Ep.793: What Are You Getting For Christmas?
The real Christmas story
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Theme Scripture: Luke 2:11
Just think – in just a few days the anticipation will be over and we will get to finally open all those presents! We will finally get to see if we will get what we really wanted or if we end up with some lame gifts… Wait a minute! Has it really come down to THAT? Have we taken the value of the day on which the world acknowledges the birth of its savior and made that day so small as to be about ME? The good news is – there is still time! We can still find the real meaning! Stay with us…
What Are You Getting For Christmas?
The Real Meaning of Christmas
In view of the history and general practices of Christmas, many may take issue with the idea that the real meaning of Christmas is Christ’s birth. Jesus, of course, was not born on December 25, but rather, more than likely, around October. For most people, the meaning of Christmas does indeed have to do with Santa Claus (evidently based on the false god “Yule”, based on Mithras, based on Nimrod worship), Christmas trees, and traditions often associated with Christmas. Practically all of these “traditions” mimick heathen practices of idolatry and/or occultism, which leads many to refer to Christmas as a “pagan holiday”. While many are giving lip service to the birth of Christ, as demonstrated by their actions it would appear that in their heart most people in celebrating Christmas are not giving emphasis to any spiritual recognition of Jesus as the God’s Son, but rather to the mundane, carnal worship, rather than worship in spirit and truth. In view of this, it would probably nr better to describe the alleged or professed “real meaning” rather than the meaning that people actually give to Christmas.
Christians, however, should celebrate the birth of Jesus everyday, through heart obedience to him, and by declaring the good news of why he was born, which was the emphasis of the radio program: “What Are You Getting For Christmas?” There is no scripture, however, that tells us to set aside a specific day to celebrate Christ’s birth; on the other hand, there is no scripture that tells us NOT set aside a specific day to celebrate his birth. For the Christian, all days belong to God! There is no day that can be said to be a pagan day, although pagans may have set aside this or that day for pagan idolatous rituals. Paul gave the rule: “He who observes the day, observes it in honor of Jehovah.” — Romans 14:6, RSV, Holy Name Supplied.
The question each must ask for himself is, is what I do on the day set aside and called “Christmas” actually bringing honor to Jesus and his God, or does it bring me, my family, my neighbors, closer to provoking the anger of Jehovah due to mimicking of heathen idoltrous and/or occult practices? (Deuteronomy 4:25; 1 Kings 16:33; 2 Kings 22:17; 2 Chronicles 34:25; Jeremiah 25:6,7; 32:29,30; 44:8; 2 Corinthians 10:21,22) Am I helping to promote lies, such as the idea that Jesus was born on December 25, or Santa Claus? Am I helping to promote occult practices, such as “kissing under the mistletoe”? Each must answer these questions, not only according to his own conscience, but rather with the idea that Paul presented, in consideration the conscience of others who may not, in their heart, regard an idol as nothing, for by our example we may actually be encouraging someone else to practice idolatry in his conscience, by which we would be become partakers of their idolatry. — 1 Corinthians 8:10-12; 10:20-21,27-29.
See:
For the Sake of the Other’s Conscience
http://living.rlbible.com/?p=97
Idolatry Provokes Yahweh’s Anger
http://living.rlbible.com/?p=103
Mythology and the Bible
http://binfo.rlbible.com/?p=153
One point to note in the narratives of Matthew and Luke: Most translations do not endeavor to restore the Holy Name in Matthew 1:20,22,24; 2:13,15,19, but rather give the Holy Name as “the Lord”; likewise in Luke 1:6,9,11,15,16,17,25,28,32,38,45,46,58,66,68,76; 2:9,14,22,23,24,26,39, we find that the Holy Name is presented as “the Lord”. Of course, it was not actually an angel of a god by the name of “the Lord” that made the appearances; it was an angel of Jehovah (Yahweh).
See:
God’s Holy Name
http://jesus.rlbible.com/?page_id=2
Gospel of Matthew (RLIV)
http://rlbible.com/rliv/matthew.htm
Gospel of Luke (RLIV)
http://rlbible.com/rliv/luke.htm
The name, Jesus (Luke 1:31) signifies more than just “deliverer”. The name itself means “Jah (Jehovah) saves/delivers” or “Jah is savior/deliverer/salvation” (some change the Holy Name to “The Lord” or “God”, thereby giving it the meaning of “The Lord/God is savior/deliverer”, etc.).
http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/iesous.html
http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/hebrew/nas/yehowshuwa.html
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08374x.htm
The name of Jesus is never mentioned in the Bible as a “Holy/Sacred Name”, although, in effect, Jehovah does make the name of Jesus holy, sanctified. The name “Jesus”, however, is never once in the Bible presented as being the name of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, nor as the name of the Christian’s “one God” of 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:5.
It is Jehovah God, the only Most High, who performs the work toward Messiah, giving him the promised everlasting throne of David. — Isaiah 9:7; Luke 1:32.