The attack against Christmas
In its definition, one could say Christmas is a festival of the Christian church, observed annually on the 25th day of December, in memory of the birth of Christ, and celebrated by a particular church service. (Noah Webster)
Looking at the word closely should give us a deeper meaning to the word Christmas and the reason thereof.
Before further exposition, this we know, Christmas is more than a day. It is an event and a memorial, which encompasses or incorporate many things than a date inscribed to a calendar. Through Christmas, society for the most part, come together to share and receive gifts and favors in a joyous gathering, a custom which brings about that which we are accustomed to, such as the decorations, the Christmas tree, the lights and the presents thereof.
Furthermore, it serves as a reminder to the Christian Church as the greatest gift ever, and a hope of a testimony to those who are yet without the Gospel that they may perceive. For out of man’s compassion for one another, some may see the hope for life.
Greater than man is God; For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
This is the true Christmas, and this is the true gift to a world of distress, anguish and anxiety. Christ is that gift, for He said, come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
This rest spoken of as aforementioned above, is clearly seen in the word Christmas, the combination of two syllables from the word Christ – Mass.
Christ means the anointed one, whereas Mass indicates cessation from labor. Therefore, in Christ our anointed one, may we cease from the vain work of our hands, and find rest in Him. So then, what is so offensive or ungodly about Christmas that some believers have joined with the unbelievers with a disesteem toward this date?
The date of Christmas
For the first argument, the animosity toward Christmas within the modern Church is the repudiation of the date as uncertain, and consequently unknown. Therefore, they claim, if the original date is unknown, the celebration is unnecessary. However, shall an individual cease to live for the lack of the precise date of his or her birth?
Nevertheless, this we know, according to the Byzantine Rite Church Calendar, far before the modern Church, September 23 was celebrated as the date of the conception of John the Baptist. It was during the six-month pregnancy of Elizabeth, when Mary visited Elizabeth her cousin and the young Child, John the Baptist according to Luke 1:26.
So, considering the conception of John the Baptist was September 23, and the Child and his mother was visited during the six-month (Late March) by Mary, after she was told by the angel Gabriel that she was with the Holy child. From late March to late December will be nine months, the duration period before childbearing. Consequently, the early church celebrated December 25th as the birth of Christ, Christmas Day.
The preaching of the Gospel through the phrase Merry Christmas
Jesus once proposed a question, as recorded in Luke 18:8 . . . Will I find faith in the earth when I return? Such is the time, as the Lord desire to see many come to the saving knowledge of Grace, the world in opposition to the Gospel, race against the Good news, which is the Gospel in an attempt to eradicate all indications of Jesus Christ and the Gospel from the earth. One of its primary targets is the only universal accepted proclamation of the Gospel, Christmas.
Whenever the word Christmas is utter throughout the world, it is a reminder that Christ was born, He lived, He died for the sin of the world, He was resurrected, and He will return. Even for the non-Christian nations, though they do not celebrate Christmas as Christians do, but they know what Christmas is, and if they know what Christmas is, they will know who Jesus is, if they know who Jesus is, they are on a path of accepting Him. Consequently, Satan, who is the ruler of this world, he knows the simplicity and the power of the message of Christmas. Therefore, in all his might he tries to eradicate Christmas as we know it, by the omitting of the word Christ, to be replaced with X, covertly.
The power and the joy of Christmas which is the testament of Christ, is replaced with an X, as Merry Xmas. Whereas, others totally suppressed it all, with the phrase Happy Holidays. As the world races to eradicate Jesus Christ from the earth, sadly so, there are some Christians who support the cause with the world to suppress Christmas.
Knowingly or unknowingly, they withdraw themselves from all things Christmas, and the mention of it. The more they withdraw themselves, the worse they feel as the day approaches, this should be a sign that something is wrong. Nevertheless, man and woman in their attempt to justify an error, will at times results into self-righteousness. Through this we perceive the attack of the elements of Christmas, such as the classification of the Christmas tree as pagan. Therefore, they want no part of it, as a justification for not celebrating Christmas.
What is the Christmas tree, is it pagan?
The argument is, pagans of old worship trees as gods, carved trees as gods. Therefore, a Christian who places a Christmas tree in his or her home, they are guilty of pagan worship.
Howbeit, let us look at history rather than the self-Interpretation of history that we may learn from that which we perceive.
During the 6th – 8th centuries, Ireland, Scotland and England served as the seat for Missionaries to evangelize what is now Europe. Though these men were not perfect in all their understanding of all things Scriptures, or their day to day lives, but they knew they served a greater cause, the proclamation of the Gospel. One among many was Saint Boniface from Devonshire Britain, he was known as the apostle to the Germans. As history recalls, on Christmas Eve, 716 AD, Boniface confronted the Germanic tribes as they were about to offer the young prince Asulf as a human bloody sacrifice to their god of thunder, Thor. To these pagans, Thor lived in a huge oak tree at Geismar. (Germany)
Boniface, with boldness and courage, took an ax to the oak tree and within a short time chopped down the mighty “blood” oak of Thor. There was said to be a wind which swept in, helping to blow the oak tree over. Those who were present, were in awe to such a sight, and what had transpired, and rightly so, a life was saved, from darkness they saw The Light.
Therewith, they rejected Thor and accepted Christianity. As the mighty bloody oak of Thor laid in waste, there stood an evergreen tree. To this Saint Boniface spoke of:
“This is the word, and this is the counsel. Not a drop of blood shall fall tonight, for this is the birth-night of Saint Christ . . . Savior of the world.
This little tree, a young child of the forest, shall be a home tree tonight. It is the wood of peace, for your houses are built of fir. It is the sign of endless life, for its branches are evergreen.
(He continues) See how it points toward Heaven! Let this be called the tree of the Christ Child; gather about it, not in the wild woods, but in your homes; there it will shelter no deeds of blood, but loving gifts and lights of kindness."
Out of the darkness where life was to end, like the young prince Asulf and the many who were to follow, came forth an evergreen tree, replacing the bloody demand of a world lost in sin to an everlasting hope of love and gift, all in remembrance of the ultimate Gift which is Christ Jesus our Lord.
For the Germans of that day, the evergreen tree - Christmas trees, represented the end of a bloody demand of sin and the testament of Jesus Christ our Lord, as the sweet savor and the light to men in darkness.
Practical lessons from the Christmas tree and benefitsUnlike other trees, the evergreen tree remains spirited even after it has been separated from its core. As families gather inside during the cold days and nights of winter, its aromatic serves as a pain reliever, detoxification, the boosts of respiratory function and more. The Christmas tree also serves as beneficial to theology teaching of old. Unlike now, with PowerPoint, video integration and animation to a topic, those who came before us were without such luxury of teaching.
Once again, the evergreen Christmas tree served as an early aid in illustrating the Trinity. Due to its shape of a triangle, Saint Boniface was able to teach the Germans through illustration of the Trinity, the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit. As the years progress, the Church world accepted the Christmas tree. Though it has taken many forms and substance, may the true meaning be the reason for the season, Christ is the reason, and He is the light to uncertainty and the deliverer of the oppression of darkness. When He is seen, it is joy unspeakable and full of glory. This was the case with Martin Luther.
The lighting of the Christmas tree
It was said that Luther was working on his family Christmas tree on a cold December night under the open sky. Looking up, he notices the innumerable stars in the heaven as light in the darkness. Returning home to his family with joy and gladness, together they placed small candle lights on the branches of the tree. As the stars light up the night, so was the star of Bethlehem which light up the hearts of men.
Where darkness is defeated, there is the animosity toward the light. As the world fight against Christmas and what it stands for, some in the Church has joined with the world in the refusal to acknowledge the birth of Christ. Even in the midst of the darkness of ignorance which overspread the world, this light of Divine wisdom will never be totally eclipsed.
If God watches over the preceding records for thousands of years before the birth of Christ, shall He not watch over the memorial of His gift to mankind less it be corrupted by unbelief? The deception of the unbelievers and haters of Christmas is to draw men and women, boys and girls away from the happiest day of the year to prevent the joyous celebration of the birth of the Lord.
For their refusal to accept that which is right, they are trapped in misery. Therefore, they draw others into their misery, pretending to be righteous, they smear the joy of Christmas as a heathen celebration, while deceiving some believers, they hinder the proclamation of the Good news, unto all that Christ was born onto us this day.
To the Christians of today, fear not to celebrate this day, it was for us this day was established. Like the words of the angel of old; Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
The true gift of Christmas is not that which we find underneath the evergreen tree, but the true gift is He who hung on a tree that we might pass from death onto life.
Before He became a sacrifice, He was born. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn Fall on your knees oh, hear the angel voices O night divine, O night when Christ was born O night divine
MERRY CHRISTMAS
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🎨PSW·3✒©
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