The oldest manuscript of Isaiah is from Dead Sea Scrolls, dated
over 100 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. Isaiah penned
the book over 600 years before that. There is some controversy
over the possibility of two authors, but this does not take away
from the authenticity of this Scripture. (Isaiah is reported to
have had an assistant, or Scribe, who helped him transcribe the
book of Isaiah.)
Our celebration of the Christmas season is coming to a close
and it is imperative to address this with some knowledge from
God's Word. I do not choose to get into the controversy created
during the past few years concerning our celebration of the birth
of Jesus Christ. Some say Holy Day others say Holiday:
(The word, "Holiday" is another way of saying "Holy" Day.")
There are some things that need clarification:
1.The word "Christmas" does not occur in Scrip-
ture, and there is no place in the Bible commanding
us to observe such a holy day. We are instructed in
the New Testament to remember His death until He
returns to this earth. My family has always celebra-
ted the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th. We
know, He may have been born in the Spring.
2. The many ways in which this holiday has been
observed over the years has given rise to a sort of
backlash from persons within and without church.
To state it plainly, this "holiday" has been more
about exchanging gifts with friends and relatives
than about the propagation of the gospel of Christ.
3. There is strong evidence in the observance of
this event that Santa Claus has top billing with side
mention of Jesus Christ. To enter a discussion of
Santa Claus being omitted from the celebration is
profitable, since fantasy is incompatible with the
Holiness of the season. We will not consider that
debate at this time.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God and the Word was God. He was in the
beginning with God and all things were made
through Him and without Him nothing was made
that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the
light of men. And the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness did not comprehend it. (“..did not
overcome it.”) John 1: 1-5”
“He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as
many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become chil-
dren of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born,
not of blood, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word
became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the
glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1: 11-14
"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:
Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a Son,
and shall call His name Emmanuel."
(“God with us”) Isaiah 7: 14
(Speaking of Joseph as he thought on his dilemma
with Mary who had conceived before their coming
together...)
"But while he thought about these
things, behold an angel of the Lord
appeared to him in a dream, saying,
Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid
to take to you Mary, your wife, for
that which is conceived in her is of the
Holy Spirit,' And she will bring forth a
Son, and you shall call His name Jesus,
for He will save His people from their
sins.
So all this was done that it might be
fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord
through the prophet saying:"
"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear
a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel,
which is translated, God with us." (Also spelled
"Immanuel") John 1: 20-23, donporter 12.28.13
No comments:
Post a Comment