EVEN IF some very smart person discovered a more realistic date for Jesus' birth, December 25th will always be Christmas. It has become a tradition! However, we know Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger. But nothing is said about snow on the ground! Evidently the date of the birth wasn't important to God, or He would have made it known. Our world is trying its hardest to squeeze Christ out of Christmas, and we need to try all the harder to keep Him in our Christmas celebrations. We should use every opportunity to point to the birth of Christ during our celebrations. That is what St Nicholas was doing with his life when he was discovered wearing his red bishops cape, and delivering gifts in secret.
HE SIMPLY went about in secret, doing good, so others wouldn't be bombarding him for gifts. We so want the glory for what we do, don’t we. But not St Nicholas! I think Christ is more concerned about the attitude of our hearts toward him, than the date on which we focus the celebration. He is not bound by time and space like we are. In our limited sphere we like a date to keep us on track.
"BEHOLD, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished." Luke 18:31 Jesus is talking to the Apostles about the things that He was to endure; in verses 32-33 He clarifies them. He, Jesus, would be handed over by the Jews to the Gentiles to be mocked, treated terribly and spat upon. They would scourge Him, put Him to death and on the third day He would rise again.
NO ONE seems to question that Jesus rose on the 3rd day. No one says that Friday to Sunday morning would only be 1 ½ days after He died. However, the Jews counted each day, therefore, there was Friday, Saturday and then Sunday; three days! He did die on Friday and rose on the third day which was Sunday! Dates and days are important only if we place importance upon them. I am thankful that December 25th was the date that was set for Jesus’ birth; I am thankful that God gave man the ability to figure out the calendar by using the stars and the pattern of the solar system, so that we might understand the seasons and that dates could be set for us to celebrate His birth and His resurrection from the dead; Easter!
I HAVE a few ‘think so’s’ I would like to share with you. In our countries history we find books that have recorded dates, times and seasons so that we will not forget and so that we will know that something happened. We read these recorded informational facts and we believe it because they are facts; it is our history. In the Old Testament, dates, seasons and times were also important. Many times a celebration was scheduled for the 10th day of the seventh month in the 4th year....(I just made up that date) Many times God would set a date to schedule a celebration, a cleansing or a season that He felt was important and didn’t want the people to forget. There was even a time set aside for sacrificing an animal for forgiveness.
IN THE New Testament very few dates were set by God. Why do you think that is? I believe it is because our beliefs in God the Father and His Son, are to be based on faith. The gospel tells us about His birth, death and resurrection, but no dates were given. We have heard about these things, read about them in God’s Word, and have believed by faith! The date is not important! What is important is a date was set for the census; and it was taken.
UNKNOWN to Caesar Augustus, God used him to set a date so that Mary and Joseph could go to Bethlehem to fulfill all prophecy. The census places the birth of Jesus in 4 B.C. However, it is noted that the calendar was in error, for some reason. So what does that mean! It doesn’t matter; the records indicate the census was taken, as the birth of Christ was foretold; the rest is history. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! To celebrate His birth is a great celebration for all man kind.
Hallelujah, "It’s a boy!" By Jane Ann Crenshaw (12/19/08)
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