THE DATE, THE DETAILS, & THE DEVOTION CONCERNING CHRISTMAS

ROMANS 14:1-12

 

Rick Jackson

 

I. THE DATE (Was Jesus Born in December?)

It is amazing the amount of people, even Christians, who doubt Jesus was born in December. The problem is they are merely repeating a mantra they have heard from others- and the others didn't do their homework!

 

1. Critics Claim It Was Too Cold for the Sheep in Bethlehem’s Field in December when Christ was Born

 

Were you there then? Have you ever been there?

 

Dr. Mark Cambron, respected Bible scholar had heard this unsubstantiated 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!

 

2. Critics Claim the Bible Doesn’t Give the Date as December

 

Well, not in those terms. But- you must rightly divide the Word of God.

 

-Bible fact # 1 In 1 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 (Luke 1:24). Elisabeth’s 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.

 

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.

 

II. THE DETAILS

 

1. Some Claim Christmas Trees are of Pagan Origin [Jer. 10:1-4]

 

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

 

-Christmas trees are actually Christian.

 

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.”

 

-the Christmas tree reminds me of Calvary [Gal. 6:14, 1 Pt. 2:24]

 

2. The Lights Remind Me of Jesus & the Christmas Lights [Mt. 2, Lk. 2] the Star, the Angels

 

-Jn. 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

-Jn. 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

-1 Jn. 1:5 God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

-Mt. 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

 

3. Critics say giving gifts has become too commercialized [Esther 9:20-22]

 

It can be but need not be. Besides, since when do we not do right because someone else does it wrong. Many cults have services on Sunday- we still follow the Bible pattern as given in the N.T.

 

And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far, To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly , As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.

 

III. THE DEVOTION

 

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

 

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

 

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

 

One man esteemeth one day above another : another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

 

3. Whatever ye do, do it unto the Lord [Col. 3:17, 23-25]

 

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily , as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.