By Jamali Jack (Kingstown Church of Christ, SVG)
On June 2, 2014, Zhordanne Charity Francita Jack was born to Jamali and Jeana Jack. Today (December 25, 2015), is not her birthday. We would think it extremely odd if anyone were to extend Happy Birthday greetings to her on any day (belated greetings exempt) beside her birthday. That being said, every waking day I give God thanks for bringing her into this world. It would seem somewhat shortsighted if we as parents only think about and appreciate her coming into the world on her birthday.
If we all can understand that, then we can all understand this: December 25, by all reasonable evidence, is unlikely to be the birthday of Jesus Christ. Biblically speaking, absolutely no one (this side of Heaven) knows on what day of what month Jesus was born. To arbitrarily decide on a day, no matter how sincere, and claim it to be His birthday would be as presumptuous as doing it for Zhordanne or anyone else for that matter. In like fashion, celebration of the fact of His coming into the world should not be limited to a single day (without any biblical authority) to the abandonment of the other 364.
It would do us all well to consult the only accurate source, the Bible, to to become familiar with the truth and dispel the many misconceptions regarding the birth of Christ; to investigate through historical research the events prior and leading up to the origin of what is commonly known as 'Christmas'; and to apply wisdom and reason to the celebration of Christmas after acquiring both biblical and secular knowledge.
On June 2, 2014, Zhordanne Charity Francita Jack was born to Jamali and Jeana Jack. Today (December 25, 2015), is not her birthday. We would think it extremely odd if anyone were to extend Happy Birthday greetings to her on any day (belated greetings exempt) beside her birthday. That being said, every waking day I give God thanks for bringing her into this world. It would seem somewhat shortsighted if we as parents only think about and appreciate her coming into the world on her birthday.
If we all can understand that, then we can all understand this: December 25, by all reasonable evidence, is unlikely to be the birthday of Jesus Christ. Biblically speaking, absolutely no one (this side of Heaven) knows on what day of what month Jesus was born. To arbitrarily decide on a day, no matter how sincere, and claim it to be His birthday would be as presumptuous as doing it for Zhordanne or anyone else for that matter. In like fashion, celebration of the fact of His coming into the world should not be limited to a single day (without any biblical authority) to the abandonment of the other 364.
It would do us all well to consult the only accurate source, the Bible, to to become familiar with the truth and dispel the many misconceptions regarding the birth of Christ; to investigate through historical research the events prior and leading up to the origin of what is commonly known as 'Christmas'; and to apply wisdom and reason to the celebration of Christmas after acquiring both biblical and secular knowledge.
Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.
Not to be misunderstood, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with festive lights, appropriately decorated trees, exchanging of gifts etc. Truth be told, it might do us well to be doing more, not less, of this. However, in this month of so much peace and goodwill to all men, let us remember there are 11 other months in the year when we can be consistent in this most noble sentiment. Let us daily be grateful for Christ's birth and, dare I say even more so, for His death, of which He specifically commands us to commemorate in the Lord's Supper (I Corinthians 11:23-29) on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). Had Jesus not died, we all would have no hope of salvation from our sins through THE GOSPEL. According to Paul in I Timothy 1:15, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." The perpetual, global and eternal consequences of sin requires an omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient Savior, not a seasonal 'Santa'. Let us not limit Jesus to the reason for "this season", for He is an Emmanuel for ALL SEASONS.
Isaiah 9:6-7 reads, "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. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."
Happy Holidays and may we all seek God's richest blessings (i.e. in Christ) in 2015 and beyond.
Isaiah 9:6-7 reads, "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. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."
Happy Holidays and may we all seek God's richest blessings (i.e. in Christ) in 2015 and beyond.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE WATCH: The Truth About...CHRISTMAS.