Some bits about Christmas that I've learned…

 

Some bits about Christmas that I've learned…

1) Jesus wasn't born in December, but more than likely in September. Pope Julius I chose December 25 for the Feast of the Nativity, which also happened to be the date which coincided with the pagan festival known as Saturnalia.

2) The stable where he was born may have been a cave and not the typical stable that we see in nativity scenes. And more than likely, the wooden manger that we see Him depicted in, was hewn stone.

3) The wise men (magi) weren't present on the night of Jesus' birth. The Bible does not mention their names, nor if there were three of them.

4) There is much pagan influence in the Christmas that is celebrated today.

5) None of the above really matters because the fact remains that Christmas for me is about a birthday celebration, celebrating the birth of the very Son of God—God's gift to mankind!

So…

♩ ♪ ♫ ♬ For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
Candles in the window
Carols at the spinet
And we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
We need a little Christmas now♩ ♪ ♫ ♬

Have you received the greatest Christmas present ever? His name is Jesus. He freely gave His life, suffering death on a cross for you and your sins. But He's alive. He beat the grave and rose from the dead. He lives and desires that you come to Him, that you be saved through Him. That's the Good News. It's the message of Christmas. It began in a feeding trough 2000 years ago and as the church bells ring out at Christmastime so does the Good News of Jesus Christ, God's plan of salvation and gift to mankind.

Have you accepted God's free gift of salvation? He stands knocking at the door of your heart, desiring for you to let Him in.

In this increasingly darkening world we need a little Christmas, right this very minute. We need Jesus Christ. He remains our only hope. All the signs of the current times indicate that He's coming again soon. He's coming to make things right and bring judgement upon this decaying world. And He's coming to take with Him those who know Him, those who have trusted in His name.

Please, please, please…think upon these things that I've shared here. I'm praying for you.

Dave ❤

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)

HIS BIRTH WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING…

“If Jesus had preached the same message
      that ministers preach today,
           He would never have been crucified.”
                —Leonard Ravenhill

For the most part preaching today is focused on feeling good about yourself and others. For the love of God, love for others, but a tragic disregard for the cross of Jesus Christ and its message.

JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS AND MINE! We are all sinners. In need of love and for loving others? Yes, but first and foremost we need to know the Source of that love, by accepting the Greatest Love, the love of God in His Son, Jesus. The love He displayed upon the Cross. The love displayed by the One who was sinless, who gave His life for us sinners.

It is impossible to separate Christ's love for us and His desire for us to love others, from the message of the Cross. In order to get to God we must go to the Cross, agreeing with God that we are sinners and accept His wonderful gift of salvation. It is only then when we discover what true, selfless, sacrificial love is all about.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:16)

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

My prayer for this Christmas season is for all to see the reason for the birth of Jesus—for His life, His death and His resurrection. He promises eternal life both now and forever to all who believe.  

❤ Merry Christmas,

~~Dave