FAMILY WORLD NEWS December 2019AD 1
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CONSTITUENTS’ NEWS AND INFORMATION ISSN 13272279 Volume 27 No 12 December 2019 AD $4.00 (incl. GST) Editor-in-Chief Rev. Fred Nile M.L.C. E.D., LTh The Celebration of Christmas: the Virgin Birth of our Saviour (Matthew 1:18-24) It is true BY REV DR ROSS CLIFFORD, PRINCIPAL, In my first student year at Bible College, some 25 years MORLING BIBLE AND THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE ago, I was sent to a local church as a student observer. It There are a number of explanations people proffer for not was to be part of my practical learning experience for believing in the Virgin Birth. All of them can be answered. When the Vivid light show Christian ministry. I was having dinner one day with the The first is that there is not sufficient Biblical evidence for the was last on, I picked up two most prominent lay leader in the church. He said to me, doctrine. This is simply not true. Both Matthew and Luke of my grandchildren from “When do you think Jesus became God?” I thought he record the Virgin Birth in their opening chapter. Both are in church and we drove home might be trying to trick me. I immediately said, “I believe agreement that the Holy Spirit will be the responsible agent via the harbour. The lights Jesus didn’t become God, Jesus has always been God”. for the conception, that the child will be God’s gift, and that were flashing on the Opera “Oh yes”, he replied, “I know all that – but when do you angels bring the good news. They go on to bring their own House, CBD buildings and believe he really became God? I think he became divine perspectives – Matthew tells us of the Magi and Herod’s evil the bridge. As they were at his baptism”. I was mortified. This leader of the church plan, whilst Luke reports on the shepherds. As a former lawyer looking out the window my didn’t understand the Christmas message. Jesus wasn’t a this is what one would expect of reliable reporting: agreement grandchildren cried out “Papa good man who became special in God’s eyes. Every other in the essential facts, whilst still bringing one’s own emphasis stop, look at the lights!” For religion has such a guru. Christianity proclaims that in on other issues. Here we have the ring of truth! Also John me Vivid had become ho- Jesus, God was with us. That’s the joy, the wonder! chapter one, whilst not mentioning the Virgin Birth certainly Rev. Dr Ross Clifford (AM) hum. For their young eyes And that is why the Virgin Birth is so important. This supports this emphasis in declaring Christ to be the eternal it was marvellous and a wonder! It got me thinking was no ordinary conception as Mary “was found to be with Word. The same is true for the rest of the New Testament. And sometimes we can be so familiar with the Christian child through the Holy Spirit”. It’s God’s irrefutable sign. As don’t forget the Old Testament prophecy. Isaiah 7:14 proclaims message, we lose the joy and wonder. God so loved us Matthew records: “All this took place to fulfil what the Lord the same truth. Let’s strongly call all Christian leaders to hold that 2000 years ago he sent his son into the world for us. had said through the prophet: The virgin will be with child firmly to the Word of God on this issue. Born in a humble stable with angels, a star, shepherds, and will give birth to a son and they will call him Immanuel – wisemen- Wow! which means, ‘God with us’.” Continued on page 4 Christmas is the occasion to celebrate the Virgin Birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the World BY ARCHBISHOP In the 4th century it became impossible the Resurrection at the upper room with the Apostles. HAIGAZOUN NAJARIAN in the Holy Land to celebrate the birth in Why did the world need a Saviour and to save us from what? Bethlehem and on the same day to celebrate After the “Fall” which was man’s disobedience and rebellion Early Christians celebrated the Epiphany, the baptism of our Lord by the against God, mankind was punished but not abandoned Baptism of Jesus which heralded His Jordan River. Today the majority celebrate altogether by his Creator. Many holy men, patriarchs, kings and missionary activities. Through the edict this feast on December 25th, originally a prophets were directed to bring humanity back to God’s fold, of Milan in 318 Christianity became pagan feast celebrated in Rome, however though they had some success but humanity as a whole failed. one of the accepted religions within the the Armenian Apostolic Church continues As a last resort God Himself came down in the person of our Roman empire. By this time the actual to celebrate it on January 6th. Lord Jesus Christ to take away our sins through his blood on date of Jesus’ birth was not clear though Jesus’ life from His birth until His the Cross, as the ultimate symbol of his love towards humanity; certain facts try to clarify this issue that it death and Resurrection was seen by to show the way to perfection by loving one another leading us occurred during the reign of Herod king the early Christians as the fulfilment to eternal life and harmony with our Heavenly Father. of Judea, Caesar Augustus, Quirinius of the Law and the Prophets of the Old It is our task as Christians to preach and live the Gospel, to Governor of Syria, when the census Archbishop Haigazoun Najarian Testament. Thus, “Behold, a virgin be the salt in this world. occurred, the star etc. The important thing shall conceive and bear a son, and his May the angels’ trumpets heralding the birth of the Prince of for Christians at that time was “The Word became flesh and name shall be called Emmanuel, which means God is Peace be heard in the four corners of the world and humanity as dwelt among us” (John 1:14). His story was not a myth, a with us.” (Is. 7:14). The vehicle, the vessel chosen must brothers and sisters of the same Lord live in love and harmony fiction of a certain person but a factual reality, “That Which not only physically be immaculate but mentally obedient and recreate the paradise lost on this world. was from the beginning, (The Son of God) which we have and spiritually devout and firm in her faith. Saint Mary Christ is born and revealed, blessed is the revelation of heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have fulfilled all these conditions as we see from her conception, Christ. looked upon and touched with our hands…” (First Letter birth of Jesus, through the childhood of Jesus, the temple Archbishop Haigazoun Najarian, of John 1: 1). experience, the wedding of Cana to the Crucifixion and after Primate ACNA Annual Conference Delegates (front row) ACNA Chaplain Rev Fred Nile and Hon John Anderson Hon John Anderson Stan Colefax and Mrs Silvana Nile) 16/11/19 1 FAMILY WORLD NEWS December 2019AD 1. MELBOURNE HOLY CITY MARCH 2. ACNA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 4. AUSTRALIAN CONSTITUTIONAL WITNESS FOR JESUS CHRIST 24/11/19 This Annual Conference of the Australian Christian MONARCHY (ACM) ANNUAL Silvana and I were honoured to receive the invitation Nation Association was held on Saturday 16th CONFERENCE 6/11/19 from the Melbourne Holy City March Committee to November 2019 at the Parramatta Novotel. I was pleased to be the Host for this important be their special Speakers on Sunday 24th November We were pleased to have as the Keynote Speaker National Conference in the Theatrette of the NSW 2019. the Hon John Anderson, former Cabinet Minister Parliament House. Silvana and I led the Melbourne Holy City March from 1996 to 2005 with Prime Minister John Professor David Flint convened and chaired the through the streets of Melbourne. We also gave the Howard. National ACM Conference with a panel of leading Gospel Message at the special Christian Witness Other leading Speakers included Rev Dr Peter speakers. outside the Victorian Parliament House and the Barnes, Federal Moderator of the Presbyterian Church 5. ANNUAL CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC Melbourne City Square. of Australia. Dr Rachel Carling, CEO of Right to Life PARTY CONFRENCE 11-12 OCTOBER I thank the Pastors and Members of the Melbourne NSW, Bill Muehlenberg of the Culturewatch Ministry 2019 Multi-cultural Church who organise the Melbourne and Reverend Hon Fred Nile Federal President of the Holy City March. Christian Democratic Party and NSW MP for over 38 This successful Conference was well supported and They hold their first Holy City March last year when years. adopted policies for the future. Silvana and I were again their special Guest Speakers. 3. PRIME MINISTER SCOTT MORRISON 6. 85TH BIRTHDAY They were challenged to organise the Melbourne AWARDED “JERUSALEM PRIZE” ON I thank everyone for their prayer, congratulations Holy City March when they read the reports of the 21/11/19 and well wishes for my six 85th Birthday Celebration annual Sydney Holy Marches for over fourteen years, for my family, MP’s, Church Leaders etc. which were based on the Korean Holy City Marches; Prime Minister Scott Morrison received the esteemed May the Lord richly bless you and your family as where I was their special Guest Speaker for over five Jerusalem Prize for his support and Australia’s support we celebrate the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.