CLASSIC CHRISTMAS MISTAKES (errors)

Matthew 22:29

Pastor Rick Jackson

Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

 

When you read the Christmas story in the Bible it is not just the story of one day. It is the story of millennia, the story before time that has not ended and will never end though time itself will. If you say you mean the events as they happened, though prophesied for many centuries before, even then, it is a story of years; it was 1 year and 3 months before the first Christmas day that Zechariah was apprised of the events that were to change his life and the world! It was some 2 years after the first Christmas that the wise men finally made it to Bethlehem where they found the toddler King of the Jews in a house with His mother and step-father. What we celebrate in a season took over 3 years to live out! In those years there are several notable mistakes made by the people of that time- mistakes that continue to be made by some even in our time! Be careful you don’t make one or more of the Classic Christmas mistakes!

 

I. THERE ARE TEMPORARY MISTAKES [Isaiah 29:24]

They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.

 

1. Zechariah Didn’t Believe God’s Messenger at First [Lk. 1:5-20, 57-64]

 

2. Joseph didn’t Believe Mary’s Explanation at First [Mt. 1:18-25]

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

 

3. The Wise Men Assumed Jerusalem would be the Birthplace of the King of the Jews [Mt. 2:1-2]

NOW when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

 

II. THERE ARE TRAGIC MISTAKES [Hebrews 3:7-12]

Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

 

1. The Chief Priests & Scribes were Apathetic [Mt. 2:4-6]

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

 

2. King Herod was Ignorant and Antagonistic [Mt. 2:4-6, 13, 16-18]

-And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

-Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

 

3. Some Persons are Arrogant in their Ignorance [Romans 1:18-22]

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

 

III. THERE ARE TRADITIONAL MISTAKES – People that are more interested in:

 

1. Presents than His Presence & Profits more than the Prophets [Mt. 1:22-25, Lk. 16:13]

-Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

-No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

 

2. Holidays than Holy Days & Santa more than the Saviour [Mt. 6:33, Phil. 2:9-11]

-But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

-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.

 

3. Christmas Trees rather than Calvary’s Tree & Spirits rather than the Spirit of God [Gal. 3:13-14, Eph. 5:18]

-Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

-And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;