CHRISTMAS QUESTIONS GRINCHES ASK

                                          ROMANS 14:1-12                             Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WASN’T JESUS REALLY BORN SOME OTHER TIME OF YEAR?

There are several  reasons people say this. They try to say Christians borrowed the date from pagan observances but are they right? They try to say it’s too cold in December for shepherds to have sheep in the fields but are they right? They have heard someone say it’s wrong to celebrate Christmas but are they right?

-Bible fact # 1 In I Chr. 24:1-19 David organized the priests for the Temple. There were 24 orders for the 12 months, two orders per month (v. 18-19). Note in the fourth month, the latter part of the month is the order of Abijah (v. 10).

-Bible fact # 2 In Ex. 12:2, 13:4 God says the month Nisan is the first month of the Jewish calendar. Nisan falls in our Mar. /Apr. which puts the order of Abijah in our July.

-Bible Fact # 3 Zechariah was serving in July. (Lk. 1:5-7) Not yet 50 but advanced in years (people age differently, in US pioneer days the average lifespan was 35). Luke 1:8-23. He went home in August and John the Baptist was conceived in August or September (1:24). Her first month would be Sept. or Oct. Her 6th month would be Feb.-March. (1:26-36 Mary conceived in Elisabeth’s 6th month so her first month would be March-April. Count it out. April, May, June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., December.

-now about that weather- Dr. Mark Cambron, respected Bible scholar had heard the claim that it is too cold for the sheep in December. We must remember Israel is not North Dakota or even Ohio. Dr. Cambron was at the shepherds’ field in Bethlehem one Christmas eve and noticed there were shepherds present. He asked them, “Why are sheep here and not in folds. Isn’t it too cold?” They replied, “This is when the grass grows best, so we graze here!” Then he noticed the grass was indeed thick and over knee high. Hearsay destroyed by eyewitnesses! Late December is when the shepherds are out in their fields to watch their sheep by night. The night the angels came. Luke 2:8-15. The night, Christ was born. I for one am not going to let the Devil steal my Christmas. What should we do?

 

1. Worship in Spirit and truth [Jn. 4:24]

 

2. Be fully persuaded in your own mind. [Rm. 14:5-6]

 

3. Whatever ye do, do it unto the Lord [Col. 3:17-25]

 

II. AREN’T CHRISTMAS TREES FORBIDDEN IN JEREMIAH 10:1-4?

 

1. Jeremiah is not talking about Christmas trees [Jer. 10:5-15] He is referring to wooden idols, carved by men, overlaid with gold, etc.

 

2. Christmas trees are actually Christian In Origin Not Pagan

 

John R. Rice recounts the origin of the Christmas tree. - In the 8th century a missionary named Boniface went to Germany to preach Christ. The Germanic tribes worshipped the oak tree as a symbol of deity. Boniface told them it was a poor symbol for God since it sheds its leaves and appears dead in winter. He told them the tree that should remind them of God was the evergreen. Always green and thriving.

Christmas trees became popular in England primarily through the influence of the German-born, Prince Albert, husband of England’s Queen Victoria. In America the trees were introduced by German immigrants in Pennsylvania.

 

3. The tree reminds me of Calvary [Gal. 6:14, I Pt. 2:24]

 

The light on top reminds me of Jesus. [Jn. 8:12, 9:5, I Jn. 1:5] The other lights remind me of Jesus’ word [Mt. 5:14]

 

III. HASN’T CHRISTMAS BECOME TOO COMMERCIALIZED?

 

It can be but need not be. If celebrated rightly Christmas is a good thing.

 

1. By Emphasizing Christ’s Birth [Is. 7:14, Micah 5:2, Mt. 1-2, Lk. 1-2]

Angels, Shepherds, prophets, just men & women, a special star, God Himself emphasizes it!

 

2. By Singing Christ Honoring Carols [Ps 47:6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.]

Psalm 7:17 I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.

Psalm 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

Psalm 9:11 Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.

Psalm 18:49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.

Psalm 30:12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Psalm 33:2 Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.

Psalm 57:7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

 

3. By Special Meals, Gifts, and Days set Aside to Honor Him [Esther 9:15-32, Rm. 14:5-6]