By Rev. Gary Green
Well What is CHRISTMAS
Secular sources offers this Definition
Christmasˈkrɪsməs/ noun
1. the annual Christian festival celebrating Christ’s birth, held on 25 December in the Western Church.
synonyms: Xmas, Noel; Burra Din; informal: Chrimbo, Chrissie; archaic: Yule, Yuletide
Wikipedia says
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed most commonly on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world.
Dummies.com says
You probably know that Christmas is celebrated on December 25. In the Western World, families distribute gifts that Santa Claus left under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning. Many attend church services on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, and later gather for Christmas dinner with extended family.
Christmas is the observance of Jesus’ humble birth to a virgin in a stable in Bethlehem. The holiday also celebrates the events surrounding his birth, such as an angel’s appearance to shepherds, telling them to visit the newborn king.
Although the Church doesn’t consider it the most important Christian holiday, Christmas is certainly the most popular, at least in terms of cultural and social significance.
What did the Apostles of the new testament Say about “This Jesus & His Birth”
Firstly we can look to the Apostle Johns letters in particular 1 John Chapter 3 the things we know about this letter is that we are certain about the intended readers based on the content of the letter itself is that (i) they were Christians, (ii) they appear to have been well-known to the author (and he to them), and (ii) they were facing a threat from false teaching, a threat which was both serious and which appears to have arisen from within their Christian community.[1] 1 John 2:18-19 ie. The first epistle indicates that the readers were confronted with the error of Gnosticism[2]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism. And the locale in which Johns letters were written leads scholars to conclude that the best and earliest evidence points to Ephesus. The Book of 1 John was likely written between A.D. 85-95.
The Apostle John leads in with this Statement found in 1 John 1 vs.1 – vs.4 which is a core foundation he builds upon
1 John 1 (ESV)
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
In the epistle 1 John chapter 3 we find the Apostle John states a foundational doctrinal truth which is core to Christianity and directly clarifies why the Birth of Jesus on Earth.
1 John 3 (ESV)
1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
ESV vs.5 and (TLB) vs.5
you know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. or as the TLB puts it
And you know that he became a man so that he could take away our sins, and that there is no sin in him
ESV vs.8
… The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
The Apostle John is writing from Ephesus to the believers and states clearly the purpose for the Birth Life and Death of Jesus the Christ Gods only Son.
This was no ordinary event; this was no random event of chance! No it had specific purpose and intent formed in the heart of God the Creator of Heaven and Earth which could only be achieved by His only Son Jesus the Christ.
In today’s vernacular; the most Historic Earth Changer, Heavens Shattering, SIN Destroying Event which not even Lucifer himself understood, was all formed in the heart of God with the Son before the foundations of this world had became a reality.
This intervention this visitation by God and His Son was aimed at one thing and one thing only and the Apostles and Prophets declared it!
“To Destroy the Power, The Dominion and Control of Mans State of SIN; that came through the fall of Adam.
From that day Adam fell all flesh was born in SIN; Born under Domination, Born with a SIN Debt he could never pay; Born with a SIN Nature he in himself could never Dominate but rather would be dominated by.
What could be describe as “Mans Dilemma” which could only be resolved by God. A SOLUTION that ONLY GOD could provide which was through his Only Son Jesus who by the way of the Cross obtained and offer to men.
The Birth of Jesus
Is about SIN and God’s answer to the “Dilemma” Mankind could never resolve
Gnosticism states Matter ie (Flesh) is Evil and Spirit is Good therefore God did not come as a man in flesh and die a physical death. Thereby voiding the shedding of blood for forgiveness of sins which is the payment God made for Mans redemption of his SIN Debt to God. The Apostle John refutes this and say’s “Jesus was Born physically as a child in Flesh and was Gods Son”. We could say… Gods reasons for coming to earth in human fleshly form of man wasn’t because of a whim or fancy to mingle with men, no it was motivated by a love for mankind and compassion and kindness not found in the hearts of men naturally.
The writer of Hebrews in chapter 9 vs 28 say’s “Christ died only once”. So why did He die? and whats that got to do with Christmas?
Well!
What was the prime purpose of Jesus being born in the Flesh (100% man), 1 Jn 3:5 ESV. say’s He came “To Take Away our Sins” and in Hebrews chapter 9 vs 28 is say’s “so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many,… ” But it did not stop there! vs.28 continues to say “so Christ,… “will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him”.
Hebrews chapter 9 says Jesus is coming a second time and it has nothing to do with Sins!
One needs to ask Why?
I believe Jesus himself explained it clearly with his last words spoken on the cross! and has been recorded in the gospels for all mankind to know. “IT IS FINISHED”
What is finished?
The Sin Problem!
The Sin Problem was and is No Longer a problem as far as God is Concerned.
Gods Solution had now been fully completed and was now established forever for mankind,
Remember… “he appeared in order to take away sins…
Remember…”… The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
God’s Son Jesus is Coming a Second Time
And this time He comes to Earth for an entirely different purpose!
“To Save Those Who Are Eagerly Waiting for Him’ (Hebrews 9 vs.28)
The question needs to be asked! “Now that sins have been dealt with! What is God through His son going to Save His People From?”
The books of Matthew[3]Matthew 24:3-31, Thessalonians[4]1 Thessalonians chapters 4-5 and 2 Thessalonians chapters 2-3 and Revelations speaks about this time coming it is refereed to by many as the 70th Week of Daniel’s Prophecy.[5]DANIEL 9:27
And according to the writer of the books Jesus is Coming to a time like nothing Mankind has ever seen before, a time where the Demonic world makes an open play for Domination and Satan attempts to once again declare himself as God and in Pride places himself on a throne in the 3rd Temple in Jerusalem declaring himself as God, demanding all to bow down and worship him and will require all to take a mark that signifies their submission and homage of him as God, this single act by mankind will immediately determine their eternal doom and Just condemnation by God.
This 70th week (a 7 year period) is marked with great tribulations to those who are God’s people, Jews and Christians alike come under intense persecution from Man on Man, Daniel says this period will last 3.5 years, which brings mankind to a tipping point where the Antichrist plays his hand for Domination and control, fooling even the elite with his guile.
What follows is something no one should ever want to see or endure in their right mind, it is the Wrath of God Poured Out on Mankind on Earth, Judgments so terrifying it should cause all who hear of its coming want to do whatever God says must be done to escape this.
This is what Jesus is coming back for! Its been called the “Rapture”, the “Departure”, the “Resurrection” of the Dead in Christ and the Living. The writer of the book of Hebrews clearly states Jesus second coming was and will be to “SAVE” His people waiting for Him.
Christmas is About:
The Power of SIN and the SIN Nature that has Dominated Mankind Since Adams Fall being Dealt with by God once and for all, it is also about a time yet to come where God Saves people from a time like no other where the full cup of God’s Wrath and Judgments a meted out on a defiant mankind.
Johns Gospel says it well. John Chapter 1 vs 29
“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the Sins of the World” we should bare in mind that Jesus had not died on the cross at this point and the John the Baptist sees Jesus and makes this proclamation.
The Angels declared the purpose of the Birth of Jesus before He was even born. Apostle Matthew writes in chapter 1 vs 21 ” the Angel said to Joseph, son of David fear not take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit, She will bare a son and you shall call his name Jesus for he will save his people from their Sins”
Apostle Luke’s account of the shepherds in the field is illuminating vs.10 chapter 2. “The Angel said fear not behold I bring you Good News of great Joy that will be for all people, vs. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a saviour who is Christ “the anointed one” the Lord “God”
The Angels Declared the purpose of His Birth it was: “SALVATION FROM SIN AND JUDGMENTS”
Isaiah chapter 7 vs 14 says ” He shall be called Immanuel “God is with Us” we must remember this was recorded from Oral History in the book of Isaiah around 701-681 BC with that in mind We now read Isaiah chapter 9 vs 6 which says
For unto to us a child is born
to us a son is given
and the government shall be upon his shoulder
and his name shall be called
wonderful counsellor, Mighty God
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah proclaims yet another time to come which can be biblically tied to the 1000 years of peace what is called The Millennium, spoken of in the New Testament, We have a prophet during a period before 701-681 BC declaring events to a child yet to be born “Jesus” concerning a world changing event to happen. we are now in 2018 means approx. 3000 yrs have past and this event is yet to happen. I can confidently say it will happen, why because this child was born, that is what Christmas is about!
The Nativity Story is far more then a stable, a baby and animals we celebrate an event which altered the destiny on mankind and saved them from doom and eternal damnation. Most today do not understand this or consider it part of what is Called Christmas in the Secular sense, for a vast majority its a public holiday time for presents and endulgements of excess.
Christmas is not a Jewish holiday.[6]http://www.jewfaq.org/xmas.htm Yet according to the prophet Zachariah in chapter 12 vs 10 there is coming a day when they will finally recognise Gods Only Son this child Born of a Virgin, Named Jesus who came to take away their SIN. “Take away the Sins of many people”
10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.
Yes a time is coming when the Nation of Israel will understand and acknowledge Jesus Born of Mary Gods Only Son the Child who came in humility and suffered the cross for their SIN to save them from Sin and Death (Eternal Separation From God), this event for Israel will not come without a price; as at this time spoken of in Zachariah 2 thirds of Israel will have been killed and in desperation those who are left cry out to God and God sends His Son a third time to save them from total destruction, Salvation is always on Gods Mind.
WHAT IS ON OUR MIND?
We today have an incredible opportunity before us as we enter the 2018 Christmas festive period. We have the freedom and opportunity to embrace God and His Son and What He came for and did for us some (approx.) 2000 years ago.
Will we openly acknowledge without reservation God sent His Son Born of a Virgin and His name was called Jesus and He came for a specific purpose “to save us from the Power of SIN and the Domination of the SIN Nature that holds every-man not born of God Captive.
Whatever has happened during 2018 in our live is behind us what matters is what are we going to do with the truth about Jesus the Son of God.
He came born as a child He lived as a man and His name was called Jesus 100% Man yet 100% “God is With Us!” non can deny the facts historical evidence demands that acknowledgement, what God seeks is the Heart of a Man or Women Boy or Girl who will embrace for themselves the very purpose His Son Jesus came for, that He came to save them from their SIN and to destroy the power of SIN over them. And we who are alive may see Him come again to save us from a time that’s yet to come.
In conclusion I would ask you to once and for all will you Surrender your Life to God and Let Him Save you from the power of, and domination of and control of “SIN”, which only produces “Death”, ie. separation from God now and for Eternity
The Bible says only a fool says in their heart “there is No God” Psalm 14 vs.1, I would say only a fool would say they have No Sin or a Sin Debt to God and the Apostle John says that person is deceived 1 John 1 vs.8-vs.10
The Birth of Jesus was the prime act of Gods Plan to Redeem (pay out) our Sin Debt to God on our behalf because we could never by our own efforts pay that Debt!
Yes we actually have something to Celebrate at Christmas and its not Santa and Present or Holidays!
TODAY HIT LIFE’S PAUSE BUTTON.
Replay the Christmas Story God’s Way: His Son came to dwell amongst man to Save men from “SIN” and then I invite you to embrace in its absolute fullness the One Purpose He came for.
Below is a prayer Ive written I would encourage you to find a quiet place and pray this prayer with utter sincerity and resolve to let it be the reality and truth of your life today.
GOD WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN
Father in Heaven, I come to you in Jesus name.
I believe Jesus Christ is your son and that Jesus came and lived as man, and he was crucified on the cross for my sins.
I believe Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day and is seated at the right hand of God in Heaven, as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Today I ask that Jesus, your son, would come and dwell in my heart by the Holy Spirit, and I surrender my whole life, my will and desires to Jesus Christ and make him my Lord and King.
Today I choose to give you, almighty God, complete control of my life.
Fill me with your Holy Spirit, forgive me for my sins, and give me your power and ability now to live a life that honors you and brings others to know you. I thank you for this new life I now Have.
I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
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References
first printed 07 DEC 2016