Luke 2:9-11, And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
I must have seen or heard a hundred commercials this past month for "the perfect gift." The real perfect gift is one that the richest person on earth cannot afford to buy, but the poorest person can obtain "without money and without price." This gift will never break, never wear out, and never be depleted. "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." THAT, my friend, is the perfect gift!
But baby, it IS cold outside! You're right though, Cora. If Christmas ever was a celebration of Christ's birth, it has long since ceased to be one in society in general. I still use snail mail to send out physical cards, along with an appropriate gospel tract. People will accept tracts more readily, it seems, in public areas also when the tracts have pictures of a manger scene, men on camels, or even a wrapped gift on the cover. And of course it doesn't hurt to smile and say "Have a wonderful Christmas" when you hand someone a tract. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that the days ahead will be filled not only with precious gifts, but with the presence of the Giver.
John Yurich USA wrote: Why are you sticking up for Yolanda? You must also be against celebrating the Birth of Christ? There is nothing unscriptural about celebrating the Birth of Christ on 25 December even if He was not born on that day.
John Yurich
I like the way you drive conversation.
Now about celebrating Christmas as the "birthday" of our precious saviour you have my previous comments. Please refer to them.
I must remind you though of this. Many unbelievers do not want to engage in any conversation about Christ. They will state that it is just a tradition.
It is the one time that genuine Christians should talk with the lost; seeking to give them understanding about the eternality of Christ. We should seize the day; redeem the time, prick the conscience of the lost and hope that the Spirit in the word of his power will give them hope.
Surely the Lord will set many free from "Frosty the Snowman", "Jingle Bells", "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and much more nonsense.
And John, please remember Demetrius' scheme in Acts.
Connor7 wrote: Yolanda, dismiss John's comment, he's a troll.
Why are you sticking up for Yolanda? You must also be against celebrating the Birth of Christ? There is nothing unscriptural about celebrating the Birth of Christ on 25 December even if He was not born on that day.
Yolanda wrote: Giving Jesus a birthday simply causes many to see him as mere man and not as one coming in the flesh, made visible, in which we would behold the glory of God.
How nutty can anybody get by being against celebrating the Birth of the Lord Jesus Christ on 25 December even if He was not born on that day? Total insanity.
Yolanda wrote: Giving Jesus a birthday simply causes many to see him as mere man and not as one coming in the flesh, made visible, in which we would behold the glory of God.
" The seventh month of the Jewish calendar is the month of the Feast of Tabernacles. John 1:14, speaking of Jesus as the Word, says: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.” The word “dwelt” that is used here is the Greek word “skenoo” which literally means “to tabernacle”!"
R.C. Sproul has a good pamphlet, "Who is Jesus" that touches on that, you can get the pamphlet on Kindle or you can buy a paper copy, I think it's like $2.50 I have it on my Kindle, it's a pretty good pamphlet.
Ignominious Emirakan wrote: David Reagan has a good Bible study online Re- When Was Jesus Born? Was it really on December 25th? http://christinprophecy.org/articles/when-was-jesus-born/ Same basic time line analysis of JohnBaptist's dad's service as priest to establish John& the his cousin's birth. "place the birth of Jesus in the seventh month of the Jewish calendar. That would be in the fall of the year, in either late September or early October. His conception, not His birth, would have occurred in December of the previous year. The seventh month of the Jewish calendar is the month of the Feast of Tabernacles. John 1:14, speaking of Jesus as the Word, says: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.” The word “dwelt” that is used here is the Greek word “skenoo” which literally means “to tabernacle”! So, when God came to earth to tabernacle among Men it appears that He timed His arrival in the Bethlehem manger to coincide with the Feast of Tabernacles. That was only appropriate, for the Feast of Tabernacles is the most joyous of all the Jewish feasts. It is, in fact, their feast of thanksgiving...
Jim Lincoln wrote: ---[URL= http://tinyurl.com/ycr4rhoo]]]http://tinyurl.com/ycr4rhoo (MACARTHUR: Christmas culture wars obscure true meaning--Christ’s birth offers hope and salvation)[/URL]
Giving Jesus a birthday simply causes many to see him as mere man and not as one coming in the flesh, made visible, in which we would behold the glory of God.
Same basic time line analysis of JohnBaptist's dad's service as priest to establish John& the his cousin's birth.
"place the birth of Jesus in the seventh month of the Jewish calendar. That would be in the fall of the year, in either late September or early October. His conception, not His birth, would have occurred in December of the previous year.
The seventh month of the Jewish calendar is the month of the Feast of Tabernacles. John 1:14, speaking of Jesus as the Word, says: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.” The word “dwelt” that is used here is the Greek word “skenoo” which literally means “to tabernacle”!
So, when God came to earth to tabernacle among Men it appears that He timed His arrival in the Bethlehem manger to coincide with the Feast of Tabernacles. That was only appropriate, for the Feast of Tabernacles is the most joyous of all the Jewish feasts. It is, in fact, their feast of thanksgiving.
"Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
2Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
3For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
4They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
5They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good." Jeremiah 10:1-5
John MacArthur wrote: Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s not just a poignant story about a baby born in a stable because his family was turned away from an inn. According to the New Testament, the baby is God in human flesh, voluntarily stepping down to live among humanity, as a servant, in order to take the burden of others’ guilt and pay the price for it by sacrificing his life for them:...
To echo the apostle Paul, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (1 Timothy 1:15).
That’s what Christmas is truly all about, and Dec. 25 is as good a day as any to set aside for a special celebration of it: “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). In other words, the “peace on earth, good will toward men” proclaimed by the angels is not merely about peace between nations and goodwill among men. It’s about peace with God and grace from him to us in spite of our sin.
re-reading my "signed" copy of Real Christmas Story By Paul R. Pontis I recommend this to you with access to a good library- Another brother mentioned this study yesterday - And I also note audio overview of this bible study here
tinysa.com/sermon/1126172233550
The Truth About Christmas: When Was Jesus Really Born?
The Real Christmas Story contains a wealth of historical and biblical knowledge. Brother Paul Pontis does the reader a real service as he effectively challenges commonly held traditions surrounding the birth of Christ. Besides being enjoyable to read, this work is also a valuable reference guide.
The Truth About Christmas: starts with knowing the schedule for JohnBaptist's dad- So when that is seen in Chronicles, & 3 month age difference factors in When Was Jesus Really Born? Comes down to a Bible study & culture/ shepherding study for hints
obvious from the course of Abia of John's dad- the word Tabernacled among us in Sept for Tabernacles-- but if one does simple math- that means Χριστός Would have been conceived around end of December - So I will go with some of Spurgeon's irenic messages to use the time to point to the miracle Jn1:14a"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory!"
I wonder what happened to the shepherds, and the people they told. Were their lives changed from seeing the infant Jesus? Or did some not believe the shepherds (who had a very low credibility rating in those days)?
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:4-11 KJV
Dr. Derek W. H. Thomas | 12/7/2013
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