Where'd That Come From? Christmas Traditions Jn 8
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Where’d that come from? Christmas Traditions Jn 8: 32 and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." {Christmas test} Why has Christmas lost so much of it’s Power? It’s lost it’s Message! The devil has made sure: Revisionism –Minimalism – Liberalism – Commercialism The name “Christ” might be offensive? [P.C.] - God likes to Party! So, Today we will take a look at: Where did that Come From? Name: Christ - mas Lk 9: 18 Lk 9: 18 And it came about that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, "Who do the multitudes say that I am?"19 And they answered and said, "John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again." 20 And He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Peter answered and said, "The Christ of God." By the way … who do YOU say…. *As we’ve learned: Christ comes from Christos in the GRK or Meshiach in the Heb is used in the OT meaning “Anointed” Always without the definite article: “The” When it is used with the “The” -Christ means “The Messiah” Mass is the Latin word for “Gathering, meeting, or celebration” Christ - mas = Gathering / Celebrating “The Messiah’s” coming Bing Crosby is saying…. Why atheist are so upset Go pass it on have the smile Date: Was Christmas always on Dec 25th? Is that His real birthday? No… There are those who come to your door: Stars - Astrology => evil = death [how could Christians embrace something as good which GOD talk talked about as evil?] First off, this argument is taking many things out of context (don’t have time) 1. The Bible does Forbid Astrology, (Is 47:13) The looking TO.. for wisdom, the worshiping of stars God strictly forbids 2. But not “star Gazing” = Looking AT Psalm 19 … many stars = angels Rev 22:16 - Jesus …the bright and morning star Many Theologian and Rabbis… Early Jewish roots => Beit Alpha Synagogue God revealed himself to star gazers….. • To shepherds {no cell phones} in amazing way • Who do you think these Magi were? Descendants of Daniel, told and taught the prophecies of the coming messiah God will reveal himself to us in our ways today Was this a Pagan festival? Yes and No Winter solstice was celebrated on Dec 21-22 Represented the death of the SUN. By Dec 25 the Sun’s climb into the sky was obvious so a celebration of its “rebirth” was observed But God in His infinite way of blowing Minds did something amazing… The Star… Bethlehem star… Mt ch 2 Mt 2: 9 And having heard the king, they went their way; and lo, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them, until it came and stood over where the Child was.10 And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. = First Xmas Kepler – Retrograde motion This great Phenomenon of Jupiter and Saturn “stopping” over Beth was Dec 25 2BC Now we have the First Christian Emperor… “313 Edict of Milan” • The people are already celebrating at this time Gen 50: 20 • The wise men Celebrated and worshiped at this time… Lets! -so now The Church would have a context to explain Key word is “Celebrate”… [Cindy and I anniv] So When was Jesus Born? Depends on which calendar, Lunar or Solar Around Sept 29 2 BC (Newton) … facts! Celebrate … Commemorate EVERY DAY Let’s look at some of the Customs and Practices: Is it all bogus and to be avoided? Tree: is it a pagan thing and to be avoided? Jer 10:2-4? NO! look at vs 5, “cannot speak” … it is referring to Idols Christmas tree began in the 16th Century in Germany It was the blend of two Christian symbols [ you have traditions] 1. the “Paradise Tree” (evergreen with Apples) {Eden, gift of Life} 2. The Christmas Pyramid (triangular shelf holding figurines and the star) In 16th Martin Luther blended them Meaning What? Well remember, Peter still struggled with his human idea of “Messiah” He was told: “Get behind me satan” but also… [Look back at LK 9] LK 9:23 And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. Jesus just Described His mandate for DISCIPLESHIP: Remember this would make no sense to a Jew… why? Guillotine, Electric chair Deut 21: 22 "And if a man has committed a sin worthy of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, 23 his corpse shall not hang all night on the tree, but you shall surely bury him on the same day (for he who is hanged is accursed of God), so that you do not defile your land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance. Paul and Peter both teach us that “The Tree” is considered The Cross Art work NOT TRUE Representations Acts 5: 30 "The God of our fathers raised up jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. [NKJV-NIV … NASB- Cross : xulon Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us- for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"-- Dt 21 …Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death… 1 Cor 1: 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, that the cross of Christ should not be made void. 18 For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. That is why TO the NT Church The Cross became the most dominant symbol of our Faith jesus took what man made for Destruction, and gave the World Life! [Did you ever see X-Mas and get mad?] SLIDES SO: Paradise Tree God the giver of Life + The Christmas Pyramid = story of the Gospel The Christmas Tree was brought to England by Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert from his native Germany. The famous Illustrated Newsetching in 1848, featuring the Royal Family of Victoria, Albert and their children gathered around a Christmas tree in Windsor Castle, popularized the tree throughout Victorian England. Brought to America by the Pennsylvania Germans, So: Tree = The Cross Evergreen: for Everlasting life Lights: light of the world (Bethlehem star or angel on top) Garland: Red- blood Gold- deity Apples = Ornaments Gifts: Jn 3:16, (early in the Morn) [under the tree] He still has gifts to give us Believe it or not, Yes Virginia… there is {WAS} a “Santa Claus” FACT SHEET -and even a story about the candy cane and it’s colors… Frosty… I got Nothing !! Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, an area in present day Turkey in Holland where the Dutch spelling of his name Sint Nikolaas was eventually transformed to Sinterklaas Read your Bible… know the Truth… For the Truth will set you [and your neighbor’s] FREE Jn 3:16… is THE CHRISTMAS STORY ! .