitude generally around Christmas?

If we did not get any presents under the tree, how would we feel? Perhaps many young children are taught that getting is more important than giving. When we give presents we feel good. How do we feel when we have to give money to a certain cause? Are we stingy or liberal? The giving that Santa represents ought to be a very real part of the Christian’s life year round.

Santa’s cause also involves universal love. Santa looks at children in Afghanistan and Iraq the same way he does children in America. We, too should have a universal love for all people.

The Bible says God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). Neither should Christians be biased or partial (James 2:9). This time of year the love for many is shown. From the church that gives baskets to the needy of the community to the individual who makes a special gift to send to someone, universal love is seen in many areas. God’s universal love for the world caused Him to send His Son into a world that was full of sin.

Let us believe in Santa’s cause year round. The thought of spreading happiness, good will and universal love should be part of the Christian’s life 12 months a year. Do you believe in Santa’s cause?

Author Unknown

That Time of Year Again

Undoubtedly, during this holiday season more people (in our culture, at least) will be thinking and talking about the birth of Jesus than at any other time of the year. We see the effect of this phenomenon in various marketing and advertising campaigns, music that is played on popular radio stations, greeting cards, and slogans such as, “Jesus is the reason for the season.”

The birth of Christ is certainly among the most important (supernatural) events in the overall history of the world. It was/is a cause for great joy—something which God saw fit to have recorded in His Word. It signaled the implementation and the culmination of His Scheme of Redemption, the gift of complete forgiveness, available to all mankind.

However, as important as the birth of the Son of God is, it pales in comparison to His death and resurrection. Christ’s birth was simply the means God chose to bring His Son into this world. His birth was not (as is true with us) the beginning of His existence (John 1:1–2, 14). But His death and resurrection are the events without which we would all be condemned to eternal torment.

The scriptures authorize and obligate us, in very specific language, to have a special, religious observance to commemorate the death of Jesus (every first day of the week—Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 11:26). The scriptures are completely silent, however, with regard to any special commemoration of His birth. We’re not even told when it occurred.

Lest the point of this article be misunderstood, there is nothing wrong with Christians participating in the secular traditions surrounding “Christmas” that have evolved in this country. It is no different, in principle, from observing various traditions that we associate with Independence Day (e.g., fireworks and cookouts). It is good for families and friends to come together, exchange gifts, and share a special meal; and no Scriptural principles are violated by these practices.

However, we need to be careful that we don’t give anyone the wrong impression about what we’re doing when we celebrate “Christmas.” False teaching is just as wrong on this subject as it is on any other.

To put it another way, it’s a mistake to do anything that leaves the impression that we attach any religious significance to this time of year. We simply have no Scriptural authority to do so (just as we have no authority for attaching any religious significance to the holiday known as “Easter”). Christmas is not a celebration of the birth of Christ, and we are not authorized to think or speak of it in such a way. Jesus is not “the reason for the season.” He is the reason for our joy and hope, every single day of the year.

Andy McClish